The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Time to pull the trigger. What should I Pick?

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
Have Mom read this thread. What are her thoughts?

'Do or do not, there is no try' - Yoda

You do not need a step by step yet. You need to start producing results.

Want me to continue on this journey with you? Do something today as if your very life depended on it.

Read some lines a while back, no idea where it came from to give the appropriate credit...... here it goes:
Take a trip to a local lake, pool, ocean. Walk out into the water as far as you can. Get to the point where the water is at your neck. Take another step. Now your mouth is covered. You can still breathe if there isn't a wave. Take another step. You have to want this more than you want to breathe. Take another step. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Take another step. You have to quit thinking and start doing. Take another step.

Get started.

I got it and you just put something that really works with me " A challenge " but unfortunately as you I have a to do list too for today that involves the grocery store so won't left much time to do anything else. But I won't lose sight of that and I will let know my feelings after it.
Since I've read TMF Im shifting my mindset from consumer to producer and its really funny to look at the world with this perception. Now when Im listening to music I just can't help myself but think on how the musician created that product and it has been this way about other stuff like books, movies, speeches, business...Im feeling that my entrepreneurial journey is about to start :D

And that quote is from an Eric Thomas speech.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
Huh? You realise that’s what’s called a “limiting belief”? (Google it and beware of your own speech patterns.)


Anyway, forget what you did previously for the moment.

Who will you help THIS week?

Forget getting paid for the moment. Just start helping people.


Business is simple: Add value. Get paid.

The reason it’s so hard is because people over-complicate it and get in their own way.


Listen to that 24 minute recording of a call I had with Tony here:

I know about the limiting beliefs but this is not one of them.
Turning yourself into a Instagram star isn't plan and simple, there are loads of things outside your control on play and its require an relevant investment in photos, videos, production, good clothing, locations, photoshoots and etc.

But you are right, I should forget the past and focus on how can I help people now.
I will stick to this question " How can I help other people ".

Thanks !
 

whiz

Silver Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
356%
Nov 29, 2017
202
719
32
New Jersey
Agree with the others here.

Don't make this out to be some massive mega event - just start helping people

You said before that you didn't see the point of a small action like "buy for $1, sell for $2"

But when you do it, it'll all make sense. Your brain makes the connection and then you build on top of that

It's like if I told you to bench press just the bar.. you'd be like "what's the point"

But if you were a complete beginner and you didn't start with the bar, chances are you're gonna have super shitty form

How could you ever bench 3 plates if you never benched 2?
How could you ever bench 2 if you haven't benched 1?
How could you bench 1 if you haven't benched the bar?

I really don't know how to find the right words - but anyone successful here will tell you that it just makes sense. Your brain somehow seeks out little fragments of shit, collects them and starts building things with them. You just have to give your brain some soil - a foundation of sorts


Below is a thread I posted with easy action you can do in not even 5 mins
An action that you could build off of - an action that opens up a ton of ideas about what is possible
An action that's scalable as well

If you don't know where to start, or you aren't doing any entrepreneurial action today, just do this

5-10 mins of your time to open up your brain:

How To Get Started RIGHT NOW (Step by Step)

Also check @Andy Black thread

Help one person at a time

Good luck dawg im 27 too - let's make something of ourselves so we can come out of our 20s on top
 

ZCP

Legendary Contributor
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
336%
Oct 22, 2010
3,952
13,267
Woodstock, GA
You spend 15 hours in the grocery store?? 5p today off work, 30 min to store, 15 hours in grocery store, 30 min back, back at work at 9a.

No wonder you can't get started. Always an excuse. Tomorrow = never

You are killing me. Feel like I am being trolled.

I'll set this starfish down and work on another one for a while....
https://starfishproject.com/the-parable/
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Andy Black

Help people. Get paid. Help more people.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
370%
May 20, 2014
18,563
68,689
Ireland
@raad182 ... you do this a lot:
We’re all trying to sell you on yourself.

You don’t realise all your objections and the problems you foresee are just the stepping stones on your journey.


I’m going to help someone, AND I’m going grocery shopping later.
 

ZCP

Legendary Contributor
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
336%
Oct 22, 2010
3,952
13,267
Woodstock, GA
Replace 'why can't I' with 'How can I' .....
Replace 'but' with 'And' ......

