Lessons Learned Working With Jimmy
Note From Jimmy: I’m out of town this week and my affiliate manager, Nicole Dean is going to be filling in for me. Say “hello” to Nicole. Don’t be afraid. She won’t bite. :-) Nicole is a wonderful internet marketer, friend and all around good girl … and she always has something interesting to say, so check in each day. See you next week.
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Hi. I’m Nicole Dean and I’m a guest here on Jimmy’s blog.
I’m doing this crazy publicity stunt called the “Nicole Dean Blog World Tour” where I hop from blog to blog each week all summer long. This week is the final week of the tour and I’ve got to tell you that it’s been quite the adventure writing for 15 weeks straight. If nothing else, it’s been a lesson in accountability and commitment. Now, if only I could do the same with exercise. 
Why did I do it? Well, that’s a whole ‘nother story that I’ll have to share in a small report at some point. But, let me just give you a quick lesson in article marketing first so you can see the motivation to tackle this project.
If you’re writing and submitting articles to the article directories, that’s great. It’s wonderful for search engines. It’s wonderful for getting in front of publishers. It’s something that you should schedule into your monthly plans, without question.
Here’s a great report about how to put your article marketing efforts on steroids. I recommend it if your article marketing efforts are “blah” instead of bountiful:
How To Get Free Traffic To Your Website With Ezine Articles
Back to the article directories. I’m a strong believer in cutting out the middle man whenever possible. Why submit your articles only to EzineArticles.com and get your article lost in a sea of 194,639 other authors (as of today) when there’s a way to get straight in front of your audience?
As a matter of fact, that’s how “ezine articles” started and that’s why Jimmy refers to writing “ezine articles” rather than using the terminology that we do when we talk about “article marketing”. It started as a way for ezine or newsletter publishers to find expert articles to send to their lists. And, that’s still where I, personally, get huge spikes in my traffic – every time an ezine publisher sends my articles to their lists.
Are your wheels turning? They should be.
Again, I have nothing against EzineArticles.com or any of the other article directories. Heck, I’ve owned two directories since 2005 myself – LadyPens.com and I have a second one just for recruiting affiliates called FreeAffiliateArticles.com – so my agenda is not to discourage your use of article directories at all.
My point is that you should also place your message directly in front of your target audience. Don’t leave it to chance that the publishers find you and do it for you. You follow?
And, that is the reason for this blog tour. Jimmy has an audience reading this blog. So, I positioned myself to be in front of it. In fact, every single blog on my blog tour was a highly relevant blog with a relevant audience. (You notice I didn’t guest blog on a cooking blog, right?) 
You can do the same by contacting bloggers directly and contacting ezine publishers and asking if they’d like original quality content. It’s as easy as that.
ok. So, on to my blog post for the day. At each blog, I write a 5 day series. The topic for the series this week is “Lessons Learned Working with Jimmy: The Inside Scoop”.
I’ve worked with Jimmy for the last 3 years as his affiliate manager at InfoProfitShare.com. I’m also his partner at OutsourceWeekly.com. We talk via email on an almost daily basis, and occasionally on the phone. So, whenever I go out to internet marketing events, I get the same question asked repeatedly, “Is Jimmy the real deal or what?” They want the inside scoop. So, it’s time to set the record straight “Yes. He is.”
Oh, you wanted more dirt than that? I hope so, or my guest series here will be over already. Yes, working side-by-side with Jimmy has been life-altering in many ways and I’ll share a few of those this week. The first lesson that I learned from Jimmy is this…
Lesson One: “Be Yourself”.
I started out as Jimmy’s customer before I began working with him. I loved reading his reports and listening to the audios, not only because they gave me so many ideas, but also because I felt like he was just being himself. He wrote about his wife and his son and I could tell he loved them both dearly. I laughed out loud at his jokes. I also smiled every time he’d say “God Bless” at the end of his audios. I was thinking “this guy’s really different” – and that, in our industry, meant a lot to me.
Meanwhile, I was looking at myself and realizing just how much I thought I had to be like everyone else that I saw succeeding. And, BOY was it hard to be someone else. You see, I’m kind of a goober. All of a sudden, I realized that I could be ME and that was just fine. So, I embraced my gooberness and it’s made a huge difference in a few ways.
