The longer they take, the less they buy

PICTURE THIS: you walk into Borders on a Sunday afternoon. You head over to the business section to pick up the latest book on leadership.

Flipping through, you see nothing remarkable … yet.

So you keep flipping. And flipping. And flipping. Frustratingly hoping to come across a poignant sentence, a cool graph or an astonishing picture to use in tomorrow’s staff meeting.

But to no avail.

About seven minutes go by. You reach the appendix of the book, having found nothing that stood out.

Well, back to the shelf this goes! You think.

And then.

Then something else catches your eye.

“Hmm. What’s this…?” you say.

You grab a different book. You lean up against the shelf and randomly open it to page 147.

And within three seconds, you’re smiling. Nodding and affirming and pointing out a piece of leadership advice that’s SO relevant (and SO SIMPLE), you say to yourself, “Wow. That’s goooood! I’m buying this book for my boss!”

So you do.

And it only took … what? A few seconds?

LESSON LEARNED: the longer they take, the less they buy.

In Doug Hall’s (amazing) Jumpstart Your Brain, he shares several brilliant observations on this very topic.

Based on his extensive research with Proctor & Gamble’s retail division, Doug learned three things:

1. Complexity generates contemplation. You lose when your customer has to contemplate your idea. In the process of contemplating, customers start looking at other options.

2. Get them early. If it takes more than ten seconds to explain or grasp, it’s probably not a wicked good idea.

3. Simple ideas are self-evident. And self-evident products make you want to pick them up when you see the name and the front of the package. No additional communication required.

It’s kind of like the end of Jerry Maguire.

Tom Cruise barges into Rene Zelwegger’s house to profess his love for her. He rambles on and on about how she “completes” him. Everyone in the audience is sobbing.

Eventually, she interrupts his monologue and says, “You had me at hello.”

You had me at hello.

That’s exactly what you need to do.

You need to have them at hello.

Because if you don’t, every second that passes decreases the probability of a sale.

The sale of…

Your idea.
Your self.
Your service.
Your product.

LESSON LEARNED: if you don’t have them at hello, it’s already too late.

Because the longer they take, the less they buy.

HERE’S HOW I KNOW THIS: I’ve been wearing a nametag 24-7 for the past 2,431 days.

I do it to make people friendlier. That’s it!

And I’ve probably explained this idea to well over 100,000 people.

Now, according to seven years of non-scientific, empirical data, approximately 10% of the people I encounter will think I’m out of my damn mind.

(Which is true.)

But these people just don’t (and won’t) get it.

They require me to cite scientific data.
They ask me to explain my philosophy over and over.
They argue relentlessly about the validitiy of wearing a nametag.

(And all the while I’m thinking: dude, it’s not that complicated. Nametags = friendlier people)

Which makes me realize something: these people will NEVER, at any point, accept, like or embrace my idea.

Because I never had them at hello.

See, first impressions are based on instinct and emotion. And because they tend to be correct, the first impressions people form about you will probably stay in their minds forever.

After all, people put pressure on themselves to behave consistently with their own existing commitments.

This is known as the primacy effect. Meaning, the information people see or learn about you is more powerful than what is learned later.

IN SHORT: if it takes too long for someone to “get” you (or your idea or your product), they’re probably not going to buy into it. Ever.

The longer they take, the less they buy.

Also, here’s something else I’ve noticed after 2,430 days:

90% of the people I encounter, only SECONDS after hearing that I choose to wear a nametag all the time, will say to me, “That’s the coolest idea I’ve ever heard!”

And they not only embrace the idea, but usually tell at least 10 people about it.

Because I had them at hello.

And it took … what? Three seconds?

Right. Because if the longer they take, the less they buy; then the SHORTER they take, they MORE they buy!

OK. So, here’s what this means for you:

1. KEEP it simple. Say ONE thing. Assure that your ideas; products, services and marketing materials are self-evident. That they need no further communication. That people “get” your stuff right away.

2. MAKE it easy. Ever read a business book without boldface, underlines, italics, font changes or pictures? It’s a pain in the butt! See, few authors understand the value of architecture in writing. So, even if you don’t write books, remember: make it easy. Punch people in the face with what they need to see, hear and know about your business right away.

3. TOUCH it up. If you find that it’s taking too long to convince people, don’t worry! This is your opportunity to tweak your idea, sales pitch or product. Brainstorm several approaches and practice them on friends. If you “get them at hello,” you’re on the right track. Super easy litmus test.

Ultimately, what we’re talking about is a first impression.

Of you.
Of your ideas.
Of your business.

SO REMEMBER: complexity generates contemplation; and contemplation kills sales.

Get them at hello.

Because they longer they take, the less they buy.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Do you have people at hello?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share an example of someone who had YOU at hello with THEIR business idea.

