What If I Told You the Truth?
"Most of us go around measuring our insides, by other people's outsides…"
Rick Butts
Transparency.
How well do we let others see who we really are?
When you read my blog, can you see through my marketing, my elevator speech, my USP, and get an idea about the man?
More importantly, can we see you behind your subtitle, book title, or does every personal reference keep you cloaked behind your clever bi-line?
IE: If you have manufactured an online presence as anything that starts with "The _____" - might you phrase your visit to the boat show like this: "The _____ went to the boat show today and she just couldn't believe how many…"
Hey, I know things move fast on the web - and that we have just a few moments to catch the eye of a first time visitor. So, I know I spend way too much of my time thinking about that moment.
More and more lately I've been thinking about you - you know how you are. You don't read everything I write - especially a post plugging a product that you aren't interested in. But, you do read a good deal of what gets posted here.
What if I told you that I've never made a million dollars in Internet marketing?
I created software and video tutorials that helped my customers make way more than that. But me, I think I've made about $350,000 online - and I have spent it all.
For the last 2 years I've survived financially from affiliate marketing and reviewing products, while being infinitely frustrated with the state of Internet marketing as is well documented here.
So by not really being in "the game" (aggressively squeezing names and mailing for the big launches) I've really not prospered anywhere near what I could have - and that is my own fault.
What if I told you that I sometimes struggle with depression, and to that end, I take a low dose anti-depressant every day that has changed my life?
Would you think me weak? Don't we all want to believe that the thought leaders we buy into are strong, clear, decisive, and without weakness?
What if I told you that every single post on this blog was written and then published in the moment? I don't have any idea what I'll write tomorrow, or even if I'll write anything, despte the fact that Jack Humphrey has made it clear that an Authority Site should post daily.
If you've been following me on Twitter or seen the last Ustream.TV show you know I announced that as a result of being totally dis-connected here in Denver I was selling my house and moving to Budapest, Hungary - and that I was going to do a daily show Mon-Thu.
The Eastern Europe thing is a whole 'nother subject - and I soon realized the timing for me to commit to be anywhere at 3pm EST 4 days a week - while realtors are showing my crib - was nuts.
Okay, enough of the "what if's" - I"ve worn that out.
Today I want you to know, most of all, that I really honor the fact that you are reading this now. More than you could possibly imagine - and more than I ever take the time to say.
And that, truly, I want in my heart of hearts, to make a difference in your life.
Beyond the way I sometimes slaughter grammar, syntax, punctuation (I'm still uncertain of the use of the apostrophe) I REALLY want to touch your heart and mind, encourage you, make you laugh, and provide some insight that provokes you to avoid mistakes, get motivated, and yes, have a better life.
To this end I've created like 50 headers for this blog - each with a different "bi-line" (which I'm vaguely certain I'm misspelling!)
Every attempt I've made to create one that is both clever and accurate seems insuffecient the moment it goes up. Can you relate?
I am not preaching at you to be more transparent. For all I know you have just the right touch in your visible image or are quite clear the whole thing. Good for you.
But, for me, it has been a struggle.
I'm working on 2 products I intend to let you know about in the next week. 1 is a special report on the behind the scenes stuff that made up the tremendously successful posts that got 240 comments and thousands of new visitors and subscribers to my blog.
The other a monetization strategy for niche bloggers that no one else has ever talked about.
The first one will be $10 - the second one I'm not sure yet. It will have camtasia videos and will be a lot more work.
These are the first products I've created in a very long time.
And what if I told you that while I am supremely confident that both of them will be worth a bazillion times what they cost - that I'm a Nervous Nellie about how to sell something to you after all my railing on how stuff gets marketed to the I.M. "gang." Loved Mari Smith's snort about that in the comments!
After writing "I Am Joe's Email List" - I'm kind of on the hot seat, huh?
Thanks for reading today - I have no big finish, except to say that I hope you get that I care deeply about your success - not just financially - but about your insides, too.