1. I enjoy my work much more. (If you haven’t been reading my Weird Niche Wednesday posts, you’re missing out on serious silliness. And, my podcasts are a giggle fest sometimes, but they’re fun.)
2. Work is easier since I don’t have to think about how I’m “supposed to be” and I can just be me, which is something that I’ve had a bit of practice at doing.
3. More profit. People actually seem to like the real me better than the other me.
The other side of this coin is that I now have a better gut feeling for my business. Rather than thinking “well everyone else is doing things this way so it must be right” - which sounds absolutely ridiculous to say now, I was able to say “huh, so they’re doing it like that, but I don’t like it, so, I’ll do it my way instead.” It’s allowed me to stay on the path of my choosing instead of following what I saw others do.
For instance, I was taught to put Google Adsense on my content sites. However, I didn’t care for the ads that were showing up on one of my sites. So, after realizing that I could just be ME (duh!) I removed them from that entire site. Sure, it cost me a good $500 or so each month to do it, but I felt right about it. I guess that sense of being true to myself has also ensured that I’ve been able to keep my integrity as well. (So, add that to the list of benefits above.)
I highly encourage you to do the same if you’re struggling with your business identity and your path.
Oh, one other thing that I wanted to mention. If you haven’t read HomepreneurHabits.com yet, do. It’s a blueprint for getting more done when working from home. Plus, you get to see pictures of Jimmy’s office which I thought was really cool. Seriously, it’s a great deal and only $15. I’ve read it multiple times and always get new ideas from it. Check it out, especially if you’re working from a home office.
Well, I’ll be back tomorrow with Lesson #2 in this series. I’d love to hear your comments. Please post them below.
Warmly,
Nicole
August 24th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Good article Nicole!
You know… I always knew you were good at what you do, but I never quite realized just how good a writer you actually are. I do now.
Keep up the great work!
George
August 24th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
This is very interesting Nicole. However, sure would be nice to see more info and less of the links that appear to be a little self serving.
BTW … I do agree with your comment about Jimmy being himself. One reason I’ve kept him on my list of marketers to watch.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I love Homepreneur Habits! I’m also a big fan of Jimmy D. Brown’s work and find his reports & products both successful blueprints AND incredibly inspiring. And I love the YOU that you are
I look forward to hearing more insights through your series here this week. Goodness’ knows I’ve picked your brain about it enough already - I can’t wait to get the full scoop!
August 24th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Nicole is right on the money with HomepreneurHabits. I got it about a month ago and I would say that I have doubled the amount of work I get done in a week.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Anxiously awaiting lesson #2. Have been a customer and fan of Mr. Brown for awhile - which is really saying something since I’m not an Internet marketer.
(I’m a sucker for genuine people)
August 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Fantastic post Nicole! I can tell from your own blog and the other places where you post content, that you really do enjoy the “work” you do. It’s great to see someone be themselves in this industry and have fun doing it.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
First to Nicole - “Embrace that gooberness” girl! We love it. Being comfortable in your own skin is not always an easy task, but because you are who you are there are many more of us out here who realize just how important (and profitable) being yourself can really be! For that I THANK YOU!
Jimmy -
And a big huge THANK YOU for being a part of Nicole’s life and having such an impact on her. It’s with your help that she finally broke through her shell, embraced her goober-self and really started to shine (and more importantly realized she had every right to do so). And because of you, there are others out there with whom your integrity is trickling down upon through Nicole.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Hey Nicole! Good to see you posting here this week. My ears are all perked up this week for your lessons from gurus
I love that you can be you…. because I wouldn’t want you to be anyone else!
Now, I’m off to check out HomepreneurHabits.com and see those office pics …..
August 24th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Luv, luv it Nicole!
You can really feel your heart pour out in this post, one thing that I have learned from meeting you whether you know it or not.
Is to be yourself in all that you do online and have fun while your doing it.
You are truly an inspiration and a great person to be around.
Glad to be your friend!
August 24th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Hi Nicole!
You’ve had quite the summer on your “Blog World Tour” - huh?
