Offer something valuable to all your connections!

I'm currently translating, from French to English, an ebook that will be distributed to all the 21 million users of Linkedin. If you read French, you can download that ebook immediately at www.superquebec.org (password is "superquebec").

The problem, of course, is that I have only 900 connections on Linkedin. So I'll need the collaboration of many Linkedin users in order to distribute that valuable ebook about a revolutionary way to design and develop one's ideal career.

If you wish to participate, the following text will appear on the cover of that ebook: "This special ebook has a regular value of $50 and is being offered free of charge to you, courtesy of (your name here)."

In other words, as a sponsor of this ebook, you will generate a lot of goodwill from all the people in your Linkedin network. For my part, I benefit from your distributing this ebook to your connections. The reader benefits from receiving a valuable ebook for free.

Everybody wins!

This ebook is only the first ebook I'm publishing. I'm planning on publishing more ebooks this way, and I call it "hyperpublishing."

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact me at peter@careerknowledge.net and mention "Request information on ebook sponsorship opportunity." Remember, you are NOT paying anything and you are generating goodwill among your Linkedin connections so they appreciate the fact of being connected to you. This offer ends on June 30, 2008. Thank you.

Professional vs Productional

I coined the word "productional" to refer to talented people who are creating a product, in contrast to talented people -- called professionals -- who are offering a professional service.

Since a product can be sold to almost anyone almost anywhere on the planet, thanks to the Internet and FedEx, there seems to be more economic leverage to be exploited.

That is, productionals could be making much more money than professionals.

Note: I provide a detailed report on this topic to subscribers of this blog. Please register via the top, righthand corner to receive this special report.

But let me share with you now the main differences between a productional and a professional.

A productional focuses on creating more and more products. of increasingly higher quality, to be distributed to all potential clients.

A professional, in contrast, cannot do this since he has to serve clients one at a time (or, in some cases, several at a time. Lawyers, for instance, can handle several cases at any given point).

A productional focuses more on efficiency while a professional focuses more on effectiveness (his employing organization focuses on efficiency).

The question then arises, "Which is better, to be a professional or a productional?"

In a world without Internet, being a professional seems better. In today's world, however, where the Internet enables the quasi-instant distribution worldwide of digital content created by one's intellect and imagination, it seems better to be a productional.

The overwhelming majority of Linkedin users are professionals (and managers, whom I consider to be management professionals), not productionals.

Why? If the concept of a productional is better, financially speaking, why aren't more people productionals?

I guess it's a new idea, so it needs time to catch on. But it will catch on pretty fast given the serious financial payoff involved.

More and more professionals are writing ebooks in order to promote their expertise. There are many tutorials on Youtube about how to create an ebook and sell it over the Internet.

As more and more people realize that the knowledge in their heads is actually GOLD, they will aggressively seek to market their expert knowledge. For some, this will be a second career whose income will complement the income from their daytime job. Note that this second income is PASSIVE income, that is, they make money without having to work. Sites like Payloadz enables them to make money without doing much.

As these productionals become more and more efficient in the marketing of their ebooks (or other kinds of digital content, like DVDs), they will reduce their "professional" activities and concentrate more on their "productional" activities.

Although I foresee a wholesale shift, in the worldwide population of professionals, toward a product-based career, this will not happen overnight, nor will it happen without much toil and hard work and struggling.

But this mega shift will happen nonetheless for the simple reason that people hate to lose. And when they (the professionals) begin to see people around them (the productionals) make lots of money via the commercialization of their expert ebooks, they will want in. Because they definitely do not want to lose out on this huge opportunity to generate passive income from their expert knowledge.

Make $$$ on Linkedin by creating a digital document

Search for Eben Pagan on Google or Youtube, and you'll quickly find out he created a $20 million information business within 6 years. Not bad.

He started by writing, in one week, an ebook to give dating advice to men. That's how it all started for him.

This is proof positive that one can make a fortune with an information product.

Of course, he didn't use Linkedin nor Facebook. So you DO have an edge. But you have to learn how to create a valuable digital document first.

Headhunters make a lot of money from Linkedin, and I'm happy for them. Those who really care about putting talented people in a position where they can shine while contributing to the continued success of the employer, definitely deserve success and recognition.

But what about the rest of us, at Linkedin, who are not headhunters or recruiters? How do we monetize our participation on Linkedin? After all, time is money.

Creating an information product that is valuable to Linkedin users, is one way. There are writers who specialize in helping people to capture their valuable knowledge and expertise in the form of an ebook. I'd be glad to recommend a few if you're interested.

