This is NOT another Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity Expiring Tomorrow!
By Kevin Nations Posted on Mar 15, 2010
I’m gonna ask some questions in this post that I just can’t seem to understand. PLUS, offer you an opportunity to add a SIGNIFICANT stream of income into your own business (one that can sustain for a LONG LONG time!)
The Story….
Maybe it’s just that I’m a little less bright than everybody else I see in this industry. (or have WAYYYY different goals).
ANYHOO…
I’ve just been wondering how in God’s Creation can the average person begin a business modeling a system that comes out with a new product every month or so? Then has it available from ONE DAY to a couple weeks – then BAM!, it’s off the market for good!
Here’s a question for you, dear reader? Do YOU have what it takes to constantly come up with products like that? Can you survive on the one-day to two-week bursts that come from having a HUGE list and tons of ravenous affiliates just waiting to promote anything you do?
Something to think about – how are you going to model TACTICS that are being implemented in a STRATEGY that you can’t successfully pull off? NOW?
I’ve been pretty quiet about this fact for some time – but I’ve just looked back at my core business since 2006 and said “Enough, already”.
Here’s where this “Epiphany” struck me….
In my private consulting with my Diamond Mastermind clients – the PRIMARY advice I’ve given them so far this year was SIMPLIFY and cut out the complex “new product centric” model that is SO SO seductive -yet rarely pays off just like it was supposed to.
If this is SO timely for them – why wouldn’t it be for YOU too?
Heck – many people can’t even stay with a complex system long enough to get all the parts moving to create the ONE outcome that builds a business (CONSISTENT CASH FLOW)!
Not a flash of income from each new shiny piece of info that you learn, but a Strategy that will put thousands of dollars PER CLIENT in your pocket OVER and OVER for YEARS… (without all the last-minute pushes and the retirements and once-in a lifetime opportunity)
After all, I’m not looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m looking for something that COULD be a Lifetime Opportunity!
I like what I do – don’t want to change it next week just because I had to use some scarcity in my copy!
What are you looking for?
I guess you can tell with a post like this that I’m about to reveal just how I’ve consistently taught clients for the last four years this precise information! And how I CONSISTENTLY fill my $8,000 per student classes MANY times per year without launches, without any scarcity emails or aggressive list building!
If you want to spend tens of thousands of dollars just to get your name out there publicly, then what I’m about to reveal to you probably won’t be a fit.
However – if you’re OK with flying under the radar here and there and consistently pocketing thousands of dollars per client (and building a STEADY, SUSTAINABLE stream of them into your business) – then NO ONE can better share with you the proven strategies that I’m about to reveal to you soon!
I’m going to lay bare THE MOST PROFITABLE paradox in this industry – one that will send MANY people who want to keep things COMPLEX squirming because I’m going to reveal just how easy it is to make even MORE money (the kind you keep) by making things SUPER SIMPLE!
Here’s how you can participate (Big reveal here!)
One – comment on this post. I’m gonna select ONE winner (total) from this post and from all the posts I create leading up to this reveal to join my next LIVE event “Growing Big by Going Small”(TM) in just a few months!
In the comments, share how you’ve been overwhelmed by overcomplicating things in your business and how you’d like to see those things simplified. Also share with me what you’d like to learn from a training like this. I’ve taught this information in private interactive groups DOZENS of times so I would LOVE to know how to include your input into the information. Also – dare to conceive what your ONGOING service could be and I’ll show you how to make it sell CONSISTENTLY for Top Dollar!
That’s about it for now. Keep your eyes peeled for the big reveal! There’s really NO NEED to complicate your life – and I want to demonstrate for YOU just how simple things can be!
Gear Knobs
Nov 24th, 2010
there are professional career coaches out there that charges a small fee ::-
David A Steinberg
Apr 20th, 2010
Kenin, thank you! From the depths of my vastly huge Cozmic heart, THANK YOU!
Truth be told, I have yet to even take some of the simplest steps like content for domain names I own, and completing three books I started.
Yet, still, a brief exposure to you message has begun a real transformation of consciousness within me.
How do I know? Because that’s my specialty: Transformation of Total Health through shift of Consciousness. Of this I am an undisputed expert, creating real quantifyable results.
I have signed up for your full program, despite not really having a running business.
WHY?
Because, I KNOW you have keys that I may USE (if I choose) to really hone in on my core service and products, and create a true, SIMPLE business.
Interestingly, I’ve escaped the “rat race” long ago, by simply Shifing my Consciousness. For over 7 years, I’ve lived a life outside of time clocks, traffic, concrete buildings, jobs, poverty, and sickness.
Even without a business plan or even a business at all, I’ve made high 5-figure earnings with almost zero expenses, all through simply responding to life and serving individuals and families in the most weird, unorthodox ways possible. And have had more “free time” than a five year old! Incredible!
In the last two years, I’ve given away over $80,000,00 cash to friends and loved ones, in true joy of how that money was created: Simply serving people who found ME!
During the last FIVE years, I’ve bought ALL the programs, internet marketing, etc.
I just know what I’ve already done “behind the scenes” without trying, can be scaled up to HUGE with some true effective SIMPLE MARKETING!
So it’s about time more than just a few random people that happen to find me learn about living in Extreme Excelent Health and laugh their way to easily living 100 plus years on Earth – do you AGREE? Yes, or YES?!?
Thank you Kevin, I already feel a positive shift in my own consciousness, and I only signed uo 2 days ago!