I certainly appreciate all the great info you have put out. Will be back to catch up on your next posts!
Thx!
Rick Wilson aka CorpRebel
August 24th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I have to agree, seeing the “real” person is always more appealing to me. Especially when you see how smart and savvy they are AND they still know how to have a good laugh.
All the materials I have read, listened to and watched from yourself and Jimmy D. Brown are always top notch and I find his way of simplifying topics or creating new ways to remember things is an unbelievable gift.
Keep writing, we love reading!
August 24th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Hey Nicole! Well, as the #1 Jimmy D Brown fan, and also a big fan of yours! I’m glad to see you posting on Jimmy’s blog this week.
I agree, we need to be ourselves (after all, everyone else is already taken
), stand for what we believe is right for us, and our business. You have to stand for something; or you’ll fall for anything.
I’m a bit like you, I would rather do what feels right to me - than to just blindly follow along doing what everyone else is doing. I think it boils down to discernment - that gut instinct - to know if something is right for your business or not. Like your adsense decision, not everything is about money. Good thing to keep in mind.
Can’t wait to see what you post tomorrow!
Traci
August 24th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Hey Nicole!
How do you keep track of and manage all that you have going on?
I’m blown away by all you’re accomplishing.
Kind Regards,
Jonathan
August 24th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Thanks all! I recognize many of the names here.
George - coming from a writer - wow. Thank you!
Lynn - you know I loves ya!
Jake - amen. Me, too. I love that report. Homepreneur Habits is one of my top 4 of Jimmy’s products.
Leonard - too funny!
Joel - You were one of the first marketers that I really connected with and I appreciate you much.
Arika - I’ll embrace my gooberness if you will yours.
Loretta - Hope you’ll enjoy that report. I’m one of those people who watches House Hunters and loves looking into other people’s homes, so I was totally into the “look at JDB’s office”. SOLD!
Rick - Thank you for following the blog tour.
Kristen - I will keep writing if you will!
And, for Art. I agree that Jimmy is one of the marketers to watch. As for the links, you’re very welcome to skip any links you’d like. However, the resources are top-notch and I’m *extremely* picky about what I will and will not promote. You’ll also notice more than half of the sites mentioned above are free resources.
Hope to see you all around all week.
Warmly,
N
August 24th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Oops. I pulled three of you out of the spam folder.
Jonathon - I use shortcuts ALL the time. I’m actually working on a series of reports about my tips for working more effectively and efficiently. However, I do honestly believe that you’ll benefit by reading Homepreneur Habits. Obviously I’m not pushing it for the money since I only earn a tiny amount on a $15 product, but it’s something that’s really impacted me and I hope it helps you, too.
Elizabeth - Back atcha.
Traci - Love this:
“I agree, we need to be ourselves (after all, everyone else is already taken ), stand for what we believe is right for us, and our business. You have to stand for something; or you’ll fall for anything. ” - Amen, sister!
Thanks for all the comments!
N
August 24th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Oh what a great lesson for me just starting out. You feel really small and unproductive when you want to be like someone else and I have this syndrome so I am working on it big time.
I am using Jimmy D. brown products and I have started to journal my journey in my new blog, as this journey progress to success a.k.a making money .
You rock Nicole. You and Lynn made me realize that you can actually work from home and make money.
Thanks, will be back for more.
August 24th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Getting to know Jimmy and getting to know Nicole - all in one fell swoop? This I can totally dig!! Nicole - wow - my Goober buddy. How I love ya!! Thanks for being you and telling us all about it, too! I’ve always known you were smart and you were doing well online, with integrity - so you were one of the ones I’ve followed. But meeting you in person has made following you such a more rich …I don’t know - just more rich! I’m just so thrilled to see that my gooberness will not only not stand in the way of my success - it just my help fuel my success. Or something like that. Oh heckfire - I’m babbling. I’m just glad you’re you and that you’ve gone before me and I can see that my being the weirdo that I am doesn’t have to mess things up!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Hi Nicole
I have really been enjoying your blogging series, the only problem I have had is that I only came across your tour this past couple of weeks and hence I have missed your early tour dates
I do hope that when you return NicoleOnTheNet that you will blog all the locations … of course unless I have missed that too : 0
Thanks heaps for the help you have offered me and for the sleepless nights thinking about all of the actions I am going to be taking … *winks*
Cheers
Leigh
August 25th, 2009 at 3:16 am
Great post Nicole! I’m so happy to see you say to be yourself! As a ghostwriter who’s stepping out on her own in ways, I’ve been shy about being myself online and stuck thinking there is one way to be to get customers, whether it’s for my services or for my book. I’m looking forward to the rest of your series!
