I wrote most of this on the plane last week coming back from Tampa. As I boarded the plane after just 3 hours sleep, I expected to doze off pretty quickly, and for most of the 2.5 hour flight.

But…

I bought a copy of Fast Company, one of my favorite magazines, and the articles in that issue got me so pumped up and had my mind racing full of ideas that I wanted to share them with you.

Basically, over the last 2 months I’ve been at Mastermind meeting after Mastermind meeting and I truly believe I’ve seen the Future of Internet Marketing.

And it’s all about LIFESTYLE.

I’ve been talking about the need for experts to put a new twist on things for over a year now, and I think that the more you can use humor, personal stories, and even descriptions of daily activities, the greater you will succeed.

Vince Del Monte’s readers want more than just fitness info, they want to live his life.

Carrie Wilkerson’s Twitter followers want more than just business advice, they want to know how she lives her life.

And you’re readers want more than just your expertise, they want to know how you live your life.

Essentially, people will pay for access to your life if you are interesting and you can help boost their self-esteem (by offering them better fitness, more dates, increased income, etc.).

Like it or not, that’s where we are in this world, and the website owners who “get that” are going to build a killer business.

If your website can provide “VIP Access” with a “Proven Guide to Success” for what your niche market wants, you’ll be set.

I’d also mix in “user generated” content into the site so that your clients get maximum interaction with you and your VIP group, and they’ll get involved in something that they’ll never want to give up.

So whatever market you’re in, get out there and become the online authority site in the industry that is exciting and addictive to be involved with, and you’ll be the leader of your industry.

That’s essentially my Entourage Marketing strategy covered in the Online Second Paycheck System.

Click here to get your Online Blueprint to success

Hope you are doing amazing! I’ve been down in Florida for a few days at the Fitness Info Summit. It was very cool to meet so many of you in person!

Wish you all could have made it.

On Friday, I gave it my all with a 2-hour presentation on finding a niche market, creating products, getting more done in less time, and on writing sales copy.

It was pretty intense. But a lot of fun.

As you know, I think being in a Mastermind group is the most important step in your path to success, so that’s why you hear about me going to so many of these meetings.

You get a chance to network with some real sharp people, and they’ll give you powerful feedback on what you need to do to improve your products and marketing. (Plus, they are always a ton of fun.)

I’ll be talking more about our mastermind later, but over the weekend I spent a lot of time thinking about some keys to success that almost no one talks about…and here they are:

1) Delayed gratification

People who want everything NOW always seem to struggle at building a successful business. After all, there’s pretty much no such thing as overnight success.

All of the big time successful guys and gals that I know, like Bedros Keuilian, Carrie Wilkerson, Mike Geary, Vince Del Monte, and Holly Rigsby, ALL put in their “time” and paid their dues to work hard to get where they are now.

So don’t “demand” miracles. Be patient and do your work everyday. Success will come.

2) People who make the most money are the most prolific – the ones who create the most products.

Last week I added product #123 to my Turbulence Training Clickbank account. Plus, I have 3 other fitness websites that sell product, as well internet business coaching and my Online Second Paycheck System.

This gives me almost 150 entry points into “my world”, where I can continue to build powerful relationships with my new clients and friends.

Contrast that to a business that revolves around just one product.

Unless you miraculously crack the ad words code, being a prolific product provider will CRUSH a single product business every time.

3) Successful people do a million things at once

Now don’t get me wrong, I want you to stay focused, but you need to be doing a million things to get people to know about your products, to promote your products, and to keep your clients happy.

Plus, you must always be thinking about the future and creating a long-term vision and moving towards it.

It may seem chaotic, but if you have systems in place, you can be involved in “millions of things” that will move you to your goal.

4) Saying, “May I interview you please”

Carrie Wilkerson taught me this one, and it’s a killer tip. One of the best ways to break into an “inner circle” is by offering help first, and that includes interviewing big name experts to promote them to your list first, before you go asking them for help.

This is a killer action tip you can put into practice today.

5) People are interested in people with passion – and the most successful people are extremely passionate about what they do.

As I taught on the weekend, when choosing your niche market, you need to focus on an area where you are passionate.

