Greetings,

The TAO Metaversity had a successful meeting on Nov. 19, 2009  held at the down town public library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The purpose was to educate the public about  the vision of the TAO. Exploring possibilities for course work and provide time lines and locations of the Metaversity, now being built-in Kayenta, Ut.

We received this inspirational letter from Frank Clayton. His writing expressed the vision clearly of the TAO Metaversity.  Now we want to share this with you.

Frank Clayton is a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in HAPPINESS.

Frank has a private practice where he helps individuals, couples and families with such issues as depression, anxiety, communication problems, anger issues and assertiveness.  Frank also hosts a FREE weekly class called Happiness 10.  This is a class based on research and scientific methods to help participants find happiness true happiness rather than expending great energy to acquire the things they THINK will make them happy.   Happiness 101 is conducted every Tuesday at 7pm. SALT LAKE MENTAL HEALH

Below is Franks posting,

Last night I had the pleasure of listening to Wendy Mendenhall speak. She is putting together an amazing institution called Tao Metaversity. You will be hearing a lot more about it over the coming months – trust me on that! You can read all about it at http://www.taometaversity.wordpress.com During her talk, Wendy told an amazing story. She was asked to go to a school and address classes of three different grades: second, third and sixth grades, to be specific. Wendy enthusiastically asked the second graders, “Who here is an artist?”. EVERY hand went up! She went around the room asking what art they specialized in. One boy said, “I dressed myself!” Another girl said she decorated her room. Each student excitedly shared how they, in their own way, expressed themselves as an artist.

When Wendy went to the third graders and asked “Who here is an artist?” – HALF the hands went up. Wendy asked herself “What happened to the other half of the artists?”

When she went to the sixth graders and asked the same question, only one hand went up. That one student’s hand was literally being yanked down by the student next to him, telling him “You’re not an artist. Put your hand down. You’re embarassing yourself.” The other student struggled to keep his hand up, insisting “I am too an artist!” What happened? Their definition of an artist got smaller and smaller until it was confined and narrow.
Wendy pointed out that everything in the room was created by an artist. An architect designed the room itself. Someone with super creativity designed those chairs – they were unique in design and comfortable. The clothes we were wearing, the jewelry that adorned us, etc. etc.
It made me think “How am I an artist?” How are YOU an artist?

The Tao Metaversity would like to thank Frank Clayton for his kindness in sharing his thoughts on the vision of the TAO. Feel free to comment

Blessings, Cam Williams

Founder Marketing for Gurus

Voice of the TAO

On the surface of the world right now there is war and violence and things seem dark calmly and quietly at the same time.

Something else is happening underground an inner revolution is taking place.

Certain individuals are being called to a higher light it is a silent revolution from the inside out from the ground up. This is a Global Operation a Spiritual Conspiracy, there are sleeper cells in every nation on the planet

You won’t see us on the T.V.

You won’t read about us in the newspaper

You won’t hear about us on the radio

We don’t seek any glory

We don’t wear any uniform

We come in all shapes and sizes colors and styles most of us work anonymously

We are quietly working behind the scenes in every country and culture of the world.

Cities big and small mountains and valleys in farms and villages tribes and remote islands.

You could pass by one of us on the street and not even notice we go undercover we remain behind the scenes.

It is of no concern to us who takes the final credit.

Simply that the work gets done occasionally.

We spot each other in the street we give a quiet nod and continue on our way.

During the day many of us pretend we have normal jobs behind the false store front at night is where the real work takes a place.

Some call us the Conscious Army we are slowly creating a new world with the power of our minds and hearts we follow, with passion and joy.

Our orders come from from the Central Spiritual Intelligence we are dropping soft, secret love bombs when no one is looking Poems ~ Hugs ~ Music ~ Photography ~ Movies ~ Kind words ~ Smiles ~ Meditation and prayer ~ Dance ~ Social activism ~ Websites Blogs ~ Random acts of kindness…

We each express ourselves in our own unique ways with our own unique gifts and talents be the change you want to see in the world

That is the motto that fills our hearts we know it is the only way real transformation takes place we know that quietly and humbly

We have the power of all the oceans combined our work is slow and meticulous

Like the formation of mountains it is not even visible at first glance and yet with it entire tectonic plates shall be moved in the centuries to come

Love is the new religion of the 21st century you don’t have to be a highly educated person or have any exceptional knowledge to understand it it comes from the intelligence of the heart.

Embedded in the timeless evolutionary pulse of all human beings.

Be the change you want to see in the world nobody else can do it for you.

We are now recruiting perhaps you will join us or already have all are welcome the door is open ~ author unknown

Sent to me from my dearest Friends, Janet Eakin

http://www.deekshautah.wordpress.com

Blessings, Cam

http://www.marketinggurus.wordpress.com

The TAO metaversity is creating a space for community and personal interaction and growth. It is a place for secular and spiritual learning – learning about the world, the community, yourself and how to strengthen the two into something meaningful – one with the other. Using the principles of Voluntary Architectural Simplicity – Julio Bermúdez, for living and architecture, the TAO metaversity is about living a mindful life of self, community and gestures (how to act upon the realizations of the two together).

Take a moment to see the works of the Architectural Students from  the University of Utah VAS program taught by Julio Bermudez.  2009

Your invited to a meeting providing details of the new Kayenta Location of the TAO Metaversity, hosted by Wendy Mendenhall, founder of the TAO Metaversity.

You will be educated on how you can participate in the Kayenta location of the TAO. Details will be addressed to expand your business, teach workshops, classes or becoming part of our staff. Renderings of the new location will be provided by the contractor for the TAO Metaversity, Kayenta Campus.  

One World Cafe, Salt Lake City, Utah,  November 19th, 2009, at 4 pm. More about the TAO

 Blessings,
Cam Williams, Founder Marketing for Gurus
Voice of the TAO Metaversity

Become involved, please add comments and feedback on this blog.

 by John Furgurson

Eleven years ago, in The Cluetrain Manifesto, Christopher Locke wrote, “the internet has made it possible for genuine human voices to be heard again.”

What do you mean, again? This is a first.

Never has the average Joe been afforded  unrestricted access to an audience any bigger than the neighborhood pub. This giant electronic soapbox known as the internet delivers a world-wide audience. Anyone can pontificate at will, on any subject, and potentially reach billions of people across the globe.

On one hand it’s the greatest thing since the invention of the radio broadcast.

