Today’s launch had it all…

Chaos!…

Excitement!…

Anticipation!….

People eagerly awaiting their chance to buy a copy…

Obviously I’m talking about…

…(it’s coming)

…(wait for it)

…(you’ll be surprised)

…HALO 3.

I mean really – who the hell are these guys at Microsoft are to try and compete with my launch of “Yanik’s Ultimate A-to-Z Information Marketing Brain-in-a-Box”? They probably beat my numbers today by like a gazillion dollars! Hmph…

Frankly, one of the best launches and build-ups had to be HALO 3…the final installment of the ultra popular Xbox game. You can read about a little of the chaos and what the scene looked like outside NY’s Best Buy before midnight last night here.

As my good friend, Jeff Walker says, “You have to make your launch an event.” These guys did that in spades.

What’s more, I loved (from a marketing stand-point) how this new HALO 3 drove sales for the Xbox 360 console. You *had* to have the new game console to be able to play this new game – essentially forcing the hardware sale. I wasn’t sure I was going to get a 360 but with HALO 3 coming out – I had to.

So now that my family has left – I can spend a little time with Master Chief. I just got a new plasma TV and entire home theater system so I’m excited to blast away the Coventry Covenant in surround sound!

Oh – one more thing. It’s my birthday for another 1 hour 54 minutes so I’m going to give away one more course. Here’s the deal – if you’ve seen my little preview video here for my “brain-in-a-box” course. In the first scene I’m drinking a glass of Pinot. First blog reader who leaves a comment and IDs the wine correctly gets the course that course I used for the video. It’s not quite brand-new and there’s a few bonuses missing since I didn’t have them in my hands at the time….but all the guts are there.

 * Update #1: we have a winner

 * Update #2: Some of you asked how I spent my birthday on this launch day – here I am in a closed-door meeting with my advisor checking the numbers:

Wow! And double wow!

We had over 500+ entries…

I’m totally floored by the outpouring here. I really & truly wish I could give out 500 sets of the new courses.  Unfortunately my highly-paid cadre of advisors and experts (see below) at the Internet Lifestyle “nerve center” have strongly recommended against it.

* Update: This couch is now on eBay – here’s the listing * 

I’m excited to report I have the 4 winners (remember I’m upping it to 4 instead of 2 winners because of so many incredible entries)…

Drum roll please…

Category One  – already successful information marketing business looking to go to the next level

Winner #1 – Greg Watson. Great insight into just how simple it is to present your customers with something they really want by asking them. He’s making $500k in little niches – great stuff! (Oh btw Greg give yourself some credit – $500k is damn good! But let’s see if we can’t hit 7-figures this year!)

Winner #2 – David Rachford. Wow! Talk about massive action. Excellent example of going back and selling “where you came from”.

Category Two – The ones just getting started with information marketing. Picking these 2 winners was even harder than category one  – but here goes…

Winner #3 – Josh Lewis. He’s targeted a tiny niche which means he can make a big splash in that marketplace. I liked the background and attitude – hope to hear a success story out of this one.

Winner #4 – Binky Doyle. Stick with the FOREX market – proven winner but you need a good ‘hook’. Okay you got the course –  now let’s see some more action…

And I’m also going to award an extra bonus 5th package…

It goes to Robert Yarborough. I like somebody with a publishing background who is ready to step up into the big leagues and create high-profit info products. Hope this puts a fire under you.

I would love to hear an update from all the winners. Congratulations again!

Each of you will be contacted by our office for your addresses to send the hefty “Yanik’s Ultimate A-to-Z Information Marketing Brain-in-a-Box” package out to you. (If for some reason you don’t hear from us – please contact our support staff.)

I truly want to thank everyone for taking the time and entering here and providing your thoughts. Some people really shared so much from their hearts and it really made my day to read all these incredible stories and excited readers. I hope you’ll keep the conversation going on this blog in the future.

Wow – I never expected this kind of huge outpouring of entries and comments! This morning we’re up to 359. That’s pretty crazy and from reading some of the responses already – I know it’s going to be really tough to pick just 2 winners tomorrow.

That’s why I’m going to pick 4 winners tomorrow!

And that also means we’re getting really close to Tuesday’s launch – I’m actually a little nervous looking at the countdown clock. Now I know during some of these “big” launches a lot of people feel rushed into making a decision.

Well, I’d rather you had some of the big details ahead of time so you can make up your mind without feeling pressured on Tuesday at noon when the doors open.

So with that said, I created a little homemade video with me combing through the big box and showing you what you’d get delivered to you.

Check it out here but don’t laugh too hard at the totally amateur camera work. I got Missy to shoot it during Zak & Zoe’s nap time. ;

Side note: I have no intention of making this blog one big promo piece for my launch so expect to see all kinds of other posts soon. But while you have your calendars out for Tue’s launch – you might want to pencil in January 30 – February 3, 2008. That’s the first Maverick Business Adventures trip. It’ll be a Baja racing trip out of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Wait until you hear more about the trip – it’s really going to be awesome!

** Update **

I’ve decided to also add another exciting element to this contest. At the bottom you can also refer someone you think might really benefit from this set. And if they win the contest – you’ll win too!  

