Remember this video with MonaVie Senior Vice President Jeff Graham, posted right before the holidays?

During his message, Jeff pulled out two of the first newly packaged RVL tubs, one of which he handed to me after we shot the video. And you know what that mean – giveaway time!

Between now and the official launch of RVL tomorrow, leave a comment here on BlogMV, on Facebook or (re)tweet us on Twitter and you’ll be entered to win the newly packaged and first off the line RVL Nutrition Shake Mix. I’ll even go one step further and have all our executives sign the tub to make it that much more official. I’m always thinking about my peeps. Peeps being YOU!

And maybe we need a second prize…okay, I happen to have one more RVL gift bag, full of all sorts of fun stuff.

So, feel free to comment on your RVL-ing 2011 goals and resolutions, your excitement over the product line, RVL website, the January 5 launch, January 8 Orlando kick off event, the Dallin vs Jeff Challenge or whatever else you feel inspired or RVL-ing!

It is nearly go time so I want to hear some excitement!

Share it!

Shante

MonaVie Chief Blogger

Today you may have heard about a Twitter spam attack that was due to a security breach of the popular media and technology Gawker websites (LifeHacker, Gizmodo, io9, Jezebel, Kotaku and others). Hackers were able to access more than 1 million Gawker user’s email  and password accounts from their servers, and because many users use the same passwords for multiple sites (like Twitter) they were able to access Twitter accounts and start posting spam. The spam sites they are linking to are none other than acai berry diet sites.

While it appears those who are responsible for the attacks are targeting Gawker, the important take away from this spam attack is to change your passwords or make sure you are not using the same logins for online sites as you do for social media sites. So, I would strongly suggest changing your personal social media login names and passwords (go ahead, put it on your "To Do" list)!

The MonaVie Collateral Damage

But for MonaVie, this issue goes even further. The hackers are using spam and are doing so at the expense of the acai berry  because they think of those who market these type of sites are jokes. And why are they a joke? Because these acai sites and those that market them are known for spamming social media sites constantly and buying annoying ads on websites. Look no further than my recent blog post about our social media guide to see a version of this type of spam. Of course the acai diet sites and other companies using the acai berry are not MonaVie, but as the “premier acai blend” MonaVie does not come away unscathed.

Change the Perception

Over the past year we’ve used social media and provided advice on how to communicate effectively and personally using these platforms. Why? Because when we don’t we are no better than the acai sites that spam the social media platforms. So while there’s no way we can control what others not associated with MonaVie can do, MonaVie distributors can decide how they will act online and if they’re going to be a part of the problem or try to CHANGE the perception (notice our most recent blog posts are a great place to start!).

I vote for CHANGE!

Leave a comment if you have ideas or ways to make our online communications more valuable and less spam-like!

[caption id="attachment_1117" align="alignleft" width="0" caption="Michael Jensen, Social Media Promotions Manager"][/caption]

Founder and Vice Chairman Henry Marsh was recently interviewed by WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa. Listen to the interview by following this link:

Henry Marsh WHO Radio Interview

Though a practiced and polished speaker in his own right, there are some deliberate habits that Henry exemplified so perfectly during this live interview, habits that lend themselves well to talking about any product or opportunity, whether part of a network marketing line up or other business model. Here are a few examples that Social Media Manager Mike Jensen and I picked up on:

1. Henry personally branded himself, building credibility from his experiences, life and accomplishments. Note that his sense of humor and personal style is present from the beginning, demonstrating an ease of nature and authenticity to his message. It’s important to BE YOURSELF, and only you can be your self best. (Go with it, it makes sense in my head.)

Your audience will relate to you as a person before a product or opportunity. Henry sets the stage well by mentioning not only his successes as an Olympic athlete but also mentioning his failures and moments of learning, saying, “The difference comes in life when you allow your failure to be your floor or your ceiling.”

So while sometimes successes might be a bit elusive for another, everyone can relate to failure can they not? And everyone can see the importance of moving forward after failure.

2.  Though an expert in the field of health and nutrition as it pertains to training for the Olympics, Henry still deferred to science and research done on the MonaVie products by the Scientific Advisory Board. He also mentioned the need to steer clear of claims and the willingness to adhere to FTC guidelines. A respect for those guidelines will build credibility quicker than any health claim. Again, you may have this grand experience with the products but believe it or not, sharing that experience may end up being counterproductive in building your credibility. Product experiences are personal and more often than not, elusive and indefinite.

3.  By listening first and allowing the interviewer to draw lines of comparison, Henry was able to tailor his comments and deliver information that met the demand of his audience, in this case fitness and finances, topics everyone can relate to. By the time the MonaVie products were mentioned, Henry had established himself as a credible source, one in which his audience was already invested, thus taking his recommendation as a valued opinion. No selling was done; no one felt sold. Imagine if the interview started off by mentioning MonaVie before establishing his credibility? Know your why and know how you want to finish your conversations or discussions with others. Customize your "why" to your audience, or the people you meet. Such a great approach!

4. Henry mentioned the importance of being significant and grateful; examples in MonaVie being through our sustainable harvesting techniques and the MORE Project. In the same breath, Henry edifies the other founders of MonaVie, mentioning Dallin’s skills that compliment his own, which does well to further cementing his character and credibility.