On the other hand, it’s a can of worms. Since there’s no barrier to entry, there’s an awful lot of noise. 

Used to be, you had to get published to achieve guru status in any given line of work. And the editors in control were brutally picky. They didn’t let just anyone in. You had to have something to say, and a unique voice with which to say it.

Not online.

Any dumbass can start a blog on WordPress or Blogspot. That’s the essence of social media and “Web 2.0” — publishing is now free and open to anyone. (Some estimates have the number of blogs up to 100 million. And that doesn’t count the microblog sites like Twitter)

As the popularity of WordPress and Twitter explode, the quality of the dialog has not improved. Just the quantity. 

On some subjects, it’s too much information from too many questionable sources. For instance, you could never wade through all the chatter about Twitter, Facebook and social media marketing in general. “Will it help my small business? Can I build a brand around it? How do I do it? Can I generate leads on Twitter? Where’s it all going?”

I don’t know. But I know this: Just because you have a blog and a few thousand friends on Facebook doesn’t make you a social media marketing guru. There are no gurus in that field. It’s too new, too experimental. Guru status comes from wisdom, proven results and the perspective you can only get from lifelong experience. 

But there are a lot of wannabe rockstars. So if you’re a brand manager, marketing director or business owner trying to figure out that social media thing, beware. Many of those purported “experts” or “thought leaders” are just accomplished, online self-promoters riding the next big internet craze.

Here’s something else I know for a fact: Few people can communicate meaty, worthwhile thoughts in less than 140 characters. If they can, they were doing it way before social media was ever invented. They were the copywriters, the journalists, the humorists and the guru businessmen. The great communicators of the world who were published in books a lot bigger than Cluetrain.

Locke preached a sermon of hope for the digital pulpit. He predicted that the internet would forever shift the nature of business communications, and he envisioned a world where the consumer would have a voice and corporations would have to listen.

Pretty good crystal ball, he had.

Many great brands are embracing the online “conversation” and are getting better at communicating on a one-to-one level. They may not be the earliest adopters, but they’re catching on and beginning to respond to our wishes. If nothing else, they’re now painfully aware when people start spreading negative word-of-mouth.

But corporations don’t control the bulk of the internet conversation. It’s the average Joe on his soapbox with a big ego and a pay-per-click budget. Those businesses are popping up faster than you can say, “what happened to Myspace?” And unfortunately, many have the tone of a snake oil salesman.

In other words, despite the advances of social media, (or maybe because of the advances) there’s more phony crap out there than ever before.

The self-help industry. The diet programs. The plastic surgeons. The get-rich-quick guys. And my personal favorite, the golf swing gurus who can’t break 80. What a bunch of crackpots! Every Tin Cup wannabe has an instructional DVD or downloadable E-book available on the web. And they’re all “guaranteed to shave strokes off your game.”

Golf Digest wouldn’t publish any of them on a bet. Most wouldn’t even make it in the infomercial world. But they’re out there, sucking people in faster than the word can spread against them.

The tone is no better than the corporate spiel that Locke railed against in Cluetrain Manifesto. “The voice is like a third-rate actor in a 4^th rate play reciting lines that no one believes in a manner no one respects.”

Yep. 

Sometimes I long for the good old days when websites weren’t free and there was some barrier to entry on the internet. But not really. We’ll all put up with some noise in exchange for the freedom that blogging has provided. Now I’m just hoping for a natural weeding out process.

With these Academy descriptions,  you  begin to get an idea of the kinds of curriculum that will be offered at the TAO Metaversity Kayenta Campus. For instance, the first academy will contain information on autism, ADD, indigo, etc. There may be overlap as well for those particular classes in the The Academy of Arts, The Academy of Co-creation. These are overviews so curriculum can be organized accordingly, let us begin…

The Academy Of  Universal Family offers one of the most love based universal family academies in the country. The in-depth, curriculum explores the Cause – Father/Mother and Its Effects – man.  The student gains in site into the beginning – the pre-conceptual stage of  birth through  and beyond the lifecycles modern man has come to believe in. Through this Academy, ancient wisdoms as well modern scholars, give expression to the Divine  connection of Father, Mother and Child giving rise to a new race on the Earth. Remembering the inter connectedness of who we are opens the student up to remember who they came to touch and why. Who are these children we call Autistic, ADD, Indigo? What gifts do they hold for transformation and how do we recognize and claim our profound involvement with raising the “whole” child, through our holy relationships with each other, nature, and God.

The Academy Of Co-Creative Sciences and Environmental Studies offers an evolutionary curriculum in the education of nature and man’s relationship. This highly experiential relationship, oriented towards conversation and communication, helps to facilitate an active partnership with nature in forestry, conservation, gardening, farming, landscape, urban ecology, business, medicine,  biology, etc. Offers certification programs in Co-creative Science and Environmental Studies that accelerate man’s understanding at a high degree of applied ecological intelligence, courage and creativity. With this education, students begin to realize  purpose of  existence in the world and the stewardship they co-create.

The Academy Of Co-Creativity is at the core of all TAO Metaversity academy curriculums. Through scientific and intrinsic recognition, each student experiences their natural capacity for connection to the world they live in. It is the hub of the entire liberal education curriculum taken by every TAO Metaversity student. It offers a full range of curriculum in the humanities, sciences and social sciences all of which integrate universal learning experiences. Whole systems are recognized as each student’s belief in separate divisions, disciplines and levels  is unlearned. With this unlearning, comes a recognition of pure thought and students remember they are Co-creators with all of eternity.

The Academy Of Arts Is one of the most internally inspired, advanced curriculums into the psychology of an artist. What drives an adolescent and/or adult to their calling of their art? Students  co-create art that inspires and remind us of our own higher possibilities, our own deepest nature, and invites us to rediscover something we believed we were not yet, but remember, that we always were. This curriculum helps to clarify the questions, “What it is for?, What attracts the artist’s mind to it?, What value does it bring to the artist?, and What purpose does it serve?”. With clear recognition of ones’ calling, love opens naturally, allowing Beauty, Truth and Goodness to show themselves in the lives of each student. The graduates in turn give their art to their families and communities to transform the landscapes of what has been created in disconnection from Source.

