If you haven't heard yet... James Grandstaff has released "Part 2" of his "Downline Secrets."
Before I get to my review, I thought I should play a little catch-up in case you have no clue as to what Downline Secrets "Part 1" is about.
Basically with Downline Secrets part 1 you get free access to a recorded call between Mike Filsaime and James Grandstaff. Mike asks James questions about the success he had using InstantBuzz.com (a free advertising resource) to grow his downline.
You get access to the MP3 and PDF transcript of the call (which is nice because I don't always like to sit in front of my PC to read or listen to content.)
During the call James reveals how he used his free Instant Buzz traffic along with his (now proven) 3 step strategy to explode his downline into the thousands on complete auto pilot.
The cool part is he did it while maintaining his full time job as a PC support technician in Michigan.
And from there you have the opportunity to buy the same software that James developed to grow his downline and use it to grow your downline in any program you happen to be involved in.
So all-in-all DownlineSecrets.com is a great site and offers a lot of great info for free on how to build your downline using the web.
What makes Downline Secrets "Part 2" so much better is that it takes over where Downline Secrets 1 left off.
What I mean is this...
With Downline Secrets 1 you were left to figure out all the technical stuff in order to duplicate James' results for your MLM business. The software and detailed videos are fantastic but you still have to come up with the web copy, the hosting, the HTML page design and so on... The yucky stuff.
Let's just say his target market is much smaller because if you don't have the much needed technical skills or the money to hire those with the skills, you are pretty much out of luck and can't fully benefit from the entire system he is teaching.
This time around you get access to a call between James Grandstaff and Chris Zavadowski who is also very successful in the MLM scene. He grills James for over an hour and gets all the must know secrets out of him.
The system James is offering this time is over the top! He covers all the technical stuff for us this time and everything is completely set-up. All the technical issues have been removed. This is great because more people can now truly benefit from his teachings and proven system.
Now, I want to let you in on something...
Once you register for the call below you will see an offer for James' Elite upgrade membership. All I can say is ==> TAKE IT!
It's only $47 bucks and for what you get it's simply mind blowing!
In a nut shell... he's offering you a professional designed lead capture page that gives away a customized version of his new manuscript called 'How to Get Rich Building a LAZY Downline!'
This PDF is first customized with your affiliate links to several "generic" MLM training resources. As you give this thing away you will earn commissions from those you refer who upgrade in any of the programs.
And since they're all MLM related, the conversion rates should be extremely high!
All you do is simply advertise the lead capture page via the special link you get and James' software sends an email to your prospects (with a link to your customized PDF)
Everything is on auto-pilot!
Oh, and don't worry, the traffic aspect is even handled for you. Be sure to check out the bonus that's included :-)
See, I told you this thing was awesome.
As you can see, I'm totally excited about this because it's refreshing to see a great product come along that is truly capable of changing the lives of others.
So yes, Downline Secrets 2 gets my highest recommendation!
Sign up below and buy everything ;)
Here's the link:
http://www.downlinesecrets2.com/?r=9744
Take care of your business and yourself :-)
Sincerely,
Starzlet
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
How To Avoid Spam With Akismet
This Tutorial is Part of Atomic Blogging ( A Step By Step Guide to Blogging )
What you see above are the number of Spam messages I get so far on my blog! It's HUGE! Arent they ignoring? To avoid and prevent all this spam you must use Akismet - A Free Plugin to avoid spam for your blog.
Before I start, Akismet is a free open source spam program online to help fight spam for wordpress owners.
Just follow the following steps to get started to prevent Spam on your blog.
What you see above are the number of Spam messages I get so far on my blog! It's HUGE! Arent they ignoring? To avoid and prevent all this spam you must use Akismet - A Free Plugin to avoid spam for your blog.
Before I start, Akismet is a free open source spam program online to help fight spam for wordpress owners.
Just follow the following steps to get started to prevent Spam on your blog.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
How 'Al Bundy' Can Boost Your Conversion Rate!
Copyright © 2006 Quick Turn Marketing International, Ltd.
Dear Friend,
Are you familiar with the advertising campaign, "Reading is FUNdamental"? Well, here's something less "FUN" that the ads don't mention:
90% of the people in North American have the reading skills of a 12-year-old.
"So what," you say?
"Who cares," you mutter.
"What does the reading level of North Americans mean to a high-powered, soon-to-be living in the lap of luxury marketer like me," you ask?
Get with the program! This is big, REALLY BIG stuff. If most consumers are at a seventh grade level, it means:
* Your sales writing must be SIMPLE
* Your sales writing must be CLEAR
* Your sales writing must be EASY ENOUGH for AL BUNDY TO UNDERSTAND
Don't think of your average consumer as a discerning, highly educated person who just loves to crunch numbers and sift through dense information. If you do, you'll be on the copywriting road to hell.
