You Need Conviction To Succeed!

December 27, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Are you struggling to make progress towards a valued personal or business goal?

Does it feel like you don’t have enough of the things you need to succeed?

This article narrates a true story that illustrates the fact that sometimes NOTHING, other than a lack of adequate conviction, can hold you back, if you really set your mind to it.

You will learn how having a firm conviction, and acting on it with unwavering faith and enthusiasm can (magically) open doors leading to the opportunities you seek, until you achieve success.

Discovering The Business Of Webdesign As A Struggling Startup

When I first picked up the November 2003 issue of a glossy covered professional webdesign magazine from Rotciv’s table, little did I know that less than 3 months later, I would be earning substantial income providing formal webdesign services to clients.

It all began with a casual comment I made to Rotciv as I flipped through the mag’s thick pages, at the back of which the publishers had included a “How To” CDROM with sample designs, free software etc for use by readers.

He had accumulated multiple editions of the magazine in his office as the subscriptions arrived, but never gotten round to doing anything with them.

From reading through the one in my hand, I discovered that the tutorials, exercises and resources in it were authored by world class webdesign professionals in different areas of specialisation.

My interest was instantly aroused, because I knew that studying the techniques used by such highly paid experts, was bound to set one’s work apart.

Another reason I got interested was that my Excel-VB driven custom software development business was still in it’s infancy at the time. I was struggling to find prospects willing to consider my unusual spreadsheet automation service in my local market.

I have since successfully carved a unique marketplace niche for myself as a provider of custom Excel solutions, but back then, it was a hard sell.

In contrast to my Excel automation service, the business of webdesign was one that appealed to a large segment of the population.

Just thinking about it as I sat there, I knew I could find clients readily, if I could become reasonably proficient in webdesign. And that would mean badly needed income would come my way.

So, I said “You know Rotciv, I’m sure if I studied the collection you have here over a few weeks to a month, I’d be able to build a decent professional website for clients. Infact I’m sure I could build one for your Communications company.”

He replied saying “You really think you can learn enough within one month to be able to build a professional website, and even get paying clients?”

“I don’t see why not” I said. “These tutorials and the accompanying resource CDs are packed with easy-to-follow practical examples and illustrations. Any serious minded person who is not lazy, should have no problem doing so.”

And Rotciv responded:

“Well then, if you’re that convinced, why not go ahead and do it. The mags have been lying around for months anyway, and I’ve never really had the time to read them.

It would be great if you put them to some use – and even better if you can deliver a usable website for my company in the process.

That’s actually been on my mind a while, but I’ve not had the funds to do anything about it. Your idea gives me an opportunity to get something decent online for free!”

Learning Webdesign Via Self-Tutoring

And so between November and December 2003, I diligently spent every bit of free time I could find reading and practising tutorials from multiple issues of the webdesign magazine.

Sometimes I worked round the clock over the weekend for 48 consecutive hours. Most times, I stopped only to take my meals or have my bath. The rest of the time, I simply buried myself in the tutorials.

I gradually gained proficiency in the use of Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash, as well as Adobe Photoshop.

Then I went online to learn about adding web contact forms powered by CGI scripts. I studied free tutorials provided by developers on how to upload my completed website files using FTP tools like CuteFTP etc. I also learnt to install CGI scripts on servers, use CHMODing to set file permissions etc.

Getting Ready To Find Clients

By the second week of January 2004, I felt reasonably convinced I knew enough to do a decent job of building a functional website for a paying client.

So I Googled to learn how to market my services to find my first few clients.

One article recommended offering to do a free job, to get some experience handling a real life project under my belt.

The idea appealed to me.

I had yet to work on a real life server on a paid hosting account. The closest I’d gone was in using Yahoo!’S free Geocities and some ad sponsored free hosting service providers. These had limitations in terms of what I could do, especially at the server end.

My First Client Projects

So I went out in search of a willing non-paying client, and found one in Ikeja under a week.

Two weeks later the completed site was up.

The client ran a professional UK exams coaching clinic. And he made weekly TV appearances on a local show as a consultant.

I suggested that he have the website’s URL appear on screen below his name whenever he came on air, so viewers would see it. He agreed.

Within a few weeks, he’d begun getting web form enquiries like I’d (enthusiastically) told him would happen. He gladly provided the testimonial I requested.

Armed with that, and with promotional flyers referring to the TV show featuring the first website I’d built, I went hunting for paid clients.

As I searched, I still made out time to study more to improve my new skills. I already saw aspects of the work I’d done on the first website, that I needed to improve on.

Rotciv had become quite enthused about getting his own site up as well, by this time. However he chose to first test my work on his Geocities free hosting account.

Like I did for my first project, I again used an adapted version of Michel Fortin’s webdesign and content copywriting questionnaire to extract the essential information I needed from Rotciv. Again, things went well.

Working in this manner would later prove quite effective in delivering to the client’s satisfaction, while avoiding the dreaded scope creep

By mid february, I won two projects – each for N100,000.00 (about $800 USD at the time).

A Setback: I Lose Access To The Laptop I Borrowed

All this while, I’d been using a borrowed laptop, just like the magazines I’d been studying.

Unfortunately, about one week after I began work on both projects, the laptop’s owner demanded for its return!

I was devastated that despite my appeals, he did not budge. But after thinking it over, I became convinced that I could find an alternative.

One of my two new clients was a PC assembly and repairs service provider. I told him the challenge I was facing, and proposed that he use my remaining balance of N50,000.00 to build me a desktop PC I could use to finish his website.

He agreed, and I went on to finish both jobs – using my newly built PC!

Before the end of 2004, I successfully won and completed another two projects.

And I was also able to put up my own first website (on Geocities), for marketing my Excel software.

Once again, my demonstrated enthusiasm, conviction and self-confidence won over one of my webdesign clients. And he hired me to build a custom Excel application for his company.

At that point, I “tasted blood”!

I immediately began exploring ways to use my website to cost effectively find buyers for my Excel solutions.

Today, my conviction and persistence has helped me establish a tested and proven Web Marketing System to cost-effectively promote my work.

This has repeatedly helped me win buyers for my Excel-VB software and other products and services I offer.

Final Words: A Firm Conviction Can Save You!

I’ve definitely come a long way since that fateful day in November 2003. Without a firm conviction about my ideas, and my abilities, I would probably never have made it this far.

No one I knew could really vouch for me in any way back then. They had yet to see me do those things to be sure themselves.

I alone knew what I was capable of.

Sometimes that’s all you need to make things happen for you i.e a firm conviction that you can do it!

In my case it was ALL I had at the time I was starting out. I had no money, and no computer!

Today, many who know me readily vouch for me. Some even give their unsolicited endorsements and recommendations in professional business circles we belong e.g LinkedIn.com.

Without my acting persistently based on my convictions over the past years, none of that would be happening today.

Adopt a similar approach as you work towards achieving your own valued goals, and you’ll be amazed at the results you get!

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz

Reduce Your Customer Acquisition Cost (Lessons From My 4 Week Sales Prospecting Experiment)

December 26, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

What if you could spend less money, time and effort to get the same or even more people to buy your products and/or services?

You’d like that wouldn’t you? Well, so would many others who are just like you and me.

The question is how can one make that happen – especially on a continuing basis? This article offers lessons from a 4 week sales prospecting experiment I recently concluded, for you to consider.