The Academy Of Inner Dimensional Studies offers a revolutionary acknowledgement and recognition of the most powerfulenergy source available -  thought – and that  each  of us is responsible for our own  and its consequences. This energy of life no longer ignores the plea of ignorance as a means of defense. It acknowledges each of us is in partnership with the force that created us from Its thought. The curriculum is created to cultivate each student’s ability to think; moving them towards the vital recognition that the speed of their thinking can match that of the Divine. Graduates enter the work force realizing and embracing their complete freedom of action in the ability to materialize thought to form. For those graduates interested, this curriculum offers certification encompassing healing,  love, universal relationships, a remembrance of and connection to, who we are.

The Academy Of Entrepreneurial Studies offers a certification for those students who have had the inner conversation to clarify their calling. With unprecedented strength, each graduate enters the work force open to their choice of career through their clear understanding of their calling. Opportunities for graduates open up and are co-created through their pure thoughts interrelating with all that is around them. Each student will have available to them technical and commercial support integrating their calling. The Metaversity’s Center for Financial Freedom known for its unique and innovative ways in which each graduate creates resources to invest in his or her calling and careers, is available.  With this natural exchange of value, the entrepreneurial energy is released and emanates throughout the world.  The joy created with this exchange increases infinitely and the entrepreneur’s calling extends into eternity.

Feel free to join us at the,

One World Cafe, located in SLC, on the 19th of November at 4 pm.

Blessings,

Wendy Mendenhall

Founder, TAO Metaversity, Kayenta Campus

http://www.taometaversity.wordpress.com

http://www.marketinggurus.wordpress.com

http://www.autismconnection.wordpress.com

//

     UGH!  Just read what I consider an appalling description  about how this technique is a good one for marketing services and products in general and how it can be used in coaching practices.  While I understand what the person meant and how it would apply, it made me a little  sick to my stomach.  Basically, this line of thinking in the minds of many who teach marketing for coaching services is, “ Give them a taste of the good stuff and they will get hooked and come back for more.”

     I don’t want anyone hooked on working with me. I want clients who are serious about improving their lives and about realizing their biggest dreams.  My ideal client is someone who has struggled with loss, who is going through a life stage change, or who wants to discover how life can become not only tolerable, but joyful and of true value. I want to work with authentic, real, decent people who want the same in me.  I don’t want to work with those who crave a taste of something addictive that will feel good for a short time, so they can pretend their problems will be solved with little or no effort on their parts. My ideal client is one who needs help tapping into his or her own inner resources, but is not someone who keeps looking to the outside for solutions, or is somehow who may have looked outside of herself in the past, but is ready to change that.    

     I have no issue with giving trial or complimentary sessions so that the clients and I can determine if we are compatible.  That seems only fair, in an arena where the interactions and relationships can, at times, grow very intense.  Trust building is crucial and though this takes time, I encourage prospective clients to use their intuition to decide if it feels like this potential is there with me.  I guess I just object to gimmicky give-aways and cotton-candy fluff that in some respects, insult the intelligence and good judgment of would-be clients.      

     I also heard one marketing guru say that in the end it really doesn’t much matter what we have up our sleeves to help clients or how we propose to solve their problems, but it is all about how we can get to the level of earning six or seven figures, so marketing is really more crucial and important than what we actually do for our clients.  This one really made me shudder.

      It is not that I am closed off to marketing ideas or to making money, but I guess I still come from the camp of purists and a long history of altruisim.  That is why I founded and directed a non-profit  agency for 28 plus years that focused on building and supporting families and on creating long term relationships with clients.  A desire to help people live  more satisfying and successful lives is what motivated me to become a life-stage transitions coach dealing with loss, change and self-discovery.  I truly believe that I am here to serve a higher purpose.  It may sound naive or smarmy to those whose main focus is feathering their own financial nests.     I don’t want to sell products that are made of glitter and spun sugar. I don’t want to sell hype to people who wake up to find the high of the night before is gone, wallets  empty and that their problems are still weighing them down and dreams are still unrealized.

     I definitely don’t want to feel I am selling a product that I need to talk people into buying.  My product will probably never be wrapped in glamour, showcased with smoke and mirrors or equpped with the bells and whistles of the marketing glitterati set. That’s just not who I am.  I am “selling” myself as a coach. I am selling a person who has been through the wringer a few times in life, who has moved through many painful and joyous transitions of my own and who has, for the most part, emerged with a lot of learning and some wisdom, though maybe not unscathed.  I am selling my listening skills, my insights,  intuition,  sincerity,  honesty,  compassion and my creativity.  I am peddling my ability to be gentle and tough simultaneously. I sell my heartfelt commitment to the client’s agenda and success.

      I have head the analogy of a small plastic tasting spoon in an ice cream store, where clients/customers can sample flavors before they buy them.  I have heard that this free sampling and product giveaway is the basis of what is called the “generosity-based business model”, where customers or clients are given a taste of the wares on sale in order to earn their trust and so that we can “hook them in” and later sell them something of value.  I think it  is hard to offer samples of what I want to provide in a tiny spoon, or to package these qualities in a free goody bag.  I am not saying I will not periodically make worthwhile gifts or bonus offers when I am moved to do so, but my perspective clients will need to search beneath the designer gift wrap if they want to see the value I offer.  My qualities and services might better be described as wrapped in practical, no-nonsense brown craft paper.  If I am in the mood I might decorate the paper with colorful drawings or lines of poetry, but it is really the clients’ creativity I am seeking to draw out and nurture and not a way to showcase mine for the purpose of making a sale.

       I know I don’t like to be sold or talked into things and never have.  I dislike the assumption that I need to do that in order to fill up my coaching practice. I know I have the ability to help people recognize that holds them back and to help them transform fear or pain into something worthwhile and productive.

     So what about you? What is the way you determine who is real and ready to help you, or who is primarily a salesperson in  the carefully constructed clothing of a helping professional?

Kelly Russell, friend and co- angel in my life,  sent this commitment to be a creator. Sign up and commit to being a creator in your own artful creative way. Are you committed to your vision?

