Michael Hyatt's Blog, page 168
May 20, 2013
What I Learned from a $300,000 Product Launch
We launched Platform University back in January. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I didn’t have any experience launching a membership site.
If you can’t see this video in your RSS reader or email, then click here.
Fortunately, I had some really smart people helping me. As a result, we exceeded my 90-day membership goal by more than three hundred percent—the first week! (Oh me of little faith.)
I shared the backstory with our Platform University members earlier this month in our “Backstage Pass” segment. Usually, this is members-only content, but I thought it might be helpful as you consider your own product or business launches. (I also wanted to give you a sample of the kind of content we provide at Platform University, hoping you’ll consider joining.)
In addition to me, this video segment features Stu McLaren, co-founder of WishList Member, my partner in Platform University, and the one who originally suggested I start a membership site. You’ll also hear from Megan Hyatt Miller, the Dean of Platform University and my oldest daughter.
In this video, we share the good and the bad of our product launch, including:
How we determined that my audience wanted Platform University (and how you can use this process yourself).
One crucial item we overlooked in the pre-launch that we would never do again.
How we pushed through our perfectionism (okay, my perfectionism) and finally launched.
An idea that built instant community at Platform University—even before we opened the site.
Most importantly, we extract the lessons we learned from this launch and help you apply these lessons to your own business or product launch.
Maybe you can’t imagine a six-figure product launch for yourself, but what if you could add several hundred dollars to your monthly income—or even a few thousand? Would that make a difference? The principle we share in the video applies regardless of the level.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Question: What did you learn in the video that you can apply to your own business? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
May 18, 2013
The Easiest Way to Get Started Podcasting
Because of the success of my own podcast, I am often asked, “So how can I get started podcasting?” I have a very short answer to that question.
If you can’t see this video in your RSS reader or email, then click here.
Listen to my friend, Cliff Ravenscraft, the Podcast Answer Man, and do everything he says to do. This is how I got started. His practical, down-to-earth advice is the primary reason my podcast is consistently in the iTunes top 10 for Business.
Cliff has that rare ability to make complex things simple. He breaks podcasting down into its component parts and then walks you through the process, one step at a time.
He has put together a terrific course called, Podcasting A-Z. It’s the fastest way I know to get up and running quickly. The people who have taken the course (and are now enjoying the benefits of having a podcast) swear it’s worth every penny.
If you have ever thought about the possibility of launching a podcast, then you owe it to yourself to watch Cliff’s short video on “4 Reasons Why a Podcast Is the Best Investment You Can Make to Grow Your Platform (see above). Then read the description of the course and see if it’s right for you.
Finally, the course starts on Monday. Registration ends tomorrow night, Sunday, May 18th. He only has a few slots left. You can even get $100 off by using the discount code “Hyatt.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to get your product, service, or cause noticed by launching your very own podcast.
Question: Have you ever thought about starting a podcast? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
May 17, 2013
Resonance Partner Conference
I’m looking forward to speaking at the PSIGEN’s Resonance Partner Conference is the first and only educational and networking conference of its kind, centered on the use of PSIGEN products.
Resonance Partner Conference [Event]
I’m looking forward to speaking at the PSIGEN’s Resonance Partner Conference is the first and only educational and networking conference of its kind, centered on the use of PSIGEN products.
Date:
October 14, 2013
Time:
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Event:
Resonance Partner Conference
Topic:
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
Sponsor:
PSIGEN
Venue:
Green Valley Ranch
Location:
Henderson, NV
Public:
Private
More Info:
Click here for more information.
The Quickest Way to Advance Your Career
Last Friday, I had the privilege of hosting the Chick-fil-a Leadercast, along with my friend, Tripp Crosby. All the speakers were outstanding. But something Jack Welch said really stood out to me.
Henry Cloud, who interviewed Jack, asked, “What’s the secret to success?”
Without hesitation, he blurted, “Find out what your boss wants and then over-deliver.”
Simple, but spot-on.
In my book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, I define wow as what happens when you deliver more than your customer expects. In today’s competitive environment, you must create wow to succeed.
The same is true in your career. This is what Jack was saying. If you want to turbo-charge your career and advance more rapidly, you must consistently over-deliver.
