Turbolags Very Own Thread to Discuss His Business Venture

[ggiese]

Look... I really, really want to help you, because you're in desparate need. Let me see if I can answer your questions for you, but please take my comments with the candid frankness you need at this point...

Just trying to get my own website going to help other new people in the hobby out.

So ask yourself - is this about YOU or is this about the cigar smoking community? Because, quite frankly, if it's about the cigar smoking community you would not be posting links to your website trying to draw people away from an established cigar discussion community. Your fledgling venture has all sorts of 'issues' - not the least of which it's completely obvious you're brand new to this. It would seem to me you'd be "studying" right now - not trying to jump into something you don't have any skill at...

I'm new to writing articles, that was my first one.

That's completely obvious! (read my answer in the above question)

Please tell me what was wrong in the article.

Let's just say - In fairness and being complete objective I would personally grade it in the C-/D+ range because there was at least some effort put forth, but not much else. For the rest of the answer, I'd submit it to a professional writer for a more formal critique. Bottom line - it's just not 'grabbing' the audience. You have a ways to go to get there.

I'm not trying to be an authority, only help out people new to the hobby.

Are you not trying to be an authority? So then what is your purpose for writing the article and trying to divert membership to your site? After all - if you're not an authority how would you be able to monetize your site?


May I make a suggestion... before you continue down the path of "monetizing" your cigar knowledge - watch the movie "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" (it's currently running on Netflix). Jiro Ono should be an inspiration to you - he created a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station and has been awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin Guide rating. His story can be used to inspire success for anyone doing anything. Listen to Jiro's suggestions about being successful. Study it - understand it - and you will have success...

You, personally, really need to make it past the first thing required of apprentices. Can you commit yourself to squeezing the towels pulled from the boiling water before you move on in your success journey? [HINT: Jiro's apprentices understand and gladly squeeze scalding hot towels to gain the knowledge Jiro has. They also understand it would be completely foolish to set up a sushi shop next door and ask Jiro's customers to come to their restaurant]

[Turbolag]

So ask yourself - is this about YOU or is this about the cigar smoking community? Because, quite frankly, if it's about the cigar smoking community you would not be posting links to your website trying to draw people away from an established cigar discussion community.

Not trying to argue, but in your profile area you are allowed to post a link to your own personal website.

Look guys, I'm not trying to stir up trouble ok? I'm just following the lesson plan of a successful marketer. I don't like posting links to my site on other sites but it says to do it and I want to make it work.

If it offends everyone so much, I'll just make my exit now.

[ggiese]

Not trying to argue, but in your profile area you are allowed to post a link to your own personal website.

Look guys, I'm not trying to stir up trouble ok? I'm just following the lesson plan of a successful marketer. I don't like posting links to my site on other sites but it says to do it and I want to make it work.

If it offends everyone so much, I'll just make my exit now.

Offended? Nahh.... Stick around - don't get all butt hurt. It's okay...

However - worried about you because you seem to have been led a bit astray? Uh - yeah...

I don't know who this "successful marketer" is, but I suspect he's likely "successful" because he's selling his "formula" for success (and it has something to do with "SEO"). And - if you bought his plan - congrats. He's even more successful.

Think about it - most (95%+) of his "students" will not be as "successful" as he is. Why is that? Did they not follow his "formula" for success? Or - did they not have the requisite skills needed to be successful? I would argue that you can have the best "plan" ("formula") in the world - but if you personally don't have the necessary skills to execute it, the plan is not worth the paper it's printed on.

Follow my FREE advice (yep - that's right - best deal you're gonna get - it's absolutely completely free with no charge - all you gotta do is invest a coupla dollars to rent a video)... Watch and absorb "Jiro Dreams of Sushi". I will tell you it will be hard to watch because it's Japanese with English subtitles - but the success story of Jiro Ono is where your head needs to be if you want to be successful. See if you pick up anything worthwhile in that story (I know - what does Sushi have with success... But hang in there - the message is clear). If you come back to tell me how "boring" his story is - or you don't "get it" - you really don't have what it takes to be an entrepeneur...

[Turbolag]

Offended? Nahh.... Stick around - don't get all butt hurt. It's okay...

However - worried about you because you seem to have been led a bit astray? Uh - yeah...

I don't know who this "successful marketer" is, but I suspect he's likely "successful" because he's selling his "formula" for success (and it has something to do with "SEO"). And - if you bought his plan - congrats. He's even more successful.

Think about it - most (95%+) of his "students" will not be as "successful" as he is. Why is that? Did they not follow his "formula" for success? Or - did they not have the requisite skills needed to be successful? I would argue that you can have the best "plan" ("formula") in the world - but if you personally don't have the necessary skills to execute it, the plan is not worth the paper it's printed on.