Hey guys – something pretty cool…

Here’s your chance to win a free copy of the complete package that goes on sale September 25, 2007. I am talking about both entire courses – I’m not giving some highlights version but the entire, honking thing. See below:

Attendees paid $15,000.00 for the information covered during the “Info Marketing Players” workshop and the “How to Sell High Priced Information Products & Services” workshop…but 2 Winners will get it all FREE!

You’ll have it shipped to you launch day right along with the people who get in on the first set of courses.

Now this isn’t a random contest… here’s how the 2 winners will be chosen:

Winner #1 – If you are already successful at information marketing let me know your own before/after story. HOW you did it, WHAT you sold, the results, etc. and WHY you think this information will take you the next level.

Winner #2 – If you haven’t already started or are just dabbling selling information products let me know WHY you think selling information is the best business to be in, HOW you’ll use the information in the package and WHAT you’ll be doing with it.

I’ll be picking the winner on September 24, 2007 from the comments on the blog (so make sure you include your email so we can contact you if you win).

Hint for entrants: I like specifics and details.

It’s easy to enter the contest just post your comment below. (Click on the ‘comments’ link and then add your own at the bottom.) Go for it!

If you boil down my biggest profit windfalls in my business (and the most astute marketers I observe) it has come down to selling premium products and services at premium prices. That’s how my business has leapfrogged from 6-figures to 7-figures and now multiple 7-figures a year!

I really love high priced products and you’ll see why in a moment…

Personally, I’ve sold everything from $5,000 workshops to $14,500.00 “Apprentice Programs” to $20,000 MasterMind groups and lots in-between. My most recent high-end product is a $40,000+/yr program for cosmetic surgeons.

Stick with me and I’ll share with you a few of the things I’ve learned in this hefty 24:08 video from my $10,000.00 per person “How to Sell High-Priced Information Products & Services” workshop! Here’s some of my newest insights about how to dominate the marketplace selling high priced products and services. Watch the video and let me know your thoughts.

Note: The recordings from this event and the $5,000/person “Info Marketing Players” workshop are locked-in to be released in one giant discounted set on September 25, 2007 at 12 pm, ET. (You might want to mark that date because there are going to be some incredible early-mover advantages!)

Heads up…

Check out this newest video from my two SOLD-OUT $5,000.00 per person & $10,000.00 per person workshops with just me teaching everything I know about information marketing.
This is one of my absolute favorite techniques I use to get my ideas more tangible, get clarity and help keep my projects organized…
It’s using the power of Mindmapping. I really think you’ll love it once you start using Mindmapping (or if you already do – hopefully you’ll pick up a few insights). Check it out and let me know what you think.

As I’ve mentioned before we donate 5% of our gross profits to various charities I support. And if you go back to the 9 Inner Secrets of Success – there’s something magical about giving that keeps repaying you in multiples.

I just wanted to mention a few upcoming events and opportunities for very worthy causes.

1. Frank McKinney’s “Palm Beach Experience”

This exclusive event, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience unlike any other, will take place November 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2007. I’m co-hosting this and you’ll get a chance to tour amazing multi-million dollar mansions and rub shoulders with some of the most exceptional individuals – including Rich DeVos, co-founder of Amway and owner of the Orlando Magic.

All event proceeds will go directly in support of Frank’s charity, Caring House Project Foundation.

Plus, if you hurry – there are still a few seats left for a very special breakfast with legendary Miami Dolphins Coach, Don Shula. All the details are here for the event. This is definitely NOT just for Real Estate investors.

I’ll be doing an upcoming call with Frank on October 3, 2007 so stay tuned. My friend Bret Fogle just finished up a cool webinar with him and you can watch it here.

2. SuperTelethon

Stuart Tan from Singpore is holding a pretty audacious fund raiser for Make-A-Wish Foundation. He wants to do a 36-hour straight teleseminar with 30+ experts. I’ll be on at 8 pm ET this Thrusday Sept 13th. More info here.

3.  Heart Kids Blog

My friend Dr.Mani is a heart surgeon who uses innovative online marketing to help kids born with heart defects. 

On Saturday Sep.15th he is blogging non-stop for 24 hours to raise funds for the ‘heart kids’. Every $3,000 raised means an additional operation can be funded – so please try and help, in any way you can. (I’ve previously donated to this very worthwhile endeavor).

4. “10 Million Clicks For Peace“ – Probably one of the most ambitious charitable ventures is from my long-time friend, Rick Beneteau. He’s got such notables as Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize winner), Jack Canfield, Deepak Chopra and Arun Gandhi onboard to better the lives of millions of people around the world.

I’ll be sharing more about this as it gets rolling.

* Updated *

5. IM Against Poverty – Harris Fellman is leading the charge here

As part of the World Internet Challenge, they set a goal to raise money for a specific charity during the 4 days of the World Internet Main Event (September 13, 14, 15, and 16, 2007).

Harris’s team is trying to raise $110,000 to fight poverty in the world. worth checking out because of some of the great giveaways.