With our sincerest appreciation we welcome you. You’ve made it possible to produce advertising that will reflect and support your own true beauty of the endless experience of beauty present now in our precious world. Our vision of an empowered, joyful, sustainable, abundant, prosperous world that is anchored in love can be shared with your friends now. Tell them you signed the declaration by forwarding the message at the end of this email. Called2Create engenders the current conscious shift we’re experiencing as we discover and accept that ancient truth that our world is actually perceived into existence and therefore is a direct reflection of our thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Let Go. Lighten Up. Be Empowered. Gratefully Yours in Empowered Creation, To ensure proper delivery of our future emails, take a moment now and add our email address – info@called2create.com – to your address book, trusted sender list, or company white list. Use this link to update your email preferences: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Manage/signupId:60510/mid:35591.1078051047 Beloved Friends, Today, I signed the Declaration of Empowerment, a document that unites and empowers the public to utilize their creative capacity. This is our opportunity to embrace a more empowered existence. Learn about your new calling. Awaken and contribute your creative power! The present is a gift. Sign the Declaration of Empowerment NOW at www.Called2Create.com! I’m Called2Create…Are You?

I am committed to Autism Awareness http:www.autismconnection.wordpress.com , Children’s Wellness and Health.  For myself, to continue to manifest my own strength to be all that I can be. I bless those that I touch with my heart. To Love others for how they are showing up in my life as well as the lives they touch.

Blessings, Cam

Submitted, With Love, from Kelly Russell

Find her on Face Book she has an amazing vision…

Greeting,

If you have a blog or I built one for you, this is important information you will want to tune into on Tuesday’s… Twitter Tuesday. Hosted by Phil Johncock.

I  listened in to the show today, I was amazed and truly impressed with what I learned. How to enhance all of my accounts~ my blog, twitter, friend finder just naming a few.  You will need a pencil and paper to keep notes!

Follow Philp’s easy suggestions and watch your site grow and prosper. Plan on  saving, time, money and driving traffic to your wise blogging words!

Blessings,
Cam

You will enjoy these FREE Twitter Tuesday
teleseminars …

SKYROCKET TO THE TOP OF GOOGLE WITH WORDPRESS
Tuesday, October 6 – 1 pm PST
Live: (347) 945-7783
Replay: http://cli.gs/skyrocket

HUGE PROFITS WITH A TINY LIST
Guest: Connie Ragen Green
Tuesday, October 13 – 1 pm PST
Live: (347) 945-7783
Replay: http://cli.gs/hugeprofits

RECURRING INCOME & MEMBERSHIP SITES
Tuesday, October 20 – 1 pm PST
Live: (347) 945-7783
Replay: http://cli.gs/membership

If you can’t make them “live”, be sure to listen
to the replays!

Enjoy!

Phil Johncock

Here is a list of Phillips Websites

www.Partners4Grants.Net | www.FunUnlimitedInc.com | www.FindingIT.com | www.GetOnlineIn2009.com

When the going gets tough . . .  the tough intensify their efforts.

Many companies have reigned in their marketing efforts so tightly that they have lost any presence in the market.  This point was well illustrated last week when I was prospecting for new clients amongst one of my networking groups.  When someone would mention the name of a potential client, there was some discussion among the group as to whether or not that company was still in business. Someone would throw out another company name and the same pattern of conversation ensued: were they still in business? The reoccurring theme was: I don’t think they’re doing anything.  

I dutifully jotted down the names that were brought up in the discussion, making mental notes that these companies have fallen off the consumer’s radar.  All previous monies invested in marketing and advertising have likely been wasted. Should these companies decide to get back into “the game” and compete, they will have to start their marketing efforts over virtually from scratch.  

Gain the competitive edge over your competition by ensuring that your presence in the market is well-recognized by your targeted audience. Apply all the marketing tools and vehicles to your product or service to ensure that consumers know your doors are open and that you are ready for business.  

The last budget in your company that should be slashed is your marketing budget, yet often it is the first to go, likely because it is the easiest of all budgets to whack off a large chunk: “Our marketing efforts aren’t producing so let’s stop wasting money.”  

There is a saying that if you fail to advertise you will end up advertising your business for sale.  Many businesses today are going out of business with a silent whimper.  Any equity in the company, even goodwill, is no longer there, so there is nothing of value to sell.  The people are gone. The sales aren’t there. There is no ROI or ROA. Perhaps there is some inventory, but in all likelihood that will be sold off for pennies on the dollar . . . or the bank will reluctantly take it back.

Don’t let your business become another statistic. Take action! Build that market presence!  Don’t sit around waiting for the market to turn! Make it turn for YOU! There are people still in need of your services and products. Figure out who they are and what they need and find multiple ways to get in front of them.  There is such a thing as marketing on a shoestring budget . . . but often it takes a professional marketer to do it effectively.  Invest in your business by getting some professional advice and direction.  

Today’s challenge to you is this: What are you going to do TODAY to turn things around? 

Please feel free to add comments to this post or ask questions. We look forward to exchanging ideas and insight into the disciplines of sales and marketing B2C and B2B.

Gurus is fortunate enough to lend a hand by creating a Video for Leslie Reynolds Benns. I have worked with Leslie at the Agape Church in SLC and once again have an opportunity to support Leslie in her campaign to be elected to SL Council District 1.

I find Leslie to be a strong advocate for all that is good, fair, and heart felt. Leslie will not let go of a vision or an opportunity to make a difference for important issues for our community of Salt Lake City. You can count on her to stay the course and get the job done. Here is some important details about Leslie and of course her Video. http://www.electlesliebenns.com

Leslie is a committed, innovative, results-producing community activist. She has a vision for a stronger, safer community, with businesses and services that cater to us all.
She will work toward that end.

• ran a successful anti-litter campaign, purchasing, with grants from the city, stone/rock garbage cans with posters in English and Spanish.

• began a bi-lingual four-page newsletter

• instituted our Annual Night Out Against Crime, still serving as co-chair, with 500 diverse residents in attendance

• instituted a beautification award with a $50 gift certificate from Sutherlands

• established blinking speed signs on Independence and Starcrest

• established No Parking signs in the neighborhood, ridding it of vision-blocking trucks, and also on Redwood Road, ridding it of the Used-Car-Lot appearance from the accumulation of cars for sale

• is CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) trained and served as Coordinator for Emergency Preparedness

• served on the planning committee for the Northwest Quadrant Master plan, west of the airport

• was an ad hoc member of the Mayor’s initial gang forum

• advocated strongly for the now approved TRAX alignment

She says, “It is a privilege to serve my community.”

Do you use postcards, letters, newsletters and other direct mail pieces as a part of your promotional strategy?

I’ve received a direct mail piece that I still can’t figure out.  The offer is for a land / vacation home package at a price that caught my attention.  Not only was the mountain view and home appealing to me, but the price was definitely of interest and one which I am well-qualified to buy. They obviously had purchased the right list. The problem is that I have absolutely no idea where the land / vacation package home is located.

