The TRUTH about Internet Marketing!

As an ol'pro (over 30 yeas) in the mailorder game, I think it is my duty to try to straighten out some of the b.s. about my industry ... written and promoted by people who have never made a dime in mailorder (except maybe by selling their "how to make money in mailorder" b.s.).

Actually, I am a "newbie" to Internet marketing and ... no matter what the b.s. artists tell you ... Internet markting is NOT mailorder marketing; anyway, not the way they explain it.

The big difference is that in mailorder, you go into people's homes and offices and make them an offer. On the Internet, you are inviting people into your home, or office, and, while they are there, you are trying to sell them something. Like a "TupperWare" party and, just like a "TupperWare" party, people know when they come to your site, that you are going to try to sell them something so they are hesitant about attending.

BUT ... if you treat the Internet just as you would any other "Advertising Medium," you can apply a great many of the tried and proven mailorder methods to your Internet Marketing efforts.

I set up my web site in September, 1999, for (really) only one reason ... more and more of my mailorder customers were asking where they could find my products on the Internet. I set up the site to give them a place to find (and buy) the stuff they were already buying by mail.

After setting up the site, I said to myself, "Self, you now have a web site; which is supposed to revolutionize mailorder marketing, so why not do some marketing to see if you can make some of those Big Bucks ever'body is talking about."

To that end, I followed all of the advice from each and every one of the Internet Gurus I could find. -- Guess what? -- The Internet Marketing b.s. is even more pervasive than the mailorder b.s. -- It didn't take me long to figure out that those who were making a fortune on the Internet were making their fortunes by selling information about "how to make money on the Internet."

By December, 1999, I quit doing what the Internet Gurus were preaching ... basically, I didn't have a "how to make money on the Internet" product to sell ... and began testing, Testing, TESTING, and Testing-Some-More to find methods that would work for me.

Since I mail thousands upon thousands of mailorder solicitations each month, I put my web site information on each order coupon, so people could come to my site to buy.

At the same time, I ran announcements in my paper -&- ink newsletter advising my readers that they could now find us on the Internet. -- I even ran ads in "The Wall Street Journal," "Business Investor's Daily," "Robb Report," and others.

In January, 2000, my web site became profitable. - I continued my testing.

The things that didn't work (99% of everything the Internet Gurus preach) were discarded. The things that worked were enhanced and multiplied.

In May, 2000, my web site was responsible for 12% of my gross revenue. -- In June, it dropped to about 9%. -- Looks like July went about 15% of gross revenue.

The big problem with 99% of the b.s. about Internet Marketing is that it is directed to "preaching to the choir." -- "Advertising" to "advertisors" ... like trying to make money in mailorder by mailing your solicitations to the names and addresses gleaned from the classified ad sections. -- Unless you are selling classified ads, you ain't gonna get much response.

For that reason, the vast majority of people on the Internet are trying to sell to each other but nobody is buying anything -- except the "internet marketing" and MLM deals.

I KNOW I will make my next BIG fortune on the Internet - but - it won't be by following the advice of the Internet Marketing Gurus. -- It will come from testing and proving the known and proven mailorder marketing techniques I have learned over the past 30 years.

Jim


FREE Money Making Reports & Resources!

> Actually, I am a "newbie" to
> Internet marketing and

> I set up my web site in September, 1999,

>It didn't take me long to figure out that those
> who were making a fortune on the Internet
> were making their fortunes by selling
> information about "how to make money on
> the Internet."

> By December, 1999, I quit doing what the
> Internet Gurus were preaching
> In January, 2000, my web site became
> profitable. - I continued my testing.

>The things that worked were
> enhanced and multiplied.

> In May, 2000, my web site was responsible
> for 12% of my gross revenue.

NOW, here is where I come in. Some of you may not get this, so let me point it out.

When I first talked to Charles Prosper 4 years ago, he told me he increased his BUSINESS by 50% in less than 6 months on-line. He already had a successful business.

Jim Straw HAS a successful business, thank you very much, and has had one for 30 years.

He has done MILLIONS. Them's DOLLARS I'm talkin about...

Now he comes on line in SEPT 99, finds the Guru's are full of _________ (sounds familar) and in less than 6 months he is doing 13% of his gross ON-LINE...

We're not talking a few nickles and dimes here, (unlike yours truly, Mr. Small Potatoes), Jim Straw knows the really old Dead Presidents, up close and personal...

He continues;
-- In June, it
> dropped to about 9%. -- Looks like July went
> about 15% of gross revenue.

Let me read this out loud..."looks like July went about 15% of gross revenue."

And Jim knows Sept./Oct. are PRIME months.