In supreme Cozmic Excelence,
David Steinberg
(aka:”Cozmic Pepper Man”"
kristine
Apr 7th, 2010
Kevin!
Thanks for this bit of insight. You are so right on. I started really taking my gifts and skills as a horsewoman and coach seriously in the past year. I started doing some one on one coaching and realized I wasn’t ever going to be making the money I wanted and be free by doing sessions one at a time for low rates. I love what I’m doing, I’m just tired of playing small.
I signed up for lots of guru cheapie products and expensive websites and was soon overwhelmed with information and instructions. Then I got really discouraged and turned off by thinking I was going to forever have to be coming up with some ‘deal’ to sell. I was spending more time on this than doing what I love and I think I actually lost business. I hated doing all of this ‘marketing’. I got off track and just stopped marketing at all; I took down the expensive website that was taking me hours a day to maintain and stopped sending out frantic emails to pressure people into decisions. I haven’t done any of that for months.
I’m ready for a new approach and to get back in the arena again. I really miss doing my real work and helping people and their horses. I am so ready for simplicity and to stick with one mentor to guide me through this process.
Thanks
Kristine Nesbitt
Rhian Pamphilon
Mar 30th, 2010
I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re holding another live event Kevin! When I look back at the LOVE event you held in Las Vegas, and try to describe it to friends, I’m stuck for words. Was it turning sales upside down? Connecting with the core of what I offer my clients? Or maybe it was simply accepting ME and the great things I can offer the world.
Can’t wait until the next time and the opportunity to bring an even better ME to the world!
Rhian xx
Luisa Rasiej
Mar 21st, 2010
Ciao Kevin,
I want you to know that you are now going global, well your message anyway. I just came back from a European trip where I was brainstorming with a potential business partner in Germany and I heard you loud and clear by my side as I shared with Uli how I envision my presence there.
Coming back home, I had a moment of panic, overwhelmed by the mountain of “stuff” that had accumulated over the past two weeks. Reading your post gave me a chance to yet again, take a breath and be reminded to simplify. Thanks for that – I really needed it.
For so long I have been imobilized in the what to do, when, how, listening to endless advice and various systems that ultimately did not work for me. Sitting down and figuring out what the core is for me, allowed me to shed the superfluous. Let me be candid: I’m still working on that one and greatly appreciate your guidance, Kevin, through your posts, your energy and your presence.
Thanks!
Love, Luisa
The Inner Contessa
Scout Wilkins
Mar 19th, 2010
Well, Kevin – All I can say is that really following this quest for simplicity – and having you keep holding my feet to the fire every time I try to make things complicated (what is that about, ANYWAY!! LOL) has utterly and absolutely transformed my business and my life.
I know who my ideal folks are, through your system I find them or they find me, we connect in whatever the best way is, and I serve them with abandon. I have a very simple, happy and lucrative business AND life!
Rock on, man. For anyone out there wondering if investing in yourself through Kevin is the way to go…if you like to keep things simple and successful, I’d give that an unequivocable yes.
Zaahir
Mar 17th, 2010
The KISS method wins again, along with honesty, sincerity and integrity. Wait a minute, wasn’t that the first thing we learned about being decent, upstanding members of society and the virtual world. Be upfront and act with honor and you shall receive the same and have customers for life.
Mike
Mar 17th, 2010
ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
Yes Kevin, I’ve been totally stuck in a similar business model. I’m soooooo tired of it all!
Overwhelmed… complicated you ask? You don’t know that half of it.
I make a big effort to keep my ear to the ground for new tactics and strategies that might help take my business to the next level. Only to find that I’m working longer hours trying to implement each nuance of these “systems” I come across, with little or no return on my time and money.
I got into business to work less and escape the mundane life of working for someone else. But now I find I’m slave to the vicious cycles that I’ve created for myself and it’s getting harder and harder just to keep up.
With it, I’ve created a bit of a quandary too. That is to say— If I don’t keep working my butt off by trying to out-smart, out-market and out-sell my competition, I don’t think I can survive. And there’s absolutely no way that I’m going to face my wife and 4 daughters (3 of which I am paying their way through college) and look them in the eye to tell them that I’m going to give up… I just can’t and won’t do it.
And now here’s something that’s not so pleasant for me to admit because it makes me feel like everyone here is going to judge me or think why can’t this guy do this for himself. Here’s what I’m talking about:
I help small (offline) business owners get more clients/customers through internet marketing so they can have the business they’ve always wanted, giving them more business, more money and more personal freedom to do the things that are important to them.
Now I’m going to cop out and say that there’s a difference between what I do for my clients and using those same strategies for myself. I’m already online in a field of hundreds of other marketing consultants going after the same market I’m in.
So the marketing plan I implement for an offline business owner isn’t so complicated in their local arena. As a matter of fact, I grow their business by at least 27%. These same strategies don’t work the same for me to grow my business, but they do sustain a certain financial level that I’ve been wanting to break through.
If there was a simple, uncomplicated plan that I could follow, that would allow me to stop working 10 to 12 hour days and often times 6 days a week, break the financial plateau I’ve been on for years, it would change my life from being all stressed out all the time, to finally owning the business of my dreams. My business would be a life-style business that would have a positive affect on my family; my health and it would allow me to give back to the community and my church (which has always been my dream).
OK Kevin… I poured out my heart and soul. Now you pour out yours.