I examined the direct mail piece looking for a map, driving directions to the property, or an address to the sales center that would help me to discover whether or not this vacation home was situated in an area that would appeal to me.  To obtain more information, I hunted for a web address, but one wasn’t provided.  There were other flaws with the piece but the chief flaw was that the only way I could obtain more information about the land and homes was to call the phone number provided. 

Even though I am at heart a salesperson and love to buy, I am the typical consumer.  I prefer to have a little more information prior to making contact with a salesperson.  

So here’s the tip of the day for making consumer response easier on your direct mail pieces: part of the success of every direct mail campaign is to make it easy for consumers to respond to your message.

Tell them how to contact you and get more information about your offer in multiple ways. Think beyond a phone number to web addresses, driving directions, locator maps, hours of operation, property address, your sales office address and more.

Is that rocket science?  No, but for some reason so many people make it difficult for the customer to contact them. 

Someone spent a great deal of money getting this vacation home offer printed and distributed to what I would imagine was a very large database. 

I find it very hard to believe that the piece was professionally designed, and I am thinking that they could really use our help.  You’re getting this advice for free. They are going to pay for it.  I hope you will take this under consideration the next time you invest in a direct mail piece so that you aren’t wasting your money.

Also, please don’t forget the call to action! Every direct mail piece needs to have one.  

By the way, I collect direct mail pieces, ones that are done well, and ones that are done poorly.  If you recieve a direct mail piece that you think I might be interested in adding to our collection, please forward it on to me at:  Deborah Fisher, Fisher & Company, P.O. Box 550711, Jacksonville, FL 32255.

For example, my client and friend Ken Doll has recently stepped into a new experiment  in his life experience.  Call it what you like, he has the desire to make a difference.

Ken has created exciting adventures in his life. He has been a hair dresser for many celebrities (worked on Touched by an Angel for many years), studied Reiki, Theta Healing and Resonance Re-Patterning, just to name a few. Ken moved to California recently, and is currently working at  the Zena Spa zenaspa.net
310-915-ZENA(9362) . 

In the early mornings he spends his time writing his personal story. Ken follows what is best for him. He has also asked for help. That just might be the hardest challenge of all. Read on to help support Ken by voting for him on Access Karaoke.

Ken’s next adventure? Becoming a TV Host for a new Karaoke Show Airing on the 24th of August http://www.allaccesskaraoke.com/tv/host/28/ .  Vote today!  Voting closes on August 20, 09. View his Video (below)  from Gurus. Ken can be found on Face Book under Ken Johnson.

Voting Link   http://www.allaccesskaraoke.com/tv/host/28/ .

What is your experiment going to be?  What will allow elevation to your all time level of  joy?  Are you taking action that you know would  inspire your life to greatness? Take some time and see inside your heart and lean into your wisdom as Ken has done.

If you are interested in getting your word out  utilizing blogs and/or business video shorts,  contact Gurus today.  You deserve to bring your vision closer and make it  a reality.

Blessings,

Cam Williams

Founder

Marketing for Gurus

Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. Here’s the story. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey .. He handed my friend a laminated card and said: ‘I’m Wally, your driver.

While I’m loading your bags in the trunk I’d like you to read my mission statement.’ Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally’s Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment… This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, ‘Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.’ My friend said jokingly, ‘No, I’d prefer a soft drink.’ Wally smiled and said, ‘No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.’ Almost stuttering, Harvey said, ‘I’ll take a Diet Coke.’ Handing him his drink, Wally said, ‘If you’d like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.’

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, ‘These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you’d like to listen to the radio.’ And as if that weren’t enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he’d be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts… ‘Tell me, Wally,’ my amazed friend asked the driver, ‘have you always served customers like this?’ Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. ‘No, not always. In fact, it’s only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do.

 Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You’ll See It When You Believe It . Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, ‘Stop complaining!Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.” That hit me right between the eyes,’ said Wally. ‘Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.’ ‘I take it that has paid off for you,’ Harvey said. ‘It sure has,’ Wally replied. ‘My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I’ll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today.

I don’t sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can’t pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.’ Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I’ve probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn’t do any of what I was suggesting. Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles. How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you…

The ball is in our hands! A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up… let us do good to all people. Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans…

Sent to me by Jessica Hunt, my more than positive friend!

Blessings,

Cam Williams

Marketing for Gurus

Founder

The joy of Facebook and Classmates.  Welcome to the Internet super highway helping us to stay up to date and connected.

My inspired self has landed.  I have had a chance to catch up with many friends from my past;  high school classmates and even a few from grade school!  When you move, as I have, “to a new state” my friends and clients from Utah understood it just might take me some time to get settled.  Viola, I have had creative time.

I have brewed up a few new projects including baking non grain breads and building an Autism information blog… Heavenly!  I’ve built new personal skills with MapQuest and I can now find all of my shoes… I am officially unpacked!

Where is the marketing direction that a Guru, such as myself, is heading?  Here you go:  Coming into all situations without an agenda and listening to the wisdom of others can provide a much needed wake up call or shot in the arm for your business ideas.

This morning I had breakfast with my high school classmate, Jeff Sparks.  He is truly a genius in life and about life.  We chatted back and forth on Facebook  before sitting down and sharing stories of  how each of our lives have unfolded since graduating high school.  

Jeff sent me his 2 minute closing statement which helps people remember him as the person who unlocked whatever it was that they had locked themselves out of!  Jeff owns a locksmith company. I was so impressed with Jeff’s statement that I want to share it with you.  You might consider using this tool for your company.  Here is his simple yet very effective statement:

Our game plan was not to discuss marketing but to simply catch up.  Here is what Jeff sent me when I asked for his cell number:

I will now give you the main thrust of my marketing campaign. It has seen me through dry times as far as generating new work goes.

After I service some one, whether it has been opening their house, their car or a home re-key, as I give them the receipt I say, “Take this number and put me in your cell phone under “Locksmith,” that way it’s always handy, you never have to look me up and you don’t even have to remember my name. $60.00 will open whatever you are locked out of, house, car or business, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I don’t raise my rates at night or on the weeken,  it’s always the same price. If you run out of gas, I’ll bring it… get a flat tire, don’t want to get dirty or don’t have all of the tools, I’ll change it or jump your battery if you need that.  I’m not a mechanic and I don’t have a tow truck but if I can’t get you started, I won’t leave you stranded… I’ll take you where ever you need to go.
It’s a good number to share with friends and family, that way they will never be without someone that they can call in case of an emergency.  Also, if your cell phone gets locked inside the car next to the keys… well, you still don’t have my number, but if you know someone that has it, you can always get hold of me.  Thank you very much and God bless.”