No two greater life changing gifts could you give to someone....
 

Andy Black

Help people. Get paid. Help more people.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
370%
May 20, 2014
18,563
68,689
Ireland

Rabby

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
319%
Aug 26, 2018
1,924
6,128
Florida
First lesson: fire walk in TMF forum :rofl: These guys are on your side, and I am too. They're being tough, probably because your language sounds like you're not really committed. I think you're good just for trying to figure out what to do, so keep it up.

By now its a crowded niche with loads of experts, coaches and trainers and Youtube changed something that even having 19k subs my uploads barely hit 300 views these days.

I've always thought about build a following and becoming a digital influencer but its not something you have some control over.

@Andy Black is right, this reads like limiting beliefs. I'm not saying "start a youtube channel to compete directly with thenx," but you can also think about things differently.

Let's look at the idea that there are loads of experts in the fitness niche. Actually this has been true for decades. Remember Jane Fonda's VHS tapes? Maybe not, but I promise it was a thing. Delivery methods and personalities change, but the need will persistent as long as calorie-dense foods and low-energy occupations dominate the 1st world.

Not only that! Needs evolve. If we all sit on forums long enough, we get rounded shoulders, internal arm rotation, and early-onset "dowager's hump." Wasn't as much of a problem in the Jane Fonda days as it is now. You thought "apron fat" or "muffin top" was a problem? Now people go to chiropractors when they should be doing rows. Or actually rowing boats. But maybe you could help them.

Secondly, examine the idea that being an influencer is not something you have control over. Did the influencers just win the lottery? If you believe that, you'll have a hard time defining the actions you need to become an influencer, if that is indeed your goal. It's the kind of statement that is only true if you let it be true. Does YouTube have some arbitrary powers that relate to discovery? Yes, but if that becomes a problem, you don't have to depend on youtube. If the herd is all solving the problem the same way, you can solve it a different way, right? That's opportunity.

If you investigate all the business opportunities you can easily think of, I'm guessing you'll discover these two things:
  1. A solution exists in some form
  2. There is already some competition
To that I would say, don't worry about it. Your job as an entrepreneur is to solve problems, but you don't have to be the first to solve them. The market will respond if you understand the actual need, beyond just the current solutions. It's not that people need some guy to be on a youtube channel. It's that they need to fix their posture so their neck and shoulder stop hurting; or they need to feel confident about taking their shirt off at the pool; or they need win a fitness contest.

Get down to those needs in just about any subject area, and you can make an offer that people will take, regardless of what anyone else is doing in the space. You'll make the market by correctly identifying a need, and communicating your offer to people with that need.

After that you'll need to figure out some business operations so that you don't stick yourself in an owned job, but I agree 100% with starting by getting some response, at least, from your market.
 

Jeff Noel

Go all in.
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
219%
Oct 26, 2018
699
1,534
Quebec, Canada
I've always thought about build a following and becoming a digital influencer but its not something you have some control over.

Okay let's analyze the "luckiest" Twitch influencer of all time: Ninja. He streamed (streamed - this does not include editing, partnership discussions, emails, tournaments, sponsorship with Red Bull, etc.) 3800 hours this year. This is 73 hours per week, or roughly 10 hours and 25 minutes per day, everyday, this year.

Here's an average comparison of his Twitch subscribers count over time:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnOfIw0tNqo&t=4m56s
(from 4m 56s until 5m39s).

Yet, he's just "ANOTHER" twitch streamer happening to be playing Fortnite. He's excellent at the game, but he's not the best (he's more of a pub stomper than a competitive player). What made him become famous so quickly ? His personnality, his own touch. His crazy reactions. That's just himself. He made himself stand out from the crowd because he's genuine. There's no lottery there. He's working like crazy, 70+ hours per week simply playing a video game, even when he's having a bad day. Why ? Because consistency is the key.

Sell $1 items 10 hours per day, and one day, whether it's in weeks, months or years, you'll have no trouble selling $100 items everyday. See the scaling ?

You don't have enough time ? Wake up earlier. Don't watch TV after dinner. Don't lose time on mobile games or social medias. If you don't have enough time it's because you just don't take the time.

Look at @ZCP post where he talks about his busy schedule. He took time off his schedule for this thread. Why ? To provide value to people that need it (thank you very much by the way, ZCP and others who contributed to this thread).

