* robfrankel   Yes, it's Monday, time for another Free Clinic. I'll be here for the next 60 minutes, helping anyone who drops by with their business and branding issues....at no charge.
* robfrankel   This is the only publicly archived real time chat that's been continually helping people since something like 1998...maybe earlier....
* robfrankel   I'll keep my browser open for the next 60 minutes....grab your strongest cup of coffee and jump on in.
* anita2306   Good wet morning, Rob
* robfrankel   Greetings Anita.
* anita2306   Just answering questions on Twitter about Haiti earthquake
- patrysha   Just waiting for a plumber...so we can start living civilized again
* robfrankel   Ack, these quakes seem to come in waves.
The world is shifting.
* anita2306   Apparently,Yahoo is dumping applications fast and furiously
* robfrankel   Tulsa OK had a mild quake last week, too.
* robfrankel   Yahoo is in serious trouble. They haven't done much of anything other than a fast shuffle from what I can tell. Their stock hasn't budged and I'm pretty sure Carol Bartz is in way over her head.
* anita2306   They are apparently dumping their MyBlogLog app which was very popular
* robfrankel   It's funny with high level CEO's. Corporate boards just let the same dopes make the same mistakes again and again. It happens too often.
* anita2306   A bad move
* anita2306   Not only are they getting rid of something popular and useful, they are upsetting their loyal users
* robfrankel   Look at Bob Nardelli, Carly Fiorina and a string of failed CEO's at AIG....pathetic.
* robfrankel   Yahoo has no brand strategy so of course they're making their decisions in the dark.
* anita2306   At least at AIG, they finally had the good sense to break the insurance section away from the main section
* robfrankel   Totally out of touch, too. Which makes you wonder why they don't call in some of YOUR favorite gurus like Kawasaki or Godin.... :D
* anita2306   I'm NOT a Godin fan
* robfrankel   AIG is a hugely complicated issue. The Feds will end up running most of that business into the ground if they don't wise up quickly.
* robfrankel   Are ANY of those Twitter gurus making real difference ANYWHERE?
- patrysha   I almost went to a Godin presentation put on by the Travel board, but I didn't feel like driving to watch tv...
* robfrankel   I understand they love to tell people what to do and write books and stuff, but are they actually helping any businesses improve performance?
* anita2306   Guy Kawasaki certainly is
* robfrankel   Bunch of hacks and frauds, from what I can tell.
* robfrankel   Really?
* anita2306   As the CEO of Garage Technology Ventures, he puts money where his mouth is.
* robfrankel   That's pretty vague, Anita. Dumping money into stuff is just played-down venture funding. And those deals don't have a very good track record.
- patrysha   Is that the guy that was with Apple? I think I have an old book by him that I got at a garage sale...
* robfrankel   In fact, most people don't realize that the majority of venture deals fail.
* anita2306   I'll not argue with you as I am biased, and do not have any facts at my fingertips
- patrysha   Something about customer evangalism if I recall correctly
* robfrankel   Kawasaki has been trading on his Apple deals since the Neolithic Age. That's old history that hasn't made a difference since the two times before everyone declared Apple dead.
* anita2306   Patrysha, yes, He wrote Art of the Start and recently, Reality Check. I am working for him on his newest website.
* robfrankel   I know a guy in PR who, to this day, STILL promotes himself on a deal he did in 1982.
* anita2306   I tend to ignore his Apple claims as I am not thrilled with the company to start with.
* anita2306   A "friend" just used my Twitter handle in a tweet to promote his crap! Oooh, now I'm mad.
* robfrankel   I don't mind showcasing from a "legacy" perspective, but there's really no "there" there with most of these guys. If there's one major disappointment I have with the internet, it's that it's made it too easy for hacks and frauds to "appear" to be real.
* robfrankel   Anita, how can someone else use your Twitter handle unless you authorized them?
* anita2306   But, that is also true with any type of mass media including TV, radio, and the Yellow Pages
* anita2306   If you use it in a tweet, other people looking for my handle will see it
* robfrankel   Yes, fraud is always possible, but never as easy as it is on the web or in social media.
* robfrankel   I was just explaining to a pal last night that my new biz efforts could only be possible today, with the web. In 1980, it would have cost $100K annually, easy.
- patrysha   But not everyone has winning ideas with each and every thing they do, I mean I have had some great ones, and I've had some flops...
