MotM: What I Learned From Failing 5 Times

November 19, 2008 | by Dave Lee

Master of the Moment - DownloadFresh out of college, I made a brilliant (or lucky) decision to join a small software company in the SF Bay Area that ended up going public and landed me a nice wad of cash. Instead of blowing it on ‘stuff’, I decided to go to business school and learn about creating and running businesses. Afterward, I entered the world of small business and entrepreneurship… only to fall flat on my face five (yes, f-i-v-e) different times. At one point, I found myself with no cash in my bank account, a mortgage to pay, and a family to support. Not good at all.

Another time, I created a small business, grew it, and sold it for a handsome amount and a sweet management contract, only to find weeks later the acquiring company was mired in fraudulent activities and I had to unwind the deal.

I also had a lot of successes along the way and ended up here, an organization that perfectly blends with my DNA and has a dream to revolutionize the way small businesses grow.

For years, I’ve been wanting to write a book about certain experiences detailing what I learned so that other entrepreneurs can understand the pitfalls and key success principles without having to go through what I lived. In addition, I wanted to give them plenty of samples, templates and ideas. After a year of work, re-works and revisions, it’s finished!

I feel very passionate about the book and want as many small business owners and entrepreneurs as possible to experience it — so I’ve decided to self-publish my thoughts, passions and ideas as an ebook titled, Master of the Moment.

I encourage you to download my book, read it thoroughly and share your thoughts here about it.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Posted In: Small Business

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  • http://www.audinwebdesign.com Ash Waechter

    I have not read the book yet, but it is the most unprintable e-book I have ever received. Printing out the book will cost me over $34.95 in new ink cartridges. Is there a version without all the heavy graphics and heavy blacks. It looks nice on screen, but I don’t read on screen.

  • http://www.industrialpc.com Paul Benjamin

    @Ash– the intent of e-books like this is for primarily on-screen reading. If you need to print the content, you can use Adobe Reader (or another pdf reader), copy the text, and paste it into something like MS Word. That way, you will minimize the ink usage. You will, however, lose some of the information flow which the graphics in the PDF support. Hope this helps.

  • Jeff

    I guess I will not be reading your book because you are forcing people to refer two friends in order to download your book. If I like your book I will then tell my friends about it and they can get the book.

  • http://infusionsoft.com Tyler Garns

    Jeff,

    I’m sorry if the download page was confusing. You actually can get the the entire book without having to refer your friends. Once you’ve read the book, if you like it, we’d appreciate it if you referred your friends. And, as a gift for doing so, we’ll give you access to the Bonus Chapter. Sound good?

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com Adam

    Dave,

    Great book, and a great read, thank you for sharing this with all of us.

  • RL

    I also have problems reading on-screen for more than a few minutes at a time. I had heart attacks a few years back and sitting at the computer for more than a few minutes is practically impossible. I have to get up and move around and I usually carry a book with me, but I can’t do that with my computer. A lot of people who have strokes and heart attacks deal with anxiety, panic attacks and ADHD. Most eBooks are not written for those of us who suffer from these issues. If I find a printed book I want, I buy it and read it when I am traveling, or as I move from one part of my home to another at my leisure. If people want me to read their material, they have to make it available to me in a form I can digest.

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com/ Joe Manna

    RL,

    I’m sorry to hear about the difficulty in sitting at the computer for long periods of time. I understand the ebook may not be ideal reading for health reasons, but it is convenient, it is economical (free), and it doesn’t consume any resources like paper and ink for most people to read it.

    Reading an ebook is much like reading on the Web, you can just scroll down through the material; I’m not quite sure what you (and others) would like us to do. If you would like to share more specific suggestions and provide feedback, please shoot me an email and I’ll relay it over to our team.

    Thanks,
    Joe
    joseph.manna AT infusionsoft.com

  • Nobby

    Hi Guys,
    I have briefly skimmed the e-book based on the printing costs, and will have to spend some time going over it in detail. I also tend to rpint out things to read in a quieter time.
    But at the end of the day, you really are misleading people if you say they can have the e-book, and then with-hold further chapters just so that you can intmidate them into giving you friends names. You should say this up front before you ask for the details. I know why you do it, but it’s how you do it!
    You say that the old ways of selling are dead, and yet you don’t practice what you preach. This is misleading and deceptive.
    Imagine buying a car, and being told that you only have to pay to get the car. You hand over your money, and then find out that for some extra commitment, you can also get the engine!
    Or if some-one bought your program, and then for some extra money, they could also get the password to access the program!
    Not the right thing to do guys!
    Your program is good, but your ethics leave something to be desired! You should read your own blogs when it comes to this sort of treatment.

