I spent much of last week at The Launch Conference in Orlando. The conference was mentally challenging, and Disney with the family was physically challenging. It was worth it.
John C. Morgan working as George Bush at Launch [/featured-image]
For those not familiar with Launch, it is a conference put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis to help speakers maximize their business. But, the principles that apply to speakers also apply to anyone who is trying to create products and services. So, I go to learn, mostly so I can teach. In today’s podcast, I give you my top 10 take-aways from Launch.
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My Top 10 Takeaways from The Launch Conference
Launch was amazing. It challenged all of us to act faster and listen more. Here are ten things I learned.
- I am not the product. People often tell me that they hate to sell themselves. So, they should quit trying. This was a very freeing thought. People do not buy you, they buy what you can do. You have to get emotionally unattached from your products. Whether doing a job, selling a product or service, or pitching a talk, it is not about you as much as what you deliver.
- Markets determine the value of products. As much as we might want to determine the value of what we do, we have no control – the market does. While this sounds negative, the truth is most people devalue themselves by selling BELOW what the market will pay. Think about what the market will bear, and then add value to get to that number.
- When I hear the same question three times, that is the market talking. Dan Miller from 48days.com really hit this point home. His comment was “when I hear the same question three times, that is the market talking. I create a product to meet that need!” Wow. This goes back to the idea of creating your first information product in 30 days. You too need to listen to the questions you are asked and realize, the market is talking.
- You do not have to plan perfectly. Just launch and continually correct. Perfectionism is a trap. Nothing is ever perfect. Be aware that no matter how much you plan, you are wrong. Get it as close as you need to get it, then launch it into the world.
- Systems, not just talent, create success. No matter what you are doing, learn the system of success. Raw talent is never enough. Think of a sports team with many talented players. Often it falls apart if they have no system or proper coaching. No matter what you do, there is a system or a recipe to help you succeed. Learn the plan, follow the plan.
- Getting started is the key. Michael Hyatt hammered this home with the quote ”The biggest danger is not that you will get it wrong, the biggest danger is that you will not start.”
- We do not live in a world of scarcity. I saw many WOW moments when this hit home with our group. Scarcity tells us that if other people are already doing what we want to do, we should find a new idea. Not true! There is still plenty of market for what you do. And no one will do what you do the way you do it.
- Do not expect every product to hit. Throw products out fast and see what sticks. When something hits, go with it.
- Never wait till it’s perfect! Deliver product. When Bill Gates sold MS DOS to IBM, the product had never been created. He sold it, and then built it quickly. I can 100% guarantee you that no matter what you do, your product will NOT be perfect. Even in space travel, with all the planning and money, mistakes are made and things are overlooked. Fortunately, your mistakes will never create as much risk as space travel.
- Dream with the faith like a child. While not technically part of the conference, we heard the story of how a homeschooling mom wanted to teach her six year-old daughter how to live out her faith by serving others. Todd and Erica McNeal challenged their daughter to come up with a way to serve. When six year-old Jordyn wanted to send a very sick girl and her family to Disney World, Todd and Erica were shocked. Erica told me “I thought she would want to bake pies for people.” But Todd and Erica decided God could make it happen. He did. Now eight years old, Jordyn has her own ministry called Faith Like a Child. What about you and I? “When did we quit thinking that things were possible and start putting up barriers in our own lives?”]
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Episode Resources
- The Launch Conference
- Michael Hyatt
- Ken Davis
- 48days.com – Dan Miller’s company
- How to Create Your First Information Product in 30 Days
- UAB Information Engineering and Management – IEM
- Faith Like a Child Jordyn McNeal with mom and dad Todd and Erica McNeal
- Photo: The photo is John C. Morgan working as George Bush. Hilarious.
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[reminder]What is your Jordyn dream? What can you do to serve others? [/reminder]
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Great post and podcast Dale!! Thanks so much for including Faith Like A Child. Loved what you said about her ministry and what God is doing through her! Thank you!!
Dale,
The first point you captured “I am not the product.” is an interesting one. I hear folks saying the opposite sometimes. The other side of the coin being that when people get to know you and trust you, then they are more likely to buy from you. I get what is being said here is “Don’t take it personally.”
Thanks for sharing your takeaways from Launch. I’m interested in attending next year. Did you get much from physically being at the venue versus doing the online experience? I would guess you met some other likeminded folks who shared some of their struggles and successes, etc.
Thanks Erica. Saw you guys on TV the other night. I am glad we could be part of that ministry!
Yes, the “I am not the product” has two meanings to me. First, don’t get emotionally tied to the decision and second people are not buying you but the result you deliver through your book, talk, video, etc. I think for many this was a moment of realization.
And yes, people are always trying to sell themselves. I guess there is some value to that at some level. (If you have the right name, it really helps;)
Dustin, I would go. In fact, I am likely to go again. I am sure the videos are great – but I know me. I would intend to watch them all and then watch about 1 hour and skim the rest feeling like I got all the value. So for me, I need some head down and distractions off time.
The second thing about both Platform and Launch (have not been to the third yet) is that you are all together. Michael, Ken, Dan and their wives were right there with us the whole time. You will be having coffee and dinner with them. You get the sense we are all there to learn – even them. And the team is amazing. Joy, Brian, Lauren, and Matt all major players you will want to talk to. They all have value and perspective to add.
Then of course are the other attendees. In two short group discussions I got big questions answered about my branding. And, of course, you get to meet and connect with other platform builders.
The biggest difference between these conferences and others with lots of speakers is planning. Instead of hearing from many people about their little area of expertise and you are trying to connect the dots, Michael and Ken plan everything. No speaker is out of place – their message is right in line with the mission. When you walk away – you know what to do.
You might also be interested in my view of PLATFORM. https://dalecallahan.com/platform-2013-praie-for-excellence/
Dale
Thanks Dale. I think the context I had heard “People Buy You” was in response to writer/speakers who felt the market for their topic was already saturated. They were tentative to commit themselves fully to that niche. Someone was encouraging them that they bring their own flavor and brand to their content. They were assuring that we like to buy from people we trust. I think it is a both/and scenario where you have to create top-notch content, but develop a sense of trust and like-ability.
Thanks also for the encouragement toward Launch and Platform. I’m considering Launch pretty heavily for myself. My wife does speaking and training in the dental profession, so we’re both considering SCORRE (the third one you referenced) next year. The personal nature of the conference is very appealing to me. I think there is much to be gained at these events even when the speakers aren’t on stage.
I’ll check out your Platform post as well. Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much Dale!!