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2019 Fastlane Summit - Announcement

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RayAndré

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AllenCrawley

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There have been some great discussion points on this thread and it is important to keep in mind that ultimately we all want the live events to happen for many reasons. Information, strategy, networking, reunion, etc.

One of the problems I've noticed in reading the thread:

Upfront Costs


It is way too much for food, room blocks, etc., and honestly a lot to take on in my opinion. I would be willing to help negotiate lower upfront costs with the hotel or find another vendor who would be more flexible in the bargaining.
Honestly, this does not address the issue.
 

MJ DeMarco

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But let's assume that a forum is a dying beast in the jungle of the free market.

Forums have not evolved, and combined with user shifts in internet consumption (swipe, scroll, tap, give me my dopamine hit) your statement has validity. I've known this for years and was hoping the new Xenforo (released last year) would address the shift -- they did not. Not even in the slightest.

I ask this with respect and for the purpose of constructive engagement - is the forum a business or a collective/non-profit?

This is a BUSINESS. My publishing company is a BUSINESS. My writing is a BUSINESS.

But the event has always been structured and priced as a CHARITY whereas the organizer wasn't looking to make a decent profit -- it was always priced to make a profit slightly above breakeven.

With the recent metrics around here, that business disposition is no longer feasible.

That said, because this is a business, you are under NO OBLIGATION to contribute here. You're under NO OBLIGATION to be a customer of my businesses. But likewise, I'm under NO OBLIGATION to continue to roll the dice on a charity whereas the net, long-term effect is viewed as negligible and with little financial incentive.

As @jon.M stated...

I don't blame MJ for prioritizing something that touches upon the lives of hundreds of thousands over an event that will, at most, benefit a couple hundred people. Especially if a majority of that group move their interactions off the community which granted them this opportunity.

Just an FYI, last year's event (the largest ever) was 118 people.

Upfront Costs

It is way too much for food, room blocks, etc., and honestly a lot to take on in my opinion. I would be willing to help negotiate lower upfront costs with the hotel or find another vendor who would be more flexible in the bargaining.

Because this is a reflection on my brand, I would insist on the same type of venue that costs a premium, like TSR. I would not authorize it if the event would retreat back to the Comfort Inn or an infill motel.

As I mentioned on my OP, for me to continue undertaking it, I would need to reduce/eliminate the risk (prices go up and/or food goes down) -- or as someone suggested on FB, I would simply have to LICENSE the event to someone else who is willing to assume the risk. This would eliminate the risk for me (while retaining control) and give me a risk-free benefit/profit irrespective of the outcome. This is like selling a translation license overseas to a foreign country whereas they take the risk/profits in lieu of a royalty. Then I could reasonably justify its continuance, even amidst current trends and/or if the forum benefit doesn't materialize.

So if that is the case, even with higher user registrations and more active users on the forum, how can this be rectified in order to create the deep communal engagement that is expected?

And....

How can that really be induced and continued long term?
INSIDERS calls? More AMA's, More progress threads? Giveaways?

In reality, I am not sure ultimately that is the answer.

How does one create more user involvement?

More users or better user experience?

If users are higher now than before, it would then seem that it might point to either a better user Forum experience or figuring out how to 'pull' more Notable threads out of the users...

Part of the problem continues to be forum software, like trying to run a race while towing a cart full of bricks. Lipsticking pigs usually isn't a good business strategy.

On the positive side, the forum is doing a good job in attracting new users and getting them to post introductions and contribute. Just the other day, I couldn't recognize one user who was on the FRONT 50, that's both good news (wow, new users!) and bad news (where is everyone I know? People who've been here for years?)
 

GlobalWealth

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As I mentioned on my OP, for me to continue undertaking it, I would need to reduce/eliminate the risk (prices go up and/or food goes down) -- or as someone suggested on FB, I would simply have to LICENSE the event to someone else who is willing to assume the risk. This would eliminate the risk for me (while retaining control) and give me a risk-free benefit/profit irrespective of the outcome.

This is what @Kung Fu Steve and I offered.
 
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salasben19

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@MJ DeMarco it's very impressive and commendable to see how you have responded to a wide variety of suggestions and other responses to this post!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

MJ DeMarco

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Suzanne Bazemore

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On the positive side, the forum is doing a good job in attracting new users and getting them to post introductions and contribute. Just the other day, I couldn't recognize one user who was on the FRONT 50, that's both good news (wow, new users!) and bad news (where is everyone I know? People who've been here for years?)

I used to be involved in a Disney group on FB, but I disengaged because I can't go to Disney (or won't spend my money that way) since I am not financially free and I have two kids in college. I felt like a fraud, I stopped getting on FB in general, and I prioritized my time to not include fantasizing about vacations I'm not going to take. I was part of that group for years. Maybe some of the people that you have known for years, but disappeared, have a similar incongruence in their lives. Maybe they gave up hope for becoming Unscripted , and so they stopped being involved, or maybe they are at the point in their pursuits where they are spending endless hours trying to make it work.
 