To Stay In Business, You Must Keep The Sales Coming In

As a profits focussed business owner, probably the most important activity that should dominate your thinking is generating sales leads, and converting them.

Even a poorly managed business is likely to remain profitable if it makes regular sales.

It is however crucially important to always look beyond your revenue, to quantify profit margins accruing from sales you make.

Without substantial and sustained profits, any business will struggle to withstand unexpected market changes e.g drops in demand, hikes in costs etc.

Making Regular Sales Requires A Reliable Sales & Marketing Strategy

How do you currently go about finding buyers? Your adopted approach will most likely depend on what you sell…and where you sell it.

For instance, my main income generating products are my feed formulation handbook and software.

But unlike my counterparts in other parts of the world, the relatively lower Internet awareness amongst my target population here in Nigeria/Africa, makes it necessary, for me, to go the extra mile to win each prospective buyer’s trust.

This requirement makes the process of selling potentially tiring!

And that’s why my use of an intelligent Web Marketing System (WMS) to generate prequalified sales leads, has been massively time, effort and cost-saving.

Basically, what this means is that I’ve setup a self-sustaining network of web based resources that almost literally “herd” people most likely to be interested in buying my products to me.

And I’ve found over the past five years or so that closing sales with prospects that come through this channel is at least 4 times easier and faster. That is compared to when I have to deal with a prospect I initiated contact with.

The results from my recent little experiment (described below) are the proof I need to justify sticking with using my WMS to make buyers come to me, over going out to “chase” potential buyers who’ve never heard of me or my offering.

It’s MUCH Easier To Sell, When You Make Buyers Come To You

And if you can setup a system to make the above happen, your sales conversion rate will dramatically improve, even as you do less work to make it happen e.g fewer phonecall or email follow ups, shorter explanations to convince prospects etc

Like I’ve said above, I use a WMS that I periodically tweak, based on the results I get, to make the above happen as frequently as possible.

Of course, when a good opportunity presents itself, I still seize it to close sales through other channels.

The truth is however that up to 90% of the sales of my above mentioned handbook and software happen via leads generated by my WMS.

Little wonder that I am so generous in investing my time, efforts and resources in diligently nurturing this low cost but high impact marketing system on a DAILY basis!

Proof That You’ll Close More Sales If You Make Prospects Come To You (My 4 Week Sales & Prospecting Experiment)

Sales results show clearly that people buy more readily from a person they approached by themselves (after studying her/her offering). And they are significantly less willing to be sold, when the seller (you) is the one who makes first contact.

You can put the above knowledge to use, in a way that boosts your selling productivity.

Recently, over a 4 week period, I conducted a little field experiment that lends credence to the argument I’ve made above.

What I did was to “work through” two different lists of potential buyers for my feed formulation handbook and software.

Group 1: Comprised over 200 past visitors to my Farm Business Ideas website, who had taken the step of submitting a request via the web contact form provided.

I should add that some of those on this list had already purchased at least one product from me in the past.

It is also worth noting, that in using the contact form, they’d agreed to have their email addresses added to my mailing list. Which meant they had be receiving my regular article and newsletter email broadcasts.

Group 2: Comprised a mixture of over 300 fish farm business owners, aquaculture consultants, as well as equipment and feed suppliers.

Their professional and contact details were published in a PDF Directory compiled under the auspices of the USAID and made available for free download online.

Neither group had any idea of what I was doing. Indeed I must confess that I did not start out to conduct this comparison.

Here’s how it happened:

You see every December/January, I normally run a special promo in which I offer my opt-in newsletter subscribers discounted prices and bundled product packages. In the last 2 years before this it’d been quite successful, with over 30% of subscribers taking up my offers.

When I stumbled upon the USAID directory, I felt those listed there would also be interested in my products.

So I decided to contact a selected number of them directly with a variant of the offer I’d prepared for my subscribers for this year end.

It was only after the second week of weirdly long and mostly unproductive cold calls and follow up sales conversations that I realised members of this group were not as ready as those on my website database.

I recalled that closing sales with persons who’d contacted me (via phone or email) after exposure to my WMS often took no more than 2 conversations.

Yet, after two weeks, NOT one of the 20 USAID prospects I’d chosen to “cold call” two weeks earlier had placed an order.

That was when the idea came to me to push my offer to both groups and compare their responses in terms of orders placed.

Below I Discuss Some Of My Findings

1. Number of Phonecalls Before Order:

For every single call I placed to a prospect chosen from Group 1, I had to place at least four to each prospect from Group 2.

2. Duration of Sales Conversations:

Group 1 candidates typically required a maximum of 3 minutes to listen to, and ask questions about my offer.

Prospects from group 2 often “hemmed and hawed” a lot as they asked questions about the offer. They typically took 3 to 5 minutes to speak to.

3. Follow Up:

Both groups readily consented to having me email full details of the offer to them.

However only amongst group 1 prospects did I get positive responses to my attempts to follow up with them.

In over 90% of group 2 cases, after getting the email, they stopped taking my call.

That was a huge contrast to group 1 respondents who even called back (or sent SMS via phone) for payment details. And they went on to pay too.

The 10% in group 2 who did take my calls and/or called back never went on to make payment, even though they said they would.

Understanding The Contrasting Prospective Buyers’ Attitudes

The obvious reason was that the former (Group 1 prospects) were already familiar with my work.

For one thing, they had read up about my products and services when they’d first discovered me online.

Indeed, some had made hefty purchases at first contact with me (to show how powerful a WMS can be!), after which they became subscribers.

Others started out for a few years as subscribers before later making purchases from me.

In contrast, the Group 2 prospects had to evaluate my offer for the first time over a few weeks, towards taking a buying decision.

In other climes, that would probably not have posed a problem.

But in my peculiar socioeconomic environment (where gaining the trust of others to make them part with money can take years),it can be quite a tall order!

Little wonder that nobody in group 2 was convinced enough to buy in 2 weeks of follow up, while about 5% of those I’ve spoken with from group 1 have already taken it up!

Spend Less Money, Time & Effort To Make Sales: Use A WMS To Make Buyers Come To You

The above details clearly illustrate how effectively a WMS can help you achieve marketplace credibility, even as it boosts the reach and long term impact of your business promotion efforts.

You need a consistent web marketing platform to build relationships with potential buyers, and to command attention, interest and credibility.

If you want help setting a WMS up for your business, submit the contact form on this blog or email me via tayo at tksola dot com.

Public Speaking

You Will Be Sorely Tested

December 24, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Tomorrow is Christmas day. A day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In the bible we are told of the suffering Jesus endured to fulfil his purpose on earth.

The theme of this week’s issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter is partly related to the above i.e. understanding how adversity and suffering help YOU achieve success as a paid speaker.

I’m not talking religion here though…

As those who’ve been reading my writing for a while will know, I stopped attending Church back in 1989, in my third year of study in the University.

My reason for taking – and sticking to – that decision will probably be the subject of a future article

Instead I focus here on how having to lead bible study sessions – and come up with my interpretation of the passages for discussion with others – shaped my values systems – and character – as an individual.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE FULL ISSUE

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Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter

Date: Monday 24th December 2012

No: 69

Title: You Will Be Sorely Tested

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263]

Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog

Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view

Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here

Hi,

Please find below the latest issue of my weekly Public Speaking Ideas page for 2012.