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com

Are you the luckiest person you know?

Watch Scott’s interview on 20/20!

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24 reasons why content is KING

“Hey Scott, how do you get 35,000 hits a day on your website?” I’m often asked.

Google Adwords?
Sponsored links?
Pay per click?
Search engine optimization?

Maybe.

Still, I think the BEST answer is one powerful word: content.

Because content is KING.

And it comes in many forms:

o Articles
o Blog posts
o Pictures
o Videos
o Testimonials
o Profiles
o Lists
o Downloadable ebooks
o PowerPoint slides
o PDF’s and other documents
o Evaluations, tests and assessments
o Podcasts, either video or audio
o Message boards
o Comments and notes left by page visitors
o Any other form of value-added substance that a visitor to the web page would benefit from.

Content is king.

And here’s why:

1. It leads to sales.
2. It gives value first.
3. It helps sell product.
4. It forces you to write.
5. It shows thought leadership.
6. It shows you doing what you do
7. It boosts search engine rankings.
8. It gives social proof of your value.
9. It gets the media to come to YOU.
10. It support and enhances expertise.
11. It adds depth and value to your website.
12. It contributes to your company’s positive reputation.
13. It offers multiple forms of media to convey your message.
14. It keeps your website current, which creates return traffic.
15. It creates a web PRESENCE, since just having a web SITE is no longer enough.
16. It gives away free information; and the more you give away for free, the wealthier you will be.

Content is king.

And if you haven’t already been convinced, here are a few more reasons:

1. Content drives action.
2. Content replaces selling.
3. Content replaces agents.
4. Content replaces pitching.
5. Content drives transactions.
6. Content replaces advertising.
7. Content replaces cold calling.
8. Content pulls instead of pushes.

Content is king.

So, now that you’ve realized the power of content, remember a few final tips:

1. Make content interactive. Can people comment on your stuff?
2. Encourage viral marketing. Can people (easily) share your content with their friends?
3. Link content directly into the sales cycle. At the end of your articles, do you have a call to action? Something that brings the reader over to your site?
4. Make content the focus of your site. When someone arrives at your site, is there a login that grants her full access to your online library?
5. Make your content answer your customers’ problems. Are you asking your target market what topics they want content about?

Content is king.

Speaking of content, for FULL ACCESS to my entire online libray (over 700 pages of content), become a member of The Nametag Network!

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Do you have enough content?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Email [email protected] with your best piece of original content. I’ll share your resources on a future post!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com

Are you the luckiest person you know?

Watch Scott’s interview on 20/20!

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17 ways to become a thought leader

The origin of the term “thought leader” goes back a few years.

Joel Kurtzman, editor-in-chief of Strategy & Business magazine, first coined the expression in 1994.

According to Wikipedia, the term was used to designate interview subjects for that magazine who had contributed new thoughts to business.

Since that time, the term has spread from business to other disciplines and has come to mean “someone who enlivens old processes with new ideas.”

AND, HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS: you CAN become one too!

But.

HERE’S THE BAD NEWS: the media, the blogosphere and the business world seem to be debating the validity of this term.

That it’s overused.
That it’s contrived.
That it’s meaningless.

Probably because people just LOVE to throw around expressions like this.

For example, author/blogger Brian Carroll from Lead Generation Blog says, “First of all, thought leaders don’t refer to themselves as thought leaders. Thought leadership is an outside assessment based on what others say about you, not what YOU say about you.”

However, Carroll still defends the expression. “I rather like it,” he says, “even thought some people abuse it as a hollow form of self-promotion.”

Personally, I think the idea of being a thought leader is cool.

Not that you should go around telling people, “Hey, look at me! I’m a thought leader!”

That might sound kind of pretentious.

So, maybe it’s better as a frame of mind.

An attitude.
A way of doing business.
A way of treating people.

Controversies aside, here’s the bottom line about thought leadership:

If you do it respectfully, authentically, intelligently and uniquely, you will get people to come to you.

Actually, wait a sec. I’m wrong.

I shouldn’t have said, “DO it.”

I should have said, “LIVE it.”

Because being a thought leader isn’t something you DO.

Being a thought leader is something you ARE.

Approachability?
Being That Guy?
Making a name for yourself?

Being a thought leader is a HUGE part of that.

Because it’s another way of sticking yourself out there.

So, if you think you’re up to the challenge (and yes, it IS challenging) consider these 17 strategies for becoming a thought leader:

1. Pay the price. You won’t become a thought leader overnight. Which doesn’t mean that it takes lots of physical time; but it DOES take experience. Get it any way you can. For example, check out this list called 38 Ways to Speed Up Your Learning Curve.

