How to Whiten Your Teeth - For Real 
(and not spend a lot of money)

I have something useful to tell you about.

From the first week that I created Good Looking Loser, guys have been asking for a long time for an affordable, at-home, safe teeth whitening method that is worth a damn.

Until now, I've had nothing much to give you.

Nothing that good and nothing you haven't heard of.

I've tried a lot of methods too: teeth whitening strips, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, mouthwash products that promise to whiten, well-known 'whitening' toothpastes and gel whitening trays/mouthguards and professional (ZOOM) whitening.

With the exception of professional whitening, all left something to be desired or were completely annoying to use.

Whitening trays/mouthguards were the best at-home method, but I absolutely HATE the process.

I can't stand keeping a mouthguard in for 25 minutes while areas of my gums start burning* and not being able to eat or drink anything for 4 hours afterward. It's such a pain in the ass, in my opinion.
*Vitamin E oil on a cotton swab will stop this ASAP 

What to Expect from Good Looking Loser's Teeth Whitening Protocol 

Let me give you some perspective about what this is really going to do for you.

It WILL NOT be as good (fast) as professional whitening.

If you have the money (it costs $400-500), do that.

If you don't have the money, have a look at your Local Groupon Offers, you can get a procedure done for $50-100 if you can find one in your area.

Professional Zoom is the ultimate and fastest way to make your teeth 4-5 shades lighter. 

My method will slowly (although you may see some results right away) whiten your teeth over several weeks, or at the very least - KEEP YOUR TEETH WHITE after getting them professionally whitened.

I can't guarantee the exact results you will get, but over 3 weeks - my teeth are still getting more white.

I'd say they are ~2 shades whiter than when I started, a difference large enough that 2 people that I see on a weekly basis have asked me what I've been doing if I hadn't gotten it done professionally.

I don't exactly expect this whitening rate to continue but at the very least - they won't be going backward any time soon. I'll still probably keep my usual 12 month ZOOM appointment.

I highly recommend my method if you drink a lot of coffee/tea/soda, smoke cigarettes, follow a Kratom lifestyle or simply don't have the money to shell out $1000 a year for professional pearly white teeth.

What You'll Need

The mandatory recommendations cost about $23.

They will last for at least 3 months. (if you use it everyday)

You'll need about 7 to 8 minutes of time before you go to sleep.
(not including regular flossing, you are flossing too, right...?)

Just use them as directed.

Required -

• Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste
  (unknown whitening toothpaste that actually makes a difference)
• Natural Tooth & Gum Powder with Activated Charcoal
  (activated charcoal formula specifically made for dental use)

Optional, but quite helpful -

• ACT or Mouthwash of Your Choice
  (I'll explain why later...)
• Dr. Collins Professional Super Soft Toothbrush
  (I'll explain why later too...)

The process is VERY QUICK and not annoying.

It's just like brushing your teeth two times, instead of one.

Here's what you need to do -

1. Brush your teeth with the Opalescence Toothpaste
2. Rinse out your mouth with water
3. Floss your teeth, as you would normally
4. Brush your teeth with the Activated Charcoal Tooth & Gum Formula and Dr. Collins Super Soft Toothbursh (4-5 minutes)
5. Rinse out your mouth with water
6. Rinse your mouth with ACT/other mouthwash (45-60 seconds)
7. Don't eat anything and go to sleep

If you want to floss after using the Activated Charcoal instead of after using the Opalescence - you can do that.

Let's talk about the individual suggestions.

I want you to know why I've selected each recommendation and what it does.

Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste

This toothpaste first appeared on Lifestyle by Good Looking Loser in our "Fall 2014 Guide to Style (Accessories)".

For an over-the-counter toothpaste, this new obscure formula is quite good.

I've used Crest, Colgate, Aquafresh and Rembrandt's whitening toothpastes and Opalescence is noticeably better than all of them.

Opalescence is a company that only makes teeth whitening products (ALL of which are very highly rated on Amazon), they seem to know what they are doing. If you can tolerate the whitening trays, I wouldn't hesitate to use their products - definitely moreso than the annoying generic whitestrips. 

It is the ONLY whitening toothpaste that I'm willing to recommend.

This toothpaste alone will slowly whiten your teeth, but the next recommendation is what is really going to kill any yellow tint on your teeth.
(many people feel that Opalescence gives notable results in the first few days)

How to use it

Use as directed.

Just brush your teeth well. Remember to brush up-and-down and not sideways, that is bad for your gums.

You can floss after this step.

Activated Charcoal Tooth & Gum Formula

This is the one I really want to tell you about.

High-end dental Activated Charcoal specifically created to whiten your teeth. 

You aren't hallucinating, you read:

Charcoal.
(otherwise called 'Activated Carbon')

That black stuff you put in your grill to cook over.

Activated Charcoal is different than that regular grilling charcoal, it's modified for medicinal use and is actually something that you can safely consume. It's even a cheap dietary supplement that absorbs and removes thousands of toxins from your body.

Your local pharmacy and emergency room probably has it on hand for emergency poison control specifically for drug overdoses - it is one of the most powerful absorptive agents the world has ever known. Just a single teaspoon spreads its properties over 10,000 square feet.

Think of it as a sponge with thousands of little pores that suck/dry up unwanted crap.

* Video courtesy of MamaNatural

Activated Charcoal as a powder dental supplement works like this -

When you put it on your teeth the hundreds of 'black granules' (specs) absorb and disinfect your entire mouth.

Along the way it helps it suck up substances and bacteria that cause discoloration and will even help break down any existing yellowish film on the outside layer of your teeth.

It can literally help clean up stains.

Just like bleach would do, just much healthier.

It seems weird to put a ridiculously dark black powder on your teeth to whiten them, but it works pretty well and doesn't taste like anything. In fact, it has peppermint oil and Stevia in it - so it's a little sweet. Don't worry, it won't taste like you have dirty rocks in your mouth.

Yes, it looks gross.

Once upon a time, some cultures (and some traditional cultures today), used Activated Charcoal in-lieu of toothpaste. 

You'll probably see results right away, there's a lot of verified purchases on Amazon.com that report this, but give it some time to really clean stuff up.

How to use it

Use as directed.

Brush your teeth for at least 4 minutes. Rinse out your mouth with water afterward.

You can floss if you didn't floss after the last step.

*ACT Mouthwash
(or other brand) 

The final step of process is to rinse with mouthwash for about 45-60 seconds.

After you brush your teeth with Activated Charcoal, there will be some gritty (yet tasteless) sandy pieces in your mouth.

We are using the mouthwash to rinse these out and because a post-brush, post-floss mouthwash is good for your teeth and gums.

I use this one because it's alcohol-free, but you can use Scope, Listerine or Crest Pro-Health - my dentist recommends the latter.

* I bought the ACT at Walmart, the rest of the recommendations were purchased on Amazon - as you can see.

* Dr. Collins Super Soft Professional Toothbrush

Dr. Collins' professional brush is the softest toothbrush I have ever used. The bristles are still firm.

It's no more money than a regular toothbrush.

You can REALLY scrub your mouth well. 

This is by no means necessary however.

Use whatever toothbrush you have. 

I'm never using another toothbrush again.
(I do not like electric toothbrushes)

Pour Conclure

So there you have it.

It's pretty good.

Don't expect instant Zoom results, have patience but you can expect your teeth to get whiter - most notice pretty quickly.

I have no significant before and after pictures, because they are only a couple of shades whiter. Perhaps in another month or so though.

As of November 18th 2014, this is the best at-home protocol I've used for whitening teeth.

It's quick to use and it's super inexpensive too.

If I hear of something better AND TRY IT, I'll pass the word along.

Whitening trays aren't bad, they are just a pain to use. I've had the same results with the protocol above, without the hassle, but obviously over a longer period time.

If you do like whitening strips or bleaching tray, you can obviously use those in combination with this protocol.

... and oh yeah - REMEMBER TO FLOSS.
(it's not overrated)

If you have any unique teeth whitening methods THAT WORK or tried methods/products that don't work, drop a comment below.

We discuss teeth whitening and other grooming methods in the Good Looking Loser Forum (Get Groomed).

Good Looking Loser's

Winter 2014 Guide to Style

(Shirts) 

Welcome to the Winter 2014 edition of Good Looking Loser's Guide to Style.

I don't think I need to lecture you (for the 4th season straight) on why "what you look like" matters and how your style/sex appeal contributes to social status or lack thereof.

If there's any confusion, read this -

• "Dress Like a Somebody, Not Like a Nobody"

As usual, our girls, one of which used to dress male celebrities in Hollywood (2010-2011), put together a nice and #affordable selection for this season. These selections fit our 'Fashionable Trendy/Edgy' or 'Well-Dressed' style. I have approved each one and add some other suggestions that I own.

All commentary is courtesy of them, unless otherwise noted.

Sometime in 2015 we will prep you on examples and options on the 'Executive' style, think: ALL OUT suit, ties, pocket squares, hit man/CEO style.

We appreciate you checking out our fashion selections, these posts are quite popular and we have fun do it and debating the options.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

Hint: Winter is for LAYERING.

You can view all the preceding guides here -

• "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Style" (index)

Good Looking T-Shirts (Edgy)

Cute and crass, which is a great dichotomy, with a sense of humor. Even though it is somewhat simple it's intriguing because the bunny is happy and waving even though it's being flipped off. And girls love bunnies. Can be worn with or without a jacket over nice, casual, slim-fit jeans.    #Affordable

Sexy and a warm shade for winter. The jeans it is paired with here are a good shade for this shirt. This is more of a night shirt. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Super sexy! The black and white is a great subtle contrast that gives it a stylistic feel rather than offensive. It takes it to a higher fashion level. Although, it should be layered with a simple black vest (see below) and/or jacket and long necklaces. This is a night shirt.  #Affordable

Good Looking T-Shirts (Well-Dressed) 

Nice shirt with some edge. Can be worn for day or casual night looks. Pair with nice slim-fit jeans. It can go with dark blue or dark or light gray jeans. Pair with dog-tags if you want more edge to your look. #Affordable#MultipleColors

Made with nice fabric but give a worn look, which gives an effortless yet fashion conscious look giving off a confident vibe. Pair it with casual soft jeans with the same vibe for day looks and nice jeans for a night look. These shirts are very versatile. Can be worn alone or with necklaces, a vest and/or jacket.#Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Long-Sleeve Shirts

Versatile and flattering on slim or fit body types. Pair with a casual vest and long necklaces or a jacket and scarf. This navy blue is a neutral so you can add another color to the look. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Nice, well-dressed shirt. Can be worn to any casual/dressy occasion. Girls love a guy who can clean up nicely and knows how to dress. Looks sexy with freshly cut hair and some stubble. Pair with nice, slim-fit dark or gray jeans. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Vest 

'The Lees', a little-known brand that is has been quite popular in past style guides. A wide selection. -GLL #Affordable #MultipleColors

Simple, sexy vest. Can be worn over sexy graphic tees with or without color or nice plain v-necks for night looks. Elevates the level of style of many looks. Pair with nice, dark slim-fit jeans. 

Good Looking Zip-Ups

Fashionable hoodie. Already has style and edge so you don't have to add a ton to it. Looks good over plain white V-neck Tee.#Affordable #MultipleColors

Layered looks give off fashionable, expensive vibes if done right. The button down is a little too dressy for this zip-up but it looks great over white or black V-necks. Stylish yet casual Zip-up. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Coat

Girls love a guy in a nice wool coat. It gives off boyfriend potential vibe and sex-appeal at the same time. Versatile and goes with any nice or dressy/casual look. Looks great with a scarf and fresh hair cut. Can be worn day or night.

Good Looking Basics

Shown in Fall Style Guide- Basic white V-neck T-shirts are super versatile! You can wear them with jeans that are any color of the rainbow and to bed. They are a great base for layering in the winter. This shirt has a good fitted shape, rather than no shape and boxy or baggy.#Affordable #MultipleColors

Great wife-beater to wear under button-downs. Has a form-fitting fit, not loose with no shape. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Please direct any questions or comments to 'Get Style' in the Good Looking Loser forum.

To get quality feedback, you may need to post pictures.

Good Looking Loser's

Winter 2014 Guide to Style

(Pants) 

Welcome to Part 2 of "Good Looking Loser Winter 2014 Guide to Style".

Lets talk about pants.

Truth be told -

Unlike shirts and accessories, super inexpensive, fashionable pants are basically impossible to come by.

Aside from some men's pants by Guess, you should count on spending at least $75 for pants (fashionable jeans) that you like. 

While that may be discouraging to some, I suggest that you buy ONE pair that you love rather than 2 or 3 pairs that you don't really love.

That should be cheaper anyway.

Don't be the guy with a closet full of stuff he doesn't wear.

Leave that waste of space and money to girls who dress up everyday to impress us. 

When I moved to Los Angeles in 2008, I literally wore the same pair of jeans (Super Rare Ozzy Osbourne inspired Affliction Red-Label Jeans, $300 and I had no money at the time) every single day for 18 or 20 months.

Nobody ever "called me out" for wearing the same pants.

To the girls I was seeing on a regular basis - those jeans were "me". 

Here is our Winter 2014 selection, commentary is by our 2 female Men's style experts unless otherwise noted.

Good Looking Pants (Edgy)

'Waxed' jeans, if not yet already official, will be the latest trend in men's fashion. The jeans are not inexpensive, but they look tremendous. If you only owned one pair of pants, you'd look good everyday in a pair like this.

Nice mix of gray and white and will go with any color. Just enough edge without going overboard. Sexy fit but not too tight. #Affordable

 Cool and edgy. The metallic color is evenly dispersed so it doesn't look like too much if paired with a solid shirt and some necklaces. The shirt should be a soft material (as shown).  

Good Looking Pants (Well-Dressed)

Nice dark wash for winter. Very versatile, they go with button-downs or graphic tees for day and night looks. Current slim fit but not too skinny.  

Nice fashionable dress pants to wear to holiday party's or for a dressy night look. Pair with a white button-down and black framed glasses for the hot/smart look. Looks great with a fresh hair cut and stubble. #Affordable #MultipleColors 

Good Looking Sweatpants 

Nice straight fit, not too baggy. Great quality will last forever and not overly trendy so they will stay in style for a long time. The "UnderArmour" band in the back is sexy. This fit, in particular, will show off a bubble butt. #Affordable #MultipleColors 

Good Looking Boxer Briefs

Calvin Klein makes high quality, sexy boxer briefs. Have fun with colors, girls like guys that can rock tight, bright colored boxer briefs. Comfortable under clothes too. #Affordable #MultipleColors 

Please direct any questions or comments to 'Get Style' in the Good Looking Loser forum.

To get quality feedback, you may need to post pictures.

Good Looking Loser's

Winter 2014 Guide to Style

(Accessories)

Welcome to Part 3 of "Good Looking Loser Winter 2014 Guide to Style".

Everyone's favorite -

Accessories.

Accessories are a wonderful way to add 'edge' and sex appeal to any look - including a well-dressed or 'normal' style.

They don't have to be expensive either.

While most cheap accessories look just that way, our guide always features several inexpensive accessories that are as good, if not better, than their overpriced alternatives.

The most important thing to keep in mind is -

You DO NOT want your accessories to look cheap or juvenile. 

You are better off not wearing any accessories than rocking anything that looks cheap or juvenile.

Unless otherwise noted, commentary on our suggestions is courtesy of our 2 fashion experts.  

Good Looking Necklaces

We have recommended dog tags and bullet necklaces separately to wear together and this is both in one. The bullet adds some extra edge. You can pair them with another long necklace. This will go with any color and any casual outfit for winter and any season. #Affordable

Cool dark blue version of dog tags for winter. These look great against white but looks good with color too. For a subtle look pair them with a black V-neck so you just get a hint of blue. You may need to buy a separate, longer metal 'ball chain' necklace. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Wearing a knife around your neck gives you some edge no matter what. Wear it with nice/casual clothes and it will look fashionable and cool. Can be paired with other necklaces like dog tags. #Affordable

Good Looking Rings

Cool with a little edge. Clean look that will add style to any outfit, from casual to dressy. #Affordable

This will understandably seem 'soft' to many readers but believe it or not - comic books are very in right now. This ring is on trend but not overly trendy. It is still sleek with the black base. Superman is a symbol of heroic masculinity, which girls love. Needs to be worn with current, fashionable outfits. #Affordable

Good Looking Watch 

Sexy with the pop of red against the black. Sophisticated and fashionable. The color combination and style will go with most outfits and easily goes from day to night. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Bracelet 

Leather gives off masculine vibe when tattered. This is a rough manly bracelet that looks good with most casual outfits. Adds edge to plain looks. #Affordable  

Good Looking Hats

Mr. Snowman Hat!
When you have good style and add a comical piece to your outfit it shows that you are confident enough to step out of the box and that you don't take yourself too seriously. Wear this with nice/casual jeans and a black V-neck and simple necklaces with a little stubble. If the rest of your outfit looks good it will make you stand out in a good way. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Beanies are sexy on guys. They give off a confident/bad boy vibe. This knit looks more on the expensive side too. Cozy and edgy at the same time, which girls love. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Casual Shoes

Casual and fashionable loafers. Chris owns these. They show that you care about your style but you are still laid back. Very comfortable. This is a good color for winter because they go with everything and if you are in crapy weather they won't get as dirty. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Look good with fashionable jeans. Dark red against black is a great color combination for winter. Very comfortable too. #Affordable #MultipleColors 

Taylor's Favorites

Girls love a guy in a fashionable winter sweater, they're actually sexy. It makes her want you to wrap your arms around her. They have to be done right though with good styling, like above picture. Chunky sweaters are hot too. #Affordable #MultipleColors 

"Ugly Christmas Sweaters" are in this season and are fun to wear. Just don't go too ugly or outdated. This one still looks good. #Affordable #MultipleColors

NFL's version of the "Ugly Christmas Sweater". These are awesome and they have one for every team. Perfect for Ugly Christmas Sweater parties and other holiday events like Christmas day. #MultipleColors

Good Looking Cosmetics

The legendary Good Looking Loser approved cologne is simply the BEST, super inexpensive scent available. It is the #1 selling accessory on 'Lifestyle by Good Looking Loser' for a reason. #Affordable  

We recently discussed how 'Activated Charcoal' can suck up bacteria and whiten your teeth. Sure enough, you can get the same benefits right on your face. These type of hidden gems are Godsends for clear skin. I will be doing a separate review for this sometime in 2015. - GLL #Affordable

Please direct any questions or comments to 'Get Style' in the Good Looking Loser forum.

To get quality feedback, you may need to post pictures.

What Books to Read if You Hate Reading Books
(and find long books inefficient)

Within the first month of creating GoodLookingLoser.com, guys were asking me what books I could recommend to them.

I'm going to assume they meant 'Self-Improvement' or 'Personal Development' books. And Not a book about zombies or magical children, or whatever you kids are into.

These are virtually my only recommendations.

But first -

It's HIGHLY IMPORTANT that you understand why I am recommending these books and why they will improve your life/mind while other longer, better-written books will not.

Good Looking Loser's 10% Bookworm Theory

This is important, it was one of the best things I ever learned.
(technically - it's my opinion)

Regardless of how "good" of a reader you are, how smart you are or even how well you are able to comprehend and process information, you are subject to the "10% Rule".

My 10% rule states -

At best, within a week, you will only remember 10% of the content you just read.

The longer the book, the less you will remember. Guaranteed.

Despite how engaged you might be to a certain book (or video), within about a week removed, and certainly a month, you will only remember 10% of what you read.

That 10% will usually consist of -

• The general lesson in the book (9%)
• Less than a handful of particular lines or themes that you could relate to or were particularly stimulating (1%)

If you don't apply what you learned, 10% slowly drops to 1 or 2% within 6 month to a year.

That is why - 

I suggest (if you like reading and find it an efficient way to learn, I usually DO NOT), you should only read ONE (or MAX two) books a year.

Read the book once for general meaning.

Re-read it for detail.

APPLY EVERY CONCEPT IN THE BOOK before you read ANYTHING ELSE.

Otherwise, the vast majority is simply entertainment and eventually lost.

My Mom, God bless her, has read more self-help and 'how to' books of anyone I know.

When she began to suffer from early onset-Alzheimer's/Dementia and could no longer read well, I decided to sell her books on Amazon.

I sold over 90 self-help books, all of which I think she read cover-to-cover.

She never applied a single concept she 'learned' in any of those books.

At best, it was a temporary "ah-ha!" or some 'feel good' moments.

It can take months, often years, to apply and reinforce self-help concepts.

That is why I do not recommend any books that lack a STEP-BY-STEP process with a near guaranteed outcome. 

That doesn't mean there's no good 'self help' or personal development books out there.

There are.

Many of those books, written by people 5x smarter than I am, are deeper and more insightful than my VERY BEST material.

But the likelihood that you actually apply the concepts you read in a 300 page book is low.

The likelihood that the books "change your life", is almost none.

I have a nice trick around the 10% rule however.

How to Beat the 10% Bookworm Rule

Sometime back in 2005-2006, I bought all these "personal development" books.

