Just got this in this morning and had to share:

Hi Troy,
Thank you for the ideas for writing for our business. I was able to make a brief blog post using one of the stories. http://heartpowercoaching.com/2012/02/03/what-chinese-parents-dont-know/

Warmest regards,
Rosemary Heenan
Creation Specialist

519-978-3995

http://www.heartpowercoaching.com


Your Hands Reveal Your Life Purpose

THAT is how you make money from marketing.  You find an idea… and you just get it done.  Like right now.  Not next week or next month.
NOW!

Just like Rosemary did.  The more you can get into this habit of massive action taking and daily marketing actions… the more money you make.

It’s really simple.

Isn’t it?

{insert your excuse here}

No – that excuse doesn’t fly here.

Yes, it is simple and it IS a new habit we all need to develop.

Daily massive action.

Looking forward to seeing yours.

Troy

Hope you are having a GREAT week!

Nothing has helped me more from a therapeutic and marketing standpoint than writing daily emails.

I know it may seem like work…

…but nothing good every comes without some work.

And it isn’t hard work at all.

In fact… there are so many INCREDIBLE examples to share with you, its more difficult deciding what to share.

Today, 2 fine, fine examples of great marketing ideas.

First… the blushing postman.

Look how she starts this video for Panty by Post

Great marketing ideas galore here!

…with a story about one of her great loves… the French… and French Panties.

Not only is the video simply divine (simple, and selling)., it grabs your attention and would compel you to watch (man or woman).

These days anyone and everyone with a simply little handheld HD camera can do this (even me!).

Then add in some of the great editing software out there these days and voila… you have a video to use on Youtube, on your blog, on your site, on Facebook shares… and so on, and so on.

The second thing I LOVE about this video is the unusual membership piece. You have hopefully read my Million Dollar Lobster report (if not – here is the direct download link  http://www.milliondollarlobster.com/MillionDollarLobster.pdf).

Unusual membership programs like this are powerful ways to draw attention, publicity and experience buyers.

A membership is an experience.

It is something you get to interact with on an ongoing basis.

Vs a one-time purchase.

Is there any way at all you can take frequently bought items and turn them into a membership concept?

I have seen near everything sold via membership…

…panties, shows, jewelry, honey, steaks, baked goods, fresh goods, lobsters, shoes, dive-bar tshirts, kids gifts, art and paintings, travel, cars, motorcycles, boats, to name a small sample of what is now available.

Can YOU be the first in your city, or industry, that brings out a membership program?

Think it through – it’d be awesome to inspire you to create this.

The second example for today you may have already seen on Facebook.

Budweiser NAILED IT with this viral video.

What a beautiful idea and concept here.

…and Bud is winning over more fans than EVER with this.

It evokes emotion… and may even bring a tear to your eye.

If you have ever felt like you love and activity so much, but know you will never be in the big leagues (due to age, skill level, whatever) then this video will get that emotion factor revved up.

I LOVE my martial arts.  Been doing it for 12 years or so off an on, the past 6 years in Tae Kwon Do (training for second degree Black Belt right now)… but I know that my age and size are a factor in competition.  Maybe it is more fear than anything, but I haven’t been in one with my TKD.  There is a chance coming up this summer… we will see.

But I GET this video.

I would love to be in a competition and feel like a superstar (despite not being close to one).

THAT is the feel Bud gets going with this video.

…and it does 2 things I want to point out: It shares some intimate emotions with their prospects and clients, and it shows them doing something that gives back to the community.

Both of which you and I could be doing.

My blog post this week talks about emotion and the powerful force behind it in your marketing… you should read it if you haven’t.
http://blog.smallbusinesscopywriter.com/the-true-power-of-raw-emotions-in-your-writing/

Anyhow, hope you have a GREAT day/week/weekend.

Troy

PS: The Story Selling Home Study Coaching program http://www.storysellingtips.com is ready and is an incredible way to introduce your clients and prospects to your backstories… where your real money will be made.

My marketing assistant Casino - always on the job looking for bizarre marketing ideas

You also know I am constantly on the lookout for unusual marketing ideas that you and I can modify for our own.

It is the EASIEST way to find breakthroughs in your own business.

Find something that works in another industry…

…modify it to suit your own.

Hence the problem.

