Direct-Response Copywriting – Cursing Or No Cursing?

One of the most unique and effective things about direct-response copywriting is its conversational nature.

But sometimes people take this “conversational” informality, too far.

For instance, yesterday I was having a conversation with a client of mine. We were going over some of the details of their marketing campaign, including the copy they used. And what they shared with me was very revealing.

After about 30 seconds, I was able to pinpoint exactly what was going on, and why their promotion didn’t work. Since I suspect this client and his partner aren’t the only ones who are making this mistake, I figured I’d share it with you, too.

Now before I get into this more specifically, let me also share something with you about marketing, and about writing copy. The best copy is written in a specific “voice” that belongs to a real or perceived to be real person. It might be your voice… it might be the voice of one of your satisfied customers or clients… and it may even be a doctor or a scientist’s voice – or even the voice of one of your family members.

But regardless of whose voice it is, it’s very important that whatever you’re saying in your promotion, is consistent and congruent with the character that’s speaking. So for instance, if the promotion is from your “wife” and she’s talking to your prospects about how hard you’ve been working on creating this specific product, and then she suddenly starts talking in industry jargon’ this isn’t going to be believable. Your marketing in this case, won’t be very credible, and it’s not likely to be an effective selling formula you should use.

Consistency is important, so keep this in mind.

But now let’s get back to the effectiveness of “conversational” sales copy, and I’ll do this by using myself as an example. I grew up in an apartment housing project in the Bronx. And although I’ve left a lot of those habits, as well as the general thinking of the people who are raised there, behind me’ one thing I still have, is a potty mouth.

I curse – sometimes a lot. However, if you’ve ever heard me speak on a teleseminar or on stage, you’d never know this. And of course, I don’t curse around women and children. But get me in a crowd of guys’ or one on one in a comfortable atmosphere, and BAM! Like a sailor, it comes pouring out.

Keep this in mind for just a second, and now let’s get back to my client and his promotion that didn’t work. He starts telling me that in his sales letter he was really edgy. He was dropping f-bombs and cursing throughout the letter, to try and get his prospect’s attention and to make a point.

Let me say something about this. Over the last 10 years I have written several million words and sold probably a few times this amount in dollar value of goods and services – maybe more, who knows.

And I will tell you something you may find surprising, especially in light of what I just said a few moments ago about my potty mouth: I have never EVER used a curse word in any sales letter I’ve ever written, either for myself, or for a client.

Why?

The answer is simple. See, when it comes to spending money, your prospects are dead serious about what they’re doing. They want to know one thing, and one thing only: that you are 100% committed to making their experience a memorable one, and that you are as serious as they are, when it comes to their money.

They don’t care if you have a good sense of humor, and they don’t care how ballsy you are, and they certainly don’t want to hear foul language from someone they never even met before, especially someone who wants their money.

A good rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it in print.

So save the four-letter words for you and the boys when you’re having a few beers, but be a first-class act, ALWAYS, when it comes to your prospects. Direct-response copywriting should be “real,” but not real loud… or real cheesy.

Pirates of MLM Network Marketing! Don’t Let Them Rob Your Dreams! Part 2

This is part 2 of this 2 part article series so if you didn’t read part 1, I suggest you do. In part 1 go into great detail of what and who the first pirate of MLM network marketing is, and how to prevent it from robbing your dreams and success online.

So back to the topic of MLM network marketing pirates. Like I said in part one, most people start their business with large dreams of the lifestyle they will be living. But for 97% of those people, their dreams eventually turning into frustration, discouragement, sadness, doubt and they no longer even think about the dreams they once had at the beginning of their career. So who are these MLM network marketing pirates who steal your dreams and your, chances of success and how do you prevent that from happening to you? Well we already went over the first MLM network marketing pirate and how to prevent it from stealing your dreams and chances of success. So what is the other pirate of MLM network marketing?

The second pirate is the people you surround yourself with. Most people don’t take this pirate seriously, but it is actually the most dangerous and it the biggest threat to you and your business. Who do you spend most of your time with? Do they support you and what you’re doing or do they talk negatively about their experience or what they heard? Are the people you surround your self with going in the same direction you are with your life? All these questions are questions you should be asking yourself because if you decide to surround yourself with not just negative people, but who don’t agree with what your doing or are not headed in the same direction you are in life, then you are you own worst enemy. If your dreams could talk they would ask you, “who side are you on?” You may say and think hanging around the wrong crowd doesn’t effect you because you are focused and know what you want, but it does. An this is how this pirate of MLM network market operates and why 97% of the time it succeeds in stealing dreams and making people fail. Like I said before, most people don’t take this pirate seriously, surrounding themselves with people they shouldn’t and continuously having the wrong seeds planted in their sub conscious mind. So how do you stop this pirate? Simple. Think about people who are successful and who you admire in your life and start spending time with them. Surround yourself with this people constantly. Pick their brain, see how they operate. If you have no one in you life like that, that is headed in the same direction you are, then join social networking clubs or read personal development book or auto biography’s of people. Reading someones book is like having an actual conversation with them. These is the same as surrounding yourself yourself with like minded people in person. Doing this with actually make you begin to think like and develop the habits of these success people. Also plug into training calls, webinars and events. These are other ways to surround yourself with the right people and keep the second MLM network marketing pirate from stealing your dreams and your online success. Don’t under estimate this pirate. Do some of the things I suggested in the article and your success in your MLM network marketing business is guaranteed.