A lot of the usual suspects -
(I just looked in the box in my closet)

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad
• 4-Hour Work Week
• Awaken the Giant Within
• Unlimited Power (Tony Robbins' #1 Book)
• Wild at Heart
• No More Mr. Nice Guy
• Never Get a Real Job
• The Millionaire Next Door
• About 15 or 20 others... some on dating and mindset

For me, it was more like the "1% Rule", I wasn't getting through ANY of the books.
(Ironically, the book that I almost read cover-to-cover was 'The Game', but even still - I never finished it. I have better things to do.)

Maybe I really do have ADHD, but I found it grueling and my growing library and "quest for knowledge" became homework.

There was too much information to sort through and apply.

Later in 2006, I found some books by a certain little-known author that totally helped me out.

His name is Tom Butler-Bowdon and he basically writes 2 or 3 page summaries/highlights on ALL the most famous/riveting success/personal development books.

For me, it was huge.

I could get ALMOST ALL the most important information in about 15 or 20 minutes and not have to commit to reading the books from cover-to-cover.

Although I'm fairly intelligent, despite rumors to the contrary, I love how he "dumbs down" the book and focuses on THE MAIN POINT rather than trying to be eloquent or complicated.

Butler-Bowdon's books are like high-quality "Sparknotes" or "Cliff's Notes" of all the books that you want to read.

Here are the Tom Butler-Bowdon books that I own -

• "50 Success Classics" by Tom Butler-Bowdon
• "50 Prosperity Classics" by Tom Butler-Bowdon 
• "50 Self-Help Classics" by Tom Butler-Bowdon (I own the audiobook)

I recommend the first two since that's what most of you guys are after.

Anything by Tommy B should be good though.

It's easy reading. As self-improvement SHOULD BE.

Even though you aren't getting ALL THE DETAILS (words), you would only remember <10% of the complete book anyway.

If you read these summaries several times, you might actually remember more of the concepts than if you read the entire book.

Simplified concepts are more likely to be applied anyway.

How to Read (Study) These Books
(if you are into that sort of thing...)

I suggest you only read ONE summary a day.

That's right - just 2 or 3 pages.

Read it first for general theme.

Read it again for detail.

With a highlighter - break down Tom Butler-Bowdon's summary into your own shorter summary.

Write down (not type out) the lines and concepts your highlighted.
(call me Grandpa, but I feel like writing better retains/comprehends information) 

Read the summary and your summary again everyday, for the next 5 to 7 days.

By that point, if ever asked, you will probably be able to recite all the most important concepts in the book in the simplest form.

If you have a photographic memory, you'll basically know a book you haven't actually read INSIDE and OUT.

Something you WOULD NOT be able to do if you took weeks/months to actually read the book from cover to cover.

If you find yourself particularly intrigued by a certain book, by all means - buy it and read it cover-to-cover. Understanding the key concepts beforehand should actually help you comprehend the book.

Butler-Bowdon states the entire point of the book in 1 or 2 sentences before the summary.

Intellectuals, Get Over Yourself

Self-proclaimed 'Intellectuals' might disagree with my highly [near genius] efficient way to consume written content.

That's fine.

Self-help and personal development isn't really meant for intellectuals.
(let alone sleeping with girls or making money)

The ultimate goal of personal development books is to DO SOMETHING WITH IT and not just "get smarter" or "know more".

It's about improving your life and not just your mind.

Besides, being successful is highly dependent on your ability to do an adequate job in an inadequate amount of time.

If you are sick of reading 200-300 page books and not even remembering/knowing what the most important concepts you read were - check out Tom Butler-Bowden's books.

I think they are quite good.

If you have some other recommendations for EFFICIENT ways to consume personal development, success, self-help books - let us know below.

Screw Your "Self-Improvement" Website

This is the first official post in our new (developing) 'Get Paid' section, which will likely become the primary focus of Good Looking Loser in the coming year(s).

I discussed this section and gave a small preview (and a few income numbers) in "The Best of Good Looking Loser 2014 & State of the Union". There's a lot more numbers to come, especially around tax time when we close out fiscal year 2014.

I will make enemies with this post.

It needs to be said though.

It's something that ALL OF US have been thinking for 3 years.

I bet you will feel the same way.

Before I begin I want to say two things -

#1 My hope with this post is to IMPROVE the 'Red Pill' and non-mainstream self-improvement sphere, raise the integrity and literary standards. Not to "call out" any obvious guilty parties or to simply "talk smack".

#2 I also want to mention again that this discussion certainly doesn't pertain to "ALL" not-yet-established first or second year self-improvement blogs. Some actually have good potential and accomplished/insightful authors behind them. Many are written by guys smarter and more eloquent than I. Whether they ultimately succeed, is a topic for a later date.

The vast majority of 'self improvement' websites, however - DO NOT and WILL NOT SUCCEED.

How do I know which camp I fall in? Am I a 'clone'? Will I succeed?
(I'll tell you later)

If there is one thing that I really hate (and even taken legal action against) is copycats and content repackagers.

People who blatantly steal or spin, in-part or in-whole, other people's hard work as their own in seek of financial reward and influence.

Thankfully, the Good Looking Loser Community is so specific and unique (often filthy) that this hasn't been a weekly issue.
(if you see other 'gurus' writing about 'Screening', 'Killer Instinct' or 'Sense of Entitlement' - without referencing me, you know who they stole it from)

There's been some measures I've had to take against "new gurus" that would absolutely shock you though.

Origins of Copycat Red-Pill/Self-Improvement Websites

Ever since Victor Pride started offering his tremendous website starter package, where his crew will basically setup your entire website so you can immediately start publishing content and Mike Cernovich started encouraging people to start their own personal development (or other) websites to help expand our sphere of influence - there's been a liquid diarrhea storm of new self-improvement gurus.

A lot of these sites, in appearance and content, look virtually identical to Bold & Determined and Danger & Play.

Everyone sees this.

I made light of this issue on Mike's "Open Letter About Your Website" -

Without turning this into an unproductive rant, let me tell you why the repackaged Red Pill self-improvement "clones" and their "gurus" will fail miserably (both in readership and financial terms) and isn't worth doing.

Why Your Version of Danger & Play and Bold&Determined Suck
(Why New Bloggers Don't Succeed)

Here's a 10-item list that I made in under 189 seconds of why the clones don't and won't succeed.

If you 'realize' you are a clone, there's hope.

Change your website NOW.

Repent.

Don't let everyone see your website first.

If your website does get shared and passed around for some reason other than being an obvious ripoff, being seen as a Danger & Play or Bold & Determined clone is INSTANT DEATH among readers.

As it should be.

A self-improvement author that has to recycle someone else's personal development content is a fraud in the very worst.

#1 Your Domain Instantly Identifies You As A Copycat

Sometimes, you don't even have to waste 3 seconds to see that a self-improvement website is a ripoff.

You can see it in 1 second.

The domain literally suggests that.

If your domain is something like -

Play & Danger

Determined & Bold

Good Looking Winner

Then do this -

1. Take down your website immediately.
2. Register a new domain.
3. Start over (because you were probably copying/repackaging the content too).
4. Stick your finger in a cup of water and then put it in the nearest electrical socket. (mandatory)

Why on earth people who repackage/copy websites don't even make the attempt to have a unique domain is beyond me.

Seriously.

#2 Your Website Theme (Presentation) Instantly Identities You As A Copycat

While the domain name gives away some copycats in 1 second, the website theme (how the blog looks) gives away some copycats in 3 seconds.
(or depending on how fast your Internet speed is)

There is one theme that EVERYONE keeps using.

All the blogs look exactly the same.

STOP (OR MODIFY) USING THIS THEME IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED SERIOUSLY.

I recommend this one instead -

You can customize it and it won't look like anyone else's website unless you are trying to be a copycat. 

It's Google-friendly and hella good for SEO purposes too.

Good Looking Loser was appearing on the first page for certain prominent keywords within the first 45 days (and only 9-10 posts). That is almost unheard of for a new website.

It's also fairly easy for newbies to learn. I did a decent job and I'm hardly good with this stuff.
(although the site looks yucky, that capture is from November 2012 when Good Looking Loser/satellite sites topped $20,000/month)

We do not use that theme anymore though.

We don't even use Wordpress.

We use Joomla!.

Wordpress is definitely good for beginners though, I do suggest you use that.

Just stop using the identical theme AND COLORS as Mike and Victor.

#3 Your Website Content Instantly Identifies You As A Copycat

- It takes 1 second to spot a 'clone' (to be nice) by the domain name.

- It takes 3 seconds to spot a 'clone' by the website theme.

It takes 10 to 20 seconds to spot a 'clone' by the website content.

If you are using the posts on Danger & Play and Bold & Determined as "motivation" to "inspire" your content...

Chances are, whether you know it or not, you are repackaging Mike and Victor's content. 

We all see it.

Sometimes the title of the posts suggest this -

Bring Out Your Inter-Entrepreneur!

How to Conquer the Fear of Success.

Take Action - The Key To Success!

Sometimes the writing style and formatting gives it away.
For example - GLL style: short 1-line paragraphs, CAPITALIZATION of significant concepts; Bold&Determined style: concise statements, long-tail keyword links; Danger&Play: simple thumbnails/bold-centered formatting of important concepts)

Sometimes the body of the content gives it away.

It reads the same as a Danger & Play or Bold & Determined post. Only it sucks.

A lot of readers often know the EXACT post that "inspired you" (you copied) to make your post.

Angry readers show us these posts in emails and private messages in twitter or our forum. It's not publicly discussed to avoid giving sites attention - that don't deserve attention.

But How Do I Prevent This?
- Don't repackage someone else's content.
- Just because you aren't plagiarizing word-for-word doesn't mean you aren't copying someone.
- Write your own content based on YOUR life.

If you have to copy Mike or Victor to write about "success", then you don't have enough success/experience in your real life.

Leave the house and go get good at something.

#4 You Wrote An eBook Without Having An Audience

The people that successfully sell their eBooks already have an audience.

The people that are unsuccessful have an eBook but no audience.

I've said this for years now (14:50), yet people continue to build clone sites and try to sell their eBooks (full of more repackaged material) to the readers they don't have.

This "no audience = no eBooks sales" realization may be very deflating to many bloggers that somehow envisioned there would be buzz around their eBook if they could only "sell it".

Hope is not lost though.

If you are in this position, do this -

Take EVERY PAGE of your eBook and post it on your website.

EVERY PAGE.

Give it away FOR FREE.

If it's good, you will gain a readership and be able to sell them bonus content or stuff in the future.
(you can even sell the same book - but let them know that the content is on your website)

This is the exact advice I gave a certain cutie-pie redhead fitness girl I used to see.

She took my advice, published every page of both her eBooks on her site for free and now has a significant readership/YouTube channel. She makes more money selling her dietary supplement line to her audience than if her eBook "succeeded".

Had she not listened to me and kept trying to sell her eBook to people who didn't know her, she would still be working at Crunch Fitness earning $8.33/an hour. Before taxes.
(you're welcome Kerri)

When was the last time you bought a random eBook from a random author that offered you no other free content?

Never.

Neither has anyone else.

Give away FREE content for as long as it takes to get a solid readership and legitimate buzz.

Then consider charging for an eBook.

#5 You Have No Face or Identity Because You Aren't ALL IN

Long gone are the days that you can build a website (that reaches its potential) without SHOWING people exactly who you are.

Victor Pride was the only self-improvement authority I know that had a significant readership before showing his face. But even he knew that his anonymity likely put a ceiling on Bold & Determined.

We need to see your face.

We need to look into your eyes.

We need to hear your voice.

Then we will know if you are successful (or not) at whatever you profess and form an emotional connection with you.

YOU will reap the benefits.

So enough with your "privacy" and your paranoid Red Pill concerns.

Nobody gives a shit about you until you get known.

Once you do get known, you will have the money and audience-backing to sue whoever is trying to wrongly harm you.

But most "bloggers" simply aren't all in.

They are scared to show their face because their Plan B is to go work a job and/or they are ashamed of their own content and won't attach their REAL name to it.

You don't have to show your penis and face in the same picture (NSFW), but you do need to put yourself out there. Especially if you are giving success, dating or fitness advice.

Stop hiding from people that don't read your website.

Be ALL IN or go do something else.

#6 Your Website Is All A Bunch Of Useless Non-Applicable Theory Because You Are An Inexperienced Egghead

People without real experience hide behind intellectual theory because they can't give personal examples.

They don't even know it. They think their shit is dope.

You HAVE TO discuss specific personal experiences from YOUR life and not "what others need to do".

Writing content from experience is easy.

Researching stuff you are unfamiliar with and spinning it is hard.

If you find yourself having to make up stories to try and bridge your content to your identity - go work on another subject. It's not easy to make a lifetime project that requires you to continue making up stories and thinking, "Will people believe this?", "Is this how it could happen?", "I hope I included everything...".

I could make a website about the life of being a rockstar or a 32 year old World Series of Poker winner, but it would be exhausting to do Google research to make sure my stories were believable to the people with real experience. 

You would see right through my bullshit so quickly.

#7 You Go Looking For Traffic Instead of Letting It Find You

A lot of aspiring bloggers think they are being smart and "getting traffic" by posting on forums that allow links in their signature.

They check their Google Analytics (a platform that shows how much traffic you get) everyday to see how much insignificant traffic they got from someone else's forum.

IT IS A WASTE OF PRECIOUS TIME.
(unless you ALREADY have an established account/readership on a forum)

Stop doing this and spend your time producing QUALITY CONTENT or GETTING GOOD AT SOMETHING.

If the content is worth a shit, people will automatically share it and Google will rank your material high because they will know that people are reading it and not just 'bouncing' (clicking away).

When I started Good Looking Loser, I literally just sat down and started writing.

I didn't even have Google Analytics setup and didn't care.

Mike, Victor and I never did any "SEO" and never will.

Good Looking Loser was (and still is) a long-term project and any small amount of forum traffic is - insignificant.

In fact, I didn't seriously network with ANY other bloggers/communities for well over 18 months.

It wasn't until late 2013 that I found Danger & Play (I found Mike because he linked to me in this post) or Bold & Determined when I found Victor's site by doing a Google search for Modafinil.

I'm happy I never saw Danger & Play or Bold & Determined while I was creating Good Looking Loser.

I wanted to make a website that could generate a readership and traffic ON ITS OWN.

No help. No outside influences. No temptations to use other people's ideas.

My way.

That is my advice for newbie bloggers -

Make your own site and forget about trying to network/temporarily divert traffic from established bloggers until you have something significant to offer.

If your material/product is good, people will find you and tell others.

Create a quality site that will have a strong readership if NOBODY EVER links to you.

If you do that - everyone will link to you.

#8 You Focus on Internet Marketing Garbage Such As "Backlinking", "SEO" and "Call To Action"

People often ask -

What is the most important thing I need to do to have a popular website?

Is it content, backlinks, speed, 800-1200 word posts, SEO?

What do you think?

QUALITY CONTENT.
(or product)

HIGH-QUALITY, UNIQUE, ENGAGING CONTENT.

When was the last time that you bought something (or even revisited) a site because it just so happened to be on the first page of Google? Or because the page loaded quickly?

My advice is -

STOP BEING AN INTERNET MARKETER THAT RELIES ON TEMPORARILY MANIPULATING GOOGLE TO TRICK PEOPLE INTO TEMPORARILY VIEWING YOUR WEBSITE.

Stop modifying your content because you 'think' that Google will temporarily give you a slight priority over better websites that will eventually crush you.

Build something REAL.

'How Good Your Website Is' is the only thing that matters to readers.

#9 You Care More About Making Money Than Providing Quality Content/Product

Many aspiring bloggers enroll in Google Ads or the Amazon Affiliate Program before they even purchase their webhosting.

Their website literally has more advertisements than posts for the first 6 months.

This says a lot about them.

They are hungry to "cash in" on the 4 cents per click that Google entices or the whooping 23 cents that Amazon seductively teases them with.

DO NOT SELL ANYTHING ON YOUR WEBSITE UNTIL YOU HAVE AT LEAST 1,000 VISITORS A DAY (50% OF THEM, RETURNING READERS) OR BEEN ACTIVE FOR 6 MONTHS - WHICHEVER COMES LAST.

I have never used Google ads on Good Looking Loser (they wouldn't approve our site) and wouldn't if I could.

Until you have a significant readership and a lot of traffic (20,000+ via search engine), like Return Of Kings, do not even consider putting up 'pay-per-click' advertisements.

#10 You Aren't Mike. You Aren't Victor.

The main reason that your version of Danger & Play and Bold & Determined sucks is not because of the "similar" domain name, website theme or even the "inspired" content.

It's not even because of the tacky advertisements.

It's because -

You Aren't Mike.

You Aren't Victor.

All the stuff they talk about is a product of DECADES of specific life experience, success and failure.

Mike is a millionaire lawyer who has the courage/nerve to stop practicing in the prime of his career to build his website and do what he wants. He has decades of life experience and insights that you have not. Besides, he is a fucking Gorilla.

Victor is a savvy, relentless businessman that abandoned life in the United States and a six-figure income in real-estate to build his brand. He has decades of life experience and insights that you have not. Besides, he is a fucking Werewolf.

Both of them quit what they were doing and went ALL IN to create their brand, knowing full-well that there was no Plan B or security blanket to return to their former jobs/lives. I did the same when I posted naked pictures on the Internet.

ALL IN.

Reading Danger & Play or Bold & Determined does not make you think like Mike or Victor either.

Only APPLYING what they tell you to YOUR FUTURE life experiences will make you to truly understand what they are talking about. That is how learning happens.

You read their blogs.

You get excited.

Now you think you comprehend success.

Now you think you can teach success.

You cannot.

The good news is - although you are not Mike or Victor, you have 2 advantages that they do not have.

#1 You Are You and That Is Unique

Victor already discussed this.

Just as you cannot be Mike or Victor, they cannot be you.

You are made of different genetic material, whether on purpose or not, created by two different people that had unprotected sex.

By default, you are unique, you are special.

You have had your own life experiences, achievements, failures or can have future ones that are different than anyone else.

Get really good at something and tell us how you did it.

Even if you build a "success" blog, it will be different than everyone else's simply because you have done different stuff with your life. If there is a DEMAND for your material/product, it will succeed if you are legit.

#2 You Are Probably Younger Than Us

Mike just turned 38 and Victor is my around age (32).

You are probably younger than us and there's no reason that IF YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR 20's (as we have, for the most part), that you can't create something bigger, better and stronger than our businesses.

We didn't grow up with or have resources such as Danger & Play, Bold & Determined or Good Looking Loser in our 20's. That gives you a significant advantage. Go do the stuff we suggest before you try to create a "website" that tells other people what to do. You will be a lot better off.

These website were created to produce WINNERS. Not just bloggers.

So Is Everyone Really Copying Danger & Play and Bold & Determined?

This is a good question.

6 months ago, I would swear that - behind EVERY clone there is a faker who is blatantly copying Mike and Victor and knows it.

I have experienced plenty of my own copycats that were literally rewriting my major posts and reviews. Some were even using my videos and naughty pictures.

However, since there are SO MANY look-a-like D&P/B&D clones, it suggests to me that -

NOT EVERYONE is blatantly copying.

My theory is -

Behind a lot of the clones are just younger kids that simply don't know what they are doing. They don't even know that their repackaged creation completely disgusts everyone because there are no blog comments that tell them.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt, they are just building similar sites because they don't know where else to start and think they are qualified since they "understand" what it takes to be prosperous and successful.

But perhaps I am wrong and every clone is just consciously and blatantly ripping them off.

I'm not entirely sure.

But I'm not copying, but now I'm worried that people will think I'm a clone!

You'll probably already know if you are a clone.

If you think you might be - then everyone else does too.

If you have to read a Danger & Play or Bold & Determined post to create your own "unique" content, chances are - you are a clone.

In the off-chance that you are not a clone but are worried that you will be confused as such, here is my advice -

• Make sure your domain doesn't mirror Danger & Play or Bold & Determined.
• Make sure your website doesn't look like Danger & Play or Bold & Determined.
• Make sure your content doesn't look like Danger & Play or Bold & Determined. (For God's sakes)
• Put your face out there.
• Talk about different concepts that you have experience with.
• If you do 'borrow' a concept, link to the appropriate author out of respect.
  * A good way to get blacklisted for a lifetime is to not give credit to others.
• If you still don't know - ask inside this forum if your site looks like a ripoff.
• Start over.

Perception is reality, especially on the Internet, so don't have ANY copycat elements or you'll get lumped in with the clones.

Chris - Are You Talking About My Blog?
Just Who Are You Calling Out?

No one.

Everyone.

The whole point of this post was to attempt to raise the standards (and voice what everyone is already thinking) in our sphere of influence.

Besides, I'm way too busy and I don't read any other blogs. Certainly not self-improvement/dating blogs.

I already know what I'm doing and all I need to do is DO.

Learning self-improvement is a launching pad to success, not a lifestyle in itself.