“It doesn’t apply to me [insert nasally whining noise here]….” or “my business is different [whining voice]” or “my customers are far too sophisticated for this nonsense ” [snide comment and whining voice all in one]”

If you have ever found yourself making those excuses…

…you have a choice.

Continue making up excuses (and you should probably stop reading because nothing I would share with you is good enough for you…).

…or you can start taking this idea seriously.

REAL breakthroughs come from taking something that worked elsewhere, and finding a new or un-thought-of application for it.

For example, here are a bunch of weird, whacky, and wonderfully delicious ideas for you consider:

1) YOGA anyone?  How do Yoga and Airports fit together?  They don’t would be the excuse of the excuse-makers.  But this airport not only found a use for it… they found a fan-base for it (and the key to marketing is to build a fan-base and let THEM help you spread the word
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/us-fitness-yoga-airport-idUSTRE80T1MY20120130?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=935

2) Mystery brown-paper packages, physical books (gasp! not an ebook?) and a wonderful mailing list to be on.  Some years ago there was a company in the city I am in that sold a gift membership for kids. Each month they child got a purple present in the mail – always a surprise – and always a wonderful treat for someone who thrives on imagination and fun.  Hint, hint – so do your clients! (how can you make surprise gifts or membership ideas for your clients?)
http://www.springwise.com/lifestyle_leisure/slovenian-library-creates-surprise-book-packs-based-genre/

3) Palm readers and Chinese school children.  Yes – they DO go together and parents have “flocked to palm readers” for the test.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/31/chinese-tots-subjected-to-palm-reading

4) Tampons and customized marketing messages, with a little bit of song and dance. This was sent to me by a fellow reader of this newsletter (thanks Kim Small!).  Fill in your name and watch what happens…truly awweesome and easily replicatable for all businesses.
http://www.obtampons.ca/apology

5) Neiman Marcus and $1 million dollar fountains.  These guys get it!  Yes, their clients are affluent… but the attention they draw brings in people from all walks of life. And then they offer those people something from EVERY price point imaginable. (HINT).

Long time read, subscriber and friend Xenia Stanford shared this:

“Checked Christmas Catalog from Neiman Marcus. The his and hers gift were matching dancing fountains for a mere 1 milion. There is only one such item (exclusivity) and the company comes to the estate of the buyer or gift recipient to install them. Another one time gift was the opportunity to be the maestro of aquatic ceremonies at the Fountain of Bellagio. The price tag only 1/2 million. There was also an edible gingerbread house large enough for children (maybe adults too) to fit in. The size of a large playhouse I think. Not sure of price tag. Catalog is still up at http://www.neimanmarcus.com/category.jsp?itemId=cat41900753 – also search on the site for fantasy gifts.

Not quite Pando poop but the idea is still there – something to talk about and bring attention to the company.”

So… have I lost you?

Or inspired you?

The list is unusual… and all over the map.

Which is EXACTLY my point.

If you took this list of ideas – studied each of them – and got the trusty old pad of paper out to jot down ideas…

…you may just find something BIG for your marketing, for your product offering, or for free media attention.

Not a bad trade for an hour or two of your time.

So, more excuses…or bigger and better ideas?

The choice is yours.

Hope this gets that brain moving today.

Chow for now,

Troy

PS: The Story Selling Home Study Coaching program http://www.storysellingtips.com should be ready by Friday and is an incredible way to introduce your clients and prospects to your backstories… where your real money will be made.

He is a home renovator and general contractor.

I am a weird writer-type.

VERY different ways of making a livelihood.

He is always on his feet.

I am always sitting at a desk with keyboard or pen in my hands.

…hence the problem.

Sitting at a desk is a very bad thing for your health.

It causes excess weight to be put on.

And it can KILL your back.

For many, many years I have had a bad back.

Only made worse by the computer.

I do my Tae Kwon Do 4 days a week for cardio, and I walk my dog and marketing assistant, Casino, 7 days a week.

It helps.

But one of the best things I ever did was get an exercise ball to use as a chair.

Awesome!

Do it.

My back feels 100 times better.  It seems to definitely help strengthen the core muscles in the body and tighten up that softening middle which was partially created by sitting for so long.

The best part of the exercise ball?

I can sit down at the computer, crank out copy all day long, and get mini-workouts throughout the day.  I move it side to side, back and forth, and bounce a little up and down when needing to get the juices flowing.