Kelly Harrington
Mar 17th, 2010
As a newer coach, I keep looking for someone to teach me a system but it seems that other trainers and coaches keep their training and content too general and too ambiguous. Show me the steps and the system for growing my business to be even more successful!
I have so many ideas but it’s sometimes difficult to know what to do first and what will yield the best results for my own success and to serve my clients in the best way possible.
-Kelly Harrington
President & Founder, Career Coach
Career Max Group
Frank Roe
Mar 17th, 2010
Kevin, focus is what I’m now doing day by day. Having been distracted too often, I am getting my business materials and processes written up and building my motivation in simple and effective ways. Concentration on my main goal
has to be the answer. Thanks for the advice.
Frank
Dream Warrior Jenni P
Mar 16th, 2010
Can I make a wee suggestion? It is so refreshing to feel connected with other people undergoing the same quest. Outside of posts like this, many of us (right guys?) feel alone. As if we’re the only bozo in the world who doesn’t have their business together enough to be launching/inovating/recreating the world every Monday as it appears when you ‘suscribe’ to the general mass of popular experts.
Not feeling alone, that there are other people out there just yearning to serve, by ‘being who they are’, would give us all strength. A sort of 300 ‘Nationeers’. All for one simple idea and one simple idea for those that need it.
I’ve personally unsubscribed to 20 emails in the last 2 days… out with clutter, in with clarity.
lovingly
Jenni
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Cool suggestion, Jenni.
All alumni of EACH of my programs have access to forums where they truly connect on the deepest levels and share success stories, implementation strategies, fears, concerns, goals, etc!
I look forward to having you join us soon…
Kevin
Helen
Mar 16th, 2010
Jenni,
I echo your perspective so deeply and just went through a similar process of permanently averting the ‘flurry’. When you truly step into your blessing and own it, there’s clarity and simplicity, and it’s ‘more than enough to be who you are’…it’s all and everything you were intended to be. The need to ‘chase’ subsides and the ability to ‘draw’ is unveiled. Celebrate that bold spirit in you making that declaration. BE that one thing.
Joy and blessings,
Helen
Michael Wilson
Mar 16th, 2010
Kevin,
Great perspective. There is too much hype – there must be a foundation of reality and value otherwise it just doesn’t seem real.
I like “Doing, Transforming, Earning” philosophy.
Michael Wilson
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Thanks Michael –
Digging deeper into that really soon!
Kev-
Stewart Marshall Gulley
Mar 16th, 2010
Yo Kevin,
I love the sincerity of your message. So many marketers put up great information and then all of a sudden its not there anymore because of the urgency they’ve created. It’s almost like a sermon and the pastor tells you if you don’t do this today you will never be blessed and I’ll catch ya on the other side (poof!). You want to create a lifetime of business and pleasure for people without them being on edge. There’s so much information in all of us and you’ve been chosen to help get it out of us. It’s almost like Noah coming up with a strategy, “How are we going to get the mess out of the ark.” Thanks I definitely can use your help.
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
There’s a time to decide, Stewart. The goal is to bring each person magically to that for themselves at the proper time while leaving your ‘offer’ ongoing! ‘Tis Magic I tell ya!
Amy Bush
Mar 16th, 2010
Hi Kevin,
)
I read each email I get from you although I am not ‘actively’ marketing my business – mainly because of the stuff you are talking about! I have a platform and I LOVE helping people. I’ve always wanted to help people, had a feeling in my being that is what I’m here to do… then realized I had to help myself first… and I’m back to the desire to truly serve.
I am a mother of three, another on the way, and I am motivated to play big through staying small. I am not into hype, can’t stand that type of marketing because I know what it’s all about psychologically and I don’t want to pull crap on people who have enough crammed at them since birth. I have services to offer, I’m honest about them, and people make shifts when we work together. Beyond that – I have gotten really way layed with all of the recommendations on how to market. For now, I keep it simple by doing minimal and I am interested in what you are offering because I’m ready to really do what my heart is calling me to do… in a way that serves and allows the people I can truly help to receive what they can benefit from through working with me. End of book for now!
Thanks for what you’re doing, who you are,
Amy
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Looking forward to watching your transformation Amy
Kathy McDevitt
Mar 16th, 2010
I just started my business where I produce and coach my clients how to produce great videos for their websites themselves. I am taking my years of experience as an emmy award winning tv producer and teaching it to business people. I teach them how to set up their own studio in their homes and how to do video blogs themselves. How to appear on camera naturally. Because I have never been in business for myself, I have been shocked at some of the emails I receive that will teach me everything I need to know to make a million dollars. The latest, I had 24 hours to sign up before it was taken away for good and I was so stressed wondering if I should buy it, I lost a whole day of work. I want to be successful, but I hate being told that if I don’t buy I will loose out. I want to learn how to grow my business calmly, securely, organically, without all the unnecessary stress. I definately like your approach Kevin.
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Don’t stress – just decide. This isn’t about whether the one day offer should be done (because at times it IS done and very successfully).
The question here is whether YOU have the resources to make the ongoing cash flow you need using this strategy.
Kathy Holdaway
Mar 16th, 2010
Simplify! How awesome to learn what that is and to attract a client base that resonates with the gifts in me to give. My goal is to maximize leadership, sales and business performance possibilities for small to mid size companies. I also do personal and professional mastery coaching and think I am concerned about narrowing my options until I have built a steady client base. I just re-started my business this year. So I am highly interested to hear your recommendations. My professional purpose it to help others discover their unexpressed strenths, their inner truth, and their genius to empower them in their workplace. My goal is to help them be successful according to their success definition. This way everyone wins, the teams they lead, individuals and the company. I do this with the platform I descibed above in my business.
