Mike Capuzzi presenting at Dan Kennedy’s Business of Copywriting Academy

This intense two-day workshop was designed to help professional copywriters improve their business by learning the fundamental marketing and business strategies Dan is so famous for.  Dan literally pealed back the curtains to his own copywriting business and showed attendees the nuts, bolts (and even warts) of how he built a seven figure copywriting business.

Mike Capuzzi & Dan Kennedy

Even though I was a guest, I still took pages of notes and was reminded of so many important success strategies we all need to be aware of in our businesses.  The most fundamental being one I first read from Napoleon Hill in his September 1921 edition of his magazine, “Hill’s Golden Rule.”

The September 1921 issue of Napoleon Hill’s “Hill’s Golden Rule”

In the issue of his magazine, Napoleon Hill wrote an article entitled “The End of the Rainbow,” where he described a number of turning points in his life and how they affected his path to success.

One idea in particular was fundamental to all others and in Hill’s own words, he writes,

“Here I got hold of the idea that it would pay me to perform more service and better service than what I was actually paid to perform.  This idea has become a fixed principle with me, and it now modifies all of my actions wherein I render service.”

Take a moment and re-read Hill’s words.  While I am sure the idea is not new to you, Hill’s simple idea is profound and truly a key to success for everybody reading this article.   Imagine if every business owner would deliver MORE service and BETTER service than what he or she was actually paid for.

I wonder what this would look like? And more importantly how can you and I make sure we are following this fundamental principle?

After being reminded by both Dan Kennedy and Napoleon Hill, I spent this past weekend remapping some of my own business strategies to ensure I was delivering more than what my own clients and customers were expecting and paying for.

The big result was a “new member” campaign together for members of my soon-to-be-released CopyDoodles Access Club.  My goal is to create an extraordinary experience for all new members and to do as much as I possibly can to help them improve their own businesses.   The campaign consists of emails, direct mail and a very valuable, surprise bonuses that all new members will receive automatically – and without them having to ask.

In 2010, no entrepreneur or business owner can afford to have gaps in their business and marketing.  Now is a great time to consider tightening up your own business practices.

The tips I am sharing with you in these posts are the ones our group felt were the most relevant to their business (and your business!).  With that in mind, here are the next two strategies learned:

3) Foster an environment of idea sharing
Disney is very big on promoting the idea of sharing ideas from within its “cast member ranks.” (By the way, there are no Disney employees – they are all cast members, which fosters a stronger feeling of ownership.)

No matter what job function a cast member is performing if they have an idea that could improve the Disney Experience, they want to hear it.  They make this simple and accessible to all cast members and our hostess shared several examples of how the sharing of ideas has benefited the guest experience at Disney.

This concept of idea sharing is critical for entrepreneurial success, which is the reason why mastermind groups exist.  To give forward-thinking entrepreneurs a chance to share their ideas and get feedback from the group.

So here’s two ideas for you to consider:

-    How can you foster idea sharing within your business and amongst your employees.  How can you tap into their experience and wisdom to improve the overall experience?

-    Get plugged into a formal mastermind group or form your own!  The amazing success I’ve experienced over the past several years is directly attributed to my participation in several mastermind groups. If you are not familiar with the mastermind concept, read Napoleon Hill’s classic, Think and Grow Rich.

4) Create a “behind-the-scenes” experience for your customers
Another big ah-ha we went home with is to determine if you have an opportunity to share your own “behind-the-scenes” experience with a segment of your customer base.

Disney is able to create new revenue streams without having to change anything they are already doing.  By simply giving interested individuals a chance to see how they do things, Disney has created a business within itself.

One of our mastermind members already does this in her business.  She runs an extremely successful elder law practice and for a high-priced fee, she invites other elder law attorneys to visit her office and spend a few days learning how she runs her business.

Do you have such an opportunity in your business?  Can you share some of your own business magic, help others and get paid handsomely to do so?

It’s definitely a mental exercise you should consider.

For more information about my Elite Experience Mastermind Group, please email me at info@mikecapuzzi.com.

TAP INTO THE POWER OF A MASTER MIND GROUP!

In his classic book, “Think and Grow Rich,” Napoleon Hill tells us how Henry Ford overcame some big handicaps such as poverty, illiteracy, and ignorance and became one of the richest men in America. Hill notes Mr. Ford’s outstanding achievements began to take great strides after he started forming alliances with other great businessmen. “People take on the nature and the habits and the POWER OF THOUGHT of those with whom they associate in a spirit of sympathy and harmony,” says Hill.

If you ask the top leaders and CEOs what they attribute their success to, most would credit their master mind experience.  I am currently involved in three master mind groups, including a high-level national group and I can tell you from first-hand experience being a part of a master mind group has catapulted my business forward both in terms of income and business relationships.

What Is a Master Mind Group?

It can best be described as one part board of directors and one part peer-advisory group. A master mind group is a group of like-minded individuals who come together to contribute to each others’ success in a spirit of harmony and partnership.

The POWER of the master mind experience is it can lift your mind and vision to enable you to see things you otherwise could not, most likely because you are too close to your business.

For many entrepreneurs, it’s easy to feel isolated and difficult to find peers who understand your challenges and issues. Think of your master mind group as your own personal dream team!

Finally, let’s address the real reasons why many people hesitate to joining a master mind group – time and money. It might be hard to envision dedicating the necessary time and money to be a part of such a group, but I can tell you first hand everybody I know who’s in a master mind group has benefited enormously.  I personally have made hundreds of thousands of dollars I would have never made otherwise, had I not been a part of a master mind group.

Since this concept might be new to you, I thought it would make sense to describe the experience of the master mind groups I run.  The first thing you will notice is the group meets face-to-face. While virtual master mind groups exist, they cannot compare to a group that meets  in-person throughout the year.

Titles, egos, and income statements are all checked at the door. The group exists for only one reason - to advance and further the success and wealth of its members as a whole. It’s my responsibility, as the facilitator, to properly screen potential members and match them with the group.

It’s important to note not only has each member invested in being a part of the group, they have also invested time away from business and family. This is a critical factor for joining a master mind group and is usually what separates those who “get it” from those who don’t. Long-term members understand the value of their investment and don’t look at it as a short-term expense.

As the meeting progresses, all members get to share what is going on in their businesses and what’s working and not working. Each member has the opportunity to present an issue of concern or to bounce a new business idea off the group. You will hear about successes, failures, business challenges, personal issues and whatever else is going on in the members’ lives.

Prior to becoming a member, you must agree to a strict level of confidentiality, which ensures meetings are safe havens to openly share experiences and ask questions. Members also report on what they have accomplished and implemented since the previous meeting

These words barely begin to describe the enormous benefits of being a part of a master mind group.  If you are not in one, I encourage you to seek one out or start your own!