"To be frank, my graduation story is a mixed bag of learning, accomplishment and disappointment.
When I began, I was absolutely determined to hit the mission accomplished button at the end of the class sessions and announce that I had made at least 2000 and perhaps as much as three to four times more.
OK, so I was suffering from a delusion of grandeur; I thought that I could somehow not only achieve the goals of this ambitious program but shine as one of the stars among the students. At least that is what drove my late nights, willingness to try to become a super salesperson when that really did not fit my personality profile at all, and conflicts with relatives and friends who simply could not understand what I was expected to do during the time that was allotted.
Of course, I had technical and personal challenges that affected my efficiency as well, but that is a given in anyone’s life.
I certainly did not come in as prepared as I thought I was. I wanted to learn how to generate ideas and produce a quality online product for sale. However, I considered myself to be a writer and not a salesperson. I thought I would learn how to present my written and finished work as something that my customers would grab as a thing of value and/or entertainment.
That turned out not to be the case. However, I did learn a lot about what it takes to sell—how the human mind works when it comes to perceiving products and marketing. The ironic thing is that the emphasis of my business degree was in marketing. However, the marketing that I learned before was done very differently and pre-COVID. I learned during this class that online processes have changed dramatically.
The entire writing world, of course, has changed. One is expected to market oneself, create an entire brand, and come up with marketing ideas, logos, pallets, etc. Essentially, unless you are a Stephen King or James Patterson, you are on your own.
The other situation was that the process to obtain my business license took a lot longer than I had anticipated. I was woefully unprepared in initiating this program without having already attained my business license. This, is of course, is not any fault of the instructors or the material.
As a matter of fact, I was deluged, inundated, and almost drowned in information. While that had great value, I just wish that I had been able to assimilate the information in a way that would have made me effective like my colleagues were. I know that we were told not to compare ourselves to others and I was inspired by their success, but I wanted to be one of the people who ended up with a success story. Who signs up for a class to learn that they can’t achieve what they had paid thousands of dollars for, especially during an economic downturn?
Overall, I would say that my experience was very educational and sometimes a lot of fun. Marisa is a brilliant marketing analyst and engaging speaker, one of the best I've heard. In addition, Matthew Turton and Emily Fontes provided valuable information in engaging ways. I cannot complain about the value of what I was given.
I do recommend, however, that a thought be given to a program that specifically addresses newbies-- brand new businesspeople—who cannot possibly assimilate all the information necessary to start their business, get their paperwork approved, get their accounts set up and learn how to sell a product to people in the middle of a pandemic. It almost sounds like a bad sitcom. I am, however, better off for the experience of having taken EPM.
I look forward to the three-day in the hopes that it will tie everything together in my mind."
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
My product is about service more than sales.
How did EPM help you become successful?
It taught me a great deal and reminded me it wasn't about me.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
I'm determined to succeed.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
It will now include online writing courses.
What is now possible for you because of your Experience Product?
It is possible for me to launch a successful entrepreneurship, eventually.