Jim says;
> I KNOW I will make my next BIG fortune on
> the Internet -

note the word NEXT, some of us are working on our first little fortune...

but - it won't be by
> following the advice of the Internet
> Marketing Gurus. -- It will come from
> testing and proving the known and proven
> mailorder marketing techniques I have
> learned over the past 30 years.

HOW? by TESTING and PROVING

HOW? by TESTING...

HOW? by TESTING...

If you've read just a smidgen of what I write, you know I don't make friends with gurus very easily.

Most would rather I disappear...

You won't find my name splattered all over the Internet endorsing this guy or that Lady...

Only a few...

Even then I am wont to note..."I HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH ANYONE...other than Dien Rice at sowpub.."

Jim Straw KNOWS what he is talking about.

Charles Prosper KNOWS what he is talking about.

I know this: TESTING (or rejection if looked at another way) is the ONLY WAY TO SUCCESS...

So pick and choose your ROLE MODELS carefully...

I've added Jim Straw to BYBA along with a few other people. Why?

Did he pay me to do so? If you don't know anything else, know this, I'm not for sale.

Do we have a Joint Venture? Not yet. Won't rule out any possibilities, but I have no business connection to Jim Straw...don't make penny one from anything he does.

Same for Corey Rudl, or Melvin Powers, or Harvey Brody, or anyone I talk about...

NO affiliations. NO commissions. NO small checks coming my way for touting services.

I have no ethical conflict, I don't defend people because I'm a reseller of their material. I don't make my 1200 bucks a month from selling other people's stuff. Nothing wrong with it.

But I ain't beholdin to NO ONE. Ben Suarez and Jim Staw included.

So, when I tell you to pay attention to someone, and if you think I've got a lick of common sense in my being, then let the reason be clear...

BECAUSE YOU CAN BENEFIT from their advice, from their wisdom, from their EXPERIENCE...

So, when Jim straw talks, you SHOULD listen...

I believe this so much I told Dien Rice to order his course, and Dien did...

I KNOW he will learn from it. I KNOW he will gain knowledge that will lead him to his goals...

To my knowledge I don't endores to many ON-Line gurus, but I have 25 years of experience in Business Opportunity/Money Making field, and a research project backed by Ben Suarez and millions of dollars of promotional knowledge he made available to my disposal...

And Jim Straw is at the top of the heap...There are other gurus out here who will SOMEDAY let us have all their wonderful KNOWLEDGE, I say, why wait...

Get it now, and get going on your life dreams.

That's a few things I have to say about this post.

Gordon Alexander

PS. REAL LIFE experience beats SOMEDAY every day of the year...

Ain't it great being a "legend" in my own mind.

I couldn't have said it better ... and probably haven't.

Jim


FREE Money Making Reports & Resources!

> I know this: TESTING (or rejection if looked
> at another way) is the ONLY WAY TO
> SUCCESS...

There's a very well known marketer/author who goes by the nickname of "Big AL" and bills himself as a "Tall, Dark, Handsome Texan," that quite a few of you probably know.

I met him about 10 years ago when he was "only" worth a few million. At that time in my naive younger days I was in awe of him and asked him straight up "Tom, how was it that you became SO successfull..." And he said it was simple, all he said he did is FAIL HIS WAY TO SUCCESS!

Point being that FAILURE is often a PREREQUISITE for success!

Success people continue on -- others quit.

I don't remember who said a variance of this saying, but a saying I heard of years ago goes: you can only MAKE 2 things in life... progress, or excuses, and the choice is yours.


One of that Tall, Dark, Handsome Texan's Websites...

Hi Paul,

I want to get this on the table.

Personally, I don't have a problem with MLM, as you know.

I'm not going to allow any bashing of any kind at sowpub, I mention this because you can go to any forum on the Internet and get that stuff.

WE are different in that regards.

I value EXPERIENCE, whereever it comes from.

A year or so ago I wrote about the passing of Joe Victor.

I drove Dien by his former home, he had retired to FL a few years back.

Joe was one of the original 9 AMWAY members, and the one, I believe that brought Nutra-Lite to the group.

The point is, that here in Akron there are several multi-millionaires from MLM businesses.

I don't consder them cult members, no more so than the people down at the church (pick one).

Networking marketing is NOT for everyone. Me for one.

BUT, it has been and is a VIABLE WAY for people with little money to get started in business and become wildly successful if they make the effort.

I respect ANYONE that tries, and fails.

So, Big Al's success is welcome here. As is all success and all failure that leads to Knowledge.

KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE are what we focus on.

Knowledge comes from DOING, getting knocked down and getting up again. You get smart fast that way.

If MLM is not for you, FINE. But if you by any chance come to sowpub and have an ax to grind with MLM or Mailorder, or anything else, take it down the road, please.

There are lots of places for you to whine and complain. This isn't one of them.