Although the progress is not there yet, This thead should become notable just because of the advice it contains, @Andy Black. Just my $0.02.
 

Timmy C

I Will Not Stop!
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
230%
Jun 12, 2018
2,921
6,727
Melbourne, Australia
I'm going into " Addicted to failure " mode and looking forward to turn my ideas into actions.

What I did
- 10years of bodybuilding
- Youtube channel (3M views + 19k subs)
- Porn blog (wasn't consistent with the content)
- Men's blog (not profitable)
- Sports betting (win some, lose some)
- Actually on a corporate 9-5 job

Things on my mind for the next year
- " How to make money " niche blog - Its not a thing here, weak competition. This one is my main idea for the next year as I have a business management degree and could sell some financial services on the side.

- Get back on the fitness/bodybuilding niche with a website, YT channel and build a brand around my name. High risk here as it is a crowded market.

- Small things like Fiverr gigs, Online Courses, Fashion Brand, Poker, Forex, Stocks...These are on my mind but I don't see the potential live the fastlane through them.

I'm really struggling to find a idea to focus on, I've tried to look around for a problem to solve or something that can be improved but I don't find anything that I can fit the CENTS.


I see a huge mindset issue to overcome here OP. Open your mind and consider, just consider you might be wrong and the people here with more experience than you, actually know what they are talking about.

I here alot of excuses and zero interest in taking actions that will get you to where you want to go.

Everyone has some mindset issues to overcome, the question is if you can put your ego aside and actually listen.

Everyone just wants to help.

A huge part of me thinks your trolling.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Timmy C

I Will Not Stop!
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
230%
Jun 12, 2018
2,921
6,727
Melbourne, Australia
Huh? You realise that’s what’s called a “limiting belief”? (Google it and beware of your own speech patterns.)


Anyway, forget what you did previously for the moment.

Who will you help THIS week?

Forget getting paid for the moment. Just start helping people.


Business is simple: Add value. Get paid.

The reason it’s so hard is because people over-complicate it and get in their own way.


Listen to that 24 minute recording of a call I had with Tony here:

I'm guilty of this... I got paid today by simply providing value I refused money he still left it.
 

RoadTrip

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
161%
Nov 27, 2012
288
464
I also don't understand why groceries will take such a huge chunk out of your time? I assume you don't have kids? Only then you will understand how much spare time you really have now, even if you work a 9-5. Get started now, you'll have way more time to spend on your business.

The reason @ZCP is getting frustrated is because he can read your mindset from your replies. There is no "trying". If someone would tell you he is trying something, what does that sound like to you? That he will push through no matter what? Or that he will quit with the first obstacle he encounters? Entrepreneurship is hard, and you need perseverance to succeed.
 

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
You spend 15 hours in the grocery store?? 5p today off work, 30 min to store, 15 hours in grocery store, 30 min back, back at work at 9a.

No wonder you can't get started. Always an excuse. Tomorrow = never

You are killing me. Feel like I am being trolled.

I'll set this starfish down and work on another one for a while....
https://starfishproject.com/the-parable/

Sorry ZCP, there is a misunderstanding here, this is what I did yesterday...

5:30pm - Off work
6pm - gym
8pm - grocery
9pm - cleaning the home (to host my mom)
10pm - bath, eating, some social media
10:30 - Practicing some forex on a demo account while listening to pro traders on youtube
00:30 - Sleep
06am - wake...

I'm in a hurry right now but I really appreciate your words.
Have faith in me


@raad182 ... you do this a lot:
We’re all trying to sell you on yourself.

You don’t realise all your objections and the problems you foresee are just the stepping stones on your journey.


I’m going to help someone, AND I’m going grocery shopping later.

I will start to help people, the next days I will spend time with mom, I will try to identify how I could make her life better... I guess this is a good starting point.

Replace 'why can't I' with 'How can I' .....
Replace 'but' with 'And' ......

No two greater life changing gifts could you give to someone....

Thanks!!!
Im changing my mindset step by step...To be sincere since I joined the forum it feels like Im in a entrepreneurship gym...Getting hit hard by the most experienced folks but learning really valuable lessons.

First lesson: fire walk in TMF forum :rofl: These guys are on your side, and I am too. They're being tough, probably because your language sounds like you're not really committed. I think you're good just for trying to figure out what to do, so keep it up.



