Taps . . . Respect Us in the Morning
Posted on October 29, 2007
Filed Under Internet Marketing: General | 5 Comments
After three issues of the IMXFiles, it’s lights out.
Why? With a subscriber retention rate of over 76% it seems most people were happy with what we delivered to their mail boxes. And I think the content, overall, was great when compared with similar offers on the market.
But sometime the things you hold onto hold you back from having what you really want and that’s about all that needs to be said.
Pure and simple, this newsletter was a lot more work than anticipated by everyone involved - and sitting where I’m sitting, it just wasn’t fun.
That might seem like a completely selfish reason for putting an end to it, but I could see the writing on the wall. Deadlines are missed, product delivered late, quality of product declines, interest fades and you end up paying for less than what you deserve.
I’m not going there - and I’m not taking you with me.
I have faced similar situations and to be bluntly honest, canceling your subscriptions this morning was nothing short of depressing. I wanted to accomplish something and I didn’t - we wanted to accomplish something and we didn’t.
And, that’s a part of the path to success because every time I’ve had to deal with a situation like this the outcome has been a HUGE plus for everyone involved. The hard part is knowing when to let go, admit it just ain’t working like you thought it would, and moving forward with a new sense of determination.
I really appreciate you as a customer and the bond I feel I have with “my people”. I want the best for you and if I don’t feel like I can give you that then it’s time for something else (and there probably will be something else).
To my IMXFiles partners, thank you - I’ve learned a lot from this project and I appreciate the great ideas you guys brought.
All the best to you all - X
Affiliate Elite
Posted on October 8, 2007
Filed Under Killer Ideas, Internet Marketing: General | 1 Comment
Run on over to Black Books Blog and tell me what you want to know from Brad Callen about his next piece of killer software, Affiliate Elite.
The Psychology of Goal Setting That Makes Manipulating Others Easy
Posted on September 10, 2007
Filed Under Conversion, Internet Marketing: General | 5 Comments
Here’s the untold secret to powerful goal getting -
The difference between where you are and where you want to be is resistance.
If you haven’t achieved a big goal, the problem is simple: you haven’t recognized and dissolved the underlying resistance. When you do, it’s like becoming a superconductor - the less resistance, the less energy is required to produce results fast.
Simple physics.
Usually, this resistance is not conscious - and that’s why what you want to do and what you’re willing to do are two different things.
By setting a goal, with subgoals within, you put a spotlight on resistance -
The purpose of goal setting is growth, but the reason more people don’t reach goals is because they don’t recognize and dissolve the resistance to change that must occur.
When resistance is strong enough, people resort to self-defeating behaviors like drinking, drugs, overeating, overspending, surfing the Internet pointlessly, etc.
Those people hold MASSIVE resistance to change - that’s why it’s so easy to sell “Lose weight while eating anything you want!” (which is, of course, a lie) . . . or “just take this pill and the weight will magically melt off!”
You mean, I don’t have to change and I can have exactly what I want too? Sign me up!
Knowing this, how do you position your product or service?
Recognize what the sources of resistance are for your prospects - not just to buying but to them actually seeing the result happen for them.
Then, sell the fantasy they desire to believe.
I point to “Google Ads for Free” - http://www.getgoogleadsfree.com/ (not an affiliate link, because good God what has the world come to when Internet marketer’s post affiliate links in their blogs?)
Nowhere in that sales letter does it SAY Google is going to give anyone free ads (in fact, it states that the product IS NOT about that) - but it is the “fantasy” the prospect wants to believe and they buy the product with that belief they planted in their own head (with masterful suggestion).
Unfortunately, in this case, instead of some buyers accepting personal responsibility for their own fantasy, they call it a scam. It’s actually a decent book and at the least an original idea on the Adwords front.
Knowing this “secret of goal setting” gives you a personal advantage and an advantage in manipulating what others do.
When someone arrives at your site, they do it with a goal ( and that goal ALMOST ALWAYS IS THE ESCAPE OF SOMETHING UNCOMFORTABLE ) - recognize that goal, recognize what they want to escape with that goal and the resistance they don’t even know they have to achieving it . . . then sell them the fantasy they want to believe.
X
Volume 2 Will KICK YOUR ASS
Posted on September 8, 2007
Filed Under Internet Marketing: General | 2 Comments
Volume 2 of the IMXFiles has been sent out and it rocks (it’s not too late to get in on this gig - link below).
I disclosed how I’m using exclusive X techniques to STEAL TRAFFIC AND AFFILIATE’S. Deviously, diabolically brilliant -
And Woody shares a new tool that is generating the inventor 1000 visitors per day via Stumble Upon - this is a really cool idea.
We have lots of great stuff in this issue - a jam packed fat no-fluff 36 pages about traffic generation techniques you won’t find anywhere else.
I’m about to remove the $48.50 intro offer from http://imxfiles.com - it will be gone by September 12th.
X
Wicked Cool Keyword Spy Tool
Posted on September 2, 2007
Filed Under Internet Marketing: General | 7 Comments
Check it out: Keyword Spy Tool
Which One Won?