I have done too many online seminars with too much advice on how to do it the right way, how to upsell etc. and that leads to confusion and too much inaction on the high impact and revenue producing activites. Like someone else mentioned I too have been unsubscribing mainly so I could put the principles I learned into place and focus, focus, focus! Looking forward to your success input. Thanks Kevin!
Kathy
http://www.theboomerrave.wordpress.com
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Congratulations Kathy!
Rosey Dow
Mar 16th, 2010
Kevin, your post intrigued me because simplifying is what I’m all about right now. I’ve got my niche narrowed tighter than ever before and I’m cutting off unnecessary sectors of activity in my business so I can FOCUS. I love the idea of creating one delivery model that stays vital for years. My Prospect Profiling concept is made for that because it’s basic Marketing 101.
You’ve been a tremendous help!
Thanks,
Rosey Dow
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Its been an HONOR watching you grow! I’m SO proud of you!
Kev-
Stephanie Calahan (@StephCalahan)
Mar 16th, 2010
Kevin –
As a past student and completely dissapointed that I missed your LOVE event (which everyone I talked with said was awesome) I love the concept of your latest adventure.
As you know, I work with people every day that are overwhelmed with their surroundings. Simplification in time, space and information management are more important than ever!
As you say, however, it is always good for the teacher to be taught and mentored in order to expand and grow. I have significantly simplified my thoughts around service delivery as a result of working with you. Funny how my biggest “a-ha” moment was realizing that I should have stuck with my original systems rather than listening to all of the internet “gurus” out there. I’ve since tossed out the garbage and refined my approach and am thrilled with the resuts.
I’d love to experience your take on eliminating the unnecessary live and in person.
To your continued success!
Stephanie
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Can’t wait to meet you at the next Live Event! It’s gonna rock even BETTER than Love!
Karen
Mar 16th, 2010
Kevin,
This is a timely post! I was caught in the ‘create a new product’ cycle for a long time before I figured it out. I realised that I needed to break down what I offered into bite sized steps and then create a system from those steps. Now I am in the process of taking that system and turning it into different formats.
I can’t wait to read your next installment.
Karen
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
It’s on its way, Karen
Nanci Raphael
Mar 16th, 2010
Hi Kevin,
There’s a lot to be said about simplicity. After starting up and running a seven-figure business, about 7 years ago I decided to simplify. It was the best thing I ever did. I now work from home, look out my window on to our beautiful front lawn (I can open the windows and get in fresh air — not the sealed windows in my old office building), walk to the kitchen and grab a cup of tea, talk on the phone in my workout clothes, and can get to my desk any time of the day or night I want without getting into my car!
Best — I have no employees to manage. Over the last 7 years, I’ve grown a multi-six figure business and started another one and wrote a book that will be published in July: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Mastering the Inner World of Business. My tendency is to be super-woman (could you have guessed?), so I’m always having to manage that and get back to simplicity. You can see why I’m so excited to hear more about what you have to say and to ask you any questions I want on our interview for the Voom! Business Summit on April 22 at 8pm ET. (www.voomsummit.com) I can’t wait!
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Enjoyed our chat the other day! Can’t wait to support your Summit and then help you Propel your Biz to the Stratosphere!
Kevin
Shawn Driscoll
Mar 16th, 2010
Great post Kevin. I totally agree that most of the ‘million dollar’ business models are not going to work for those who, like me, love what they do and want to make a difference while making a great living and life. As the tactics have gotten more hypey I’ve developed a very sensitive Guru Gag Reflex. I just can’t stomach it. Not much gets in my inbox anymore!
I teach people to focus on a core offering–their signature program–rather than diluting their power with scattered offers. So, I can’t wait to see where you’re going with this. We need new leaders showing a different way.
Shawn
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
WOW! I’m overwhelmed at the MASSIVE flood of responses here. This must have REALLY struck a chord! Keep up the GREAT work…
Tanya Smith
Mar 16th, 2010
Phew Kevin,
Thanks as ever for your calm voice of sanity reaching out to us over the daily shrieks of launches telling us that ‘this’ is the one magic bullet we MUST have for a successful business, and if we decide not to we must need a lobotomy.
I am just going through the process of taking my offline business online, in order that I can serve a wider audience and not be limited geographically. My core focus is helping solo entrepreneurs set up their business to have a solid foundation to build on, and a lot of what I coach is to do with simplifying things to keep really clear on end goals and work within your strengths.
To be honest, it’s a relief to see you have the integrity to challenge what seems to be becoming the accepted ‘norm’ on the net now.
Many of us do work with business owners, and we would not be advising them to go for the ridiculous ‘big launch..pull off the market’ cycle. No business can be sustainable like that!
It is still possible to create a buzz, and some scarcity without these over the top tactics.
We should think of how this would look in other ‘business’ arenas. If I needed knee surgery, I definitely wouldn’t choose the doctor who promotes himself as guru on the ‘limb of the month’ special (“Get your elbow done now, cos next month I won’t be offering it, I’ll be working on something completely different!”) – I’d want the doctor who had a track record to sticking to his core competency!! Whilst this may seem ridiculous – this is the model that so many of the ‘gurus’ are doing to us, and in turn we are foolishly thinking we need to follow suit.
