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Ryan Deiss is a weasel.

Not really.  But he’s giving away a delicious little marketing technique that I’ve used for about two years and never taught.  Not because I wanted to keep it to myself….but because I intended to actually release a product of my own explaining how it works.

Because while everyone else was whining about Google slap and complaining about the cost of PPC marketing……I was using this little-known method to drive high-quality traffic to my site for pennies.

Even better, it’s almost like mind-reading.  It lets you ONLY run your ads to people who are actually THINKING about wanting what you’re offering.  It’s ingenious. You’re basically targeting your ads on the Google Content network to only show up for Gmail users.

As you know, Gmail users are served ads on the side of the screen based on keywords in their email.  When Google announced this back during the official launch of Gmail, some people were upset.  They said that it was “invasion of privacy”.  I guess they felt that Google had people actually reading their email and serving ads accordingly.  People on the other side of the argument said, “It’s no different than showing dog-training ads on a website where Google’s search engine spots the keyword “dog training”.

What do you think?  Is advertising on Gmail an invasion of privacy?  Or is it just smart marketing?

Comment below!

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This may not affect many of you who are network marketers but if you’re also selling any of your own products (ebooks, etc.) then you will want to be aware of it.

Some of you may have heard that the BBB, the FTC and VISA have started targeting businesses that use free trial offers that turn into paid subscriptions at the end of the trial period.

Let’s be clear about this.  There is nothing wrong with giving someone a free trial.  And there’s nothing wrong with telling someone that they have to cancel a service within X time period if they don’t want
to be billed.

The FTC agrees:  “Free trial marketing can be convenient for consumers — if the terms are spelled out beforehand,” said David Vladeck.  He’s the FTC’s Director of Consumer Protection.

The key point is in the latter half of his statement:  “if the terms are spelled out beforehand.”  As expected, it’s not the honest and ethical marketer who needs to be worried; it’s the shady marketer who’s got so little confidence in his/her own product that they feel like they need to “pull one over” on the customer.

Simply put, this FTC/BBB/VISA campaign is against companies who try to hide the terms.

For instance, in November, the FTC reached a settlement with a company called Commerce Planet.

What were they doing?  They offered a “free auction kit” that would teach them how to make money on sites like Ebay.  Commerce Planet was charged with accusations of “unclear information regarding the trial”.  By signing up for the “free online kit”, consumers were not clearly made aware that they were also signing up for a monthly fee of $59.95 for an “online supplier” program if they didn’t cancel within a few days of the order.

Bottom line:  these people SHOULD be getting some attention from the FTC.  Because there’s no excuse for not being completely up-front with your customer.

So, the bottom line is this:  if you’re selling a product, service or subscriptions, there’s nothing wrong with offering a free trial that turns into a paid subscription.  There’s also nothing wrong with opting someone into a paid subscription as part of a one-time purchase as long as they understand it.

But that’s the key, make sure they understand it!  Use video.  Use audio.  Make it clear to the consumer what the terms of the transaction are and you won’t have to worry about the FTC accusing you of trying to pull a fast one.

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Quick question: Are you building a list?

Some networkers look at me when I ask that question and say, “A list? A list of what?”

A list of people who want to be in communication with you. A mailing list. A prospect list.

Most aren’t.

See, most networkers do this: More >

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Dear Friends,

What an exciting week. Is there anything more exciting than a new adventure?

To dispel any possible rumors: it IS true that, after 4 1/2 years with Polaris Media Group (formerly Liberty League International), I have resigned my distributorship. I’ve emcee’d and hosted 24 live events for the company all over the world in the last few years and also more than 600 conference calls. It’s been a wonderful career and I’m grateful for the experience and all the wonderful people I’ve met and interacted with. Truly, I’ve had the best seat in the house!

Some of the core principles that we’ve taught over the years is that you truly can create whatever life you want if you’re willing to: More >

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