Another way is to create a virtual service, which can be delivered via Skype, regular phone line, email, instant messaging, etc. Consultants and experts are best qualified to make money this way.

But the bottom line is that whether you sell a product or a service, you first have to buy trust. Having 500 connections on Linkedin does not mean that 500 people trust you. And if they don't trust you, they are unlikely to buy anything from you.

Fortunately, there IS a surefire way to buy trust from ALL your connections. It's a secret that few people know.

I will share that secret in my next post.

The key to wealth for Linkedin users

Facts:

1. Everybody wants to make more money
2. To make more money, one must sell more (of one's services and/or products, or of others' services and/or products)
3. To sell more, one must BUY more trust, confidence, goodwill, etc.
4. To buy more trust (from potential buyers), one must GIVE value. Lots of value. Frequently. Without any strings attached.
5. The only thing that one can give away to (thousands of) potential buyers WITHOUT impoverishing oneself, is a digital document (text, video, audio, etc.).

Conclusion:

The key to making more money (possibly a fortune!), is to thoroughly understand point #5 and master it.

The discussion above points to an important insight for all Linkedin users: it doesn't matter whether you have 100 or 10,000 connections.

What matters critically is whether you have a useful, valuable digital document to give away, for free, to all your connections. If you are able to create such a document, then it will be easy to secure people's goodwill and trust.

It will then be easier to sell products and services to them (whether they are your own or somebody else's -- in this case, you would act as an affiliate or reseller).

I will write more about how to create such a super-critical digital document.

Answers to your requests

Several subscribers have selected the following requests from a previous post, so let me briefly address these issues. I will write in greater detail about each question.

LUM 001 - Please write more about how I can make money by using Linkedin

It's important here to understand that making money from one's products, is quite different from making money from one's services. Then, within the services category, one must distinguish between services that can be delivered virtually (i.e. through Skype, email, instant messaging, etc.) vs services that must be delivered in person (i.e. hairdressing, massage, etc.).

It's also important to understand that a network (such as one's network of connections on Linkedin) is different from a market. A market is a homogeneous group of buyers, and they usually share a common characteristic such as age, educational level, income, interest, etc. So because they are homogeneous in at least one dimension, they are likely to respond similarly to a marketing offer.

So it is critical to carefully segment one's connections on Linkedin. For example, I group all the CEOs together, or group all the professional together, or put in a group all the entrepreneurs. This way, I can send a specific marketing offer to EACH group.

LUM 002 - Write about how I can increase the number of connections I have

This request is actually badly formulated, now that I think of it. The strategic consideration should be, "How can I get connected to the specific people that I want to connect to, such as entrepreneurs, CEOs, mothers, etc."

For instance, if you're selling a product that is targeting mothers, then it would make sense for you to find a way to spot mothers on Linkedin.

LUM 004 - Write about how I can find a better job by using Linkedin

LUM 006 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to study my competitors

One way is to ask a question on Linkedin, something like: "I'm launching a service called XYZ. Would you know of direct or indirect competitors in that space?"

LUM 007 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to generate leads for my professional services

Business is war, and war is very much like chess. Sometimes, one must give up one's rook in order to capture the opponent's king.

In plain English, it means you should offer a free service so that your clients can see how good you are, and they would return to you. The lifetime client value will more than compensate for your loss of income during that first free service. For example, if you charge $100 for a service and give it away for free on the first visit, you can make several times that amount after the client has been satisfied and comes back to you.

General principle: to generate leads, give away something valuable for free.

LUM 008 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to generate leads for my products

Same answer as above.

LUM 009 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to become a millionaire

I know several secrets for becoming a millionaire, but if I tell you, I will have to kill you right after. :-)

Here's a tip for now: "Focus on what you do best, AND knock on every door."

In other words, "Excellence opens all doors."

Okay, enough mysterious aphorisms, let me be blunt and direct because there's a lot of money at stake here! You must create value worth $100, then put it in people's hands so they can experience it, and then charge them $10. Do this for a million people and you'll become a millionaire.

Last time I checked, Linkedin has 21 million users. It's not necessary for you to be personally connected to all of them. You can create an affiliate marketing program so that others get 30-40% of the sales. If you're really, really bold, you could also give them 100% of the sales, that is, they net 100% in profit. You can make money by upselling and cross selling to the clients that you get.

LUM 010 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to find affiliate opportunities

Find an author who wrote a book, and propose to him an affiliate deal where you get 30% of the sales to the people in your network. For instance, if a book sells for $50, then you get $15 every time one of your connections orders the book.

