beautiful people my name is Brian brushwood and I’m here to answer the
brushwood and I’m here to answer the
brushwood and I’m here to answer the real question that all of you guys had
real question that all of you guys had
real question that all of you guys had coming into this program I know this
coming into this program I know this
coming into this program I know this isn’t gonna be some kind of pie in the
isn’t gonna be some kind of pie in the
isn’t gonna be some kind of pie in the sky high-minded theoretical stuff I’m
sky high-minded theoretical stuff I’m
sky high-minded theoretical stuff I’m gonna give you the boots on the ground
gonna give you the boots on the ground
gonna give you the boots on the ground real work on how to advance this frame
real work on how to advance this frame
real work on how to advance this frame if you there you go how to fake an
if you there you go how to fake an
if you there you go how to fake an erotic fiction bestseller that’s what
erotic fiction bestseller that’s what
erotic fiction bestseller that’s what we’re gonna learn first of all there’s
we’re gonna learn first of all there’s
we’re gonna learn first of all there’s some things you got to know the story
some things you got to know the story
some things you got to know the story begins about 10 years ago and you should
begins about 10 years ago and you should
begins about 10 years ago and you should know that I used to look like this but
know that I used to look like this but
know that I used to look like this but now I look like this don’t panic I used
now I look like this don’t panic I used
now I look like this don’t panic I used to tour all around the United States
to tour all around the United States
to tour all around the United States doing a punk rock blood-and-guts magic
doing a punk rock blood-and-guts magic
doing a punk rock blood-and-guts magic show I shoved nails in my eyes a fire
show I shoved nails in my eyes a fire
show I shoved nails in my eyes a fire that was my full-time job and I had an
that was my full-time job and I had an
that was my full-time job and I had an idea for a show
idea for a show
idea for a show because after each each of these
because after each each of these
because after each each of these programs the students at each of the
programs the students at each of the
programs the students at each of the college’s would take me out and I would
college’s would take me out and I would
college’s would take me out and I would do magic for them and essentially I
do magic for them and essentially I
do magic for them and essentially I would teach them how to scam free beers
would teach them how to scam free beers
would teach them how to scam free beers and so I had the idea for what came to
and so I had the idea for what came to
and so I had the idea for what came to be known as scam school I pitched it the
be known as scam school I pitched it the
be known as scam school I pitched it the idea was be the most interesting person
idea was be the most interesting person
idea was be the most interesting person in the room capture everybody’s
in the room capture everybody’s
in the room capture everybody’s attention provide so much value that
attention provide so much value that
attention provide so much value that when you get to some kind of unbeatable
when you get to some kind of unbeatable
when you get to some kind of unbeatable challenge or puzzle you end up getting
challenge or puzzle you end up getting
challenge or puzzle you end up getting somebody to agree to buy you a free
somebody to agree to buy you a free
somebody to agree to buy you a free drink ah so I would be 10 years later
drink ah so I would be 10 years later
drink ah so I would be 10 years later now we’re at a point now scam school is
now we’re at a point now scam school is
now we’re at a point now scam school is now over a million subscribers it’s a
now over a million subscribers it’s a
now over a million subscribers it’s a little bit hard to see let me see if I
little bit hard to see let me see if I
little bit hard to see let me see if I can enhance this enhance in a hat there
can enhance this enhance in a hat there
can enhance this enhance in a hat there we go ok good it’s been a long journey
we go ok good it’s been a long journey
we go ok good it’s been a long journey to get there and there’s been a few
to get there and there’s been a few
to get there and there’s been a few lessons I’ve learned on the way now keep
lessons I’ve learned on the way now keep
lessons I’ve learned on the way now keep in mind there’s a few moments during
in mind there’s a few moments during
in mind there’s a few moments during this talk that I’m going to talk as if I
this talk that I’m going to talk as if I
this talk that I’m going to talk as if I know something I know nothing I’m an
know something I know nothing I’m an
know something I know nothing I’m an idiot who eats fire shoves nails in his
idiot who eats fire shoves nails in his
idiot who eats fire shoves nails in his eyes however I’ve read some really good
eyes however I’ve read some really good
eyes however I’ve read some really good books including robert cialdini’s
books including robert cialdini’s
books including robert cialdini’s influence where i learned about the idea
influence where i learned about the idea
influence where i learned about the idea of fixed action patterns these are
of fixed action patterns these are
of fixed action patterns these are psychological backdoors that sit in the
psychological backdoors that sit in the
psychological backdoors that sit in the back of your mind something that caused
