America Just Isn't Asking The Right Questions

Normally when I choose to write something here it's mostly a light hearted or business related post... This time that's far from the case! I've always been of the belief that most problems can be solved or corrected by asking a few specific questions. The trick is asking the right questions to get the answers, and often times simple solutions that you are seeking. Take the current hot button issue of Mike Brown being killed by a police officer (Darren Wilson) for example. Regardless your stance on the issue you can't deny it was preventable especially when it comes to the fallout... For example here are the questions that truly need answers.
1. Why do patrolling officers need more than two bullets in their gun to drive around?
They are all trained with their weapons, and should know their effective shooting distances ... Thus they can subdue any legitimate threat within two bullets and if they can't they shouldn't even have a gun! (By the way an unarmed "suspect" that's over 8 feet away isn't a legitimate threat that would require immediate lethal force.) You don't see educated deer hunters firing arrows 70 yards through the trees or taking 700 yard shots with a rifle in the direction of the highway do you??? No which is why a trained marksman shouldn't ever have to fire 4-10 shots at one guy. If more than two bullets are required get backup first and load your gun second.
2. Why is the media reporting slanted?
Each network takes their own slant on how to report human interest stories and tragic events? The only thing they seemingly agree on is as a majority it's non-whites or extremist groups that care which is complete nonsense...
3. Why do Blacks even have spokespeople?
Seriously people why is this a thing??? Al Sharpton is not a sane voice of unity ever. No other race has a singular "voice" on any issue that gets invited for every crisis situation. Jesse Jackson got ran out of town 3 months ago for soliciting donations, but you keep letting Al in the forefront? STOP IT! Is there one person speaking for all of the immigrants? Is there anyone speaking for all white people or even one for both sides?
4. Why Hurt Themselves?
Throughout history when someone is hurt or killed by someone of another race people "unite" and take part in rioting, looting, and general destruction of their own community? Every business they destroy is taking food out of the mouth of an innocent person or child, every case that is torched is stopping someone from getting to work to pay their bills, and with every smoke cloud and act if violence the value of their very own property goes down! Yet the explanation people give is "violence didn't l doesn't solve anything."  What if someone humanized every situation to it's very core? Is there justice or honor to be found in destruction and directly starving children? Do you like the fact your hundred thousand dollar house is now worth sixty thousand dollars?
5. Why Are There Premature Press Conferences?
Any time something occurs there is a press conference within an to inform everyone of the details of situations... In most cases these days the initial press conference turns out being an overload of misinformation. Once you change details nobody trust anything except the definitively known facts (a white cop killed an unarmed black young man in this instance) which leads to unnecessary outrage. If people took the necessary time to gather facts and prepare unwavering details it would go a long ways to suppress undue restlessness. Why would anyone want to be the McDonald's of mass information? Anytime they try to rush through a hundred things they screw it up too...

Are You Really Negotiating???

Are You Negotiating?

Okay your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you I am really blogging about real estate! I have been busy with lots of different things including talking to some of you via email, phone, twitter, google hangouts,Facebook, et cetera (yeah that’s how you actually spell etc.) and on down the line! Yet I haven’t forgotten any of you or wholesaling real estate during any of all this, nor have I forgotten how to write at a level most people could never dream of!

In talking to so many of you it has once again been brought to my attention that for some reason there are investors out there that don’t realize that it’s pretty much mandatory to negotiate. I’m not saying that everyone should take my approach and negotiate everything business related, but you could learn a few things from some tips I use day-to-day. (Personally I negotiate prices on everything I use from pens and pencils to the paper for my printer.)

Tip # 1- Every seller you talk to is essentially after the most money they can get.

As a real estate investor when you go to “buy” a house the seller wants as much as they think they can get! Whether you are a wholesaler or whatever this is a fact. They want the most cash out of this asset that they are selling to you. It’s not rocket science! If they realize it’s run down they will say hey I’m “giving it at this price” sometimes that may be the case, but even still negotiate! It doesn’t matter if you only end up squeezing a mere thousand dollars off the asking price that’s where the difference in your bottom line comes from. If you do one house a month which isn’t big time by any means a grand more on your profit each deal is 120 thousand extra in your pocket over the next ten years!

Tip #2- Make sure you pay attention to others negotiations!

