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We showed up at 7:45 and walked right in. The ticket booth was still being set up. They allow early birds to come in free with the vendors until 8 A.M.

We stopped by the information booth. The signs said, “Ask us. We’re here to help. Apply here. We refer applicants to our merchants. Find a merchant.” A big business card display was there with several hundred cards to take for leads.

What an oasis in the jobjungle! A large tribe of happy hunters, all networking with the goal of having fun and making money. Nobody’s better than anyone else. They meet before the meet every week, exchange leads, talk about what’s hot, laugh, and sing. Working wonderland—and yours free.

All swap meets are not this established and well organized. But even local flea markets have motivated owner-operators. They’re high-spirited and always looking to capitalize on a new product or service. The auto parts merchant was talking to the bike merchant about a new swap meet opening up about 20 miles away. I walked over and asked him if he needed help.

He asked me for my card.

The management company was looking for people to help run the event.

I spoke to the vice president. He said the staff is so busy that they really aren’t concerned with direct experience. They want a job done by trustworthy people, and they pay well to do it. Make mistakes and you’re gone. That sounds fair enough because that means, “Do it right and you’ll stay.” Never a dull moment. What a place to learn!

There’s also a need for office administrators, team supervisors, security personnel (uniformed in swap meet tee shirts and undercover), ticket booth cashiers, parking assistants, and other jobs.

The skateboard vendor bought the U.S. distributor’s entire inventory of boards, and is selling them out of a truck. He says the exact same brand costs twice as much on the Internet. I believe it. People are buying them fast. He’s looking for someone to help him find other deals, and pays a base salary plus a percentage of whatever they find.

All of these people (and many, many others at the meet) seem like very successful, savvy businesspeople. They smile and seem to greatly enjoy the swap meet spirit. Many have been at the meet for a long time. Nobody is particularly interested in experience. They’re unpretentious entrepreneurs who want reliable, honest, helpers that reflect their values.

Some are weekly, some are monthly. At this swap meet, there are around a thousand merchants. Their backgrounds vary as much as what they sell.

In a separate area, there’s a mini job fair. Around 10 private employers looking to hire. The sheriff’s department, an electronics company, a supermarket chain.

Check the bulletin boards at your community center, look in your local newspaper, and watch for flyers about any swap meets, flea markets, road shows, or county fairs. The merchants are an entire subculture who often work from home and fly under the radar.

For weekend instant interviewing, there’s nothing like greets at the meets!

Do 84: Supercharging Your Sphere of Influence

Now let’s get your family and friends buzzin’ like a bunch of bug-eyed bumblebees.

There are seven superchargers to awakening crazily committed people who love you or just depend on you for food and shelter.

You must do all seven superchargers because it’s a system.

List Every Adult You Like

It’s simple and surprising.

Go to your computer and list the name of:

1. Every adult relative living with you

2. Every local relative

3. Every local friend

4. Every local member of the clergy you know

5. Every professional you use (accountant, lawyer, doctor)

6. Every other provider of services to you (hairdresser, fitness coach, pet groomer)

7. Each representative of every retailer or other merchant who sells to you

8. Each representative of every vendor to your business

Do this in the order I’ve given. That will keep your list organized by type of contact.

The average I.I. has 27 names. That’s 27X power magnification. V-e-r-r-r-y big.

Now number