Instead, put an image in your mind of Al Bundy. (You know... the lovable, if not too bright, guy from the TV series "Married with Children.") Believe me, there's a "little bit o' Bundy" in all of us -- a pinch of Al, a hint of peg, Peg, a touch of Kelly, and a smidgeon of Bud).
When you sit down and write a sales pitch, envision your customer stretched out on a plaid sofa with a brew in one hand and the TV remote in the other. He's taught his dog to "fetch" the TV Guide from across the room. When the phone rings, he's too lazy to get off his butt to answer. When a commercial urges, "Call NOW," he thinks, "Maybe later."
How motivated do you think this "Bundy" is to place an order for whatever it is YOU might be selling? You're right -- not very.
To appeal to all the "Bundys" out there -- to get them off the couch and onto the ordering process -- you'll need to use words, sentences and paragraphs that are easy-as-pie on the eye (and the mind) of the consumer.
= = = = = = = = =
The "Al" Factor
= = = = = = = = =
Every time you write a word, sentence or paragraph, ask yourself this question...
Would Al "get it"?
If the answer is yes... if Al understands it... your customers will be able to, as well.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Playing By The Rules When There Aren't Any
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Are there any hard and fast rules? Wouldn't that be lovely? Sorry -- no rules in knife-fights and
short-and-sweet marketing copy.
No rules... but many excellent guidelines. Here's a sample:
Forget What Mrs. Grammarpants Told You
You know all those rigid rules that you learned from your high school English teacher? Forget 'em! You're not writing for a language scholar, you're writing for Joe Schmo, the guy who was sitting behind you in English class trying to figure out how to give the nerd sitting next to him a hot foot.
Joe Schmo doesn't mind putting on his glasses to read, but please don't ask him to put on his "thinking cap." Use plain, easy to understand language that's so simple and so direct that even a 6th grader -- or someone with a 6th grader's reading level -- can understand.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Writing is "Speaking" on Paper
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
When you read your copy aloud, it should sound pretty much as if you were talking to a buddy face to face. Don’t use fancy, overblown words and phrases that are hard to understand. Use words that paint clear and immediate pictures.
One way to remember this is the word KISS --
Keep It Simple, Stupid (or more gently, "Keep It Simple, Sweetie.")
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Put Your Writing on a "Budget"
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
As far as words, sentences and paragraphs go... don’t use a ten-dollar word when a 25-cent "bon mot" will work just as well.
Less is more. Keep your sentences relatively short... say, 14-17 words or less. And if you have longer ones, break them up with ellipsis (...) or dashes ( -- ).
As a general rule, paragraphs should not exceed 6 lines. However, I usually stay around 2 to 4. And it’s a good idea to mix it up... have some one sentence paragraphs… even one or two word paragraphs...
...exactly what I've been doing in this letter to you!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Learn from the Masters to Earn Like the Gods
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Actually, one of the best ways to learn how to write clearly is to study proven sales letters. Keep the ones that "sold" you and the ones that were easiest to read and then model their layout/style.
If you’re not already collecting sales letters, get started now.
RUN, don't walk to add your name to these mailing lists:
* Agora Publishing - http://www.agora-inc.com
* Phillips International – http://www.phillips.com
* Boardroom - http://www.boardroom.com
* Rodale Books - http://www.rodale.com
* Nightingale Conant - http://www.nightingale.com
Shell out a few bucks, buy one or two products from each of these information "motherlodes" and you’ll get more good, good-er, GOOD-est sales letters, magalogs, bookalogs, etc., than you can shake a stick at.
And here's something for the "Al" in YOU -- everything's delivered right to your front door! (Have your spouse answer when the postman rings!)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Are You Using Your Tools?
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Did you know that you have a "marketing analyst" build right into your computer? If you use Microsoft Word, you can test the readability of your ads and sales letters using one of the functions in the Tools menu.
Here’s what you do:
1. Click on the Tools button at the top of the screen.
2. A menu will come up. In that menu click on Options.
3. Then you’ll see a Spelling & Grammar button…click that.
4. Do you see a box at the bottom that says, “Show readability statistics”?
5. Check that box.
Now whenever you spell check your document, you’ll get a box that displays the information you need. In general...
You should aim for a grade level of 6 or lower.
You should aim for a reading ease of 70 or higher.
Neat, huh?
= = = = = = = = =
It's Time for LCD
= = = = = = = = =
Are you worried about the non-Bundy readers that will receive your "Simple Simon" ("Simple Al"?) sales message using LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) language? Are you concerned about turning off the "Braniacs" with your pitch?