Success is the lifestyle.

If you've been doing 'personal improvement' in order to "change your life" for 5+ years, it's time to quit and just accept your average self. You aren't cut out for it. It's not meant to be.
(I'm serious)

If you can create a good self-improvement website - do it.

I sure wish some good personal development websites were around 5 or 10 years ago. I had to pour thousands of dollars into the PUA Community for help.

Will I Succeed?

And That's the big question.

Anyone with legitimate experience can build a successful blog (any topic) that earns plenty of passive income, but not everyone can.

You can't fake it.

At least not in the long-term.

It's too time consuming and difficult to write about experiences you've not had or advice you've not actually taken.

Your website will only be as good as your real life experience.

I'm not even a great writer and I wouldn't have to work another day in my life if I decided to never post again.

If you really want to go the 'infopreneur' route (not recommended, sell a product), you should pick a subject that you DO (not know) better than 99.9% of guys at.

If you sell a product, you should be a total expert with the product and have some idea of how the industry works. You will learn what you need along the way.

If you currently have neither - it's time to dedicate yourself to something.

Left to Right: Chris, Victor and Mike

Pour Conclure

I'm usually not so harsh.

But it's better to tell you now before you build a meaningless clone and wonder why it doesn't work.

And I'm simply highlighting what 99% of us are already thinking and hoping to make a negative (copycats) into a positive (raise your own standards, go create something REAL).

I'd LOVE if guys created amazing unique business/websites and told me that Good Looking Loser was their motivation or share mutual traffic.

What I don't want is to see another diarrhea blast of copycat websites as we begin the 'Get Paid' content on Good Looking Loser.
(wishful thinking?)

You are better than that.

Build/sell something unique that helps people and that you can be proud of.

That's how you succeed.

Last Note

I never once asked guys to share specific posts, but I want this discussion sent up and down our community and the greater-manosphere.

The last thing I want 'Get Paid' to create is more blatantly repackaged websites. We can do better.

Please share this one.

The reply to the "negativity" that surrounds this blog post (Added January 24) -

• "What An Grammy Award Winning A-List Celebrity Told Me About Myself That Made Me Want to Cry"

You Need to Sing With Your Own Voice Chris.

Despite the overwhelming positive feedback on our latest "controversial" post, "10 Reasons Why Your Version Of Danger & Play and Bold & Determined Suck (Why Many New Bloggers Won't Be Successful)", not surprisingly - there was some criticism for my message.

* Some of it was fair (the discussion was insulting at times, not done in my usual 'feel good' tone).

* Some of it was not (I was paid by Mike & Victor to discourage copycat/competitors, I am a bitter and frustrated madman and finally I showed my true colors).

And Some was misguided (how can I tell people to not write on similar topics?, no one is 100% unique).

I'll address the third one because perhaps my overall message got lost in the "rant".

Origin of This Story (2007)

I am combining 3 different not-necessarily-chronological stories/themes in my life into 1 story for simplicity and to convey my message. There is also a book that I'm reading (yes, I'm actually reading a book and not just one of those yummy summaries) that conveyed a similar message via an eerily nearly identical set of circumstances.  

The story actually unfolded over about a 2-year period, some of the details/quotes are changed (or I don't actually remember), but all the characters, general story and conclusions are what happened. 

note: please don't start guessing 'who this person' is in the comments section, her description may/may not be representative.  

----

It was June 27th 2007.

I was in Los Angeles, one year removed from winning the most competitive (amateur/college) inline hockey tournament in the country, I was visiting my former team who was playing in the same 12-week national competition that we won the year before.

Uninspired by their slightly above-average play (the team only had 3 or 4 returning players, none were starters), me and some of the former players (including two girls that we knew from the prior summer), decided to take a few days ourselves.

After partying hard in Hollywood on Saturday night, although penniless and most of us still supported by our parents, we decided to have brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. 

Hockey was an afterthought for most of us.

My career was over and I went out a winner (for the first time in my life at the national level), so we sat around talking about what we had been doing with our new lives -

• Mark, (Admin) on our forum had just finished his MBA at Penn State.
• Jason, was getting ready to get his own place in Fort Myers.
• Greg, had taken over his father's shipping (as in boats, not mail) business.
• Erik (still an active player on the team), had another year of college hockey and was looking to play in the NHL.
  (Erik was drafted and played in the NHL for 3 years) 

Me, however, was proudly announcing that I had joined the "Seduction Community". 

I was hooked and a walking talking pickup expert.

Much to the irritation of the guys and the amusement of the 2 girls, I was reading aloud full pages of "Double Your Dating" by David DeAngelo at brunch.
(I literally had the eBook printed and carefully secure in a hard blue binder)

The guys, although probably at least somewhat curious, wanted me to shut up and put my silly eBook back in my backpack.

The girls were more intrigued and demanded me to show "my moves" in action.

After we paid the check, terrified but motivated by the girls, I decided to try some of the "game" that I learned from David D.

There was a short seemingly cute girl with long jet black hair (I wore my contacts in those days) at the concierge who was either checking in or out of the hotel.
(Los Angeles based celebrities often go to local 5-star hotels to get away from their mansions and 'de-stress')

I walked up to her (from the perfect angle!) and started my best cocky-funny rookie effort.  

To my surprise (still somewhat to this day), the girl was very receptive.

I told her I was 'Mario Lopez', since I looked like a juiced version of A.C. Slater at the time.

She "hooked" and was playfully saying that I wasn't Mario Lopez, although she later told me that she wasn't entirely sure.

In what normal non-socially retarded people call "flirting", I hung in there (with Sidney, an extremely pretty girl by my side for 'social value') and asked her if she was an exotic dancer since she told me she was off to Vegas for a show.

With a big smile, she replied, "something like that..."

The innocent conversation went on for another 2 or 3 minutes when I decided to excuse myself and walk back to the table because I ran out of "material". 

Once I got back to the table, to my confusion, everyone couldn't believe what they just saw.

They informed me that I had just been hitting on an A-List celebrity. I didn't even know it. The woman clearly liked me too.
(ironically, this is the 'highest-profile' person I ever met during the 'pickup era', and it was before I even moved to LA)

Once I placed the name with the face (someone had a new smart phone at the time), I ran after her like my life would be over if I didn't.

I caught her just before she got in her limo that was headed to LAX.

I didn't know what to say, I don't even remember what I said, but she called me "funny" and asked me what I was doing that weekend.

Oddly quick on my feet for an aspiring pickup artist, I remembered all the seduction material I read and pretended that I had really cool things to do and that she might not get the opportunity to see me.

She gave me a phone number, told me to come to Las Vegas with my friends and we would get backstage passes to her weekend concert. 

Long story short, most of us at the brunch went to the concert at the MGM Grand and I became friends with this celebrity.

She was part of why I dropped out of Law School and moved to Los Angeles just over a year later.

Fast Forward About 5 Months... (Still 2007)

Though mostly via email, she and I kept in touch for the 17-18 months between when we met and I left Law School in San Diego for Los Angeles.

She mostly discussed her mixed-feelings about her life, often her less-than-ideal marriage, child that she was pregnant with, but also volunteered some help and insight for my life.

I treasure(d) those emails and I'm glad I saved them because Google randomly cancelled my old @NYC email address.

But I also remember the 0-14 days periods of waiting for her replies.

I literally couldn't eat, sleep or think. I lost a bunch of weight during this period, but ironically it made me look better. 

When I would see her reply in my inbox, it was literally like a shot of heroin to a junky 48 hours in withdrawal.

For a period of 3.5 months, for reasons I'm still not quite sure of, we started talking on the phone on a semi-weekly basis. Sometimes for extended periods of time.

One such time, half-jokingly, I told her that I thought I could be a good singer.

She bluntly told me, "Sing."

I wasn't prepared to hear this.

The adrenaline rush I got was like I was on stage in front of 120,000 people. 

Maybe it was all the drugs I was hooked on (in 2007 I had a vicious Oxycodone habit, I was stealing pills from my own Father and even altering quantities on his prescriptions), but I mustered up the courage to do so.
(she vehemently opposed me using hardcore drugs once she found out and even stopped talking to me at points)

I put a single earphone from my 2nd generation iPod in my ear and fast forwarded to 1:39 in this song -

 and courageously belted out my best Chris Cornell impression...

But it's on the table
The fires cooking
And they're farming babies
The slaves are all working

And it's on the table
Their mouth are all choking
But I'm going hungry
I'm going hungry
I'm going hungry...

To my surprise, she didn't laugh like she usually did at my genuine attempts to make her smile.

She told me, "That was pretty good, you sound like him."

She then told me to lay on my back, on the hard floor, and sing parts of the song again.

I did, slightly more confident but still petrified that I was trying to seriously sing "Hunger Strike" to an internationally known superstar.

This was way harder, but I gave it my best effort which she slightly lowered her praise for and told me "Not bad."

She even suggested that I join her in the studio one day to see how it sounded. 

Our conversation ended about 30 minutes later and I felt the best (natural?) high I felt in years.

The Studio (2009)

Because of her pregnancy, post-pregnancy period where she refused to be seen, never-ending tour schedule and her other residence in Paris, it would be well over a year (2009) later before I ever got to joined her in the studio, something that I slowly began to think probably would never happen. 

But sure enough, one day in early 2009, we walked into a surprisingly dumpy warehouse-looking building somewhere North of Hollywood.

Without virtually any preparation and time-crunched for her own time slot, she sent me straight to the recording room and the sound crew gave me headphones and a 45 second tutorial on how everything worked.

Before I knew it the red light was on and the microphone was live.

I reverted to the same "Hunger Strike" piece I sang to her a year earlier, starting earlier in the song than I had previously.

Three times in a row, I couldn't get through 20 seconds without stopping to try to get Chris Cornell's tone, pace and rhythm in my head. I wasn't used to listening to an instrumental version of the song without the lyrics.

I finally did and got through the first few minutes of the song. I was pretty happy with my performance. 

She oddly wasn't and told me to do it again and told me -

Be yourself.

You aren't being yourself.

I didn't really know what she meant.

I sang it to her just like I did from the floor of my Naples' Florida bedroom.

So I started again.

I was going to "be myself" this time.

I got through the first 2 minutes of the song when she told me to stop.

At least this time she had a smile on her face. 

We changed places and she told me, "Good job. I'll talk to you about your singing later."

I was quite pleased with myself.

Right before everyone's very eyes I was becoming a rockstar.

Chris Cornell would be proud. I was going to revive the entire alternative rock, grunge scene that died after so many of their Rockstars did.

We changed places and she went in the recording room and I went to the tech room. 

~90 Minutes Later... 

I stood in one of the audiorooms enthralled by watching her sing. She was so perfect, even when she apparently fucked up. 

The crew called a timeout and decided to take a 15 minute break.

After arguing with some overweight slob that was constantly being critical of her, she came back in the tech room where I was.

I wanted to hear what she was going to say about my performance and she got right to the point -

You aren't being yourself like I asked you to.

You are trying to be Chris Cornell.

You are acting.

Not singing.

That is not your voice.

You need to use your own voice Chris.

We can try again after we are done.

Maybe.

Although visibly upset by the argument she got into with what looked like a producer, it was the first time she ever criticized me (or said anything less than completely flattering and positive about me).

I wasn't ready for that and I literally wanted to cry.
(remember - this is early 2009, I was very much still very insecure, although I think this moment would shake anyone up)

I hung around the studio drinking Pepsi Max for the next 3 hours waiting for the chance to redeem myself.

Redemption Time...

The chance arrived and I thought I knew what she meant by "use your own voice".

We started again and I vowed to use my own voice.

The instrumental came on and I started singing. 

What I heard and what everyone else heard was terrible.

It was a timid combination of myself, Chris Cornell and the guy at the end of those All State insurance commercials. 

It was not a voice of a rookie that seemingly lacked training, but simply a terrible voice of someone too scared to really sing or embrace the voice he did/didn't have. A voice that couldn't even be improved by all the sophisticated editing software that Hollywood could offer.

It was awful and I knew it.

Embarrassed and deflated I walked into the tech room hoping to stuff my face with whatever sushi and under carbonated Pepsi that was left.

My Rockstar career had just ended.

Aware of my brutal performance, she came over to comfort me.

She said that she was proud of me for trying to use my own voice, she would get me voice lessons if I wanted them but told me -

You need to sing with your own voice Chris.

You sound like Chris Cornell, but YOU can't sing [right now].

but again that she admired my courage and that "this stuff" isn't easy.

Though it was like a knife in the chest to hear her say it, I knew it was true.

My real effort sucked and I need serious practice if I ever wanted to really do this.

Aftermath...

Thankfully, she called me 48 hours later and further comforted me about the incident and injected some much needed relief into my very fragile, volatile self-esteem. I took a raincheck on the voice lessons and told her that I wanted to "practice" my own voice in the meantime.

She said she understood and told me she wanted to introduce me to a friend of hers (an older lady, don't get the wrong impression) who needed to get back into shape.

Thankfully, this nice gesture and further generally positive unrelated phone conversations allowed me to not relive my "music studio" incident. I've never told anyone the actual details of what happened.

I never asked her for those voice lessons, instead I went searching for my "own voice" in the world.

A year later, probably in early 2010, all that is "Good Looking Loser" was realized.
(I started the blog over 2 years later) 

I finally realized what she meant.

Lesson Learned...

Due to the trauma and humiliation in front of [one of] the most successful female musicians in history, the "use your own voice" lesson didn't start to make sense until several months after.

In fact, it would be about a year until I really understood what she was trying to tell me.

For YOU to be REALLY good at something, it has to be YOUR own creation. 

Influences are one thing, but ultimately for your product (of any kind) will truly prosper - it has to be YOUR VOICE singing from YOUR HEART. 

I did a hell of a Chris Cornell impression (in my opinion) but it still sucked because it had no real heart.

At best, I could be a lead singer for a band that covered Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden or Audioslave songs.
(wishful thinking... haha)

Even a 'good' imitation of something can only go so far in the creative world.

It's not that you can't have some "success" with a good imitation, it's that you will never truly speak from your heart or be truly proud of yourself. It's not you.

And That puts a proverbial 'ceiling' on how much REAL success you can have and be proud of.

The primary point of the "10 Reasons Why Your Version Of Danger & Play and Bold & Determined Suck (Why Many New Bloggers Won't Be Successful)", is to USE YOUR OWN VOICE.  

I didn't use that title because the other needed to be said too.

It might be years until you understand how to "sing with your own voice" or what "Be Yourself" means. Let alone really do it.

I didn't know what it meant in my 20's and certainly didn't do it.

I don't have much advice other than "try".

Try and you will eventually find out who you really are.

The Amazing Part (Added After Post)

The most amazing part of my friendship with her runs much deeper than even this story. 

Back when I was in 6th or 7th grade (1995), when my parents split up for the second time, I was at my Mom's condo like I would be on most Saturday nights. 

It was 3 am (so technically Sunday morning) and I couldn't sleep as usual.

I was watching late-night VH1 (once called 'MTV Insomnia Theatre') and her music video came on television. It was her first MAJOR hit song. 

I remember staring at the television for the duration of the video at how popular and beautiful she was but how distant whatever world she lived in was.

It was hard enough for me to make genuine friends with my middle school classmates. Even some of my best friends didn't even invite me to their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. I hated not being popular and overlooked by women. I was terrified that rest of my life would be like that.
(I'm not Jewish - but I think you know that) 

12 years later...

I would be standing in her living room.

The Only Thing That Really Matters

For some, especially our younger readers - this discussion will clarify "how/why businesses work".

For others, this discussion will reinforce what you already know and dispel the "lesser factors" that are helpful but relatively insignificant in comparison to the ONLY THING THAT REALLY MATTERS. 

The concept is very basic, but it is the foundation of financial success, especially among new small businesses.

It is one of the very first posts in our developing 'Get Paid' section because it is important that you understand how it works so you don't get sidetracked or waste your time evaluating the compatibility of your "personality traits".

---

Here is the Podcast on the topic.

There is some stuff in the Podcast that isn't in the text and vice-versa.

Lets begin -

I'm critical of a lot of industries, it's earned me a lot of enemies.

Lets burn another bridge forest shall we?

It's not like you didn't know this -

The "How to Make Money Online" industry, or whatever you want to call it, is practically identical to the "seduction community" or "Pickup Artist" industry, or whatever you want to call it.

How so?

The majority of "How to Make Money Online" self-proclaimed authorities (random people with websites) have not made a significant amount (or any) money off anything but their "How to Make Money Online" sites.

Most barely make any money on those sites as well.

Essentially - you have people that haven't made money online, teaching people how to make money online.

Always theory, never personal experience.

No screenshots or anything to suggest they are even remotely successful -

Amazon Affiliate Statistics December 2015
note: Pretty good, but this is an atypical month. December (holiday shoppers) is always the biggest month. Plus the Winter Fashion Guide was devoted completely to Amazon. Income is also from HairLossFromSteroids.com and ALL other Amazon recommendations.
Other numbers can be found here.

But you're told to just take their word for it.
(and follow their "call to action" to their eBook that dupes you into signing up for their email list that has no unsubscribe button)

Thankfully, you've found "Get Paid by Good Looking Loser" and I will tell you how I did it, post by post, page by page.

I am going to make online business work for SO MANY of you guys.

I promise.

I'm not one for "theory" posts, but this is definitely something that you need to know.

The Only Thing That REALLY Matters

There is ONE THING that matters and that is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY to have if you are going to be successful in selling your product or service.

A DEMAND

There absolutely MUST BE a DEMAND or a potential audience that will be willing to buy your SUPPLY (product/service).

It is BY FAR, the MOST IMPORTANT THING.

Do not let anyone tell you different.

Ideally, this DEMAND already exists and you do not need to do anything whatsoever to create it.
(it is a long, long, long climb if you need to create a product/service and a significant demand - it is not recommended for your first venture)

Without a DEMAND - you will not make money.

Without a DEMAND - it doesn't matter how passionate, hard working, confident, unique, positive or good you or your product/service are.

I will dispel these popular "Keys to Making Money" myths below.

DEMAND is the #1 "Key to Making Money".

Arguably, the only thing that even matters.

If you have an idea, before you build a website, open a corporation, or invest time/money, ask yourself -

- IS THERE A DEMAND FOR MY PRODUCT OR SERVICE?

- IS THAT DEMAND SIGNIFICANT?

If the answer is not "YES and YES", immediately discard the idea.

Throw it in the paper shredder so you never have to see it again.

About Good Looking Loser (and satellite sites)

I did not consult any 'Internet marketers' when I built Good Looking Loser (and HairLossFromSteroids.com, HappyHippoHerbals.com).

Yet, I got plenty of unwanted feedback from "experts" that seemed to know the fate of my community.
(they just wanted to help, I guess)

Quite a few said -

You need to stick to only one topic.
(girls)

All this other stuff (male enhancement, Kratom, steroids) will not work and people will "click away".

This, obviously, was the furthest thing from the truth.

I already knew this and gave the selfless helpers my usual -

Thanks Man!

There is a DEMAND for all of the topics we discuss.

A HUGE DEMAND.

And That is the ONLY THING that matters.

While Good Looking Loser has many unique attributes (fun clipart, unique perspective on taboo topics, me) the only reason it makes money is because there is DEMAND for the material.

Take away the DEMAND, there is very little traffic and even less financial success.

This Is Common Sense!
(Good Looking Loser is passing off common sense as insight again! That's right.)

While this requirement of "DEMAND" might seem obvious - it's hardly EVER discussed.

Seriously.

I did not find a single mention of "DEMAND" anywhere on the first 4 pages of the Google search "The Key to Making Money" or several alike searches.

Instead I found several, possibly helpful, but hardly mandatory "Keys" to building a successful business.

There is a reason for that and I will discuss it below.

Sometimes common sense isn't so common.

If you remember nothing else from this discussion remember -

DEMAND IS THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY MATTERS.

note: I have not read "The Millionaire Fastlane" by MJ DeMarco. As I explained in this post from well over 2 years ago, however, I think I either saw an excerpt or article from him that initially clarified the 'DEMAND' importance. This was very insightful and after 3 years of now running 3 successful online businesses, my comprehension of the subject is even more clear today. If I borrow themes from MJ, it is unintentional, I literally wrote my list off the top of my head - but feel free to tell me. He seems to be a smart cat.

6 Popular Myths About Making Money
(online or elsewhere)

The Google search for "The Key to Making Money" or " alike yields the traditional crops of bullshit.

Content farm articles written by underpaid farmers who have not made a dime who explain "The Key to Making Money".
(but have successfully made their eHow, About.com, etc. farm advertising revenue!)

While probably well-meaning, some of these "keys" may be helpful, but they are hardly the primary factors.

The myths reflect the inexperience of the author and an obvious non-understanding of the basic fundamentals of successful businesses and industries.

Lets begin.

Myth #1 Follow Your Passion and the Money Will Come!

This absurd "Key to Making Money" advice is enormous in the self-improvement community.

In fact, it's often suggested as the answer to every single problem.