Getting exercise while making money is a wonderful thing.

10 years (in March) I have been working on my craft… and it is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done.

It’s like therapy… but without the psychiatrist.

I highly recommend you get yourself a really good chair… the large exercise balls work great (except they can roll away on you when you get up… which is a minor, minor problem to have while living a life you love).

And I recommend you get REAL GOOD at writing emails.

And articles.

And sales copy.

You master those skills and you will never again wonder what you need to do to make more moola, nor will you ever be at a lack for marketing ideas.

The Story Selling Home Study Coaching program http://www.storysellingtips.com should be ready by Friday and is an incredible way to introduce your clients and prospects to your backstories… where your real money will be made.

Your back and your bank account will thank you.

Troy

I admit it: I am weird.

Very unusual in many ways.

One of the things that makes me an oddball is my fascination with wacky marketing ideas.

I love them!

You should too.

Always be on the lookout for those high priced, high oddball-factor products or services.

They are full of great lessons and ideas for your own marketing campaigns.

For example, you may recall my article on Cat Poop Coffee and Holy Crap Cereal.  One if s product idea that garnered tens of thousands of free media publicity for a teeny tiny coffee shop in Calgary.  The other snapped up thousands of dollars in first day sales as soon as they re-named their product

http://blog.smallbusinesscopywriter.com/cat-poop-coffee-and-holy-crap-cereal-wacky-marketing-that-works/

And now the Panda bear is giving the Wild Cicvik from Thailand  a run for its money.

$18,000 a kilo?

YIKES!

That had better make me 20 years younger, more attractive, wealthier, and 20 pounds lighter too for that price.

But my forecast is that they will do very well with this.

It’s exclusive.  Not something you can get at the local supermarket… so those who love a good story and an unusual experience (those with the money) will be flocking to the place that sells this Panda Poop Tea.

http://gawker.com/5859434/worlds-most-expensive-tea-panda-poop

The right kind of people are magnetically drawn to this type of product.  People with disposable income. People who LOVE a good story and can’t wait to be the first to tell their friends what they did or bought.

People who are willing to pay an extremely high price for either bragging rights, or for that ultimate experience they can share with their friends and family.

The kind of person you NEED as part of your customer portfolio.

We all should have  segment of our customer population that is wealthy, affluent, and looking for something unique.

You’ve heard me talk about Saddleback Leather (http://www.sbackleather.com).  Their prices are reasonable but on the higher side for leather bags like they have.  But the STORY behind their beautiful leather bags and 100 YEAR guarantee make

THe BEST Leather Bags Out There

for a very compelling Valentines Gift, or Birthday Gift, or that special gift for anyone and everyone you know who loves quality leather goods (hint, hint….Valentines Day is just around the corner!).

Now we have $100 hot dogs! http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/24/vancouver-restaurant-selling-100-hot-dog

Awesome.

Just down the street you can pick up a $2 hotdog from a cart….but the “most expensive hot dog in the world” – a $100 cognac-infused sausage topped with oil-seared Kobe beef, lobster meat and a picante sauce.The foot-long bratwurst is infused with 100-year-old Louis XIII cognac – which has a $2,000 price tag of its own – and must be ordered 12 hours in advance so fresh ingredients can be prepped.

Now THAT is how you get media attention, world record breaking Guiness attention, and how you call out to the locals who have the money and are looking for something fun they can put their money into.

You see a BIG part of marketing to the affluent is in the experience side.

Quality is quality.

But experiences are tough to compare and tough to ignore.  When you have $1,000 in your pocket that’s consider pocket money for the day (every day), you start looking for unusual places to spend.

You can star out the day with some Cat poop coffee.  Have some Panda poop tea for a mid-morning picker upper, then a $100 hotdog that is infused with $2,000 cognac.  By 1 pm that day, you have had such a unique experience to share, it is WELL worth the money to you.

Not to everyone…

…that’s the point.

Marketing to the affluent is difficult for people to get their heads wrapped around.

Because most people think price is the major factor in buying decisions.

It isn’t.  It plays its part, but it isn’t the big part.

Especially when catering to those who high disposable income.

When I interviewed Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather, he revealed one of their HOTTEST sources of leads… a place I never would have thought of… but a place that is full of wealthy story-seekers.  I have never shared his source, but may one day when the timing is right.