Paul, I know you used to do MLM, which is more typical, in/out....in/out....kind of like that.

But the truth of MLM is that FORTUNES are made, and you can learn from success, but as I stated in BYBA, you can't COPY it exactly, it may not be right for you.

Thanks Paul for sharing with US.

Gordon Alexander

... although I didn't WANT to preface my message by putting up a "NO MLM bashing shield" since I was trying to make a very valid point, I thought "maybe I should."

I figured I'd take my chances though...

It's COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT to discuss the pros/cons of MLM on a Marketing and Learning Forum, since Knowledge is Knowledge... and it's just as valid from an "experienced, in the trenches, MLM veteran" (like him) as it is from the same person, who does NOT have MLM experience!

He is one of the most brilliant marketers I've ever had the pleasure to meet, and he has capitalized on the misunderstanding and misdirection of many MLMers.

He very clearly breaks down.... well, I DON'T need to defend him so I'll stop here.

But my point is: learn ALL you can from as many DIFFERENT industries as possible, because even in those industries which you don't like for whatever reason *there*are*prospects*for*YOUR*products*there*too,* and by learning what you can from "them" you help YOU sell more!!!


One of the better "hands on" seminars I've ever been too...ignore the MLM slant and take a look here

Gordon and Paul --

Thoughts on several subjects.

I had my stint in Amway many moons ago. Don't regret it for a second. Learned a lot. I also stand up for the multi-level marketers I know. They have a tough road to hoe. And some of the ones who get in now, buy the dream, and get all gung ho, stand to be in a lonely place not too far down the road should they drop out. I think we all know what I'm talking about. The smarter ones will take what they learned and build on it. The rest will find another dream to chase.

I was talking to a person just after I got out of Amway. He was telling me how he just couldn't understand how it could ever work. I tried to explain. Then he told me of his boss who had bought into the emu farm business (that should put a date on this for some of you.) and lost a lot of money. I pointed out that at least with a MLM someone could get in, get their experience, and get out without loosing their shirt in most cases. He agreed. So which is better? Don't know. I would rather people get their experience without loosing all their cash.

And while I'm on the subject of emu's. Had dinner a short time ago with a Mennonite family south of here. As we are eating the wife says "do you like to know what you are eating or do you prefer to wait till afterwards?" Asked that way it is difficult to keep eating without getting the answer then. She tells me emu. Their kids giggle and ours shrug their shoulders and keep eating. It was okay.

I ask how they came to have emu meat. Seems some of the "emu farms" had set up shop down near them. When it came time to close the doors they were just going to dig a hole and put the emu's in it. Instead they gave them to my friend whose son happens to be a butcher. They canned it and have had plenty of emu for just the cost of processing. So somebody came out ahead in the deal.

Big Al - happened across a big set of his tapes the other day at a used book store and being the curious type bought them and took a listen. Enjoyed what I heard even though I'm out of the MLM biz. Some of the info on meetings and such is useful in what I do anyway.

-- Dan Butler

> Hi Paul,

> I want to get this on the table.

> Personally, I don't have a problem with MLM,
> as you know.

> I'm not going to allow any bashing of any
> kind at sowpub, I mention this because you
> can go to any forum on the Internet and get
> that stuff.

> WE are different in that regards.

> I value EXPERIENCE, whereever it comes from.

> A year or so ago I wrote about the passing
> of Joe Victor.

> I drove Dien by his former home, he had
> retired to FL a few years back.

> Joe was one of the original 9 AMWAY members,
> and the one, I believe that brought
> Nutra-Lite to the group.

> The point is, that here in Akron there are
> several multi-millionaires from MLM
> businesses.

> I don't consder them cult members, no more
> so than the people down at the church (pick
> one).

> Networking marketing is NOT for everyone. Me
> for one.

> BUT, it has been and is a VIABLE WAY for
> people with little money to get started in
> business and become wildly successful if
> they make the effort.

> I respect ANYONE that tries, and fails.

> So, Big Al's success is welcome here. As is
> all success and all failure that leads to
> Knowledge.

> KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE are what we focus
> on.

> Knowledge comes from DOING, getting knocked
> down and getting up again. You get smart
> fast that way.

> If MLM is not for you, FINE. But if you by
> any chance come to sowpub and have an ax to
> grind with MLM or Mailorder, or anything
> else, take it down the road, please.

> There are lots of places for you to whine
> and complain. This isn't one of them.

> Paul, I know you used to do MLM, which is
> more typical, in/out....in/out....kind of
> like that.

> But the truth of MLM is that FORTUNES are
> made, and you can learn from success, but as
> I stated in BYBA, you can't COPY it exactly,
> it may not be right for you.

> Thanks Paul for sharing with US.

> Gordon Alexander




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