So, that’s what we got out of the interview. Take a listen for yourself and let us know what you pick up on from our pro Henry Marsh.

Henry Marsh WHO Radio Interview

And for a little help getting to know your brand and/or creating your best brand here are few resources from Forbes and Entrepreneur:

It's All About You. Best Steps to Creating Your Brand

How to Brand Yourself: An Introduction

And after you've read up on brand best practices come back and tell us a little bit about your brand. Until next time...

Share it!

Shante

MonaVie Chief Blogger

Many of you have been following the Dallin vs Jeff challenge, details are posted on www.monaviervl.com. But for more of the "behind the scenes" banter (aka trash talking), we hope you're following our social media channels.

Last week some of you may have seen Jeff Graham post some rather RVL-ing pictures to his Facebook page that elicited quite a response (they're even talking about it across the pond on MonaVie UK's Facebook page). We posted the same picture on MonaVie's Facebook and Twitter pages this week as well, and Jeff recently posted another picture (see below). Some of Jeff's friends and a few of our MonaVie fans were questioning the authenticity of said photos. Jeff's wife (and photographer) even chimed in. News of the controversial and RVL-ing pictures soon made it's way to Dallin. Here is his response:

[caption id="attachment_1790" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="MonaVie's Sr. VP Jeff Graham rips into RVL (or does he?)"][/caption]

Dear MonaVie,

Seriously, do any of you really believe that’s Jeff Graham’s picture?  Come on my friends, it’s called Photoshop.  I know Jeff Graham.  Jeff Graham is a friend of mine.  That picture is certainly of Jeff Graham’s head but if you think that’s Jeff Graham’s six pack abs, I’ve got some property I’d like to sell you!  And I don’t think it’s Henry either.  Maybe Devin Thorpe, I don’t know.  I’ll find out when I fly into Utah who was behind this blatant attempt to intimidate me.

Jeff, I’m flying in to Utah in a week or so and I’ll have my own camera and we’ll take a little video and show them them your one pack abs.

I, on the other hand, continue focusing on my goal of getting to 169 pounds.

I’d certainly like to see the poll numbers on those who think Jeff Graham is going to win this contest versus those who think I’m going to come out victorious.  I do believe that Fox News has already projected me the winner.  CNN may be projecting Jeff.  Wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

It’s on!

[caption id="attachment_668" align="alignleft" width="191" caption="Dallin A. Larsen, MonaVie Founder & CEO"][/caption]

A few weeks ago while on Facebook, I found a link to one of my favorite social media books and authors, Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (BTW…I highly recommend their book Trust Agents, and following them on Twitter @chrisbrogan and @julien).  To my disappointment,  the first post on the Facebook site was a spammed post for an acai weight loss product.  Now while the authors admittedly don’t monitor this page regularly and allow anyone to comment, the irony of the situation is what really caught my attention.  For anyone who has read their book, or their blogs, would know that they preach the importance of establishing trust for business purposes using “non-sales-oriented” tactics that result in creating deeper personal connections. How ironic was it to see a spammed message, from none other than an acai product? (Seriously…who ordered some of that product?)

It’s “Social” Media, not “Selling” Media

Obviously, such products and their “marketing” have tarnished the MonaVie “crown-jewel” a bit, and it is our hope and desire to make sure MonaVie does not perpetuate such behavior. For that reason, we have made a conscious effort to make sure the MonaVie Facebook page, Twitter page and BlogMV is not a spamming free-for all, but rather a platform for us to communicate with one another, interact with all of you great distributors and provide value. It is also our hope that our distributors will reciprocate that behavior in your own online communications. One of the greatest analogies I heard discussed when approaching social media, was to pretend you were invited to a social gathering. Your friends, co-workers and family are all there. Just before everyone sits down to eat, someone grabs the microphone asking everyone at the event if they want to buy some juice? What do you think the reaction would be?  Yet, some are approaching social media platforms when posting status updates with similar statements, simply because it’s easy, hoping just one person randomly has interest.

So what's in the Guide to Social Media?

Last week we announced the release of MonaVie’s Guide to Social Media on MonaVie on the Move and made it available in the distributors’ Virtual Office Document Library and on BlogMV (look to your right…now back at this blog post). It is our hope that you will all download and read the document, hug it and hold it close, never letting it go. Within the document are items we feel are important for you to know, and find valuable as you maintain an online presence such as:

In the future, we will update this document as needed. We hope you will use this document and remember its content as you proceed to post anything online that is MonaVie related and to also inform your fellow distributors as well. If there are any questions, comment below or feel free to contact Shante (shantes@monavie.com) or myself, Michael Jensen (michael.jensen@monavie.com).

Can’t wait to talk WITH you (not at you)-- at the party!