Many experts, especially women, vehemently maintain that "following your passion" is the key to making money.

This lady wrote an entire book on it.
(not an affiliate link - and don't buy it)

You've heard it before -

Pick something you love, the money will follow!

While it's definitely great to "follow your passion", it hardly guarantees success.

You could have a passion for painting, standup comedy or contact sports - if you aren't any good, or at least better than your competition - you will not succeed and you will not earn much money.

If you suck at painting or specialize in artwork that is not collected or considered valuable - it doesn't matter how passionate you are.

If you aren't funny or nobody gets your sense of humor - it doesn't matter how much you love making people laugh.

If you are in love with the game of basketball, but if you can't jump, shoot or play defense (let alone "be tall") it doesn't matter how much you want it.

Even if your "passion" makes you work hard and improve your craft -

There has to be a DEMAND.

Mitchell Deoudes Sr. (My Dad)

I got lucky.

My Dad is a successful multi-millionaire, who taught me some (but very little - unfortunately) about business.

His passion?

- Watching Fox News and yelling at liberals (Alan Colmes) on the TV.

His moneymaker?

- He sold high-quality produce to high-end restaurants in Washington DC.

I've never officially asked him, but I'm going to guess that his passion was not lettuce, spinach, strawberries and butternut squash - let alone selling it by working 17 hour days in his warehouse in a very dangerous section of Northeast Washington DC called 'The Eastern Market'.

There was a DEMAND among expensive DC restaurants and hotels for high-quality produce at affordable prices.

My Dad supplied that DEMAND.

He was paid millions in return.

One of his last big sales was to a guy that he called "Kang".

Kang was a wealthy, ambitious man.

Kang wanted to supply ~all the Boston Market (formerly 'Boston Chicken') restaurants on the East Coast with poultry.

Kang needed (DEMANDED) a warehouse in the heart of Washington DC in order to supply the Boston Market stores in the District and the Northern Virginia area.

My Dad supplied Kang's DEMAND and sold him the property.

Mr. Kang supplied my Dad with money.

That is how business is done. That is how money is made.

Despite probably having a passion for acquiring wealth, neither man probably had an overwhelming passion for the actual busy work that they did.

You might need a solid amount of passion to reach your potential, but it's hardly the main factor in making money.

In fact, a lot of people (especially women), are probably better off not following their passion if making money is their primary goal.

Wrong.

Myth #2 Work Hard and the Money Will Come!

You have an idea where I'm taking this one too.

The same direction.

I'll be the first person to tell you WORK HARD and WORK HARD SOME MORE.

In fact -

• "Work Harder - Not Smarter"
  (successful newbie attitude)

But DEMAND is way more important.

If there is no DEMAND, it doesn't matter how hard you work.

Let me give you two examples, the first one is disgusting and the second is most applicable -

You could create a US-based "manual scavenging" company and become its first employee.

Before you can afford to hire employees, you could work super hard in major sewer systems or trying to find leads of rich people that prefer to use a chimney to empty their bowels.

Your business WOULD NOT WORK in the United States.

Unlike India, because of the Western 'wet toilet' system, there is no demand in the United States for people to manually pick up large dumps that well-fed wealthy people released. It doesn't matter how hard you work or are willing to work. Very few people are going to pay you for this.
(I'm not making light of the issue, I find it repulsive that this type of thing exists in 2015)

Just be glad this isn't your best option.

Perhaps a better example is trying to get rich by opening a storefront and doing the initial labor that fixed broken VHS players or repaired CD/tape players.

The technology is obsolete, therefore the DEMAND and the potential to make money is largely obsolete too.

Work hard only goes so far, there has to be a DEMAND.

Myth #3 Believe in Yourself/Be Confident and the Money Will Come!

Same deal here.

"Believe in Yourself" / "Be Confident" headlines quite a few "How to Make Money"/"The Key to Becoming Rich" articles.

Like "Follow Your Passion!" self-improvement eggheads are in love with this "Be Confident" concept.

Somehow, we're told, "Believing in Yourself" is the most important thing to whether your product/service sells.

It's not.

Your product/service needs to have a DEMAND.

Obviously, it's great to "Believe in Yourself" or "Be Confident" but that hardly determines how financially successful your business is going to be.

Besides, confidence will be built on the job as you string together (and acknowledge) many small successes.

You may not start out with a ton of confidence. It doesn't really matter.

Confidence is almost always a work in progress and hardly the main factor in whether you are initially or ultimately successful.

Success builds confidence.

Confidence builds success.

Focus on trying to be successful, rather than trying to "be confident".

Old Dirty Kent the Sunglasses Guy

Quick story -

In Los Angeles, I know a guy that we'll call "Kent".

He makes high-end custom Rx sunglasses for rich people, he's even got a few celebrities on board.

Before ridiculous California taxes, his private custom sunglasses business makes upwards of $385,000.

Pretty successful in my book.

Oddly, Kent hardly believed his "sell sunglasses" idea would really work when he and his brother incorporated.

More oddly, he still doesn't believe it will be that successful and has been trying to sell his share the business for 2.5 years.

He doesn't even believe in his own business - yet he makes makes more money (because of DEMAND for custom sunglasses in Hollywood) than the confident dreamers with ideas that have less DEMAND.

Myth #4 Be Unique/Create Something New and the Money Will Come!

I'll probably take some more criticism from those who still don't grasp the point (use your own voice) of our most shared Lifestyle by Good Looking Loser (Get Paid) discussion "10 Reasons Why Your Version of Danger & Play and Bold & Determined Sucks (Why Newbie Bloggers Won't Be Successful)", but most of us already smart enough to understand that you don't have to "invent" something to make money.

That is true.

It's would be nice to invent something but the reality is - successful people/businesses simply take an existing product/service and -

1. Make it better
2. Price it cheaper

If you can do that, in an industry with a DEMAND, you should find financial success if you can get the word out.
(marketing is HUGE, but a topic for another time)

Although many people already know that they don't have to "invent" something, they still let their overly-creative juices run wild.

Ultimately many end up with FEWER ideas because they are so creative.

Ironic huh?

Creative/artistic guys, as I also profess to be (in moderation), often have trouble getting "business" - just as sophisticated guys have trouble getting women.

Their mind sabotages them.

They let their mind sabotage them.

Don't be too creative - supply a DEMAND.

Myth #5 Be Positive and the Money Will Come!

By now, you already know that "beliefs" aren't the primary factor in whether you will be able to exchange your product/service for currency/gold.

DEMAND is.

Yet, so many self-proclaimed experts claim that "Being Positive" is the primary, if not only, key to making money -

Hypnotherapist Ailsa Frank believes there is.
Over the years she’s helped countless clients, from impoverished graduates to 50-somethings with no pension provision, to increase their wealth. “You need to banish negative patterns of thinking,” Ailsa tells me as we embark on a one-to-one wealth workshop at her clinic in Ascot, Berkshire. Her sessions focus on the power of positivity and how we can re-programme our minds to think in a better way about money.
source: "Can Positive Thinking Really Make Me Rich?"

First -

Don't go to a hypnotherapist to learn how to make money.

Second - 

Your only relationship with money should be - YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT.

My parents are the most negative people in the entire universe.

They both are wealthy.

Not that I have to say it, it's surely getting old by now -

It.helps.to.Be.Positive.but.it's.not.the.main.factor.in.making.money.

There, I said it. :)

Positivity is the key to Positivity.
Positivity is Positively not the key to making money.
I'm Positive.

#6 Do What You Are Best At and the Money Will Come!

We are beating a horse that passed away a long time ago, so this is the last one.

This one is similar to the "Follow Your Passion and the Money Will Come!" expert entrepreneur advice.

Doing what you are best at, whether as an employer or employee, doesn't guarantee that money will come pouring your direction.

Why would it?

If what you are best at has no DEMAND or is in an industry with low margins and high competition - you won't be getting paid that much.

I can think of a million and one examples and so can you.

We won't waste another second on this ridiculous "Do What You Are Best At Is The Key To Making Money" statement.

It.helps.to.Do.What.You.Are.Best.but.it's.not.the.main.factor.in.making.money.

As I alluded to before, the reason that so so so many "experts" can't put their finger on "The Key To To Making Money" is because they have never done so.

They are simply "self-improvement gurus" or sometimes minimum-wage/free content farm writers.

Not wealthy businessmen.
(some like Tony Robbins are wealthy, but we are talking about the average 'expert' giving advice)

DEMAND is the primary fundamental to a successful product/service.

This is blatantly obvious to anyone that is making money and thinks to himself -

How Am I Doing This?

Why are people giving me money for my product/service?

They arrive at the same simple answer every time -

People want (DEMAND) my product/service.

Demand Isn't Just An "Industry" Thing
(is your product/service any good?)

This is where it gets a little tricky.

When most people think of DEMAND, they only consider it on the macro level, the industry at-large.

- How big is the industry?

- Are there a lot of people that buy this product/service?

While this is obviously worth major consideration, the DEMAND is equally important at the micro level.

Your product/service has to be -

GREAT
-or-
GOOD ENOUGH and CHEAPER than competitors.

But sometimes only the first applies.

Here's an example -

While there is (and always will) be a DEMAND for self-improvement material - there is only a DEMAND for GREAT self-improvement material.

There is very little demand for GOOD ENOUGH and CHEAPER self-improvement material.

It has to be GREAT if anyone is really going to take the time to sit down and read it. Let alone give you money for it.

You can't simply just sell it for cheap (or even give it away for free) and have it be really successful.

It has to be GREAT.

This is different than other industries.

Take the fast-food industry.

Quality isn't necessarily the most important thing - price is equally important.

McDonalds only makes a GOOD ENOUGH product but their Dollar Menu and convenience has made them the standard of the fast-food industry.

Their marketing is aimed at constantly reinforcing this.

The SPECIFIC DEMAND: "GREAT" or "GOOD ENOUGH and CHEAPER" will vary from industry to industry.

You sure as hell don't need a "business plan", but you should definitely understand the SPECIFIC DEMAND in your industry.

This is something that should be glaringly obvious if you have been a long-time consumer in the industry.

If it's not - it's not an industry that you should get involved in.

Pour Conclure

Hopefully I simplified "The Key to Making Money" or "what it takes" into a single word -

DEMAND

While the younger guys might have significantly benefitted from this discussion, it might have been a review for many others.

That's good.

Though this might be all stuff you know, heard or thought in some shape or form, it helps to get clarity on the matter.

I would have loved to be told DEMAND IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS when I was in my 20's.

The world would have made sense.

I wouldn't have had questions like, "Will my idea work?", which inevitably led to hesitation and repetitive self-analysis about my psychological readiness or personality traits for financial success.

Of course -

Ideally, "getting money" shouldn't be your only motivator.

Ideally, you should have passion, strong work ethic and confidence to work on what you are best at.

But few get to do that right away and it's hardly necessary to becoming really wealthy.

Ultimately, if you do join the rich guys club, you will likely have several business (or stock/shares in several businesses), most of which you do not actively manage.

Some of those businesses will be products/services that you are passionate about, others will solely exist to make you money.

It's not all-or-nothing.

You don't have to pick between "what you want to do" and "what is going to make you money".

You can have both.

Sometimes mutually, always separately.

Wealthy people have multiple investments and several streams of income.

You just need to get started.

Go build your first one.

Do You Want to Build A Website? Haaahnn??

Then check these options -

• "BADNet via Good Looking Loser" (Great inexpensive option)
  * Includes 4 Free eBooks and Free Website Setup

• "WordPress Engine via Good Looking Loser" (Great for computer illiterates)
  * The ultimate customer service for website hosting - they will hold your hand forever and fix your website when needed

Comments are welcome on this discussion.

However, in-depth questions are best left in the "Get Paid - Good Looking Loser Forum".

You will get multiple responses in there. 

How To Make A RU58841 Liquid Solution For Research Purposes
(Without Minoxidil)

This is a step-by-step post on how to make a RU58841 anti-DHT liquid solution for laboratory use.

Although some people like the convenience of putting their RU58841 into a bottle of store-bought Minoxidil, many others (including myself) prefer to make their RU58841 solutions without Minoxidil so they can independently test the compound.

There's several advantages to this -

1. It mixes a lot easier. There will be no wasted RU58841 "crumbs" at the bottom of your formula.
2. It dries super quickly when applied, unlike generic Minoxidil, which is oily and greasy.
3. You can dissolve a higher amount (concentration) of RU58841 in ethanol without Minoxidil.
   (60ml of Minoxidil usually can't dissolve much more than ~2 g of RU58841, product is often wasted in Minoxidil formulas)
4. You can rest assure that your RU58841 potency and will not degrade.
5. The RU58841 will not compete with Minoxidil for receptors.
6. In my experience - it seems to work BETTER.
   (you can still use Minoxidil, just apply it 5 minutes after)

Here Is What You Need

Here is what you will need to make a Minoxidil-free RU58841 liquid solution.

Some of these things you can buy at your local grocery store but most of them need to be purchased online -

Laboratory Supplies (Purchase at Amazon) -

A) 1 Propylene Glycol - 1 Pint (Small Bottle)

C) 1 Cheap Basic Funnels*

D) 1 Cheap Measure Syringe - 35 ml* (optional, but helpful)

E) 2 Glass Vials 50ml

F) 1 Glass Stirring Rod

G) 1 Precise Kitchen Scale - 100 g

H) 1 Amber Vial to Hold Final RU58841 Solution - 50ml*

* might be found locally

Ethanol (Purchase at Wine Chateau) -

B) 1 Everclear (Ethanol 190 Proof) - 1 Liter (Single Bottle)*

* might be found locally - but hard to find in most states

RU58841 Powder (American Applied Research and Chemistry) -

• RU58841 99.9% Pure Powder - 5 grams
  *This is the exact product that I use
  (will deliver 100 applications at the normal 2.5% concentration, 100 days)

The supplies purchased from Amazon and 1 bottle of Everclear purchased from Wine Chateau will cost about $65 and last you for several years. You will not need to buy any of these items again for a long time.

You will probably have to purchase about 25 grams of RU58841 powder if you plan to use it everyday for the entire year. 

Start with just 5 grams, which will last 3+ months.

Here Is How You Make It (In HD Pictures)

This process is actually very easy.

I've included each and every step so you know that you are doing it correctly.

But, like I said, it's pretty easy and you'll probably know how to do it after you make your first laboratory solution.

For starters:

Wash your hands (put on rubber gloves if available), clear an area in your laboratory and keep all your labware and supplies handy.

1) Measure out ~30-35 ml of Ethanol (Everclear 190 proof alcohol), pour it into one of your empty breakers. Set this beaker of ~30-35 ml of Ethanol aside for later use.
* it is okay if you use slightly less than 35 ml, you can add more at the end

2) Grab your precise scale and an empty beaker. Turn the scale on and it should read "0.00g" since nothing is on it.

3) Put the empty beaker on the scale. This will weigh the empty vial.

4) Push the [TARE] button on the scale. This will reset the scale to "0.00g" but account for the weight of the empty beaker. Now, we can accurately measure anything that we put into the beaker.

5) Carefully measure out just over 2.5 grams of RU58841. 2.5 grams is the amount you are shooting for, but a little more is better than a little less.

5)

6) Grab the beaker with ~30-35 ml of Ethanol (made in Step 1) and pour it into the beaker with 2.5 g of RU58841 that you just made. You don't need to weigh this and you don't need the scale anymore.

7) After you combine the ~30-35ml Ethanol with the 2.5 mg it will look like this. The RU58841 will float to the bottom.
* again, I prefer to use 30 ml of Ethanol and just add 0-5 ml later, if needed.

8) Grab the glass stirring rod and stir the liquid solution for about 45 seconds. Stir it rapidly in a circular motion, but also in a left-to-right and up-and-down motion. This will make the vast majority of the RU58841 powder dissolve.

9) After you stir the solution for 45+ seconds most of the powder will be dissolved and it will look like this -
(don't worry if the RU58841 isn't 100% dissolved, you just want most of it dissolved)

10) Now it's time to add the Propylene Glycol to the liquid solution that you just mixed and stirred. Pour ~15-20 ml of Propylene Glycol into an empty beaker.
(it can be done the same breaker that held that previously held the RU58841)

Alternatively, instead of using a beaker to measure out 15-20 ml of Propylene Glycol, you can use the 35 ml laboratory syringe.

Whichever is easiest for you.

11) Combine the beaker containing ~15-20 ml of Propylene Glycol with the RU58841 liquid solution in the other beaker.

If you used the syringe to measure out the Propylene Glycol, squirt it into the beaker with the RU58841 liquid solution.

12) Once combined there will be very little RU58841 powder at the bottom of the beaker. Stir it again for 45+ seconds and the remaining RU58841 should enter the solution.

13) You are done with the mixing.

99% of the RU58841 will be in-solution. The final liquid product should be entirely transparent. It looks exactly like water (but will smell like rubbing alcohol)

There should be no RU58841 "crumbs" in the solution (there won't be).

If there are little specs of RU58841, stir the liquid solution until they disappear. If they still don't disappear (this is HIGHLY UNLIKELY if you follow the process correctly and have a 50-55ml solution), add a few milliliters of Ethanol to suck up the remaining undissolved powder.

14) Take your clear, finished RU58841 liquid solution and pour it into a laboratory storage vial.

The formula will stay potent for several months if you store it in the freezer. After 100 days, it will still be potent, but may have degraded slightly. By no means is the liquid solution "dead" after 100 days if you have stored it properly.

I prefer dark/amber chemistry vials which prevents light from degrading the formula.

But if you keep it in the freezer (or even a cool dark place) this won't be a big deal.

15) Now your RU58841 liquid solution is ready for topical laboratory use.

The formula is not to be ingested or for human consumption.

Each 1 ml will provide 25 mg of RU58841.

This is considered a 2.5% concentration, the usual dose that chemists begin their research with.

Ratio Concerns

Keep this in mind.

You want your formula (50-55ml) to be -

• 66-70% Ethanol : 30-33% Propylene Glycol

which equates to -

• 30-35 ml Ethanol : 15-20 ml Propylene Glycol

This ~2:1 ratio is what I've used for months and it works great.

I usually use 37ml of Ethanol and 18 ml of Propylene Glycol, 55 ml in total, to ensure EVERYTHING is dissolved.

The extra 5 ml is not entirely necessary though.

If you follow my recipe, you won't have any powder that doesn't make it into the solution.

Your final product will be crystal clear.

If you have a little more/less than 2:1, it's okay.

It won't ruin your formula.

Just try to get as close to 70:30 as you can and add more Ethanol/Propylene Glycol if needed.

Pour Conclure

So there you have it.

Step-by-step directions and illustrations of how to make a RU58841 solution for your chemistry lab.

In truth, the process is about 5 or 6 steps, but this blog post breaks down each mini-step so there is no confusion.

This is the exact process I follow to make my RU58841 solutions.

It takes about 10-15 minutes - once you know how to do it.

If you don't have time or patience to make these formulas, the EXACT same combination is available as a pre-made liquid solution.

Index of RU58841 blog posts -

• "RU58841 Index"

Additional Legal Information
5952 Digital Productions, LLC and Good Looking Loser (GLL-GetALife.com / 'Lifestyle' by Good Looking Loser) makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of any information provided. This content provided for information and convenience only- they do not constitute endorsements of any situations or medical tactics or advice. All information contained herein should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a doctor and/or licensed medical physician. NO LIABILITY WILL BE ASSUMED FOR THE USE OF THIS AND/OR ADDITIONAL POSTINGS HEREIN.

I imagine that there will be a steady flow of questions and comments.

I encourage you to leave your questions about RU58841 in our Hair Loss Forum.

Do The Most Productive Thing At Every Given Moment
(Inspired by Tom Hopkins)

This is the latest installment in "Good Looking Loser's Success Principles"!

I know -

Another success post.

Yawn.

And For the record -

I don't even like reading (let alone writing) about this way-too-often generic 'success' stuff.

It bores me to death and only do it because I feel obligated because there's certain fundamentals/mindsets that you need to know to achieve beat your potential.

This is a good one though.

It's potentially life-changing if you really apply it and try to live by it.

It has been for me and it's virtually second-nature now.

If you adopt nothing else from our Success Principles, if you get this one down - you'll pretty much achieve all your goals that are genetically possible (and then some).

If I could do it over, this principle aka the "Golden Rule" would replace "The Secret to the Universe" as our #1 Success Principle.
(Taking Action is obviously the most important key to success, this is pretty similar though)

Anyway, enough hype...

We'd discussed this concept before, it comes from 1980's "success guru" Tom Hopkins who earned a ton of money in sales before selling his own products.
(That is one reason I was willing to listen to Tom; he was successful at something prior to selling a 'how to be successful' book)

He wrote a best selling book in 1982 called "The Official Guide to Success".

Parts of his book are what 'Get Success' in Lifestyle by Good Looking Loser/My Life are based on.

I really follow a lot of it, as I discuss in the video on this page - it's basically the only book that I can say that I consistently apply to my life.

You probably haven't heard of it though.

I only came across it because it was in one of Tom Butler Bowden's books.