Rick
Filed under Blogroll, Motivation | Success, Social Marketing, World According to Rick by Rick
Comments on What If I Told You the Truth? »
I appreciate your candor. There are some big names out there that are not doing as well as they'd let people believe but the reality is that with business, you have up and down cycles.
Donald Trump went bankrupt but came back stronger than before. I can relate to having made 100s of 1000s online and have wasted much of it on hairbrained schemes. Oh well, the experience has let me bounce back even stronger than before. I suspect that you will have much success with the projects you are working on.
Keep the open conversations coming!
Hey Fred, Thanks so much!
I'm kind of experiencing a rebirth of love for the real world of Internet marketing - in niches.
I fully intend to kick some serious butt in the months ahead - but it will be on my (automated) terms for niches.
For this blog - I hope to be able to create unique and truthiness content.
Rick
Whoa, I knew something was up but missed the Budapest part. You do have much more value than you realize; don't go!!! It's easy to get 'down', and I do too (often relative to my bank account).
You help us and connect us, by verbalizing what a lot of folks have to be feeling when they hit the inbox, which for me is just more noise, more confusion, and more frustration.
You and Jack Humphrey are about the only guys who make sense in the IM world, so don't forget it! I do have good taste! So there I said it.
Rick
One thing you've always done for me is make me laugh. The other reason I keep coming back here is that I feel you are real and transparent. That is what I love about you the most.
Being open, honest and true to yourself is the "new age of marketing" or for that matter, for life in general. It's so much easier to tell the truth. You don't have to remember what lies you told, to what person.
Should be fun to watch you market your new stuff. You may be under a microscope with some waiting to pounce on any misstep or chink in your honesty armor.
Keep being Rick Butts and letting it flow without worrying about how someone might interpret what you are doing or saying and all will be well.
Even though it's not face to face communication with this stuff everyone can feel the real. People's BS meters are getting pretty good these days.
I for one love your "truthiness" (great word - can I use it?)
Seth
Kim and Seth,
Thanks so much for your wonderful words of encouragement. If (when) I do journey to live in Eastern Europe, which I really hope to do soon - I won't disappear.
I intend to video blog the whole thing - for the joy of the baby boomer men who would enjoy the adventure.
Seth, "truthiness" is a made up word I borrowed from Stephen Colbert "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central.
I love it!
Rick
Rick,
I have unsubbed from 98% of my previous ezines and am down to only a scant handful of marketers that I consider "time worthy" when it comes to reading their blogs/rss feeds.
You are one of the few who made the cut and you made it because you are SO real. Truthfully… what if you told me the truth??
That is the only reason I have been reading up to now. Because I feel like you have been all along.
By the way.. (inside joke to follow) I thought of another one… from a southern cyberghost… "Internets Ah've Haunt"
Also, I like the tagline you have going right now.
Mindy Kochs last blog post..@ShannonCole What is this you are selling? i must have missed something… (via Twitter)
I'm touched by your reference to depression. I suffer from it myself but fail to mention it for fear of being judged. I've been considering writing about it on my blog although have yet to muster the courage.
But that's the main reason I'll keep coming back and being a fan of you. You're honest and open which is really appreciated since so many others aren't.
Cassies last blog post..Thwirl versus TweetDeck
Good Evening Rick,
If you say you want to make people laugh, you have succeeded.
If you say you want to help people, you have succeeded.
If you say you want to leave, we won't let you.
I for one have so appreciated you taking on the BIG guys; even though I do like some of them. But the message you give underneath all that is one that I, as a nobody who nobody knows, can say. Oh, I can say it, but it won't get heard. People know you and listen to what you say; as is evidenced by the responses you get when you do some of these "go get 'em" posts. They know you and they know that you still like them; it is some of the psychology and methodology reserved for the "big dogs" that you are after. I don't know, maybe with your new projects/products you will do the same; but somehow I think differently.
Thanks. It is nice to hear someone who can get the big gurus to respond to your posts. Just wanted to let you know that some of us really appreciate your comments.
Rick,
It's always interesting reading your blog posts. Your posts are a blast of fresh air into an otherwise stagnant zone. I appreciate your candor and transparency.