SD Nuggets Blog™	New posts from last week that may interest you!
Public Speaking [Monday]:	You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 2 of 2
Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]:	A World Bank Expert’s Tip On Feed Formulation
Self Development [Wednesday]:	Can You Be Trusted? (Real Life Farm Business Sales Conversations With People Just Like You)
Career Development [Thursday]:	Coach Employees To Manage Them Successfully
General(XMAS END OF YEAR PROMO)[Thursday]:	Pay N10,500 (instead of N18,000) And Get My Feed Formulation Handbook And Software Bundle!
Parenting [Friday]:	Teach Your Kids To Excel Without Apology
Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:	Improve Yourself For Your Audience’s Sake!
Want me to write for you? Click here…

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him.

No. 69: You Will Be Sorely Tested

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NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out:

Point your browser to www.sdacademy.org to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule

****
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Update (26th Dec. 2012 @ 12.36 pm Nigerian time):

I feel compelled to note here that I did NOT author the phrase which titles this writeup (I.e. “You Will Be Sorely Tested”). I came across it while reading James Cook’s “Startup Entrepreneur” years ago.
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Tomorrow is Christmas day. A day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In the bible we are told of the suffering Jesus endured to fulfil his purpose on earth.

The theme of this week’s issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter is partly related to the above i.e. understanding how adversity and suffering help YOU achieve success as a paid speaker.

I’m not talking religion here though…

As those who’ve been reading my writing for a while will know, I stopped attending Church back in 1989, in my third year of study in the University.

My reason for taking – and sticking to – that decision will probably be the subject of a future article

Instead I focus here on how having to lead bible study sessions – and come up with my interpretation of the passages for discussion with others – shaped my values systems – and character – as an individual.

Stories In Religious Books About Trials & Suffering Can Be Therapeutic

I cannot speak for my siblings, but having to prepare for – and lead – those bible study sessions was quite therapeutic for me. The stories were especially instructive for me in terms of the morals and values they taught.

That was mainly because I was often getting into trouble at school, so that stories about David doing wrong and then singing his way back into God’s heart, for instance, tended to resonate with me. It taught me to forgive myself, and act better in future

Then there is the David Vs. Goliath story. I’ve used it to educate many people – adults and youths – about why they must never let anyone (no matter how powerful) intimidate or oppress them.

And I practice what I preach – by using it to inspire myself to fight back successfully against abusive powerful persons (e.g. politically connected clients with abusive tendencies).

Guess what? In every instance, I found help (by taking relentless personal action) from totally unexpected quarters to the surprise of my opponents! (Google “Science of Getting Rich” and download the FREE PDF ebook to learn more about the philisophies I susbcribe to, which help me achieve these kinds of results).

Another story I have always drawn inspiration from those I read in the bible, is that of Job.

He had so much, then lost it all, and suffered humiliation, insults, from friends and his own better half, for a prolonged (seemingly hopeless) period.

But he stayed strong and firm in heart and mind – refusing to give up hope or faith in the God he (and those who rebuked him for continuing to believe!) worshipped. And eventually his circumstances were turned around to the embarrassment of all those who’d mocked and scorned him.

I STILL draw inspiration from that story today.

As matter of fact, I am so keyed into that story that I’ve used it many times, to remind some persons who actually profess Christian beliefs NOT to give up in the face of adversity!

So much so, that some have told me I should be a pastor…

But again that’s where they MISS the point: It’s not about me becoming a pastor.

It’s about ALL of us learning to take the lessons from the stories and using them to improve our abilities to achieve our valued goals!

For me, I view those bible stories the same way I regard stories told outside religious circles (e.g. the boy who cried wolf). They are to be used to teach useful lessons that guide behaviour.

But it’s not just the Bible that offers useful stories.

The story of the life of Mohammed – the Muslim leader – is one that also demonstrates the power of persistence in the face of adversity.

For over ten years, Mohammed endured hardship, poverty, and exposure to ridicule, before becoming a wealthy and powerful leader. A great story and truly inspiring story!

Many Great People Were First “Sorely Tested”. To Become Great You Most Likely Will Too!

It’s not a curse

I’m just making a statement of fact.

And I do so with reference, not just to my personal experiences (Lord knows I’m paying my dues in that regard!), but also to different true stories I’ve read – like those mentioned above.

It’s important – IMPERATIVE in fact – that you accept that seeking TRUE greatness in any area of endeavour (including the business of paid public speaking) may cause you to be “sorely tested”, with “frequent bad experiences” which James Cook correctly referred to as “shrewd instructors” in his New York Times bestselling book titled “The Startup Entrepreneur”.

Nelson Mandela, as we all know was “sorely tested”…physically, emotionally and psychologically – for decades BEFORE he achieved greatness.

If he had cracked under the pressures mounted on him by government agents through those years, we would not be celebrating him today. In the same way, if YOU crack under pressures of adversity, there will be nothing people can celebrate you for. Period.

In the bible, Christians are told of how Jesus got a point when he was so tested that he asked “God” that the “cup of suffering” be made to pass over him.

But then he added ‘Let thy will be done.”

Prolonged heart breaking struggles (as Cook described them in his book) will not be uncommon experiences for you, if you desire greatness.

To achieve speaking (or business) success for example, you must be willing to relentlessly “smile and dial” to get clients to hire you, no matter how many rejections you encounter.

Just in case anyone tells you suffering is bad, or “not your portion” or meant only for others, I want you to reflect on the examples drawn from the above stories. Some of the greatest people in the world are agreed on this point: There is benefit to be had in every adversity.

Four Quotes To Inspire You To Grow – By Embracing Adversity – In 2013!

In a week or so from today, we’ll be in 2013. Your mental attitude towards adversity may determine how much progress you make towards your goals, from the start of the year.

We have the benefit of access to experience based wisdom about suffering and adversity (and how to respond to them), offered by people who have achieved greatness.

I’ve compiled four of them for your consideration, as you get ready to hit the ground running in the new year…

1. James R. Cook, author of “The Startup Entrepreneur” wrote as follows:

“My study of entrepreneurs so far seems to lead to the conclusion that a correlation exists between suffering and success. Entrepreneurs with modest objectives undergo moderate stress and adversity.

Those with larger ambitions will, before they succeed, endure painful struggles and overcome long, bitter periods of intense anxiety. The greater the suffering, the greater seem to be the inevitable rewards” – James R. Cook (in The Startup Entrepreneur)

2. Here’s what the late Jim Rohn (another great man) said :

“Life is destined to be story of achievement in spite of adversity, not in the absence of adversity; for without adversity, achievement could not exist…. Smile at adversity and act quickly to eliminate it. Expect adversity, for it shall surely appear. Be grateful for adversity for it forces the human spirit to grow – for surely the human character is formed not in the absence of difficulty but in our response to difficulty. All things, even adversity, have their worthy purpose.” – Jim Rohn.

