Archive for April, 2007

This handmade throw created from recycled t-shirts pretty much says it all - with a little help from Ghandi who first said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." 

I can't take credit for the bulk of this post but it's good enough to share and I believe it to be true - an excellent reminder about the difference between dreaming about something and actually taking the required action to manifest our dreams. 

Twelve differences between those who dream and those who act:

1. Wanna-be's obsess about ideas.  Entrepreneurs obsess about implementation.
2. Wanna-be's want more web traffic.  Enrepreneurs focus on sales conversion.
3. Wanna-be's focus on positive thinking.  Entrepreneurs plan for multiple contingencies.
4. Wanna-be's want to get on TV and get "famous."  Entrepreneurs build their list.
5. Wanna-be's seek a perfect plan.  Entrepreneurs execute and adjust the plan later.
6. Wanna-be's wait for their lucky break.  Entrepreneurs engineer four, five, six plans and execute them in tandem, wagering that at least one plan will get traction.
7. Wanna-be's fear looking stupid in front of their friends.  Entrepreneurs willingly risk making fools of themselves, knowing that long-term success is a good trade for short-term loss of dignity.
8. Wanna-be's shield their precious ideas from harsh reality, postponing the verdict of success or failure until 'someday.'  Entrepreneurs expose their ideas to cold reality as soon as reasonably possible.
9. Wanna-be's put off practicing basketball until they've got Air Jordans. Entrepreneurs practice barefoot behind the garage.
10. Wanna-be's believe what they're told, believe their own assumptions.  Entrepreneurs do original research and determine what paths have been already trod.
11. Wanna-be's believe they can do anything.  Entrepreneurs do what they're gifted for and delegate the rest.
12. Wanna-be's think about the world in terms of COULD and SHOULD.  Entrepreneurs think in terms of IS and CAN BE.

The above information is straight from Perry Marshall an adwords guru if ever there was one. Hope it makes you think and gives you a kick in the pants (if you need it)!

1. The first time a man (or woman) looks at an advertisement, he (or she) does not see it.
2. The second time, he (or she) does not notice it.
3. The third time, he (or she) is conscious of its existence.
4. The fourth time, he (or she) faintly remembers having seen it before.
5. The fifth time, he (or she) reads it.
6. The sixth time, he (or she) turns up his nose at it.
7. The seventh time, he (or she) reads it through and says, "Oh brother!"
8. The eighth time, he (or she) says, "Here's that confounded thing again!"
9. The ninth time, he (or she) wonders if it amounts to anything.
10. The tenth time, he (or she) asks his neighbor if he (or she) has tried it.
11. The eleventh time, he (or she) wonders how the advertiser makes it pay.
12. The twelfth time, he (or she) thinks it must be a good thing.
13. The thirteenth time, he (or she) thinks perhaps it might be worth something.
14. The fourteenth time, he (or she) remembers wanting such a thing a long time.
15. The fifteenth time, he (or she) is tantalized because he cannot afford to buy it.
16. The sixteenth time, he (or she) thinks he will buy it some day.
17. The seventeenth time, he (or she) makes a memorandum to buy it.
18. The eighteenth time, he (or she) swears at his (or her) poverty.
19. The nineteenth time, he (or she) counts his (or her) money carefully.
20. The twentieth time he (or she) sees the ad, he (or she) buys what it is offering.

The list you've just read was written by Thomas Smith of London way back in l885.

How much of this is true today? All of it.

The single most important element of really excellent marketing is commitment to a focused plan and the coolness to hang in long enough to get into a prospect’s unconscious. It’s not easy but once you get in to the unconscious, you’ll find the place where most purchasing decisions are made.