As you said – enough already.
I guess from your training I’d like to see how you have managed to create a successful business, with dignity and itegrity. I’d like to be able to model how you’ve developed a wealthy business (and I mean wealth in all senses not just financial), a loyal group of clients who stay with you for more than just one launch, and most importantly programmes and products that give the clients great value and benefit consistently over time!
Many thanks, and look forward to your ‘reveal’!
Tanya Smith
Ann Ross
Mar 16th, 2010
Thanks for this Kevin,
It gives me hope. I did all the scatter approach to marketing because I can DO so much, have so many skills, but what to specialise in? What really lights my fire and juices me up? I’ve lost my way – feeling burned out and tired – I used to LOVE my work! The blessing is, I am still busy and successful but tired…
Ann
Kim O'Rourke
Mar 16th, 2010
Spot on Kevin: I’ve just re-launched my marketing coaching business to a tight target market that I’m passionate about working with. And my public (and personal) mantra has always been “keep it focused, keep it tight”…the tighter you focus in on one thing (one business niche, one target market, one business idea…) the more successful you will become.
I had someone shaking their heads at me in disbelief once in response to MY response to their business card: they’d paid some marketing consultant £2,000 to advise them on marketing.
The consultant had told this person to put all the target markets they could reach on their business card: resulting in a business card which had 6 or 7 different (very different) target markets on it, and actually none of those was the market that she was passionate about working with, and so this person wasn’t getting those clients. In fact, they weren’t getting ANY clients.
I advised her (for free as it happens, it was a no-brainer as far as I was concerned) to scrap all the others and just put on the one market she wanted to work with, and focus her marketing energies on just that market.
Hmmm. I didn’t charge £2,00 for a 5 minute bit of information which looked too simple to this person. Result? The advice wasn’t followed, and we have one very unhappy business owner who’s still running about all over the place, but not running in the direction they want.
So, yes. Focus, simplify, keep it all tight.
Looking forward to your reveal!
Kim.
Beki An Sciacca
Mar 16th, 2010
(1)”…(Quick side-note): Here’s a hint: Take out the ingredients that primarily serve your ego and only serve up the ones that create the transformation your clients are looking for!…”
Aahhh…now here’s something I can really chew on…
Reading your post, what was coming to me was the big Question about exactly how to hone in on what my core would be…and then the signpost to the answer appeared (in the above)!
(2) The Sales guru…the Copy guru (at least this week)…the Launch guru…the Money guru…
I…am…so…tired…My predilection to overcomplicate has been richly fed by this milieu, to the point over-satiation. My soul is searching for a way out…Perhaps I have been delivered…
Doing; Transforming; Earning…Can you hear my sigh of relief?
Dee Houston
Mar 16th, 2010
Thank God You Said It. Because I was wondering why after a successful product launch a couple weeks ago, and even a successful upsell of the product I can barely get out of bed! I am plagued with the “so now What?”.
I have identified almost 10 income streams from this one line of business, but instead of just repeating what just worked, I am constantly asking myself “what else?” Is it a lack of faith? Too much Youtube? What is it?
I can honestly “see” the multi-million dollar business from this one track.
Kevin, Number 1 how do I become the focused and “real” business leader I need to be. Because intellectually I understand that a good business leader would keep working what works.
2- I’d like to learn how do you work the “in the meantime plan in a focused way (without the noise) that still earns money”, while creating that lifetime income?
John Taylor
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin:
Great stuff. I couldn’t make your Colorado event, but, I am really interested in finding a way to engage with you.
Looking forward to learning more about your upcoming programs.
JT
Keith
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin,
Why are solopreneurs and small business owners feel like we need to be cockroaches? I’ll explain. Business models are very fond of borrowing the term ‘niche’ from ecology. To be successful, you must fit well into your niche market, a very particular role within a designated area.
Ecologically, animals are adapted (designed with traits) to live and interact in a distinct niche. You won’t find pelicans in the desert or polar bears in a rainforest. We all need to be that species that is so well adapted and lives very comfortably in our corner of the ecosystem. That species is a master of its niche. It doesn’t try to be all things to all animals. And it’s perfectly content with that.
Instead, many of us attempt to be like rats or cockroaches. We want to be adapted to everywhere and everything and under all kinds of conditions. It is an exhaustive and futile agenda.
In order for rats and cockroaches to do this, they breed like crazy and have short lives. Well, few people can incessantly create products/services and spread them all over the market.
Who wants to be a cockroach and constantly create more and more and have to keep distributing that product/service all over? Burn out and exhaustion are the results.
Keep it simple by perfecting and adapting your one thing you do so well in your one area. How can we (I) be that well adapted species in our distinct niche and overcome the insecurity that we aren’t doing enough to stay viable in our niche?
Ashley Mahaffey
Mar 15th, 2010
You’re at it again!… Kev, you’re quietly doing your thing – which, by the way, has helped my business and life shift in BIG ways (thx!!)and now you’re going to share it with others in a LIVE format…Cool!
I’ve said it before. If you’re going to work with Kevin you better bring your big girl shoes!
Kevin Nations
Mar 16th, 2010
Speak softly and carry a big Bank Roll!
Some people live to Promote. I promote so I can LIVE. The stuff I’ve been grateful enough to use and teach lets me have a LIFE!
Thanks, Ash for the props. I am SO SO proud of you!