LUM 015 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to market my knowledge

This is a very complex, but highly enjoyable process. First, you've got to know what it is that you know that is worth something to someone. Then, find that someone and give it to him/her.

I will write more about this. It's about "monetizing your intellect."

LUM 016 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to refine my knowledge

Participate on Linkedin Answers by asking interesting questions and formulating interesting, helpful answers.

LUM 017 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to acquire new skills

Send an email to all your connections and list the skills you can teach someone, over the phone, and the skills you would like to learn from someone.

In fact, I'm planning to create a Linkedin-wide network where people can exchange skills. Stay tuned!

Tell me what you want me to write about

Below is a list of "codes" that you can use to request an article. For example, email me at peter@careerknowledge.net with the code (ex. "LUM 001") in the subject heading of your email. No need to write anything in the email.

I will then write an article or many articles on the topic you chose.

This is an example of on-demand blogging! I believe I am the first in the world to do this kind of thing.

LUM 001 - Please write more about how I can make money by using Linkedin
LUM 002 - Write about how I can increase the number of connections I have
LUM 003 - Write about how I can find business partners or joint venture partners
LUM 004 - Write about how I can find a better job by using Linkedin
LUM 005 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to find hot dates (just kidding)
LUM 006 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to study my competitors
LUM 007 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to generate leads for my professional services
LUM 008 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to generate leads for my products
LUM 009 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to become a millionaire
LUM 010 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to find affiliate opportunities
LUM 011 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to create new products
LUM 012 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to find (or steal) product ideas
LUM 013 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to learn more about business or management
LUM 014 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to advance my career
LUM 015 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to market my knowledge
LUM 016 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to refine my knowledge
LUM 017 - Write about how I can use Linkedin to acquire new skills

The end of your career

WARNING: After you read this post, you'll think I'm a crazy person. Like one of those white-bearded fellows who think they are prophets and can accurately predict the End of the World while shouting, "It's Judgment Day! Repent! Repent!"

Well, I'll take my chances because I believe this insight could help you to think in new ways and, quite possibly, help you to MAKE A FORTUNE.

Yes, I mean a fortune as in a net worth of US$1 million. 33 million Americans already have such net worth (which, by the way, does not include the value of the residence you live in).

So here's my "prophecy": The end of your career is coming. (But there's no need to repent, you didn't do anything wrong or naughty. At least, not that I'm aware of.)

In fact, your "career" mostly likely never existed. You were just used as a human resource to power the business engine called "the company" or "the corporation."

I know many people might be offended when reading this, and might decide to crucify me. But please, hear me out. Put down the wooden cross, the hammer and the nails. Please.

A career can be defined in so many ways, but the best way is to consider a spectrum with "laborism" on the left end and "productism" on the right end.

If you're working for McDonald's, then you're labor. You're easily replaceable. This doesn't mean the job is not good, because many young or inexperienced people could learn a lot by entering the workforce with a McJob. I myself, at age 16, began working in a fast food restaurant and I learned a great deal.

On the other hand, if you're a graphic designer working for an ad agency, then you're closer to the "productism" end, since you actually do create a product which you may decide to include in your portfolio.

Whether or not you own the product you created, is a complicated matter that I'll discuss in a future post.

But right now, for the sake of discussing how "vulnerable" or "solid" your career is, let's focus on where you are on the laborism-productism spectrum.

My main point is that the more your work focuses on creating a product, the faster or sooner you will achieve financial independence. With the Internet and Fedex, your time to financial freedom is even dramatically shortened if you have a product to sell that has near-universal appeal.

Most Linkedin users are, in fact, facing only one major obstacle to becoming financially free: they do not know how to create a product.

The average Linkedin user is 39 years old, and has a household income of $140,000. That's not a lot. It's about $70,000 per person.

A mid six-figure income would be acceptable.

The best way to earn an income of $500,000, of course, is to create a product and then spam everybody.

I'm just kidding. Create an information product, then sell it to people who could benefit from it.

That's what I mean when I say that everybody's career will end soon. That's because:

1. If your job involves mostly labor (and no creation of new products), then your job will soon be outsourced or automated.

2. If your job involves creating a product, then the employer owns ALL the legal rights to that product, including the intellectual property involved in creating it or resulting from it. In such a case, you will one day realize that you're being unfairly exploited and will quit your job to start your own business. Watch the movie The Spanish Prisoner for an entertaining and suspenseful treatment of this crucial topic of who should own the intellectual property.

In both cases, your career -- as you know it -- will end.

