The 8-Step Guide to the Millionaire Circle
How to build your way into Millionaire circles
To get the attention of Millionaires requires authenticity and being magnetic. After all, the level of financial success achieved by Millionaires is no easy feat and it required them to demonstrate their own authenticity and magnetism.
Having worked in educational fundraising, I solicited many Millionaires for a donation to support student scholarships. A donation!? Not an investment in a startup. Not a life-saving cure for an incurable disease. A donation where one of the key selling points was a tax deduction. How inauthentic is that!?
One aspect I learned from soliciting Millionaires for their money was to observe their behaviors. From the most opulent to the most humbled of Millionaires, they never needed anything! But they always want to be a part of something! And this is why your authenticity matters.
Authenticity is borderline being self-absorbed for the greater good. It requires being hyper focused on a particular area of interest where you want to do good and also know that you are involved in a long, complicated game. The style of communication involves saying what you know and what you don’t know, where are your actions taking you next and where is the greatest opportunity for market penetration. The more you are able to communicate and articulate your pursuit of this goodness, the more you glow with authenticity.
Then, indirectly comes the magnetism. It’s that feeling of attraction to someone who you’ve only spoken to for 30 minutes. You ask, “why am I so drawn to that person?” In areas of business and politics, it’s being drawn to confidence, power, intellect, and vision. You literally want to say, “ok, take me with you on your adventure.” The adventure is authentic. Because Millionaires already have their own goals and dreams, they are limited in what they can do but they know that their money can do more.
Be authentic. Be magnetic. And follow the eight steps to be in the Millionaire’s circle.
1. Gain (at least) a Second Source of Income
Millionaires don’t just have one source of income, so why should you. This is an important kickstart to acclimating to the Millionaire lifestyle. The second source of income can be investment income, freelancing income, or even a second job. Regardless, having a second source gains the respect of Millionaires because they too know what it’s like to have and balance multiple sources of income.
2. Assessment and Improvement of Brand Vision
Who are you? Why should a Millionaire care about you? If your story, your idea, your business can’t articulate answers to these two questions, then you are not authentic (yet) and certainly, you are not magnetic. Bring in trusted advisors or mentors who can assess your story, idea, or business, and iron out the wrinkles so that you are able to communicate an authentic you.
3. Marketing and Promotions
Step 2 is important because Step 3 is your megaphone to outsiders. One third of your efforts will result in fans or customers. A second third are strangers that you will have to convince. And the last third will reject you to your face.
4. Respectable Recognition
These steps are beginning to align from Step 1 to Step 4. Receiving recognition by respectable people or organizations solidifies that the path and decisions you have made have shown the highest probability for success. In particular, to receive the recognition by mainstream media is the goal. The reach of mainstream media is a time-tested method to gain explosive growth to your brand.
5. Big Project
Like Step 1 where you gain a second source of income, Step 5 demonstrates the compounding effect of how influential you are becoming. Taking on a big project — whether it is partnering with a non-profit, launching a new product, collaborating with a legend — reinforces how just how magnetic you are.
6. Audit
With success comes the defense and protection of it. Any Millionaire knows that the loss of something affects you more than a gain of something that is of equal magnitude (this is noted by author and psychologist, Jordan Peterson). Conducting an audit of you and your business is a necessary step to ensure that your progress towards that Millionaire circle is defensible.
7. Invest in the Community
In observing many Millionaire’s behaviors, undoubtedly the more successful they become, the more charitable they are too. Please make note, it is not “donate to the community”, it’s invest in the community. Translation, give your money and your expertise to helping out areas of the community where you can be most impactful.
8. The Millionaire Invitation
Following these steps tells a story to make yourself authentic and magnetic. Notice, not one step included you to make a million dollars. It is the pursuit of your own adventure that breaks down walls and opens doors. While you may receive invitations to socialize or partner with Millionaires, meet them half way and find the gatherings, the organizations, the networks, the events, the circles to introduce yourself to Millionaires.
I designed these steps in reverse order. As someone who has floated in circles of many Millionaires (from young to old, Hollywood to Silicon Valley, entrepreneur to gambler), I observed their behaviors and through trial and error found ways to be included in these circles.