* anita2306   There are plenty of infomercials masquerading as "documentaries"
* anita2306   And "experts" on radio shows that are actually infomercials
* robfrankel   Patrysha, may of these guys simply rely on their "following" or "downlines" to carry the Kool Aid. Doesn't matter if their ideas work or not, as long as they sell the book and the seminar.
* robfrankel   I had a client a while back whose entire launch plan was recruiting about 10 people who had "downlines" ranging between 50K and 100K people.
* anita2306   That happens on Twitter these days and accounts for people with large numbers of followers.
* robfrankel   The whole launch plan was down to a few massive e-mails to get these suckers on board with promises of commissions.
* robfrankel   Exactly, Anita. The fast shuffle guys (and you know who they are) have huge followings which they leverage as "proof" of acceptance. When it's really nothing more than numbers of lemmings.
- patrysha   Well yah, especially the ones who autofollow and just gather numbers of people...
* robfrankel   I haven't seen or met any of these "gurus" who have actually followed through past selling their books, seminars or speaking gigs. These guys are just variations on a theme. Saying the same stuff over and over to people who never do anything about it, but pay to hear it. Weird!
* anita2306   Like the poor sheep who followed James Ray...
- patrysha   The ones I have seen working within that model are far from gurus though, but are doing similar things in smaller niches, but do help people...
* robfrankel   Which leads me to conclude that these guys are all more concerned about the sale than the end result.
* robfrankel   And to me, that makes them fraudulent. Worthless.
* robfrankel   That's fine, Patrysha. But those are the guys that should be out in front.
* robfrankel   Do you hear much about Jim Sterne any more?
* anita2306   Good news! I am bringing someone on board to help me with client management.
* robfrankel   Anita, that's GREAT news!
- patrysha   The ones I'm thinking about are girls...but they're not in front of anyone but their target market really...maybe because they play nice and ethical?
- patrysha   who is Jim Stern? I don't recognize that one...
* robfrankel   Patrysha, that's a REAL possibility. As a rule, I find that ethical people tend to spend more time on following through on their promises. The less ethical people tend to spend more time on self promotion and short term sales.
* anita2306   My biz partner has all the right skills, and can read people way better than I can.
* anita2306   And, unfortunately, us ethical people have less time to spend on self promotion...
* robfrankel   Anita, it's about client management. It's an ongoing thing. Right tool for the right job. Put your skills where they work best; let others apply theirs where yours don't cut it.
* anita2306   Yes, exactly. I need/want to focus on my organic SEO skills and stop wandering into other aspects
* fraser   Hi Rob, just popped via your tweet to say hello
- patrysha   Yeah but I find the self promotion I do does go a long way because happy clients talk :-) I wish they would talk more...lol...referrals are almost always the best clients
* robfrankel   Hi Fraser!
* robfrankel   Patrysha, it's a balance. As long as you self promote, show what you've REALLY done to improve others' business.
* robfrankel   Fraser, what's happening in Scotland?
- patrysha   Yup, I can do that :-) I am also trying to be less wishy washy about asking for testimonials...
* robfrankel   In any case, promotion for promotion's sake is the wrong tack. But as you point out, Patrysha, too little promotion hurts a business.
* robfrankel   I never post testimonials, with one exception, and that's on the FrankelCall page, because those prospects need some encouragement about dipping their toes into the water. most have never used a consultant before.
* fraser   I am only talk for myself, but business in Scotland is good.
* robfrankel   Good deal, Fraser. Great to hear that from you.
* anita2306   For my biz, SEO, I think I really need to put up testimonials.
* fraser   FrankelCall ! I took one of them. Best advice ever but took me years to implement. Still got all the email print outs. And yes Rob I have my own stake in the ground.
* robfrankel   Anita, testimonials are fine IF they speak to the real business improvements that followed AND don't set you up so that the next client expects the EXACT same results.
* robfrankel   Yup, I remember that Fraser.
The implementation is often the toughest part.
* robfrankel   I find that the sale -- even with testimonials -- is really a multi-part proposition:
1. Here's why you should hire me
2. Here's what happened to other people who hired me
3. Here's what can happen if you don't hire me.
* robfrankel   And all of it should be on your home page, reinforcing your brand strategy.
* anita2306   Should I put on the home page how we make money for a client? Or is that too forward?
* fraser   On my biz card it reads, after your web developer completely f**ks it up, feel free to drop me a line. I showed it to my father who gave me that stern stare. But every prospect/client just nods and smiles.
- patrysha   Hmm that's a part I am missing...what happens if they don't hire me
* robfrankel   I like it, Fraser! that's how you get people involved quickly. They can all relate to getting hosed, and because YOU get it, they know you feel their pain.
