The New Woo Woo Marketing

Report from the Info Marketing Summit

I was in Atlanta for my second Info Marketing Summit with Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer. There were about 600 people there. The cool thing that starts happening when you attend these events on a regular basis is people start remembering you and helping you connect with other people. What made this trip especially cool is that 3 of my Elite Platinum coaching members were present. - Kate Yandoh, LouAnn Savage, and Sharon Sayler. (Kate, who happens to live in Atlanta, actually had gift bags waiting for each of us at the hotel desk when we arrived. And she took us on a power tour of the city so we saw where "Gone With The Wind" was written and where Margaret Mead met her sad demise of being hit by a drunk driver. Thanks, Kate!) I was so excited to show them off to everybody at the event.

I have to be honest that the cumulative effects of traveling so much this year since June have really caught up with me. Of late it seems that all my trips are from the West coast to the East coast. That 3 hour time difference over a few days kicks my butt. I was tired this entire trip. I experienced the same thing with my mastermind last month at Matt Furey's. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or what. But mark my words, in 2007 a lot of travel is NOT in my cards. It's not worth it to me physically and mentally. Plus my teenage boys require their own taxi service (neither drives yet) which adds another layer of stress to my life when I schedule a trip).

One of the highlights of my trip was getting to know Neil Strauss, author of the "The Game". Actually John Carlton turned me on to the book about true tales from a professional seducer earlier this year. Sounds disgusting, I know. And I was repulsed, intrigued, and fascinated when I read the book. It took me two days to finish (normally I read marketing or spiritual books, not stories...and it takes me a couple of weeks in my spare time to get thru them). This pic is Kate Yandoh, Neil Strauss, and me. Sorry most of them are in black and white. My new camera that is does everything but take out the trash takes crappy pix. At least in b/w they look somewhat artsy.)

Hard to believe Neil got as much action as he said until you talked to him. He is a super-bright and articulate guy. (By the way, he turns away from the seduction scripts and manipulation in the end of the book so don't be a hater. Read the book first and give him a fair shot.)

Other cool stuff was seeing my mentor, Matt Furey (as well as some of my fellow mentees) again and getting some insight into how I should be branding myself in the future. (You'll see soon.)

Hanging with my OWN mentees. Here's our picture with Dan...sorry about the weird lighting. By the way, Dan and I walked down the hall together on a break...I was on my way to the ladies' room. Dan told me "weak bladders cost you money". Sadly it's true. But I can't help it. I may have to take Kate's advice and start wearing Depends adult diapers. She cracks me up. She said, "Boxers or briefs? Depends."

Visiting with my favorite gal pal, Ali Brown, and her Platinum coaching group. By the way, I'm speaking at her event this week. I'm one of just two speakers there. It's exciting because Ali (like me) always attracts a group of people who are ready to play bigger and get serious about business.

Joe Polish is one of the funniest and wittiest guys I know. I liked him from the moment I met him at a John Carlton event a few years back.

Try climbing up this guy! Jason Henderson www.bigmarketingonline.com is over 7 feet tall. (Yes, he has played basketball.)

Stacy is another copywriter on the same page as me (in fact, I met many female copywriters...I do believe we are going to take over the world soon).

Bill Glazer and Jeff Walker were chatting it up in the lobby. It was right before my flight was taking off but I couldn't resist getting a picture between them.

Have you seen the movie, "The Secret"? What?! You haven't?! Go to this site immediately and watch... www.thesecret.tv   It's a viral message that will change the way you look at things forever. I've watched it 7 times in the past 5 months. I'm sure there are many others who have watched it more. Anyway, the man who inspired it (and is also in it), David Schirmer was at the event with his lovely wife, Lorna. He actually won Info-Marketer of the Year (shocking...NOT). I really enjoyed talking with both of them about their future plans. They are truly changing lives.

Animal Kingdom in the House

OMIGOD! My kitty, Hallee, grew a pair and came face to face with her nemesis - my chow/border collie dog, Shadow. Let me give you a little background...

I got Hallee the day my ex-husband moved out. He hated cats and I'd always wanted one. She was a gorgeous black kitten. Hallee is short for Halloween (and one of my favorite actresses, Hallee Berry). My sons, Justin and Chase loved her. Chase hates it when I remind him he proclaimed himself "King of the Kitties" but I'm his mom and that's my job.

Our Springer Spaniel, Riley, didn't think too much of her. In fact, he wanted to attack her, but I exerted my alpha dog moves on him and he relented quickly. She started snuggling with Riley who looked up at me with that see-what-you've-reduced-me-to face.

Riley passed on in 2003. Still miss him. I cried for 4 months and told my hubby, John I "needed" a dog. So he went on a hunt for the perfect dog. And he found Shadow.

So we adopted him from a family in Lancaster who couldn't keep him. He's a bundle of energy and they ran a daycare from their home. Toddler's parents just didn't appreciate Shadow's enthusiastic behavior. (He's a very excitable pooch.) He didn't get his name because he's black as most people think, but because he clings to the side of his owner like a shadow. Must be the chow in him - I hear they are one-owner dogs.

Before we got him, he had never been in a car before or seen a squirrel. He's a chaser and when he met Hallee that's exactly what he wanted to do. He actually caught her by the neck and that's when we realized they would have to be separated.

This sounds awful but I kept her in my master bedroom for several years. At least she's safe I figured. And I'd pop in several times a day for a visit and brush her. She seemed happy enough...Then she wasn't.

I began an insane travel schedule to speak at events (and attend them as well). Whenever I was home, she'd meow at me like crazy in the mornings. My great friend, Ali Brown offered to give her a home with her other ancient cat, Francine. Hmm. The cats didn't get along and soon Hallee was soiling Ali's white eyelet bedspread. I came to take her back home.

She liked being back with me, but she didn't like being back in the bedroom. The frantic morning meows started again. Then she peed on my bed. Oooh that pissed me off. Pissed off John too (she did it on HIS side). So she got moved to the patio outside my office.

One of my friends is an animal communicator. You may actually know her but I can't tell you her name - it's just a gift she's had since she was a little girl and doesn't want it to be her profession. Anyhoo, she talked to Hallee who had some messages for me. (Uh oh).

One thing was that Hallee wanted to be around me more. That's what all the meowing was about. She peed on my bed because she couldn't get my attention any other way. (I have to admit, it DID work). Also she is afraid of Shadow cuz he hurt her neck one time. (Freaky my friend knew that.) And would I let her use her claws to defend against Shadow? I relayed back, "Absolutely." So Hallee felt much better. She likes the patio because she can see me and she can be outside (even though it's covered). Well, compromise reached! I thought we were all happy.

Then SHE decided recently she wanted more. She started hanging out by the glass door meowing for me and hissing at Shadow. Good grief, will it ever end with that cat? So I opened the glass but closed the screen door, which is torn around the edges. And suddenly, viola, she pokes her head thru. Shadow was 3 feet away but she sauntered on past. Luckily I was there and sat between them. So maybe we will have peace after all!

Get Ready World! Here I Come!

This is not a blog on marketing, although I am a marketer. This is not a blog on how to lead a perfect life, though I guess we all hold ourselves up to some ideal. This is not a blog on how you SHOULD live your life, though I hope you live it the way you truly desire.

This is a purely self-indulgent, blow-hard look at my life. I hereby grant myself complete permission to be what I want, say what I want and DO what I want...mood and point of view subject to change instantly.

If you don't want to play, go away.