Don't worry ahout the Brainiacs. First of all, only about 10% of the people that read your message fall into this category -- a clear minority. Second, if you're offering something the Brainiacs want to receive, they'll appreciate the simplicity and clarity of your message (which the rest of your audience will also be able to understand.) Third, Brainiacs LOVE to feel smart, and they'll feel like big-cranium, super-smarties because they'll understand your message
perfectly.
Even if every consumer you contact is a Dr. or Mrs. Einstein, or even a little Einstein in diapers,
they're still going to be busy little beavers, with lots of things on their minds and 1000’s of
advertising messages vying for their attention everyday. If your message isn't a SUPER-AD -- faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to jump over the competition's message in a single bound -- consumers will just ignore it!
It's human nature to look for shortcuts and find the easiest way to our destination. So why would you want to make a consumer WORK to understand your message's "endpoint?" It's one of the reasons that the new rash of "cute-sy" corporate identity ads (for ING, let's say) are much more than just puzzlin... they're ineffectual. It takes a university professor to figure
out what the heck they’re selling)
Dumb... Dumb... Dumb...
So always remember to read your copy with the eye of the world's favorite everyman and you'll never talk over the heads, but will go straight to the consuming hearts of your average "Bundys."
Your marketing sifu*,
Dan Lok
P.S. Here's another little "golden nugget" to make sure the "eyes have it": People read 25% MORE SLOWLY from a COMPUTER MONITOR than they do from paper. Don't cause eye-strain or brain drain. Be EXTRA-clear and as easy to understand as A-B-C when creating content for your online sales materials.
*A "sifu" is a teacher (See, you learn something new every day!)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
A former college dropout, Dan Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to a multi-millionaire. Today, Dan is one of the most sought-after business mentors on the Web, as well as a best-selling author. His reputation includes his title
as the World's #1 Website Conversion Expert.
To find out what Dan is up to now, visit him at:
www.WebsiteConversionExpert.com
Dear Friend,
Are you familiar with the advertising campaign, "Reading is FUNdamental"? Well, here's something less "FUN" that the ads don't mention:
90% of the people in North American have the reading skills of a 12-year-old.
"So what," you say?
"Who cares," you mutter.
"What does the reading level of North Americans mean to a high-powered, soon-to-be living in the lap of luxury marketer like me," you ask?
Get with the program! This is big, REALLY BIG stuff. If most consumers are at a seventh grade level, it means:
* Your sales writing must be SIMPLE
* Your sales writing must be CLEAR
* Your sales writing must be EASY ENOUGH for AL BUNDY TO UNDERSTAND
Don't think of your average consumer as a discerning, highly educated person who just loves to crunch numbers and sift through dense information. If you do, you'll be on the copywriting road to hell.
Instead, put an image in your mind of Al Bundy. (You know... the lovable, if not too bright, guy from the TV series "Married with Children.") Believe me, there's a "little bit o' Bundy" in all of us -- a pinch of Al, a hint of peg, Peg, a touch of Kelly, and a smidgeon of Bud).
When you sit down and write a sales pitch, envision your customer stretched out on a plaid sofa with a brew in one hand and the TV remote in the other. He's taught his dog to "fetch" the TV Guide from across the room. When the phone rings, he's too lazy to get off his butt to answer. When a commercial urges, "Call NOW," he thinks, "Maybe later."
How motivated do you think this "Bundy" is to place an order for whatever it is YOU might be selling? You're right -- not very.
To appeal to all the "Bundys" out there -- to get them off the couch and onto the ordering process -- you'll need to use words, sentences and paragraphs that are easy-as-pie on the eye (and the mind) of the consumer.
= = = = = = = = =
The "Al" Factor
= = = = = = = = =
Every time you write a word, sentence or paragraph, ask yourself this question...
Would Al "get it"?
If the answer is yes... if Al understands it... your customers will be able to, as well.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Playing By The Rules When There Aren't Any
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Are there any hard and fast rules? Wouldn't that be lovely? Sorry -- no rules in knife-fights and
short-and-sweet marketing copy.
No rules... but many excellent guidelines. Here's a sample:
Forget What Mrs. Grammarpants Told You
You know all those rigid rules that you learned from your high school English teacher? Forget 'em! You're not writing for a language scholar, you're writing for Joe Schmo, the guy who was sitting behind you in English class trying to figure out how to give the nerd sitting next to him a hot foot.