2. Learn well. Become an expert at learning from your experiences. After all, people don’t care what you know. They don’t care what you did. They only care what you LEARNED. And, how those lessons can help them become better.

3. Write, write and write. Did I say write? Writing is the basis of all wealth. If you’re not capturing your thoughts, ideas, experiences, stories, advice and insights, forget all about this whole thought leader thing. Get a blog and get on www.ezinearticles.com. Today.

4. Read everything. When I first starting giving speeches and writing books, my mentor told me, “You have no right to write or speak about any topic unless you’ve read every book ever written on that topic.” Also, DeBono said, “The thinker should be able to look at the thinking used by other people or used in general about a particular subject. Looking at the thinking of others does not mean doing so with the aim of criticizing or attacking it. The intention is to watch what thinking is being applied.” What about you? Have you read everything else?

5. Read more. Also seek out books such as The Obvious Expert, Thinking for a Change and How to be a Thought Leader. Great advice and easy to read.

6. Read even more. Lastly, read books about lateral thinking and creativity (ahem, DeBono). Explore biographies about the world’s greatest thinkers, i.e., Einstein and da Vinci.

7. Hang with other thought leaders. Start a mastermind group, thinking club or online discussion with other thought leaders. Pick brains often. Stop hanging around people who don’t think thinking is cool.

8. Speak. At every club, meeting, tradeshow, conference, chamber, rotary and street corner you can find. If they pay, great. If not, no biggie. Either way, you need to be fun, fun-ny, informative and entertaining. Talk about ONE THING, and have a little laminated double-sided philosophy card as your handout.

9. Philosophy. Ask yourself this question: “If everybody did EXACTLY what I said, what would the world look like?” You answer(s) = your philosophy. Shout it from the rooftops. Be known for it.

10. Reinvent the wheel. Figure out what everybody else is saying about your area of expertise. Then figure out YOUR unique perspective, spin, paradigm, etc. Find the hole that nobody sees and fill it with your unique expertise. (Hey, wait! That last sentence TOTALLY rhymed. Sweet. I’m writing that one down.)

11. Become a CONFIDENT thinker. In the book A Thinking Course, Edward DeBono said, “A thinker should be able to turn on his thinking at will. A thinker should be able to direct his thinking to any subject or any aspect of a subject. A confident thinker does not have to prove himself right and the other person wrong. Thinking is an operating skill, not an ego-achievement. A confident thinker is willing to set out to think about something.” Wow. Talk about a thought leader! WHAT ABOUT YOU: can you speak on your expertise … forever?

12. Content is king. Content drives action. Content replaces selling. Content replaces agents. Content replaces pitching. Content drives transactions. Content replaces advertising. Content replaces cold calling. Content pulls instead of pushes. (Read 16 more reasons why content is king!)

13. Become a media darling. Build relationships with local (and hopefully, national!) press. Offer yourself as a resource and expert. Send them business cards ALREADY stapled to a Rolodex card. Make yourself easily available. REMEMBER: the media is your customer. (Speaking of media darlings, I just did an this article with The Daily Record.)

14. Stay in front of your fans. Blog or no blog, you still need to be writing and publishing SOME form of newsletter. At least once a month. Make it quick, easy to read and packed with practical content. (See #12) Oh, and don’t sell too much. Selling annoys readers.

15. Be open mentally. DeBono also says, “A confident thinker is willing to listen to others. He is willing to improve his thinking by acquiring a new idea or a new way of looking at things. He is also able to acknowledge that an answer has not been found. Besides, being right is really boring.” LESSON LEARNED: be open to other thought leaders’ ideas.

16. Be open physically. On your blog, be sure to leave the “comments” button on. And make them available to anybody, even anonymous readers. Transparency and openness apply online too.

17. Close with value. At the end of every article, blog post, video or piece of content you publish, be sure your sign-off accomplishes a few things. FIRST, tell people what you do, how you do it and who you do it for. SECOND, offer an easy way to get in touch with you. THIRD, have a call to action, i.e., a free report, a video to watch, a link to click, an exercise, a thought-provoking question, an email assignment, free access to your online library or a 15-minute consultation.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Are you a thought leader?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Tell us how you became one!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com

Are you the luckiest person you know?

Watch Scott’s interview on 20/20!

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The #1 way to overcome writer’s block

According to Wikipedia, writer’s block is “a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity.”

There’s also great list of techniques to help overcome creative barriers such as:

1. Set a time and write whatever comes to mind, without stopping, for that time.

2. Taking a break, meditating, or doing relaxation exercises to relieve any pressure on oneself and on the writing.

3. Doing something out of the ordinary. If writer’s block comes from a lack of new ideas, attempts to spark creativity by going somewhere new or doing something different can be useful.

4. Reading, watching movies or plays, or similar activities that might bring inspiration.

Good stuff. Thanks Wikipedia!