For example, I love helping and teaching people, and that’s why I’m writing this message on a Sunday afternoon while I have a couple hour break between social events. I love doing this.

And that’s how you need to feel about your business.

If you let your passion die, then you business will too.

Stay passionate!

PS – Passion + a mentor = success!

Never forget, the easiest way to succeed is to get help from someone who is already successful and has made mistakes so that you don’t have to make the same ones.

Get involved in a mastermind group or with a coach as soon as you can.

I was really bored on Saturday night when I wrote this…

…sitting in the Vegas airport waiting for the overnight flight back to Toronto…but it was worth it to have a full Sunday at home rather than spending all day in the Vegas airport and on a plane.

I had a good time in Vegas – low key, with the exception of a wild and crazy handstand pushup party on Friday night. But that’s a long story for another time.

And I had some pretty cool conversations with other business owners, so here are a few things that I learned in Vegas that will help you…

1) You are going to annoy someone.

Always.

Guaranteed.

So get over it.

What am I talking about?

A lot of folks are scared to email. They are worried it might annoy someone and then people will unsubscribe from their email list.

Well, if you’re worried that you’re going to annoy someone, I have good news for you. You’re right.

Even Mother Theresa annoyed people. So I guarantee that you will too.

You can’t please everyone. So just give great value, make it fun to be a part of your world, and make a call to action so that you can sell your products.

Some people won’t like it, don’t worry, because 100x’s more people WILL LOVE the message you send out. And those are the folks you need to focus on.

Bottom line:
Don’t be afraid to contact your readers when you have great information to share.

2) Quit being boring. Start being entertaining, personable, like-able, and “easy to relate to”.

People don’t want to do business with someone who is perfect because it makes them feel like they can’t succeed.

So if you’re perfectly polished and trying to teach people how to accomplish what you’ve done, it’s going to intimidate them and they won’t even try.

My friends Bedros Keuilian and Steve Hochman are two of the funnest, easy-going, “like-able-est” guys I know and that’s one of the main reasons they are so successful selling their Fit Body Bootcamp Licenses.

I recommend taking a page out of their books. Here’s a personal example…I received a lot of positive feedback when people saw that I drive an old 1997 Nissan Maxima.

Why?

Because they are sick of being promised fancy cars and instant riches. If you give the impression that you are a “slick rick” and perfectly polished, then you’re going to repel clients rather than attract them.

Keep it real. And have some fun.

3) Crush It

I bought copies of Gary Vaynerchuk’s new book, “Crush It” for about 10 friends of mine and I’ve never received as much positive feedback about a book as I have with this one.

Get your copy NOW. And crush it, in your own way.

4) Go deeper

Take your passion and your niche and specialize in it first. I want you to completely Crush It as the expert to your chosen market before you try and become the guru to another market.

Make it known that you are a market leader.

Not sure how to position yourself as the market leader – even if you have tons of experience?

It’s easy.

Just create a 2010 “predictions” report for your industry.

For example, if you’re an expert on time management for moms, then write a report on the 7 hottest new trends and technologies that are going to help moms save time in 2010.

That will immediately position you as the go to person for your niche. Everyone else will be a follower. And people LOVE to read about predictions so your report should get passed around to a lot of new readers.

5) Take ACTION and follow instructions from your coach and mentors.

A novel concept, huh?

But surprise-surprise, the folks in the Vegas Mastermind who made the most progress since the last meeting were the ones that used the advice they were given last time.

Massive action = massive progress.

This is why you need to be in a Mastermind – because you get proven advice from mentors, coaches, and colleagues who have been there and done that – and you get to learn from all their mistakes and experiences so that you succeed faster.

If you think you can sit at home in isolation by yourself and somehow continue to grow your business every month, you are sadly mistaken – and not making as many sales as you could be.

So get out there and get involved. Get a coach. Talk to others. Make alliances. Meet affiliates. Connect on joint ventures.

Take action today!

Another weekend, another mastermind meeting for me.

This time I’m off to Vegas, last week it was San Antonio.

And I wonder if I’ll see anyone famous this week? Last week it was Chuck “The Iceman” Lidell in the San Antonio aiport (at 5:30am!), the week before it was one of the guys from Metallica at my hotel pool in South Beach.

