Comic Con started in 1970 as a place where people who collected comic books would gather. That first year there were 300 people.  Forty four years later in 2014, there were 150,000 people who attended! And all of those 150,000 people cram into one little section of San Diego called the Gaslamp District.

It's a pretty crazy experience, so much so I thought I'd take this show to share the nine lessons I learned from attending. Let's dive in:

1. Niche down.

Don't be afraid to niche down deep and find exactly what you're passionate about, then go after it. The fans in attendance are hugely passionate about their favorite TV show, movie, character or actor. You can find something you love as much, you'll have no trouble creating a strong business around.

2. Over-deliver in value. 

Comic Con itself provides so much you can't possibly take it all in at once. You'd need an all-access pass and John Lee Dumas to prepare and execute your itinerary for you to see everything available in the four days of Comic Con. And Comic Con continues to up their game and offer more every year, because they know their fans will appreciate them for it.

3. Strength in numbers.

Remember the statistic about how many people came to the first Comic Con vs. 2014? You don't need those kinds of numbers to succeed but pay attention to the lesson at hand: when you have a rabid following, you can do anything. And the way you grow these numbers and get the muscle they provide is by doing the previous two steps. On a practical level, you grow your numbers by offering them something in exchange for their email address. Grow your mailing list by offering a giveaway, you're well on your way.

4. Building a strong brand trumps all.

Think about brands like Star Wars, Bugs Bunny, etc. These aren't just movie or animated characters, these are brands that have stood the test of time. More than likely you could quote something from either of these two brands and they've been around for decades. It's worth investing time and energy into creating a strong, memorable brand that represents what you're doing. Make sure it's absolutely clear what you are promising from your branding.

5. The power of community is unmatched.

Comic Con is a community in and of itself, as are all the subdivisions. I overheard so many people talking about how they met their new friend the day before and they've been inseparable ever since. Community happens when people connect based on their common interests. When that connection happens, it can last a lifetime.

6. Let your business morph and evolve.

Start out with an idea of what you'll be doing and then let your audience tell you what they want, then morph and adjust what you're doing.

For example, when I started SoloLab I did 40 Skype calls with people about what they would want from a mastermind group. I had an idea of what I would offer going into those calls, and it was completely changed by the time I finished talking to those 40 people.

Another great example is TV vs music. Look at how TV has kept up with evolving media, technology and the way people want to view their shows. How many times have you watched your favorite show on your iPad or your phone - or some device that was not your television set? Music hasn't changed and they've been buried as a result.

Keep up with evolutionary changes and keep your business growing.

7. Leverage celebrity!

Everyone knows someone so if you can somehow attach a celebrity to your services, do it. And always ask for referrals - remember the power of community? This is a great way to leverage your people's people (and perhaps their people's people).

Who are the reachable celebrities in your niche? Find them, connect and eventually you'll land someone. Once you get one, others will follow.

8. Hustle.

The people who made Comic Con happen probably didn't sleep for a...