So for you, I want you to think about the craziest, whackiest, most pie-in-the-sky concoction of products and services YOU could be offering.

Something that would increase your prices by a factor of 10.

And then consider how you can offer it.

I am not saying you need to replace your other products or services…just to add in ONE product worthy of media attention like all of the businesses here are lapping up.

If you have that one thing now – or know of one like it – PLEASE let me know!

I would love to do a write up on it and share some publicity with others (possibly a JV on a affluent marketing product I am working on too).

Think about adding a zero, or even two zeroes to y9our products.  What would you need to do…to offer…to promise… or to add into it to justify the expense.

Market it right and you just created a HUGE profit center!

And you are off to the races with all kinds of media attention and a whole new kind of client you can work with.

Try it and please let me know what you do.

I would love to interview you on this!

Troy

PS: The Story Selling Home Study is just about ready and it will be a big help to you in creating the ultimate marketing tools to promote your new product. One of the grads of a previous live Story Selling class wrote a single page letter for a client of theirs and their website went from $500 a month to $15,000 a month in sales, almost overnight….and all because of this one page story.

Find out how he did it and how you can too.  https://responsivedm.infusionsoft.com/app/manageCart/addProduct?productId=274

PPS: If you aren’t in my daily email list yet, you are truly missing out.  Mon through Fri I publish a power-packed marketing lesson like this delivered to your inbox.  Just one of them could be worth thousands, maybe tens of thousands or more to you this year.  If you want daily tips (5 days a week – instead of one or two) – click this link and you will start getting daily tips from me. and start supercharging your mind around the concepts of massive marketing success from the least likely of places! (Clicking the link automatically signs you up to the daily – no other action is needed) Click this link to SUPERCHARGE your email marketing

Eccentricities.

Quirks.

Bizarre behaviours.

Unusual beginnings and family ties.

The first step is admitting we all have them.

The second step is to get them out there!

Leveraging your personal stories in business is a touch-and-go thing. You can’t get too caught up in it.  You can’t share some things far too intimate that you wouldn’t share with your best friend.

But you need to seriously get some eccentricities built into your marketing.

It’s why people read and love Harry Potter books (each character in the story line has certain things about them that make them off-the-wall and unusual).

It’s why people watch Regis every day, and have done so for decades (his opening monologue is full of his daily life-doings and mishaps).

It’s why people watched and were hooked on Oprah’s show.  Who doesn’t know about her problems with relationships (including the present one that has been front and center for a long time… I had lunch with Stedman 7 years ago… seemed like a very nice guy :O)

It’s why reality shows are all the rage!

These so-called reality stars are usually a bunch of yee haws with more quirks than personality.

They have jaded histories.

They have tempers.

They have drinking problems.

They have serious people issues.

Whatever their issue is… people love it and watch just for that.

Weaving stories about your own quicks and traits into your marketing will be the best darned thing you could EVER do.

Think about the things (and write them down) that have made you who you are today.

- hobbies
- passions
- eccentricities
- secrets
- quirks
- dare devil tendencies
- self-destructive tendencies
- unusual past jobs
- present day friends or family with unusual stories or family members

Each and every one of these is a GREAT starting point for your story-based marketing campaign.

But you have to get your list down, PICK ONE, and write about it.  Find a way to tie it into your business and or promotion.

And just see what happens.

The more you do it, the more people will love you for it.

Do it on a regular basis and they become a raving fan, and a Regis-like watcher that sticks with you through thick and thin.

Try it.

Please!

Troy

PS: If you are interested in the Story Selling Coaching system, but aren’t willing to invest $495 in the one-on-one coaching program, I have another option for you.  I am just getting the transcripts done of the past coaching class and am willing to give you a VERY SPECIAL Powerful Personalities special.

You get the 31k Club series of writing lessons as well as the audios and transcripts of the last 6-session coaching series.  For only $99.

If you want in, either Paypal me the $99 (US or CDN – they are almost the same right now), or you can reply back and I will send you a private link.  This has never been offered again and may never be again – I will see if you like the idea or not.  The material is gold when used – worth many, many times the investment.

Let me know your thoughts (paypal to this same email troy@smallbusinesscopywriter.com)

The truth is…

Some people hide it.

Others flaunt it.