Kevin
Sue Krebs
Mar 15th, 2010
It has never made sense to me that one has to keep upping the ante to keep our clients/customers happy. That kind of “production schedule” is enough to drive anyone crazy.
I would LOVE to learn the method for sticking to the basics (my offering, my passion) and make big bucks doing it! Looking forward to hearing more!
Sue
Dallys
Mar 15th, 2010
Thanks for such an honest post, Kevin, it’s refreshing to see someone say it’s OK to do the one thing you’re good at – and keep doing it.
I’ve come to believe my great purpose in life and business is as a kind of translator and simplifier, for those people who have less inclination than me to learn and experiment with technology and new ideas.
I love to learn, and then I love to help others learn what I’ve learned. I think of it as reaching behind me on the ladder of life to give a hand up, and tell them where the slippery steps are.
That doesn’t mean I’m always chasing the latest and greatest, once in lifetime, limited time offer – in fact I now delete or unsubscribe those who try to engage me in this way.
So learning a system that simplifies what I’m doing just meshes with my philosophy and my strengths.
Todd Tresidder
Mar 15th, 2010
Solopreneurs require simplicity, consistency and persistency to succeed. With limited time and resources available most new ideas are more distraction than revelation.
I look forward to learning your model and understanding how it assembles the pieces into a cohesive whole that just plain works – through all seasons and without “product launch hype”. The goal is to produce the only result that matters – CONSISTENT CASHFLOW! Lead the way…
Colin Arthur Wiebe
Mar 15th, 2010
Great post Kevin!
Songwriters often start with pages of lyrics and a collection of chord changes. The best songs are the ones that simplify the message without losing the emotion and the intent. Just because a song is simple does not mean that it’s not powerful. When we distill our businesses and our lives down to the core of our servitude, we can awake each day with a resounding sense of purpose. It reminds me of the famous Michelangelo quote “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”.
What are you going to set free?
Colleen Fanning
Mar 15th, 2010
Ok, so holy moly, overcomplicated and overwhelmed describes the place I find myself operating from. I see & feel it’s from this place that my productivity flounders. Walking around in circles, confused, from one room to the next doesn’t flatter a girl!
I’d give anything to learn the magic that comes from simplicity. I work with artists in areas of financial literacy. I held my first ‘academy’ this weekend and got excellent marks from the group who want MORE education, yippee!
May I ask for your help!
PS. Kevin, thanks for a couple of things. First, your writing style is genuine, I appreciate how you feel authentic!
Second, and to your topic today, I so appreciate the limited number of emails you send, and when you do, your tips are great and easily implementable all w/o pitching a new product every time you write!
Angela Mattson
Mar 15th, 2010
I get totally overwhelmed thinking about list building, creating the launch, launching the launch, managing the launching, and then watching the launch crash and burn into oblivion or fizzle out with a dozen sales.
*Sigh*
There HAS to be a simpler way.
So, let’s hear it!
Jen Lambert
Mar 15th, 2010
Your post came at a perfect time. I guess that’s how you know you’re speaking to the right people, right?! I just had my first successful launch thanks in large part to what I learned from you with the Prospect Seduction Blueprint. And…now I’m wondering what to do for an encore. I LOVE the transformation that happened with that group and I want to create more if it, without killing myself in the process.
Can’t wait for your big reveal!
Sophie
Mar 15th, 2010
Great post Kevin! Just a few weeks ago I un-subscribed from all the email lists that promoted ‘scarcity’ ‘buy it TODAY before it melts in the sun’ offers. So I am really glad to find a professional who thinks there IS another WAY!
)
By training I am an administrator, by nature I am a carer and by profession I am now a healer. None of the above says I am a great sales person which is why I agree with you that I need to learn ONE simple system that works consistently for a long time so I can concentrate on what I do best, which is healing and caring instead of selling all the time, which is completely overwhelming. (Not to mention all the different ways tat different ppl tell me I should do it)
I am very good one on one and those individual sessions is what I need to learn to promote because I love them and my clients get better fast.
Thank you for offering an alternative Kevin!
Lynnet McKenzie
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin, thank you for diving into this topic. I will be looking for your “reveal.” I was very excited to start a new business a few months ago, and then all the complication has taken the joy and passion out it. Being present for my son is far more important to me than making money.
Being of service and providing for my family while keeping it simple sounds heavenly. I think I have been tripping myself up with too much information.
Having suffered from the dis-ease of perfectionism most of my life, the call you give for “imperfect action” has been revolutionary for me. Hearing more about how to keep it simple sounds equally renewing.
Blessings~
Lynnet
Neal
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin,
This post is so accurate. As a CPA used to selling my time, I’ve been struggling to create a product/coaching or something that will get me out of this trap I’m in.
I’m looking forward to your next post.
Neal Ashley, CPA
Jen
Mar 15th, 2010
Overwhelmed by thinking I have to jump on every bandwagon when I just want to find “my people” and serve them. Getting too hung up on/hiding behind details instead of getting out in front of people and sharing my expertise. Thinking that I need to have many different programs and products has been a real hindrance for me to move forward. I work best in one-on-one and would be great for me to be able to offer that kind of high ticket, personalized training to a few rather than a $47/mo to the masses. I don’t want to be limited by geography as I was in the past. Since I am looking at a different model than I’ve previously dealt with, I’d want to see how to start from zero to big ticket in a reasonable time. I’m not big on hype or scarcity so I really resonate with what you say (always have). I prefer to be authentic and sincere. Going back to the overwhelm for one second, it would be a great relief to get that first big ticket client in, so that I can focus on my passionate purpose and delegate some crap work that really brings my spirit down!! Transformation for clients, transformation for my life, too.