However.

Writing is an extension of thinking. And great writers are great thinkers.

So, if you’re having trouble writing, that probably means you’re having trouble thinking.

Which brings me to the #1 way to overcome writer’s block…

LESSON LEARNED: Go back to the source.

Better writing comes from better thinking.

You know, it’s funny. I’m often accused of “never running out of content,” “never sleeping” or “always pumping out new material.” (Like that’s a bad thing!)

But see, I write like I talk. And I talk like I think. And since I’m usually either talking or thinking, then obviously, it’s not humanly possibly to get writer’s block!

Therefore, allow me to offer my own list for overcoming writer’s block:

1. Clear. Practice meditation, mental dumping, relaxation, breathing or any other brain-conditioning techniques to open your mind, heart and soul to receive new ideas. Best when done first thing in the morning. Read The Artist’s Way and learn how to do morning pages. I promise they will change your life.

2. Exercise. Your body AND your mind. Don’t choose one or the other. Do both. Read books on creative thinking (especially the ones with exercises). Do Sudoku, crossword puzzles, anything to get your brain cranking. Also best when early in the morning.

3. Think. I know. It’s so dumb that I’m telling you to “think.” Still, every single day, take at least 15 minutes to just THINK. Yes, think. It sounds dumb to literally “make time to think,” but you’ll be amazed what you learn. Consider having daily appointments with yourself. I promise they will (also) change your life.

4. Read. Not the newspaper. Ughh. I’m talking about good books. Positive books. Fiction or non-fiction. Just something to get your imagination flowing.

5. Capture. Write everything down. Constantly. “Pluck” ideas daily by tuning in your eyes and ears and capturing content as if your life depended on it. And don’t tell yourself you’ll remember it. That which goes unrecorded goes unmemorable. If you don’t write it down, it NEVER happened. REMEMBER: Writing is the basis of all wealth. Oh, and don’t forget about The Paradox of Inspiration. VERY important.

6. Expand. Take an idea; then stretch it. For example, I thought to myself the other day, “Why don’t I ever get writer’s block?” Then I sat down a made a list of everything I do to kick my creative spirit in the butt. Then I wrote this article. See? Expand it! Do word explorations. Google your idea to get more ideas.

REMEMBER: these tips are only effective when underscored by a foundation of t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g.

Because a writer in motion stays in motion.

So…

If you want to change your writing, change your thinking.
If you want to increase your writing, increase your thinking.
If you want to become a better writer, become a better thinker.

Writer’s block, schmiter’s block.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your #1 way to overcome writer’s block?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share your best technique here!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

Download Scott’s new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.

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Solvitas perambulatorum

Where do you get your best ideas?

Late at night?
Early in the morning?
While sitting on a beach during sunset?

If you’re like me, you do your best thinking while exercising.

Running in the mountains. Swimming at the Y. Walking in the park.

Solvitas perambulatorum, as our Latin friends call it.

“Solving problems in the process of physical exercise.”

I first understood the power of this process during an 8 mile run on a 97-degree afternoon in the summer of 2005.

Maybe it was the heat.
Maybe it was the humidity.
Maybe it was the endorphins pumping through my veins as my ever-expanding mind drifted off to Creative La-La Land.

But by the time I finished my run, I had actually written an entire book!

I stumbled into my car. Grabbed my idea jotter. And as the sweat dripped off my chin and onto the paper, I frantically wrote down three words that would eventually change my business forever: BE THAT GUY.

One year later, the book How to be That Guy was released.

Wow, maybe I should go running more often! I thought.

LESSON LEARNED: working out works.

And here’s why:

According to The Artist’s Way, exercise clears your mind, stabilizes your emotions and levels your perspective.

It contributes to an increased production and release of endorphins. That results in a sense of euphoria that has been popularly labeled as the “runner’s high.”

“The rhythmic, repetitive action transfers the locus of the brain’s energies from the logic to the artist hemisphere. It is there inspiration bubbles up untrammeled by the constraints of logic,” Julia Cameron explains.

Furthermore, pumping rhythmically and repetitively also pumps the well of your creativity.

Working out works.

Even Thomas Jefferson was known for taking two-hour walks every day.

“The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise,” he claimed, “and a strong body makes the mind strong.”

So, if you want to motivate your melon, consider the follow tips for practicing solvitas perambulatorum:

1. Do it daily. Even a fifteen-minute walk around the block counts. Remember, you’re working out your body AND your brain. There’s ALWAYS time. Get up earlier if you have to.

2. Do it rhythmically. Repetition allows you to get lost in the activity. That’s why running, walking and swimming are among the best choices. Repetition = Rhythm = Focus = Increased Creativity.