P.S. People have been asking about “Maverick Business Adventures” updates. They’re coming and so are more videos.

Here’s another video taken from my two SOLD-OUT $5,000.00 per person & $10,000.00 per person workshops with just me teaching everything I know about information marketing.

If this doesn’t get you fired up – I don’t know what will…

I always go back to “What’s the BIG idea?” when I talk to friends or clients – and this has been responsible for amassing a small fortune with information marketing. With so much competition in just about every market you absolutely have to have a BIG idea or hook in order to be successful. I’m sharing 5 of the best ways I do it. (BTW – I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Donny Deutsch, an ad man, calls his show “The Big Idea”)

Check it out and I look forward to hearing your comments here.

Ha! I just wanted to use that as a title for a post since I love the song by Marc Cohn and I just got back from Memphis last night. When the song comes on it’s almost like the Seinfeld episode when ‘Desperado’ comes on and Elaine is shushed by her boyfriend.  Okay not quite that bad but I do like the song.

Anyway I was in Memphis for our 7-figure Mastermind group meeting’s field trip. This was the first year we did a ‘field trip’ and it really worked out well.

Now as a tourist I was supposed to go see the ducks at the Peabody hotel. I thought it was pretty damn funny since hundreds of people show up everyday to watch a bunch of ducks. Every morning at 11am the ducks come down in the elevator from the penthouse and get into the hotel fountain to swim around for the day. And at 5 pm they reverse the process and go back up to their penthouse.

The story is that in 1932 the general manager and his buddy came back from a hunting trip a bit hammered and decided it would be funny to have some of the ducks they were using as decoys left in the fountain of their hotel. Surprisingly the ducks were still there the next day when they woke up and were causing a positive stir among guests. So a few years later – they hired an animal trainer to actually train them to march down a red carpet and into their fountain.

Here’s a little video I shot of the world-famous fowls:

And here are a couple pics of the ducks on one dapper Tim Schdmit from the MasterMind group. (Watching those ducks most have done something for me because I ate duck breast that night with a nice Pinot Noir.)

The Peabody ducks are a perfect example of a marketing gimmick that keeps getting people interested enough to take about when they go home, when tourists show up, etc. The entire hotel’s identity is closely tied to the ducks. You really don’t need to create anything that crazy but just enough to be really different. I mean how many hotels do you know with trained ducks?

I didn’t get a chance to hit Graceland but Mastermind member Perry Belcher (our esteemed host) did get us into another Memphis institution “The Rendezvous”. This is a world-famous place known for their ribs I absolutely love BBQ and it was delicious! I thought it was pretty funny that they only served Michelob but Perry told me they specially selected it to enhance the pork – but I’m not sure. Here’s part of our group experiencing this “perfect complimentary” beer:

For me, the “The Rendezvous” means something else since I went to school at Maryland.  It was called the “Vous” and you had to have to special Vous shoes since the place had uneven floors with huge pools of beer (and other various & sundry liquids). Everyone would dance on the tables and it would be pretty much out of control! I believe Playboy magazine event ranked it as a “Top Ten” college bar. There also used to be one morning called “Elbow Room” when they’d open up at 5 AM right before graduation and pitchers of beer were either a quarter or a dollar. I can’t remember. Then everyone would start pouring them on each other’s heads. For some reason the MasterMind guys weren’t into this tradition.

I’d like to share some big takeways and secrets from the meeting like how one member is getting 10x the traffic to his site using an overlooked technique that’s completely out of favor. Or how another member designed his membership site to ‘repay’ each subscriber but it really sets up another payday. And one of my favorites from this meeting – the simple ‘forced continuity’ that’ll add an extra 7 figures per month to one member’s business…but I can’t!

The meetings are completely confidential and members even sign NDAs but I might be able to get a few nuggets out in future Underground Secret Society newsletters if these guys let me. We’ll see. (Note: I currently run 2 MasterMind groups  – a 6 Figure and 7 Figure group. There is a waitlist for both groups.)

There was going to be another chapter to my Memphis trip – my HALO skydive but I ended up canning it since it would mean being gone from Missy for 3 more days. She’d been alone with Zak and Zoe and it’s pretty tough for her especially since our little princess isn’t sleeping. Here’s a new pic of her:

  Don’t let her smile fool you – she’s just luring you in

(I’m not wimping out. I’ll be rescheduling for Spring 08 and maybe Tim Ferriss won’t come up with some lame excuse again so he’ll join me.) ;

Over the last 12 months I’ve held two SOLD-OUT $5,000.00 per person & $10,000.00 per person workshops with just me teaching everything I know about information marketing. (Remember, I’ve sold just about everything online from $17 ebooks to $20k ‘MasterMind’ programs!)

One of the concepts I taught that really got lots of attendees excited was my “Oil Well” model for information marketers. If you’re selling any sort of information online than you’ve no doubt seen the typical “funnel” most people teach. You know what I’m talking about – bring people in with a low front-end product and then keep moving them up the funnel to more expensive stuff? Well let me tell you this “Oil Well” model takes that just turns it on its head!

In fact, I created a 21 minute video outlining the whole thing…check it out here and leave your feedback back here on the blog.