Good luck in your upcoming adventures, both online and out in the real world.
Keep up the good work here. I appreciate it.
Jeff
Mindy
Cassie
Carol
Jack
Thank you so much for what you've shared here. Carol, your triad lines actually got me choked up.
You know, you sit here at this keyboard, and you look around the giant web - and try to ask yourself:
Where do I fit in?
What can I contribute?
What is valuable?
It only takes a small amount of encouragement, and your words help me see that - and I am truly grateful tonight.
Mindy thanks SO MUCH for mentioning the tagline!
I may actually keep this one!
Rick
Rick,
I feel lucky to have been introduced to your blog via this post. Thank you for allowing your readers to know you.
I see transparency as a gesture of respect for both self and others. I am also a firm believer that openness and possibility go hand in hand. Your essay is a shining example of that.
Best,
Debra
another great post, Rick, that was written in moment:) I like reading your posts and I recently started following your "twitters". I like your writing, and as a reader I really appreciate your honesty. I think this is what we all miss online these days…
Rick,
I honestly don't know what to think anymore.
Who can you trust? Is there anyone worth trusting?
When you surround yourself with smart people and people who have succeeded in business they'll tell you– "Keep pushing forward, there are no failures, only results!"
Maybe they're just telling me this to make more money off of me?
For whatever it's worth, I feel like I've just had my Entrepreneurial Bubble burst.
Am I missing the point?
Jeesh, now I'm depressed!
Seems pretty cool to me. From what little I have read ( just started) you seem to go against the norm of most marketers, and I like that.
Safe to say, I already had plans to come back, but after this post, you may just see me daily
JK Swopess last blog post..How to Grow your Business
"What if I told you that I sometimes struggle with depression, and to that end, I take a low dose anti-depressant every day that has changed my life?"
Rick,
Thank god for welbutrin, prozac and a few others, I've tried a bunch. Finally I found that the "rage" that I broke out in all too often could be controlled. Yes, I too suffer from depression. It took 4 years of trial and error to realize that the average dosage of Welbutrin wasn't enough for me. The average person is about 180 Lbs. Until recently I was over 300 and at a peak about 6 months ago 330. At my height that's seriously obese. (detest using morbid) But what I found is that by asking my doctor to double the average dose, I weas able to not have those "rages" and even more important didn't need to be eating all the time to offset the depressed feeliing. Wow if only I'd learned this 10-20 years ago. In the last 6 months I've lost about 10 lbs. a month. Amazing the change in perspective at 262 compared to 330+.
Enough of that! Let's talk about you. I admire your plan for Budapest, although I'm not sure I picked up what prompted it or what attraction it holds. I can understand those sun seekers that have opted for Florida, Mexico, and Hawaii. I could probably get those who choose the Vermont woods or the Colorado (WY,NM, etc) Rocky mountains. But aside from the cultural difference, which averyone tells me has been fading fast over the last 30 years, why, Budapest? I believe the climate is approximately the same, since lattitudes are similar. So as is my style, I researched a little. Budapest is a Celtic city, imagine the relationship to the Irish and Scots. I can well imagine the exciting times in a Hungary that is less than 20 years away from being a totalitarian foreign ruled country. Growth both culturally and economically is the name of the game. Altogether I applaud your decision.
I'm glad to hear that you are working on 2 new ventures. Although I've only known of you for a short time, Thanks Jack H, I've valued what i read from you. I've kept your subscription and Jack's, but I've been jettisoning others, 25 in fact. I didn't really have the time to read all the Emails, let alone, all the overly long sales pages. I hope you plan on keeping up your profile on the net. I wish your radio show was a regularly scheduled event. Such rollicking good times.
Hang in there! There is a brave new world, and it's right around the corner.
Get Your Name On!
Mike
http://twitter.com/mike1mb
Hey I just wrote this "in the moment" Maybe I am Learning!