Surely in Vegas I’ll come across someone who is famous…at the very least I’ll be hanging out with Vince Del Monte. He’s “almost famous”.

Ha! No doubt it will be good times this week. A mastermind group always is.

Some of the biggest benefits to a Mastermind group (which you can set up even in your hometown with other ambitious business owners) are…

1) They hold you accountable.

If you say you are going to do something, you sure as heck better come to the next meeting with it done. Otherwise your fellow group members are going to be disappointed. If you need some inspiration to get things done and follow through, a good mastermind group is the solution to your problem.

2) A mastermind group breeds healthy competition.

If you have any ego at all – and every successful business owner that I know wants to be the best – then you’ll get fired up when you hear about the grand plans of other members.

Of course, this is healthy competition. First of all, you’ll get fired up to help your fellow members, but their success will also motivate you to step up your game.

If you are feeling complacent, there’s nothing more powerful for getting you out of a rut than hanging around guys and gals who are kicking butt while you drag your butt.

3) A mastermind group will help you take your biz to next level.

If you isolate yourself from other business owners, I guarantee that you won’t be thinking BIG enough. You’ll be holding yourself back by staying in your comfort zone. That’s fine if you are happy with “getting by”, but if you really want to excel, you need to be around the best of the best – and that’s what a mastermind group provides.

Again, you can set one up in your hometown or even online with like-minded business owners. It doesn’t have to be the same industry.

In fact, sometimes it’s better to have outside viewpoints from folks in completely different businesses. And the great thing is that you can get powerful new ideas by transferring what’s working in other industries over to your business.

So those are the 3 main reasons I’m going to Vegas this weekend.

When I’m there, I’ll be getting some help from my group on how to get more continuity in my business and on creating 2 new products for my Turbulence Training biz.

Plus, I’ll be sharing killer tips on…

1) How to pick the right price for your product
2) The best upsell strategies
3) How to do more promos in your business
4) The truth about SEO (and the most important factor for traffic)
5) My 7 step launch sequence

(I shared a few of those last night on the Website Webinar for Online Second Paycheck clients.)

I’m stoked about Vegas this weekend, even though I don’t even care if I go to any restaurants or clubs. (In fact, I’m flying in Thursday night and flying out on Saturday night on the red-eye.)

It’s all about the Mastermind,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS

Just spent a great weekend in beautiful San Antonio, Texas with my friend Carrie “The Barefoot Executive” Wilkerson at her online internet marketing success seminar and it was powerful stuff.

In addition to Carrie, she had well-known and highly respected Internet Marketer David Frey as one of the speakers, and his presentation gave me pages of ideas that I can’t wait to implement.

Carrie also let me speak for an hour on the Basics of Building a Better Website Business on Saturday afternoon.

I ended up finishing my session early and opened it up for Q’n'A to the crowd.

One woman asked me about what she should do if she didn’t have any bonuses to add to her incredible offer.

Instinctively I replied, “I would just get them done.” (What I should have said was, “I would have already had them done.”)

The crowd laughed and I apologized to make sure I didn’t offend her, but my point was that she needed to stop thinking so much and get to work on finishing her project.

Overall, one of the biggest mistakes beginners make is that they procrastinate. Sometimes folks like to lay the blame on “ADD” but I call “baloney” on that.

I’ve even used “ADD” as an excuse before, but to be honest, it was only a lame justification for being lazy and undisciplined.

“Work” isn’t always fun, even if you are working in your area of your life’s greatest passion.

There will be days when you need to give up the ADD excuse, force yourself to keep your butt on your chair and TAKE ACTION with ruthless implementation.

So that’s tip #1.

Here are 4 more tips – some that you might not want to hear – that will help you succeed online.

#2 – Have 100% clarity in business model (know what you will NOT do)

David Frey gave this great tip during his excellent presentation, and it sums up another beginner mistake.

Too many folks don’t know what they want their business to look like, and as a result they get pulled in many directions (often chasing the latest “bright shiny object” that promises them instant riches).

But if you have a clear, long-term vision for your business, it will help you say NO to the wrong projects and keep you focused on the right projects. Powerful, but simple stuff.

#3 – The more products you create the more money you will make.