Joe Schmo doesn't mind putting on his glasses to read, but please don't ask him to put on his "thinking cap." Use plain, easy to understand language that's so simple and so direct that even a 6th grader -- or someone with a 6th grader's reading level -- can understand.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Writing is "Speaking" on Paper
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
When you read your copy aloud, it should sound pretty much as if you were talking to a buddy face to face. Don’t use fancy, overblown words and phrases that are hard to understand. Use words that paint clear and immediate pictures.
One way to remember this is the word KISS --
Keep It Simple, Stupid (or more gently, "Keep It Simple, Sweetie.")
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Put Your Writing on a "Budget"
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
As far as words, sentences and paragraphs go... don’t use a ten-dollar word when a 25-cent "bon mot" will work just as well.
Less is more. Keep your sentences relatively short... say, 14-17 words or less. And if you have longer ones, break them up with ellipsis (...) or dashes ( -- ).
As a general rule, paragraphs should not exceed 6 lines. However, I usually stay around 2 to 4. And it’s a good idea to mix it up... have some one sentence paragraphs… even one or two word paragraphs...
...exactly what I've been doing in this letter to you!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Learn from the Masters to Earn Like the Gods
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Actually, one of the best ways to learn how to write clearly is to study proven sales letters. Keep the ones that "sold" you and the ones that were easiest to read and then model their layout/style.
If you’re not already collecting sales letters, get started now.
RUN, don't walk to add your name to these mailing lists:
* Agora Publishing - http://www.agora-inc.com
* Phillips International – http://www.phillips.com
* Boardroom - http://www.boardroom.com
* Rodale Books - http://www.rodale.com
* Nightingale Conant - http://www.nightingale.com
Shell out a few bucks, buy one or two products from each of these information "motherlodes" and you’ll get more good, good-er, GOOD-est sales letters, magalogs, bookalogs, etc., than you can shake a stick at.
And here's something for the "Al" in YOU -- everything's delivered right to your front door! (Have your spouse answer when the postman rings!)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Are You Using Your Tools?
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Did you know that you have a "marketing analyst" build right into your computer? If you use Microsoft Word, you can test the readability of your ads and sales letters using one of the functions in the Tools menu.
Here’s what you do:
1. Click on the Tools button at the top of the screen.
2. A menu will come up. In that menu click on Options.
3. Then you’ll see a Spelling & Grammar button…click that.
4. Do you see a box at the bottom that says, “Show readability statistics”?
5. Check that box.
Now whenever you spell check your document, you’ll get a box that displays the information you need. In general...
You should aim for a grade level of 6 or lower.
You should aim for a reading ease of 70 or higher.
Neat, huh?
= = = = = = = = =
It's Time for LCD
= = = = = = = = =
Are you worried about the non-Bundy readers that will receive your "Simple Simon" ("Simple Al"?) sales message using LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) language? Are you concerned about turning off the "Braniacs" with your pitch?
Don't worry ahout the Brainiacs. First of all, only about 10% of the people that read your message fall into this category -- a clear minority. Second, if you're offering something the Brainiacs want to receive, they'll appreciate the simplicity and clarity of your message (which the rest of your audience will also be able to understand.) Third, Brainiacs LOVE to feel smart, and they'll feel like big-cranium, super-smarties because they'll understand your message
perfectly.
Even if every consumer you contact is a Dr. or Mrs. Einstein, or even a little Einstein in diapers,
they're still going to be busy little beavers, with lots of things on their minds and 1000’s of
advertising messages vying for their attention everyday. If your message isn't a SUPER-AD -- faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to jump over the competition's message in a single bound -- consumers will just ignore it!
It's human nature to look for shortcuts and find the easiest way to our destination. So why would you want to make a consumer WORK to understand your message's "endpoint?" It's one of the reasons that the new rash of "cute-sy" corporate identity ads (for ING, let's say) are much more than just puzzlin... they're ineffectual. It takes a university professor to figure
out what the heck they’re selling)
Dumb... Dumb... Dumb...
So always remember to read your copy with the eye of the world's favorite everyman and you'll never talk over the heads, but will go straight to the consuming hearts of your average "Bundys."
Your marketing sifu*,
Dan Lok
P.S. Here's another little "golden nugget" to make sure the "eyes have it": People read 25% MORE SLOWLY from a COMPUTER MONITOR than they do from paper. Don't cause eye-strain or brain drain. Be EXTRA-clear and as easy to understand as A-B-C when creating content for your online sales materials.
*A "sifu" is a teacher (See, you learn something new every day!)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
A former college dropout, Dan Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to a multi-millionaire. Today, Dan is one of the most sought-after business mentors on the Web, as well as a best-selling author. His reputation includes his title
as the World's #1 Website Conversion Expert.
To find out what Dan is up to now, visit him at:
www.WebsiteConversionExpert.com
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