Mike Cunninghams last blog post..How Freddie/Fannie Fallout Could Affect Main Street - NYTimes.com
Rick,
Thanks for being so candid and honest in this and other posts..it takes a fair amount of guts to do that. It is like a refreshing gust of wind in a boiler room of IM sleazyness.
The problem is I have spent most of the morning reading your blog and it's lunchtime already!
Good luck in Budapest..I loved it there
Rick,
What AREN'T you telling us?
Sounds like you're finding yourself the more you verbalize it to us all. Keep on poppin! Variety is the spice of life — "The red bill or the blue pill, Neal?
Before Blog, there was "I am."
Finally, can't forget >> From all these posts, it sounds like you should put up an affiliate link to your pharmacist, dude.
Martin
http://www.CustomerCatcher.com
http://www.MartinWales.com
http://www.RadioTalkShowHost.com
Thank you again Rick for your honesty.
An illusive commodity these days, especially on the Net.
Integrity and simplicity is what I have been offering my client base for almost 1/2 century, and it is FUN to see others with same philosophy
I also have pared my "mail box"
I would be honored to interview you for our Membership site, Beginners Marketing Class. Other interviewees have been marketers of Integrity and Candor
Thanks again
Chuck
Rick,
What if I told you that your humor,intelligence and honesty have continued to inspire the woman that was once a lonely little girl who grew up in a very under-served community outside of Detroit. She wasn't allowed to go outside and play and she watched the world through a window in her house. She had trying times and felt like no one else could ever relate to her pain. As she grew up, she realized that some of the people she admired the most shared similar experiences and it's what made them strong and ultimately helped them achieve their dreams.
So Rick, if you told me that, I would tell you that you inspire me by being yourself and you continually show me that people can make a difference in lives just by being who they are. Thank you for making a difference in MY life.
SimplyDs last blog post..Living a purposeful life
Thanks to everyone here who shared such big stuff.
Martin, Denise, Jerry, Mike, JK,
I need to put a box up on the site asking what you'd like to see me write - or create a video on.
It's on the list.
Thank you - thank you - thank you!
Rick
Rick,
Very wonderful post! I feel great reading it. You are quite a guy, it seems. You give me back a lot of faith. Depression bites. I had it for about 40 years, and I mean the black, yawing kind when you find yourself with and empty bottle of Scotch (and not even a single-malt) under your desk with a knife to your wrists on Christmas Eve, alone, in your lonely apartment in Germany. (It's not like that any more, so don't worry!)
I think candor and honesty like yours helps set us all free.
Keep fighting the good fight. Can't wait to see what you'll be putting out.
And Budapest absolutely ROCKS!
Brian (a.k.a. Professor Homunculus at http://MathMojo.com )
Rick. I'm chiming in late as usual … but you are truly one of the realest people I've ever met. You continue to inspire me to keep pushing and keep doing it my way, even if it conflicts with the standard "internet marketer" procedures. Thanks for talking to everyone and judging them on the strength of their character, not the size of their list.
Isa "Niche Lady" Murphy, The Staying Paid Diva
@nichelady
Isabella "Niche Lady" Murphys last blog post..The Real Item Your Website Needs To Sell, and Three Steps To Make It Happen
[...] done a true Cross Blog Conversation (CBC), but it was Rick Butts' blog post on Transparency: What if I told you the truth? and the public nature of the topic at hand, that lead me to respond to Rick right here - out in the [...]
Truly inspirational. I'm having another love surge for da Butt. Really warmed my heart (and raised my eyebrows just a wee bit) to read such incredible candor.
Well, even if Budapest manifests, you'd only ever be a tweet away. But I have a gr8 idea - how about sell your house & furniture and get a big ol' motorhome!
You could follow in Charles Kuralt's footsteps and blog about all da peeps you meet?!
Big hugs,
Mari
@marismith
Mari Smiths last blog post..Facebook Event Invitations - Unsubscribe Option?
WOW! Can I just say that this is my first time following you and I am so glad I was led to this post. Rick my man, I have been trying this IM stuff since 2006 and you are the first IMer that I am choosing to follow outside of a two or three others.