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com/ Joe Manna

    Nobby,

    Thanks for your feedback. I find the ad hominem critiques on the colors, the printing, the length, the format, the bonus chapters and the medium it is delivered in to be rather concerning. I am concerned that many people aren’t focusing on the content of the book itself. Aside from cited health concern, most of the criticism is baseless and is founded on personal opinions.

    I understand, we didn’t custom tailor the book toward everyone. Yes, it has a lot of graphics in it. Yes, it will drain your printer’s ink when you print it. We spend many months, days and weekends completing this book — it was never intended to be printed. It was for reading on a monitor.

    The old ways of selling aren’t dead. The general concepts and wisdom are still valid and applicable; however, the means and the methods are changing rapidly. As one who read the ebook, I can read between the lines to form these conclusions. Nothing in the book is deceptive or misleading. Sorry that you feel mislead by reading about Dave’s personal and professional experiences.

    Our software can be used very successfully with social media — regardless of the medium, one thing remains important: Content. If you don’t have the bite to match the bark, don’t play. I’ll write in the future about how to use our software with social media; bridging the gap between the “old sales” techniques and modern “social media marketing.”

    The analogies about buying a car or not receiving a password to software doesn’t apply. The book is FREE. I find the practice of collecting general reader information is more than ethical, especially if they opt in for marketing tips and special offers. I’ll reiterate my point: There is nothing unethical or inappropriate by letting people opt in and volunteer their information to receive the book. Nothing precludes readers from entering false information, should it concern them.

    I’m left famished after reading your comment, Nobby. I’m not exactly sure what you’d want us change. If you have any specific concerns or have any constructive suggestions, please feel welcome to e-mail me and I’ll help you. My e-mail address is joseph.manna AT infusionsoft.com.

    All the best,
    Joe

  • Missy Bryant

    It seems that people are confused about the references and bonus chapter. I would suggest going back and reading the comment made by Tyler Garns on 11/21. It explains that you get the entire book without referring anyone, if you choose to refer a friend there is a bonus chapter you will receive as a free gift. Happy Holidays!

  • dude man

    yep

  • Alan

    Yes, there is a bit of misrepresntation in this process, for sure. “Step 1″ involves more than one simple step – I think it’s three in total, until you get to step 2, the download.

    But it is a good read nontheless, with a good message. (i suppose, as I haven’t finished the story yet!)
    To those who want to save $$$ in the printing – put your settings on Black only, and Quick Print (less ink). It would have been nice to have a less-graphic-hungry printable version, for sure, but for most people, saving the ink and paper feels better for the environment. The suggestion about “putting the text into Word” doesn’t work unless you have Acrobat program.
    Thanks for the freebie!

  • john

    it is wonderful.

  • http://diamondistrict.net Lydia Brown

    I really had to laugh reading the comments. At first I said to myself darn so many pages and graphics to print, but I am taking my time to read it online and I don’t have a problem so I am lucky I guess. The information you have provided is so helpful to me. I have been reading so much information lately that claims to be for free but is only a more confusing hint at what you can do to get your business and site noticed. I was glad to give you the email of two associates having discussed it with them first. A small price to pay for the information you are supplying. I was happy to find there was more to get after downloading the first manual. Thank you so much

  • adam

    …”Hi Adam,

    You’ve had “Master of the Moment” for a few days now. And hopefully you’ve discovered the power of consistent, effective follow-up” Both you Dave and Clate have gone into assumption emails… I have a mind of my own…perhaps I would not be offended if it were personal but it is a mass email that you send…I have pressing things OK..Reading your ebook is not on my “A” list…sorry to burst your bubble.. So I have spent more time to get to write a negative reaction on your blog and I could have read your book…I guess your follow-up does get a response even though it is psychological Negative Response..Thanks Missy..

  • Roger Boswarva

    Hey Folks,

    Maybe this is the only way to get to you . . . . after supplying the names and email addresses of two colleagues and hitting the “refer friends” button, my system got a jammed down load of the 70+ page book that according to my systems download progress window did not completely download. When I tried to save the PDF, everything jammed:-( and the “downloaded” book plus bonuses was lost.
    This is not too impressive. You need to fix this glitch. (I just upgraded to Firefox 3.)
    If you are on the ball, maybe an email with the 70+ pages attached would make amends?