back of your mind something that caused
back of your mind something that caused immediate stimulus response actions we
immediate stimulus response actions we
immediate stimulus response actions we see them in mating behaviors of animals
see them in mating behaviors of animals
see them in mating behaviors of animals of all varieties and one of the most
of all varieties and one of the most
of all varieties and one of the most powerful ones is the psychological
powerful ones is the psychological
powerful ones is the psychological backdoor number one is liking the idea
backdoor number one is liking the idea
backdoor number one is liking the idea is when you like someone you’re much
is when you like someone you’re much
is when you like someone you’re much more likely to grant them what they
more likely to grant them what they
more likely to grant them what they do some work for them or or give them
do some work for them or or give them
do some work for them or or give them something and I figured out that you can
something and I figured out that you can
something and I figured out that you can use the liking psychological backdoor to
use the liking psychological backdoor to
use the liking psychological backdoor to get out of speeding tickets I realized
get out of speeding tickets I realized
get out of speeding tickets I realized that a hundred percent of the time every
that a hundred percent of the time every
that a hundred percent of the time every time I’ve ever made a police officer
time I’ve ever made a police officer
time I’ve ever made a police officer laugh he’s left me off the hook and most
laugh he’s left me off the hook and most
laugh he’s left me off the hook and most of the time that happens immediately
of the time that happens immediately
of the time that happens immediately because my Bly ‘sons looked like this if
because my Bly ‘sons looked like this if
because my Bly ‘sons looked like this if they wanted to if they were continuing
they wanted to if they were continuing
they wanted to if they were continuing to press I would say they’d ask for the
to press I would say they’d ask for the
to press I would say they’d ask for the insurance I say oh I’m sorry officer
insurance I say oh I’m sorry officer
insurance I say oh I’m sorry officer this is a rental and I’ll have my
this is a rental and I’ll have my
this is a rental and I’ll have my insurance but I’m told this will help
insurance but I’m told this will help
insurance but I’m told this will help and sometimes they would let you off the
and sometimes they would let you off the
and sometimes they would let you off the hook
hook
hook a second psychological back door is
a second psychological back door is
a second psychological back door is reciprocation turns out that as human
reciprocation turns out that as human
reciprocation turns out that as human beings we want to balance the scales
beings we want to balance the scales
beings we want to balance the scales whenever we’re given something we want
whenever we’re given something we want
whenever we’re given something we want to pay people back even if we actively
to pay people back even if we actively
to pay people back even if we actively dislike the other party the Hari
dislike the other party the Hari
dislike the other party the Hari Krishna’s figured this out back in the
Krishna’s figured this out back in the
Krishna’s figured this out back in the 1960s they made a lot of attention by
1960s they made a lot of attention by
1960s they made a lot of attention by banging on drums and and make it a lot
banging on drums and and make it a lot
banging on drums and and make it a lot of noise however they weren’t able to
of noise however they weren’t able to
of noise however they weren’t able to get a lot of donations that way so they
get a lot of donations that way so they
get a lot of donations that way so they figured out that if they handed people
figured out that if they handed people
figured out that if they handed people flowers and said here’s a gift
flowers and said here’s a gift
flowers and said here’s a gift enjoy this flower by the way would you
enjoy this flower by the way would you
enjoy this flower by the way would you like to make a donation people would
like to make a donation people would
like to make a donation people would often donate then they would go through
often donate then they would go through
often donate then they would go through the flower in the trash they would go
the flower in the trash they would go
the flower in the trash they would go pick the flower out of the trash and
pick the flower out of the trash and
pick the flower out of the trash and then they’d give it to someone hi here’s
then they’d give it to someone hi here’s
then they’d give it to someone hi here’s a flower would you like to make a
a flower would you like to make a
a flower would you like to make a donation and pretty much that’s the
donation and pretty much that’s the
donation and pretty much that’s the philosophy to score free drinks at the
philosophy to score free drinks at the
philosophy to score free drinks at the bar that we do on scam school
bar that we do on scam school
bar that we do on scam school reciprocation and liking liking because
reciprocation and liking liking because
reciprocation and liking liking because you’re engaging with the other person
you’re engaging with the other person
you’re engaging with the other person you’re looking them in the eye you’re
you’re looking them in the eye you’re