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YoungPadawan

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I have never been on reddit or any of the other sites that people are mentioning, but sounds like they might be on to something with people able to down-vote the sh*t that just takes up space.
I concur. Weed out the weak. lol
 

GlobalWealth

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Message me via contact form and Ill see if we can agree to deets.

Done.

And for the record, since I've been to every Summit for the past decade or so, can I get the Summit Attendee badge? ;)
 

YoungPadawan

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Getting back to the forum engagement problem. I think IMHO, that @MJ DeMarco is looking at the glass half empty.

I think the actual engagement for this forum in 2018 is almost a miracle. The world has already shifted to instant gratification platforms. Like Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups and Slack. YET the Fastlane Forum as tons of activity.

Let people who like superficial communication go to Facebook along with their memes. They get to nowhere. Forums are a special medium.

In the past, forums where more ubiquitous because of the lack of social media. But forums are still relevant, but just for the minority of people that value them.

Let us stay here. The ones that want deep and serious conversations. Maybe it's not about the numbers but about the quality of the forum, which I believe is top class. Compared to the rest of the internet anyway.

Maybe it's a natural purge. People that value the forum STAY at the forum.
I agree. I barely go on Facebook anymore, but I visit here almost every day, or every other day. There is a level of depth that I like, with people who actually get it.
 
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biophase

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(where is everyone I know? People who've been here for years?)

They've gotten older, life changes, priorities changed. But they are still living and doing stuff, just not on the forum. I think this is the main issue of the forum. It is not designed nor the place for people to talk about life kind of stuff like other social media is.

For example, let's suppose a user was 25 years old in 2008 was heavy into flipping real estate and posted alot, in turn becoming friends with many others here. 10 years later, that person has gotten married, had 2 kids, and family is now the priority.

I may still know what's going on in her life through FB or IG. Her FB feed is mainly about school, mom stuff and yes, there is still some REI here sprinkled in. But she isn't going to come post here about how her kids are doing and we don't know to see that either. This simply isn't the forum for that.

On the flip side, maybe there's no content here that interests her anymore. She's not interested in flipping and fixing anymore, she's passed that point in her life. She's just not looking to start a business anymore.
 

ZCP

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There's a Summit Attendee badge?
 

andrewsyc

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There's a Summit Attendee badge?

I'm assuming you mean like biophase's "Summit Attendee" badge/ribbon on his avatar box?

Count me in. I would mostly just be consuming but I'd be a paying for everything in regards to attendance. I would love to sit through all the talks and listen to everyone.

A goal of mine would be to get MJ's autograph :)

A friend is out there and Phoenix is one of the final destinations I've considered for settling down.
 
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Hong King Kong

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Forums have not evolved, and combined with user shifts in internet consumption (swipe, scroll, tap, give me my dopamine hit) your statement has validity. I've known this for years and was hoping the new Xenforo (released last year) would address the shift -- they did not. Not even in the slightest.

This is probably the source of the problem IMHO. Forums have not evolved. But on the other hand. FB, IG and YT has been evolving every day to become more and more addictive. Making everyone's attention span drop as a result. This is problem effecting everyone.

Lets compare forum and social media for example:

Consuming Content on Forums - Reading large paragraphs and often pages of it to find gold, requires a lot of will power to take action on it. But will be rewarded with a better life.

Creating Content on Forums - Write and articulate your thoughts into paragraphs that can effectively communicate the idea to the readers. Requires a lot of will power. Rewarded with likes and responses from faceless strangers.

Consuming Content on Social media - Watching short funny videos, which keep playing automatically one after another. Reading only short sentences in memes. It requires no will power, only scroll with the thumb. Rewarded immediately with a short high. It wastes time, and does nothing to improve life. Feels bad... starts consuming more social media to feel better short term. cycle continues.

Creating Content on Social Media - Holding onto the camera button to show what you're doing today. (IG & FB Stories). Or taking a picture and editing it to feel important. Doesn't require much will power. Rewarded with dopamine hits of "hearts", "likes" and "followers" from friends and strangers. The "likes" and "followers" are clearly displayed for all to see, People chase the "followers" and start creating more content... Cycle continues.
 

SteveO

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Hey mj. Thanks for bringing us all together. We have met some brilliant people doing incredible things. Now we don't need you anymore. Oh yeah... can we use the forum for our party?
 

SteveO

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btw. @GlobalWealth, @Kung Fu Steve , and @biophase are some of my favorite people in the world. I really want the meetup to happen.

What people are saying may be true. But, don't we have loyalty for the information that brought us together? Is this part of the new society that I am not part of?
 
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RayAndré

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There's a Summit Attendee badge?
Yes. 2018 attendees (me included) seem to have not been put in the list.

No big deal. Its not about the badges.
 

Kak

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I call BS on those of you who claim your decreased involvement is due to archaic software, bad mobile experience, etc. "Serve me in exactly how I wish or I'm not interested." This is not Facebook. This is not Reddit. This is an oasis and is worthy of protecting and engaging in.

Don't like the experience of using a forum built on software that refuses to catch up? Suck it up, buttercup. It's worth the hassle.

Good post. Agreed.

The interface is just fine. I wouldn't change a thing.