I am in a lot of peoples cell phones.

Impressed?  I am.  You’ll like this guy,  I know I do.

Tips of the day

Have good listening skills for ideas that insipire you.

1. Stay out of agendas, in other words, have an open mind.
2. See in others skills and talents you may or may not have.  Use the information for improving your life.
3. Stay connected because there are smart people everywhere.  Having fun is the name of the game.  I had fun and got smarter myself…. I now have a locksmith I will call when I get myself in a jam!  Wow, a new Marketing Guru support member that provides me with insight and wisdom.

Blessings,

Cam Williams

You can find Jeff on Face book,

 *Jeff, I am looking forward to your new book about your life story!  It is timely for our countries economic situation and the insights we learn by overcoming great odds and landing in wisdom.  You have a Rock Star rating in my book. Thank you, Cam

Hello~

I am in Arizona on an new project… The wisdom of this decision, I must admit, has wavered  based on the 115 temperatures…YIKES!  Gurus is here and involved in an important calling ”Autism Education.”  This sings to my heart. 

Autism is a growing challenge for many families and rising at an alarming rate.   As always, Gurus Marketing is in full swing.  My skill and talent on the net will bring new information and awareness to the ”Autism Epidemic.”   I’ll keep you updated. My current on-going projects are still thriving, thank heavens I can work anywhere!

Now, for today’s Guru topic, The Video~Thank You Note.  Last week, I met with a local car company experiancing  a slow down in their car lot foot traffic.  We discussed the possibility of using video as a tool allowing customers to get a good look at their cars in an entertaining, fun and detailed way. 

The importance for many customers is to learn and decide which company to contact, from the comfort of their own home.  This is significant.  The mind set of people on the Net today is  ”Keep me entertained as you show me your wares.”

I designed a Thank you Note after getting home from the consultation with my (YES!) new client.   I took some time, put the note together and simply hit send. They were impressed, and now want a Thank You for all of their clients.   Who can blame them?  I had a great time developing the note. Below is the Thank You Note that closed the deal…

What a brilliant way to stay in a relationship with your customers!  If you want your customers to spread the word about your product or service, be amazing and use this tool.  We all know the #1 way to attract new clientele is to treat your current clients extremely well. Word of mouth is still your most powerful tool in generating new sales.

Contact me to create a Video Thank You for your company and/or Product. If you don’t have a Blog you need one! Call me~

Cam Williams

cam@marketingforgurus.com

801-577-3646

Colin Tudge reviews Spent: Sex, Evolution and the Secrets of Consumerism, by Geoffery Miller in this month’s Literary Review.

Acknowledging the limitations of evolutionary psychology, Tudges writes about what Miller’s observations could mean for the marketing of products:

Evo psy has not had a good press, nor done itself many favours – but in principle Miller is surely right. As the Ukrainian-American geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky commented in 1973, ‘Nothing makes sense in biology except in the light of evolution’ – and biology includes animal and human psychology.

[...]

Evolutionary psychologists seek to identify what we really need to do to get by and produce offspring, and what states of mind we need, and to trace the selective forces, deep in our past, that have shaped our predilections and capabilities. Such thinking suggests that the Freudian and behaviourist psychology now applied to marketing and to the economy in general is too eccentric or crude by half. For all its apparent success, marketing does not really press the right buttons, and most economic systems do not make us happy even when they are intended to.

So in our consumer economy it’s assumed above all that people like stuff. ‘Darwinians’ (albeit the kind that Darwin would surely disown) then tell us that it is ‘natural’ above all to compete – consumers flaunting bigger and better stuff, and producers vying to produce more stuff than anyone else. Stir in the device of money – cash can buy anything – and we finish up with a dogfight, with everyone battling to outstrip the rest, and marketeers helping the process along.

Tudge concludes that Miller’s book argues for human goodness, but not for the goodness of marketers:

Miller’s thesis is encouraging. Basically we are nice – or at least we want to seem nice, and are impressed by niceness. Marketing would be far more successful if geared to the big six manifestations of niceness – we might call them virtues. Contrary to the general impression, marketing does not have to lead to rampant consumerism and a gobbling up of precious resources. Its techniques, rooted in accurate psychology, can just as soon promote good ideas as damaging ones.

But Tulge says,

Yet I am left uneasy. Is it really true that astute marketing could in practice sell good ideas as readily as big and shiny stuff? Marketing is expensive. So the people who can afford to do it best are those who set out, not to spread sweetness and light, but to make as much money as possible.

I’m an eBay regular, and recently discovered Mike. He is selling some accordians. And he is using YouTube in eBay to really help sell his accordians. But Mike is teaching all of us supposed marketing and social media hipsters a very powerful lesson. The medium used (you pick from your favorites) is merely a vehicle to communicate something authentic, real, valuable, with tangible information that the consumer can use. And he gives us a little something extra, his love of music. A song for you and me. If after watching Mike play his accordian, you are not feeling better, or smiling, then watch him again. Then go do something authentic.

We took a look at Meg’s blog her writing is heart felt and a blessing to all of us, we decided to take her into our RSS family we hope you will take the time to get to know this new and fresh blog that is full of inspiration and light… Enjoy

Blessings,
Cam Williams
Marketing for Gurus

Janet,

Thank you for making me feel so welcomed on Monday evening in Park City. Although I am not a frequent visitor, the blessings have affected me most profoundly. I am truly grateful!

I wanted to share a post on my blog, Mark is the one who had made the brilliant observation to me that I mention there. What a wonderful gift to be aware of so much Divine energy we all have access to at each and every moment!

Thanks again, much love and bliss!!!
Meg

http://blisshappens.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/3ww-cryptic-malign-flash/

I have one of my Twitter friends who is organizing a cruise to Jamaica. When I told her I couldn’t go, she asked why not, like I just didn’t want to. I asked if she had heard of the recession, and she said “I refuse to participate”. I will admit, that statement totally shocked me coming from her. I kindly reminded her that she was blessed and that some of us didn’t have that option.

