So, about a year and a half ago I get a call from Ed Dale.

Ed says… “Jmo, you’re coming to the Underachiever event in Melbourne aren’t ya?”

For those who don’t know, Melbourne might as well be in Uranus. It’s freaking far!

Sadly, I had to tell Ed… “Not a chance pal. I can’t fly that far”.

Ed was bummed and mentioned the event wouldn’t be the same without me there. He offered to pay for the flight.

I declined.

He offered to pay for the hotel too.

I again declined.

I really wanted to go, but just could imagine 19 hours on a plane. I don’t think any drugs would knock me out for that long.

Then he offered to take me around to all the cool guitar shops.

As much as I really wanted to go, I just couldn’t imagine getting on the plane.

Then he did it. He said…

“You’ll get to hang out with Carlton!”

Ah shit Ed… I’m there!

I can’t believe I actually got on that plane. The ride there wasn’t so bad, but the lift back further reinforced my hatred for flying.

From now on, it’s a John Madden style tour bus. If you live over seas, well, buy me a hovercraft setup for the tour bus and I’ll consider it.

Anyhow, despite my intense fear of flying, I had a higher priority of wanting to learn more about John.

And hey, that weekend I learned a bunch of punctuation stuff that no longer makes me look like an illiterate idiot.

Thanks John!

J-Mo

PS: I have a couple other good plane stories, but they are probably a bit too hard core even for this blog to post in public.

Give me the jetpack that I’ve been waiting to use ever since watching the Jetsons as a kid.

Cheers,
Linda

You can bet I’m getting my special pass.

Reminds me that — up until fuel prices shot up so high — private jets were becoming an excellent option. But there are increasing limitations and hassles with those smaller jets, now, too.

I want my flying car.

John

I’ve been guilty of encouraging rookies to attend my little workshops, but I usually demand they at least are hip to the Kick-Ass copywriting course. I, too, am concerned that people who feel too overwhelmed are not having a great seminar experience.

The first one is always anxiety-provoking, you know… but once you get the hang of networking and listening for actionable info, you’re in the groove.

And I NEVER allow people to interupt with irrelevant questions — one of primary jobs of the host is to know how to wrangle a crowd, keep things feisty, and over-deliver on expectations. You’re a bit like a Ring Leader at a circus, but that’s part of the job, so people can get the most from the event.

Plus, of course, I’ve never given a pitch-a-thon in my career (though I admit I’ve spoken at a few as a guest speaker). I only offer small, intense workshops with lots of intimate teaching, for the exact reason you mention, Nick. I prefer small, intense audiences.

And where the HELL did you go and get illegible hand-outs? That’s just stupid, on the host’s part. You’re right — there are certain expectations of quality you deserve when you pay for a seminar. A lot of people are giving seminars who should probably learn a little more about the process first.

Still… I remember some early ones with Halbert that were aesthetic disasters, but worth a fortune in info. Don’t judge a book by its cover and all that.

Your observations are much appreciated, Nick.

Mark and Karen, who have both been behind the scenes at events, really get the concept of “juice” or “mojo” that seminars provide, and I hope people concentrate more on those elements than the disruption in routine that so often serves as an excuse.

Getting some great input here…

Thanks.

John

If you are still waiting in line at airports (especially Orlando)

Then you are missing one of the greatest advances in post 9/11 tech.

For $100 per year - the TSA will do an extensive background check and issue you a “special pass.”

The pass entitles you to the skip right to the head of the security line… just look for the “blue cube” and receive a personal escort right to the front.

Now, you won’t find “flyclear” lines in every airport - though they are adding cities all the time - They DO have a flyclear lanes in Reno (there’s one in Orlando too.)

You should probably check it out now before it slips your mind…

-Ryan

P.S. You can even fill out the application online! (Flyclear.com)

But I can tell you what I hate about seminars, yes hate to the point that I want to storm out of the room or throw the remote through the TV.

Here they are in no particular order:

* Stupid people asking stupid questions at seminars. You have a room full of people who shelled out a ton of money to learn advanced marketing tactics, and there’s always some dolt raising his hand every 5 minutes asking the most basic copywriting questions you could imagine (does long copy work better then short copy?) YES IT DOES!

The seminar comes to a screeching hult and half the time is spent covering marketing 101 material.

John, not that you need advice from me, but almost copywriting seminar sales letter says something to the effect of –”no matter what your skill level this seminar is for you…”

Just once I would like to see something like — “if you’re new to copywriting this material will be over your head. I can’t keep you from coming, but if you do, and constantly interrupt asking me to slow down and explain everything to you I will kindly refund your money and ask you to leave the seminar….”

* Illegible handouts. Seriously, people pay a lot of money for these seminars, spend the extra nickel at Kinkos on quality print outs

* The seminar covers the same material as the home study course which sell for less money. Oh well at least the networking was good?

* And of course pitching sucks. I can watch infomercials for free right from home thank you very much.

Seminars are a fresh immersion into the evolving world of marketing I might otherwise sleepwalk through . Where else can you soak up the “crazy wisdom” the best marketers serve up. Along with the networking and huge amounts fun, seminars are worth all the hassles of getting there.
Remember the Cleveland seminar that was 3 blocks away from
the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Gotta love that!

I will NEVER forget the feeling of being in a room with 100 people who have collectively just learnt something they know is going to change their lives forever……. and the incredible bond that forms throughout the event that makes the last day so bitter-sweet. Completely exhausting and totally exhilarating!! There is NOTHING on the planet more motivating or more valuable (remember the Big Ugly Guy’s ‘Million Dollar Rolodex!’) than networking with these people. Networking, networking, networking…. that is the key (and just one of the “secrets to marketing success” embedded in this post, yes?).

I really miss that intense connection/stimulation sometimes. Maybe my next adventure will have to include a seminar.

About travelling… yeah, it can be the most FRUSTRATING exercise in organized(?) insanity…. or…. it can be the most FASCINATING insight into the human condition, it just depends where your head is. Many years (and literally millions of miles) ago my dad said something I have never ever forgotten, he said “When you travel, the holiday begins the minute you shut the front door. From that moment on EVERYTHING is part of the adventure”. Even that moment when you are the last person standing at the luggage carousel that somehow hasn’t produced your bags yet!

I love this blog. It never fails to produce one of those “A-HA!” moments of enlightened inspiration, it ‘tweaks’ my thinking and………. no one else in my life says things like “I double dog dare ya”.

PS. I took your advice and threw my name (email address) into the hat to receive the pre-launch promotions from Jeff Walker. What a BRILLIANT example of marketing strategy that has been!! (Has you written all over it John Carlton!)