The Productivity Concept - Golden Dozen

Hopkins calls his productivity concept the "Golden Dozen" because it's 12 words long.

The concept says -

I MUST DO THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT.
(you can see the entire section of the book - here)

Read that again please -

I MUST DO

THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE

AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT

Maybe you see how this works.

But maybe you are a bit confused.

Don't read too far into it.

Just repeat that sentence over-and-over to yourself during the day.

Also, the Golden Rule calls for you to put up signs that say "I MUST DO THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT" in all of your rooms.

When I started trying to apply this concept, I put signs everywhere -

Bedroom.

Office.

Kitchen.

Everywhere.

Bathroom.

I was sharing a house with a bunch of people too. They didn't mind.

I had a little note card too.

With the Golden Rule in your head and often right in front of your face, you will constantly remind yourself -

I MUST DO THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT.

This wasn't my original productivity notecard.
I lost that one long long ago.
I was actually pissed off that I lost it.

What This Actually Means

Go ahead and read pages 6 through 11 in "The Official Guide to Success", Tom explains what this is and what it means in his own words.

In a nutshell (directly from the book) -

1. Tell yourself, "I must do the most productive thing possible at every given moment."
2. Decide what the most productive thing is.
3. Do it.
4. When you've pushed the thing as far forward as you can right now, go back to step (1) and start over.

That means, whenever you don't know what to do, find yourself off-task or are "bored" (a sign that your priorities are not that important to you), you tell yourself -

I MUST DO THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT.

By default, you will figure out what to do, get yourself back on-task or STOP BEING BORED.

Works every time.

The biggest question that some of you guys have is -

- So does that mean I'm WORKING all the time?

No, it doesn't.

Sometimes, the most productive thing is to take a nap or get to bed early.
(so you can be rested to work on your #1 priority) 

Sometimes, the most productive thing is to take a break and eat some food.
(so you can have energy to work on your #1 priority)

Sometimes, the most productive thing is to follow "Good Looking Loser's Life or Death Test" and schedule something fun to do at least once every 15 days.
(so you can remain emotionally/socially healthy to work on your #1 priority)

Whatever the 'MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE' is -

It is meant to benefit your #1 Goal and keep you focused on your #1 Priority.

What The Golden Rule Actually Does
(Practical Living, My Experience)

In real life, the Golden Rule does two main things for me -

1. Kills my desire to 'multitask', get off-task or procrastinate. Which are all the same thing. (short-term)
2. Keeps me more focused on my primary daily goal(s). (long-term)

That alone yield huge dividends over time.

Anytime I ask myself -

What is the most productive thing at this given moment?

If I'm off-task, I also automatically ask myself -

Why am I doing [whatever I'm doing]?

- Why am I flipping through Facebook to see how a cute girl I hooked up with 2 years ago has gained weight?

- Why am I spending more than allotted 20 morning minutes on my fantasy basketball team?

- Why am I reading customer reviews on Amazon of items I'm not going to buy?

- Why am I reading random Wikipedia entries about things I don't care about?

I will usually be right back on-task by realizing that I'm in "garbage time".

I consciously lived by the Golden Rule, everyday, for about 4.5 months back in late ~2009. 

At the time, my main priority was still hooking up with girls and my secondary goal was to secure 5 private training/nutrition clients that paid me $1000/month. 

It was the most consciously productive period of my life.

The Golden Rule has made me more productive on a daily basis and therefore - a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

Pre-Planned Golden Days & Golden Nights (These Days)

Although I no longer deliberately practice the Golden Rule on a DAILY basis, subconsciously, in the back of my head (or from the signs in my office) I'll be thinking -

I MUST DO THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT.

Practicing this on a daily basis is fantastic but eventually you want to reach autopilot and not have to constantly remind or correct yourself.

These days, I mainly apply the Golden Rule when I lose focus or "don't know what to do now...".

Both are pretty rare. 

I do, however, have full days where I consciously practice the Golden Rule for the entire day.

For the sake of this discussion, I'm calling them -

Golden Days

Basically, it's a marathon work day, no less than 16 hours of short-term goals/tasks.

It's meant to knock off A LOT of work. 

I have a pre-written checklist of small goals that I wrote the night before. 

I take Modafinil (or Ritalin) in the morning and small amounts (3-6 grams, every 120-180 minutes) of Kratom throughout the day.

I take caffeine via Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Dr. Pepper, etc. throughout the day.

My appetite is DEAD because that's what this combo does. 3 meals will usually be fine.

I knock my goals out ONE by ONE by ONE.

Checking them off ONE by ONE by ONE.

The only breaks I take come when I finish the task or 90 minutes, whichever comes first.

Needless to say, I'm highly productive.

The biggest obstacle is wanting to go play instead of doing work.

When the "You're in a good mood! Let's go outside and play Chris!" idea comes over me, I'll think to myself -

I MUST DO THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING POSSIBLE AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT.

And Get back to work.

Sometimes I'll go for a jog or go to the gym (combo is amazing for the gym), but these 'Golden Days' are really meant to get 2-3 days worth of work done in just 1 day.

I will only schedule a handful or less of these "Golden Days" a month.

Don't eat this crap, see why on this post.

Worthless Distractions and Unintended Unproductive Habits

The Golden Rule also helps knock out worthless unproductive distractions and unintended timewasters.

If you are truly trying to do the most productive thing possible at every given moment, rationalizing inefficient habits such as these will be difficult -

• Randomly checking your social media every 25 minutes (if not for business)
• Texting (a high inefficient way to communicate - get SIRI/voice activated texting)
• Smoking cigarettes daily
• Watching the news / Doing "research" on things that have no effect on your life
• Anything that takes your focus off your #1 Priority during work time

Texting a friend on and off for 2 hours is a great way to waste 1/8 of your possible working hours.

No, it's not something that you HAVE TO DO to be a friend.

There's so many other examples both of us can think of too.

If you are rationalizing these habits as part of "I'm being more productive" and not designated "relax time", you don't have enough action in your life and I suggest you take a look at this post.

Simply by repeating/subconsciously reinforcing the Golden Rule, you can eliminate 75% of the minutes wasted on unproductive distractions. 

How to Apply the Golden Rule

There's two ways that I suggest to apply it -

1. Make the signs, repeat the concept, make the commitment and try to live by it on all your weekdays.
   It would be great if you were able to simply apply it to all 7 days of the week, but that is not practical for most "help me be successful" people.
   If you are able to be 25% more productive and 25% less off-task, consider it a growing success.
2. Add it as a 13th habit and start "30 Days of Discipline".
   This will be a real challenge because that program isn't exactly easy, especially if you are a recovering slacker.
   If you apply it everyday, for 30 days, if will be pretty easy to maintain after that if you are serious about your life.

Here's another hint -

START TODAY

JUST TRY YOUR BEST

DON'T DECLARE FAILURE IF YOU FIND YOUR OFF-TASK

The Golden Rule is to shift your focus back on-task, as much as it is to prevent you from going off-task.

Pour Conclure

So there's an applicable way to become more productive.

Theory with an actionable step behind it.

Remember -

You will never be 100% efficient.

But you don't have to be.

Eliminate just 25-50% of your "garbage time" and you'll be ahead of 100% of people.*
* 1% margin of error

Do you understand how unproductive most people are?

Do you really?

Most people can't even "find the time" to work on their own projects, have fun that isn't in front of the television or "not be obese".

Remember also -

It won't go perfectly. It might be hard.

Old habits die hard and new ones grow hard.

You might 'find yourself' talking to your stuffed animals when you should be working.

Or you might 'find yourself' texting a friend pointless stuff when you should be sleeping.

Just keep the concept in mind, make your signs, practice it as best you can and watch yourself become more productive and conscious.

There's not much more to it than that.

References:

All the credit for the concept goes to Tom Hopkins, the sales/original self-improvement genius -

• "The Official Guide to Success" (1982)
  * Buy it used for $.01
• TomHopkins.com "How to Master the Art of Selling Anything"
• Tom Hopkins on YouTube

Printable Productivity Signs to Hang Up
(save image or right click, copy image url into a separate window for full-size version)

You can make your own or print these out.

Don't worry if an underachiever thinks it's weird.

Of course it's uncommon.

Success is uncommon.

TO PRINT - Open Image in New Window for Full Size

TO PRINT - Open Image in New Window for Full Size

TO PRINT - Open Image in New Window for Full Size 

Spartan Entrepreneur - The Blog Artist's Handbook
(Updated 2015)

I'm not going to do a typical "review" of Victor's new book.

You're going to want to download it anyway and there's no selling point - it's free.

I'm just going to tell you what it's going to do for you.

---

When I started, I had virtually no help.

I basically sat down and started writing.

And writing.

And writing. 

I didn't even setup/learn how to setup Google Analytics (that's the utility that tells you how much traffic you have and where it came from) for 4 or 5 months.

In some ways, my ignorance turned out to be a good thing.

I didn't focus on insignificant increases in traffic or let it distract my attention from what I needed to be doing -

Telling my story.

Though my 20's were a decade of significant underachievement and obvious failures, I did accomplish some stuff that most guys would like to do too.

I decided to tell my story, offer encouragement and advice - so guys could fix their life in a lot less time.

I got lucky though.

I really had no idea what the heck I was doing.

But people liked my story and found my insights fairly useful.

One of the earliest known snapshots of GLL (late 2011, before any traffic)
I made the banner!

In some ways, however, my ignorance wasn't bliss.

I continually had problems organizing my posts, overwriting, underwriting and installing worthless plugins that brought my little website to a grinding halt.

Although confident that my success with women, etc. would translate into a successful self-improvement community, there were some days when I was thinking -

What am I doing?

Am I doing this right?

Is this good?

When I did seek out information - I spent wasted hours and hours trying to understand it - let alone try to apply it, only to give up frustrated when it worked/didn't work.

Those were the worst days. 

There were some "how to" guides out there, they were rarely organized as an applicable, step-by-step, DO THIS = GET THIS guide.

And more importantly -

Like the "seduction community", I came to the realization that most authorities on the topics hadn't actually had success. They just had websites claiming theory.

Their "How to Make Money" and "How to Build a Successful Website" advice was based on theory, repackaged ideas and nothing that they actually did, just on what they "knew".

I decided to just go it alone and use my usual trial/error to figure things out.

It would be over 2 years before I hired a professional web designer to clean up my "always under construction" website.

I could have used some help when I started and you can too - especially if you aren't very tech savvy/know how to write content that connects with people.

Here's your help and it's completely free -

• Click Here to Download
  "The Blog Artist's Handbook"
  (fyi - downloading the book will subscribe you to Victor's newsletter in order to deliver it to you)

It will absolutely speed up your learning curve.

If I was just starting out, this book would be my first (and likely only) resource.

If you are totally new and are looking for someone to setup your entire blog so you can just write, check out the B&D/GLL hosting offer -

• BADNet - Exclusive Good Looking Loser Package
  (includes 4 Free eBooks - free website setup)

What the Book Is Going to Do For You
(sections to read over and over)

No one does it like Victor.

Many try.

If there was some sort of "impact per word" statistic, he would be off the charts.

Anyone can build a website. Even a pretty website.

Although the technical stuff is a necessary evil - that's not the hard part.
(although I would disagree just 1 year ago!)

The hard part is REALLY CONNECTING with readers.

Tickling feelings inside of them to give them permission to do things that they always wanted to do.

There's no website layout, plugin or SEO techniques that will cover up a not-so-inspiring website.

And That's what the book will do for you.

It's going to show you how to become a better writer.

HOW TO WRITE WITH IMPACT.

The WOW Factor.

The IT Factor.

These are the sections I highly suggest you study -

That's right, applicable stuff and not a lot of "blogger inner game theory".

For some of you guys, this will literally be your start to wild success.

You might actually remember the day you downloaded it.

Just remember who told you about it. *wink*

A Super Inexpensive Way to Look Younger
(my only promise: your skin will likely look better than it ever has after several months)

disclaimer: the following is not medical advice and not a substitute for advice from a licensed dermatologist; the information below is not meant to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please see our Medical Disclaimer for more information.

I wrote this post about 6 days ago.

I did some thinking in-between though.

Some of the before and after pictures are really dramatic.

More than I could have imagined. People I showed were stunned.

In fact, it wasn't until I put these image selections together did I really see how much better my face is today.

BEFORE WE START, it's important to mention that -

I DO NOT credit nor suggest that ALL my results are the product of my daily skin care routine.

My results are a product of EVERYTHING.

I can, however, fairly assume that my daily routine significantly contributed. I know it did.

I will discuss the other factors involved toward the end of the post.

There was absolutely no plastic surgery or photoshopping of any of these pictures whatsoever.

The lighting does vary however so I encourage you to watch my new vs. old videos, posted below.

December 13th 2011 (left)
vs.
February 13th 2015 (right)
If nothing else - I definitely don't look older than 3-4 years ago.

-----

Back in June 2014, I released "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care", based on a routine I had been already using.

The following advice is largely the same as the daily and weekly maintenance routine, with a few changes. 

It was cheap to begin with but is actually even less expensive now.

Over the past 16-18 months, with a few modifications in the past 5 or 6 months, I've been following my guide to a tee.

It's been working and people have noticed -

and some more -

Even in a recent video (3:45) a girl commented.

Significant because, until recently, I've never gotten "your skin is nice" compliments in my entire life, with the exception of "nice tan bro" in the Summer time.  

But more importantly, others have had success too -

- From this post by Wall Street Playboys
(Check them out!)

So basically -

Yeah - it works.

It's not rocket science, just some super effective, super inexpensive ingredients that work - if you use them regularly for several months.

Realistically, although your skin may feel amazing and instantly look more clear, it will probably take several months to see obvious changes in your complexion that people will notice and hopefully compliment you on.

The good news - the routine won't cost you more than $2 a week.

My only promise to you is, as I will mention again is -

If you use these inexpensive recommendations for several months, your skin will likely look better than it ever has.

Especially if, like me, you haven't really put in a daily effort into taking care of your face before.

I can't make any guarantees on "how many years younger" you will look or if specific lines will disappear, there's a ton of lifestyle/miscellaneous factors involved.

LETS SEE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES

No problem.

Since a small minority of people will accuse me of photoshopping, 'de-noising' or doctoring these pictures (that's fair to some extent), I encourage you to watch my VIDEO comparisons below to see a difference in my complexion.

These pictures are ABSOLUTELY NOT edited or de-noised in any way shape or form.

BEFORE DAILY SKIN CARE (~2012-2013)

AFTER DAILY SKIN CARE (2015)

To take out the facial hair/"you just shaved" opposition, here are some before/after pictures in the same lighting (in my downstairs bathroom with the familiar brown door in the background).

BEFORE DAILY SKIN CARE - SHAVED (~2012-2013)

AFTER DAILY SKIN CARE - SHAVED
(Taken 90 seconds ago...)

And "shaved" screen captures from 2 YouTube Videos 

Watch my before/after videos before too.
(these videos are below with the 'how to' instructions) 

In my opinion, the video comparisons really show that what I've been doing is paying off.

As I look at these pictures for the 50th time, I'm actually still hesitant to publish these images because your expectations will be sky high. When I was making these before/after picture collages I really can't even believe how different I look in some of them. 

I literally look 5 years younger in some of them.
(in reality, I probably look 2 or 3 years younger - check out the videos)

It is true, however, that I picked some particularly unflattering images as my 'before pictures' and significantly better looking images as my 'after pictures'.

It's likely my actual results are somewhere in the middle - but undeniable.

Again - I'm NOT claiming that ALL my results are a product of my daily routine which I will present below.
There are some other factors and lifestyle modifications that I will also discuss.

All I can safely promise is -

After 5-6 months of use, and likely before, your skin will probably look better than it EVER has in recent memory.

WHAT I HAVE BEEN USING

Read on for the how/why, but here is short list of what you'll need.

Again, these products will last you awhile and beat anything you can find on the grocery store shelf and be far less expensive than any high-end department store cosmetics.

Just so you know -

At no expense to you, I get a $0.60 - $0.80 commission on each of these products.

I'm hardly recommending them for the money. I could recommend much more expensive stuff to get higher commissions. I simply feel these are quite good and that they are responsible for a great deal of my results. I have no idea how dramatic your results will be, I can only repeat my previous statement.

The only thing I CAN NEARLY POSITIVELY GUARANTEE is -

Your skin will look better than ever after 5-6 months, and likely before.
(especially if you haven't had a daily face care routine) 

Here's what you need -

#1 Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Daily Use (Mandatory)

This is what is going to make you look younger and really enhance your complexion.

This is the main thing and a Godsend for anti-aging. 

• Watts Beauty Generic Hyaluronic Acid Serum
  (inexpensive option)

-or-

• OZ Natural's Hyaluronic Acid Serum +Vitamin C
  (slightly more expensive option)
  * this was the original recommendation in Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care)

#2 African Black Soap for Daily Cleansing (Mandatory)

This hidden gem has been recommended since January 2014.

It's literally like washing your face with expensive lotion. I've talked this one up and it's the first time you'll be excited when soap comes in the mail.

• Nubian African Black Soap

This is mainly for washing your face (you DO NOT need a separate cleanser), but I use it in the shower and for washing my hands.

This is also Victor's Pride favorite soap since I told him about it. He imports it by the case.

#3 The Good Looking Loser Facial (Recommended)

This is not mandatory, but it's definitely recommended - I've been using the original facial for about a year now and added two ingredients that I really feel make a difference and suck out crap that you otherwise can't touch. You'll feel it tightening your skin almost instantly. I use it at least once a week, usually twice.

Clay for the base of the facial -

• Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
  (mandatory for facial)

Detoxifying Activated Black Charcoal Powder -

• Activated Black Charcoal Powder
  (highly recommended for facial)

Super antioxidant Matcha Green Tea -

• Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder
  (optional, but recommended for facial)

Each facial will be less than $1 - a little goes a long way and these ingredients will last you for at least 5 or 6 months.

There's a few more optional additions below.

But frankly, that's all you truly need - just those: the Hyaluronic Acid Serum, the Soap and the facial ingredients.

That's all I've been using on a daily/weekly basis. 

HOW TO USE THESE
(VIDEO DEMONSTRATIONS)

Lets talk about how to use these.

#1 Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Mandatory)

Originally recommended as an optional anti-aging ingredient, Hylauronic Acid is the most important anti-aging ingredient.

I swear by it now.

It is a compound that is naturally found in every tissue in your body and the single most important compound in encouraging skin cell repair, producing collagen and promoting a youthful appearance.

How I Use the Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I liberally slather Hyaluronic Acid ALL OVER my face, at least 3 times a day but usually about 5 or 6 times a day.
(optional - if you use a Microneedle, only roll your face 1 time a day)

I also take it orally, which I feel is less important however.

It's super inexpensive and I believe it is the #1 FACTOR in my complexion improvements.

It is clinically proven as well -

• "Hyaluronic acid in the treatment and prevention of skin diseases..."
• "Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging"
• "Hyaluronic acid gel fillers in the management of facial aging"
• "Use of Hyaluronic acid fillers for the treatment of the aging face"

#2 African Black Soap (Mandatory)

There not much explanation needed here.

It's soap.

Just use it.

I use it on my face with the Konjac Actived Charcoal Sponge (see below), hands and body.

The soap looks strange, but it smells wonderful, similar to putting expensive lotion on your skin that leaves your skin very soft.

You'll now be somewhat excited to wash your face on a daily basis - one of my least favorite things to do otherwise.

For more information about our favorite little soap, see - African Black Soap by Nubian.

#3 Good Looking Loser Enhanced Facial
(Recommended)

Once a week or two times every 10 days - I use the 'Good Looking Loser Enhanced/Volcanic Facial'.

How to Make and Use the Good Looking Loser Facial

I take the 3 ingredients and combine them (~2:1:1 ratio) in a little bowl.

• Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (50-66%)
• Activated Black Charcoal Powder (16.5-25%)
• Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder (16.5-25%)

I add a small amount of water to the mixture and stir it. 
(just use a small amount, if you use too much your mixture will be too runny to stick to your face!)

After it's mixed, I apply it ALL OVER my face and neck and let it harden.

After about 30+ minutes, I wash it off with the African Black Soap in the shower.

My skin instantly looks awesome afterward, so it's helpful if I'm going out and need a pretty face.

#4 Egg White Facial (Optional)

This is something I've been doing over the past 3 months.

I have no idea how effective it is in the long-term, but it's recommended all over the Internet.

How to Make and Use the Egg White Facial

It's pretty easy.

Crack an organic egg.

Separate the white from the yolk.

Pour the white into a bowl and beat it until there's some bubbles.

Slather it all over your face.

Let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
(you will feel your face tightening)

Apply it again or wash it off with the African Black Soap and apply the egg yolk as a moisturizer.

One Other Thing I've Been Using
(Optional)

I consider this helpful, but optional. 

* Konjac Activated Black Charcoal Sponge

This is what I use with the soap to wash my face -

• Konjac Activated Black Charcoal Bamboo Sponge

It seems to clear up forehead acne according to #1STG on the forum. I don't have acne, so I can't confirm. 

