Oh, let me guess: you're doing much better than him business-wise :) - Rita

haha - you won't make any friends in IM with claims like that ;o) - Peter Horsman from twhirl

Uhm, I don't get it, why does it put everything Ed taught us on it's head when what Ed taught us works? Isn't that statement a little extreme? I have read that report, it's a good read. - Greg Martin

Hey guys, it's not that only 1 system can work!! I mean there are bunch of stuff that works, very different approaches. So saying that something is "bull dust" just because it's different... Please folks, stay away from narrowing your own possibilities down with statements like that. Learn, Act, Test, Act. This is the formula I use.If it's different than the last one, so be it.. - Thomas Chisler from twhirl

When I said "on its head" I didn't mean that what Ed taught us is wrong. No. I mean that it's two opposite points of view of the 2 successful and smart people. Why I think it opposites? Because 1 theory teaches us to start with a successful niche - any niche, even outside of our interests. And another one teaches to start with our strengths and only create a business around them. That any profitable niche won't do, if we are not experts there. - Rita

I think everyone is upset because you're recommending an alternative way of doing business on the internet. I like to read through a lot of material and find little nuggets that will improve my business. The more I read, the smarter I get and I can pick out the things that I think will work for me personally. I believe in having a plan, but I also believe it can be customized to make it my own personal plan. Thanks for the information Rita. I appreciate any help I can get! - Debbie

I don't think anyone is upset about an alternative being offered, I think it was just use of the term "putting on its head". Putting something on its head means to say that the standard practise and way of thinking has been superceded by a new methodology and the old way is wrong - which of course is not the case here, in fact the two may even compliment each other. While I'd hardly say everyone is upset about this (my comment for one was just a good natured ribbing ;o)), I think the fact that you used the term is what rubbed a couple of people the wrong way is all. But thanks for bringing this to our attention :o) - Peter Horsman from twhirl

Rich Schefren has a massive amount of good material, but the 30DC works for me because I find it easier to take action in bite sized chunks. I can actually do everything the 30DC because the tools are supplied. In my opinion Rich is best for someone who has a business and wants to take it to the next level. He is not an inexpensive Coach. - Jeff A Coon

It was so puzzling that I couldn't stop thinking about it. But now I know how they are both right. You can create a business in any promising niche even w/out expertise. but it will stay pretty small & won't be able to grow into a big business. I believe, Ed calls these sites "underperformers". If you get a bunch of "underperformers", you can get a good return and be successful unless some big companies decide to move into your best niches & eat you up. - Rita

(cont) But to achieve the highest level of success you need to build a business around your expertise. This will allow you to grow it into a large business and protect you from competition because your business is not a commodity any more. BTW, this is what both Rich and Ed are doing now. - Rita

Now you could look at 30DC as a testing mechanism or model, because it is... when you found your niche, build and expand it.... It is a great model for some people but I still prefer to plan big from the start... there is more than one way to get traffic. SE is only one of them. - Hendry Lee from twhirl

I don't think that it is the opposite. You should re-read the reports more carefully. What are your strengths? Your strengths are obviously not your hobbies or interests. A strength of yours might be that you learn fast, that you are good at handling risks, that you are good at managing your time, that you are good at connecting with people.. those are strengths, and you should concentrate on them and not your weaknesses. Don't play a game that is unfavorable for you right of the bat. :) - Oliver

Those are definitely strengths, but not the ones Rich is talking about. because those strengths are great for networking, being efficient, etc., but they don't make you an expert (or maven, as Rich calls it), unless they are the essential part of your niche (4 exmpl, time-management coaching, journalism). As for fast learning, people are usually learning fast in the area of their natural talents. Maybe there are people who can learn fast anything, but I haven't met them :) - Rita