Another one of my friends said the same thing at a Mastermind meeting last month, and I agree. That’s just one of the reasons I continue to create a new Turbulence Training program each month, plus at least one major new program each year.

Product creation is simple. From audio to video to leveraging your past work, you can put together a huge catalog of resources to help your clients.

And in most cases, you still won’t be able to create enough products to satisfy your top clients.

#4 – Get your first assistant ASAP!

David Frey said getting an assistant was one of the biggest breakthroughs in his business. Again, simple, but powerful.

Like me, David isn’t too quick to part with his money, but like David, I found business only goes up when you delegate the lower skill tasks to others so that you have more time to focus on your strengths – and that’s the only way to grow your business.

#5 – Go to seminars.

David said one of his other biggest regrets was not attending more seminars when he was just starting out.

Both David and I are not naturals at “in-person networking” but we both now realize the immense value of attending seminars, not only for the content, but probably MORE for the contacts you’ll make.

See you at a seminar soon,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS

PS – One other thing David wished he did earlier…

…was join a Mastermind group.

I’ll be back later this week with at least 5, if not 10 of the amazing reasons you should be in a Mastermind group.

Again, powerful, yet simple stuff that helps you succeed.

Finally…the “Website Webinar” replay is ready.

Click here to watch the Website Webinar Replay

(pretty cool technology, huh?)

It was a darn fun time, and I hope it helped you.

In the future I’ll do more, and as I get used to the technology we’ll do some live QnA. I was new to the whole thing so a little nervous and then I had to rush right off to another teleseminar. I won’t book them back to back again. Sorry!

I also want to share with you a few of the success stories of the Online Second Paycheck (OSP) System…

“3 years ago I created my first e book with the intention of supplementing my personal training income by a few hundred bucks a month.  When I finally completed it and brought it to the market… it stunk! I couldn’t sell a single book!

Then I discovered Craig’s OSP system that showed me how to restructure my offer, bring visitors to my site and make sales! Since then I have been selling 2 to 3 copies of my original book plus a few others that I’ve recently created.  The extra $1000 bucks or more per month has added to my bottom line and has allowed me and my wife to take our first vacation in over 3 years. Thanks Craig!”
Elliott Hulse, St. Petersburg

“Hey Craig, I can’t thank you enough for all of your help and all of the incredible information in the OSP System. Last November I launched the first version of my site which proved NO results. I barely made any sales and was getting no traffic. I came across your OSP in April and less than 3 months later, I totally revamped my whole site, based on the OSP System and in the first hour of my site launch, I made several hundred dollars.  Thanks Craig.”
Isabel De Los Rios
www.thedietsolutionprogram.com

“The Online Second Paycheck e-book is excellent. It takes you step by step and gives you all the ins and outs that you need to know without having to learn it the hard time consuming way on your own with trial and error. A lot of info. Big value.”
Deb Froehlich, Coach Deb Fitness, Texas

“Craig – got your OSP system and it kicks butt. No surprise there But seriously, the step by system you deliver here cleared things up for me BIG time as to how to tighten up my niche and get people to be very attracted and connected to what I am doing, who I am as well as them being highly qualified prospects. This should be part of anyone’s marketing ammunition if they want to be a success online as well as off line! I’m gonna use this stuff for my gym AND my internet biz. Once again, thanks for being a great coach, a great friend and putting out awesome information.”
Zach Even-Esh, New Jersey

“Wow! Talk about a turnkey system to make more money online! Using Craig’s OSP System, we have managed to make over $3,000 in the first month of launching our first of many products to come! Modeling Craig’s sales copy outline has proven to be BRUTALLY EFFECTIVE as our newsletter opt-in rate has been 35% and our sales conversion rate has been 6.6%! Plus, we have had an 85% upsell conversion rate by using the limited-time bonuses and call-to-action method that has been so successful for Craig.

Basically, anything that Craig says when it comes to online fitness info products will make you some serious loot. Now we just have to get more people to our site and build our list, and with Craig’s FREE newsletter we constantly get new great cutting edge ideas that have been helping us do just that. I simply cannot recommend Craig’s OSP system highly enough. It’s a complete done-for-you tried and proven blueprint to generating massive passive income so you can make more and train less! Thanks for sharing your online secrets Craig.”
BJ Gaddour

The Online Second Paycheck System has helped busy dad Sean Barker to supplement his regular income.

