Report From My First Seminar
Tuesday, 9:50 AM
Dear Friend,
I'm back home and relaxing after my first ever live event.
I think it went pretty well.
I keep thinking to myself, "I wonder if Gary Halbert would be proud?"
I'd like to think he would be. (But he'd probably call me a "shitweasel" for doing it 100% FREE… and also refusing to pitch anything.)
All the seminar experts told me to only expect a 50% turn out (or less) for a free event… so I over-booked and only rented a room that would comfortably hold about 60% of those registered.
Surprise, surprise…
98% showed up!
You could say it was an intimate environment. We were packed in like sardines.
Some people came from other countries or drove 16 hours straight to be there just to listen to lil' ole moi.
I guess, contrary to how I feel at times, I have NOT been wasting my time on DobermanDan.com. People ARE paying attention.
It felt really nice to see evidence of that in person.
I opened the show by revealing the Colombiana's real name… and a potentially life-saving lesson about Colombian women. Only one guy broke the Colombiana's rule. And now that I think about it… after the first break, he was sporting a black eye, claiming he "bumped into a wall."
He can't say he wasn't warned.
Aw, come on now! I'm just funnin' ya. The Colombiana was nice and sweet with everybody… even the guy who broke her rule.
After that, I revealed the REAL reason I planned the seminar… and that transitioned perfectly into my first (and most important) lesson of the day…
The Secret Of Happiness!
Pretty simple deal, that.
I don't know why it took me 40+ years to figure it out.
I think I saw a lot of light bulbs going on during my happiness lesson. Or at least I hope so.
After that I announced my first surprise special guest of the day, none other than Internet marketing pioneer and expert…
Terry Dean!
Terry lives close to me and we meet up for lunch every now and then. He never ceases to amaze me with his marketing knowledge and the results of all the testing he does in a whole bunch of different businesses and niches.
I have VERY few marketing "go to" guys in my Rolodex… and Terry is on that extremely short list.
As a favor to me, he freed up a few hours and made the drive down to Orlando.
A little secret about Terry Dean…
He HATES speaking at seminars!
I don't blame him. He worked his butt off for several years and engineered the ultimate laid back freedom lifestyle in sunny Florida. He doesn't have to do any "grunt work" like speaking at seminars ever again.
Heck, he doesn't even have to leave his house if he doesn't want to.
But he made an exception to his "no seminars" rule just for me… and the smart people who were there in Orlando.
Thank you, Terry. I really appreciate you being there.
Next, since we were limited on time, we launched into "hot seats."
That's where audience members come up front and tell us their most pressing business and/or marketing issues. Then we baffle them with our brilliance and solve their problem right then and there (hopefully!).
That was fun. It sure looked to me like every single brave soul who volunteered for a hot seat got a major breakthrough.
About midway through, our special Mr. X guest did his presentation…
How To Be FIRST in Google!
(I'm not sure if I have permission to reveal his true identity to people who weren't at the event. Until he gives his OK, I'll just refer to him as Mr. X.)
This guy is one of my most jealously guarded secrets. He is one of a handful of "go to" guys for not only my toughest marketing problems… but several other issues that affect freedom and finances.
EVERYBODY was blown away by what he revealed.
He showed us the A-to-Z blueprint to quickly and easily show up in the top spots on Google.
And even a technophobe like me can easily do this.
His presentation alone would have been worth a $1,000 admission.
By the way, what you saw is about .000001% of all the marketing techniques and secrets he has up his sleeve.
He also stuck around and helped me and Terry do the rest of the hot seats.
Thank you, Mr. X.
After that, more hot seats and when the big hand was on the 12 and the little hand was on the 5, the Colombiana passed out lovely parting gifts to everyone.
Everybody who could stick around went to dinner… and then we hung out imbibing in adult spirits in the hotel bar.
What's up with these crazy Canadians?
They both wanted to see me drunk.
Chris went to the expense and trouble of bringing me a variety of Canadian beers.
Now, if all you've ever experienced is American beer… then you've never tasted REAL beer. This stuff is AWESOME!
And David, the other guy from Canada, wouldn't allow me to pay for my own drinks.
Anyhoo… a big thanks to my two new Canadian friends for helping me kill a few more brain cells.
No Jerks!
For some reason I've attracted a lot of like minded thinkers… and everybody was so nice. Not a single jerk there… except me, of course.
Seriously.
Even the videographer I hired (sight unseen except his website) was really nice.
He was a guitarist, too… and back in the day played in a band with Peter Criss, the original drummer from KISS. He was also in Steppenwolf but had to back out of touring with them right before they hit it big because of family commitments.
Interesting guy.
And he's sitting on a a million dollar+ iPhone app. Just a HUGE market for this… so if you know anything about marketing iPhone apps, please let me know. I'll put you in contact with him so you can BOTH make a fortune.
Anyhoo… that's enough from me.
If you went to the time, effort and expense to see me in Orlando, then a great big…
Thank You!
And maybe… if they're kind enough to do so… a few would like to share their experiences in the comments box below.
All the best,
P.S. Would you like the audio recording of the entire seminar? Click here in my secret "marketing Junkies" archive.
Dan, thanks again for hosting the event.
I would have been worth the trip with just you there, but having Terry and Mr. X really put it over the top.
The only disappointing aspect was how fast it went.
- Tim
P.S. You're going to burn the tapes from Saturday, right? RIGHT?
Hey Dan,
Sorry I had to leave right after the event but I do want to let you know how much I enjoyed it…you put on a class act for sure. I know Gary would be proud even if he would call you a shitweasel (a term of endearment from him). I especially enjoyed meeting you and your very lovely wife in person. Hope to see you again in the near future. Have fun!