@Andy Black is right, this reads like limiting beliefs. I'm not saying "start a youtube channel to compete directly with thenx," but you can also think about things differently.

Let's look at the idea that there are loads of experts in the fitness niche. Actually this has been true for decades. Remember Jane Fonda's VHS tapes? Maybe not, but I promise it was a thing. Delivery methods and personalities change, but the need will persistent as long as calorie-dense foods and low-energy occupations dominate the 1st world.

Not only that! Needs evolve. If we all sit on forums long enough, we get rounded shoulders, internal arm rotation, and early-onset "dowager's hump." Wasn't as much of a problem in the Jane Fonda days as it is now. You thought "apron fat" or "muffin top" was a problem? Now people go to chiropractors when they should be doing rows. Or actually rowing boats. But maybe you could help them.

Secondly, examine the idea that being an influencer is not something you have control over. Did the influencers just win the lottery? If you believe that, you'll have a hard time defining the actions you need to become an influencer, if that is indeed your goal. It's the kind of statement that is only true if you let it be true. Does YouTube have some arbitrary powers that relate to discovery? Yes, but if that becomes a problem, you don't have to depend on youtube. If the herd is all solving the problem the same way, you can solve it a different way, right? That's opportunity.

If you investigate all the business opportunities you can easily think of, I'm guessing you'll discover these two things:
  1. A solution exists in some form
  2. There is already some competition
To that I would say, don't worry about it. Your job as an entrepreneur is to solve problems, but you don't have to be the first to solve them. The market will respond if you understand the actual need, beyond just the current solutions. It's not that people need some guy to be on a youtube channel. It's that they need to fix their posture so their neck and shoulder stop hurting; or they need to feel confident about taking their shirt off at the pool; or they need win a fitness contest.

Get down to those needs in just about any subject area, and you can make an offer that people will take, regardless of what anyone else is doing in the space. You'll make the market by correctly identifying a need, and communicating your offer to people with that need.

After that you'll need to figure out some business operations so that you don't stick yourself in an owned job, but I agree 100% with starting by getting some response, at least, from your market.

Thanks!

I'm guilty here, when I was active with my Youtube Channel my main concern was " When these people will praise me as Im their leader " without thinking on what I could bring to the table. My mind was always me me me me and what I could gain from each situation but now (thanks to this forum) Im changing my mindset and focusing on how I can improve the life of others.

But on the otherside, I see a lot of Instagram stars who doesn't seem to provide any real value to other people maybe entertainment (?) and they are living the real fastlane... Earning thousands by uploading photos and videos. Take a look at this dude Lazar Angelov (@lazar_angelov_official) • Instagram photos and videos, he is the role model of what I was trying to do...What kind of value is this dude providing? Pay attention that he isn't giving free advice or anything of that, he barely writes anything.


Okay let's analyze the "luckiest" Twitch influencer of all time: Ninja. He streamed (streamed - this does not include editing, partnership discussions, emails, tournaments, sponsorship with Red Bull, etc.) 3800 hours this year. This is 73 hours per week, or roughly 10 hours and 25 minutes per day, everyday, this year.

Here's an average comparison of his Twitch subscribers count over time:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnOfIw0tNqo&t=4m56s
(from 4m 56s until 5m39s).

Yet, he's just "ANOTHER" twitch streamer happening to be playing Fortnite. He's excellent at the game, but he's not the best (he's more of a pub stomper than a competitive player). What made him become famous so quickly ? His personnality, his own touch. His crazy reactions. That's just himself. He made himself stand out from the crowd because he's genuine. There's no lottery there. He's working like crazy, 70+ hours per week simply playing a video game, even when he's having a bad day. Why ? Because consistency is the key.

Sell $1 items 10 hours per day, and one day, whether it's in weeks, months or years, you'll have no trouble selling $100 items everyday. See the scaling ?

You don't have enough time ? Wake up earlier. Don't watch TV after dinner. Don't lose time on mobile games or social medias. If you don't have enough time it's because you just don't take the time.

Look at @ZCP post where he talks about his busy schedule. He took time off his schedule for this thread. Why ? To provide value to people that need it (thank you very much by the way, ZCP and others who contributed to this thread).