And the Online Second Paycheck System also helps you with Time Management and Mindset, not just creating your product or setting up your site.

Nutrition experts John Barban and Pat McGuire have used the Online Second Paycheck System to build the Online part of their nutrition consulting business.

“I just finished going through the Craig’s ‘OSP System’ and I have to say that I am blown away.  I have been studying marketing and online business for years now and never have I come across a system as pure and concise as yours for getting an instantly-profitable automatic money machine up and running in the shortest possible time.  If you’re new to marketing online then stop wasting time getting nowhere and follow Craig’s proven system for creating profitable websites.  I can vouch for the ‘Online Success Blueprint’ that Craig has created.  I even personally know some of Craig’s students that have learned from Craig, applied his methods, and have reaped the rewards – I can tell you by watching them start from scratch and grow six figure online businesses that Craig’s teachings have changed their lives.  I encourage you to make the decision NOW to follow a Mentor that can help you achieve your dreams of financial freedom and a lifestyle with more free time.  
Kyle Battis

“Craig’s OSP system made me look at marketing and branding in a whole new light. I’ve never been much of a marketing guy, but Craig’s approach made total sense to me. It was easy to implement and had a profound effect on how I market myself and my business.”
Brad Pilon, EatStopEat.com

“Hi Craig! I’m writing first of all to say thanks for the hard work you put into the OSP System. I am impressed with how much quality information you were able to pack into one product.  I wanted you to know that I’ve started using some of the techniques you mentioned in the OSP including starting a blog and using YouTube videos to increase traffic to my boot camp site.”
Concita Thomas

“Hi Craig, I was always full of ideas of how to create my perfect fitness business but I would always lose focus and try to
bring all these ideas to fruition. Unfortunately all of these projects never got finished. Having gone through the OSP course you have taught me to forget the scatter gun approach – it never works and you end up missing the target.

I have now learnt to aim like a sniper and concentrate on getting one thing done at a time. Since completing the course you have helped me really focus my mind and with the tools you recommended I am now making mammoth strides with my business both online and off. I now have two ebooks completed and both are set to go live online. I have 4 separate bootcamps running and have taken on a virtual assistant to look after the day-to-day admin which means that I can get on with the income-generating jobs. How did I achieve this?

I have a note pinned to my computer screen that reminds me that Craig has a gun to my head and will pull the trigger if I don’t get off my backside and get the project completed! I now have proper systems in place and am no longer a slave to my email. I only check my email once a day now. You were right this frees up so much more time with me. Plus I now sit down every night and plan my day ahead by block booking my time. This again has been a real time saver and means that I get all those important jobs out of the way before I tackle the less important ones. This year has been a transition year for me. You have provided me with the road map to success and I now know where I am heading!”
Andy Wallis, Isle of Man

“Whether you’re actively trying to be a full time internet marketer or salesperson, or you’re just trying to make one or two additional paychecks per month online, Craig’s OSP newsletter is an excellent tool . Even if you never plan on logging on to the web ever – the tips on productivity and energy management are worth the investment”
Alwyn Cosgrove

“Thanks Craig for your fitness online marketing expertise. I love being able to now help my international clientele achieve their fitness goals. The internet allows me to break down the barriers of time, distance and space with my digital lifestyle products.”
Jennifer Nicole Lee
Fitness Expert, Author and Lifestyle Consultant
www.jennifernicolelee.com

“Hey Craig, I received your OSP System about 3 days ago…and I’m already reaping the benefits. I’ve been fighting a stomach flu but still wanted to get things rolling. I sent an email to my small list (131 people) and implemented your techniques in “being more personal” etc.  And it worked! I checked ClickBank, and I had 4 sales of Mike’s Ab Book.  I know, it wasn’t your TT this time, but maybe next.  With just that email I’ve paid for almost half of your course.  Not bad. I’m keeping a video diary or my progress which I’ll share with you some time. Just wanted to say thanks.”
Stephen Cooper
http://stephencoopertraining.com

