Elaine, I like your provocative title for this post, but as you know, the makeup of a "marketing wizard" is much more than the ability to create direct marketing copy or be smart enough to outsource this function. It's designing the end to end experience that keeps customers coming back for more. The transactional relationship -especially for high end dollar amounts - is fading fast (too much competition chasing too few dollars).

Thanks, Paul. Yes, of course, it's more than direct marketing. What he does in person is quite mesmerizing, too. Plus, his TV appearances, books, yada yada. Until this tragedy occurred, I'd say he was a marketing wizard with a large pool of never-ending prospects from which to "sell."

Hi Elaine,

Marketing wizard or scam artist? It never ceases to amaze me how people with charismatic personalities can parlay their magnetism into seducing people to accept them as the gurus they've been waiting for. They are then able to get people to do all kinds of things. It happens over and over again, too, doesn't it? First, there are motivational speeches. Second, the sharing of valuable information--free of charge of course. Then, there are all the extra goodies promised. Finally, the push begins to hawk books, self-help tapes, retreat pages, etc.

Let's remember that a true marketer who stands behind his brand wouldn't have been AWOl when the tragedy in Sedona occurred. That clearly didn't happen. This guy ran for cover. Question is: when will the next snake oil salesman come along and dupe people due to his compelling, magnetic personality?

Sorry for my cynicism, Elaine, but this has happened too many times in recent years. Is that to say all self-help gurus are con men? No. But caveat emptor always applies here. Let the buyer beware. Don't blindly follow. Question and do your homework. Find out whether the person you entrust your money and your life to are legit first. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for weighing in, Claire. I agree that there has been a long history of "snake oil salesmen" and that people are easily duped. I doubt this will ever change. It's human nature for some people to seek out answers when they are lost or questioning their lives.

In the case of James Ray, I believe that he had a good thing going for himself - until Sedona. You're right that he should not have fled the scene. He should have stood by his "brand" and cooperated fully.

I think he fails on dealing with human emotion and handling catastrophes.

@cadillac sioux falls: I don't think many would disagree with you there!

The power of persuasion is used by marketers and con artists alike. The difference being that people turning to guys like this are looking for personal truths and are struggling somewhere in life...and he is taking advantage of that lack of security.

I get where you were going with the article...and to some degree he was effective, but as I said he was dealing with people with some sort of deficiency in life and looking for answers. THAT is not marketing...that is con artistry at its finest.

Barry, I don't disagree. The people Ray markets to are likely looking for something, hence their vulnerability to his promises. But where is the line between marketing and con artistry?

Up until this point, this guy wasn't on our radar screens. He had plenty of satisfied "customers" who returned for graduated sessions. It wasn't until this true challenge of his character that we see the flaws and lack of compassion.

Here's a good article on Ray by someone who has studied the self-help business for almost a decade: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/james-ray-and-the-176928.html

I generally concur with 'Where there's smoke' thinking.

There are many VERY GOOD self-help speakers who are excellent marketers as well, who do not make the 'scandal of the month' headlines. To me, this skews the thinking into a "if self help and is successfully marketed then he MUST be a charlatan" mindset.

This of course, false.

Nice post Elaine; makes you think.

That's my "job," adams. Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

As one of those "vulnerable" people that has taken a seminar from James Ray I have to comment on his behalf.

It is very easy to criticize from afar. I don't know what happened at the retreat and neither do you. We don't know how we will react under stress until we are placed in the position of stress.

My one experience with James was positive and I found him to be very compassionate and for this reason I am giving him the benefit of the doubt until the fact are known.

Remember, that we are innocent until proven guilty and also that some very large and savvy companies with millions of dollars to spend on spin have made big mistakes when problems occurred.

And BTW, not all people that sign up for James Ray's seminars are poor and vulnerable. Some, like me, are just looking for answers that money doesn't bring.

Gary, thanks for your contribution here. Your point is well taken. We really don't know what happened. But, you must admit that fleeing the scene didn't bear well for him. The media is having a field day.

I also appreciate your push back on which types of people take Ray's seminars. Just curious... why do you think he uses and promotes the concept of "wealthy" in his work?

Elaine, I really do not know what to say. I have casually known James for years and found him to be a decent guy. I have mentioned in other forums that we should wait for more information before we convict him in cyberspace.

I try to put myself in the situation in which James found himself--and I will admit that I'm not sure what I would do. I would hope that I'd stick around?

I've been in the business of professional speaking for about 20 years--I do content more than motivation. And I must say, I have seen a lot of B.S. motivators during my years.

Back to James? It appears that he could have handled the situation a bit better--I repeat, it appears. Time will flush this out.

However, for professional speakers/motivators, good or bad, there is always another audience. -Ed Rigsbee

Ed, I, too, am a professional speaker (NSA), however, not for as many years as you have been. There are good and bad ones and many in between.

Some are motivational and have become well known, especially in corporate circles. What makes James Ray different is that he markets directly to his end users, not the meeting planners, so his exposure is higher.

I agree that we need to wait and see what materializes. However, his initial actions don't place him in a positive light, no matter what transpires. It's a similar response to a hit and run driver.

I am a past participant at a James Ray weekend retreat and have a different perspective than Gary. I failed to spot the compassion in Mr. Ray (expect his ability to cry at the appropriate moment). But I did spot the huckster, the con artist, and yes, the marketing wizard. Some of the folks who signed up for the next level were doing it with scarce funds. Some unfortunately were signing up for the ultimate James Ray con job, the Sedona retreat. My conclusion: You can get much better spiritual guidance from truly compassionate guides who won't charge you thousands for the privilege.

Thanks for sharing, Kurt. I wonder why people seek out people like Ray when they can receive spiritual guidance from their clergy for little to no cost. Do you think it's the high fees that make people believe it's worth more? What motivated YOU to attend one of his weekends? What was the hook that got you?

Interesting point Elaine about the high fees. Is it a psychological issue that the more money you pay for an event the more you think you are getting an experience that no one else can have? In this case I am glad that I don't have that sort of money.
My heart goes out to all the participants but as for Ray, my fear is that when the dust has settled finally, will he start all over again?

My wife and I run a small retreat center in RI and have a sweat lodge on the property. We do ceremony about every 2 months. There is no charge, merely a small donation envelope. I have to cut and split the wood, or buy it, buld the fire, heat the grandfathers(stones) My wife conducts the ceremony. We have been taught by native Mic mac and Blackfoot elders, plus some Lakota influences. All these teachings have empathy and concern as a common thread. In nearly 10 years there have been no problems whatsoever. In general humanity is driven by 2 emotions, "Greed and Fear", JAR exhibits both in abundance, greedy for money and power, fearful of his own mortality.

Many of our native friends are greedy for wisdom, peace on earth, and acceptance of what is. For they have known so much torment, both individually and collectively.

Self help means just that! Be wary of those that promise too much.

Thanks for your article, Elaine. I'm cross-posting it on my blog.

Yours,
Britt

http://www.theflawofattraction.com