I’ve admired you both from afar for a while and I’ve been so tickled to help Jimmy out a few times this year with writing. It’s good to get outside confirmation of what I thought already…he’s the real (honest) deal!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Hey Girl, I’ve got five people who I refer to as “the real deal” online and of course you know - you’re one of them. I’ve ALWAYS been a huge fan of Jimmy, not because he’s labeled a guru but because of his authenticity, integrity, generous reports and his sincere love of God and people.
Keep doing what you’re doing ’cause it’s viral dahling
I look forward to reading everything you write this week. “Do your thang girl! 
August 25th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I am always happy to see posts about “just being me”. It seems that everyone works so hard to be like their mentor that they are slow to grow their unique voice and style. We each have a gift to share with the world and have been created just like we are for that purpose.
You are wonderfully made, so thanks for letting us get to know the real you!
August 25th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Nicole, just want to say thank you for putting into words what needs to be said loudly…BE ME… Your posts are always spot on.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
How have I missed knowing about FreeAffiliateArticles.com?!
Great article - especially this nugget.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
[...] Lessons Learned Working With Jimmy [...]
August 26th, 2009 at 9:23 am
You know that lesson one: BE YOURSELF resonated with me - you write BE-U-tifully, and it shows that you are being you. The coolest thing about that is that it makes others feel OK about Being them. I look forward to reading more, and learning more from you.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Hey Leigh -
You can find all of the other stops on my blog tour here: Nicole Dean’s Blog Tour
Enjoy!
August 27th, 2009 at 8:51 am
[...] Lessons Learned Working With Jimmy [...]
August 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am
I love the lesson here to be yourself. You definitely are the real deal and I truly love ya for that. On my list for the next month was to start writing articles to distribute and the goal was to do that on directories. But today I need to focus on getting some of those articles directly in front of my niche so maybe a few guest blog posts and other ezines are in my future. I had my first guest blogger recently so why can’t I be one too right? Thanks for always teaching me something new!
September 11th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Your Gooberishness is what I liked about you from the get go Nicole…;-) Thanks for more insight once again.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Great post, Nicole! Jimmy totally seems like a really great guy, plus he lays things out in novel ways that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?!!!”
Kinda makes me feel silly sometimes how easy he makes this all seem. And, you, too, being his business partner in some of these ventures, deserve a lot of the credit, too, I’m sure.
Thanks for the great series. I learned a LOT!
September 18th, 2009 at 3:38 am
A goober? Nicole, you’ve just shattered my illusions! WAH!
Seriously, putting “God Bless” at the end of an email or ebook may not seem like much, but it is. From my perspective, whenever somebody tries to come across as a Christian (that word gets abused a lot; I prefer “follower of Jesus”), I put them under the microscope of careful scrutiny, and Jimmy is no exception.
What is an exception is that Jimmy passes the test. His materials are honestly optimistic (in other words, encouraging but not full of false claims) and serve as a good model to follow. And if he chose you as his affiliate manager, then I guess being a goober is a good thing!
I do consider it a blessing to have come across you and Jimmy.
Best regards,
Tom
October 30th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Nicole,
Thanks for the great post. I’m learning from Jimmy too. I like so much about his time management techniques and the step by step teaching that helps us avoid the internet overwhelm. Great that you’re helping to spread the word about what works online.
Ann
March 12th, 2010 at 6:14 am
Nicole - this is great stuff! I have only just discovered Jimmy today and today is the first time I’ve had a peek at his materials. I like the part in your article about being yourself; I think this was one of the biggest missing pieces of my previous career! Am wading through Jimmy’s other materials and wish you both well. Thank you.
All the best
Richard