I haven't really made a big deal about this funny little sponge, it was quietly tucked away in our "2014 Winter Guide to Style - Accessories". But I'm a recent HUGE believer in this Activated Black Charcoal stuff, for teeth and especially skin. If you buy it, the company will send you an email about how to care for it. This is important, you need to treat it differently than you would a kitchen sink sponge.
(hint: don't wring/fold it out, just press it together to remove water)

Other Possibly Significant Factors

Again, again -

I don't claim that my daily routine is the ONLY factor in my facial improvements.

In no particular order, here are the 'miscellaneous factors' and lifestyle modifications that might have influenced my skin improvement over the past 18 months.

#1 I Have Lost Weight

Despite only going to the gym about ~40 times in the past two years, I weigh about 25 pounds less.

I've lost at least 20 pounds of lean mass.
(I'll get into why this is another time)

When I lose weight, I tend to look younger. 

This is probably the most significant "lifestyle factor" in my newfound more youthful appearance, even though the majority of weight lost was lean mass.

Most people say I look about 28-30. I'm turning 33 in September.

#2 I Avoid Carbohydrates, As Much As I Can

Long ago are the days when I would consume 300 carbs before 12pm.

These days, since I'm not super active, I try to eat no more than 30-50 grams of carbohydrates a day.

I've always done really well with restricting carbohydrates and it's so easy to maintain (or lose) weight when you are keeping your insulin low.

This is key for weight loss, but a low-carbohydrate diet reduces water retention and my face looks slimmer and drier, even though my body fat is higher than 2 years ago. 

#3 I Don't Take Super Physiological Doses Of Steroids Anymore aka "Juice"

Since 2005, I have ran my own doctor-supervised hormone replacement therapy.

For the past 2.5 years, my dosage has been -

• 250mg of Testosterone Enanthane every 7-10 days
• 250ius of HCG every 2 or 3 days

This puts my testosterone level in the high-moderate range (725-925ng/dl) but not over the 1000ng/dl that I used to be at. Neither do I take other anabolics or HGH anymore.

Although I'm not prone to acne or skin problems, like everyone else, my skin seems to look better when my testosterone is in the proper range. I hold less water as well.

I don't consider this a major factor however since I haven't used a steroidal/blast dose in over 3 years.

But it's worth mentioning.

#4 I No Longer Use Minoxidil (Major Factor?)

This may be a MAJOR factor. I don't know.

Starting sometime in the Summer 2014, I stopped using Minoxidil. 
(I currently use RU58841 and Finasteride)

The more I think about it - I think that dropping Minoxidil was significant in my face growing younger or going back to normal.

For the record -

I don't believe Minoxidil (the most widely used hair loss treatment by both men and women) "causes" wrinkles if used as directed. Every Summer for the past 3 years, however, I used to soak my head in Minoxidil (3+ ml) several times a day. I don't know if this overkill experiment hurt my appearance but it likely didn't help.

I recommend taking a collagen supplement if you are concerned about Minoxidil reducing your collagen production. It can't hurt and might even help your hair growth slightly.

Although I'll never know, I believe my excessive annual Summertime Minoxidil use was a primary factor in prematurely aging my face. There's a lot of stories around the Internet about this.

I still think, however - if you use it as directed, you won't have any issues.

Remember - I was using 900-1500% more than the recommended dose.

Thankfully, I have seemed to reverse it pretty well.

#5 Past Radiesse/Botox Use
(none for 6+ months)

It's important to tell you of my recent history with prescription injectables - they can make a dramatic difference.

As documented in "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care - Prescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements", I had ~3ccs of Raidesse injected into my smile (nasolabial folds) lines back on August 25 2014.

These filled in the smile lines pretty well, but are not responsible for any of the changes outside of the mid-face zone.

I have not gotten Botox (treats forehead lines) in about one year - you can see the frown lines between my eyebrows pretty distinctly.
(Botox typically lasts 3 to 5 months) 

At best, while responsible for reducing the smile lines near my mouth and beside my nose, neither of these had any effect on any other zones.

I would be blatantly misrepresenting my results if I didn't mention the Radiesse treatment from last August, but this stuff was only shot into my smile lines - over 6 months ago.

My entire complexion has improved, not just prominent lines.

I Drank Way Less Aspartame

Although I think the dangers of Aspartame (an artificial sweetener) are exaggerated, other calorie-free sweeteners such as Splenda, Stevia and Monk Fruit are certainly more healthful.

I used to drink A TON of Aspartame on a daily basis.

No less than a liter of Diet Soda a day, but also 5 to 7 Kratom drinks in the original Crystal Lite powdered sweeteners which are Aspartame-based.

Good thing I always drink a lot of water.

These days, I drink and HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to opt for 'Skinny Girl' or other liquid Stevia-based water enhancers. This is particularly important if you follow a Kratom Lifestyle.

I don't know how bad Aspartame is for your skin, but it sure can't be good.
(excessive sugar is probably just as bad though)

I Don't Stay Up For 24+ Hours Several Times A Week
(excessive "Golden Days")

Thanks to Kratom, I can easily have 24+ hour days if I want to.

Literally.

24 hours awake: 18 hours working, 2 hours eating, 1 hour at the gym and 3 hours being less productive than I should be.

This isn't great for the body though.

I always looked like shit the following morning, no matter how much sleep I got.

I've stopped doing this - I make sure I don't take any Kratom 3 or 4 hours before I want to go to sleep.For the most part...

side note: Kratom is a plant, it has plenty of antioxidants and not likely to age you any faster.

I Use a Collagen Supplement Everyday

On an ~empty stomach, 3 times a day, I take a Collagen supplement.

I've tried a bunch of them -

It's good for joints, tendons, hair and skin. 

But it's honestly hard to say how much Collagen has helped/not helped.

I only recommend it to you if you are using Minoxidil or have the money to spend. It's definitely not mandatory as we discussed in "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care (Dietary Supplements)".

Pour Conclure

This was a longer post than I thought it would be.
(as usual)

I wanted to tell you EVERYTHING so I do not unintentionally misrepresent or suggest that any one factor or product was totally responsible for my facial improvements.

It is likely that EVERYTHING that has been helpful.

But still - my daily routine (Hyaluronic Acid 3-5x, African Black Soap 2-3x) and weekly facials have been a very significant factor.

In a world of garbage products and overpriced cosmetics  - it's inexpensive and it works. 

Once again - 

I can't guarantee you anything other than -

With daily use over several months, your skin will probably look better than it has in years.

Unfortunately, I can't respond to all the reader questions below.

If you have any comments or questions, please leave them in "Get Groomed", Good Looking Loser's Skin Care Forum.

Thanks for reading!

For other skin care concerns, check out -

• "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care (Index)"

How to Make Money With Happy Hippo

I own Happy Hippo LLC.

Like Good Looking Loser, I came up with the concept out of thin air (I was literally on an airplane flying to Florida).

Follow my advice and most of you guys will make some money. I'm literally going to tell you exactly what to do.

I want to give you an easy way to create a passive income stream.

For many of you guys, it will be your first!

If nothing else - it will be a wonderful introduction to how I THINK you should jump into the "blogging" world.

If you are new to 'affiliate marketing' I'm going to help you make your first project a success.

You'll make some money, build your confidence and learn a lot.
(I haven't explored "online confidence" yet, it's a fragile thing and why most quit)

You can become a Happy Hippo affiliate here -

• Sign up for Happy Hippo's Affiliate Program!
  (20% commission, 5% lifetime commission)

Following my guide and committing to this project is a good idea for 3 reasons -

#1 REAL EXPERIENCE 

Listen -

If you do what I say, you will make some money.

But before you dropout of college or dump your girlfriend, if you are new to affiliate marketing, the most valuable thing you will gain from this is EXPERIENCE. There will be some affiliates (Victor Pride) that make a bunch of money, but he already knows what he's doing and has a massive audience.

For experience alone, you should first build a small focused static 'niche' website before you consider trying to create a multi-topic rolling (never-ending) 'authority' site.

Way too many guys have these multi-topic authority sites (often self-improvement sites) and are too overwhelmed "creating content" to even really learn how this all works. 

Don't get me wrong, content is super important.

But it's better to have a 10-15 page, 1 topic website that has an identity, amazing information and a specific product/service that makes money than a "content farm" of multiple topics that has a wide range of random products that aren't discussed in depth.

HairLossFromSteroids Get Paid Fun Fact
Back in late 2011, for my first website, I created the 6 page (~40 video) website "HairLossFromSteroids.com". I wasn't trying to make a ton of money nor wanted a project that took years to build. I just wanted to get my feet wet and help some guys out in the process. Within ~8 months, I had made the website "passive" (updating it with 1 video every 30-45 days) and it was making about $2000-2500/month. This awful looking (but helpful) website still makes about that much and I don't touch it. 

#2 It works. It sells easily.

As you know - Happy Hippo has the best Kratom in the world.

We already have you covered with a quality product, happy buyer-friendly website and elite customer service. 

We won't let you down.

The question -  

Will this work?

Has already been answered.

Happy Hippo, conservatively, makes $30,000-45,000/month and Wells Fargo projects us to make $65,000-80,000/month now that we have a credit card processor.

Here is a weekly report from the past 28 days -
(we got the credit card processor exactly one month ago)

Weekly Revenue; February 20 to March 20
*Last row is not a week but 1 day (02/20/2015 to 02/21/2015) ($2,649.45)

I'm not showing this chart to brag to you.
This is to show that I indeed do make a living online and I'm not full of theory.
Some get angry when they see "other people make money", but if you honestly think this is a lot  - you should see what mainstream vendors make.

There is no reason you cannot get a slice of this pie.

Although somewhat obscure, Kratom is amazing for anxiety, depression, productivity, pain relief, sleep (some strains) and a host of other things.

But you already know that.

A lot of people need big time help with one or more of those.

I've used Kratom everyday of my life for the past 5 years - it's greatly enhanced my life.

#3 The commission is 20% for 30 days
(and 5% LIFETIME commission *hopefully coming soon*)

We are upgrading the current Happy Hippo website/affiliate program so that we have more options. 

The plan is -

Happy Hippo will give you 20% of the total sale (and any reorders over the following 30 days) from any NEW CUSTOMERS that you refer.
(fun fact: 79.3% of customers reorder in within 90 days)

After that, you will receive 5% on EVERY ONE of their orders until the customer dies.

The vast majority of Kratom vendors do not have affiliate programs.

The ones that do either have very-average Kratom or sub-10% commissions.

This was one of the reasons I started Happy Hippo in the first place.

There wasn't a public Kratom source that could make it worth my while (or equally important - would give you guys a consistent product that would reflect well upon Good Looking Loser).

So I bought huge amounts of all my favorite strains and made my own label. 

It was certainly worth it.

Like any other affiliate program the commissions only apply to referrals of NEW CUSTOMERS, not existing customers or you clicking on your links.

The 5% lifetime commission should be installed when the new Happy Hippo 2.0 comes out.

Don't wait for that, setup your website now.

Right now, the commission is just 20% for new customers.
We hope to implement new software that will allow us to hook you up with 5% on every sale from a return customer. We think this is possible but we are not certain since the upgrading process just started. That is where it stands.

Happy Hippo Get Paid Fun Fact 
At a 20% affiliate commission and a credit card processor (and offshore bank) that eats another 20% - you make more money than we do on new customer 20% affiliate sales. But we get the opportunity to impress and retain the customer with our superior products. In 2013, we even sold 2 strains at a 20% loss for 2.5 months to simply build our customer base. We are now able to import larger amounts and prices are less inexpensive.

Those are my 3 reasons.

Give yourself 3 to 6 months to complete this small 'doable' project that you can make a few bucks on and learn the ropes.

Guys that have dreams of big websites are too busy "making content" to even learn anything. They think they will gain a following simply by "writing more".

Don't bog yourself down with an unattainable, disorganized goal.

You will learn more about how to do business online from doing a small niche website than trying to build a huge one and mindlessly creating endless content and wondering why it's stuck. 

Once your small site is successful, you can make a bigger one.
(hint: tell people how you did it)

How to Set It All Up - Newbie Steps

If you already have a website/domain with an audience, you can skip this part. 

This is for newbies.

Actually... Read it, it may help.

#1 Buy a Kratom-Related Domain

This the only place where I buy my domains from now -

• NameCheap Domains via Good Looking Loser
  

They are cheaper than elsewhere and it's simple to claim and manage.

What Should I Name My Domain?

Since this is a [eventually passive] "niche" site that will not necessarily build an audience, Google and search engine traffic is most important.

I hate "targeted domains" such as "MyBookReviews.com", "BuyWebHosting.com" and even my very own "HairLossFromSteroids.com". Those domains scream "Internet marketer" and have no passion.

I like sexy brand name titles such "Good Looking Loser" or "Happy Hippo Herbals", but in this case - you are better off with a "targeted domain" that has the keyword 'Kratom'.

Just trust me on this.

It's free traffic and your content will win them over.

You could use the 'Google Keyword Tool' to see which "Kratom" searches get the most traffic, but honestly don't think that is necessary. 

Just pick a domain name and include "Kratom" in it.
(not necessarily 'Happy Hippo' or 'Review', just 'Kratom'. I'll explain why later...)

If I was an affiliate for Happy Hippo I would buy one of these domains -

• AllAboutKratom.com
• DoesKratomWork.com
• KratomInformation.com

OR BETTER YET -

• KratomResource.com
• IHeartKratom.com
• Kratom.guru
• Kratom.ninja
• Kratom.rocks

Those are cool names and they have the keyword 'Kratom'.

.guru Get Paid Fun Fact
That's right, you see ".guru" and ".ninja"! Those are real domains and I totally recommend them. While Google will give a slight preference to ".com", this is WAY LESS of a factor these days. The sites that have the best content are going on the first page, not low-quality .com content farms that promote products they have never used.

I own the satellite sites, Bathmate.guru and Sizegenetics.guru, as a way of getting additional traffic and keep all those secondary male enhancement videos off Good Looking Loser since not everyone wants to hear about my dick every 24 hours.

#2 Sign Up For REAL Web Hosting and Website Setup

After you get the domain, you need to buy REAL web hosting.

Don't get a free Web 2.0 blogspot.kratom.com or wordpress.com site if you are serious about this project.

Unless established with an engaged audience, those free domains don't appear on the front pages of Google much anymore. While those free sites are quick to setup, they are very limited as to what you can learn and design.

This is the cheapest web hosting you can get and Victor Pride's team will set it all up for you -

• BoldandDetermined.net via Good Looking Loser
  (exclusive Good Looking Loser offer, 4 free eBooks too) 

When I was starting out, it took me 72 hours and 3 or 4 phone calls to figure out how to setup my website, how to link it with the domain nameservers (DNS), how to upload Wordpress and how to install my website theme. I spent another hundred hours looking for the best plugins to install.

I had no money then, but I would have paid someone $250+ to set it all up for me. 

It was a nightmare.

I almost quit in the first 3 days I was so irritated.
(not really)

There's a honeymoon period when you decide to make your first website, it's an happy and optimistic time, but technical difficulties will literally destroy your enthusiasm. 

Sign up with Victor, it's cheaper than elsewhere anyway.

Good Looking Loser Get Paid Fun Fact
I started with web hosting from BlueHost but realized they could possibly terminate my site because I had my dick hanging out in some pictures (NSFW). So much for the 1st amendment. So I moved to HostGator, the worst hosting company in North America. I moved again within 4 months. If you think it's hard moving to HostGator - try leaving. Maybe I just had a bad experience, but it was a REALLY BAD experience. Here is a video from 2012 of me wiped out after being put through webhosting hell.

#3 Find/Buy a Wordpress Theme You Like

The "theme" is the layout or design of your site.

It's the template.

It's important for aesthetics but also for Google traffic.

This is the theme I used when I started -

• DIYThemes - Thesis Wordpress

I totally recommend this theme.

The theme was probably the ONE thing I did right when I started.

The designers build it to impress Google, they constantly update it too.

Within 30 days, some of my content was on the first page of Google for significant searches. This is pretty unheard of.

I have no idea if this would or would not happen with another theme. But if I started another Wordpress site, this is the theme I would still use.

It's highly customizable so you can play with it (this can be difficult at first) and your site WILL NOT look like another Danger & Play or Bold & Determined clone that people have grown to despise.

Though it's a popular theme, Thesis sites can look COMPLETELY different from one another (scroll down).

Once you get some money to hire a web developer - he will know how to code it exactly how you want.

How To Do "The Content"

If you went with suggestions above for domain, web hosting (important) and Thesis - you'll be able to get started with "the content" that very same day.
(weekdays, when Victor's team is working)

"The Content" is a very broad discussion and allows for limitless creativity and experimentation.

There's no way I'm going to be able to tell you EXACTLY what every aspect of your website/marketing should be.

However, technically, all the Happy Hippo Kratom I sell is originally via Good Looking Loser (identical to an affiliate relationship) - so I know what works.

Please heed my advice.

Your Website is a Kratom Resource, Not a "Review" Site
(First Impressions)

Okay.

Remember how I suggested these domains -

All of those domains suggest that the website has information on Kratom.

The domain don't suggest the website is a "review" (aka I want to sell you some stuff but not answer any of your questions).

This is the approach you want to take, your website should be -

-A RESOURCE TO LEARN ABOUT KRATOM-

You should not call your site -

• MyKratomReviews.com
• TheKratomReview.com
• BestKratomReviews.com
• HappyHippoKratomReviews.com

While these domains aren't the worst thing in the world (search engine traffic will be had), you will turn many people off if they think it's just another "review" site of a guy that rates everything 5-stars, spits his sales link at you and doesn't offer any free high-quality, insider information.

You want to present your website as a RESOURCE.

Not a REVIEW site.

Got it?

This carries far beyond the domain too.

"The content" on your site should be a RESOURCE for Kratom - aimed at newbies, but also cover some advanced issues to both flaunt your expertise and capture top Google/YouTube ranking for specific topics (long tail keywords).

Keep this in mind for your site -

Make An Awesome Kratom Guide From PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
(importance: 70%)

Unlike other better-known products or services, people (potential new customers) have no idea what Kratom is or even where to start or which one to buy.

You can't just write an article on anxiety and write -

Just use Sleepy Hippo, it will help.

They'll have no idea what 'Sleepy Hippo' is, how to use it or why you suggest it.

You are going to give them this information.

In exchange, they will give you a nice commission.

In general your Guide should be -

• 10% discussing the very basics of 'What Kratom Is' and some background information on the plant. 
• 90% YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, what you use, what it does, why you use it, when you use it, how you use it.
  (applicable stuff that actually helps people)

Here's some guides to use as examples (not plagiarize) -

• Good Looking Loser's & Rooster's Guide to Kratom (GoodLookingLoser.com)
• Rooster's Guide to Kratom (RoosterDating.com)
• Loser2Winner's Ultimate Guide to Kratom (Loser2Winner.com)

You WILL have to write a good, comprehensive Kratom Guide if you are looking to make a lot of money and have other sites linking to you.

Your Guide doesn't have to be super long like mine, but one that you can leave publish and leave up for years to make you money.

Try to cover everything you know in a thoughtful, organized fashion.

Don't just do a lazy bullet point list that help no one.

DIG DEEP - you will be rewarded. 

At bare minimum, on separate pages, your Guide should cover -

• The Basics of Kratom (what is it? where does it come from? etc.)
• How YOU Dose/Use It 
• Taking it for Specific Situations
• Kratom Lifestyle (taking it every day)
• Kratom Dependence and How to Get Off
• Frequently Asked Questions (anticipate questions)

Remember your Guide is a helpful RESOURCE for all Kratom - not a Happy Hippo review.

Additional Tips for Your Guide

The FIRST thing we should see in your guide is a video of you.

Not your feet. 

Your face. 

Put your face out there and speak proudly so we know you aren't just faking it.

Of course -

You don't HAVE TO do a video. Just know that you will make at least 50+% less sales.

Small niche sites without videos suck.

I have an authority site but watch my video anyway.

Don't have more than one Happy Hippo logo per page.

Don't over do the Happy Hippo links, images or sales pitches.

I laugh when my affiliate managers tell me that I need to put more "calls to action" or "buy it now!" buttons on my website and put ads up everywhere to make sure users know what I'm selling.

I absolutely hate those sleazy-looking sites and so do you.

Your website is a RESOURCE not a review/sales page that treats the reader like he is a 4th grader. 

Leave your blog comments open

Leave your blog comments open to address questions (get ideas for future topics).

These are your most interested readers, they are your friends.

Answer their questions before they go for help elsewhere and Kratom.

Don't just spit out your sales pitch and deny them the right to engage you.

Later you can make the site "passive", but not until you've answered 99% of questions.

If your guide is engaging, it will have a ton of comments and can provide very helpful specific replies that will help people.

It's "social proof" as those goofy pickup artists say.

Also, for a 'niche site' don't have a contact form or do email with people - get ALL "the content" on the site.