you’re looking them in the eye you’re trying to make them smile and entertain
trying to make them smile and entertain
trying to make them smile and entertain them reciprocation because you’re giving
them reciprocation because you’re giving
them reciprocation because you’re giving something of value you’re giving a magic
something of value you’re giving a magic
something of value you’re giving a magic trick or performance and it ends up
trick or performance and it ends up
trick or performance and it ends up looking something like this
looking something like this
looking something like this after this prank I believe it’s called
after this prank I believe it’s called
after this prank I believe it’s called lateral force but for some reason if you
lateral force but for some reason if you
lateral force but for some reason if you stick a quarter to your forehead like
stick a quarter to your forehead like
stick a quarter to your forehead like this and you hit your head on the table
this and you hit your head on the table
this and you hit your head on the table it will not
it will not
it will not I’ve never been able to do it in fewer
I’ve never been able to do it in fewer
I’ve never been able to do it in fewer than three hits it’s not to the fourth
than three hits it’s not to the fourth
than three hits it’s not to the fourth time that it actually it actually will
time that it actually it actually will
time that it actually it actually will come off I mean I’ll buy your drinks for
come off I mean I’ll buy your drinks for
come off I mean I’ll buy your drinks for the rest of the night if you’re able to
the rest of the night if you’re able to
the rest of the night if you’re able to get the quarter to fall off in less than
get the quarter to fall off in less than
get the quarter to fall off in less than three hits and it will just go it will
three hits and it will just go it will
three hits and it will just go it will stick up alright you got it go for it go
stick up alright you got it go for it go
stick up alright you got it go for it go for three in lesson three go
okay John you’re almost there it’s the
okay John you’re almost there it’s the idea is simple it turns out that those
idea is simple it turns out that those
idea is simple it turns out that those nerve endings on your forehead I have a
nerve endings on your forehead I have a
nerve endings on your forehead I have a bit of a lag and it feels like the coin
bit of a lag and it feels like the coin
bit of a lag and it feels like the coin is still there on your forehead so you
is still there on your forehead so you
is still there on your forehead so you could take advantage of that and be a
could take advantage of that and be a
could take advantage of that and be a total jerk but out of everything I’ve
total jerk but out of everything I’ve
total jerk but out of everything I’ve learned both in the stage show both in
learned both in the stage show both in
learned both in the stage show both in the launch of scam school and
the launch of scam school and
the launch of scam school and it’sit’sit’s rise to prominence is that
it’sit’sit’s rise to prominence is that
it’sit’sit’s rise to prominence is that out of all the fixed action patterns of
out of all the fixed action patterns of
out of all the fixed action patterns of all the psychological backdoors the most
all the psychological backdoors the most
all the psychological backdoors the most powerful in my opinion is social proof
powerful in my opinion is social proof
powerful in my opinion is social proof social proof is the reason we pay
social proof is the reason we pay
social proof is the reason we pay attention to other people it’s the
attention to other people it’s the
attention to other people it’s the reason we have laugh tracks on sitcoms
reason we have laugh tracks on sitcoms
reason we have laugh tracks on sitcoms it’s the reason we pay attention to Yelp
it’s the reason we pay attention to Yelp
it’s the reason we pay attention to Yelp reviews it’s the reason McDonald’s brags
reviews it’s the reason McDonald’s brags
reviews it’s the reason McDonald’s brags about having billions and billions of
about having billions and billions of
about having billions and billions of burgers sold it’s because there is a
burgers sold it’s because there is a
burgers sold it’s because there is a comfort in knowing this is a heuristic
comfort in knowing this is a heuristic
comfort in knowing this is a heuristic this is a shortcut that’s not always
this is a shortcut that’s not always
this is a shortcut that’s not always right but right enough of the time that
right but right enough of the time that
right but right enough of the time that we rely on it because if everybody else
we rely on it because if everybody else
we rely on it because if everybody else is doing it odds are it’s probably a
is doing it odds are it’s probably a
is doing it odds are it’s probably a good idea so I don’t want to brag about
good idea so I don’t want to brag about
good idea so I don’t want to brag about scam school but pretty much the moment
scam school but pretty much the moment
scam school but pretty much the moment it came out everybody loved it right
it came out everybody loved it right
it came out everybody loved it right they thought that I look great they
they thought that I look great they
they thought that I look great they thought that my hairstyle was super rad
thought that my hairstyle was super rad
thought that my hairstyle was super rad ah no obviously none of that’s true um
ah no obviously none of that’s true um
ah no obviously none of that’s true um but we did end up at this over a million
