"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead

Who We Are

The Denver Internet Mastermind Group provides a fertile environment for growing your online business, whether you are just beginning or are a veteran making a good living on the web. We are a working group - yes, we socialize and enjoy each others' company, but our meetings are structured around specific topics and geared toward education. Show up at our meetings, and expect to learn ... and teach. Check our web site, lowhangingloot.com periodically for updates.

My Vision for this Group

Anytime you have a bubble, which is what online businesses are right now, you get 4 types of "gurus" coming out f the woodwork -
1. Yoyos (or bozos or yahoos) - people new to Internet Marketing who set up their own guru sites & try to sell Internet marketing products.
2. Shysters - people out to make a buck from Internet Marketing any way they can.
3. Opportunists - people who have valid Internet Marketing expertise to share, but who also place sales over the value they offer. I put most of the credible Internet gurus in this category. I have bought many products from them. There is no maliciousness here, but there is the lack of extra care, going the extra mile, of those in the fourth category.
4. Value providers - Those who look to provide you with ROI, who take the care to provide you (the visitor/buyer) with a full product and a real result.

I see the purpose of this group as helping each other understand these categories and uncover and share those that fit in type 4. Profit and success for all of us lie in focusing strictly on type 4 and getting the other 3 off our plates. Together I think we can all get to that point fairly quickly.

Our Policy

1. This is a mutual support group. You can expect to learn and receive help ... but as part of the group, your role is to also give. Newbies may find this difficult, but that's okay. If you continue to show up at meetings as a lurker, expect to be given assignments (perhaps to bring chairs or coffee, but something).

2. Mutual respect is a must. Criticism and put-downs will be dealt with immediately, and anyone repeatedly bringing negativism into the group will be asked to leave.

3. Ethical business is the standard here. We will not advocate black-hat techniques for making money online. Nor will we tolerate scamming or shady treatment of other members.

4. The benefit of the group as a whole is foremost. Internet marketing education is expensive and time-consuming. As a group we can dramatically reduce cost and time commitment. When someone really goes out of his way to help you, what can you do to balance the give and take? Please don't expect something for nothing.

5. Solicitation is not permitted. Many members are web or marketing professionals. We often barter services or hire each other. But this is not a leads group or a place to hawk your wares. If you wish to present a product or service to the group, please ask permission. This is a support group first and a professional group second.

6. We are both a face-to-face and online group. Meetings are held monthly, but there are many members who cannot make meetings - some are out-of-state. We will work to improve email communication, the quality of the the website, and the capabilities of members to communicate to each other. We are planning to hold some meetings as teleconferences. It may take a while to implement all of this. Assistance in this area is welcome!

Policy on Posting to the Email List

1. No posting of "business opportunities"
2. Postings may include online tools, educational products, articles, or web sites - but must actually name the product, tool, sites, etc. You may not say something like "to find out what this is, call me..."
3. You may use your affiliate link. If you have researched or uncovered something of benefit to the group, you should be the one credited as the affiliate. If people start abusing this, I will immediately change this policy and ban multiple offenders.
4. The more you contribute to the group, the more leeway you have in posting to the group. For instance, Byron has gone beyond the call of duty by stepping up to the plate and giving superior presentations ... twice. His presentations were not sales pitches - they were clearly educational in character (and packed full of information). Personally, I bought Commission Blueprint through Byron, as have others. He has also been very available to help several members of the group. I have posted Byron's handout from the September meeting for the whole group.
5. People who appear to be using the group mailing list merely as a list to promote to will be banned from the group. We have many members who have never been to a meeting. This is understandable - many live too far away or have schedules that conflict. Some just want to stay informed in case a particular topic crops up. It is a pattern of using the group without contributing or really participating that is a red flag.


Come to a Meeting!

If you have an online business, you are bound to get some useful tips to make it more productive. If you don't, this is a good place to check out your ideas for viability. Plus, we just have a group of wonderful people here!

If you have any suggestions for venues, topics, resources, or improvements in general, please email me!