3. The great Emerson also offers useful insight into the inherent benefits of adversity:

“When man…is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood, he has gained facts, learns from his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.” – Emerson

4. And Burt Dubin (2 decade veteran mentor of paid international speakers) provides a fitting end to this Xmas edition of my speaking IDEAS newsletter message, with these words that have inspired me since 2001, when I first read them:

“Surrender to your mission. Let it have you. Your time, your energy, your total focus, your resources. Everything you’ve got. Everything..Work resolutely, tirelessly, endlessly. Nobody said it would be easy… Never give up. Have
bulldog blood. Have bulldog blood. Have bulldog blood! One morning you awaken to find your vision of the future, rooted in the wisdom of the past, is your present reality.” – Burt Dubin

I know I said this was not a religious piece…but you might want to say a loud “Amen!“to the last sentence in the above quote I’ve credited to Burt…:-)

Have a very Merry Xmas!

Tayo K. Solagbade*

Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist

*Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa

Mobile: 234-803-302-1263

http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com

Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.

Tayo earns multiple streams of income providing clients with performance improvement training/coaching, custom MS Excel-VB solutions, web marketing systems, freelance writing services, and best practice extension support services (for farm business owners).

When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).

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Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Comments?

What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!

Share this issue!

Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.

What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).

At least that’s how I like to think of them!

All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple

So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.

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Writing/Blogging

How Far Should You Go To Get Comments?

December 23, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Are You Still Trying To Crack The Code For Getting Regular Comments?

If YES, then this article may help you refine the choices you make, to include the use of only ethical practices to achieve your goal.

I’ve written it to offer guidance to blog owners or administrators who may feel pressured to get comments in at all cost.

My message is that an “all’s fair in war” or “anything goes” attitude towards getting visitors to comment on your blog, can actually hurt you more than it could possibly help you.

Is Your Blog Already Getting Regular Comments?

If yes, let me ask you the following questions:

1. How do you get visitors to comment on your blog on a regular basis?

2. What was your blog’s average comments count per post like when you initially launched out?

3. Were people always falling over themselves to post their comments?

4. Or did you have to go out of your way to get your readers to speak up.

Whatever Answers You Give To The Above, I Suggest You Avoid Using Any Of The Following Methods To Get Comments In

Let me make it clear that what I say here is my personal opinion.

Having said that however, I add that I’m not trying to preach at anyone from a position of self-righteousness.

Instead I challenge you to consider what your readers would think of you, if they found out that you use either of the methods I’ve advised against below.

If you know they will not be upset or disappointed to learn you use those methods, then by all means continue.

Otherwise, make needed changes.

Would You Go This Far, To Get Comments?

1. Comments Seeding?

This appears to be a method developed by well intentioned honest blog owners.

It is infact recommended by a well known, high income earning blogger, in an ebook on the subject.

The idea is basically to post comments on your own blog post, using an alias or possibly a pen name of some sort.

Your purpose would not be to deceive, but to stimulate the reader’s interest in posting a comment, by starting the process using your alias.

Those who advocate this approach argue that most readers may not wish to be the first to comment. And that they tend to comment on posts that aleady have one or two comments.

I say end your post with an invitation to comment or share thoughts on the post’s topic.

You could go further and offer gifts or prizes to encourage visitors to comment qualitatively and actively.

2. Buddy Commenting?

Yeremi Akpan touched on this method of getting blog comments in a recent post titled “Are You Committing Incest With Your Blog?”.

It occurs in various forms, but basically involves getting a group of friends, affiliate partners, and others in your network of regular contacts to commit deliberate effort towards commenting on each of your blog posts.

And you would return the favour to each one of them, whenever they publish their separate blog posts…:-)

I’m going to be blunt here:

I totally dislike this method. And I’ve come across enough blogs that use it, to know that it’s bad for the Internet’s content quality control.

For instance, when an uninitiated visitor to such a blog sees a high comments count on a post, she’s likely to anticipate it offers potentially useful content.

However, since buddy commenting is practiced on the blog, a real danger exists that poor quality posts may still enjoy a lot of “Great post. Thanks for sharing!” obligatory back-slapping buddy comments which NAUSEATE me so much!

Imagine just how let down a visitor would feel after arriving at that kind of post via a Google search?

If more of such blogs were to come up, trying to guage blog content quality, based on comments counts, would gradually become a waste of time!

Final Words

As a blog owner looking to jumpstart or boost comment counts on your posts, I recommend taking the high road from the beginning.

That way you’ll be free from conscience attacks of any sort, if nothing else.

If you already use either of the above described methods to get comments on your blog, I suggest you stop doing so altogether.

What You Can Do:

Based on what I’ve said above, the path to follow is obvious.

Use ethically responsible methods to get your readers to comment on your posts.

For ideas you can use, read my post titled “Is Your Blog Productive, Or Just Plain Busy? (Interesting Arguments For & Against Blog Comments)”.

It feaures links to articles by competent blogging experts like Matt Smith, offering sound advice you can reliably follow, to attract comments to your blog posts.

Goodluck.

Parenting

A Unique Ability Your Child Needs

December 21, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

“I have succeeded in whatever I have undertaken, because I have WILLED it. I have never hesitated, which has given me an advantage over the rest of mankind” – Napoleon

A Quality That Separates Achievers From Others

One of the distinguishing qualities of people who excel is their willingness to do what few or no other other persons have ever done before. In other words, they tend to readily embrace risk taking.

They are the ones you’ll find stepping up when others draw back in the face of uncertainty, looming crisis or danger.

From entrepreneurs to sportsmen and even war generals, the risk taking proclivity of an individual is often what ends up separating her from the rest of the pack.

And it enables her succeed ahead of contemporaries.

But many who have succeeded this way will tell you that it was no easy achievement. A lot of struggle, pain and suffering frequently visits those who choose this path.

In my language (Yoruba), we have a saying : “Eni to ba fe se nkan t’enikan o se ri, a ri nkan t’enikan o ri ri”.

This literally translates to mean “He who wants to do what no one has done before, will see what no one has seen before!”

But Were They Like That From Birth?

Not every person who displays a penchant for risk taking in adult life actually had that disposition in childhood.

I’ve read accounts about people who today are regarded as tough, bold and daring, who relatives revealed to have been quite timid and introverted in their formative years.

And then maybe some personal crises or other potentially traumatizing experience may have led to her transformation. Sometimes she may have witnessed a loved one get hurt, possibly because she was too frozen with fright to take action to solve the problem.

And that memory or a feeling of guilt may have caused her to decide never to give in to fear again.

Sometimes They Take Emotional – And Not Just Physical – Risks!

Yes. Sometimes the achievers I refer to above, set themselves apart by being willing to take the risk of being different, being wrong…or failing in public.

Good examples are inventors who use their creative, and sometimes very contrarian thinking, to develop solutions that help the world’s societies progress.

Before being eventually proved right, those who mustered the courage to voice their inspired convictions were ridiculed.

In certain bizarre cases, some of such inventors were taken by friends and loved ones to have their sanity checked at mental health facilities.

This happened because the ideas they proposed were – at the time – considered ridiculous.

One good example that I’ve written about in the past is Robert Goddard (click to read), who today has the American Space Center named after him.

Read my article titledWhy You May Want To Rejoice When Others Mock You! (click to read)

Help Your Kids Develop Their Instincts

The above example proves that we need to tell our kids to follow their convictions, and never give up.

Napoleon’s quote, which I started this piece with, accurately reflects the mental attitude he had, which made him an exceptionally successful war general.

Historical accounts indicate that he was renowned for being non-hesitant in the way he waged war. And he often put himself in the line of fire, with a boldness that inspired fierce loyalty from his soldiers in battle.