John Susko
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin,
It’s true – I’ve been overwhelmed by over-complicating things in my business and my life and I would love to have things simplified.
I’d like to learn how to identify and then focus on my “core offering”. I have done so many things and become really good at them, out of sheer necessity, that I feel like I’ve diluted my ability to apply real power in any one area.
I’m a living example of the “…if you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich…” syndrome and it’s leading to burn-out.
John S.
586-790-1000
Dream Warrior Jenni P
Mar 15th, 2010
After my short but so far intense innitiation into the cyber jungle, I would like to say this.
Whatever product you’re selling, whichever service you’re promoting, in whichever way you do it, everybody is scorching around to ‘belong’, to feel the way home to recognition and to know their purpose.
The income is just the path… the gratification is the just the path, the goal always has been and always will be, peace.
If we are clever enough to transmit this idea (and I think I am)in the simplest most lucid way, people will respond because they recognise truth.
It could be a new soda, a pair of trainers or a new marketing method, if people feel they will be loved by buying the product, they will buy!
So I am examining ‘what exactly is the core message of the service I’m providing and how will it serve this universal need?’. In doing so, all the BS is falling away like flakey skin. Simple.
Thanks gorgeous.
Wendy Lynn Beacock
Mar 15th, 2010
Hey Kevin,
I SO agree with what you are saying. It is very refreshing (and Satisfying) to see you point all of this out.
It is so overwhelming for people to follow so-called “gurus” and try to replicate their success by having to constantly create new products and promotions and to chase a business model that, after all is said and done, just keeps them chained to their desk with no quality of life.
You have one of the best business models I have ever seen. You have a sustainable system that is not reliant on the latest hype. You don’t try to impress everyone with your large office staff and ridiculous overhead. You keep it simple and VERY profitable.
It is great to see you express what a lot of people are thinking but not really saying.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I think it will help a lot of people make some very good decisions about their businesses.
Kundan
Mar 15th, 2010
This is such a great post. I wish to simplify what I offer myself into just one great high-priced product. This is awesome!
Neil Dhawan
Mar 15th, 2010
Well this just makes complete sense. I’ve watched “guru” after “guru” come out with product after product and got the idea that “that is just the way it’s done.” No wonder I’ve been paralyzed to even take a single step forward as I was completely overwhelmed before taking a single step! And because of this, I abandoned my dream of going online full-time and resolved myself to the life of a brick & mortar job that was O.K. and making “barely getting by” money. Thank you so much, Kevin, for an awesome and inspiring post!
Tracey Lawton
Mar 15th, 2010
This is so spot on… I’d just come to a similar conclusion after spending the past year launching different programs and products and feeling everything was too scatty and needed to be more streamlined… after all it’s what I teach business owners to do – to become more systemizied, streamlined, and automated.
I’ve just put a plan together for a training program that is just ONE ongoing program that will be available long-term and will be so simple to promote – no last-minute promos, disappearing benefits, or “grab your spot now” stuff! In fact my signature info product has been available for over 18 months and it’s wonderful – it runs itself but consistently generates a great income! Now to apply the same principle to my training program
I’d love to hear more about what you’re doing…
valery satterwhite
Mar 15th, 2010
Hi,
I’ve just expanded my branding and don’t want to throw the ‘baby’ out with the bath water. I’ve created some content and value rich information products with the old branding that I’d like to repurpose with my new brand to bring in passive income. I’m overwhelmed with all the marketing that is required to rise above the noise – the bombardment of emails, offers, etc. – that my marketplace receives on a daily basis. I’d love a simple, yet powerfully effective, marketing system to promote my products and services so that my time is spent serving high-end clients.
Love and laughter,
valery
Trent
Mar 15th, 2010
Uh oh!! I’m guilty of that one. I just promoted a large launch of someone else with a lot of energy, creativity, and little or no income.
I have learned that there is a rippling effect, usually negative, that takes away from the presence of your strengths and core business.
The focus has to be on creating value doing what you love and what you’re best at, not at making money. Too much energy and time is wasted chasing an income that you are not passionate about.
Thanks for the eye opener and reminder. My “test marketing” program just taught me a lot more than I expected as I also, again found what I am best at. My focus will return to helping others maximize their financial decisions and coaching advisors on how to effectively make that happen, so that I can focus on spending the remaining days of my life with my family, and friends enjoying the life this will afford.
Thanks Kevin.
Meredith Liepelt
Mar 15th, 2010
Great post Kevin. My theme for 2010: Keep it simple. It’s working well – making more money this year than ever before, working less and getting more and more clear on the transformation I help others achieve. I’m still in my journey, learning and growing all the time. Reading: The Power of Small by Thaler and Koval. I love to think big, but the power of one strategic baby step after the next is very rewarding and manageable and leads to results. I look forward to reading more from you!
Heidi Sue
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin,
It’s such a joy to hear someone with some longevity speak out in common sense, real terms about business–heck about life!
Between affirmations from places like this one, “The Value of Nothing, and “Priceless: the Myth of Fair Value” (books well worth the time) the idea of being part of a training that’s about success being more simple (fewer systems, fewer products, on and on) is incredible exciting.