The two MLM network marketing pirates described in these 2 part article are very real. So you must be aware of them and do things to prevent them some stealing your dreams and success in your MLM network marketing business. Never let your guards down and persist until you reach your goals. Doing this and becoming successful won’t be easy, but I promise you it will be worth it.

Setting Up an Online Direct Sales Business is an Art

Tough economic times often present us with opportunities that we might never have thought to pursue. Faced with losing a job or a career on account of economic cutbacks can pose some interesting challenges. But we need not be in despair over these challenges if we can recognized that opportunities abound for us in the online world. If nothing else, we can learn how to set up an online direct sales business in order to begin making money online.

As with offline brick and mortar businesses, setting up an online direct sales business involves planning and a viable business model. There’s an art to setting up a successful online direct sales operation. If your business model includes buying and reselling drop-shipped wholesale products, then you need to become aware of the pros and cons of running such a business online. There are sources for information which can help to lessen the time necessary in order to get you up and running without wasting your time and energy.

The mistake that many people make in the beginning is dealing with a disreputable dealer. There are wholesale product distributors out there whose sole function is to prey on people who are desperate to begin selling products online. The problem is: they’ll end up charging you more than what other marketers are receiving their products for, and the end result is that you’ll end up not making much, if any, profit for all your hard efforts. This scenario is something that you will want to avoid.

One of the most popular business models is that of the eBay reseller. There’s plenty of money to make on eBay. In order to become a successful reseller on eBay, you need to know how to accomplish a few things. Like: simple methods for getting around a supplier’s minimum order quantities; exactly how to deal with suppliers in order to get what you want; how to get your products for up to 80% below wholesale prices; and how to start with no money or products to sell.

There’s a lot to learn, but it need not be painful. If you know what to do ahead of time in order to set your business up properly in the first place, then you are miles ahead of other people who don’t even have a clue! The key to success is obtaining a mentor who will help show you how to set up your business for maximum profits. Your mentor will show you how to choose the perfect product to sell. He will teach you which products will bring you the largest profit margins. He’ll educate you how not to get ripped off by the many con artists there are out there.

With proper guidance and care and the right knowledge and education to begin with, you can become a successful direct sales entrepreneur online. It won’t always be easy in the beginning; but just like anything else that is worth doing and having, it won’t take you very long to learn the correct way of doing it if you choose the right mentor from the start.

Internet Marketing Training Course – Is There One Where You Can Learn, Apply and Earn?

Yes, there is an Internet marketing training course which will enable you to learn, apply and earn at the same time. Too good to be true? I thought so to until I got on board for an unbelievable ride. I am still on it. In fact, what you will get is more than an Internet marketing training course. Why? It is because you will get everything you need to succeed. Let me try and share with you some of what you will get and where you can have it all. Before we move on, its best that we pose some important questions.

First question. Where do you start? You start by learning the essentials. What is it? How does it work? What is the process? What are the pros and cons? What is your role as an Internet Marketer? Any Internet marketing training course that is worth its salt must address these questions at the initial stages.

Next, you must be able to learn what is a niche market and how to choose a niche that pays. Market research is crucial for success. Any Internet marketing training course that does not cover this in depth is suspect. What about products or services to promote? How do you choose? Where can you find the products? Without direction, you will be lost. So many ways to do things. So many methods. Limited time. Direction and focus is the answer. How do you decide which direction to take? Is it paid or free techniques for you?

There is more much more that you should get from an Internet marketing training course. This includes building web pages, e-mail marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) and article writing. Therefore, the least that you should expect from one, is a comprehensive understanding of the essentials. How about an Internet marketing training course that offers you a 10 step action plan for you to soak in the whats, whys and hows of the essentials? Not enough? Consider additional training resources that are added on every day and a dynamic forum that gives you all the help you need.

You should also get more in the form of video tutorials, PDF and others that give as much as you can take. Your challenge? How to find the time to learn and apply all that is offered. Remember that we are talking about an Internet marketing training course that will enable you to learn, apply and earn. All at the same time. How would you be able to achieve this? You do this with all the tools that will be given and needed to make money online. Try and beat that.

Some of the tools that you will get are an easy and quick website builder, a writing tool, a niche market research tool, keyword tool, a complete marketing blueprint, web hosting and, turnkey feeder sites. No kidding. There is so much that you more that you can get provided you pick the right Internet marketing training course. Select one that is more than just an Internet marketing training course. Pick one that offers you what you need to succeed and enjoy the benefits.