Paul Short, Founder of Getblogs.com

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This morning we are joined here on WIIFM Success Radio by an extremely dynamic individual named Paul Short. Although I only just met Paul, I find his energy contagiously electrifying.

What is the name of your company and what products or services does it provide?
Paul: My main website is a weblog directory and search engine called Getblogs.com . It provides blogging related information and resources, a simple user interface for finding blogs in over 180 categories, and also a place where bloggers can list and promote their sites for free.

What role do you play in your organization?
Paul: I "wear all the hats" so to speak. Because of the wonders of technology, I run a network of 7 web sites in different niche markets, all from my home office.

One minute, I'm approving a listing at Getblogs.com, the next I'm processing an order for an ebook, and the next I'm on the phone with a client on the other side of the planet. It's hectic but I love it.

As a successful business person, how did you get started?
Paul: I got started in internet marketing back in 1995 after seeing an article in "Opportunity" magazine about a guy named Jim Daniels and his web site over at http://BizWeb2000.com.

I had an old 286 computer with a 14.4 modem and logged on to the internet through a free connection provided by a local BBS. I contacted Jim by email and he replied almost immediately. I was hooked.

I started publishing a motivational newsletter called "Motiv8 Online", built it up to about 15,000 subscribers over a few months and sold it when someone made me an offer.

After that, I got into the SEO business and continued with that until April 2004. After becoming burnt out with the industry, I finally bowed out gracefully to persue what I really enjoy doing: Running my own search engine, developing infoproducts, blogging and consulting.

I'm also a blogging and RSS advisor on an exclusive private membership site called
http://TurningIdeasIntoDollars run by Lynn Terry and Andre Chaperon.

How did you learn what it takes to succeed?
Paul: From the very beginning, I realized that in order to be successful in business, especially a service business like Search Engine Optimization, I was dealing with "People".

I wasn't just dealing with a contact, or a prospect or subscriber. They are all people and I've spoken to every client personally on the phone. There's something about personal contact that makes people comfortable and builds credibility.

You can't hear the sincerity in a persons voice via email.

What personal/family activities do you enjoy?
Paul: I live about a 5 minute walk from Lake Ontario and sitting there, looking out over the water is where I do my best brainstorming.

Other than that, when I can find the time I like working with my hands. I'm either building a computer from parts, painting faux marble tiles on a wall, or washing and detailing my truck. Getting away from the computer every now and then clears my mind and makes me more productive when I get back to business.

What experiences in your life have helped you expand who you are as a person?
Paul: I would say... meeting people from all over the world. Because of the internet, I've gained friends from many walks of life, many countries, etc. My life has been enriched by those friendships and they're people I never would have known had it not been for the internet and email.

What are your concerns about the world today?
Paul: Impersonalization, complacency, greed and hate. Wherever you look these days, all four are staring you in the face in one form or another.

Governments need to look at things from our point of view, we ourselves need to be more proactive in the issues that affect our lives and kids futures, we need to give as much as we receive and accept others for who they are and what they stand for.

If you had all the time and all the money you needed, what types of things would you do? Consider money as no object.
Paul: I'd immediately do a few selfish things at first like travelling, buy a nice home and some land, etc. But as soon as the novelty wore off I'd become active in educating, motivating and mentoring teens here in my area through an organized effort with some community groups.

These kids are the future of our society, the next business owners, leaders, educators, police and firemen, etc. They need to know that success is a mindset, not a bank account.

Are there any tips or advice you would like to offer people?
Paul: "The measure of a man's worth, is the degree to which he has made a difference in the lives of those he has touched." --Jackie Strange

Will the difference you make in someones life be a positive one... or a negative one? That's the question you need to ask yourself the next time you speak to a potential customer.. or your wife of 10 years.

Are people more interesting than product stories?
Paul: Absolutely! Looking at it from a business standpoint
- legendary copywriters like Gary Halbert, Joe Vitale and Dan Kenedy tell stories about people in their sales copy. These salesletters pull so well because it's human nature to want to read a good story.

It reminds me of a time a few years ago when I was shopping for a car. I went to several dealerships and the salespeople were all telling me about the product and it's features.

After getting tired of hearing all about gas mileage, air bags, tires and power windows, I went to a coffee shop to relax and try and make a decision. An elderly gentleman was sitting at the next table to mine and struck up a conversation with me.

I found out that he had worked at the local GM plant until he retired a few years back. He told me that when a GM car rolls off the assembly line, it's thoroughly checked over by several people to make sure it's in perfect condition.

He went on to tell me how he trusts these cars more than any other brand and has been ferrying his family around in them for almost 50 years now. His story was so sincere, I had a new GM car parked in my driveway before noon the next day... all because of his story.

What are your goals and aspirations for the future?
Paul: To slowly and methodically build my business based on ethics and personal interaction with my clients and customers - people - for years to come, and make a few more friends along the way.

What obstacles do you have to overcome to achieve your goals?
Paul: Time management is my biggest enemy, because I am a firm believer in building relationships and not relying too much on automation and software to build the relationships for me.

My goals are reached every time I make a positive difference... and my business is built one person at a time.

Which people have been role modelsto you?
Paul: There are so many. I believe every person I have ever met has been a role model to me in some form or another. I've learned valuable lessons from the guy who lives on the street, to prominent world leaders...

But if I had to pick just two, they would be my father, for teaching me to have respect for others - and my 13 year old daughter for keeping me grounded and helping me to enjoy the simple things
in life.

What are your favorite books, computer programs, or forms of entertainment?
Paul: Books: "How To Win Friends And Influence People" by Dale Carnegie, "Unlimited Power" by Tony Robbins, and "Think And Grow Rich" by W. Clement Stone.
Computer Programs: The Firefox Web Browser and Pegasus Email Client
Entertainment: Anything that gets me out of the house for a couple of hours ;-)

What time of the day are you at your best?
Paul: Early in the morning after my first few sips of coffee, and late at night when the phones are quiet and I begin to catch up on the little tasks that pile up throughout the day.