Delivering on what your boss expects will give you job security (maybe), but it won’t get you noticed. And if you don’t get noticed, you won’t get promoted. It’s as simple as that. You have to stand-out.
When I think back over my career and consider the hundreds of people who worked for me, the ones I remember are those who consistently over-delivered. They made an indelible impression on my psyche.
This isn’t a difficult concept to grasp. Yet, it’s surprising that more people aren’t intentional about using it as a fundamental career strategy.
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. Or the most creative. Or even the hardest working. All you have to do is be committed to exceeding the boss’s expectations.
Here are some suggestions for harnessing the power of over-delivering to turbo-charge your career and give you an edge over everyone else:
Make the decision to over-deliver. Few good things happen by accident. You have to decide you are going to do something differently—or do it at a different level. Just making this decision will set things in motion. It’s amazing how many aren’t willing to do this. They are content to do just enough to get by.
Get clear on your boss’s (or client’s) expectations. It’s really not about you—not if you are going to succeed. You have to be committed to making your boss successful. What does he expect from you? This is worth considering overall and on the front-end of each initiative. Start by asking, “What do you expect from me?” His response sets the bar.
Identify specific ways you can exceed them. This is where the fun begins. List your boss’s (or client’s) expectations in one column of a sheet of paper or on a spreadsheet. Now, in another column, list what you could do to exceed those expectations. How can you make his jaw drop or at least make him smile with delight? Use your creativity to create a wow experience.
Make wow your new standard. Every time you exceed your boss’s expectations, you create a branding impression. You want to develop a reputation for consistently over-delivering. You want to be the first person your boss thinks of when considering a new position or important project. That’s the secret to getting ahead.
Of course, the problem with exceeding expectations is that your performance quickly becomes the new standard. That’s why you have to be committed to never-ending improvement. Every new position, every new project is an opportunity to grow and realize your own potential.
Question: Do you have a reputation of over-delivering with your boss or clients? What would it take to get there? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
May 16, 2013
Mediocre Person
Only a mediocre person is always at his best.
Mediocre Person [Quote]
Only a mediocre person is always at his best.
”
W. Somerset Maugham
via @authormedia
May 15, 2013
#054: So You’re Overcommitted. Now What? [Podcast]
You swore you would never do it again. But you did it anyway. You said yes to far too many things. Now you find yourself overcommitted. What do you do now?
We’ve all been there. You may be there now. In this episode we’ll look at some strategies for dealing with this common problem.
Click to Listen
Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in browser | Download
As I write this to you, I have been and continue to be in the middle of a very busy season in my life. There is just a lot going on.
Surprisingly, even in this hectic time, I have not felt overwhelmed. I’ve had plenty of time for my family and my own personal development.
In this podcast, I want to share with you eight strategies I’ve used to reduce my commitments, create more margin, and feel like I am in control of my life.
Strategy #1: Accept responsibility.
Strategy #2: Confront my fears.
Strategy #3: Reduce the drama.
Strategy #4: Keep it in perspective.
Strategy #5: Triage my calendar.
Strategy #6: Do the next most important task.
Strategy #7: Get sufficient rest.
Strategy #8: Decide to change.
I really believe these strategies can make a difference in your life. Adopting them doesn’t mean you won’t get overcommitted from time to time (I still do), but you will better understand the dynamics and what to do about it when it happens.
Listener Questions
Adam Rico asked, “How can you manage the stress of your commitments without damaging your own well-being?”
Caleb Suko asked, “How do you deal with overcommitment when you are in a corporate culture that values busyness as a sign of success?”
Eddie Cliff asked, “If I decide to quit an organization because I’m overwhelmed, how can I ensure the best possible outcome for them?”
Jason J. Nicholas asked, “Should I step away from a major commitment in order to free up resources to apply elsewhere?”
K.C. Procter asked, “How do you endure a season where are really having to hustle without getting burned out?”
Mike Burn asked, “What percentage of your day do you actually plan vs. how much time you leave open for unplanned activities?”
Mike Kim asked, “How do you accomplish all the things you love without getting overcommitted?”
Peg Doyle asked, “How do you get the long-range, important stuff done when you feel so overwhelmed with the day-to-day activities?”
Tor Constantino asked, “What do you do when you overcommit by double-booking your time?”
