Today I’ve released a new video course called “5 Minute Articles.”
It’s all about writing unique, quality articles in about five minutes in ANY niche. The great part is that this system works even if you don’t know anything at all about the niche!
Article marketing is a staple in my online marketing efforts, and the fact is the faster I pump out articles the faster I see increased traffic, sales, and subscribers. It’s also a great FREE form of advertising so if you have any interest in writing articles (faster) then pick up a copy of 5 minute articles.
Here’s the link: Five Minute Articles
I also want to say something briefly on another topic.
You may or may not have seen Robert Plank’s post about me. If you haven’t you can read it here: Robert’s Rant
Robert’s been a good friend of mine for a long time. He even came to visit me in New York where he stayed at my apartment, met my friends, went to a couple parties, and we even attended a Beastie Boys concert! Long story short we had a great time. In addition we’ve been doing business together and keeping each other motivated for years. It’s great to have somebody you can trust and bounce ideas off of.
With that said, I’m still angry about that post. Not for the content (which is great) but for the tone and the way he did it. Therefore I wasn’t surprised when people wrote comments like “Pick your friends and business associates carefully!” I feel that Robert could’ve imparted the lesson in a different way where everyone, including myself, would still have benefited and no personal laundry would be aired over the Internet.
I asked him to take down the post, and he has ignored my request. To his credit he did delete some personal information that I told him in confidence because he was my friend, not because I wanted it shared publicly. My main problem is…sometimes you just don’t want everyone to know your personal business, you know?
All we have is our reputation, and even if some people still don’t know who I am, I don’t want their first contact with me, my products, or personality to be Robert’s post.
OK my rant is over. Am I overreacting? I’d like to know what you think so leave a comment here and let me know.
Don’t forget to head over to Five Minute Articles.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I didn’t need to see Robert’s post to now something was up; I signed up for your list and then never heard from you until this week, when suddenly, I received three messages from you and noted the gap of eight months in your blog posts. It was apparent that something wasn’t happening here. You’d do well to heed Robert’s advice and to pay close attention to the comment from Dr. Jeanette Cates (assuming you want to succeed at IM, that is). If what Robert says is true, that you’re starting great things and then not finishing them, then it’s really tragic.
For what it is or isn’t worth, a lot of us are in the exact same boat with you, and Dr. Cates’s message is both enlightening and painful to read, but is worth studying, as our answers are in there somewhere, if we’re brave enough to be honest with ourselves.
Good luck to you! (And shame on Robert for taking his criticisms public. Friends don’t do these things publicly, though maybe he felt it’d be more effective doing it this way after trying and failing to do it privately.)
March 6th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hey Steven. I’m glad you got something launched. You should know that I wasn’t “trying” to do make anything happen. I didn’t make that post thinking it would make you launch a product.
I was really frustrated… wouldn’t you be if you called someone every day and they had nothing new to put out, just promises?
I know that it was wrong to say that, but I had to vent… just like you. I want us both to have some new products going into that warrior seminar in April. I don’t want to have an office in NYC with employees or anything but it would be cool if we could host our own seminars eventually.
p.s. That guy who commented “Pick your friends and business associates carefully” was kind of a dick to say that.
March 6th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Steven,
I think you are very lucky to have a friend like Robert. A true friend is willing to be open and honest with you. He told you you the truth and not what you wanted to hear.
Clearly he hit a nerve and made you think and, in my opinion, that’s a good thing.
Don’t surround yourself with “Yes Men” - you’ll never get any valuable feedback.
Pick friends and business associates who aren’t afraid to question and challenge you.
John
March 6th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Since I came here because I have bought from Robert and he recommended you, I would think he was a friend, and maybe one who actually cared?? Or could it be that it is all IM hyperbole, and yet I still arrived here! And, of course, there are tons of us who are in the middle of doing the exact thing that you (were) doing. Plug on!
March 6th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Not everyone wants to “launch a product”. I build commercial websites. PHP is my nemisis. Robert has helped me with his videos. I don’t do IM, so I’m not impressed with “launches”. If you do something well, that in itself is enough.