Also, Voting? What makes those of you that want a democracy think you have any say in how this forum is run? This forum is owned by MJ. It is HIS CALL.

People vote for their own special interest and ruin everything. I used to attend a local church that basically killed itself by letting idiot members vote.

I currently attend a church where the pastor runs the show. They are building a 13 million dollar facility...

I see a lot of parallels in that observation.
 
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Kak

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My apologies for not throwing my hat in the ring as a speaker before this blew up... Every year, towards the end of February, I have a charity obligation.

I didn't want to committ before I knew whether it would conflict or not.

Sorry to see the summit go, but understand the issues at hand.
 
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ZF Lee

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Good post. Agreed.

The interface is just fine. I wouldn't change a thing.

Also, Voting? What makes those of you that want a democracy think you have any say in how this forum is run? This forum is owned by MJ. It is HIS CALL.

People vote for their own special interest and ruin everything. I used to attend a local church that basically killed itself by letting idiot members vote.

I currently attend a church where the pastor runs the show. They are building a 13 million dollar facility...

I see a lot of parallels in that observation.
Oh no! Church...

Not to get into religion, but yes, my first church went through the same issue. Even had folks who didn't go to seminary talk on the pulpit, and the speeches trust followed were scratchy at best.

They tried to start up a youth group for the second time (lol), but a mix of money mismanagement and poor priorities (they did activities just for fun rather than a strict purpose) is sinking the venture. I am glad to get out

I guess any church (or forum) can only be as good as its people. Not to say I look down on people, but how many exactly educate themselves well enough to make unbiased decisions?

Currently I am looking at a great church,in Kuala Lumpur, where the leadership are renowned for expanding the organisation, even buying some good real estate for asset growth and camp events. And just by listening to some of the folks there, as well as their bulletin, the elder leaders have a good mentoring/succession approach to bring up new leaders.

And even the upcoming young leaders had at least a few years of mission work and Masters studies up their sleeves.

I look forward to pop by for one of their cell groups and find some good networking there.
 

LightHouse

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Just like to toss in there an interesting thought for you all.

Unlike any other forum in the world.... this one is full of fixers and action takers. Literally some of the smartest people I know are on this forum, and as a collective it doesn't get much better to have a group of people solving the issues laid out in these threads.

If anyone can figure all this out, it's the collective here.

If not....

We will just stage a coup and overthrow MJ The Overlord. Then probably trip over the Ethernet cord from the server in the closet, and the whole thing will stop. So let's try to stick with Option # 1.
 

ZCP

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Think he still has the phone set handle plugged into the cup receptacle?
 
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Gary

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We will just stage a coup and overthrow MJ The Overlord. Then probably trip over the Ethernet cord from the server in the closet, and the whole thing will stop. So let's try to stick with Option # 1.

:rofl:
A perfectly visual description, @LightHouse. :clap::
 

LightHouse

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Think he still has the phone set handle plugged into the cup receptacle?
Up until 4 months ago I still had a cassette tape with a cord attached, plugged neatly into my $900 state-of-the-art mobile phone in my old car.

Kids these days just don't understand the hardships....
 

ApeRunner

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. Literally some of the smartest people I know are on this forum, and as a collective it doesn't get much better to have a group of people solving the issues laid out in these threads.

If anyone can figure all this out, it's the collective here

Best post in the thread. Honestly those of us who care should address this challenge.

I know I can make some adjustments to the CSS styling to make it at least more legible on phones. For example I find the threads font size too small. I think it would be better to have it a little bigger.

Also I'm thinking on removing the badges on the mobile version. They do take a lot of screen real estate.

I could think of a lot of optimizations. @MJ DeMarco ?
 
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MJ DeMarco

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I know I can make some adjustments to the CSS styling to make it at least more legible on phones.

What style are you using on mobile to make this perception?
 

Bora.s

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What style are you using on mobile to make this perception?
Hello I am new on the forum and I find it a bit confusing to navigate. I assume that the forum looks different on everyone's mobile phone. For me there is a difference between looking on the forum through Chrome or Tapatalk. I prefer to use Tapatalk, it is easier to read. I attached a screenshot of my two different views on a Huawei mobile.Screenshot_20181011-073011.jpegScreenshot_20181011-072942.jpeg

Gesendet von meinem EVA-L09 mit Tapatalk
 

Envious

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This is a shame, but your reasons are completely valid and on the money.

All we can do now as a collective is contribute, take as much action as possible and make this community so good that a summit happening is inevitable.
 
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ApeRunner

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What style are you using on mobile to make this perception?

It appears that I'm only allowed to use the "Fastlane for smaller screens" style on my phone. I have two phones with quite big screens and the font seems small on both. I would love to have the font just a little bigger.

Here is a screenshot of my phone:

wp_ss_20181011_0001_cr.png
 

Scot

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. I prefer to use Tapatalk,

I’m not sure if MJ has any control over the layout and styling on Tapatalk. iirc Tapatalk just scrapes the forum and puts it into its own layout. I tried using Tapatalk once and got horribly confused.

The layout on mobile tends to be better organized.

I have two phones with quite big screens and the font seems small on both.

Time to upgrade to that new iPhone Xs Max!
 
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