Special Announcements
If you are considering launching your own platform, you need to start with a self-hosted WordPress blog. This is not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, I have put together a step-by-step screencast on exactly how to do it.
I also include a special discount code just for my podcast listeners and blog readers. It will enable you to get a hosting account for just $3.95 a month.
We have just opened registration for the Launch Conference, September 16–19 at the beautiful Sebastian Hotel in Vail, Colorado.
Whether you are a professional speaker—or just want to be—this conference will teach you how to start where you are and take your speaking business to the next level. Register now and get in on the “Early Bird discount,” which will be expiring soon.
My next podcast will be on the topic of “How to Read a Non-Fiction Book.” If you have a question on this subject, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a terrific way to cross-promote your blog or website, because I will link to it, just like I did with the callers in this episode.
Episode Resources
In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:
Book: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Book: Boundaries for Leaders by Henry Cloud
Book: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Book: Getting Things Done by David Allen
Conference: The Launch Conference
e-Book: Creating Your Personal Life Plan
Membership: Platform University
Podcast: Episode 41: 7 Actions to Take Before You Quit Your Job
Post: How to Create More Margin in Your Life
Screencast: How to Launch a Self-Hosted WordPress Blog in 20 Minutes or Less
Show Transcript
You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who handles all my transcription needs.
Subscription Links
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If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see or a question about an upcoming episode, e-mail me.
Also, if you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out! Thanks.
Question: What do you need to do now to keep yourself from getting overcommitted in the future? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
May 14, 2013
Be Alert to the Needs of Others [Video]
Because we are so busy with our own agenda and tasks, it’s easy to overlook the needs of those around us. As I watched this beautiful Russian video, I was reminded again of the need to be alert to the needs of others, stop what I am doing, and lend a helping hand. The truth is, we are all in this together.
May 13, 2013
My Takeaways from the 2013 Chick-fil-A Leadercast
Last Friday, I had the privilege of hosting the Chick-fil-a Leadercast in Atlanta, Georgia. Approximately five thousand people attended the live event and another 115,000 people watched via satellite in 750 locations around the world.
My primary job at the conference was to listen to the speakers and summarize two or three takeaways from each for the audience. It was challenging but exhilarating.
Over the weekend, I reviewed my notes and selected one quote or concept from each speaker to share with you. These aren’t necessarily exact quotes; they are what I wrote down.
Andy Stanley, pastor of NorthPoint Church and bestselling author and communicator: Level five leaders don’t feel the need to be the smartest person in the room. They are willing to be the dumbest person.
David Allen, best-selling author of Getting Things Done and productivity expert: There is an inverse relationship between what is on your mind and getting it done. If it’s on your mind, get it out of your mind. Write it down, so you can focus on the task at hand.
Sanya Rochards-Ross, 2012 London Olympic gold medalist, track and field: Before the race, I imagine myself winning. During the race, I focus on executing what I imagined previously.
Henry Cloud, bestselling author and leadership consultant: Sometimes, the worst thing a leader can do is hope. If you are headed to the wrong destination, perseverance won’t help you. Instead, you need to create a “necessary ending.”
Coach Mike Krzyzewski, head men’s basketball coach, Duke University: Don’t focus on winning. Focus on creating a culture of success. This will lead to consistent winning.
John C. Maxwell, bestselling author and leadership expert: Divide your weaknesses by delegating them. A leader is like a quarterback. He doesn’t get paid to run the ball. He gets paid to put the ball into the right hands.
Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State (2005–2009): You have to be an optimist. Nobody wants to follow a sour puss.
Jack Welch, former Chairman and CEO of General Electric: You can give a thousand speeches, but nothing has a bigger impact than the personnel decisions you make. This includes who you hire, who you fire, and who you assign to your most important projects.
LCDR Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL and star of the 2012 movie Act of Valor: As leaders, your people are going to mimic your behavior. (SEALS are going to amplify your behavior.) “Calm is contagious.” So is panic. So is stupidity.
This year’s Leadercast was the best ever. In fact, I would say it was one of the top five events I have ever attended.
I hope you will consider attending next year, along with your team. Tickets are on sale now for the May 9, 2014 event. I promise you won’t be disappointed. It only gets better with each passing year.
Question: If you attended the Leadercast, what did you take away? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