This is why so many people are flocking to Linkedin. They sense that something is wrong in the system, and they want to explore new ways to make a living. They want new economic options.

In my case, I quit corporate America in June 2000 when I was 31 years old. I've launched several successful businesses since then, and will likely retire financially wealthy before I'm 40 years old.

I'm becoming a global wealth consultant who sincerely desires to help people to achieve financial freedom. Read PowerKnowledge.net and subscribe to the free newsletter. You won't regret it.

The first thing I tell clients is, "Consider the possibility that your career is the biggest obstacle to your financial freedom."

Think about that for a while. I will write more on it.

How user-friendly are you? (part 2)

Networking is very much like dating. You've got to know, as precisely as possible, what you're looking for.

Blind dates doesn't work. (Well, if you're really desperate, they might work!).

Online dating sites also do not work. Of course, this does not mean they are completely useless. Sometimes, a shy person can create an account on those online dating sites and interact with others online in order to realize that we're all the same, and this might reduce her or his shyness.

But perhaps the main reason why online dating sites don't work is that they shift the focus to something external. Dating and effective networking is really about focusing on YOURSELF.

On what makes you truly unique or special.

I have 890 connections on Linkedin, and have not invited anyone (except perhaps a few people when I first joined Linkedin three years ago). People invite me, because they read my answers on Linkedin Answers. They know the value I'm bringing to the marketplace.

They know I'm going out of my way to make myself "user-friendly," by sharing my valuable information and knowledge as much as possible (through my blogs and Linkedin answers).

Often, I even share a lot of useful ideas and information in the form of questions I ask on Linkedin Answers!

My point is that in the networking game, you are only as useful as the information you share.

If your information and knowledge are not good or useful, well, don't be surprised if people hesitate to network with you.

The solution is very simple: share what you learn as soon as you learn it. Don't keep your knowledge to yourself. It will not benefit you, nor will it benefit your connections.

Why should you give away your valuable information and knowledge? Because of the universal law that says: "Giving starts the process of receiving."

If you want to receive MORE, all you have to do is give MORE.

I guarantee you that after you adopt the policy of giving away much of your valuable information, you will become very popular. And very connected.

Being well connected on Linkedin and in real life, puts you in the very best position to succeed in your career or business.

How user-friendly are you?

Networking today is dramatically different than it was 10 years ago, yet most people have not realized this.

It's no longer just about meeting people or even building "relationships." What does "relationship" mean anyway?

It's more about maximizing your utility to the members of your network.

In other words, make yourself "user-friendly." Make it EASY and CONVENIENT for people in your network to USE you, your knowledge, your experience, your judgment, etc.

As an aside, some people (especially headhunters and HR professionals) are actually doing the opposite: they spam their entire network with job ads that have absolutely no relevance to any member of their network. These folks are being blacklisted and are getting a bad reputation among the 21 million users of Linkedin, so they should revise their strategy of broadcasting unsolicited job positions.

Indeed, they are being of zero utility to their connections, YET they want to USE their connections. They run the risk of being perceived as unprofessional "peddlers" of untargeted job vacancies. As a headhunter or HR professional, once you lose your reputation, you lose everything.

But back to being "user-friendly." A good way is to send your connections a list of questions that you are qualified to answer. They can then just "copy and paste" the questions whose answers they want, and email them to you.

For instance, I would email the following questions to my connections:

1. What is KM and why should I, as a professional, care?
2. How can I repackage my human capital into solutions, products or services so I can quit the rat race and launch my own business?
3. What is the one secret about entrepreneurship that is not taught in any entrepreneurship program, without which the odds of success in business are dramatically reduced?
4. What is the mysterious process you went through, to create valuable and popular workshops at Talentelle.com?

Then, all my connections have to do is email me with the question number (e.g. 2, 4) in the subject heading of an email. I would then provide them with the answers.

The answers will be different for each connection, because as much as possible, I will customize the answer to the specific situation of the person asking the question.

So just look at your connections on Linkedin. If nobody has asked you any question, then you might not be useful to your connections.

It's not that you CANNOT be useful to your connections. It's just that you are not "user-friendly": that is, your connections do not know HOW to use you or your knowledge or your experience.

"User-friendly optimality" (UFO) must be consciously designed. In other words, you have to create specific systems, like my pre-written, numbered questions above, that enables your connections to use you.

Because the networking game is very simple: if they can't rely on you, you cannot rely on them.

You could have 500 connections, but that's just a fancy number without any practical value behind it if you are not being useful to your connections.

I will write more on UFO later.