I will stick around. I'm not offended or anything. I just don't want anyone to think I'm trying to stir up trouble.

I agree with you on marketer part. I thought really hard about what you are saying before I signed up. I was really reluctant to. So far I have learned some marketing tools that I'm not sure how I would have found out otherwise. But I definitely know what you mean about the 95% probably won't be as successful. I thought I would try it and see.

But anyway, I don't wanna take up anymore space in this thread about this issue. I'm happy to be aboard and want to learn more and if I have anything to contribute I would be more than happy to.

And I will check out the movie you suggested. Thanks for the recommendation.

I did sign up because it was discussed in the program, but I do want to join multiple cigar forums and read and learn more.

[CptnBlues63]

So I'm back at work as of yesterday. During my two weeks off for my annual hunting trip I managed to smoke quite a few cigars. At least one a day, which for me is a lot. I even snuck two a day in a couple times. Here's some of what I smoked:

- AF 8-5-8 Maduro/Natural/Sungrown
- RP Vintage 1990
- Padron 3000 Maduro Robusto
- Padron 3000 Lonsdale
- Padron 1926 (forget what number they are but is from that split with Will)
- RyJ Churchill
- Partagas Series D No.4
- Cuban Stock Royal Selection
- Monte Cristo #4
- CAO Brazillia Maduro
- Te-Amo #4

[Turbolag]

- Padron 1926 (forget what number they are but is from that split with Will)
- CAO Brazillia Maduro

What did you think of these two sticks ? I've been wanting to pick both of these up, just didn't wanna spend the coin on the first one.

What are their flavors like ?

2 a day is my limit. Anymore and I don't feel so well.

I found that out about a month ago.

[ggiese]

What did you think of these two sticks ? I've been wanting to pick both of these up, just didn't wanna spend the coin on the first one.

What are their flavors like ?

2 a day is my limit. Anymore and I don't feel so well.

I found that out about a month ago.

Wow... Just wow... I would have to say - consistently the Padron 1926 (particularly the Maduro) is hands down one of the best cigars you're going to smoke in the "more reasonable" price range (excluding the more ungodly expensive, impossible to find cigars).

I'm not quite sure what your effort is focused on with this cigar smoking venture. Perhaps we need some clarification. In my view, if your effort is going to be to be a SME of less than $5.00 cigars - I believe you'll find the market is completely flooded with "experts" and competition will be very tight. If your desire is to be considered an "authority" on cigar smoking and you don't want to spend the "coin", you may want to consider putting your efforts towards a different venture.

Now - if you REALLY want a smoking thrill pick up some Davidoff's (I recommend the Maduro R and the Anniversario #1). Smoke a Rocky Patel Edge - and then smoke the Davidoff Maduro R. Compare and contrast to get a sense of the differences between the two and why it would be more "coin" for the Maduro R. That would be a worthwhile exercise on your quest...

[CptnBlues63]

What did you think of these two sticks ? I've been wanting to pick both of these up, just didn't wanna spend the coin on the first one.

What are their flavors like ?

2 a day is my limit. Anymore and I don't feel so well.

I found that out about a month ago.

The 1926 is an extremely good cigar. But then I feel that's true for all Padron's.

The CAO Brazillia Maduro was a decent smoke but it ran badly down one side while smoking it. This meant constant touch-ups and less enjoyment for me. I have one more of those and if it burns properly, I think I'll enjoy it a lot.

[ashauler]

I had an improperly selected, marginally lit and completely incorrectly smoked PLPC with my morning coffee.

[TheGreekTitan]

I had an improperly selected, marginally lit and completely incorrectly smoked PLPC with my morning coffee.

Aw, that's a shame. I was having the same problems until just recently. There's a link to an exceptional article around here somewhere. It helped me tremendously. If I can find it, I'll point you in the right direction. Please don't give up, cigars really are a novelty worthy of much practice and study.

[ashauler]

Not trying to argue, but in your profile area you are allowed to post a link to your own personal website.

Look guys, I'm not trying to stir up trouble ok? I'm just following the lesson plan of a successful marketer. I don't like posting links to my site on other sites but it says to do it and I want to make it work.

If it offends everyone so much, I'll just make my exit now.

How can you not expect some flack for what you're doing. It's really pretty simple. What you are trying to do for $$, the membership of this community gives away freely. That's kinda what this place is about.

[SailorJoe]

wow... quite the discussion going on over here. Here i was thinking i was going to get to see some good smokes that people were having for the day and instead there was a salesman trying to get people over to his site. i personally think that if you feel the need to explain yourself that much, you are up to something.

and on that note... this site has more than enough taste, experence and advise for any level of smoker.

[Turbolag]

Had a Macanudo Maduro today.

Love this one ! Will pick up more of these !