Some people are embarrassed that their posts only get a couple of comments (newbies absolutely shouldn't be), but if you look back at some of Good Looking Loser's first posts, they only have a handful of comments and most came long after I started the site.

The ONLY reason I closed my blog comments in our Kratom guide (and some other long posts) is because there is no way I could answer all the questions/comments.

We have our own forum devoted to Kratom to handle that.

Specific Topics in Secondary Posts/YouTube Videos
(importance: 20%) 

Your Kratom Guide is the big deal.

Work on it for as long as you have to until it's awesome.

But you will also want shorter individual posts that expand on topics/concepts in the Guide.

Each "secondary post" should propose a question and offer an answer.

Don't worry if it repeats information in the guide. I repeat stuff all the time that I think you should hear.

For example, title your post and video -

• How Does Kratom Help Depression? (My Story)
• How Does Kratom Help Anxiety? (My Story)
• Which Kratom Strain is Best For the Gym?
• Can I Take Kratom Everyday? (Kratom Lifestyle Explained)
• Will Kratom Help Me Study or Do Busy Work?
• Kratom Tastes Bad, How Do You Get This Stuff Down!?
• Kratom Makes Me Constipated, but I Love it, What Do I Do?

Obscure topics are good too -

• Does Kratom Make Sex Better?
• Do/Can You Smoke Kratom?
  (no it's pointless)
• How Does Kratom Compare to Alcohol?
  (avoid talking about hardcore drugs if you want to be part of our affiliate program) :)
• How Can I Take Kratom on an Airplane?
• Does Kratom Work for Black Folk or Only White People?

Do at least 30 of these secondary posts. 

Quality over quantity though.

Have a video of yourself for EACH ONE.

Write the post first and then do the video so it's fresh on your mind and fairly organized.

The videos will draw YouTube searcher and add MAJOR CREDIBLY if you can speak honestly, passionately and intelligently on camera.

I repeat - DO VIDEOS. They work.

Rooster did this video back in November and he's making sales EVERY DAY now - largely from the video. 

Here are some examples of secondary Kratom posts that I have done -
I don't do videos on Kratom in the public domain for other legal/ethical reasons (since I sell it) - but you should.

• "What Are Kratom Extracts and Enhanced Blends?"
• "Will Kratom Work For Me?"
• "Is Kratom Cheating?" 

Additional Tips for Your Secondary Posts/YouTube Video FAQ

Speak to People In Your Writing (sometimes)

Example:

Listen -

Everyone has their own writing style and I'm not going to try and change that.

Otherwise it will literally look like you are copying. 

To make your writing more personal[able], you should speak to people in your writing.

See how that works?

It's pretty powerful. 

YouTube Videos Take Practice

Don't be like a girl and take 2 hours to get ready for your video, but you should look decent and do need some organization/preparation.

When you write the "blog post" first, you'll have a nice little outline to refer to during your video.

Making a notecard will help.

DO NOT READ LINES - that looks terrible on webcam, even if your "script" is good.

YouTube (webcam) videos are just like anything else, it takes practices and will never be perfect. Try your best.

Unlike your writing, confidence is more important than substance.

Link Your YouTube FAQ Videos to the EXACT Discussion on Your Website

In the YouTube description on the 1st or 2nd line (no lower) put the full hyperlink to the EXACT writeup that the video covers.

Although I want traffic to reach Happy Hippo - I recommend linking YouTube to your site, its amazing content and not Happy Hippo with your affiliate link. 

The conversions are ultimately better because Happy Hippo purposely does not have a lot of information about "taking it" since they sell it "Not For Human Consumption".

An exception is if your video is a review of a specific Happy Hippo strain.

In that case - use your affiliate link and link the product within HappyHippoHerbals.com.

You need to include "http://" or the link will not be clickable.

For Longer Videos, It Is Helpful to Do a Table of Contents In the YouTube Description

In the YouTube description area, below your link to your site, you can make a table of contents to help out ADHD viewers.

Make sure your timestamps are clickable too.

It looks like this -

0:00 Introduction
0:50 What is Kratom
2:40 How do people take it?
6:00 Discussion on Bali vs. Thai Kratom (What's the Difference?)
12:50 Picking up girls during the day and Kratom

Specific Happy Hippo Kratom Reviews
(importance: 10%)

Your Kratom Guide and your secondary posts/YouTube Video FAQ covers about 90% of what is going to land you interested readers and ultimately - sales.

Those pages should be an INTELLIGENT RESOURCE (based on personal experience) and not a collection of impersonal Wikipedia-esque generic information or Internet marketer quasi-sales pages.

You might be surprised to hear that "the reviews" should only be a small part of your site.

You can do all the Happy Hippo reviews on one page.

Better yet, I recommend that you give each strain it's own separate post - readers and Google will like that better anyway.

Spice up your titles beyond just "Happy Hippo Review" -

• "Happy Hippo I Review - The Kratom Strain for Anything"
• "Rockstar Hippo Review - The Best Kratom for the Gym"
• "Sleepy Hippo Review - The Ultimate Lazy Sunday Kratom"

You seeing how this works?

In your "reviews", talk about dosing, your experience and other intangibles. 

Be as specific as possible.

For example -

I find that 4 grams of Top Shelf Bali Hippo is best when I'm around my parents, they drive me crazy sometimes.
Although slow Kratom strains are known to kill anxiety, it certainly kills irritability too. The holidays are a pleasure.

Rather than -

My results with the Kratom was good.
It helped my -

• anxiety
• depression
• productivity
• social skills

The first example provides specifics that only someone with experience has. (you can't fake this stuff very well)

The second example is what an Internet marketer does.

Big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here's some stuff that I'll be asked and some stuff that you should know.

I Haven't Tried Happy Hippo's Products, Should I Sell Them?

No.

In general, you shouldn't "review" aka promote anything you don't have experience with.

It's not just because it's disingenuous, it's because -

If you have no insider information to offer, you will not be considered an authority and won't be making any money.

There's no amount of other people's "research" that you can spin that will ever be as good as actually doing/using it.

My websites about hooking up with hot girls, Kratom, health/fitness, steroids/drugs, male enhancement, hair loss, social anxiety, making money are elite.

That is all I've done with my life. Literally.

5 years ago, while you were surfing the Internet I was having sex, sticking testosterone into my butt or pulling on my penis. But more likely - ALL 3. 

If I ever made a website about classic cars, biology, writing music or architecture - it would be pathetic. Even if I had a year to "research" it, it would still be generic garbage.

That's why most college professors (and just about all teachers) never add anything useful to your life. They've never done any of it and can just spit out Department of Eduction concepts and facts for you to memorize.

Should I Write An eBook On Kratom, Put Happy Hippo Links In It and Sell Both?

No.

Should I Write An eBook On Kratom, Put Happy Hippo Links In It and Give Away For Free?

No.

If you have an existing audience - maybe.

Why would you want to tuck away incredible information into a .pdf that Google and most others won't ever see?

For a few forced email signups? 

Please.

Again, if you ALREADY have an audience, that is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT story and you can consider the eBook thing.

I'm not into eBooks, but they work well for established bloggers who take tremendous pride in creating a good product.

But if the goal is to GET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE to see your content so they can use your Hippo links, an eBook is not the way to do it.

Should I Put "Happy Hippo" In My Domain Name? 

Probably not in my opinion.

First -

It just looks like you are pedaling Happy Hippo stuff and have little to offer the reader.

First impressions are a big deal.

I wouldn't read that site, even if it popped up as the first search result in Google.

Second -

You don't want to use another company's brand or likeness to promote your own stuff, especially if it involves financial incentive - even if it's mutually beneficial. 

That's my opinion.

There's nothing "illegal" about it though.

But legally speaking, "Happy Hippo", "Happy Hippo Herbals" combined with any likeness to Kratom represents Happy Hippo LLC.

If you do this, it's ethical to mention that you are not actually 'Happy Hippo LLC', but rather an independent affiliate.  

Chris, Your Low Pressure Advice Runs Contrary to What Internet Marketers Suggest, Should I Have a Landing/Sales Page?

If your goal is to turn people off and not make money - do a sales page like all those faceless Internet marketers who don't make much suggest.

If your goal is to build trust, authority and sales - do it as I suggest. 

How many times have you seen a page like this and instantly clicked away within 1.8 seconds?

It is true that some guys use those pages successfully, but that is because THEIR BRAND (authority/community, not niche website) is established and legitimate.

It is not the sleazy sales page or "call to action" that is making readers "convert".

In fact - it probably turns people off and they make less sales.

Treat your readers like intelligent human begins, not "traffic".

If you are new to this, you don't have an established name, persona or brand - AVOID THIS CRAP.

If you have an established blog, persona or brand - AVOID THIS too.

Happy Hippo Get Paid Fun Fact
Puddles, the Happy Hippo, is actually baby blue - not pink.
He just appears pink for some reason.
He was born on March 31, 2013 - on Easter Sunday.
Unlike what I suggest, he is a vegetarian, but most Hippos seem to be herbivores. 

Where Do I Find My Affiliate Link?

I can't provide much future technical support for this kind of stuff, you are going to have to learn some of it for yourself (that's how I did it), but it's so easy that you won't need it.

This is how you get your affiliate link -
(this is the url that you need to hyperlink your readers to so you get credit for the sales)

1. Sign in to the Happy Hippo Affiliate Program
   (affiliate accounts are approved every 24-48 hours)
2. Click on 'Custom Affiliate Tracking Code'
   
3. There is the window with your code and option to link to specific products
   

In this example, the tracking code is '54b034b6cff65'. 

The code gets attached to "http://www.happyhippoherbals.com/?tracking="

The final affiliate link looks like -

http://www.happyhippoherbals.com/?tracking=54b034b6cff65

Pretty simple.

Whenever a new customer clicks on that (or any text that is hyperlinked), you are set to get 20% of any sales in the first 30 sales (and 5% for a lifetime thereafter when Happy Hippo 2.0 is up).

If you signed up for Victor's website hosting, he will provide you with a Wordpress plugin so there's no nasty numbers (52b034b6cff65...) in the link. That will help sales too.

How Often Will I Get Paid?

So long as you've made over $100, you'll get paid every month by the 10th.

Right now, we don't have an affiliate manager, so I personally send out the payments and the record of EVERY sale you made and how much it was.

Can I Talk About "Taking" It (Consuming It)?
Or do I Have To Use All That Funky Kratom Lingo? 

You can say you take it.

We only defer to terms such as "burning" or "aroma" since Happy Hippo LLC (me) sells it.

It's an extra layer of legal protection that smart vendors use.

Consult with an attorney for more information.

It is helpful to publish the typical FDA warning on your page if you are really concerned -

(c) Text for disclaimer. (1) Where there is one statement, the disclaimer shall be placed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and shall state:

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

It's not a big deal though.

Although not FDA approved for consumption, Kratom is not illegal to "take" and especially not illegal to talk about taking it.

For ethical purposes, do not talk about "getting fucked up" or "getting high" on Happy Hippo Kratom (or any Kratom for that matter). That is the only rule Happy Hippo has and will have to enforce against juvenile affiliates.

Where Should I "Promote" My Website?

The idea is to just mainly use the Google/YouTube traffic.

However, if you are an ESTABLISHED member of an online community (outside of the Good Looking Loser sphere of influence), there's your opportunity to introduce them to Kratom.

Literally - all the sales will be yours.

Look around the internet, there's a ton of places.

The "Manosphere" and non-mainstream self-improvement sphere is small compared to other places.

Don't go on nearby sites (Bold&Determined, Danger&Play, RooshV, etc.) and start spamming them to try and get a few sales before they ban you and tell me. 

Look OUTSIDE the Manosphere and tell people about Kratom (not just Happy Hippo).

There's a huge world out there.

Pour Conclure

There you have it.

Step by step -

This is how you sell Happy Hippo Kratom.

Put your own creative twist on it.

Create something that you can be proud of.

So long as your content is solid, the product is an easy sell since it's so good.

Who knows, you might get good at it and make a couple grand a month from it.

If you you've used Happy Hippo's products for a good 5 or 6 months, you are more prepared to have success with this project than someone who has "done Internet marketing" for years.

The personal experience is what really sells it.

Just like anything else.

I try to write long, comprehensive guides and try to cover almost everything.

But as the 'Get Paid' section develops, there's going to be a lot of questions and I just can't answer them all. I have to close the comments on certain posts.

If you have questions or comments on this guide or how to making money online, please ask them in our "Get Paid - How To Make Money Online" forum (not the Kratom forum).

All About Elevator Shoes and Shoe Lifts
(special commentary, picture submissions from "---")

Although not a completely revolutionary idea, Good Looking Loser "---" (5 foot 8 inches tall) was the first to bring our attention to these products. He is a big advocate of height increasing footwear and has plenty of results to back up his recommendation. So is "Joe", "The 5-1 Guy That Gets Laid More Than You".

Forward by Good Looking Loser

For the record, with the exceptions of "shoe lift inserts", I have not experimented with any height increasing products or shoes.

I don't recommend products I have not used and I always let you know if my recommendation is not from personal experience. Which is rare.

But there's a reason that I haven't purchased any height increasing shoes to test drive.

All 5 major stylish brands only offer height increasing shoes that are size 11.5" (I literally checked every shoe that was good). My foot upwards is of 12.5" and would simply be too small to comfortably use.

I do feel strongly that you should consider trying a pair however and urge you to not be resistant to the idea.

Height is very important, especially for 'cold approach' in the night scene where mainly taller guys get noticed.

Do not be too proud to take advantage of this safe, easy, inexpensive way to add 1-4 inches to your appearance, it will make a big difference in how women look at you.

Elevator Shoes/Lifts Are Popular in Hollywood
(Socially Acceptable)

The reason that most guys are hesitant to wear shoes that instantly boost their overall appearance and social presence is because they are worried about "looking gay" or "getting caught".

It's the same reason that many are afraid to "Dress Like a Somebody, Not a Nobody".

Instead, like the other ~100% of males, they don't stand out unless they are good looking. 

If you are still on the fence about it, it might help to know that elevator shoes (goofy name, I know) are shamelessly worn by celebrities, both on set and in public.

Here are some examples -

Tom Cruise - a dramatic difference

 Robert Downey Jr

Mick Jagger (Lead Singer - Rolling Stones)

Brad Pitt gives you permission too

Referencing popular culture and mainstream celebrities is very "un-red pill", but ironically - it will be a reason why a lot of guys stop worrying about "being gay" and take advantage of this tremendous asset.

Where to Get Elevator Shoes?

Amazon.com and TallMensShoes.com are your best bet.
(should get free returns on all shoes for 30-90 days, double-check before purchase, this is pretty standard though)

Unfortunately, getting them online is basically your only option.

Since most guys are too scared to wear them, elevator shoes/lifts are really tough to find locally.
(even the #1 shoe retailer 'Zappos' didn't have any options for men)

Sadly, there's not much of a demand (relative to height increasing shoes for women).

I did that search (and several similar searches) to try to get you a list of popular department shoes that consistently stock Elevator Shoes/Lifts.

No such luck.

Another option might be to search or call your nearby shoe stores and inquire about these THREE MAIN brands that specialize in height increasing elevator shoes -

• Calden (sizes up to 11.5")
• Calto (sizes up to 11.5")
• Toto (sizes up to 11.5")

Other worthwhile brands -

• MNX15 (sneakers and athletic shoes)
• Rocco Elevator Shoes (boots)

You are very unlikely to find a significant selection locally however.

Retailers just don't stock these because so few guys feel they have the permission to wear them.

Selections by Good Looking Loser
(and how much taller you will get!)

We went through every shoe we could find and picked the ones we liked best.

Based on -

• Style
• Versatility
• Discreteness of height increase

Here is what we recommend.

Good Looking Height MAX Shoes (Dress Shoes)

These shoes are a steal at only $30. For such an inexpensive shoe, they can go with any 'dressier' look. 2.8" taller. #affordable

If you really want a boost - these elegant yet basic shoes will make you 4 inches taller. #affordable

These were our favorite from the dress shoes. 3 inches taller. #GLLPersonalFavorite

Good Looking Loser Height MAX Shoes (Casual Shoes)

 These trendy shoes do 'casual' correctly and escape the "bowling shoe" look that so many imitations have. 3.2" taller

These are ideal to pair with a nice pair of jeans. Casual, but not "athletic" or gym shoe casual. 2.8" taller #affordable

This is the most versatile casual shoe of the three. Can be worn with shorts as well. We don't usually recommend anything brown, but these are an exception. Wear with a white top. 2.8" taller

Good Looking Loser Height MAX Shoes (Boots) 

Boots are a good way to add a masculine edge to your style, this boot is careful to avoid any sort of "platform shoe" look. It maintains a classy edge, but isn't going to be mistaken for a out of style/lower class Neo-Nazi combat boot that girls despise.
A very significant 3.5" taller

Good Looking Loser Height MAX Shoes (Sneakers)

This sneaker is stylish and will go well with anything white or even jeans that are equal to or lighter than its shade of blue. A significant 3.1" taller without a "platform" look.

A very nice athletic sneaker, built very similar to a basketball shoe but without too much of a juvenile look. A whooping 3.9" taller.

Another nice sneaker from MNX15 built in the popular style of New Balance. Other colors available too.
2.7" taller

What About Shoe Inserts/Lifts?

The more versatile or inexpensive option is to get some shoe inserts/height increasing soles that give you a vertical boost in your current shoes.

About 3(?) years ago I bought the least expensive pair I could find just to try and discuss with guys on the old forum.

While I do recommend that you consider this option, I ran into some trouble with getting them to universally fit in my shoes and they made a lot of my shoes tight. Some were unwearable because they squeezed my feet so tightly. 

You will likely have to cut them and they might not fit all your shoes, so you might have to buy a few pairs.

It's definitely worth a try and "---" has certainly made it work for him.

High-rated soles that add up to 5.5" (14cm)!

Pour Conclure

In the past year or so, I've kept my eye on several of our forum 'Get Style' threads that discussed and presented height increasing shoes.

The options get better and better every season.

No longer are the selections "bulky" or "platform" looking and although these won't be for everyone - I totally recommend ANYONE of ANY HEIGHT take a look.

Why wouldn't you?

For some guys, these will literally be a "game changer".

Those resistant to the idea are often resistant to so many things that can instantly help them.

We have to stop caring so much about what other (usually undersexed) people think or "what happens if..." and take advantage of the resources we have.

Yes, IT IS important what girls you are sexually attracted to think.

But let the other guys stand on the side and hate on your shoes (no one will even notice). 

Stop pondering a trip to Shanghai for a $10,000 limb lengthening procedure or shooting massive doses of growth hormones until you've exhausted the MUCH SAFER, less expensive, faster options. 

Feeling self-conscious about your height is not just an insecurity or something that you need to "get over" and "be confident" with, it's about sex appeal and how women see you.

Insecurity is your best friend and these are an easy option to significantly level the playing field.  

Let me know if you find a pair of shoes that is 12.5"+ and that adds at least 2".

I will buy them, I have no shame whatsoever.

For feedback on specific height increasing shoes and any questions you may have, please refer to the Good Looking Loser "Get Style" forum.

Good Looking Loser's Success Principles

Although Good Looking Loser is a "self-improvement" or "personal development" community, I don't actually like discussing "How to Be Successful" theory.

It's tiresome and at times - seems completely pointless to me.

Why?

Here's the reason - 

I used to love reading about "How to Be Successful", "inner game" and prosperity mindsets/behaviors in my mid-20's.

At first, it was interesting and I was hooked.

I'd read for hours and have those "ah-ha!" moments and feel better about myself.

I felt like I accomplished something.

I've always been addicted to having a sense of accomplishment. Which isn't a bad thing.

In reality, however, constantly saturating myself in self-improvement did NOTHING for me other than serving as a convenient excuse to procrastinate and trick myself that I was "getting smarter" or "improving myself".

There is no amount of success theory that you can "learn" that will be as valuable as hands-on experience.

Even a little bit of personal experience is often more valuable than years of "learning" or "studying". 

When I actually started going out everyday to try to pickup girls in 2008, in 2 months, I learned more about how to hook up with chicks than in the prior ~2 years of "studying" or doing "research". 

Most "How to Be Successful" advice is non-applicable, a form of intellectual procrastination and a diversion from what you should be doing - WORKING.

Knowledge isn't power - unless you actually do something with it.

But at Lifestyle by Good Looking Loser, we have our own Success Principles and our version of more mainstream mindsets.

Many of these principles run contrary to mainstream self-improvement (e.g. Work HARDER - Not Smarter, Nothing In Moderation, Be a Hypocrite and Not a Follower, etc.).

These principles are simply concepts that came into my head.

I haven't read any personal development books in years but it's actually been quite easy to just compile a list of principles from my 32 years old experience with success (and non-success).
(I do suggest these books if you want an efficient way to read the very best success books)

I'm proud of our principles, although completely second-nature - I practice them on a near hourly basis and I believe in them whole-hardheartedly. 

I encourage you to see if they fit into your life and adopt your own version of it -

• Good Looking Loser's Success Principles (Blog Index)

For efficiency, audios of all of these principles can be heard below.