Although the progress is not there yet, This thead should become notable just because of the advice it contains, @Andy Black. Just my $0.02.

Thanks!

Funny is that bodybuilding have been teaching me this lesson for the last 10 years... Without consistency there is no growth. I already do this with the gym life, I just need to reply this on entrepreneurship.

I see a huge mindset issue to overcome here OP. Open your mind and consider, just consider you might be wrong and the people here with more experience than you, actually know what they are talking about.

I here alot of excuses and zero interest in taking actions that will get you to where you want to go.

Everyone has some mindset issues to overcome, the question is if you can put your ego aside and actually listen.

Everyone just wants to help.

A huge part of me thinks your trolling.

Im not trolling and I know that I have a lot of mindset issues to fix.

It has been 5 days since I joined the forum and each reply sounds like a valuable lesson for me, a lesson that I can't get from my near environment. Im reading books like crazy, researching, burning my mind day and night... I wouldn't say that Im not taking action but yes...I can give, do and provide way more than I did previously.
Have some patience, Im just warming up...One day I will be here sharing my story of sucess.
I've been asking these kinda questions on Quora, reddit and many others forums but here sounds like everyone is really trying to help and I appreciate that.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
I also don't understand why groceries will take such a huge chunk out of your time? I assume you don't have kids? Only then you will understand how much spare time you really have now, even if you work a 9-5. Get started now, you'll have way more time to spend on your business.

The reason @ZCP is getting frustrated is because he can read your mindset from your replies. There is no "trying". If someone would tell you he is trying something, what does that sound like to you? That he will push through no matter what? Or that he will quit with the first obstacle he encounters? Entrepreneurship is hard, and you need perseverance to succeed.

I got him and im really greateful for his attention.
I don't have kids or family and yes I can manage my schedule better. The problem here isn't free time but what to do with it, what should I focus on, what idea should I pursue... These are my doubts, it feels like a race is about to start and I can't even pick a car to start.
Be sure that when I find a path/idea/enterprise to follow, I will face each challenge with courage and won't stop until it becomes real... But now, Im frying my brain to find this idea/solution/problem/enterprise to start.
 

Rabby

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
319%
Aug 26, 2018
1,924
6,128
Florida
Good... keep working on things, you'll do fine. Be honest with yourself, watch out for excuses and limiting beliefs.

But on the otherside, I see a lot of Instagram stars who doesn't seem to provide any real value to other people maybe entertainment (?) and they are living the real fastlane... Earning thousands by uploading photos and videos. Take a look at this dude Lazar Angelov (@lazar_angelov_official) • Instagram photos and videos, he is the role model of what I was trying to do...What kind of value is this dude providing? Pay attention that he isn't giving free advice or anything of that, he barely writes anything.

Notice that his instagram is just the top of a funnel. 5MM followers, of which maybe a few thousand per year will be motivated enough to click onto his website. He's making a soft offer: listen to me, and I'll tell you how to get results like these. On his website, for those who intuit the message, he offers videos, courses, virtual fitness training, maybe some other value ads like live or phone consultations. I didn't look at all he offers, but at a glance you can see he's drawing people into an "education and training" offer. That's where he provides the value. He's making offers, promises, and a few hundred or a few thousand people (maybe more! who knows?) will take him up on it to the point of getting out their credit card. If he's good at making a marketable offer, and pricing, and operations, and product design, then he's probably making a great income.

Is he living the "real fastlane?" That's hard to know. Photos don't tell you much, especially when people are hacking their image for celebrity. I know a model who was once "the top magazine model in the state" according to several publishers and photographers. She was shocked to hear this, as she didn't even get paid for most of the shoots... she thought she was just opening doors, but the image others had was that she had "made it." She was broke and way in the red on that career. Ridiculous. The million dollar view and the jet and the boardroom and the Ferrari in the photo mean nothing. Or more accurately, they only mean that those things are in a photograph.

Another thing to consider. If you have a "celebrity business," you are the business. That alone does not make for persistent assets, and I don't think it really meets the "fastlane" criteria in MJ's books. You need to add something like licensing and royalties, or employees, or some other persisting asset, to make it permanent when the photos stop.