- drewjanssen   Drew here. Hello, all.
* robfrankel   You really didn't EXPECT your Dad to get it, did you?
- patrysha   I mean it pretty much boils down to that they will continue to get the same results...
* robfrankel   Patrysha, if they DON'T hire you, they can expect more failure.
* robfrankel   Hey Drew!
- drewjanssen   I can attest to the "If you DON'T hire me" angle. Used it just yesterday and closed a major deal.
* robfrankel   My Dad is proud of me, but he still can't describe what I do when he talks about me to his pals. That's fine. He knows I put bread on the table and that I'm a happy guy.
- drewjanssen   O Most Rob of Robs. Hallowed be thy book.
* robfrankel   Fraser, a key aspect of business AND family:
"Don't expect more than they can handle"
- patrysha   hmm interesting. See most of my clients aren't failing...they just need a little help to improve what they have...
* fraser   Rob, as you say, it comes to down to knowing the prospects problem. You know people have no brand strategy. I know web developers mess up and leave clients in the lurch. Dad, kinda gets it, he used to fix other plumbing and DIY job messes.
- drewjanssen   I charge more than any three of my competitors, and it is therefore supposed that my brains are somehow more massive than anyone.
* robfrankel   Well, since you brought it up, Drew, the SECOND expanded edition of Revenge of Brand X is only available at my web site. Amazon still sells the first edition.... ./plug.
* robfrankel   Patrysha, that's how we define failing.
If they weren't failing, why would they be calling you? SOMETHING is clearly not working for them...
- drewjanssen   I should have said "Any three of my competitors combined." Yes, I will buy a copy of the new edition.
- patrysha   Ah okay...with that definition of failing...
* fraser   Second Edition of ROBX ! Cool. Great book the first one. Still reference it. Whats in the new one Rob ?
* robfrankel   TEN MINUTES
- drewjanssen   Anita, are you in the house?
- drewjanssen   In the new ROBX is more of the New Rob!
* robfrankel   Now the thing is, most clients don't admit or conform to that definition. So they have to be educated. Again, the easiest way to educate them is to ask them, "If everything is fine, why are your and I talking?" :D
* robfrankel   Fraser, the book is updated and expanded. Two new chapters. Much of the old is intact and compared to the predictions and outcomes made in 2000.
- drewjanssen   Excellent. In fact, I used a variation of that yesterday. "If you were so happy with the other detective's results, what made you call me today? Obviously, you're uneasy."
* fraser   There should be a book called Rob Frankel's best quote with all your best quotes - that's awesome
* fraser   If everything is fine, why are your and I talking?" :D
* robfrankel   Well, Fraser, it's the truth! The truth is the best tool you can use, because it works and it's the last thing anyone expects.
- drewjanssen   Rob: Problem.... I click on the BUY link and only get a bit of text and your bobble-head. Nothing else.
* fraser   Very true.
* robfrankel   Really? Which URL at you at?
- drewjanssen   I think I figured it out, but that problem still exists if you go from the main buying link.
- drewjanssen   I was at... www.robfrankel.com
- patrysha   Well thanks for your time this week Rob, now off to do a bit of tidying so the plumber does not think us to be total slobs...not that I can do much more than surface clean.
* anita2306   I'm back
* robfrankel   Bye Patrysha!
- drewjanssen   The link that it tried to take me to, and which didn't work, was revengeofbrandx.com
- patrysha   Have an awesome week everyone!
* fraser   Gotta go. Great to see Frankelbiz kicking and prosperous. Cheers Fraser.
- drewjanssen   Cheers, Fraser
* robfrankel   Hmm...it worked for me, Drew. Just tried it.
* robfrankel   Bye Fraser!
* anita2306   Drew, email me. Helping friend right now
* robfrankel   TWO MINUTES LEFT
- drewjanssen   Drops me to http://www.frankel-anderson.com/brandx2/ and that's just your bobble-head and some text. Nothing else seen here. No big. I will figure it out.
- drewjanssen   ANYway, I want a copy. How fast will it ship?
* robfrankel   Ships in a day or two. Usually USPS Priority
* robfrankel   Click on the head
* robfrankel   Alrighty then, that was a good session. Thanks everyone. The room stays open for another 15 minutes, then closes. I've gotta run but have a great week! I'l see you online!
- drewjanssen   From you I have learned: If I don't believe in my product or service, then how the hell to do expect anyone else to?