As a follow-up, I thought it might be fun to explore this premise a little more closely. Is it possible to really do this? Do you think you might have what it takes to get paid for giving people your advice?
Aren’t I Doing This Already?
Why even entertain this book and the idea of being a messenger?
Well for starters, isn’t that what all of us bloggers are doing right now? Week after week, we post our helpful tips and plans for saving and making money in hopes that other people will become inspired or use it to their advantage. And if you’ve been at it for a while or have great traffic numbers, you may even make some decent income from your advertising and other side ventures. How many of us read “Problogger” and thought to ourselves that we could be making six-figures by simply setting up a blog?
Now granted I’m not going to the full extent of Burchard’s advice to put out $400 motivational DVD sets or hosting $10,000 per ticket life-coaching seminars. And I probably never will. But if I felt the message behind my blog was powerful enough, why couldn’t I? Why couldn’t I:
• Write and sell an eBook (or maybe a real book)?
• Get paid to deliver a speech about personal finances?
• Create some type of package that truly helps people sort out their troubles with money?
What Is So Special About You?
Burchard began his career by being passionate about his advocacy for second-chances in life following a horrific car-crash. Millions of people have been in car crashes, and not all of them are millionaires or bestselling authors.
What was different about his situation is that he found a way to package his story into something that people could relate to; car crash or not. How many of us have had terrible circumstances in our lives where we needed the encouragement to keep the optimism and look to better days?
As advocates of personal finance, what experiences have you had that others could relate to?
• Were you thousands of dollars in debt but somehow pulled through?
• Did you go through a terrible career slump only to come back on top?
• Were you in bankruptcy but found a way to get back on your feet?
• Did money tear apart your relationships or family?
• Did you (or will you) achieve financial freedom at a ridiculously early age?
These are all somewhat common challenges that most regular people can relate to. And as they say in marketing, “where there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity”.
That’s not to say that we should exploit the weaknesses of others. It just means that there may be value to what we know, and that perhaps a larger and boarder market exists if we are so inclined to help them solve their problems.
More Than One Way to Get Rich:
Don’t worry. I don’t think I’ll be quitting my day-time job anytime soon to go host high-dollar weekend seminars.
But as I’ve mentioned before: Financial advice should always be evaluated objectively. Before you simply laugh off a book such as this, think to yourself, “This guy is a millionaire. What is he doing that I’m not doing.” Or more importantly “What is he doing that I could be doing?”
Take what lessons you will from this or any book. If anything, I’ll use the lessons to help shape my blog into more of a “product” rather than just a bunch of loosely-categorized posts. And about that eBook, maybe someday ….
Readers: What do you think about making money from your message? Could it have potential or is the whole expert industry just a big load of garbage? Are our blogs already miniature versions of this? Are we just not thinking big enough and potentially leaving money on the table?
Related Posts:
1) Book Review: “The Millionaire Messenger” by Brendon Burchard
3) Book Review: “ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income” by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
That is a great question! When I was going through life coach training, I read A LOT of personal development blogs. I felt to market was SO saturated by messages of, “you are good enough, but here buy this product of mine because you aren’t REALLY good enough.” I felt like I was always being sold something, so I became very disenfranchised by the idea.
I do think there are valid and useful tools out there. How do you stand out from the crowd? I have no idea. Sometimes I think it’s a mix of passion+luck+timing+being in the right place at the right time.
This is good advice. I am building my credibility with my blog, then will release an ebook and probably some coaching. Hard work is usually what it takes to be an expert. I don’t know anything about video games, but if I worked hard enough for 6-months I bet I’d seem like an expert.
MMD
you have a great style to your blog. its enough information but not information overload.
let me ask you, do you think it is critical to pick a theme and be that your main selling point. what do you believe the unique theme of your blog?
1%
I do believe our blog is what we’re doing but there is no doubt that you could shoot higher. I already do speaking engagements and have created a package that helps people, however I haven’t become a millionaire yet. 🙂
I need to get on writing an ebook.
I’m not opposed to people making money from it. I’m actaully happy when they do. It’s a lot of freaking work. Our blogs are DEFINITELY mini versions of it, AND we’re leaving money on the table. Maybe not everyone can achieve it, but you never know till you try!
I think the key is to find your passion and then articulate it to others who can get inspired by your story. It has to be unique so that you can connect directly with others with your message.
I am seriously thinking to share my story of how I came to this country with $20 in my pocket and achieved my financial freedom despite all odds against me. I’ve dealt with many adversities, but each difficulty ended with a bigger opportunity.