Napoleon posessed keenly developed instincts based on years of applying himself to the rigours of his vocation as a soldier. And he formed a habit of following his instincts. This led him to record many great victories.

The key to your child’s success lies in his/her ability to competently decide when to follow gut instinct.

We humans have always been born with a sixth sense. It’s there, but only when we make conscious effort to develop it, does it really begin to serve us as well as it can.

And the best way to develop one’s instincts is to expose oneself to real-life experiences that test their abilities to their limits. Simply put, let them get a LOT of experience under their belts, in as many challenging fields of interest as possible.

Let them learn what it feels like to be on their own, taking decisions that will determine the outcome they seek.

Give them the opportunity to experience being away from your reassuring and controlling presence e.g. In boading school, as boys’ scout or girls guides members, by participating in competitive sports etc.

They’ll learn to think for themselves, and to decide what they really want in life. And they will eventually develop the conviction needed to decide what they will be willing to go out on a limb for.

That ability will serve them well later on in their adult lives, giving them an advantage over others. And it could even lead them to achieve notable successes in their chosen fields.

Career Development

Will You Sink, If Your Boss Leaves?

December 21, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Nick, the Technical Manager, suddenly announced he was going on leave.

Oyat had just resumed his new position as Training and Technical Development Manager (TTDM) less than 3 months earlier.

But even though he knew the job reasonably well (having acted twice in that capacity), he’d never had to do it without what he considered the reassuring presence of the TM as department head (HOD).

So, the prospect of having to cover for Nick by attending management meetings with other HODs was not one that greatly appealed to him.

Nick had apparently already made his plans, and after briefing Oyat, took off on leave.

For over 6 weeks afterwards, Oyat found himself dealing directly with other HODs on issues relating to his own job as well as the TM’s.

Realising that he had to do his best to avoid making the department fall short of expectations, Oyat quickly adopted a modified daily routine to accomodate the additional responsibilities assigned him.

He stayed back longer to read up notes, memos and other documents, such as the Job description for Nick’s position, to better understand the role he might need to play on the company’s premises.

In addition, he studied reports sent by other HODs to the TM, noting the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that were given priority attention.

Recalling that senior managers from headquarters could also call for information along the above lines, Oyat then made a point of tracking latest data for each KPI, by liasing with the relevent department’s duty personnel.

The 6 weeks went by fast. And all through, Oyat worked longer hours when necessary to cover potential loose ends he identified.

As he attended to the requirements of the TM’s job, he also had to manage 6 engineering trainees, 3 training instructors and the secretary.

And that was apart from fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of a few project teams.

Steeling himself (and pleading that his wife imagine he did not exist for the duration of the double role playing), he diligently went the extra mile to ensure everything that needed to be done, got done.

Towards the end of his trial by fire, it suddenly occurred to him that he had settled in to a comfortable routine for doing the key tasks relevant to Nick’s job, and his (there was a lot in the former, that he was of course not competent or required to handle).

It was exciting and quite fulfilling to discover that the challenge of the trial had not overwhelmed him.

And he was glad, based on hindsight, that he had resisted the temptation to protest or complain when Nick had first muted the idea.

Not only had he gained valuable management experience and exposure at a senior level of decision making, but he had also proven that he could hold his own should the need arise.

From experience, he knew that top management would remember that in future career advancement evaluations. And that made his efforts worthwhile!

General, Self-Development

Paying Tribute To 5 Experts Who Made Me

December 19, 2012 Tayo Solagbade 1 Comment

Note: This article is dedicated to the memory of the late – great – Zig Ziglar.

The list below includes experts whose ideas have influenced my development and progress, in a significantly positive way since 2001. It’s not exhaustive, and so I’ll likely do a sequel at a later date.

Why Am I Writing This Now?

I think it’s been about three years since I learnt of Jim Rohn’s passing. I felt bad that I never paid him tribute for the inspiration and education I got from reading his works. So, when Tom Ziglar announced that Zig had passed on, I resolved to write this piece, BEFORE all those I wanted to put on it passed on!

But no. The purpose is not to draw attention to myself.

That’s not how I’m wired. In fact, that’s why I’ve not really bothered to trim the length to make it more “appealing” to more people who likely prefer to read short (700 word) articles.

Sorry, if this is too long for you, but I have a lot to say about the great people I’ve mentioned here

More seriously though, I’m writing this to tell others who – like me – are following in these experts’ footsteps, why they must NEVER stop doing what they are doing.

The road to becoming a “meaningful specific” (thanks to Zig!) can sometimes be hard and lonely. Achieving name recognition and relevance is unlikely to come easy. When you’re in the trenches, all muddied and bruised, it can be difficult to imagine anyone would be inspired by what you say or write.

Yet the irony of life – as Jim Rohn frequently pointed out – is that such suffering is what brings out the best in us. “It forces the human spirit to grow” to paraphrase Jim.

So when we share the wisdom from our tough experiences, others will often find them profoundly impactful. And they would be eager to read or hear more!

That’s why I’m writing this piece now.

To let you know that by continuing your work and never giving up, you’ll be helping others. The way the following experts helped me by doing the same thing!

5 Experts Who Help(ed) Me Achieve My Goals

1. Zig Ziglar – www.zigziglar.com

I read only two of Zig’s books: See You At The Top. And Over The Top.

Both made a tremendous impact on my thinking. I fully imbibed the philosophies advocated by Zig. To the extent that I quoted from him in a management research paper I published and presented at the Centre for Management Development. Later on, hungry for more, I subscribed to his online newsletter.

Zig lived what he preached in many ways. His kids are living proof of that. Tom Ziglar, for instance, is the closest to a case of re-incarnation I have ever come close to believing.

Zig seems to have successfully “transferred himself” into Tom. I personally get the feeling from reading the email broadcasts he sends out even now, that Zig is still there, somewhere, speaking through him.

It’s proof that Zig’s coached his kids well – effectively setting an example on successful parenting for the rest of us to follow. It’s not just about our lives, but the lives we help our children to create for themselves.

As his fellow Americans would say: Way to go Zig!

2. Burt Dubin – www.burtdubin.com

I’ve not put Burt on this list because I represent him in Africa, or due to my direct relationship with him.

Anyone who has read my writing, will see clearly that long before 2011, when we came together, I have often referred to him by way of quotes and excerpts from his works.

That was how compelling I found Burt’s wisdom. He is renowned as a mentor of paid international speakers. But as I have said to him, what he gives to people is MUCH more than that. Burt helps you make the most of who you are.

What I find most amazing is that if you apply yourself, just reading and applying his written ideas WILL make you achieve this outcome!

I know because I have done just that over the years. Most of the marketing strategies I have used to create a unique income generating niche for myself in a very difficult business environment were adapted from reading Burt’s ideas.

I have no apologies for listing Burt here.

His ideas, in my experience, transcend geographical and economic boundaries. They work ANYWHERE a person willing to diligently apply them can be found. And he’s stuck around – just like the others listed here – for quite some time, to the benefit of many…like me.

3. James R. Cook (Author of “The Startup Entrepreneur” – New York Times Best Seller)

Strange is what I would call my obsession with James Cook.

I have never even seen a picture of him, or read any other piece of writing by him. Just this one book he wrote – and that I bought in 2001, makes him a strong presence in my list of experts whose ideas helped me get where I am today.