Here is something I have noticed throughout my dealings with buyers the one’s that don’t negotiate from your asking price any are usually the one’s who don’t end up buying! I don’t care if you have an in demand “perfectly priced” property and getting your asking price isn’t a problem they shouldn’t just accept your price as the gospel. If this keeps happening and you actually do close them like this regularly then your asking price is too low! It’s not greedy for me to say this the important part of entrepreneurship is having a grasp of the concept that you making money is just as important as anything else! The “freedom” of working for yourself doesn’t mean anything if you can’t afford to pay your bills.

Tip #3- The fear of speaking up will kill your business!

I know anyone who tries to do even part-time investing is actually trying to bring as many leads as they can in. The way I look at is don’t waste any of your marketing efforts! If a seller contacts you and their price is just outrageous try to do a quick negotiation anyways! You have them on the phone or are emailing them anyways why not just “Speak Up” and ask for something more favorable! Even if you hear no at least you heard something! This is actually a scientifically based thing here. For every rebuttal someone hears there will be a reaction and in more cases than you realize that reaction will be the seller caving in quickly to get some actual favorable terms out there!

Inspiration For Innovation Can Come From Anywhere

Over the years in several different aspects of business more than a few very wise people have referred to me as a marketing genius which I greatly appreciate. The often unrealized fact about most of my best innovative marketing ideas and systems is that they usually already existed in some form in another capacity!
There are ideas that can improve your business all around you if you pay attention! I am big on trying new things to differentiate myself from the pack! Especially on the real estate side of marketing. The inspiration for voice recorded direct mail was from Christmas cards!
I'm also big on tracking the performance of marketing. There is no reason for wasted motion,energy,or most importantly money! I know a bunch of people attempt to track results by having multiple phone numbers and websites for their varying ad pieces. This can get expensive or even confusing quickly! How did I get the idea to just put a numerical code with each one to simplify the process, and also allow me to try multiple ads at once? The system came from Pizza Hut coupons! It's saved me thousands of dollars yearly on phone services,web costs for unnecessary websites,& non producing direct mail. Plus saved many hours from being wasted on posting Craigslist ads that just don't convert!
Chances are your million dollar idea or lifestyle creating idea to reach your goals already exists you just have to recognize it!

It Is As Simple As Understanding Your Goals

"SETTING GOALS IS ONE OF THE FEW KEYS TO SUCCESS"

     That quote or statement is uttered often. Not because it is particularly catchy, but because it is believed to be absolutely true. Guess what... It is only partially true!
     In helping the people I mentor (let alone the beginners I coach & yes there is a difference) one of the commonalities between all of them is that after they tell me their goals I find out that they don't truly understand them. Keep in mind not just anyone is subject to taking my time so these are all fairly sharp ladies and gentlemen. Yet not even they have thought out what they mean when they say "I want to make a million dollars." The second I ask "what do you really mean by a million dollars?" we hit the blank stare faze... You have to clearly define and understand something like an income goal.
Do you want a million dollar business? "What is your salary out of this?"
Do you want to personally make a million dollars? "What about taxes?"
Do you want to want to make a million dollars after taxes? "What about your expenses?" Or Do you want to have a million dollars in cash? "This removes all doubt it is something clear and decisive"
So when you are setting goals make sure you know what you really want and do not end up disappointed when you achieve it!