Posted on August 27, 2007
Filed Under Killer Ideas, Marketing Strategy, Conversion, Traffic, Internet Marketing: General | Leave a Comment
In today’s email, I tested two headlines with a slight difference.
Can you tell me which one won and why?
1. How I “Steal” Sites, Affiliates and Traffic
25.1% (Although this subject line had fewer opens, it generated more clicks than 2)
2. How to “Steal” Sites, Affiliates and Traffic
26.9%
The follow-up email, sent approximately 4 hours later had these results:
1. More About How to “Steal” Sites, Affiliates and Traffic
23.9%
2. RE: How to “Steal” Sites, Affiliates and Traffic
29.1%
The difference in open rates between messages one and two was fairly insignificant - and not surprising that people were somewhat more interested in hearing about “How to” versus “How I”
The difference in open rates on the second two messages was significant - message two produced nearly 25% more clicks to the sales letter. Like it or not . . . “RE:” works.
And if you didn’t get my email, here it is:
OK Space Monkey’s . . .
Here’s the X philosophy and what I’ll
be covering in the upcoming issue of
the IMXFiles:
Why put your time and effort into
product creation when there are thousands
of decent-to-great products filling up
the Clickbank database?
Of those thousands of products, the vast
majority has absolutely LOUSY marketing
in place - horrible copy, terrible design,
no list building effort (or follow-up),
etc.
Or, you have the absolute lamest of the
lame-os who put Adsense on their pages.
(Martin got me on the ‘lame’ kick)
None of that’s bad . . . in fact -
It’s a goldmine of opportunity . . . but
not exactly for the reasons “they” tell
you it is.
X has ways and means of literally remaking
the sales process and cutting out the
merchant altogether - and that’s what Site
Stealer will teach you to do, with plenty
of resources to make it easier for the
doing.
Now, the one reason you do want your own
product is this: free traffic from
affiliates.
Well, until my latest stroke of genious
that is. In the upcoming issue I’m going
to reveal how to “steal” affiliates and
traffic - as an affiliate.
Yes, that’s right . . . you can now - as
an affiliate - have other affiliate’s send
their traffic to you and cut the merchant
out. Everyone gets paid what they should
and YOU build a list off the free traffic.
Like I said, it’s brilliant stuff.
So ya’ll better hop on this deal:
X
PS - You can get Site Stealer solo or you
can add in the IMXFiles for a ridiculous
price.
I’m giving you this ridiculous price because
I’m like a drug dealer - once you try this
stuff you’ll be hooked. Nobody sells mind
candy like this. Nobody.
I know you’ll be hooked.
You’ll be an X junkie. That’s my vision -
a world full of X junkies.
Go ahead. Try it. It won’t hurt you.
Trust me. 
Accept Complete Responsibility
Posted on August 26, 2007
Filed Under Rants and Raves, Internet Marketing: General | 2 Comments
I think people read my sales copy and think it’s an act -
It’s not.
I have ZERO patience for whiners and crybabies. I have zero tolerance for people who are still stuck to the nipple.
Not because I’m anti-social or mean-spirited - but because I know that people stuck in that level of personal paralysis have no chance at success.
When I was 18 I joined the military and learned some hard lessons. When I was 19 I was chosen to work for the President of the United States - in the White House. When someone asked if the job got done there were two acceptable answers - yes and no. If the answer was “no” - then what needs to occur to get the job done.
There was no whining - no finger pointing. That was simply not accepted and if it happened more than once, you didn’t have a job.
Great lessons? Absolutely. And I have little tolerance for people who play outside that, whether that seems fair or not - learn the lesson.
If you think I’m the reason - or anyone else for that matter - for your lack of success, your inability to “have what you want”, for you not being able to log into the account that you signed up for with a bogus email address . . . well, it’s time to grow the fuck up.
Ask any customer of mine who’s showed up and done the work - I will GIVE you my time to help you succeed. I WANT you to succeed. Maybe it’s from the goodness of my heart . . . and maybe it’s because I want to hear about how great my stuff is - that it really works.
Whatever the motivation, people will show up to help people like that. You don’t need sympathy or mommie’s apron strings - I don’t know of many people who appreciate that. People in that frame of mind are a waste of everybody’s time because when that crisis passes, we’re on to the next.
Energy vampires . . . losers.
I don’t call people “loser’s” to be demeaning - it just is what it is. It’s an attitude that become self-fulfilling prophecy. And it isn’t until you look yourself square on and admit that’s how you’re behaving that you can set yourself up to start winning.
I’ve been a loser. I hated it about myself - don’t expect me to like it about you. And don’t expect me to tolerate it for $48 or $97 or $5000.
Tolerating that about you in a DISSERVICE TO YOU. And it takes more of my energy than I’m willing to give.
I have better things to do for people who are going to accept complete responsibility for the results they produce.
The moment you begin to accept complete responsibility for how you deal with anything and everything that comes into your life . . . that is the moment you begin to win.
I know that people come to me for mind candy - but if you don’t master this one, it doesn’t matter what I tell you, what I show you - it’s a waste.