But the fact is, everyone I have always met in life wants better for themselves.

You may love the life you live right now.

…your health
…your relationships
…your spiritual beliefs
…and your present wealth

But there is something I would bet you have always wanted.

Something you have kept secret.

Maybe you have shared it with your friends, family or lovers.

The fact is…

…there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting more abundance in your life!

Despite all the negative nonsense in the media about wealth… or the occupiers wanting to rid the world of evil people who are successful… or the poor who want to steal from the rich…

…desiring wealth is a VERY good thing.

If it wasn’t for entrepreneurs who go after their dreams and do everything in their power to create wealth and abundance (through products that please people and a company that supports people and their families)…

…the world would be a very dismal place.

Entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes of the economy.

People like you and I that drag economies back from the brink.

And people like you and I (and John, who I want you to see in this video) that create breakthroughs others can aspire to.

FIRST: you should want to do good things with your wealth once you get it.  Help the underprivileged (on your own terms – no one else’s).  Support charities.  Whatever your do-good dream is… you should want it.

…the key – want it.

The one thing you need to do first before helping others with your new found wealth?

Help yourself.

This is the BIG second more of us need to understand.

John Paul Dejoria is one of the co-founders of the Paul Mitchell hair care products empire.

…a VERY WEALTHY MAN.

In this video (a must watch) – he reveals his strategies for wealth creation and distribution to those in need.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZUxodNRjQU

He shares a number of lessons in this interview with Barbara Walters.

But he never once apologies for being a billionaire.

He is proud of what he has built.

As a teen, he is fortunate to even make it out alive.

But he did and he went big.

WATCH THIS – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZUxodNRjQU

With the media and governments telling many of us how evil we are for desiring wealth, messages like this are a MUST for entrepreneurs who want to go big.

If a guy who lived in his car with his son can go on to become a billionaire…

…anyone can.

You may not want billions… but millions sure would change things wouldn’t it?

Watch that video and let me know your thoughts.

Troy

PS: It’s an 8 minute video – watch it.  He turned $700 into a mega-empire.  You can too. Keep your head high and be proud of your desire to do and be more in this world.

PPS: At 5:55 through the end there are some very powerful insights you need to hear.  Listen as his wife explains what the worst part of being a billionaire is.  Funny.

And the last 30 seconds of the video reaffirms my beliefs on the stupidity behind the “Tax the rich higher nonsense out there”.

…as well as his fantastic initiatives to educate those who want more in life…vs giving them handouts that will soon be pissed away.

Harsh, but true.

Every great athlete swears by one.

…but peek inside the average day of those who struggle with success, money or confidence, and this almost always missing.

I’m talking about a daily ritual.

You need one or more of them.

One of the best ones you should develop is your morning ritual.

How you kick your day off right.

…it determines how the rest of your day goes.

And it sets you up for success in whatever you want.

When you roll out of bed in the morning, the first thing you determines how the rest of your day may go.

Do you check email? It means email is your main priority for the day, and you are setting yourself up to be a slave to the inbox.

Do you watch the local news? It means you are letting newscasters set your mood for the day (and it usually will be a negative mood, rarely are there good things discussed on the news).

But…

If you start your day out with a success ritual… amazing things can and will happen.

You have to try different ones to see which ritual gets you best results…. and you have to give each new test an honest chance before trying something new.

Here is my morning ritual, that I stick to religiously.

1) Wake (I am a night owl so I wake later ~7 am)
2) 30 minute brisk walk with my dog (fast walk that breaks a sweat)
3) While walking, listening to training audios on one area of interest.
4) Return home, walk my daughters to school.
5) Back home, I have a cup of coffee and make my daily smoothy (Mucuna puriens, Maca, protein, coconut oil, himalayan salt, astralagus, reishi powder, incan berry, banana or apple, and some type of liquid like milk, apple juice, etc)
6) Shower
7) Office

This sets me up for the right kind of day.

I feel great, I am alert and raring to go, and I get started with my writing (tracking in 15 minute increments how much focused writing I am doing that day.

A big thing for me is focused writing time so I am constantly looking for ways to eliminate meetings, phone calls, surfing and wasting time on social media sites – writing is my business so I need to do as much of it as possible).

Your ritual may be different, or you may need to start working on one.

There is no better time than right now to get this started.

