Comments on: Join the 1 Percenters and Risk Success

By: M. Cochrane

M. Cochrane — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:06:58 +0000

The men who chose to wear the 1% patch are the last of a dieing breed. The rest are just sheep following the rest of the blind.
If you look throughout history we have always had 1%er’s. The Vikings, Knights,Pirates, Cowboys, and yes Bikers.

By: A.C.

A.C. — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:31:06 +0000

Great point. And I think, as you infer throughout, it’s about mindset.
Problem is most biz owners never truly concentrate on a marketing mindset. They are preoccupied with distractions that burn time and add no marketing leverage.
Fixing the copier. Hassling with callers. Stocking shelves.
They do eveything ELSE but focus on bringing in the money.
People with a pool store worry about the signs, or the chlorine display, or the types of kiddie rafts.
They should be worrying about creative ideas and marketing that brings people into the store–like schmoozing with their high trafficked retail neighbor next door about a cross-promo to each other’s foot traffic.
Ever see a Blockbuster next to a Domino’s? Ever see those coupons on each other’s counter-top?

By: Redz

Redz — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:11:48 +0000

Hi,
I am also a 1 percenter and very happy to be 1. I found a definition about 3 weeks ago and recognised myself straight away.
“1% Rule = Principle Value Creators”
For the person who disagred with calling yourself a 1 percenter have you ever heard of the saying
“To Thine Own Self Be True”

By: Bob Glaza

Bob Glaza — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:49:41 +0000

Great post, Lewis – with excellent real life examples. I dug Hells Angels when it first appeared and could only smile when Citizen Marketers brought it up. (good book, btw) One could argue Hunter Thompson as THE gonzo marketer? Persistence, longevity, and never giving up – amen to that!
So far as smug – those that know me (and you too, I’d bet) realize it is a characteristic that doesn’t quite fit me. Fact is I’m a little bummed I never got my 1% patch with the book – so I could wear it proudly.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:00:49 +0000

Tammy,
I get you! For the first time in my life I am not being yelled at, asked to leave or denigrated for not fitting in. But that, too, shall pass.
Gavin,
Great question. I don’t know. My father was a 99 percenter and my mother was a 1 percenter. Guess who was happier and more comfortable in their skin? My father.
Growing up, I always stood apart, even in sports, which, thankfully, I was good at. Otherwise, I may have been friendless.
So, I was likely born and nurtured to be a 1 percenter, having grown up in the days when only moms raised kids.
All that said, we can be anyone we want to be, I believe. But we better be sure what we want. Being a 1 percenter is not a safe and comfortable place to live but it’s a heck of a lot of fun.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:55:02 +0000

Hey Lewis,
Congrats on your success! Sounds like 2007 will be an exciting year for you.

By: Gavin Heaton

Gavin Heaton — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 11:42:36 +0000

Great post, Lewis. But I have a question — do you think you can choose to be a 1 percenter?
I was reading a great post on Mark Twain and blogging and there is this quote “Whenever you find you’re on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.” See the full post here:
http://www.copyblogger.com/the-mark-twain-guide-to-better-blogging/
Classic 1 percenter-ism.

By: Tammy Strnatka

Tammy Strnatka — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:56:41 +0000

Hi Lewis,
1. Great Post!
I have lamented for years that I don’t fit.
It’s something that has brought me great pain but also a sense of self that is unique and dare I say ’special.’
It has brought me criticism from people who are insulted or challenged by my willingness to break the rules.
Honestly, I don’t think I had a single job where new parameters and clarifications to THE RULES hasn’t occurred because of me…It always starts with “How come Tammy gets to do it?” and then slam no one gets to do it.
I scored my current job by writing a letter about myself and my experience in a totally honest blog-like way and I sent to every business in town that I thought I might to work at. I received about 10 calls and I probably sent out 30 letters. I had several interviews and lo and behold in most of the places…I didn’t fit. But I fit at my current job. I love it and they love me. So cool.
It’s not the be-all end-all job of a lifetime but it’s perfect for a mom of a 5 year old that loves to write for now.
Perhaps that is why I am always drawn to your posts.
I never got into H.S.T., I’m more of a Bukowski/Salinger girl to drop names.
Thanks for giving me a frame of reference for myself. At the risk of sounding smug…
I’m a 1 percenter.
Tammy

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:51:33 +0000

Dave,
Calling oneself anything is always a risk and opens us up to being considered smug, self-serving and believing that we are the paradigm. I couldn’t agree with you more. It was and remains a dilemma when trying to use examples to show rather than tell.
I could have borrowed from the book “Citizen Marketers,” but that would have been redundant for all those who have read it. So I risked writing the post first-person, offering up personal examples in an effort to help others recognize some of the benefits of not being tied to or affiliated with a corporation or with corporation think, which tends to avoid risk-taking.
To risk appearing smug again, I think one of the traits of 1 percenters is that they take risks, write about themselves and their experiences, share their successes and failures, and hence become vulnerable to criticism.
On the other hand, I believe we benefit from criticism and, therefore, thank you for your honesty and courage in offering it.

By: Dave Conrey

Dave Conrey — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:08:58 +0000

This is an interesting post. I agree with your statements about what makes a 1 Percenter and I can only hope that I live up to those standards, but where I disagree with you is in calling yourself a 1 percenter. I believe it is a designation others give you. Without trying to sound too righteous, I think calling yourself a 1 percenter opens you up to believing you’re already doing everything you can do be a good person. It’s also possible others will think its smug to do so. Being a complete stranger, I can’t say one way or another, but I’m sure all those events and circumstances have come to you because you do act the part of a 1 percenter and I’m sure others who know you would say the same.