I’m finding that more and more, people online and off who are doing well are totally insensitive to those of us who aren’t. Some of them actually have become vultures, preying on people who are trying to use the internet to make money, which is absolutely cruel in my opinion. I’ve stopped having anything to do with anyone who identifies themselves as an “Internet Marketing Expert” or even “Internet Marketer”.

I don’t begrudge anyone success, but it seems that they could stop throwing it into our faces so much that they are still buying expensive lattes at Starbucks while we are drinking store brand coffee at home. I’m tired of hearing about people flying all over the world on vacation when so many people can’t even afford gas to get to the grocery store, and some (like me) have had to sell their cars just to survive.

For years there has been a tendency to callousness toward those of us who are less financially successful. I, personally, was happy to see the day when some of those who had leached off of others got their comeuppance. I was happy to see Wall Street hotshots and deceptive mortgage brokers and dishonest real estate salesmen lose it all. Although I’m not a Christian, or even religious, it brings to mind the passage in the bible that says that you will not be allowed to keep your ill-gotten gains. Knowing that some have lost them is a pleasant thought to me.

These people who preyed on people’s hopes and dreams for a good retirement, or simply the dream of owning their own home deserve to be brought down, and brought down hard, like body slammed back to earth. I don’t like to hear of those who crashed taking their lives, because of their families, but I don’t feel sad that another human predator has been eliminated from the earth. Yes, I did mean to say predator, because that’s what they are. They feed on the weak and the unwary and those who are trusting and caring, just like pedophiles prey on children.

If you think for a moment that these people were not laughing all the way to the bank, you are wrong. Stories are coming out now about wild parties where they celebrated the “stupidity of the unwashed masses”, while guzzling bottles of $1,000 champagne. Yes, they deserve to lose it all, and if, in the process, they lose their lives, well that must be a part of God’s plan. Ill gotten money, ill gotten prestige, ill gotten lifestyle…all taken away with their ill gotten lives. I wish I could mourn them. I can’t.

I’d love to see the “haves” be a little kinder to the “have nots”. You would think they would have learned their lesson, but they obviously haven’t. Unfortunately, what has happened is that they are now hoarding their precious money instead of using their ill-gotten gains to help those they preyed on. The banks refuse to lend, the rich refuse to give to charity, and the cycle just repeats itself. They are still laughing at us, still planning other ways to use us to add to their coffers. There is a name for these people – Malignant Narcissists.

Malignant Narcissism is the one mental illness that most psychiatrists will tell you cannot be cured. Why is that, you ask? Because they truly do not believe anything is wrong with them, and they have no conscience about what they do to others. One half-step away from being sociopathic, these totally self-absorbed people will keep on preying on the weak and unawares, because, like a wild animal, they truly can’t see any other way. Like polar bears, their faces show no sign of their feelings, and they will strike out destructively with no provocation at all. You can’t protect yourself from them, because you can’t see who they are until you see the path of devastation trailing behind them.

I’m not implying that my Twitter friend is one of these people, in fact, she seems to be a very nice person, but the insensitivity she showed today has made me think twice about whether or not I actually need people like that in my life, even just online. And while I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be cruel, it’s easy enough to click the “unfollow” button and remove that small thorn from my body.

But like the H1N1 virus, narcissism can’t be cured, so it’s best just to keep those who have it away from you.

If there really is one thing that makes my blood boil, it’s self-promotion.  By all means, let your work speak for itself, let your clients spread the good word about your skills, let your colleagues and the community recognise your talents, and LET THEM brand you the ‘expert’. In my opinion, a recommendation from a client saying “this guy really knows his shit, and did a great job for me” weights far more than any self-stamped “guru/expert” title.

What pisses me off, is that no-one ever stops learning! Things change. Rules change. Technology never stops evolving. Is your knowledge so absolute and definite that at the ripe age of 27, you have reached  your peak and feel at the top of your game? Watch your step, mate.

To all the self-prochaimed  “SEO evangelists”, “eMarketing gurus”, “social media masterminds”, “web 2.0 Lean Senseis” and other big-headed expert twats cluttering Twitter/Linkedin and spreading your large ego babble onto the web: FUCK OFF.

Dear Cam,

Wendy sent me the beautiful youtube video you created based on the simple little message our group of eight designed and sent out scarcely a week ago. Thank you! We are touched and overwhelmed by your video, and have sent it everywhere!

Today, is this not the most happy of days! A new day. A holy day, truly.

      We send you blessings on your life and in your work, Cam. Again, thank you.
                       Peace,  Women’s Spirit Circle of Seattle

Good Morning Everyone,

It is moments like these that remind me of what staying out of outcomes and being of heart truly means. The above e-mail I opened this morning and to my blessed life comes a new group of women I have never met. Perhaps I will someday, but today I honor and praise the work they do in another state, towards a connected goal.

Marketing Tip for today, do not market.

Be in your heart, follow your intentions from your divine voice and let it be. I have had many opportunities as of recently to remember to mind my own business. You ask what is my business? My business is to listen. I am listening.

My last posting was a Video that was divinely inspired. I received an e-mail from one of my most inspiring friends Wendy. I read it and knew a video needed to be created to help those that love visuals as I do, to feel it and join in as part of the celebration and safety for us all on our new journey and presidency.

I stayed up late with a big smile and away I went late into the night for the right pictures, the right feeling, and the right music. Who could sleep and better than that who would want too! Not me. Then I minded my own business.

This morning I check my e-mail and find that others (minding their own business) started passing along my Video to others. Thanking me for my divine vision. I got a lump in my throat and blessed them all knowing full well I had met yet another group of divinely inspired women that listen to their wisdom.

On a personal level, I have been served up with a week of reminders from all around me to let go, trust and be in gratitude. Once in a while I would pick up some thoughts floating in my head of what I should do next in my business. Thoughts of being on “top of my game” to do follow up on something that does not need following up on. I will call these Old School.

My father bless his sweet heart, taught me these due diligence things that do not apply in our world today. He loved the saying ”the early bird” gets the worm. I am crazy in love with this man, he was driven by caring for his family and made plenty of money proving in my mind that he had the right ideas. He did for the times. He worked hard and was relieved a great deal, since he had survived the depression and wanted very much for his family never to be with out as he had.

I listen as well to his words, love him, give thanks for his guidence and trust myself. My words for my life are be in the river, flow with what is around me, stay awake and stay in love with what it is I want to create. I love my business, I love my life, I mind my own business.