One other ritual I highly recommend you develop is a marketing ritual.

…what are you doing each and every day to market yourself?

Set a schedule in advance.

Stick to it.

Weekly themes.

Monthly marketing themes.

Content development every day.

The Cash Flow Calendar http://www.cashflowcalendars.com helps you get a regular marketing system in place and will consistently grow your business month after month.

Set up your success ritual today, and stick to it for a month before trying a new one (if you honestly feel the one you set up didn’t make a difference in your life and business).

I would love to hear what your ritual is… please share it below in the comments.

To a great year ahead!

Troy

2012 Cash Flow Calendar and Marketing Plan

PS: I mentioned regular content development above… and a daily 20-30 minute writing comitment is THE BEST THING you can do to build your business. The Cash Flow Calendar gives you something to write about each day, and it comes complete with my 31k kick-start writing program which gives you step-by-step directions and inspiration on what to write about for your first 30 days. You can get started here http://www.cashflowcalendars.com

I recently had the privilege to spend a few days in Arcola, Illinois. True Amish country there.

…Marketing geeks like me would appreciate why I was so excited to go there!

Story fodder galore!

The truth on why I was there is that I do some marketing for a few Simply Amish (http://www.simplyamish.com) franchisees in Canada.

They make exceptionally well-built, hand-crafted furniture with a lifetime guarantee.

And seeing the actual Amish Craftsmen build the furniture in their shops was not only an eye opener, it was a necessity for a real understanding of their differentiators in the marketplace.

[-------NOTE------]

No matter what types of products or services you sell, getting inside the design and manufacturing process is where some great marketing breakthroughs can happen. It happened to Claude Hopkins when he wrote the now-famous Schlitz Beer long copy ads. He found out their manufacturing process involved a couple steps that not one of their competitors had ever spoken of… and used that idea to lift them up from the bottom of the top 10 to the top in just a few short months.

If your products are built or manufactured – go spend some time in the factory and ask questions of the engineers, designers and builders.

Get inside their heads on what makes this product superior, in their eyes.

Find some interesting tidbits that you can use to create some exceptional stories to use in all your marketing or advertising efforts.

If it is a service you provide… do the same but lay out on paper all the details that go into your delivery of the service.

Why is it done that way?

Was it always done that way?

What do you do different or better than the others in your field?

Dig deep and you will find some great USPs to use

[-------/NOTE-------]

Fortunately for me, I not only got to ride in a horse drawn buggy with them, I got to spend a full day touring their different workshops, and I got to eat with them during a mega-feast they prepared (chicken, tons of veggies, potatoes, ham, 5 different kinds of homemade pie… feast was an understatement!).

It was a very educational trip!

I thought you might be interested in some of the things I learned from the Amish while I was there.

Most people have no clue on what the Amish people or lifestyle is like.

I was no different.

Some interesting facts:

* Each workshop has a specialty and each farm has a workshop.  So one workshop specializes in dining room tables, the other in beds, the other in dressers.

* There is no electric power running from the main power grid into their farms (they do not believe in plugging into the grid).

* The workshops are powered, heated or cooled, by either Geothermal, Wind, solar, or diesel generators.

Amish communities do not pay social security tax – but can collect it (they choose not to)

* Divorce not allowed – if it is a bad one and cannot be resolved by the husband, wife or family members – divorce is allowed but the person in the divorce who is in the wrong is shunned from the community – never allowed back

* Church wagon moves around from Amish farm house to farm house every Sunday. In the wagon are a dozen or more solid wood benches that are used for church service. Each Sunday the church wagon moves to  a new home

* The community loans $ to newly weds to get started in their homestead and business.

* The Amish LOVE their sweets! Cookies, cakes, pies… you name it.

* As the community I was in became more prosperous with their furniture businesses taking off… they slowed down on traditional food prep… opting for grocery stores instead (especially in the winters)

* Some of them use cell phones and drive vehicles for work purposes – but as soon as work ends, they resume traditional Amish ways.