but we did end up at this over a million
but we did end up at this over a million mark so what happened if there’s one
mark so what happened if there’s one
mark so what happened if there’s one moment I could point to that
moment I could point to that
moment I could point to that fundamentally transformed the trajectory
fundamentally transformed the trajectory
fundamentally transformed the trajectory of scam school it would have been when I
of scam school it would have been when I
of scam school it would have been when I performed for a show called diggnation
performed for a show called diggnation
performed for a show called diggnation there’s a podcast that was very very
there’s a podcast that was very very
there’s a podcast that was very very popular called diggnation that I opened
popular called diggnation that I opened
popular called diggnation that I opened for this was two months after scam
for this was two months after scam
for this was two months after scam school started I was doing my stage show
school started I was doing my stage show
school started I was doing my stage show fire-eating Sheva nails in the eyes and
fire-eating Sheva nails in the eyes and
fire-eating Sheva nails in the eyes and all that and I stopped in the middle of
all that and I stopped in the middle of
all that and I stopped in the middle of the show because I realized what I
the show because I realized what I
the show because I realized what I lacked was a platform I didn’t have a
lacked was a platform I didn’t have a
lacked was a platform I didn’t have a team on my side I was unknown but I
team on my side I was unknown but I
team on my side I was unknown but I needed to figure out the right idea to
needed to figure out the right idea to
needed to figure out the right idea to court them on my side and what to do
court them on my side and what to do
court them on my side and what to do with that energy I realized everybody
with that energy I realized everybody
with that energy I realized everybody out here loved new media they loved
out here loved new media they loved
out here loved new media they loved podcasting they loved YouTube they loved
podcasting they loved YouTube they loved
podcasting they loved YouTube they loved the idea that they are part of a
the idea that they are part of a
the idea that they are part of a revolution against old media so in the
revolution against old media so in the
revolution against old media so in the middle of my stage magic show I stopped
middle of my stage magic show I stopped
middle of my stage magic show I stopped and gave a PowerPoint presentation much
and gave a PowerPoint presentation much
and gave a PowerPoint presentation much like you’re saying now the fact that all
like you’re saying now the fact that all
like you’re saying now the fact that all of new media was dominated by old media
of new media was dominated by old media
of new media was dominated by old media faces NPR Oprah 60 minutes all this
faces NPR Oprah 60 minutes all this
faces NPR Oprah 60 minutes all this stuff and I said wouldn’t it be great if
stuff and I said wouldn’t it be great if
stuff and I said wouldn’t it be great if we could wrestle control the number one
we could wrestle control the number one
we could wrestle control the number one spot away from old media and I proposed
spot away from old media and I proposed
spot away from old media and I proposed a scam that we would all I guess I
a scam that we would all I guess I
a scam that we would all I guess I pretty much proposed a conspiracy
pretty much proposed a conspiracy
pretty much proposed a conspiracy I said let’s all try to scam the itunes
I said let’s all try to scam the itunes
I said let’s all try to scam the itunes algorithm because at the time very
algorithm because at the time very
algorithm because at the time very little was known about the YouTube are
little was known about the YouTube are
little was known about the YouTube are they the itunes algorithm it was known
they the itunes algorithm it was known
they the itunes algorithm it was known that in general it seemed to monitor the
that in general it seemed to monitor the
that in general it seemed to monitor the number of new subscriptions in for our
number of new subscriptions in for our
number of new subscriptions in for our blocks so I said what if all of us by
blocks so I said what if all of us by
blocks so I said what if all of us by the way everyone follow me here Brian at
the way everyone follow me here Brian at
the way everyone follow me here Brian at twitter.com slash would and then at one
twitter.com slash would and then at one
twitter.com slash would and then at one moment we are all going to hit subscribe
moment we are all going to hit subscribe
moment we are all going to hit subscribe at the exact same time and if this works
at the exact same time and if this works
at the exact same time and if this works we’ll stick it to the man by making it
we’ll stick it to the man by making it
we’ll stick it to the man by making it into the top ten and it worked it worked
into the top ten and it worked it worked
into the top ten and it worked it worked uh we all hit subscribe but one time
uh we all hit subscribe but one time
uh we all hit subscribe but one time it’s probably a thousand maybe two
it’s probably a thousand maybe two
it’s probably a thousand maybe two thousand people but it was enough that
thousand people but it was enough that
thousand people but it was enough that we hit the number three and number seven
we hit the number three and number seven