I've met a lot of business people who can not leave their business. You might look at them and think they are "rich" because their income is high enough to finance an expensive car and a large house. However, they live in very expensive prisons. I remember talking with one guy about buying his business, which he wanted to sell so that he could do what he "really wanted." He was desperate to get out of a business with a 1%-er paycheck, but he couldn't do it without a cash offer that was more than the business was worth. At least, not without giving up part of his expensive prison. So don't assume. I don't know what the case is with the instagram guy, but you can't just assume people have "made it" and they're "free." It's fallacious. The nondescript guy wearing jeans and driving a pickup truck is equally likely to have "made it" financially.
 

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
Good... keep working on things, you'll do fine. Be honest with yourself, watch out for excuses and limiting beliefs.



Notice that his instagram is just the top of a funnel. 5MM followers, of which maybe a few thousand per year will be motivated enough to click onto his website. He's making a soft offer: listen to me, and I'll tell you how to get results like these. On his website, for those who intuit the message, he offers videos, courses, virtual fitness training, maybe some other value ads like live or phone consultations. I didn't look at all he offers, but at a glance you can see he's drawing people into an "education and training" offer. That's where he provides the value. He's making offers, promises, and a few hundred or a few thousand people (maybe more! who knows?) will take him up on it to the point of getting out their credit card. If he's good at making a marketable offer, and pricing, and operations, and product design, then he's probably making a great income.

Is he living the "real fastlane?" That's hard to know. Photos don't tell you much, especially when people are hacking their image for celebrity. I know a model who was once "the top magazine model in the state" according to several publishers and photographers. She was shocked to hear this, as she didn't even get paid for most of the shoots... she thought she was just opening doors, but the image others had was that she had "made it." She was broke and way in the red on that career. Ridiculous. The million dollar view and the jet and the boardroom and the Ferrari in the photo mean nothing. Or more accurately, they only mean that those things are in a photograph.

Another thing to consider. If you have a "celebrity business," you are the business. That alone does not make for persistent assets, and I don't think it really meets the "fastlane" criteria in MJ's books. You need to add something like licensing and royalties, or employees, or some other persisting asset, to make it permanent when the photos stop.

I've met a lot of business people who can not leave their business. You might look at them and think they are "rich" because their income is high enough to finance an expensive car and a large house. However, they live in very expensive prisons. I remember talking with one guy about buying his business, which he wanted to sell so that he could do what he "really wanted." He was desperate to get out of a business with a 1%-er paycheck, but he couldn't do it without a cash offer that was more than the business was worth. At least, not without giving up part of his expensive prison. So don't assume. I don't know what the case is with the instagram guy, but you can't just assume people have "made it" and they're "free." It's fallacious. The nondescript guy wearing jeans and driving a pickup truck is equally likely to have "made it" financially.

Bang! Another great lesson...Loving this forum.
You just broke down the dude strategy and yes, the photos doesn't tell the whole story but on the otherside, the dude managed to have 5.5M people following him that could turn into money with little effort.

My point is, I have a good body (not as him ofc but improving constantly), an Iphone, a Canon camera and no money to invest. Do you think that following his footsteps could be good a good try for me? I've just deleted all my instagram pics and barely post anything because I was just tired of wasting time without any goal but its something that I really enjoy to do (travelling, photos, gym, editing, outdoors).

Could I market myself into a instagram star? Then I would have a really powerful marketing tool that I could use to sell anything. Or do you think this is a daydream and I should focus on something less glamurous?

Thanks in advance!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Rabby

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
319%
Aug 26, 2018
1,924
6,128
Florida
I think you can probably do lots of things, but don't "follow in his footsteps." That will position you at the bottom of a staircase that he has already climbed. Or the bottom of the food chain in a jungle he planted. Or... put your own concept-illustrating imagery here ;)

There is no "the best" body or online class or consulting service or anything. There are more and less specific offers on the market, and better and worse targeted ones. There are solutions that solve Bob's and Mary's problems better, or there are ones that solve Tony and Francis's problems better. Understanding the people - engaging with them, talking to them, empathizing with them, and ultimately helping them, is what it's about.

And yes, the number of followers he has is an accomplishment, and is probably good for his business, like we both agreed. Not taking anything away from that. But you're not "locked out" if you can identify a need that's not being served as well as you can serve it. Don't copy. Find needs, find new problems, test new solutions. It works.
 

