In Defense of the iPhone 4

OK, this is getting out of control....I need to weigh in.

Much has been said about the iPhone 4 antenna issue. Consumer Reports can't recommend the phone because of it (even though it's the highest rated phone!?) and even David Letterman is making fun of it. ("Apparently there's some sort of problem...they don't like to be held - like my first wife.")

OK, so here's the deal. I've owned the iPhone 4 since it came out. I've tried to replicate the problem, and I can't do it. But, that doesn't mean there isn't a problem. There is a problem. But, here's the gist of the problem...

"The iPhone 4’s innovative antenna-wrapped-around-the-case improves reception. Except when you use the phone in an area with marginal reception, aren’t using a case, and bridge the gap in the lower left-hand corner with your hand. In that situation, it can be deadly." - Harry McCracken 

But that GAP he's referring to is like 1 cm wide. So, here's the deal.

You just bought the best phone in the world. It does video calling (which is amazing), shoots pictures better than your Nikon point-and-shoot, and records HD video (so you can throw out your Flip).

The phone itself is sexy as hell and has 200,000 apps and runs blazingly fast (thanks to twice the RAM of the last iPhone).

Should Apple have put that 1 cm gap on the top or bottom of the phone? Sure. But they didn't. But, I wouldn't recommend anyone wait a year for that to happen.

Buy a case and get over it.  (A case - which nearly every person that I know that owns an iPhone has - fixes the problem). You need a case to product it from that inevitable drop anyways.

This phone is easily the best phone I've ever owned (and maybe the best computing device). The fact that it's getting destroyed in the media for this problem DESPITE the fact that iPhone 4 users are incredibly happy with their devices is ludicrous.

So, no, Apple....do not do a product recall. Replace anyone's products who's dumb enough to listen to the advice of Consumer Reports telling them to revert back to an iPhone 3GS (hey, I've got one for sale), and let the rest of the world forget about this mess when the next Mel Gibson voicemail is released.

I, for one, couldn't be happier with my phone. And, I wish more of the 2 million plus users would speak up as well.

P.S. I guarantee there are people at Consumer Reports' staff that own iPhone 4s despite their brainless recommendation.

Do Facebook Ads Really Work?

As a user of Facebook - I NEVER, EVER, EVER click on Facebook Ads.

But, as an Internet Marketer - I had to wonder if advertising to 400 million plus users couldn't produce some results.

So, I convinced my company to throw some money at it to see what would happen.

I wasn't THAT surprised to find out that it works. What I was surprised about was HOW MUCH it worked.

So, what did we do? We spent $50 a day on Google in May of this year. In return, we saw 744 clicks to our site, which generated 25 leads (we're looking for consumers interested in installing solar panels).

In June, we spent $50 per day on Facebook Ads. This time we got 1,781 clicks to our website (well over 100% increase) and generated 45 leads (almost 100% increase).

Interestingly, nearly half of our traffic came from people playing games on Facebook. What!? Are you going to put solar panels on your cottage in Farmville?

It took a lot more traffic to generate 1 lead, but at the end of the day, the numbers speak for themselves. For $50 per day, I'd rather have 1.5 leads per day than <1 per day. And, by the way, these leads were LEGIT leads.

Bottom line: Facebook Ads work. And they work in a BIG BIG way. There are many more reasons Facebook Ads are compelling (location targeting, demographic targeting, etc), but the cost factor alone will be enough to drive more and more businesses away from Google and into Facebook.

As a user, expect more ads on Facebook. As a marketer, if you're ignoring Facebook, you're crazy.

Of course, I can't promise you'll see the same results in your industry. But, given my experience, it's worth a shot.

Let me know if it works for you....

What It Feels Like to Be 30

Random thoughts of a thirty year old male:

"I'm never drinking again"

"NPR rocks!"

"I'm a complete failure. I'm never going to make it."

"What do I want to be when I grow up?"

"Did kids in high school and college always look this young?"

"Well, maybe just this one beer."

"Damnit. A $4 cup of coffee really does taste better. Now I can't go back."

"I have a voicemail. And, a new message on Facebook. And e-mail. And 2 new text messages. And a direct message on Twitter. And a few Linked In requests." Check all. Repeat.