Yet, when a journalist asked me what book I would recommend for a person starting out in business back in May 2012, I readily recommended James Cook’s book. I call that book “The Missing Chapters In Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich”. I’ve referred to him many times in my writing.

And I always emphasise that despite being written by an American who succeeded in business in America, the ideas in the book WILL help ANY diligent entrepreneur in an environment as harsh as mine.

To show how useful I found the book, today (years after losing my only copy), I can literally recall paragraphs from different pages of James’ book by heart.

I must have read that book from cover to cover, at least 10 times. Honestly! During my darkest periods as a startup, I got valuable guidance from the practical advice and instructive anecdotes in Mr. Cook’s book.

For that I am truly grateful to James R. Cook.

4. Jim Rohn – www.jimrohn.com

The late business philosopher is a legend in my estimation.

Up till now on Facebook, the quotes turned out on his page continue to resonate with me. I am constantly finding meaning in the messages contained in Jim’s books and on his website. Just like it happened with the other experts, most of his words simply got cemented into my consciousness.

I can regurgitate chunks of his writing that – in moments of adversity – so captivated my imagination with their relevance, that I memorised them.

Many who have related with me in person – friends, relatives and clients will confirm this.

When it comes to Jim, Burt, and James, you may not need to look for the book or article if you have me around.

Except I’ve never read it before. No exaggeration.

5. Michel Fortin – www.successdoctor.com

Now this man I discovered through his wildly popular eBook titled “Ten Commandments of Power Positioning”.

After Burt Dubin, I would say Fortin’s work – especially the voluminous eBook mentioned above – really helped me hit the ground running as a service provider back in January 2002.

My self-marketing materials were prepared based on diligent application of the concepts of Power Positioning and Top Of Mind Awareness described in his eBook.

From choosing the name of my company, the logo, tag lines, to my business cards etc. All of it was done with constant reference to that eBook.

And I have been so impressed with the results I’ve gotten from applying Fortin’s ideas. So much so, that I tell EVERY Web Marketing client I work with, to read that eBook at least twice, and then put the ideas s/he gets to immediate and consistent use.

Don’t STOP: Someone Out There Needs YOU To Keep Going!

The experts I acknowledge above, through their writing, gave me the education, and inspiration to keep going until I established my own momentum.

It was hard to keep up with them over the years though, as I struggled to establish myself in the harsh business environment of my society.

At one time, when I lacked the means to keep renewing it, I had to let my personal domain tksola.com (the email with which I subscribed to most of these experts’ mailing lists) expire.

As a result, I stopped receiving most of their mailings.

Two years ago, I revived the domain (and email address) when I re-launched my Speaking Service.

During those tough periods, I found it easy to keep going in spite of myriad challenges and setbacks, just from knowing that the experts listed above never stopped.

If they had, I would probably not have found (or re-discovered) them or their works to benefit from.

And as I’ve “kept on keeping on”(to paraphrase Burt Dubin) over the years, email and phone conversations with my readers (some have become customers), have revealed to me, that some people are depending on me NOT to stop as well!

They value what I am doing so much, that they talk about me to others. The latter visit my website and signup as well – stating “Referred by a friend” in the “How did you find this website field” on each of my website request forms.

That’s why it’s important NEVER to think lowly of yourself – or your efforts to achieve a worthwhile outcome. It may seem hard to believe, judging from the realities surrounding you at any point in time.

Know, however, that what you’re doing matters to some person(s) out there.

Keep going and you’ll give them a stab at success through learning from you. One day, one or more of them may just go out of her way to acknowledge you. Like I’m doing here for the above experts.

Final Words: See You At The Top!

I’ve come a long way since those early startup years. And I’ve gained a lot of experience and exposure as an entrepreneur, as well as content publisher and online marketer.

But without the foundation I built using the ideas I gleaned from the writings of the experts mentioned above, I may never have progressed the way I have.

I’m sure most – if not all – the above listed experts (with the possible exception of Burt) probably never even knew I existed all these years.

And that is the beauty of it all. You being able to impact other people who need help, from your own corner of the world. Without needing to know or meet them in person.

That’s what the late – great – Zig Ziglar did for me. So did Jim Rohn and the others listed above.

Most importantly, I’m already getting proof that I’m making a difference for others through my work.

I’m sure you know – from reading the above – that the same thing can happen to you too.

So, NEVER give up. NEVER stop.

No matter what anyone says. No matter who says it. Keep On Keeping On!

And soon, you’ll experience the fulfillment that comes from making the most of yourself!

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz

Free Farm Business Support

December 18, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

You do not want to miss this. Join My Farm Biz Ideas Club & Get Answers To Your Questions, free farm business ideas reports, PLUS 40% Discount To My Farm Biz Support Products & Services!

If you are a past buyer of at least N8,000 worth of my products, you are already entitled to ONE full year of membership – FREE.

Just call 234-803-302-1263 or email tayo at tksola dot com for details of what you need to do to complete your registration. Then start claiming your free gifts and discounted services and products – which will be personalised for you!

Interested? Just buy at least N8,000 worth of my products (e.g. my Feed Formulation Handbook) and you get ONE full year of membership, with multiple benefits – FREE.

Examples of benefits: You get most of my new PDF reports FREE (E.g. "How To Calculate Cost of Egg Production" and "Annotated Pictorial Introduction To Livestock Feed Ingredients" ) .

I will also be available to prepare feasibility studies and market research for you; help you develop custom spreadsheet software for running your farm or setup a Best Operating Process Management System (BOPMS) for managing your farm, or a web marketing system to promote your farm business etc.

Click here to read the offer article in full …(You DO NOT Want To Miss This!)

Public Speaking, Self-Development

What If You Need To “Do It Yourself”(DIY)?

December 17, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

This week, I discuss the potential benefits of adopting a mental attitude that has helped me overcome (or get around) many obstacles in my personal and business endeavours.

The obstacles I refer to would probably have stopped me permanently if I had not possessed this thinking habit.

Indeed, this newsletter and my website – my entire business life in fact – would have long “died” an early death, years ago, if I had not had it.

What I refer to here is my passion for learning how to do things myself – even if just a little bit. That is, being a Do-It-Yourself enthusiast or what some call a DIYer.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ FULL ISSUE

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Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter

Date: Monday 17th December 2012

No: 68

Title: What If You Need To “Do It Yourself”(DIY)?

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263]

Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog

Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view

Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here

Hi,

Please find below the latest issue of my weekly Public Speaking Ideas page for 2012.

SD Nuggets Blog™	New posts from last week that may interest you!
Public Speaking [Monday]:	You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 2 of 2
Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]:	A World Bank Expert’s Tip On Feed Formulation
Self Development [Wednesday]:	Can You Be Trusted? (Real Life Farm Business Sales Conversations With People Just Like You)
Career Development [Thursday]:	Coach Employees To Manage Them Successfully
General(XMAS END OF YEAR PROMO)[Thursday]:	Pay N10,500 (instead of N18,000) And Get My Feed Formulation Handbook And Software Bundle!
Parenting [Friday]:	Teach Your Kids To Excel Without Apology
Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:	Improve Yourself For Your Audience’s Sake!
Want me to write for you? Click here…

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

No. 68: What If You Need To “Do It Yourself”(DIY)?