My gift is taking complicated concepts and making them simple so anyone can use them–got Neuroeconomics? These kinds of things are amazing when they are simplified and de-mystified. And what I want the most is to get that gift and what I’ve helped people create so far out to many more people.
Teach me how to do this with LESS than everyone thinks is actually needed. I know there are things I can skip, ignore, or just don’t need that somewhere else I’ve been convinced I do…I’m willing to swim upstream AND have a great time doing it. What better way to support those who also want to follow that path? I can’t think of a better one than honing my ability to do the same.
Thanks for the update: I look forward to more!
Kevin Nations
Mar 15th, 2010
Awesome Heidi!
Looking forward to serving you in achieving more while doing WAY WAY less than you ever imagined.
(Quick side-note): Here’s a hint: Take out the ingredients that primarily serve your ego and only serve up the ones that create the transformation your clients are looking for!
What’s left is the PERFECT lean recipe for success!!!
We’ll go into that more soon!
Kevin
Leslie Shreve
Mar 15th, 2010
Kevin,
I love this post because I’m in the business of teaching business owners, executives and entrepreneurs how to SIMPLIFY and be more productive and successful! I love it. I love what I do. So for me, I enjoy having my one major system that I’ve used and refined in the past 7 years: The Productive Day Success System, which is the name I currently use with corporate clients, but will be offering it to entrepreneurs as “Productivity, Passion & Profits” later this year. I see what you’re talking about with all the ever-changing product and service offerings out there and it is indeed overwhelming. I wish to stick with what I know best – productivity & Outlook – in a select few products and services like I already have now. I do individual consulting and team/group consulting too by the way. I love that part of my business. What I want to learn from you and confirm is how to make sure I’m refining my system in just the right ways to make it as helpful to others in a variety of formats and as profitable as it can be. I think I’m on the right track, but with all the information swirling around, you never know! I love the idea of keeping it simple – of zeroing in on what I do best and forgetting the rest. I’ll look forward to meeting you in CO this week! Leslie
Kevin Nations
Mar 15th, 2010
Perfect – Leslie:
The questions to ask even with a simple system are…
(1) Am i Doing EVERY DAY – Precisely what I want to be doing (Activities)
(2) Am I Impacting the World in Specifically the manner I want to be known for? (Transformation)
(3) Am I Earning EXACTLY the amount of money I know that I should be earning? (Cash Flow)
If your Simple Business does the above three things PERFECTLY, then there’s NO NEED to complicate it. And if it doesn’t , then the question is HOW can one get it to do each of the above with clarity and precision?
THAT’S what I’m gonna be teaching soon – how to Master the 3 sacred demands of a business in as SIMPLE a manner as possible
Kevin
Lisa Dennys
Mar 15th, 2010
Yeah, Kevin, I sure would like to make things SIMPLE and literally stop making myself sick with complicated business strategies, long hours of overwork and learning tons of ways of doing business things, with that stressful overwhelm of too many ideas and strategies that have not yielded financial results.
In your new training I’d like to learn how to overcome whatever is getting in the way of me fully embracing and staying in action with the simple stuff that you have proven to work. I want a business that has reasonable hours, is fun and inspiring, financially rewarding, and allows me to provide top-notch, unique and life-changing services to my clients using all of my skills….and is SIMPLE to do and run. ‘Fame’ is definitely not required….!! Success and healthy life balance IS!!
Kevin Nations
Mar 15th, 2010
Hey – I want fame as much as the next person. I just would choose to be famous WITHIN my family (kids) over being famous OUTSIDE my family and always unavailable to my own ‘posse’!
And the freedom from a simple system gives me the chance to do that!
(Just spent the past weekend shopping for party dresses for my daughter and playing chess – Now THAT’s being served by a business!)
Kevin
Fred Raley
Mar 15th, 2010
Spot on Kevin!
My delete key doesn’t even say “delete” on it any more after all the emails that are flying around.
Focusing like crazy on your core strength and beliefs will get you everywhere. Just a ‘fer instance’, my blog, started six months ago has an Alexa ranking of just over 300,000 going up every day. It’s because I FOCUSED on it.
Keep up the great work!
Fred
703 203 4648
Kevin Nations
Mar 15th, 2010
Awesome Fred!
I can’t wait to hear what results you have when you focus specifically on the END goals (Monetizing that blog!)
Congrats and keep me posted as you begin measuring in Dollars!
Kevin
Julie Gabrielli
Mar 15th, 2010
This is SOOOOO timely, Kevin. Thanks! As the famous architect said, “Less is more.” Interestingly, for me, making things simple is harder than complicated. It’s much harder to write a brief essay than a 1000-word ramble. Is it just me? I’ve been working on carving off smaller and smaller bits of what I teach. Think I’m on a right track, would love to learn an actual “system” for it. There is an art to making new information manageable.
Kevin Nations
Mar 15th, 2010
If you’re DOING exactly what you want, TRANSFORMING the world specifically how you want and EARNING precisely what you want – then you’ve got the system mastered!
Just sit back and serve with abandon!
Kevin
Peggy Collins
Mar 15th, 2010
I can hardy wait to see what you have to say about simplifying the idea that you must produce lots of products to be successful on the Internet.
I’m in the process of setting up a new website. My present one has been to market my speaking and my book and the new one will be to market a Program to working women I call Living from the Inside Out.
I’ll wait to get the tips and thank you, Kevin. I love your information!!
Peggy Collins
Speaker, Author, Mentor to Working Women
http://www.helpisnotafourletterword.com