I consider myself a pretty down-to-earth, transparent woman with no need to hide anything. I am glad to have found you and my hat is off to you as well as a glass raised!
You are a treasure!
LaTaras last blog post..I Love Twitter
@Mari - I actually thought about the motorhome idea - fuel costs aside - I got so burned out on travel in general - that I think that if I had a wonderful relationship in my life - I'd be quite happy in a cabin in the mountains, overlooking a river or lake, of course.
@LaTara - awwwwww, smiles, blushes!
@nichelady Isabella - you are such a ray of sunshine. I don't know why but each time I see your name, as when you post a comment here or Twitter - I can't help but smile. And thats a very good thing!
I can completely understand, Rick. I wouldn't do this RV thang solo for all the cashola in da world. Having said that, it's INTENSE to do as a couple. Talk about magnifying issues. haha. Hubby and I jokingly call this our mobile marriage bootcamp. Oh, and issues are AFGO's (another f'ing growth opportunity).
Wait! If ya wanted to be proactive we could set up a nifty website? RickButtsWonderfulRelationship.com - something like that. Seriously, I bet your ideal gal is looking for you and through the help and support of your trusty social network community (NOT wading into the morass by yourself), you could meet a FAB gal!! Okay, I'm a big romantic.
Cheers,
Mari
Hi Rick,
Ok, are you really moving to Hungary? You know where I'd suggest instead? Prague (Praha)! It's the most awesome place in Eastern Europe, have you been there yet? I haven't been to Budapest so I don't have a comparison but Prague is awesome.
And re: ppl comparing their insides to another's outsides - very very true, happens a lot. We never really know what someone else is going through, unless they share it like you have in your wonderful, open way that you do.
(btw, I'm very very happy to see more and more men disclosing that they've struggled with depression, which at it's source is negative thinking [I'm doing a course on this now and blogging about it]. Many men don't get help for their stress, anxiety, and/or depression because of fear of being looked at as "less than", and that is soooo far from the truth. These are the #1 emotional disorders in the world and nothing at all to be ashamed of.
)
C ya on Twitter and I'm keeping an eye out for your next live broadcast!
JoLynn Braleys last blog post..The 6-Day Mini Makeover Plan by Michael Thurmond
Rick - if you decide to go back to the Budapest option, let me know. Think I still have a few relatives over there.
RE: being truthful - my hunch is that there's lots and lots that goes unsaid. Not necessarily not telling truth, but not being forthcoming, either.
It's been interesting for me to watch Internet marketers attempt the shift from sending mass emails to participating in community-driven social media tools like blogging and twitter. You kinda have to be more natural/more real to make it work. That's not a problem for you. Thanks for setting a good example.
@wiredprworks on twitter.com
P.S. Have to thank you publicly. We've never met [except in the comment box and on twitter] and yet you sent me a prospect. That's a first.
Barbara Rozgonyis last blog post..Reader Q&A | Chicago Social Media Connections and Events
I love your quote! I have a rotating quote generator on one of my blogs… can I add your quote to the mix? I attribute all quotes to their authors.
I like the honesty in this entry. I recently learned a lesson in a similar vein.
Yes Cynthia - you are absolutely welcome to use my quote and I'd love a link back to my site.
You are very kind and I truly appreciate your encouragement and support!
rick
[...] done a true Cross Blog Conversation (CBC), but it was Rick Butts' blog post on Transparency: What if I told you the truth? and the public nature of the topic at hand, that lead me to respond to Rick right here - out in the [...]
Hi there…
I noticed what a huge following you have on twitter. I now know why. Thank you for being so authentic. It only encourages me to "be me" even that much more. (And yes, you do make a difference…well you just did!) May if we could all be transparent…imagine that world.
Ok, ok, we can all stop picturing people walking around with see-through clothing on. *smirk*
But really, thanks for being so uplifting by just being real.
Carrie
Carries last blog post..EnglishEdgeUSA: Hi Rebecca and Will!!! You guys look so cute…Rebecca, you have the same clever sense of humor as Will! Awww! *hug* for both of you…