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NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out:

****

This week, I discuss the potential benefits of adopting a mental attitude that has helped me overcome (or get around) many obstacles in my personal and business endeavours.

The obstacles I refer to would probably have stopped me permanently if I had not possessed this thinking habit.

Indeed, this newsletter and my website – my entire business life in fact – would have long “died” an early death, years ago, if I had not had it.

What I refer to here is my passion for learning how to do things myself – even if just a little bit. That is, being a Do-It-Yourself enthusiast or what some call a DIYer.

(NB: In a related article some years back, I described myself as a Jack of Many Trades.)

How Much You Need To DIY, Depends On Your Part of the World

If you live and work in a developed society, the need to do things yourself sometimes, may not readily appeal to you.

However, for people – like me – in less developed social environments – like mine – one often has to develop multiple interests and competencies to make up for the shortage of RELIABLE solutions.

The following true story illustrates the above scenario perfectly.

A few years ago, I met a Nigerian gentleman who had just returned from the USA where he’d been away for about 5 years. During that time he had made a bit of name for himself as an author and speaker. His published book had sold quite well in the small town he was based.

And the local media had given him enough coverage to make him close to being a celebrity of sorts. From what he and his pretty Austrian wife told me, it was at one of his book signings that they met – and fell for each other.

My friend wanted to republish one of his popular books from the USA with a local printer. He also wanted to produce an audio version of the book. This was part of the plan he had to launch himself into the Nigerian market.

According to him however, the problem was that there seemed to be no standard service providers like those in the USA that could do what he wanted. He said back in the states he would simply hand over his manuscript to his agent, and virtually everything needed to get the book published would be handled by the latter.

Out here, he complained about having to run around looking for business centers to type and typeset his manuscript. And then there were countless errors that he had to sit with a computer operator to work through and correct.

To make matters worse, by the time I got involved I discovered they were typing his manuscript in Corel Draw!

My friend had no idea the business centre operator was using an inappropriate software application for his work.

He said “I just want it done! Back in the states I never had to get involved like this. I know nothing about all of this stuff”.

To cut the long story short, I had to really get involved in helping him find the right places to get the help he needed.

And that included going out of my way to locate a studio where he and his wife could produce the quality of recording they wanted for the book’s audio version.

Here’s what he asked me at a point: “So how come you know about all these things? You’re not even a book publisher or anything!”

My answer was that I’d learnt the hard way that it was better to know a little about most things I planned to engage others to do for me. That equips me to assess what they do for me – and also contribute intelligently to the process – even do a few things on it by myself, should they be unavailable.

That Doesn’t Happen In Your Country? Great! But What If One Day, It Does?

Now, what my friend went through can happen to anyone in one form or the other. Maybe you won’t be coming to speak here in Nigeria. But right there in your base things can still go wrong.

How ready will you be when that happens? (NB: I recall reading New York Times stories that described the experiences of people who’d failed to heed warnings issued about Hurricane Sandy. Some of them got trapped – a few even lost their lives, because they failed to prepare for the unlikely but possible!)

So I ask you: What are the things you currently depend on others to do for you? It could be a service provider or even a friend you have great confidence in. Maybe she’s a tech savvy person who prepares all your PowerPoint presentations for instance.

I hate to think negative too…:-)

But what if for some reason, she becomes temporarily unavailable?

Do you have ready access to someone else you can reliably reach out to? And if not, do you have any idea of how to prepare a PowerPoint presentation as impressive as those she does for you by yourself?

What about preparing your speaker one-sheets?

God forbid you discover a wrong phone number or mistyped email address on the newly prepared speaker one sheet you want to give a meeting planner!

If you had requested a copy of the raw Corel Draw or Photoshop file used to prepare it, maybe you’d be able to edit it, and print out a corrected version. If not…you’d risk making a poor impression!

Anything can happen. Don’t Be A Fish Out Of Water When It Does!

It happens. Even the most reliable of people – your trusted assistant or highly reputable provider inclusive – can make mistakes or fail to come through for you when it matters.

Will you be prepared with an alternative plan if/when that happens? Or will you just try to wing it?

People often value a professional who can improvise and adapt effectively. If you come across as being that way, meeting planners may conclude you are a more “reliable” performer who can deliver no matter what goes wrong.

Translation: More invitations, even referrals, likely from them for you.

Ironically, you may only need to know a little about most things, to achieve this significant impact.

And learning those little things may just require PROACTIVELY spending a little time with those who do those things for you normally. Or it could mean making out time to read – and practice what you learn from – a self-help (or DIY) tutorial!

Have a lovely week!

Tayo K. Solagbade*

Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist

*Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa

Mobile: 234-803-302-1263

http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com

==================

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Comments?

Share this issue!

What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).

At least that’s how I like to think of them!

So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

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Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

Improve Yourself For Your Audience’s Sake!

December 15, 2012 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

So, I Guess This Is Something Of A Rant…About People Who "Arrange Success" For Themselves

I’m writing about how certain people churn out mediocre content dressed in pretty packaging, with massive backing from what I’ve called "arranged networks". My decision to write this piece arose from having a flyer for one such publication handed to me about 2 weeks ago.

What was wrong with it? Well, if one were to go by the details in the well designed flyer, nothing that I could see.

In fact, the outward appearance was quite impressive, and the content well composed. Which explains why I excitedly went online to see if I could learn more about the book, and its author using the URLs provided in the LEARN MORE section..

But to my amazement, there was NOTHING on the website on that day, except for a clock counting down, with a notice that it would soon be ready!

I thought it odd that a product so well introduced in a flyer did not have a website ready BEFORE promotional activities began.

But I let it go.

Listed just below the URL for the book’s website, after all, was the author’s website address.

"There has to be at least a mention of the product on the author’s personal website" I thought.

So, off I went to the latter via another tab in Google Chrome. But alas, there was NOT even a single mention of the new book on the author’s personal website!

That was when I lost it. And I decided it was time to say something about the unhealthy trend I’d observed for a while.

This post is the product of that decision.

The truth is that certain people use their "arranged" networks to get their written works presented as the ultimate solution to "trusting" audiences. These audiences sometimes lack the ability to discern "content quality".

As a result, the mediocre writers have a field day "selling" their works. But knowing that they lack "depth", these individuals often avoid operating outside their "networks".

(NB: I just revisited the book’s website NOW, while typing this. It’s been updated to a one page offering, of essentially the same contents from the flyer. Again, the same problem of the author’s lack of depth is exposed!).

To Achieve Relevance, You Must Show Up Where The Best Are Found!

If ANYONE aspires to excel, she must be willing to do what it takes to QUALIFY to rub shoulders with those who excel (or have done so).

When the Indians wanted to step up their game in software development, they brought in the best experts from across the world. Their kids began learning programming right from primary school level.

When the USA decided it wanted to become a force to reckon with in World Soccer, she threw her doors open to the best players and coaches on the planet.

The American NBA boasts the best pro basketball players in the world, because it seeks out the best talents worldwide. Then it "develops" them into marketable assets in the league.

Nigeria’s outing in Basketball at the last Olympics was its best ever showing. And that was because over 80% of the players who represented us were either playing in the American NBA or had had stints there before moving elsewhere.

The point I’m trying to make is that those who use "arranged networks" do NOT want a level playing field. One where merit reigns, and fair/impartial opportunities to succeed are given to those aspiring to success.