we hit the number three and number seven spots this was my first lesson in the
spots this was my first lesson in the
spots this was my first lesson in the power of social proof because at this
power of social proof because at this
power of social proof because at this point we thought hey we blew up the
point we thought hey we blew up the
point we thought hey we blew up the Death Star good good game team we
Death Star good good game team we
Death Star good good game team we high-fived each other and went home but
high-fived each other and went home but
high-fived each other and went home but the mere fact that we were in the top
the mere fact that we were in the top
the mere fact that we were in the top ten created its own engine of attention
ten created its own engine of attention
ten created its own engine of attention and one week later by virtue of having
and one week later by virtue of having
and one week later by virtue of having gotten to the top ten once we were still
gotten to the top ten once we were still
gotten to the top ten once we were still in the top ten number four and number
in the top ten number four and number
in the top ten number four and number nine so at this point uh we were on the
nine so at this point uh we were on the
nine so at this point uh we were on the Intuit we we had garnered the attention
Intuit we we had garnered the attention
Intuit we we had garnered the attention of the Apple staff we ended up being a
of the Apple staff we ended up being a
of the Apple staff we ended up being a staff pick up some poem moment later on
staff pick up some poem moment later on
staff pick up some poem moment later on we ended up getting picked as a top
we ended up getting picked as a top
we ended up getting picked as a top podcast of 2008 it’s kind of hard to see
podcast of 2008 it’s kind of hard to see
podcast of 2008 it’s kind of hard to see let me enhance this there we go okay
let me enhance this there we go okay
let me enhance this there we go okay good there we go ah but the the
good there we go ah but the the
good there we go ah but the the attention itself ended up generating
attention itself ended up generating
attention itself ended up generating more attention and so this is the moment
more attention and so this is the moment
more attention and so this is the moment where the story gets a little bit weird
where the story gets a little bit weird
where the story gets a little bit weird 2012 by this point I had written a
2012 by this point I had written a
2012 by this point I had written a couple of books for his scam school the
couple of books for his scam school the
couple of books for his scam school the first book we had told everybody buy it
first book we had told everybody buy it
first book we had told everybody buy it at the same time and all that stuff
at the same time and all that stuff
at the same time and all that stuff everybody did a targeted strike we blew
everybody did a targeted strike we blew
everybody did a targeted strike we blew up the Death Star it was the number one
up the Death Star it was the number one
up the Death Star it was the number one bestseller on iTunes when it came to the
bestseller on iTunes when it came to the
bestseller on iTunes when it came to the second book though I ran into a problem
second book though I ran into a problem
second book though I ran into a problem because they
because they
because they happened at the exact same time as the
happened at the exact same time as the
happened at the exact same time as the cultural phenomenon of Fifty Shades of
cultural phenomenon of Fifty Shades of
cultural phenomenon of Fifty Shades of Grey now there’s some fantastic articles
Grey now there’s some fantastic articles
Grey now there’s some fantastic articles breaking down why Fifty Shades of Grey
breaking down why Fifty Shades of Grey
breaking down why Fifty Shades of Grey was a dominant force there’s all kinds
was a dominant force there’s all kinds
was a dominant force there’s all kinds of things from the the efforts that
of things from the the efforts that
of things from the the efforts that boots-on-the-ground efforts the
boots-on-the-ground efforts the
boots-on-the-ground efforts the community that was built by Yale James
community that was built by Yale James
community that was built by Yale James and all this stuff all I know is I was
and all this stuff all I know is I was
and all this stuff all I know is I was covered in naked jealousy and annoyed
covered in naked jealousy and annoyed
covered in naked jealousy and annoyed that this cultural phenomenon was
that this cultural phenomenon was
that this cultural phenomenon was keeping my book from being number one so
keeping my book from being number one so
keeping my book from being number one so a friend of mine who co-wrote the book
a friend of mine who co-wrote the book
a friend of mine who co-wrote the book said jokingly said well look at all
said jokingly said well look at all
said jokingly said well look at all these other books that seem to have the
these other books that seem to have the
these other books that seem to have the exact same motif as Fifty Shades of Grey
exact same motif as Fifty Shades of Grey
exact same motif as Fifty Shades of Grey maybe the next book should look like a
maybe the next book should look like a
maybe the next book should look like a fifty Shades of Grey book and we laughed
fifty Shades of Grey book and we laughed
fifty Shades of Grey book and we laughed I was like wait what if we wrote the
I was like wait what if we wrote the