Blessings,

Cam

Web 2.0 has empowered online users like never before. Because of this, it has opened up and increased the desire for marketers to tap into this group to unleash the potential to virally market products and services to levels only dreamt of previously. Here are 10 things marketers need to be aware of as they dip their toes in the water.

  The Sixth Estate-respect its potential

If the 5th estate is the broadcast media then the 6th estate is anyone with a computer. Think about it, the 6th estate is, at this juncture, online users; every day run of the mill online consumers who can and do, crank out information, opinions and content, without the fear of any type of backlash. They can say virtually anything online and find an audience for it.  Marketers can never underestimate the power of the this user. Regardless of their lack of an audience, all it takes is one piece of media that no one has ever seen. So never discount anything or anyone’s  potential content or group in marketing your product.

The Marketing upside for user generated content will never be greater, so what are you waiting for?

But within that forum for their opinion, their thoughts, and their comments, lies potential. Marketing potential. The marketing potential of user generated content has never been greater than it currently is. The marketing impact and influence that user-generated content has over people, products, ideas, and decisions has never been more valued and never been more underutilized. User generated content if positioned correctly, can create a viral buzz for anything.  The reason for this is that the growth of social networks is growing at a pace that rivals and exceeds the dot com boom of the late 90’s.  To be more sucinct, a new blog, it’s been said, is created every second. THAT means, that someone is creating content. A user is creating content that COULD influence others. If a marketer has not immmersed themselves in all things social media driven, now is the time.

Marketers think they know how to position themselves

For marketers, the challenge has always been how to leverage and push their product.  One key is to take the leaders, the movers and the shakers of user generated content and have them buy in.  Or you position a product or marketing promotion in front of “a group” in which they want to participate, they want to crank out content and they want to share it with their peeps. The marketer can dangle rewards and other incentives to do this, and that can work but… The reward or payoff for the user, is the desire to be noticed, or found, or be recognized for their efforts in creating some viral multi-media based piece of content that “may” take on a life of it’s own. YouTube is a classic example of this.

Marketers  should know that all creators of UGC are secretly hoping and looking for their 15 minutes.

Those people who don’t have an audience yet, may be wanting to grow to online stardom levels seen by those who have cultivated their sites over time. Some great examples of this would be The Drudge Report, Shoemoney, Guy Kawasaki, and Seth Godin. All of these folks have a loyal and large following. With the ease that it takes them to crank out a piece on something they may like or dislike or mention casually, they can influence thousands of people, who then can influence thousand of others. Instant traffic and instant credibility to something that previously had nothing. Therein lies the potential that marketers salivate over. 

Marketers could theoretically get to these influencers and have them, for a price, (bare in mind that everyone can be bought, don’t be so naiive to think they cant) pitch or promote a product, a service, a sight, or whatever and in turn it will, if it hasnt already happened, have a direct and immediate impact on the audience of that influencer. An indirect example of this is Google adsense ads sprinkled all over sites with high traffic.

Marketers need to be transparent

Within social networks for example, people who blatantly pitch a product can be looked upon has disingenuous, and thus will never be taken seriously. So a marketer needs to immerse themselves within a group and become more of an under the radar type of person who slowly and yet effectively influences the rest of the group. By doing this they gain street cred and legitimacy whenever they speak about anything. Thus, if they tell or mention or post about widget x rocking their world, then the rest of the group may listen. If marketer y comes right out of the blocks and says, “check out this kick ass product,” they’ll never get off the ground.

Marketers need to incent and leverage the group

Traditional online marketers look at social networks in a similar fashion, with the thinking, ”I can market right to this captive audience”. And they are right! With some specific niche based social groups numbering in the thousands and within those groups are thousands more, marketers can tap directly into those groups who are  possibly waiting or are ripe to be pitched with products, services and offers. If the pitch is right and the timing is perfect, it can be huge. To that end If a marketer can work with and enlist users of THAT group to carry the flag on behalf of a product, if they can get that user to become an evangelist of that product, then they will have hit the mother lode.

Marketers need to realize, it’s a marathon not a sprint

Although a new blog is created every second, a new blog does not grow its base overnight. It, like any social group grows over time. Marketers have the ability to drive traffic using specific and traditional means, but there still needs to be some meat on the bone, once someone arrives to the group and or the blog. And that does not happen quickly. Marketers have to acquire some street cred. They have to be able to establish a presence either under the radar or not. Social users have the ability to fact check more than they ever have and they do, thus the marketer needs to realize that. If they smell a rat, you are done. So stay cool. If the marketer paces themselves, the reward at the end will be recurring and not just a one time deal.

Screwing up is viral too

If you think success is great and viral and exciting; then keep in mind that if you mess up, if you wrong the consumer, then you can expect an equally as strong and viral reaction. With that failure or error in judegment comes a stickiniess and a refusal to forget that can kill a marketing campaign faster than bug spray. What’s more, with a users ability to fact check, they will to see if you have done something in the past that caused someone to post and vent online and complain. They will find it, and when they do, you and your marketing campaign or efforts will fail. You’re done.  So in other words, the key to your future success is predicated on your online reputation and past. If you make a promise, you better keep it. If you have a made a promise, you better have kept it.

Know your audience and why they are creating their content

Marketers have to realize that the premise of all user generated content is that you have this person who wants to be seen or heard. You have to ask the questions: Why? What are they trying to get out of it? What is the purpose? Do they want a job? Are they venting? Do they want to be a star? A wannabe journalist? The more you know about your market, your audience and the reasoning behind their actions, the easier it will be to create a plan that will enlist their help, or incorporate their readers or audience into what you are trying to achieve. It may just be that all  their user generated content is for entertainment and nothing more. It might be they are doing it, because they can. Which is cool.  It’s merely up to you to figure that out.

You will never know as much as them, deal with it and then embrace it

You think you are on top of things, but you have no idea. Unless you have built the social site they are flocking to or you are immersed in their culture, you will never know as much as them and you will never fully know what they are thinking. So never pretend to, if you do they will bust you. Remember that with the user comes a sense of entitlement. Its the new culture. I’m going to get mine and I have a right to it. It may be why they think they should be a star. And you know that all might be well and good but remember, as a marketer the idea is to influence, and push ideas, products and services. It doesn’t mean you have to sleep with them, it just means you need to know that they think they know more than you do. They might and if they do, let them. Just learn, absorb, take it all in and then go get it! Give them what they need and you get to profit from their efforts.