March 6th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Steve,
Though Robert kinda pushed the edge by calling you out, I totally feel for where you are at and have been…and reading through all the amazing comments that other subscribers had posted about being stuck and not getting to the finished line kinda brought so strength to my heart in feeling like, “Hey, I’m not a dumb ass afterall!” Cuz sometimes you can be your worse critic! Should we accomplish something every day–yes, certainly, keep moving in the right direction, BUT having gone through all that I feel MORE connected to you as a fellow marketer even though I’ve never been introduced to you before Robert’s “rant” post. So having said all that to just say… “Great job man! And keep the Faith. You’re very fortunate to have a buddy and fellow marketer like Robert in your corner.”
Many Blessings,
Jerold
March 6th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Steve,
Robert was a bit harsh in his post, but I can understand his frustration.
I also understand what it’s like to be an innovator and not a finisher. I have countless projects that I started, and only about 2 finished products.
But I’m inspired by this story. I’m going to get my latest product finished this week.
Phil
March 6th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Steven
as an international customer, a physical product can be a pain to receive. Will you consider a downloadable version of 5 minute articles?
Richard
p.s. Robert might be a pain at times, but he is also a great guy who has helped me via his products.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Sure Richard, send me a message via AskSteveNow.com and I’ll see what I can do. I’ve had an order from France today so I’ll be shipping internationally anyway.
Thanks to all who left comments so far. I will respond to all soon. Keep them coming…
March 7th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Hi Steven,
You know. Friends “F??? up” here and there,
but don’t get too pissed.
It’s obvious he cares a great deal.
Like John said above:
“Pick friends and business associates who aren’t afraid to question and challenge you.”
This isn’t something that will ruin your rep, bro.
This is something that will show everyone out there
that we ALL go through struggles.
And that it can end with a success.
Keep it up.
And keep us posted.
K?
Cheers!
Brad.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I’m really glad Robert posted about you, Steven. I can relate to starting too many things and then never getting any of them finished. I have a product 95% finished, and I’ve been procrastinating on finishing the last 5%. Part of me is scared to launch the product. This is my “98% side” that James Brausch refers to.
I think Robert’s post shows how much he cares about you, Steven. And it’s a good “kick in the pants” for me, since I’ve been postponing/procrastinating on getting one of my products launched.
Very glad Robert wrote about you since it covers a problem/issue that many people struggle with.
March 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Listen to John Taylor (#3) he’s bang on target. With regard to your reputation, I’m not saying you and Robert did this on purpose - I hope not, but you couldn’t have done a better PR job between you, if you’d tried. We, out here, at the other end of the emails, are people. We like to hear ‘people stories’ - that’s just us! As a copywriter, I’m sure that you understand that.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Re: “I think Robert’s post shows how much he cares about you, Steven. And it’s a good “kick in the pants” for me, since I’ve been postponing/procrastinating on getting one of my products launched.
“Very glad Robert wrote about you since it covers a problem/issue that many people struggle with.”
Totally agree. The guy cares.
March 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
It’s my impression that Robert meant well, and that you should view his post in that way.
When I got married, on our honeymoon we talked with some people who were also in the computer business. The man had a friend who had made the most brilliant piece of software, but never released it. He kept improving it. He kept perfecting it.
Needless to say that software will never be perfect. The most popular software today (Windows) is as far from perfect as you can get.
So learn from what Robert said and ACT.
It’s not the product. It’s not your language, your writing or your ideas. It’s action that counts.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hi Steven
I didn’t know it was even your product, but my comment on Robert’s blog was one of helping his friend market the product which I can see you now do.
I didn’t see it as negative laundry being washed in public since I didn’t find your name in that article and subsequently had commented that it would be interesting to know who was the subject of the discussion.
…For learning purposes that is, and as Britt says above I think it is generally rather uplifting to read Robert’s blog. You now have a mutual challenge: shake hands and proceed. The current mudthrowing won’t earn you anything.
Happy Passover everyone.