I was like wait what if we wrote the Fifty Shades of Grey book and then we
Fifty Shades of Grey book and then we
Fifty Shades of Grey book and then we laughed and we thought wait what if we
laughed and we thought wait what if we
laughed and we thought wait what if we got our fans to write of Fifty Shades of
got our fans to write of Fifty Shades of
got our fans to write of Fifty Shades of Grey book and then we were onto
Grey book and then we were onto
Grey book and then we were onto something because I do a podcast every
something because I do a podcast every
something because I do a podcast every Tuesday night called Knight attack me
Tuesday night called Knight attack me
Tuesday night called Knight attack me and my co-host Justin Robert young we
and my co-host Justin Robert young we
and my co-host Justin Robert young we had the idea what have we set up the
had the idea what have we set up the
had the idea what have we set up the characters the situation and the places
characters the situation and the places
characters the situation and the places and then we just had the fans open up a
and then we just had the fans open up a
and then we just had the fans open up a Google Doc have the Internet write an
Google Doc have the Internet write an
Google Doc have the Internet write an erotic fiction book and see if we could
erotic fiction book and see if we could
erotic fiction book and see if we could steal the number one slot with which
steal the number one slot with which
steal the number one slot with which what clearly is a cultural phenomenon so
what clearly is a cultural phenomenon so
what clearly is a cultural phenomenon so we put together something called the
we put together something called the
we put together something called the Diamond Club the idea was simple first
Diamond Club the idea was simple first
Diamond Club the idea was simple first of all I had a cover that looked like in
of all I had a cover that looked like in
of all I had a cover that looked like in Fifty Shades of Grey book we and by the
Fifty Shades of Grey book we and by the
Fifty Shades of Grey book we and by the way none of this is new this is where
way none of this is new this is where
way none of this is new this is where pretty much ripping off the idea of
pretty much ripping off the idea of
pretty much ripping off the idea of naked came the stranger back in the
naked came the stranger back in the
naked came the stranger back in the 1960s there was a journalist who
1960s there was a journalist who
1960s there was a journalist who gathered together 20 or so of his best
gathered together 20 or so of his best
gathered together 20 or so of his best friend writers and they came up with a
friend writers and they came up with a
friend writers and they came up with a pseudonym and they decided to publish a
pseudonym and they decided to publish a
pseudonym and they decided to publish a erotic fiction novel about a woman who
erotic fiction novel about a woman who
erotic fiction novel about a woman who had sex with anything that we move and
had sex with anything that we move and
had sex with anything that we move and and so we wanted to do the exact same
and so we wanted to do the exact same
and so we wanted to do the exact same thing but naked came the stranger was
thing but naked came the stranger was
thing but naked came the stranger was very much of its time there were beatnik
very much of its time there were beatnik
very much of its time there were beatnik poets and all these artifacts of the 60s
poets and all these artifacts of the 60s
poets and all these artifacts of the 60s so we said well let’s do the same thing
so we said well let’s do the same thing
so we said well let’s do the same thing let’s make it very much of the mid or to
let’s make it very much of the mid or to
let’s make it very much of the mid or to early 2010’s so we set it in Silicon
early 2010’s so we set it in Silicon
early 2010’s so we set it in Silicon Valley we made it about a woman who had
Valley we made it about a woman who had
Valley we made it about a woman who had co-founded a start-up only to be jilted
co-founded a start-up only to be jilted
co-founded a start-up only to be jilted by her lover and who found out that that
by her lover and who found out that that
by her lover and who found out that that he had married someone else
he had married someone else
he had married someone else and to get revenge she discovers a sex
and to get revenge she discovers a sex
and to get revenge she discovers a sex club called the diamond Club
club called the diamond Club
club called the diamond Club and we put together our own pseudonymous
and we put together our own pseudonymous
and we put together our own pseudonymous author Patricia Harkins Bradley by the
author Patricia Harkins Bradley by the
author Patricia Harkins Bradley by the way is a mash-up of both of our third
way is a mash-up of both of our third
way is a mash-up of both of our third grade teachers names and we told the
grade teachers names and we told the
grade teachers names and we told the internet to write uh we we had to cool a
internet to write uh we we had to cool a
internet to write uh we we had to cool a little bit of some of the saucer
little bit of some of the saucer
little bit of some of the saucer chapters that we got but we put together
chapters that we got but we put together
chapters that we got but we put together this thing we published it on an ebook
this thing we published it on an ebook
this thing we published it on an ebook platform but think back to that moment