• Good Looking Loser Success Principles (SoundCloud Index)

Good Looking Loser's Success Principles (Audios)

Success Principle #1 - THE SECRET TO THE UNIVERSE

Everyone knows that "Take Action" is 'The Secret' to making things happen - but this concept is still often misapplied.

Success Principle #2 - WORK HARDER, NOT SMARTER
(old audio - 2012)

The mainstream concept "Work Smarter, Not Harder" is a recipe for failure and why you should Work Harder, Not Smarter - until you really know what you are doing. 

Success Principle #3 - DEFINE SUCCESS BEFORE YOU CHASE IT
(old audio - 2012)

A big reason why people "fail" is because they don't have very specific goals in the first place. You need to have several small attainable goals that add up into a single bigger goal.

Success Principle #4 - BE A HYPOCRITE, NOT A FOLLOWER
(old audio - 2012)

If you are worried about being labeled as a "Hypocrite" or a "Follower", you probably care too much what people think. Make up your own rules and live by them.

Success Principle #5 - A COMFORT ZONE IS A SCARY PLACE TO BE (ZUBERI)
replaced with: "The Comfortable Life of the Undersexed Male"

Though such a generic, overplayed statement - being too comfortable is literally the reason that 99% of people never achieve their dreams - let alone even fulfill highly attainable goals.

Audio: Why Most Guys Don't Get Laid ("The Comfortable Life of the Undersexed Male")

Success Principle #6 - BE A WINNER, NOT A PERFECTIONIST

The primary education system teaches and encourages perfectionism, yet in business (and the real world) - perfectionism is a disease that largely originates from insecurity and inefficiency. 

Success Principle #7 - NOTHING IN MODERATION

Society boasts "Everything in Moderation!".

But how many people actually do anything with their lives?

Moderation is a recipe for underachievement. 

Success Principle #8 - NOT TRYING WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST REGRET

Failure sucks.

But wondering if you could have been successful is what will make you truly miserable. 

clarification
* 8:45 - Rosseau (18 girls by March) is on pace to ~equal my best year (67 total, 12 months)

Success Principle #9 - GOOD LOOKING LOSER'S LIFE OR DEATH TEST

Guys that are obsessed with self-improvement usually have the 'HARD WORK' thing down. 

But they often don't have any fun with their lives.

Here's something easy you can do to make sure you have a life and memorable experiences.

Success Principle #10 - MR. INSECURITY IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

Mainstream self-improvement says to "Never Be Insecure!" and never let your insecurities motivate you. I say otherwise. 

Insecurity is a POWERFUL motivator.

90% of the stuff I've accomplished in my life started off because I was highly insecure and wanted to make changes. 

Success Principle #11 - ROLE MODELS ARE GOOD, BUT MENTORS ARE EVEN BETTER

In the Internet age, role models are in no short supply, but how useful are they really? (00:00)

Accessible mentors are what you really need but how can you get successful people to take you under their wing? (26:00)

Success Principle #12 - HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE (THE REAL GOLDEN RULE)

The secret to being productive is to stay productive and quickly recover when you get distracted.

You'll never be 100% efficient, but if you can get back 1 or 2 of 'unfocused' or 'Garbage' time hours - you'll be significantly more productive.

Good Looking Loser's

Spring 2015 Guide to Style

(Shirts) 

Welcome to Good Looking Loser's Spring 2015 Guide to Style!

Current Men's Fashion Commentary from Chris

We are a tad bit late this season, but I think our recommendations are solid - as usual.

For the FIRST time in years (or so it seems), there has been a noticeable change in popular Men's styles.
(especially in pant styles and presentation)

This is something that I haven't really seen since the 'Ed Hardy', 'Affiliation', MMA trend in ~2005+ and the Hipster trends of ~2008+.

The change certainly isn't as drastic (edgy) as the previous MMA trend or metrosexual (awful) as the Hipster trend but Men's styles seem to be evolving after years of recycled, and vanilla looks.

#Affordable Men's Styles

I've made our team really concentrate on showing you affordable options.

To date, this style guide offers the MOST AFFORDABLE range of fashion that we've ever done. 

Enjoy!

Good Looking Tee-Shirts

Sexy to guys, cute to girls! Great warm weather vibe, can be worn in spring or summer. Looks great alone with necklace and slim-fit jeans rolled up (ex. in Pants Guide to Style) or with a black, brown or tan jacket.  #Affordable

Nice, faded, everyday V-neck. Good soft material. Great for layering or wear alone with dog-tags. #Affordable #MultipleColors
 

Hot to guys and girls and patriotic. Faded fashionable design. Pair with necklaces, light leather jacket, slim-fit jeans rolled up and boots. #Affordable 

Yes this is Aeropostale (a brand we wouldn't normally recommend) but we like this shirt and it's super affordable. Sexy but not over the top. Girls like it too. Peach color gives off a nice spring/summer vibe. #Affordable

Great bright color for spring. Cool barcode design. Click around to find your state. #Affordable #MultipleColors #DifferentStates

Colorful, fashionable, retro flag shirts.
Can be layered and done with a black or gray vest as well.
#Affordable #MultipleColors #MultipleCountries

Good Looking Long-Sleeve Shirts

Nice, versatile button-down. Can be dressed up or down from day to night looks. Looks great with fresh hair cut and nice jeans.#MultipleColors

Good Looking Line of Vests

A best seller from previous fashion guides.
Vests are flattering on most body types. They dress up any look and are great for dressier occasions. They give off a high status vibe too.  #Affordable #MultipleStyles

Good Looking Gym Shirt

 New Under Armour design. High quality, lasts forever. Looks great on many body types. Awesome "Moisture Transport System" that helps keep sweat away from your body. Quick-dry, anti-odor fabric. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Light Hoodie

The American Apparel Good Looking Loser Hoodie in Red (and Black). This piece is well-made and not too heavy. It is more of a Spring or Fall hoodie, rather than a Winter hoodie.
We are quite happy with how these came out. #MultipleColors

Good Looking Jacket

Army green is in this spring and it is flattering on most all skin tones. Great light weight feel for spring. Adds style to your look. Pairs great with a white or black graphic tee and dog tags. #Affordable#MultipleColors

Good Looking Basic Tee's

Basic tee, great for layering, wearing under vests, at the gym or to bed. #Affordable #MultipleColors

If you are looking to feedback on a specific item or how you look, please check out 'Get Style' in the Good Looking Loser Forum.

Good Looking Loser's

Spring 2015 Guide to Style

(Pants)

Welcome to Part II of Good Looking Loser's Spring 2015 Guide to Style.

Let's continue.

Rolled/Cuffed Jeans - Coming to a City Near You
(Men's Fashion Commentary from Chris)

As I mentioned in Part I, progressively, but particularly this season, there has been some noticeable trends in popular Men's Fashion.

This is particularly true in among Men's jeans and specifically - how they are worn and presented.

Although it's been seen somewhat in the past few seasons, the new popular Men's style trend is to roll up the bottom of slim-fit jeans or tuck jeans into a pair of boots.

Here's what I'm talking about -

The basic 3 looks -

We like that.

Here's the 'tucked in' style -

We don't like this as much however.

We just don't like the "combat" boot/style.

But this style is currently fashionable and if you like it  - definitely rock it.

Unless you live in Los Angeles or alike mega-trendy city, you probably haven't seen this too much yet.

You will though.

Unlike past trends (e.g. Hipster - nerd glasses), I actually think the single 'rolled' looks pretty good and is something you should experiment with. Try it with a light colored dress shirt. Just make sure you have a nice pair of shoes.

Like any "trend", although normal guys in outdated clothing will likely hate on you, fashion conscious girls (the hot ones) will think -

This guy gets it.

Yeah, even for just slightly rolling up your jeans.

And By the way -

Embracing trends doesn't make you a follower.

Dressing "normal" like 99% of guys makes you a follower.

Don't worry about like that stuff or what undersexed guys think - just make yourself look good.

You have our encouragement. 

As with Part I of our guide, these selections are super affordable.

Good Looking Jeans (Cuff-Friendly)

Great light wash for spring. Fashionable without being over-the-top. Nice slim fit, good for cuffing or tucking into boots (see above). #Affordable

Darker, edgy wash for spring. Can be worn with light colors for day looks and dark colors for night looks. Flattering and fashionable slim fit.  #Affordable

Good Looking Pants

Versatile slacks with modern fit. The shirt tucked-in look, as shown, is in this spring, completed with a belt. This charcoal black is a good lighter version of black for spring. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Nice color for spring. This cuffed "high-water" look is hot this spring so don't be afraid of it. Looks great with white or white patterned shirt but don't be afraid to add other bright colors to the look. Looks good with shirt tucked in.
These shoes, however, are not a great selection to pair with the pants. 
 #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Shorts

Shorter shorts are in this spring so embrace them. These aren't super short but above the knee. Looks nice paired with plain or dot patterned white or blue button-down tucked in. Also goes with white or colored v-neck and necklaces. Wash with low or no heart so they don't shrink on you! #Affordable #MultipleColors

Everyday linen shorts. Fun orange for spring. Looks good with white button down not buttoned all the way up for a beach vibe. 
Fun fact: Chris had a pair of white linen shorts that he wore nearly  every single day for 2 years. 
#Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Athletic Shorts

Workout shorts are also a little shorter this season. Stay away from shorts that are too baggy and long. This is a good length with a pop of green for spring. These last forever and are super comfortable. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Underwear

Girls love a guy in tight boxer briefs, they are hot! Girls love a guy that rocks bright colored boxer briefs too (as long as they are nice and not old), it shows confidence, which is sexy, and that you take care of yourself. These are a good mid length too. If you have a significant package, these are a good call. 
#Affordable #MultipleColors

If you are looking to feedback on a specific item or how you look, please check out 'Get Style' in the Good Looking Loser Forum.

Good Looking Loser's

Spring 2015 Guide to Style

(Accessories & More)

Welcome to Part III of Good Looking Loser's Spring 2015 Guide to Style.

Let's have a look at the accessories - everyone's favorite and the easiest way to add edge to your existing look.

Like the other sections, we've got some super affordable recommendations for you.

The shoes (and boots) we've selected go well if you plan to roll up/tuck in your jeans.

Check out the conclusion of the guide for some unique options.

Good Looking Necklaces

Cool arrowhead necklace. Fashionable but subtle enough to wear with almost anything. Adds obvious edge to an outfit. #Affordable  

 Good Looking Rings

 The black and copper are a great hard and soft combination. Adds clean edge to any outfit. #Affordable

 Fun, sexy color for Spring. Nice jewel tone for the season, not too bright and not too dark. Pair with black and silver toned accessories. #Affordable

Good Looking Watches 

Invicta watches are community favorites.
Incredible watches for an inexpensive price when compared to watches of equal quality.
This green is perfect for Spring. It is a rich shade that makes the watch look more expensive and adds class to your look. Looks great with dressy day and night looks. Holds up forever. #MultipleColors

Super inexpensive watch (under $5.00!).
It is on trend this season and has a nice tech/natural look. Similar to the new Google watches. Adds a fashionable vibe to any look. #Affordable

Good Looking Hats

Patriotic hat for Spring and Summer. Looks great with casual day looks. Multiple counties to choose from. #Affordable #MultipleCountries

Beanies always look hot on guys. Light grey is a great color for Spring. Pair it with fashionable outfits or wear with sweats and a white V-neck for running around. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Sunglasses

Cool sunglasses for Spring. The gold accents give them a more expensive, fashionable feel. This style is still in this season and they can be worn with casual and dressier looks. They are super affordable. #Affordable #MultipleColors

We know these might not be for everybody but if you want to be super fashionable these are the "new cool" style for sunglasses. The rest of your outfit has to be fashionable and current to pull these off. These are great for fashion risk takers that like to stand out and be on trend. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Shoes
(Check out our selection of 'Height Increasing Shoes' too)

Cool Stefan Janoskis - a Good Looking Loser Forum favorite. Nice green accents for Spring. Look great with many casual outfits and super comfortable. Don't be afraid of having other colors in your outfit. #MultipleColors

 Great for Spring and Summer. Go with most casual looks and so convenient because they just slip on. This is a rich, pretty brown tone. They are good quality too. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Oxfords are making their way back this season. Great light shade for Spring and a clean look. Look great with the rolled up jeans look (See Pants Guide) or with ankle length pants (also a hot trend this Spring) with a button down shirt tucked in and a belt. #MultipleColors

Edgy cool boots, nice lighter color for Spring. Also look great with jeans rolled up to the top of the boots. Their styling gives them a more expensive look than they are. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Taylor's Favorites

Simple belts are on trend this Spring with your shirt tucked/partly tucked in. This is a nice light brown tone for the season. A little edge without being too much. #Affordable #MultipleColors

This is my Favorite Sunscreen Ever! 
The sun comes out in Spring and it is SUPER important to put on sunscreen every time you are in the sun to prevent wrinkles. Even if you live somewhere that's not hot the sun still wreaks havoc on your skin. Get in the habit of applying it before you leave the house. I love the spray bootle because it is so easy to put on and you don't have to rub it in like lotion or worry that you missed a spot. The face stick is great too and your face needs the MOST consistent protection. UVA / UVB protection, water resistant and oil free (won't clog pores). #Affordable #MultipleOptions 

Other Cool Stuff
(Selected by Good Looking Loser)

Camera 360 is a free selfie app.
It automatically airburshes (de-noises) your face so you don't have to edit the photos if you look/are gross. Check it out.

* Camera 360 on Google Play
* Camera 360 on iTunes
#Affordable (Free)

Possibly old news for some of you, but these are the most amazing tasting protein bars in the entire world.
They have no sugar and have 17g of fiber (won't cause stomach ache) each. I can literally eat 40 of them in a day. And I have.

Raspberry White Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough are my personal favorites.
#MultipleFlavors

MMA Shin Guards (for doing leg extension at the gym).
Hear me out here -
Doing heavy leg extension is literally impossible on most machines because it's just too hard on your shin bones.
I use these inexpensive pads and it's a breeze. 
#Affordable #Multiplecolors

Good Looking Cosmetics
(Check out our updated 'How I Made Myself Look Younger' discussion)

The legendary Good Looking Loser approved cologne is simply the BEST, super inexpensive scent available on our small plant. It is the #1 selling accessory on 'Lifestyle by Good Looking Loser' for a reason. #Affordable

 Check out "How I Made Myself Look Younger - The Full Story" You'll be pleasantly surprised about how far a few inexpensive, well-known (but seldom used by heterosexual men) compounds can actually go.
(even further than expensive cosmetics)

That concludes our Spring 2015 Guide to Style.

We were a little late this year and will release the Summer one a week or two before the first day of Summer (June 21).

If you are looking to feedback on a specific item or how you look, please check out 'Get Style' in the Good Looking Loser Forum.

Good Looking Loser's

Spring 2015 Guide to Style

(Shirts) 

Welcome to "Good Looking Loser's Summer 2015 Guide to Style".

I usually like to get out a few more Lifestyle posts between our style guides, but I've been beyond slammed and had to pour in just about all of my open hours for the recent series, "How to Go Out to Bars Alone (If You Are Scared)", which I'm quite happy with.

At the same time, we were late with our Spring Guide and I wanted to make sure this guide was out before the first day of Summer (June 20th). 

Looking at the statistics and analytics, our "Spring 2015 Guide to Style" was by far the most popular seasonal guide thus far.

This reason was obvious.

Literally every Spring 2015 recommendation was #affordable and we had the opportunity to introduce some brands that are truly hidden gems that would otherwise remain tucked away on Amazon.

We tried our best to do the same in this guide, we focused on #affordable selections, some under $10. 

Hope you enjoy!

Good Looking Tee-Shirts

Sexy to guys and girls. Walks the line of being too overtly sexy but the black and white tames it down just enough. Looks great under a black jacket with necklaces and slim-fit jeans rolled and tucked into ankle high boots. Good for night look. #Affordable

There doesn't need too much explanation on why this shirt is awesome. Besides the wink at Good Looking Loser it is also fashionable yet simple. Looks great under a jacket with necklaces for a layering effect. We don't usually do this type of shirt but everyone loved this one.#Affordable #MultipleColors

In past seasons, we wouldn't even consider recommending Aeropostale but we like this one. It's hot with an artistic vibe, which girls like. Great for a day look. Aeropostale needs to go this direction with their shirts instead of copying Abercrombie & Fitch - which has been out of style for years. 
#Affordable

Bright, fun summer color. Bright colors make you stand out so don't be afraid of them. Just pair bright shirts with nice jeans or shorts. Yellow is super versatile and pairs well with grey, white, navy and light blue. Girls love colors on guys. Just don't go neon this summer because it's out. Stick with these slightly more subtle shades for brights. 
#MultipleColors

Happy Hippo Puddles shirt! Oh and pink is one of girls' favorite colors on guys. Pair it with fashionable jeans or shorts for a casual look. Girls will think Puddles (The Hippo) is adorable too.#Affordable

Good Looking Tank Top

Tank tops give an illusion of bigger arms than you actually have. So even if you don't have huge arms you can pull off a tank (overly huge arms are out anyway). But on the flip-side if your arms are tiny and pasty you may want to skip the tank. But they are sexy for most sizes in between. This is also a sexy color combination red on black, with a tattered feel. Great for the 4th of July as well as the rest of the summer.   #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Dressy Shirts 

 Simple and hot with the right styling. This slightly fitted style has a sexier more current vibe and the short sleeves are great for summer. Button-downs look great with a good/fresh hair cut. Shorter on the sides and longer on the top is a great hair style for this summer. Pair with fitted ankle length slacks, a brown belt and oxford shoes (see spring accessories). 
Note: the arms are pretty tight on this shirt, if you have big biceps (or over 15"), this shirt will be too tight. - Chris
#Affordable #MultipleColors

Polka Dot and small patterned shirts are in this summer. An edgy/preppy look is sexy and can have an expensive vibe. The styling in this picture is great and current, even the brown on navy. Looks good tucked in with a simple brown belt.   #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Line of Vests

A best seller from previous fashion guides. Vests are sexy and flattering. If you don't have a perfect body throw on a vest and they hide trouble areas and add an expensive vibe to your look.  #Affordable #MultipleColors #MultipleStyles

Good Looking Jacket

 Fitted jackets are flattering. Great light feel for summer. Edgy and sexy with the popped collar but if you pop the color don't go overboard or too edgy on the rest of the styling.#Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Gym Shirt

As previously mentioned, tank tops are sexy on guys, don't be afraid of them this summer. Clean, hot style for the gym. Under Armour is great quality and lasts forever.   #Affordable #MultipleColors

Comments are disabled on our style guides, there's just too many for me to provide worthwhile feedback.

I encourage you to post in the "Get Style" section of our forum if you have questions about a specific item or look.

Good Looking Loser's

Summer 2015 Guide to Style

(Pants)

Welcome to Part 2 of "Good Looking Loser's Summer 2015 Guide to Style".

Pants and bottoms, everyone's least favorite apparel to buy on the Internet, were actually a big hit in our Spring 2015 guide.

Good Looking, stylish, #affordable pants (especially jeans) are really hard to come by but there's a few obscure brands that are just that.

We found some very good inexpensive options in Spring and we think we did it again.

Good Looking Jeans

Light color for summer. Great slim-fit look but not super skinny. Looks good cuffed or tucked into boots or cuffed with oxfords or New Balance tennis shoes. Great for everyday casual jeans. Super versatile, look great with light, bright and dark colors. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Dark jeans still work in the summer and the holes give more of a summer feel. Look great with the belt shown, a white v-neck with a tattered feel, necklaces and a hat (optional). The rips give a young, sexy feel but they aren't too distressed.  #Affordable #MultipleStyles

Good Looking Pants

Tan pants and brown tones are in this summer. Great current shape. Look great cuffed for a summer feel. Can be dressed up or down for a dressier or casual look. Pair with belt and small patterned button down for a dressy/casual look.  #Affordable #MultipleColors

These pants are particularly hot right now.
The pant length (at ankles) is on trend this Summer. Great for evening look or dressier day look. Pair with tucked in, slim-fit button-down (can be patterned). #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Shorts

Baggy cargo shorts are out, these are in. These shorts are current with preppy vibe. Great for dressy/casual day look. Pair with plain or patterned white button-down. Fresh summer color. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Warm tones like this are in this summer. Great length, not too long and not too short. Can go edgy or clean depending on the styling. Great for casual day looks. Pair with V-neck and necklaces for a casual hot look.  #Affordable #MultipleColors

Good Looking Athletic Shorts

Patriotic colors for summer. High quality and comfortable, will last forever. Nice look for the gym. #MultipleColors

Good Looking Underwear

Awesome boxer briefs. Girls love a guy who can pull off bright colored boxer briefs. And these have a sense of humor, which girls love too. Sexy cut and fit. #Affordable #MultipleColors

Comments are disabled on our style guides, there's just too many for me to provide worthwhile feedback. 

I encourage you to post in the "Get Style" section of our forum if you have questions about a specific item or look.