Hi Craig, I just want to give you a quick note to say that your OSP System freakin’ kicks butt. Easter has just finished and I watched them over 2 days. I have to tell you that my brain was over leaded with information! I have just started to re-think my currently schedule just to fit in time for product creation. You have made me think long and hard about how much my time is worth. I have confidence that this year will be entirely different, one with more freedom with time and a better lifestyle where I can start to enjoy the money I am making. I will be shooting some of my ideas across for you to look over, if you don’t mind and if you have the time =) Greatly appreciate all you are doing for people both as clients and fitness pros. Thanks again.”
Ben Barroga

“After attending the OSP seminar in person I was already sold on the value of the product. BUT the Audios are something else. I get to have everything reinforced in my mind whenever I choose instead of wasting my time channel surfing between songs I’ve heard 100 times. I now have a concrete plan of attack for my upcoming launch thanks to OSP, especially for the backend. I can’t believe how much I missed first time around at the actual seminar! Even if you are not planning to make a go of the internet, Craig’s ad copy secrets alone will put the extra bums on seats that your off line business needs and ensure your programs are full and popular year round. Craig, thankyou for over delivering once again. I look forward to being your next OSP Success story. Watch this space!”
Daniel Munday BHSc, CFT
DPM PERFORMANCE
Determination, Perspiration, Motivation = Performance

“Thanks to Craig’s help and incredible knowledge of internet marketing I was able to nearly triple the numbers from my previous three day promo sale when I ran one recently. In 72 hours I brought in over $60,000.00! Without Craig’s guidance I would still be dealing with incredible amounts of frustration and toiling in mediocrity when it comes to online sales. Now I just sit back and smile and I have Craig to thank for that.”
Jay Ferruggia

************************************************************

Looking forward to helping YOU too!

Blog winners will be announced tomorrow,

Craig Ballantyne
Creator, OnlineSecondPaycheck.com

Amazon made a boatload of money off me this summer…but in return
I got to read some classics.

In Europe I got through “Clockwork Orange” and “The Grapes of
Wrath”, while back here in Toronto I read “The Catcher in the Rye”,
and I’m now working on a great business book, “The Richest Man in
Town” (RMIT).

In RMIT, the author interviews the richest person in 50 of America’s
largest cities, and they give a no-fluff account of the traits that
allowed them to get incredibly wealthy.

They include…

1) Owning their own business (”stop working for the man as soon as
you can”, they all said)

2) Working a lot (at least 60 hours per week) and sleeping little

3) Focusing on VALUE creation, not making money

4) Focusing on their unique talents and abilities and delegating
everything else

5) Partnering only with those who bring something critical to the
table

6) Getting addicted to ambition

7) Persistence. Never giving up. In fact, most of them believe that
persistence is the ONLY reason they have gotten farther ahead in
life than other people.

Not talent.

Not luck.

But simple persistence.

And I believe it.

Because when I talk to the guys making the most money online, like
Vince DelMonte, Bedros Keuilian, Chris McCombs, and Mike Geary, they
all have stories of persistence.

Of working hard for a long time without reward before finally making
things click.

These aren’t overnight success stories. They are years in the making.

And one of the areas where more website owners need persistence is
in the art of writing ad copy.

Too many folks think they can throw something up online after a few
hours work and that it will bring them in the big bucks.

That’s wishful thinking.

You need to study it and be persistent.

So I’ve got something for ya.

I recommend that you spend a couple of hours reviewing this free
ad copy teleseminar that I did last year.

Listen to the teleseminar here!

You get the handouts and everything on that page.

You must learn to write copy that separates your program from the
hundreds of other options a person can find online, in bookstores,
and through late night infomercials.

And you can’t do that in a couple of hours.

So start your learning process by going back through that seminar.

Other sites with great ad copy to review include:

1) Joel Marion’s www.cheatyourwaythin.com

and

2) Vince DelMonte’s www.vincedelmontefitness.com

Read their stories.

Then look back at your life and write your copy about the turning
point in your life that will allow you to connect with your readers.

Without that connection, your website is going to struggle.

I wish it weren’t the case, but that is the harsh reality.

Be persistent,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training

PS – For those of you with persistence, I’ll see you at the Fitness
Info Summit.

Grab your spot here!

One lucky person will get a hotseat and have their entire fitness
info product created for them at the seminar. Should be interesting.