"Another beer won't hurt."

"Will I ever make it? It doesn't seem like I'll ever make it. Surely I will never make it."

"Is reading really one of the most enjoyable things on the planet?"

"Maybe if I move away and just start over..."

"Just one more drink. Make it a double"

"Does everything cause cancer?"

"So, what's the difference between all-natural and organic again?"

"Who needs a home phone?"

"Yes, I just got a new cell phone 6 months ago, and yes, I absolutely need the new one. Today."

"Republican? No. Democrat? Nope. Green Party? Eh. Can I choose 'Other'?"

"Why is Jon Stewart the most reliable source for news?"

"I'm not feeling much. Bartender, one more."

"If I skip the kids' nap, I can put them down earlier...."

"Fuck. I'm turning into my Dad."

"I'm never drinking again."

Things America Should Do

I love my country, but I heard a good argument a couple of weeks ago that we - as a nation - haven't really done much to progress our society in 50 years.

And, if you think about it, it's kind of true. 50 years ago, around the time of baby boomers, we made massive investments in schools, highways, infrastructure, etc. But, besides incremental innovations, what have we really done in the public sector in the last half of a century besides fall behind in education, health care, and every other measurable public sector initiative? Hell, even Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate than us.

So, here's some ideas on how we can regain our leadership position in the world.

1. Go green. If soaking birds in oil while paying $3 per gallon doesn't get to you, I don't know what will. That's why right now is the PERFECT time to push everyone in every industry to go green. We should massively invest renewable energies and start putting out-of-work Americans to work installing solar panels on commercial buildings, wind power in fields, or Bloom Energy boxes anywhere we can.  This week's announcement that we're investing $2 Billion in Solar Power is a good start. But, let's keep in mind we spend $533 Billion per  year on our defense budget. Maybe we should spend a little less combing the desert with tanks and a little more harnessing the power of the sun that beats upon it.

2. High Speed Rail - Sure, environmentalists will bitch about the death of some vegetarian tadpole, but let's install a shit-load of high speed rails in this country. I figure I'll always want to fly to NY, but if I could hop on a train to go anywhere that's currently a 10-12 hour drive, I'd much prefer to fly along the railways at 200 mph than drive a Hertz. There's no reason why each region of the US (the West, the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast) can't have it's own high speed rail network.  It might piss off Southwest Airlines, but I'd much rather surf the net inside of a train than get probed by a TSA for 15 minutes so I can hop on a 30 minute flight.

3. Online Education - Our education system is so far behind other countries, I don't even need to provide stats to know that we specialize in hindering the future possibilities of our high school graduates. Or, at least, those that actually graduate (about 1 out of 3 don't).  So, here's an idea. Ever heard of the internet? Why is the internet not DRASTICALLY changing our school system? Why can't we send hundreds (or thousands) of kids to take some online classes from THE BEST teachers in the country? I could probably argue that kids don't even need to go to school at all these days. But, I won't because the point of this post is not to provide solutions. Just use the damn net in our educational system.

I'm sure there are a bunch of people already working ont he three initiatives above. But, since 1 in 5 Americans is currently sitting on the couch watching Top Chef, I say we get off our collective ass and push these initiatives forward.  What do you think? Any other ideas on how to move things forward?

My Favorite Fast Food

In his latest book, Food Rules, Michael Pollen - one of the greatest writers living today - states that if it comes through your car window, it's not food. Point well taken.

So, when I'm on the run - which is pretty much always - and I want to eat healthy, I go to Chipotle.

Why? Because for $5, I can get organic food. I generally don't eat meat, but when I do feel like ingesting dead animals, Chipotle makes sure they use only grass fed, organic.

But what I think is fantastic is that in an era of cost-cutting, Chipotle's market data says that most of their customers don't care whether or not their beef is grass feed or that their food is organic. But, the head of Chipotles says he doesn't care what the data says, he wants to do things right.

Yes, I know they're owned by McDonalds now, but this attitude should be applauded. We need more business men and women to go above and beyond even when the "market data" says you don't have to.