platform but think back to that moment
platform but think back to that moment when I was able to pitch the idea of
when I was able to pitch the idea of
when I was able to pitch the idea of scam school being a number one podcast
scam school being a number one podcast
scam school being a number one podcast we needed energy we needed an audience
we needed energy we needed an audience
we needed energy we needed an audience that would have a stake in the game now
that would have a stake in the game now
that would have a stake in the game now a subscription is free
a subscription is free
a subscription is free anyone can click Subscribe and be part
anyone can click Subscribe and be part
anyone can click Subscribe and be part of a prank that feels good what we
of a prank that feels good what we
of a prank that feels good what we needed was people to spend ninety nine
needed was people to spend ninety nine
needed was people to spend ninety nine cents on this prank so we realized we
cents on this prank so we realized we
cents on this prank so we realized we needed to look for an audience that was
needed to look for an audience that was
needed to look for an audience that was feeling something and regardless of
feeling something and regardless of
feeling something and regardless of whether you understood try to remember
whether you understood try to remember
whether you understood try to remember in 2012 nobody really understood what
in 2012 nobody really understood what
in 2012 nobody really understood what was happening with the Fifty Shades of
was happening with the Fifty Shades of
was happening with the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon right there was this
Grey phenomenon right there was this
Grey phenomenon right there was this mass confusion so we went to those
mass confusion so we went to those
mass confusion so we went to those people and say do you not understand
people and say do you not understand
people and say do you not understand what’s happening either
what’s happening either
what’s happening either great let’s let’s set fire to something
great let’s let’s set fire to something
great let’s let’s set fire to something so we put together a video that we pitch
so we put together a video that we pitch
so we put together a video that we pitch to the internet yeah I mean finish aids
to the internet yeah I mean finish aids
to the internet yeah I mean finish aids crazy that makes a lot of sense a lot of
crazy that makes a lot of sense a lot of
crazy that makes a lot of sense a lot of people buy it do you wanna know what
people buy it do you wanna know what
people buy it do you wanna know what else is on there butter books that just
else is on there butter books that just
else is on there butter books that just look like Fifty Shades of Grey
look like Fifty Shades of Grey
look like Fifty Shades of Grey they’re just poorly written erotic
they’re just poorly written erotic
they’re just poorly written erotic fiction to cash in on an obvious trend
fiction to cash in on an obvious trend
fiction to cash in on an obvious trend so we developed a theory that we’d like
so we developed a theory that we’d like
so we developed a theory that we’d like to test today what are they in the
to test today what are they in the
to test today what are they in the Internet write a book we have not read
Internet write a book we have not read
Internet write a book we have not read the book and it was all just completely
the book and it was all just completely
the book and it was all just completely crowdsource and add little cohesion
crowdsource and add little cohesion
crowdsource and add little cohesion amongst the chapters and just delivered
amongst the chapters and just delivered
amongst the chapters and just delivered on all right so that was our pitch to
on all right so that was our pitch to
on all right so that was our pitch to the audience we went out to the biggest
the audience we went out to the biggest
the audience we went out to the biggest group of rapscallions on the internet
group of rapscallions on the internet
group of rapscallions on the internet reddit
reddit who apparently also liked the idea and
who apparently also liked the idea and
who apparently also liked the idea and and they bunch of people voted it up and
and they bunch of people voted it up and
and they bunch of people voted it up and sure enough when this thing launched it
sure enough when this thing launched it
sure enough when this thing launched it actually uh this photograph right here
actually uh this photograph right here
actually uh this photograph right here shows it at 4th place it actually hit
shows it at 4th place it actually hit
shows it at 4th place it actually hit third place and supplanted one
third place and supplanted one
third place and supplanted one of the eel james books at the time but
of the eel james books at the time but
of the eel james books at the time but at that point we’re like high-five how
at that point we’re like high-five how
at that point we’re like high-five how cool we did it and we knew it was our
cool we did it and we knew it was our
cool we did it and we knew it was our people because all of the readers also
people because all of the readers also
people because all of the readers also bought were either books written by me
bought were either books written by me
bought were either books written by me or one of my co-hosts so it’s like okay
or one of my co-hosts so it’s like okay
or one of my co-hosts so it’s like okay that’s our people pretty cool we are
that’s our people pretty cool we are