3. Do it intentionally. Right before you jump in the pool or hit the track, frame your mind. Start thinking about your present problem or new idea. Say to yourself, “OK brain, we’ve got a half hour to think about this. Let’s get crackin…”

4. Do it musically. Grab your iPod and start blasting some tunes. Consider creating your own playlist specifically for these creative situations. You’ll find that combining your senses expands your creative prowess. Plus, music is a great way to get lost in any activity. Plus, running to the Rocky IV soundtrack makes you feel really, really cool.

5. Do it and write it. If you’re walking, bring a notepad with you. If you’re running or swimming, have the notepad waiting when you’re done. There’s no doubt you’re going to get some great ideas, so you MUST write them down! Because if you don’t write it down, it never happened. And that which goes unrecorded goes unmemorable. REMEMBER: writing is the basis of all wealth.

6. Do it strategically. When should you exercise? When your mind draws a blank. When you’re stuck on a new idea. When you’ve been working on a new project for six straight hours. When you’ve got a long day of creative thinking ahead of you. All of these situations should set off the exercise alarm. (Plus, you can write off your new running shoes as a business expense!)

Ultimately, exercising the body relaxes the mind.

Sure, your muscles might be sore; but your brain will be chillin!

The goal is to make your brain feel like JELL-O. That way, your creative mind will mold into its most innovative, most amiable and most productive state.

Solvitas perambulatorum.

Because working out works.

Stretch your legs and you will stretch your mind.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Where do you get your best ideas?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share your best melon motivator here!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

Download Scott’s new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.

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Be child-LIKE, not child-ISH

Everyone loves kids.

Because kids are fun and creative and positive and playful.

Which makes them approachable.

And what’s cool is, any time an adult comes in contact with a kid, those attributes transfer. Even the biggest, toughest, most polished executive will stop in their tracks, bend down and say, “Where’s your nose? I got your nose!”

So, if children are approachable (and as a result, everyone loves being around them) doesn’t it just make sense to act the same way?

Not so fast, kiddo.

THE CHALLENGE: maintain a balance between being childish and childlike.

See, child-ISH means, “juvenile, immature, irresponsible and foolish.”

But child-LIKE means “innocent, pure, candid and simple.”

(Not to mention fun, creative and super happy!)

If you want to boost your approachability TODAY, consider these two ideas for becoming more childlike:

1. Observe. It’s amazing to just sit back at marvel at the creativity, positivity and simplicity of kids. Not to mention learn a few lessons on the way!

TRY THIS: once a month, spend at least thirty minutes hanging around a group of kids. From birthday parties to classrooms to kickball fields, take the opportunity to surround yourself with them. Oh, and make sure to bring a little notepad with you too. Jot down the Top Ten Business Lessons you learned while observing the group. Then email those to your customers the next day.

2. Celebrate. Kids love to make a big deal out of little things. For example, imagine you’re in fourth grade. It’s Wednesday and the cafeteria has tater tots. What would you say to your friends? Probably something like, “Sweet!” or “Woo hoo!” or “Yessssss!”

NOTE: you’re not too old to say stuff like that! Those expressions are perfect ways to express excitement and positivity, even in the most mundane situations. And they’re attractive to other people. So, next time you make a sale, receive an exciting email or accomplish one of your goals, celebrate! Exclaim, “I did it!” “I’m the man!” “Yesssss!” Everyone in the room will smile. Including you.

ONE FINAL NOTE: the last reason acting child-LIKE (not child-ISH) is so approachable is because it’s contagious.

One person’s playful spirit brings out the same in another. So, by acting child-LIKE, you subconsciously give other people PERMISSION to the same.

I challenge you to start becoming more childlike today. Remember to observe AND celebrate, and you’ll be one step closer to getting them to come to you.

Come on. Do it for the kids.

(For more was to escape adulthood, ask my friends Jason and Kim. They’re the experts!)

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Are you child-LIKE or child-ISH?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share your two best kiddy-attributes here!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

Download Scott’s new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.

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Daily appointments with yourself

There are 55 strategies in my new book. Right now you are about to read what I believe is the best one. My fave. Numero uno.

Ready?

It’s called a Daily Appointment with Yourself.

I’ve been practicing this technique every single day for five years, and I submit to you that it’s the most valuable habit I’ve ever developed.

Ever.

It all started in Portland. I moved there after college because 1) I didn’t know anybody, 2) I didn’t have a job and 3) I’d never been there before.

All good reasons to go, right?

Anyway, I got a job slingin’ couches at a discount furniture store (more on how much I hated this job later). Now, because it was retail, I knew the days would be long, stressful and trying on my patience. So I decided to start “prepping” myself mentally.