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
I think you can probably do lots of things, but don't "follow in his footsteps." That will position you at the bottom of a staircase that he has already climbed. Or the bottom of the food chain in a jungle he planted. Or... put your own concept-illustrating imagery here ;)

There is no "the best" body or online class or consulting service or anything. There are more and less specific offers on the market, and better and worse targeted ones. There are solutions that solve Bob's and Mary's problems better, or there are ones that solve Tony and Francis's problems better. Understanding the people - engaging with them, talking to them, empathizing with them, and ultimately helping them, is what it's about.

And yes, the number of followers he has is an accomplishment, and is probably good for his business, like we both agreed. Not taking anything away from that. But you're not "locked out" if you can identify a need that's not being served as well as you can serve it. Don't copy. Find needs, find new problems, test new solutions. It works.

Good point, I wouldn't beat him on his own game but providing some competition would be fun but life consuming (its a lifetime commitment to maintain that physique).

I will focus on the task of providing value and looking for problems for the next days and see if I can come up with anything.

May I ask you, what is your business?
 

Rabby

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
319%
Aug 26, 2018
1,924
6,128
Florida
May I ask you, what is your business?

Sure. The business that feeds my family is a school for adults who need certain education for their employment, to meet legal compliance and to understand their products. I own it passively (let's say 95%+ passive, since I sign tax returns and do some yearly updates). I don't require a day job or anything like that in addition to the school, and paid cash for the building we occupy last year. No debts in the company or at home.

I have two new products and a pilot product that grew out of the school operations. The new products have potential to serve lots of people, so I am getting them going this year. Those will spin off as separate entities (assuming they all live), but they also work together synergistically.
 

raad182

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
103%
Dec 29, 2018
119
122
Sure. The business that feeds my family is a school for adults who need certain education for their employment, to meet legal compliance and to understand their products. I own it passively (let's say 95%+ passive, since I sign tax returns and do some yearly updates). I don't require a day job or anything like that in addition to the school, and paid cash for the building we occupy last year. No debts in the company or at home.

I have two new products and a pilot product that grew out of the school operations. The new products have potential to serve lots of people, so I am getting them going this year. Those will spin off as separate entities (assuming they all live), but they also work together synergistically.

Sounds meaningful... I've thought briefly about starting something to teach emotional intelligence especially for kids.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Rabby

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
319%
Aug 26, 2018
1,924
6,128
Florida
Also a cool subject. Marshmallow test! Possibly something that could be pitched to parents or teachers, to teach them to teach the kids.
 

Suzanne Bazemore

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
220%
Sep 30, 2018
451
993
Spring, TX
I've always thought about build a following and becoming a digital influencer but its not something you have some control over.

Build a website, link your YouTube videos, post articles, and hand out business cards to people who ask you for help at the gym. Their questions can become the source of your next article, so you can tell them that you'll write about it and they can look for a more in-depth answer on your website.

I got it and you just put something that really works with me " A challenge " but unfortunately as you I have a to do list too for today that involves the grocery store so won't left much time to do anything else. But I won't lose sight of that and I will let know my feelings after it.
Since I've read TMF Im shifting my mindset from consumer to producer and its really funny to look at the world with this perception. Now when Im listening to music I just can't help myself but think on how the musician created that product and it has been this way about other stuff like books, movies, speeches, business...Im feeling that my entrepreneurial journey is about to start :D

And that quote is from an Eric Thomas speech.

Have some patience, Im just warming up...One day I will be here sharing my story of sucess.
I've been asking these kinda questions on Quora, reddit and many others forums but here sounds like everyone is really trying to help and I appreciate that.

Be careful. You are not at the grocery store anymore. Hours become days, days become weeks, and weeks become years. Soon, you will not be 27. In my writing group, we are hard on each other, but supportive, because we know that is the only way to succeed. I appreciate you sticking your neck out, because this group is great about calling BS, and I am learning a lot. (Thanks for your time, everyone. You are right, @ZCP , many people, including me, are learning from this thread). (@Andy Black , thanks for the thread links, I'll check them out.)

Also, @raad182 , if your mom is still in town, include her in your venture. She will probably enjoy that.
 

Suzanne Bazemore

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
220%
Sep 30, 2018
451
993
Spring, TX
Also, your title to this thread is catchy, but you are not a zero. You have saved a 6 month emergency fund. Don't cut yourself down. Believe in yourself.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top