- David
Dan, that event was awesome. I just wish it were longer! But just the 5 minutes I had with you to ask a couple questions after the event was more than worth the trek from Utah. The speakers were good, everyone there was really nice, and the parting gifts were a really nice surprise…especially considering that the event was FREE. Thanks again and let me know if you ever plan on doing another one.
Hey Dan,
Been a quiet fan of yours for years. Ever since you bought lunch for
a small group of us at the System Seminar in 2005?
I hope that you will be marketing your 1 day seminar to the rest of
us that were not able to attend in Orlando.
Cheers,
Philip
Howdy backatcha Dan!
What a great personable Orlando report !
I agree with Tim above, it would have been worth every minute just to hear and engage with you yourself, but with Mr X & Terry, it was nice further ice cream topping on the cake.
The gorgeous Columbiana – oops, Sandra, was the real star of the weekend, too quiet though she was. But Donner & Cheeky Ricky had a fun mini vacation too, no doubt.
Lets do this again next year, an annual event , poolside?
Sneakily no less, coinciding with the annual international convention of the Swedish co-ed Bikini Beach Volleyball team – have we got your commitment on this Dan?….Dan?….Bueller?…anyone?
This weekend was a blast, thanks Dan for making it happen -you da man!
I can only IMAGINE what I missed out on but I'm only 18, so just wasn't an option for me. Seeing how you guys stopped at a bar for drinks after, maybe I need to wait a couple years to attend haha
. I really do hope you make a video for us to download. My budget isn't huge but I'd be willing to pay for it. Thanks agian DD. You are not only a great marketer but a great person as well.
Dan,
Amazing event. Can't tell you how much I appreciate you doing it and hanging out afterward. And, of course, actually meeting you and the Colombiana in person, a real pleasure.
And, yes, your secret to happiness… brilliant. That one thing was worth the trip for me.
If my vote counts for anything in this, I'd love to make this kind of small get together regular thing.
- John
Hi Dan!
I agree with Philip J. …hopefully you can get this into the hands of the
people who weren't able to attend. Wish I could've attended but had
prior commitments. Thanks!
Hi Dan,
After reading that post, I feel like I really missed out not hanging around for some of those Canadian Beers. Your event was perfect. Starting out with the greatest secret to happiness was over the top. I mean really you had me at that….
Then you had to throw in all those marvelous hot-seats, and folks, these were red hot-seats, I took a golden nugget from each of them. Having Terry Dean there and wonderful Mr. X resulted in a Doberman Dan event that should and will be envied by all who missed it. I really had no idea Colombians can be so strong, God Bless that fella who tempted fate!
You showed me the path to happiness, although I "thought" I already was there…Terry Dean re-solidified some questions I had in my existing online business, and the marvelous "Mr X" taught this old dog a new trick on getting top rankings in Google-THANKS!!
I would gladly pay much much more for your next event
My only complaint…4 hours went by far, far too fast.
Sounds like it was a great event, Dan. I'm glad to see the rest of your audience sounds as appreciative of what you do as I am. I would have loved to attend, but I'm still recuperating from a car accident I was in last spring. Hopefully, you'll do another in the future when I'm back up and running. Thanks for all you do.
Wish I could have been there, Dan!
I know an iPhone app developer who seems well-connected. He might be able to help out your friend: http://pervasent.com
By the way, I can't speak for Canadian beers, but Belgian beers are AMAZING. We've got a Belgian beer garden in Denver called The Cheeky Monk — awesome place. I get down there a couple times a year.
Ryan
Dan the event was fantastic. I'm still dumbfounded you didn't charge us to attend. Mr. X was giving information and tips so fast, I was having trouble writing it all down.
It was great to finally get to meet you in person. Although I was hoping Donner would be there… was looking forward to meeting him.
Also, My hot seat update – The phone interview is done, and next step is getting it transcribed.
Dan, how could you forget to mention how Mr.X unintentionally referred to Terry Dean as a scumbag?
I'll definitely come down for another seminar – paid or free when it comes up.
….And the selection of beer I'll bring you next time will be even more lethal.
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I second that John B ! Let's ALL bring some great REAL beers and get Dan so happy smashed he will not only dance with a lampshade atop his head, but gladly spill ALL the rest of his Halbert & Gallapoo Marketing Sooper-Secrets he has locked up in that safety deposit box of his creative brain, while we secretly audio record it all …
What do you say John B ? – is this a great plan or what? Count me in.
thanks for the invite, Dan. I enjoyed it. Thanks to all who came.
Hey Dan,
Other "drunk" Canadian chiming in here
Was great meeting you in person – the event was great! Actually, I enjoyed talking to everyone I met…
Good luck with your new project… and if you're ever in the Denver area (I'm now a "transplanted" canuck), I agree with Ryan, Cheeky Monk rocks!
Cheers,
Dave
Sure thing! In fact to make everyone's baggage lighter, let's bring Dan up to Montreal. We'll have the seminar first, then finish up with a tasting.
At last count there are over 400 different beers just in Quebec alone, so we'll have our hands full!
Dan,
Sounds like fun and everyone had a good time. Thanks for sharing.
Bob Secrest
I wish I could have been there Dan. Unfortunately for me, I have no passport, so all though I might have
been able to sneek in… I for sure would have never gotten out. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.. Except… I would miss out on the plethora of our awesome Canadian Beer! (which I could never give up) What kind (of beer) did my fellow Canadians bring you? (that is, if you remember)
Good to know the event went well Dan.
And again, I wish I could have been there.
Bummer.
Great stuff in Orlando. I went first in the hot seat and got no less than 22 ideas while up there. Thanks Dan!
Amazing event Dan I made some great alliances and I'm putting that information to use right now in my business.
Hmmm. Wonder who Mr X was.
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