Across the street from my apartment on NW Irving was a place called Coffee Time. Every morning at about 7 AM, I grabbed a cup, found a comfortable chair and got myself situated. Then, for the next hour, I did a combination of the following things:

• Journaling my thoughts
• Reading positive, inspirational books
• Reviewing my goals and personal mission statement
• Meditating through breathing exercises
• Praying on the day, my concerns, etc.
• Emptying my mind of all things negative
• Practicing positive self-talk to develop a great attitude (ahem, chapter two)

By the time I finished my appointment, I felt revitalized, energetic, positive, enthusiastic, happy and ready to take on the day. I was mentally prepared to handle anything the world threw at me because.

That appointment laid the foundation.

I became addicted. I never missed a day. Even on the weekends. And no matter how busy, tired or stressed I was; there was nothing more critical to achieving daily success than my Daily Appointment. As a result, I developed an amazing attitude that began to attract success, happiness and yes, even money, into my life.

Then one day I overslept.

I think it was a Tuesday. I was running late and didn’t have time for my Daily Appointment.

So I skipped it.

BIG mistake.

I missed my bus, forgot to bring my iPod for the commute and ended up rushing to work about 20 minutes late.

I had a terrible day. First one in months. Everything went wrong. I screwed up orders. I snapped at customers. I was annoyed, upset, tired, frustrated and therefore, didn’t sell many couches.

Nine hours later I returned home from a day that felt like it would never end. And as I lay on my bed, I knew exactly where I went wrong.

Since then, I’ve only missed about a dozen daily appointments in five years.

That’s how powerful this habit is. It’s amazing. And I promise, if you start practicing it every single day:

o You will become less stressed
o You will have fewer bad days
o You will develop a more positive & attractive attitude

So, now that you’ve got that extra hour (providing you read the last chapter) here are a few guidelines for setting up your own Daily Appointment. Feel free to modify them to best fit your needs:

1. Solitude. No conversations. No distractions. You need alone time. If you choose to make your appointment at home, tell everyone else in the house that you’re not to be bothered. Treat it like a real appointment with someone very important. Turn off that damn cell phone.

2. Atmosphere. Music helps drown out the outside world and enables you to focus on clearing your mind. I suggest calm, soothing sounds. Headphones work best to really pump the tunes into your mind and help you focus.

3. Supplies. Depending on your routine, you’ll need journals, goal sheets, personal mission statements, positive reading material, headphones, pens, coffee and anything else you need to make this appointment the most comfortable.

4. Time. Before work. Before breakfast. Before working out. Before anything. Trust me, the earlier the better. You need to set the stage for your entire day.

5. Duration. There is no time requirement, although you can’t have much of a Daily Appointment in less than 15 minutes. In fact, a 1999 issue of Transactional Analysis Journal revealed that successful people spend at least 15 minutes every day thinking about how they can improve their lives. And if you think you don’t have that much time in a day, you’re wrong. You don’t have the time NOT to do this. Trust me, it’s worth every second.

6. Components. Although this part is really up to you, some key components include: reading something positive (that means NO newspapers), journaling your thoughts, reviewing goals (HUGE!), doing breathing exercises, practicing daily affirmations and of course, giving thanks. Other activities include praying, meditating, visualizing the success of your day, logging your dreams, etc. Feel free to personalize this appointment according to your needs.

Try it for a month. You WILL notice immediate changes.

Because there’s no appointment more important than the one you have with yourself.

Every day.

(To hear an awesome podcast with Jim Canterucci about this very topic, click here!)

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What’s your favorite daily ritual?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share how that ritual has changed your daily life here!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

Download Scott’s new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.

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Conversations are laboratories

Talking makes you think.
Thinking makes you create.
Creating makes you write stuff down.
And writing stuff down makes you money.

For that reason, conversations are laboratories.

All types of conversations, too.

With friends.
With yourself.
With mentors.
With strangers.
With employees.

And if you’re looking for a creative boost to attract more ideas into that big juicy brain of yours, start using conversations as tools.

Here are Five Lab Rules to remember when cooking up something new in your conversational laboratory:

1. Increase your frequency. Are you having weekly lunches, coffees and brainstorming meetings with colleagues? If not, start increasing your frequency. Double it. Triple it! And don’t think of it as “networking” or “eating,” think of it as taking a trip to the creative laboratory. NOTE: choose wisely. Be sure to select cool, creative, open-minded, positive people.

2. Take more notes. That which goes unrecorded goes unmemorable. Writing is the basis of all wealth. And if you don’t write it down, it never happened. So, don’t be shy! When you’re talking to a friend who says something inspiring, catchy or brilliant, get it down. Simply say, “Hey, that was great! Could you repeat what you just said? I want to write that down…” (Be sure to give them credit too. For example, today’s blog post was inspired by my new homeboy, John “Duct Tape Marketing” Jantsch.)