What’s more, it appears there is a carefully orchestrated effort to ensure only persons who belong in their circles get acknowledged by them, and the thousands they influence.

Note however that this does not mean that the person who does not belong cannot command the attention and interest of those influenced by these people. It just means it may take him/her much longer to achieve that goal.

"Arranged Networks" Are Unhealthy For Society

What upsets me however is that through their actions, these "arranged networks", where they exist, keep society from progressing. Just because they want to stay relevant – even when they are not prepared to improve the quality they offer!

They use the access they have to financial and other resources provided, to create opportunities preferentially for their members.

Out here for instance, in Nigeria, we have so many public speaking geniuses who keep publishing works they class as best sellers, but which one cannot find people reading!

It pains me so much to see this happen so often. And that’s a key reason why I publish my weekly Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter.

I am so hungry to see authentic professional speakers from my country command the respect and attention of people from OUTSIDE Nigeria through independent evaluation of the quality of their "content", and competence. And I would really love to see such speakers get invited to speak outside Nigeria, without the involvement or intervention of ANY Nigerians or groups of Nigerians in Diaspora.

What we currently have is a situation where a group of "friends" or associates talk to others in Diaspora, to get their public speaker friend to fly to London and speak to a group of Nigerians in Diaspora – possibly with few non-Nigerian friends attending.

This was the same thing that used to happen with our musicians in the past, but has now changed. Ten years ago, or even further back, most of our musicians would say they’d gone abroad to do international shows.

The problem was that unlike ours, the Jamaican musicians got invited for real LIVE concerts in public venues to entertain truly international audiences. In contrast, our musicians often went to abroad to perform at specially arranged private parties for Nigerians in Diaspora who wanted music from home.

There were very few of them like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the multi-instrumentalist Afro beat maestro, who regularly got invited to performed at real life international concerts to audiences across the world. Just like his 2 sons (Seun and Femi) now do.

You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have

The above is the truth about what’s happening with our public speakers here in Nigeria. I’m being brutally frank here. There’s no point being subtle about continued proliferation of poor quality works by mediocres backed by "arranged networks" of influential personalities.

These people fail to aspire for higher standards, and yet seek to dominate the industry using their network of contacts!

Like I’ve said earlier, this is one of the reasons why I continue publishing my weekly Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter : To provide an example of how passion can be used to pursue achievement of thought leadership.

I do it to help myself just as much as I do it for the readers.

Every day I publish a new issue of that newsletter, I use it to tell myself that I am BETTER off than I was a week before. Because with that new issue, I have added NEW and ORIGINAL content of my own creation, to the web, in my name.

The implication is that I have a growing wealth of content to draw from towards promoting and marketing myself as a speaker. Some of which may even prove useful for earning passive income (if I combine them into an ebook for instance).

In the meantime, since people are discovering and reading the newsletter on an international platform, I’m gradually achieving name recognition as the "Publisher of the Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter".

Final Words

To me, the above is what any professional expert worth his or her salt should do i.e. put your stuff out to impact the world, and in the process improve yourself, for the benefit of your target audience.

And that is what many authentic experts in many other parts of the world actually do. I know, because I have studied them – and interact with a number.

I do NOT see much of that happening out here.

Yet, ever so often, someone passes me a pretty flyer like the one I’ve described above, and tells me some speaking genius produced it for use in selling a masterpiece of a book on Public Speaking.

Then I visit the website for the so called product and find it BLANK!!! – once again confirming my belief that most of what they do is "arranged success".

Or how do you explain a person producing flyers for a supposedly top class product described in a sophisticated flyer, but neglecting to put up ANY content on the website for the product BEFORE going live to announce its availability?

I’m not perfect, but I’d like to think I am not that reckless in presenting my products and services.

And that’s the problem. When one offers to "teach" others, and then goes on to make such glaring omissions, it raises the question about whether s/he has truly mastered the principles s/he wishes to teach others!

There, I said it. Now it’s off my chest – and I actually feel better.

I hope you found it to be a useful read…:-)

Discovering The Business Of Webdesign As A Struggling Startup

Learning Webdesign Via Self-Tutoring

Getting Ready To Find Clients

My First Client Projects

A Setback: I Lose Access To The Laptop I Borrowed

Final Words: A Firm Conviction Can Save You!

To Stay In Business, You Must Keep The Sales Coming In

Making Regular Sales Requires A Reliable Sales & Marketing Strategy

It’s MUCH Easier To Sell, When You Make Buyers Come To You

Proof That You’ll Close More Sales If You Make Prospects Come To You (My 4 Week Sales & Prospecting Experiment)

Below I Discuss Some Of My Findings

Understanding The Contrasting Prospective Buyers’ Attitudes

Spend Less Money, Time & Effort To Make Sales: Use A WMS To Make Buyers Come To You

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE FULL ISSUE

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

No. 69: You Will Be Sorely Tested

Stories In Religious Books About Trials & Suffering Can Be Therapeutic

Similar Stories About Today’s People Are Also Helpful

Many Great People Were First “Sorely Tested”. To Become Great You Most Likely Will Too!

Four Quotes To Inspire You To Grow – By Embracing Adversity – In 2013!

1. James R. Cook, author of “The Startup Entrepreneur” wrote as follows:

2. Here’s what the late Jim Rohn (another great man) said :

3. The great Emerson also offers useful insight into the inherent benefits of adversity:

4. And Burt Dubin (2 decade veteran mentor of paid international speakers) provides a fitting end to this Xmas edition of my speaking IDEAS newsletter message, with these words that have inspired me since 2001, when I first read them:

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Comments?

Share this issue!

What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Are You Still Trying To Crack The Code For Getting Regular Comments?

Is Your Blog Already Getting Regular Comments?

Whatever Answers You Give To The Above, I Suggest You Avoid Using Any Of The Following Methods To Get Comments In

Would You Go This Far, To Get Comments?

Final Words

A Quality That Separates Achievers From Others

But Were They Like That From Birth?

Sometimes They Take Emotional – And Not Just Physical – Risks!

Help Your Kids Develop Their Instincts

Why Am I Writing This Now?

5 Experts Who Help(ed) Me Achieve My Goals

1. Zig Ziglar – www.zigziglar.com

2. Burt Dubin – www.burtdubin.com

3. James R. Cook (Author of “The Startup Entrepreneur” – New York Times Best Seller)

4. Jim Rohn – www.jimrohn.com

5. Michel Fortin – www.successdoctor.com

Don’t STOP: Someone Out There Needs YOU To Keep Going!

Final Words: See You At The Top!

Click here to read the offer article in full …(You DO NOT Want To Miss This!)

SCROLL DOWN TO READ FULL ISSUE

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

No. 68: What If You Need To “Do It Yourself”(DIY)?

How Much You Need To DIY, Depends On Your Part of the World

That Doesn’t Happen In Your Country? Great! But What If One Day, It Does?

Anything can happen. Don’t Be A Fish Out Of Water When It Does!

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Comments?

Share this issue!

What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

So, I Guess This Is Something Of A Rant…About People Who "Arrange Success" For Themselves

To Achieve Relevance, You Must Show Up Where The Best Are Found!

"Arranged Networks" Are Unhealthy For Society

You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have

Final Words

…a multi-disciplinary blog for people passionate about reaching their goals!