Michael Jensen

Social Media Promotions Manager

Dear MonaVie Family,

When I was in the 9th grade, I wrestled at 98 pounds. When I graduated from High School in 1977, I weighed roughly 135 pounds. Since that time, my weight has continued going up each and every year it seems. At my peak, I weighed 220 pounds! Sometimes it’s not until you see a picture of yourself that you realize how much you’ve changed. I used to own weight loss franchises so I’ve been around weight loss programs for years and years; but, that still didn’t seem to help me. The older I’m getting, it just seems as though it’s harder for me to muster up the courage and energy to start another attempt at getting more fit.

My motivation for losing some weight (but more importantly, getting more healthy), is so that I can hopefully remain more active over the next 20-plus years in order to enjoy, with Karree, being involved in Boo and Dane’s youth. They are now 5 and 6 years old and I don’t want to be an old man when my two youngest reach teenage years. I need to be able to still frighten my girl’s boyfriends! :)

In September, we were all reminded how precious life is and how it can be taken from us at any moment. The week I returned from giving the eulogy at Darrell Utterbach’s funeral, I decided that it was time to take more personal time on improving my health and make it a higher priority.

I’ve tried doing this before and I generally get burned out after a few weeks, so I really need to be incredibly disciplined. As you all know, I travel a lot and I’ve made that an excuse for years and years as to why I just can’t get in very good shape. I’m not going to use that as an excuse anymore. I’ve now decided that at 51 years of age, I deserve to invest in myself and in my health instead of giving it away all the time.

With that, here are my goals, and I hope you’ll set some goals of your own:

Starting Weight: 198 pounds
Goal weight: 169 pounds.
(I haven’t weighed that little since I was probably 27 years old.)

I want to get on a scale on January 5, as we introduce RVL, and weigh in at 169 pounds. To do this, I’ll have to be disciplined through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas holidays! This will be an enormously tough test for me, as I love to eat good food and I love chocolate. In addition to following my RVL program, my goal is to run or walk 20 miles each week.

Part of living a more meaningful life is having a healthy mind and body to experience life so richly. I know that if I can do it, you can too! Let’s make MonaVie the healthiest AND best company FOR the world! I’m doing this as a gift to my wife, to myself, and to my kids. Hopefully, that will be enough motivation to keep me going and turn away from the Snickers at Halloween. No problem, I’ll just reach for another MonaVie Chocolate Bar! Seriously, they’re insanely good.

Let’s all get healthy together!

Dallin A. Larsen,
Founder, Chairman, and CEO, MonaVie

PS. To follow Dallin and Jeff's progress click here.

MonaVie Senior VP Jeff Graham sits down with Bernie Landes to discuss the science behind MonaVie's newest product! Let us know what you think and if you're excited?

[caption id="attachment_1102" align="aligncenter" width="184" caption="Michael Jensen"][/caption]

Social Media Promotions Manager

It appears those who qualified and attended the Diamond Destination are taking in the very best of Maui, Hawaii and the Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel and Spa, all the while enjoying some much deserved down time, fun in the sun and quality MonaVie family togetherness. Here's a brief message from Dallin and Karree, along with their two youngest children.

Oh and they have a moment of silence for those who could not be there...of course they kid, but perhaps the best recourse is to make sure you're there next year!

Oh and for more photos by CFO Devin Thorpe, visit his Facebook page, where he's posted albums from the first four days.

The first official Korea City meeting was an overwhelming success with over 2,000 in attendance; standing room only. The room could occupy 1500 but in an effort to accommodate as many new and prospective distributors, they simply packed them all in. During the event Dallin asked for donations specifically for the family of the Korean Navy ship that sank over the weekend. For the next half hour, droves of attendees made their way to the stage to drop their donation envelope. MonaVie will match the total once it is calculated.

"It was a fantastic meeting and a great way to kick off our Korean market," said CEO and Founder Dallin A. Larsen.

Share it!

Shante
MonaVie Chief Blogger

Hi MonaVie,

Dallin here.  Got back to Florida late Saturday night from the Anaheim Regional.  If you haven’t had a chance to watch it, I encourage you to do so.  Within the next few days, each of the presentations will be available as stand-alone presentations.  Until then, you can go to www.monavieonthemove.com and scroll through the various presentations.  It was an amazing event with so many heartfelt presentations that it’s hard to pin point any one part that was my favorite. Certainly, the money raised for the kids in Haiti was emotional.  The final number will be shared with everyone this week some time but I believe it’s over $63,000.  Yonne, our 13 year old from Brazil who is part of the MORE Project, singing to the group and hearing her mom explain how the MORE Project has been a godsend to her family, was so moving.  And finally, what can I say about my niece, Sharlie, other than an angel was among us on Saturday.  Please, do your heart some good and watch Sharlie’s presentation.  She closed the day for us on Saturday.

We talked a lot about the “why” in MonaVie. What’s your why?  Why are you doing MonaVie?  You heard some of the folks on stage share their “why” for MonaVie.  What’s your why?  Maybe you can comment back to Shante and she can share with me some of your responses.  My why for MonaVie was first, to help feed our ten kids and support my family.  And, it was to make my parents proud of their son.  It’s grown from that initial “why” into something much larger.  Your “why” will also probably change along the way.  What I know for sure, however, is that you need to define your “why” so it will sustain you through the inevitable peaks and valleys of this business.

I love you guys!

Dallin A. Larsen