So, Chipotle, I applaud thee. And, I'll continue to devour your $5 organic meals 2-3 times a week. Who knows, I might even try ordering from my phone. (warning: link will open iTunes)

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How to Give a Great Speech

I absolutely adore speaking. I adore performing. Ever since I was "The Bell" in the kindergarten Christmas play, I've been hooked.

Over the past few years, I've probably given more speeches than most people give in their lifetimes, so I thought I'd put together a few tips on how to give a great speech. These aren't the same old boring tips you see elsewhere (picture the audience naked, make eye contact, etc.) This assumes you're a decent speaker. Now, how do you become deadly? Like this...

1. Always introduce yourself. That might sound elementary, but I've seen quite a few speakers so excited to get to their content that they forget to introduce themselves to the audience. Remember the audience is thinking, "who are you and why should I care?"

2. Get personal. Tell a story (or many stories) about yourself to the audience. Get as real and authentic as possible. And, here's the big key: the story MUST tie in to the point of your speech. Otherwise, you just sound like a braggart.

3. Remain interactive THE ENTIRE TIME. Ask questions of the audience. There are people in the audience that think they know more than you. Give them an opportunity to participate. Poll that audience (raise your hand if...).

4. Tell your audience what to do. They will do it. Don't leave it ambiguous. Give clear directions and people with participate. (i.e. "Everyone get up and high five the person next to you").

5. Keep them guessing. Instead of saying, "Organic food is good for you." say, "Do you know if Organic food is good for you? Or, is it just complete marketing bullshit?" That'll get them thinking. Now, use tip number 3 and poll the audience. Then, give them the answer. That's a message that will stick. Especially if you guessed wrong. (BTW, the answer is that Organic food is better for you - but it's also a little bit of marketing BS. All things considered though, it's better.)

6. Have a full circle moment. This works 100% of the time. You want to know how to end your speech? Exactly where you began. But, this time put a twist on it. Can't give a lot of advice here. But, if you start out your speech with a personal story about pineapples, end with an extension of that story - or another story about pineapples - this time with a twist. If you do it right, you'll look VERY put together. You'll actually come off like you know what you're doing. Even if you don't.


If you want to see me in action, I speak 1-2 times per month, I'm also going to try and record my speech I'm giving tonight and I might post it soon here.

Best of luck to you out there. Feel free to ask me any questions on the topic as well.

Now, if only I can find a way to perform as "The Bell" again....

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Conspiracy of the Rich

A few years back, I started reading conspiracy books. The books talked about how The Federal Reserve is neither Federal nor does it have reservers. In short, I learned The Fed was as "federal" as Federal Express. 

I learned about how rich bankers devised the current monetary system and how they systematically steal money through inflation, interest, taxes, and paycheck withdrawals. 

I read with an intense interest. Then, I put the books down and didn't say much to anyone. 

I thought I was going crazy. I thought I was gullible. I didn't want to appear insane.

Then, last year, Robert Kiyosaki - very well known in the publishing world - publishes Rich Dad's Conspiracy of the Rich: The 8 New Rules of Money and basically validates everything I have learned. 

I hesitated to read this book because I knew it would be basic - it is. I knew it would just be a broad overview - it is. But, it also gives a very pointed plan on what to do now that our government has literally tripled the amount of money in circulation in less than two year. (By the way, if you're not getting prepared for the fallout of this, start now). 

Basically, Kiyosaki's plan can be summed up as follows:

1. Start a business - Business owners pay less taxes and have legal loopholes for avoiding taxes. If you don't own a home based business, please do yourself a favor and contact me. I can help you start a home based business for less than a dinner at Macaroni Grill. 

2. Invest in Real Estate - But do NOT invest in Real Estate for capital gains. Invest for cashflow. 

3. Invest in paper - For example: stocks. But do NOT invest in mutual funds. 

4. Invest in Commodities: Such as Gold, Silver, or Oil. Gold is priced a little high for my blood right now. But, Silver is still very affordable. 

I highly recommend everyone read this book and start getting familiar with some of the games being played with our money. Kiyosaki doesn't spend a lot of time speculating as to who or why conspiracies are taking place. He merely acknowledges the games that are being played and stays focused on what we can do about it. 

I think he nails it. You and I aren't going to take down Wall Street. But, we can build up our families through financial education. And, this book is a great way to get started. 

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