* Simply Amish Furniture collections are named after their kids, nieces and nephews – the child gets their own branded furniture in their bedroom

* 4500 in the Arcola Amish community there

* They will have 400 people at wedding, which takes place on some of the farms

* The craftsmen rely on marketing – no marketing – no furniture to build (and the recession did slow them down a bit)

* Growing up building furniture gives a huge advantage in designed new types of furniture

* At age 16 they can choose to continue living in Amish Tradition or not.  Their choice can never be undone.  But if they choose to leave and not practice traditional Amish customs… they can still play and work with those that are in the community. But if they ever decided to stay in the community at 16 and then later want to leave… they are permanently shunned from the community.

What does it mean to you?

It means that each and every one of us needs to show our pride more.

To give our prospects and clients a GREAT story they can tell their friends and family.

To show them WHY you are the only one they should be considering, because we offer _______, which no one else does.

It also means that if you are looking for quality furniture that is guaranteed for life (much like my buddies at Saddleback Leather with their 100 year guarantee)…then Simply Amish is your place to be (http://www.simplyamish.com).

If you are in Alberta or British Columbia and interested in having hand made office furniture, dining room furniture, or living room furniture made… let me know and I can introduce you.

Last – it means that even in turbulent economic times like this, people ARE spending money on higher quality and higher priced goods like this.

Simply Amish is growing rapidly right now (425 franchises so far in Canada and the US).

They rarely do discounts (despite all the Groupons of the world)… and they never worry about price shoppers.

They focus on quality product, customized to the buyers, and a guarantee that provides decades of security for them and their family.

[-------NOTE-------]

Some other notable quotes I heard (or things that happened) while there…

* After our Amish feast,  the teenage boys loaded up the buggies with batteries, lights and gear and all rode over to their favorite field for a 3 hour game of baseball.  They used the car batteries and lights to light up their baseball field.

* Headline I wrote down: Amish Bike-riding Road Hogs! When they are riding their bicycles to and from work, or to the store, they OWN the roads. They don’t move over for cars – and they gladly slow you down.

* A caravan of cars in Arcola, Illinois means that there is either a Simpy Amish annual conference or a funeral

* There was the Story of Belle… The Amish Pug who narrowly escaped death by horse and buggy right in front of my eyes (we all thought the little one was under the wheels of the buggy we were in!)

[-------/NOTE-------]

Hope you enjoyed the Amish visit as much as I did!

Troy

PS: If you are stuck for ideas on what exactly you could writer about, blog about, or wrap a promotion around, the 2012 Cash Flow Calendar (http://www.cashflowcalendars.com) is the IDEAL blueprint for you!  Every day of the year you are given templates and copy / paste templates you can use.  Have a peek and let me know your thoughts. Troy

A plea to bring Ralph Klein back…

Ralph Klein – the best leader we ever had

First, a warning: I am as anti-occupy movement as it gets and this post will offend you if you support them.

Here’s why.

The occupiers seem to have these two beliefs right now: “My rights trump yours.” and “The laws don’t apply to me”.

They are above the law and Calgary’s present day WIMP of a Mayor is seeing to it that they can continue to laugh in the face of those who pay taxes and who funded their “campground” they have taken over.

I want Ralph to step in.

Ralph Klein is a notorious retired politician from Alberta.

Ralph Klein - the best leader we ever had

Those who believe in the value of hard work, entrepreneurial drive, and the ability to actually do something useful to get something in return know and love Ralph.

He started out as a reporter here in Calgary, was elected to mayor of our city for 9 years, and then ultimately as premier of our province.

It was a sad day when he retired.

I desperately want Ralph to not only take simultaneous leadership positions in Calgary and Alberta (impossible, I know), but I want him to be the prime minister of Canada right now!

Why?

Because I am sick and flipping tired of the occupy movement and the weak minded wimps we have in leadership right.

The Morons that refuse to kick the occupiers out…ya, those ones.

If we can get Ralph back in charge, here is how he would deal with this.

Step one – Ralph issues a 24 hour eviction notice to protesters. The notice is clear – be out within 24 hours or you will be physically removed, charged with a list of criminal offenses, and put in jail.

No exceptions.

Step two – 20 hours before the deadline. Loud speakers and meghones would be setup up amidst the tents and guarded by armed guards.  Anyone trying to touch or control the equipment would be arrested on the spot.  Then, the announcements would begin.  At 170 decibels, the speaker (preferably Ralph) would begin the 12 hour lecture on all the opportunities and jobs fellow Calgarians, Albertans, and Canadians have at their disposal.