3. Ask better questions. More questions. Trickier questions. Stupid questions. Obvious questions. Repetitive questions. FACT: whether it’s with yourself or with someone else, questioning is absolute essential to uncovering new ideas.

4. Become a plucker. The word “pluck” means “to take something away swiftly, often by means of skill or strength.” That’s exactly what you need to do. To slow down, listen carefully and pluck out those little ideas, one-liners, phrases and light bulbs that go off during your conversation. Become a constant scanner of your environment. Then write them down and expand on them.

5. Affirm to attract. More ideas into your head, that is. See, creativity isn’t solely a function of luck or inspiration. It’s about prepping yourself mentally to attract and accept what’s available from the universe.

TRY THIS: before your next conversation, affirm to yourself, “During lunch today, I believe we’re going to make breakthroughs! New ideas will be pouring into our heads!”

ALSO TRY THIS: after your next conversation, give thanks. Gratitude shows the universe that you appreciate the gifts it has given to you. Which makes it want to give you more.

With these Five Lab Rules of Creative Laboratories, you’ll be sure to maximize the output of your next conversation.

And remember:

Talking makes you think.
Thinking makes you create.
Creating makes you write stuff down.
And writing stuff down makes you money.

Conversations are laboratories.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What are your Lab Rules for Creativity?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share them here! After all, blogging IS conversation…

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

Download Scott’s new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.

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Imagination, not milions

So, you want to build a brand, huh?

Well, you’re in luck!

Because there’s good news, and REALLY good news…

THE GOOD NEWS: it doesn’t take much money.

Don’t be fooled by headlines like, “Coca-Cola spends 10 million dollars on new 30 second spot!” or “Nike takes out front page ad for $20,000!”

You’re an entrepreneur. That stuff doesn’t apply to you. (Actually, even if you’re NOT an entrepreneur, that stuff doesn’t apply to you.)

Because, in the words of best-selling author Harry Beckwith, “Branding doesn’t take millions, it takes IMAGINATION.”

THE REALLY GOOD NEWS: you can get started building your brand TODAY!

Even if you’re new to the industry.
Even if you just started your company.
Even if you don’t know much about marketing.
Even if you don’t want to spend a dime on advertising, direct mail or any of that other paper-wasting, money-draining junk.

There’s ONE question I want you to consider:

“If everybody did exactly what you said, what would the world look like?’

My mentor, William Jenkins first taught me this question a few years ago. He told me to ask it to myself on a regular basis.

Because it clarifies your values.
Because it helps you articulate your personal and professional philosophies.
And because it builds a framework around which you can keep your actions accountable.

HERE’S THE CHALLENGE: sit down with your team (or, if you work alone, your dog) and come up with 5-7 bullet point answers to that question.

“If everybody did EXACTLY what you said, what would the world look like?”

Once you’re comfortable with the answers, you now have a brand foundation!

Write it down, post it all around the office, even consider creating a little philosophy card and handing it out to customers as a reminder of your philosophy.

People love these cards.

Because people love to learn YOUR UNIQUE WAY of doing business and delivering value.

And most importantly, people respond to policies.

See, once you’ve figured out your philosophy, all you have to do NOW…

…is SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!!

In your email, on the phone, in person, everywhere! Branding is about a seamless consistency via all touchpoints.

AND HERE’S THE BEST PART: once you get your philosophy, the rest is simple.

Just make sure that every time you work with a customer, you’re consistently providing him with the tools he needs to build that world.

“If everybody did exactly what you said, what would the world look like?’

THAT is the question of the day. And it doesn’t take money; it takes imagination!

SO REMEMBER: even though a brand doesn’t millions to create, that doesn’t mean that it can’t create millions.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How have you used YOUR imagination to build a brand?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
Share your top three branding tips here!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag

Download Scott’s new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.

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38 random thoughts about creativity

1. Eliminate the following sentences from your vocabulary:

*But I’ve never been creative!
*I’m a left-brain person…
*Creativity doesn’t run in my family!
*I work in a job that doesn’t require creativity…

Sure, they may be true. But they’re blocking your creativity!

One of the first steps to enhancing creativity is changing your attitude. Eliminating negative past programming. Removing counterproductive thoughts that obstruct creative thinking.

2. The moment you get a new idea, start making a list. Don’t worry about order. Order comes later. Just puke everything out in movable bits of content so that way when it self-organizes, you can easily categorize it. Consider using brightly colored index note cards. One idea per card.

3. It’s impossible to be too creative.

4. Ask yourself (or your group) the same question over and over again for an hour. Come up with as many answers as possible.

5. Read one book about creativity (at least) once a month.

6. Hang out with as many creative people as often as you can. And don’t just watch them – OBSERVE them. Study the way they think. Learn not only from their content, but also from their craniums. Remember, creativity is musical. Be sure to listen between the notes.