5 Random Thoughts in Relation to Success

Over the years I've been involved in many successful business ventures and some pretty colossal failures. Now in the terms of failure I typically didn't lose any meaningful sum of money,but I was losing passion,drive,time,or even positive energy. There a 1,000s of tips and tricks to business and I could fill libraries full with lessons I've learned in the last 33 years,but honestly this is a blog post so I'll keep it shorter and 100% useful so with that said...Here are 5 random yet essential thoughts that can be applied to yourself or your business practices to increase your overall successful results.
1. Don't Work With People If You're Incompatible!
Now a lot of you know me through the real estate investing world and this actually applies triple there! Everyone just knows "you can accomplish more by working with others." It's true the fastest way to grow your one man show is to partner up with a seemingly like minded individual. Unfortunately the "mirroring" tactics taught in out of date sales and influencing others books can often times disguise the fact you're now partnering with an asshole! If you just wanted more time when you partnered up guess what? You just added another job item of babysitting your partner! You wanted more money? Too bad because now you doubled your workload just to split that extra cash. So choose wisely or devise a plan that maximizes your own efforts!
2.Proper Usage of a Telephone
When it comes to the telephone I see so many mistakes being made on a daily basis... For instance I don't care if you really love the new Eminem and Rihanna song and made it your ringtone stop listening to it playing 28 second sing along and answer the freaking phone! Also for the 63.9% of people who actually use the phone talk any way you want to on your own time and refer to yourself as Fatfu*k Tunechi or whatever... During business hours to people you want to make money for, with, or from talk like an educated person! Don't text wassup,sup,nahImean, or any of that crap & expect to get out of your day job ever!
3. Do Your Own Research
It doesn't matter what you're into or getting ready to take on do your own research! From stock trading to health insurance raw numbers don't lie. Before you spend, make, or even try to save a dollar somewhere do some comparative analysis of your own if you're an expert that's good enough. If you are unsure or even not highly educated on something do your own analysis and then ask a professional for their opinion! If you know the numbers you can at least ask intelligent questions...
4. Loss Protection
No one who tells you that in order to be truly successful you have to go bankrupt first is worth talking to! Don't get me wrong many great minds have spoken a similar sentiment,but we live in the information age. There is no reason for you to literally "risk it all" ever! No matter what your niche is someone has already made the mistakes for you find out what went wrong and either make it right or leave it alone! Anyone who puts every cent they can muster into an investment with no exit strategies in place to minimize your losses is a moron and deserving of their new found homeless status!
5. "The Money Is In The List"
That quote is absolutely one of the most overlooked and undercut statements ever. You can't just limit it to an email list or buyers list! Your to-do list should only contain 3 things 1. Tasks that make money 2. Something that brings happiness to you or loved ones 3. Necessity tasks. All the rest don't belong on it. Your lead list is obviously money only if you're using it! Contact lists are just as vital even if they just make you happy in life they are vital to your success in some way,but if they aren't get rid of them!

5 Ways To Be a Guru at Anything in No Time

If you want to be a guru these are the 5 ways or keys to achieving that goal.
5. Fake it til you make it! I mean why the hell would you actually want to be successful at a niche when you can just pretend you're an expert!? Just go on the internet and memorize the most common yet basic bits of information then voila slap together a little product and you are officially an expert!
4. Find something that has been around in your niche for a few decades that isn't the most talked about subject, and put a new fancier name on it! Why would you do that? Because this is getting to guru status not actually creating something on your own! Ain't nobody got time for that bullshit!
3. Take something free that already exists that everyone already has throw some silly ass name on it that's 2 separate words together for no damn reason in particular other than that's catchier and more people will buy your shit! Reason for this? If you're gonna be a "true guru" you've got to be okay with being a complete piece of shit! Anything to get the suckers money!
2. Spend more time inflating numbers than actually doing anything! You heard of something or read a blog post on it for the first time 2 years ago? Hell sounds like you've been in the game almost 5 years in guru years! You've actually done a couple of things in your business? Take what ever dollar amount you've made and report that number in pennies!
1. Always "do the impossible" and make it sound simpler than dissecting a frog for a guy with no thumbs! Definitely remember that being a guru takes no real work! All you need is the perception of "doing work"! 

Anyway on a serious note nobody should want to be a guru! There is no easy way to the top! If you want to get there work your ass off and don't waste your time trying to live up to the product pushers standards! Working your ass off doesn't mean being a pest to somebody you look up to either! Asking every detail of a transaction twice down to what flavor of bubblicious they had that day! Most people don't mind helping anybody ,but if they have a mentoring or coaching program they sell don't try to bullshit your way to freebie coaching! If you can't make any real effort besides bugging the hell out of somebody you don't deserve the success you seek! There is no easy way work hard and actually become an expert in your chosen field!

Super Bowl Thoughts

A blowout that turned into a great game...
Single greatest halftime show of all time...
The Galaxy Note 2 is just big and isn't a phone trend attempt worth a shit...
The Rock gained 40 lbs of muscle and no one says anything?
Pay half the bill get half the lights?
Go Daddy commercials can just go...
Joe Flacco is finally "elitish"...
Why the hell was Ray Lewis wearing no pants?
I wouldn't be opposed to HarghBowl 2 next year...
P.S. Kelly Rowland really could be the only person to stand next to Beyonce and not just be "background dressing"...