X
Affiliate Heros
Posted on August 24, 2007
Filed Under Internet Marketing: General | 8 Comments
Questions About Webinars?
Posted on August 2, 2007
Filed Under Internet Marketing: General | 1 Comment
I received these questions through the help desk and I’ll answer them here so that everyone benefits.
I am anxious to get started and have a couple questions.
I thought about going to clickbank and seeing what software was available that I could probably use your idea of generating a video on how to get the best use of the software. Everything I saw there was less that $50, with the commission being even less than that.
Clickbank has a limit on the maximum price of products they sell - $50 I think (not sure if that’s been changed and I think I’ve heard it’s higher now). I do know of products on Clickbank that sell for as much as $180, but that requires approval.
So, my answer is - you can find them, but they’re less likely to appear there. A better place to look is probably PayDotCom - or tap into a specific niche within the IM niche where you’ll hear about things earlier than others - for example we just had Affiliate Radar, Speed PPC and PPC Riches launch in the price range I’m talking about (and I believe all sell off their own independent system - not Clickbank).
This is the same advice I give about affiliate products in general - often you’ll find the easiest, and most lucrative, products to promote off the beaten path and that’s why you NEED to get into a niche an KNOW it.
Is using Clickbank a good idea?
Following on my previous answer, Clickbank isn’t a BAD idea - it has some great advantages, especially as a product seller - but it has some definite disadvantages too. I recently did a webinar with a CB product and even though I offered a nice bonus package for buying through my link, in HALF of the sales the buyer used their own link. That just doesn’t happen with other tracking systems.
If not, suggestions on where to go to get $100 products?
I think I’ve covered that - it’s not so much “where to go” but “where to be” - you need to be where you’ll hear about products in advance. Watch the forums, IM Newswatch, get to know the JV brokers out there - get to know the people who do the major promotions in your niche - don’t do this in a general way - for example, know the people into PPC, or SEO, or affiliate marketing, etc.
Do you recommend a webinar on how to use the software or a webinar to sell the software?
What’s really great about a webinar is that you can do both. It can be tough to sell software with a salesletter - so when people see something demonstrated it removes some of the unknown, and teaches them a little about using it.
Of course, you can sell the software - then do a follow-up series of webinars that teach people how to really make money with it. A part of the value is teaching the “how to” and little tricks many may not discover on their own, but don’t discount the value of structure either - I know plenty of people who pay a personal trainer to get them to do exercises they wouldn’t be disciplined enough to do on their own. It’s a major mistake that more people aren’t doing this already.
X
Classic Hoard Working
Posted on July 31, 2007
Filed Under Internet Marketing: General | 14 Comments
The stuff people fall for.
Rewind a few years and you’ll find a lot of info packed posts from me on the forums - in fact, about half of what I wrote about in the Adwords Black Book was stuff I shared freely on forums.
Why did I stop?
- One post I made became a full-blown info-product, swiped by some “guru” [who, BTW, has not been heard from since].
- Other posts - brilliant stuff - were ridiculed and chastised. Of course, I had the last laugh when these same people later paid me $197 for the stuff I’d given them for free, then they raved about it [ LESSON: People do NOT value anything you give them for free ]
- A big name marketer, who I really admired, ripped off another post and made it a part of his newsletter [ no - he didn’t give me credit ] - it’s pretty shocking to read your work, verbatim, and have someone like that taking credit for it.
These reasons and more are why I have to share this with you - it really plays on people’s egos. Because let’s face it - us Internet marketer’s are an unusual bunch, completely misunderstood by anyone who’s not doing what we are. So we CRAVE acknowledgment for the mad skills we have.
Never in the history of the planet has any group of professionals been more willing to spill their guts about what they’re doing to anyone who will listen.
And there are people ready and waiting to exploit that for their own benefit.
Now, I’m not saying that’s exactly what going on in this post by the poster himself - but you can bet the vultures are circling.
So here’s the play: hit people with an “us versus them” pre-sell. “They”, the poseur money-suckers versus “us”, the good and the innocent.
And “me”? I’m such a good guy, I will take a whole $50 - yes FIFTY DOLLARS - out of my pocket for the person who gives me the best tip.
Naturally, everybody wants acknowledgment for having “the best marketing tip” - the fifty dollars is a slight of hand trick - it’s not the money that’s the real motivator; it’s the desire for approval.
X
Hi Warriors,
It’s that time again. I wanna give someone $50.
Since one of the biggest problems people seem to have is filtering out the BS from the truth, and not knowing who to listen to - I’ll make it my normal “post your most useful tip for others to learn from” type deal.
I’ll leave the thread open until the weekend and then pick someone who’s posted in it to send $50 (via Paypal or beer button).
There are a lot of self-proclaimed gurus saying things which they’ve never done, and either pushing the ‘Death of X’ or ‘Secret Backdoor’ approaches to loosening your wallets, so if you want the $50, just post you most useful technique/tip/strategy that is no-cost and can generate either: signups, traffic, customers etc to a new online business.
If you’ve joined-in my threads before you’ll know I’m serious and I will pay up.
Regards,
A