7. Combine your senses: light candles, listen to music and make your office bright, colorful and visual. It helps.

8. “If at first your idea does not sound absurd, there is no hope for it.” Thanks, Albert Einstein.
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9. If you get a great idea and have to stay up all night until 7 AM the next day working on it, do it. Recognize when the world’s giving you a gift. Pay the price. In five years you’ll look back and say, “Boy am I glad I stayed up all night working on that idea!”

10. If you’re stuck, stop. Try coming up with the stupidest, most ridiculous and horrible idea possible. First of all, it’s fun. Secondly, it’s counterintuitive which means it’s effective for breaking your thought patterns. Lastly, you never know what gems might come out of it.

11. Speaking of brainstorming, brainstorming mean NO CRITICISM.

12. Three words: DRY. ERASE. BOARDS. Cover your walls with them!

13. Go for more walks. (Be sure to take a notepad with you!)

14. Read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It will not only change your life, it will change your brain. (And while you’re at it, just go ahead and read everything else she’s ever written too.)

15. Speaking of Julia Cameron, here’s six cool things I learned from her:

16. “Some people might find your creative, artistic recovery disturbing. Their doubts will reactivate your own. They are attempts to leverage us back into our old ways for the sake of someone else’s comfort, not our own.”

17. “Creativity is blocked by our falling in with other people’s plans for us.”

18. “Footwork doesn’t pay off in a linear fashion. You shake the apple tree and the universe delivers oranges.”

19. “Money will come when you are doing the right thing.”

20. “Art is not about thinking something up; it’s about getting something down.”

21. “The creative life is grounded on many, many small steps and very, very few large leaps.” (Thanks Julia!)

22. Read weird, unusual and unrelated magazines. Scramble your brain a little.

23. Study the minds of creative thinkers. Read everything ever written by Michael Gelb.

24. Find a way to introduce yourself to Don the Idea Guy. (He’s my homeboy.) Now, I know there are a lot of people out there who claim to be “Idea Guys,” but I GUARANTEE you Don is the real deal.

25. Speaking of creative thinkers, Maya Angelou once said, “The more creativity you use, the more you have.” Cool.

26. After you’ve been working on a new idea, STOP. Go exercise for at least 30 minutes. Let the endorphins kick in. You’ll get (legally) high and your creativity will flow like a waterfall. Plus, I exercise is also “good for your body,” apparently.

27. Go onto Google and type in “Creativity Exercises.” Do a few each week, one every morning, or one with your crew before a brainstorming session. After all, if you went to play 18 holes, you’d go hit a bucket of balls first, right? Same thing, different organ. Don’t neglect MENTAL warm-ups.

28. Make a sticky note by your desk that says: “Is the idea you’re working on RIGHT NOW solving your #1 problem?”

29. Spend a day in a kindergarten classroom. Five year olds are the most creative people in the world. Plus they’re freaking hysterical.

30. Give yourself – or your team – regular idea quotas. WITH A GROUP: say, “OK gang, nobody leaves this conference room until we get 30 ideas!” BY YOURSELF: start a blank document. At the top write, “50 Ideas for My New Project.” Then start cranking. The cool thing is, when you give your brain a quota, it works extra hard to meet it!

31. Do yoga, pilates, meditation, breathing exercises or any other kind of mind-calming, spiritual practice. Clear all the crap out of your mind. Get in touch with your intuition, your gut, your inner voice, your spirit. There’s bound to be some good stuff in there!

32. Go to Sedona once a year. It’s your brain’s favorite.

33. Start keeping a notepad in your pocket, car, purse, in your office and by your bed. Every time you get an idea, jot it down. Keep a running list. But be sure to always have it with you – inspiration comes unannounced. And if you don’t write it down, it NEVER happened.

34. Which reminds me, Thomas Edison carried a 200-page notebook wherever he went, just for his ideas. At the end of his life, he’d filled up more than 3,400 of them. He also obtained more patents than any person in history. What does THAT tell you?

35. Just for a minute, pretend you’re Dr. Seuss. Don’t hang your creativity on a noose. Instead, write a poem and consider adopting a goose! Let loose, my beloved moose! You’ll feel happier, and of course, more chartreuse!

36. OK. So that last example was like, the silliest poem ever written. But it was fun. And childlike. And cool. And good for the soul. Are you doing stuff like that regularly?

37. You know, that’s actually not a bad idea. Tomorrow, go to Borders and read a few children’s books to get your mind cooking.

38. Make a list of 100 questions. About anything. It doesn’t matter. Just do it. And don’t stop until you’re done. THE BEST PART: questions 80-100 will end up being the most interesting.

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