The protestors claim to be doing this for a cause – “bullshit”, Ralph would say (and most of the tax payers out there would nod their heads in agreement).

If you have a cause – speak it – but don’t camp out on tax payers land – that is called illegal squatting.

Step three – Ralph would then have all of their tents hosed down with water 2 hours before eviction time – minus 30 weather or NOT.  This is tax payer land and we are getting ready for winter – water hoses need to be drained.

Step four – Eviction time!  An armed force would take over the tents.  Carrying protestors out by their limbs if needed. Every. Single. One.  Gone – off to be booked with a number of charges – equally.  They weaned equal rights – they get equal treatment.

Step five – reclaim the tax payer funded park and ensure that every single protester knows there is zero tolerance for more nonsense. No more tents allowed. Protesters can do their thing during regular hours – but the tax payers will not fund their ‘campground antics’ any more.

Step six – see to it that every protester who causes grief is quickly removed, booked, and thrown in jail.

THIS is what the once great Ralph Klein would do… …instead of the fairy dance our present mayor is doing around the issue.

24 hours and this nonsense would end.

Mayor Nenshi has turned out to be the wimpiest of them all.

Preferring to hiding behind lawyers than doing anything that required an ounce of testicular fortitude.

RALPH! WE NEED YOU BROTHER!

We realize your health is not ideal right now – but we REALLY need you back!

Doing what a real politician SHOULD do – lead, take charge, and stand up for the tax payers rights (the same tax payers who pay your flipping salary Nenshi).

No more hiding – no more excuses – get this stopped.

We are all sick of it and only Ralph has the balls to actually do something about it in Calagary.

Please Ralph….come back!

My thoughts anyhow…

Troy

PS: To get a good feel for why Ralph was so popular amongst many people, here are some of his most famous quotes (Edmonton Sun)

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ralph’s World.” — A grinning Klein addresses supporters following a landslide victory for his Conservative Party in the 2001 provincial election.

“I guess any self-respecting rancher would have shot, shovelled and shut up, but he didn’t do that. Instead he took it to an abattoir.” — Klein speaking about the discovery of mad cow disease in Alberta at the Western Governors’ Association annual meeting in Big Sky, Montana in Sept. 2003.

“Randy Lawrence ran up on stage where we were all seated … and gave us all the finger. So I gave him the finger back.” — Klein, while the province’s environment minister in 1990, discusses flipping the bird to an environmentalist while on stage.

“There were a lot of people coming here without skills, without opportunities to get jobs and they turned to robbing banks. If you think that is right from a social point of view, then your social conscience is a lot different from mine.” — While still Calgary’s mayor in 1982, Klein defends his famed tirade against “bums and creeps” from Eastern Canada coming to Calgary and committing crime.

“I don’t think the party members were quite satisfied with the length of time I wanted to stay on. They wanted to expedite my departure — (my) having announced that I was going to depart.” — Klein in 2006 on stepping down early as premier after garnering only 55% support in a party vote.

“I wasn’t surprised that she crossed over to the Liberals. I don’t think she ever did have a Conservative bone in her body. Well, maybe one. — Speaking at a charity roast in 2006, Klein comments on MP Belinda Stronach — who used to date fellow Tory MP Peter McKay — crossing the floor to join the Liberal Party.

“A fine city with too many socialists and mosquitoes. At least you can spray the mosquitoes.” — Klein offers an opinion about Edmonton in 1990 as a Tory MLA from Calgary.

“I ought not to have thrown the Liberal health policy at our page Jennifer, and to Jennifer, I apologize most sincerely. … And I also apologize for referring to the document as crap, Mr. Speaker.” — Klein apologizes in the Alberta legislature in 2006 after throwing a Liberal Party health policy booklet that narrowly misses hitting a legislature page.

“Dinosaur farts.” — In 2002, Klein offers an opinion on what may have brought about the Ice Age.

“I’m going to try and stay clean as long as I can, but if from time to time I have a glass of wine, don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill.” — Klein comments after a 2001 incident where he showed up drunk at an Edmonton homeless shelter, berated some residents for not having jobs before throwing money on the floor.

“I do know I have a problem and I’m going to deal with it.”

“I am going to go as long as I possible can and hopefully end this journey without having another drink … One day at a time.” -- Comments from Klein on his past drinking.

“That will be my next challenge.” — Klein on quitting smoking