    Roger

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com/ Joe Manna

    Adam,

    Sorry that you feel offended with the personalized e-mail. We try our best to provide people with useful information, such as a free ebook. Please accept my apology if you never wanted wanted to receive. Despite opting in to receive information on the e-book, twice, I’ve gone ahead and opted you out of our marketing since it’s clear you don’t like it.

    If you have any further feedback on how we can improve, please don’t hesitate to let me know. My e-mail address is joseph.manna AT infusionsoft.com.

    Regards,
    Joseph
    [Posted & Mailed]

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com/ Joe Manna

    Roger,

    Thanks for letting us know about your experience. I’ve attempted to duplicate the problem as you described it and everything worked for me. However, I believe if you open the ebooks (PDFs) directly without your browser instead of saving them, it will be opening the full 70+ pages of content and that can slow your system down.

    Again, I couldn’t find the glitch. Per your request, I will e-mail you these files so you can download them and read them separately.

    Thanks for your interest and sorry for the problem. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to improve your experience with Infusionsoft. :-)

    Warm Regards,
    Joe
    joseph.manna AT infusionsoft.com
    [Posted & Mailed]

  • OLABODE,TAIWO GABRIEL

    I have read the two books and it has really helped my business.I am hereby recommending it to all the small and big time entrepreneurs.I pray that God will continue to increase your strenght.I will still like to be receiving more of your e-books.

  • http://jakjobs.com Lowongan Kerja

    I just download the ebook. I have not read it. But if i saw few positive comments here, it encourage me to read it soon. I’ll post my honest review about this ebook. I think it will be useful for me to expand my business.

    Thanks you so much.

  • Henare Hawe

    Came across this from webpronews and I must say after reading the E-book that it will help me in organising my business interests.I quickly scanned the 2nd download and found this will encourage me to work better hopefully with good results, may I say this you cant please everyone, what do they want, you cant get anything freer than free

  • Henare Hawe

    One more thing , have a merry xmas and a succeful new year from the land downunder New Zealand

  • http://www.infusionsoft.com/ Joe Manna

    Thanks Henare for your kind words. Have a safe and warm Christmas and New Year, too. :-)

    ~Joe

  • http://npxnbhy.com/xmyzdf.html Jake Miranda

    hi
    jxcrs8fmbn2srf5s
    good luck

  • http://www.thewallstreetebook.com STLPilot

    I liked all of it. Also liked the up-sell version and the method to make it happen. Although some people are disgruntled by the “sales” tactics, I certainly like the fact that Infusion is driving me in the right direction to be successful. We are living in tough times in competitive market segments across all industries. I see people charging $999 for the same information that Infusion is offering for 8 email addresses. I mean let’s get real here people. We all want to be the best, so be the best. 8 email addresses is much more ethical than a thousand buck. Rock on Infusion!

  • petergold99

    Dave

    I read through the book and enjoyed it but, as I am already using IF I got a lot of it and some of the people who commented here will consider me a fan anyway! OK, maybe it was a bit long but an enjoyable read either way. Bottom line; the advice is great and even thought I've been through the implementation process recently I still picked up some good reminders of things I need to do.

    The key point is it's about relationships – and these take time. You cannot rush the process and as much as you may need to, tough! I have new sequences that started on 20 July and go to the end of Dec 09. I'd like it all to go faster but tough (on me). So, I've realised I have a lot of untapped contacts who have subscribed to various reports and guess what, I've not been in contact for a while. I have people who have subscribed to >5 different things – and I have yet to close them – work to do!

    The people that complain about graphics and printing are totally missing the point. As for referrals; you get what you give and I think it is a neat idea that I will be using in a very open way.

    Once again, many thanks.

    Peter

  • petergold99

    Dave

    I read through the book and enjoyed it but, as I am already using IF I got a lot of it and some of the people who commented here will consider me a fan anyway! OK, maybe it was a bit long but an enjoyable read either way. Bottom line; the advice is great and even thought I've been through the implementation process recently I still picked up some good reminders of things I need to do.

    The key point is it's about relationships – and these take time. You cannot rush the process and as much as you may need to, tough! I have new sequences that started on 20 July and go to the end of Dec 09. I'd like it all to go faster but tough (on me). So, I've realised I have a lot of untapped contacts who have subscribed to various reports and guess what, I've not been in contact for a while. I have people who have subscribed to >5 different things – and I have yet to close them – work to do!

    The people that complain about graphics and printing are totally missing the point. As for referrals; you get what you give and I think it is a neat idea that I will be using in a very open way.

    Once again, many thanks.

    Peter

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