that’s our people pretty cool we are able to generate a little bit of
able to generate a little bit of
able to generate a little bit of publicity it was fun to go on some shows
publicity it was fun to go on some shows
publicity it was fun to go on some shows and talk about the phenomenon but uh oh
and talk about the phenomenon but uh oh
and talk about the phenomenon but uh oh and by the way this is my favorite part
and by the way this is my favorite part
and by the way this is my favorite part we knew that a bunch of people would
we knew that a bunch of people would
we knew that a bunch of people would write five star reviews because they
write five star reviews because they
write five star reviews because they were into the idea of trying to you know
were into the idea of trying to you know
were into the idea of trying to you know scam their way into the top slot and we
scam their way into the top slot and we
scam their way into the top slot and we knew that there would be some reactions
knew that there would be some reactions
knew that there would be some reactions of one-star reviews of people saying hey
of one-star reviews of people saying hey
of one-star reviews of people saying hey guys this is all big prank don’t stop
guys this is all big prank don’t stop
guys this is all big prank don’t stop enjoying this book but our favorite were
enjoying this book but our favorite were
enjoying this book but our favorite were the three star reviews that said I mean
the three star reviews that said I mean
the three star reviews that said I mean it delivered on what I wanted wasn’t
it delivered on what I wanted wasn’t
it delivered on what I wanted wasn’t great so sure enough though the power of
great so sure enough though the power of
great so sure enough though the power of social proof was so compelling that what
social proof was so compelling that what
social proof was so compelling that what this is when when everything launched
this is when when everything launched
this is when when everything launched everything was our books and our friends
everything was our books and our friends
everything was our books and our friends books
books
books one week later very different set of
one week later very different set of
one week later very different set of users had also bought so in this case we
users had also bought so in this case we
users had also bought so in this case we had made our way into the pantheon of
had made our way into the pantheon of
had made our way into the pantheon of erotic fiction through no fault of our
erotic fiction through no fault of our
erotic fiction through no fault of our own in fact we our favorite moments was
own in fact we our favorite moments was
own in fact we our favorite moments was discovering real fans of fictitious
discovering real fans of fictitious
discovering real fans of fictitious Patricia Harkins Bradley it was it was
Patricia Harkins Bradley it was it was
Patricia Harkins Bradley it was it was it was a fascinating experience and I
it was a fascinating experience and I
it was a fascinating experience and I will go to the mat claiming you know
will go to the mat claiming you know
will go to the mat claiming you know people are saying oh there’s a fake book
people are saying oh there’s a fake book
people are saying oh there’s a fake book does a fake this fake that if you look
does a fake this fake that if you look
does a fake this fake that if you look at that that that five-star one-star
at that that that five-star one-star
at that that that five-star one-star curve I’m gonna guarantee you it’s
curve I’m gonna guarantee you it’s
curve I’m gonna guarantee you it’s identical to Fifty Shades of Grey and
identical to Fifty Shades of Grey and
identical to Fifty Shades of Grey and all of the negative reviews are
all of the negative reviews are
all of the negative reviews are identical to the complaints about Fifty
identical to the complaints about Fifty
identical to the complaints about Fifty Shades of Grey
Shades of Grey
Shades of Grey but if there’s one thing that I if there
but if there’s one thing that I if there
but if there’s one thing that I if there is some way that I’ve come out ahead we
is some way that I’ve come out ahead we
is some way that I’ve come out ahead we we did a run about a hundred physical
we did a run about a hundred physical
we did a run about a hundred physical copies of the book just to make this
copies of the book just to make this
copies of the book just to make this program I went and looked and apparently
program I went and looked and apparently
program I went and looked and apparently those physical copies are now being sold
those physical copies are now being sold
those physical copies are now being sold for $10,000 mission accomplished
for $10,000 mission accomplished
for $10,000 mission accomplished [Laughter]
[Laughter]
[Laughter] so whatever it is you do and make sure
so whatever it is you do and make sure
so whatever it is you do and make sure to take advantage of those psychological
to take advantage of those psychological
to take advantage of those psychological back doors liking reciprocation and
back doors liking reciprocation and
back doors liking reciprocation and authority and of course never
authority and of course never
authority and of course never underestimate the value of social proof
underestimate the value of social proof
underestimate the value of social proof thank you very much guys
thank you very much guys
thank you very much guys [Applause]
”
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