UPDATE: Some people have skimmed this post – read the comments – and somehow inferred that (1) I dont’ like John Reese – (2) I think his product is bad- (3) Anyone promoting the product is a whore. This is simply not true. I didn’t say it – and I don’t believe any of those things.
This post stands on it’s own – ON TOPIC.
Internet Marketing Whores
Walk down the cyber streets of Internet marketing today and you’ll see Internet marketing whores dressed in skimpy outfits (shocking subject lines), shaking their bonuses at you, (the stuff they swore would never be for sale again at their last launch), and cooing seductively – for what?
For a teensie cookie to John Reese’s Traffic Secrets 2.0.
Why, because if you buy John’s Launch Product from them, they take a big fat 50% of your money for themselves – and if they are the real “bottom bitch” (the #1 whore from the book ‘The Pimp’) they win even more in prizes and inner-circle, zero-gravity-dive braggin rights.
Is this too strong?
So while you are busy sorting the flood of emails you are getting today with each one pimping off their bonus “package” as youself two questions:
1. “Does the person sending this to me actually give a darn how I come up with the money for this “must have” product – and whether it truly has a positive impact on my success – or if it is just another big box of stuff I will not be able to digest – putting me further behind in my goals?”
2. “Does this course contain real “secrets” or, is it possible, I can learn everything I need to learn, at a pace I can actually absorb and implement it – another way, for less money or free?”
Come on, haven’t you seen this movie before?
In 2005 “Traffic Secrets” was a great name because John Reese really had come out from underground with lots of great tips and strategies that were, for the most part, not well known outside a few heavyweight players online. It was a seminal work of great value.
Today, the entire world of getting traffic to your website, blog, or sales letter, has changed dramatically due to social networking, and web video, twitter microblogging, chat, and wireless.
IMHBAO (In my humble but accurate opinion) there are many people who have been pioneers in the social marketing movement. Jack Humphrey is the king of this medium and already has a fabulous resource that is constantly upgraded with the newest ideas.
This medium is not static – it changes constantly.
This is, I know, a very controversial statement I’m making here – and by contrasting John and Jack I’m going to catch flak from some people who think I’m a whore, just a really tricky one, 
for doing it.
Ask yourself how you got so jaded?
Answer: Email List Whores…
Please take just a few moments and leave your feedback here as a comment – and tell me, is the landscape of Internet marketing changing – or will millions bleed once again out of the pockets of people like you and me – and into the bank accounts of the 12 Biggest Whores in Internet Marketing?
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I am Joe’s Email List: An Open Letter to Internet Marketers
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Rick,
Love you.. Love John. Solid information and insight all around.
In this case, I believe Dr. Dana Myatt summed up our roles and responsibilities as affiliate marketers brilliantly. (Dr. Dana, you can write for me anytime!)
However, how people react to canned emails from those affiliates who can’t be bothered to make the time or effort to inform their subscribers about the value (or lack thereof) of a product, yet tantalize with 3 million bucks worth of rehashed crap that no one will ever use, is entirely up to them.
If they want to spend their way into the poorhouse on the basis of ridiculous hopes and worthless bonuses (because they’re not on your list or mine), that’s their business and folly.
We can’t control the actions of others… and it’s doubtful that the world’s oldest profession – or its manifestation within the affiliate marketing industry – will end anytime soon.
So, all any of us can do is our best – and hope that the bulk of subscribers on our lists are reasonable, responsible adults.
Cheers,
Ros
Rosalind Gardners last blog post..John Drops the Hammer on Affiliates Who use Misleading Advertising
The secret is to be able to UNDERSTAND the secret.
If you don’t know something, it is a secret to you.
If someone can TEACH you something, in a way that you can understand it, embrace it, and run with it – then it is worth the cost to learn said secret.
Example Topic: How to do searches on the Internet.
Google and Yahoo have “Help” areas that show you how to do online searches. No secrets there, right?
Um, then why do so many people stink at it?
Note: I have worked with doctors, lawyers and Indian chiefs, who had no clue on how to use the search engines. And I mean the MAJORITY of people, from all walks of life, I have personally worked with have no clue.
If you (who are reading this comment now) are really good using the search engines then you are potentially a nerd, or have been online long enough and made efforts to figure it out. You are part of a minority.
In one of my niches, I have taught people how to use the search engines to become online research experts. I taught them the “secrets” of this topic.
Yes, in spite of all the Helps from Google, etc., and other online resources, my down-to-earth teaching on the topic opened a whole new world to them. I literally helped change their online lives. I know this because they told me that I did with glowing testimonials and reviews.
They were thrilled. The secret to them, was understood.
With online marketing, like so many other topics, there is information overload and confusion. Who is right, who is wrong?
John Reese did two things for me in the past years:
- He opened a whole new world about Internet marketing to me.
- He taught me in a way that I could understand.
One of the big factors to me with John is that he has tested so many things and actually been in the trenches doing it – and succeeding.
I believe there is no greater calling that that of a teacher.
So, teach me, Rick. There are plenty of things out there that are still secrets to me.
Use your powers for good. Build and do not tear down.
Those who said there are no secrets are Clintonian liars.
They have all the secrets they want to hide.
Yet they propose a ridiculous notion like:
“There’s No Secrets”
Yeah right, sell that to school kids!
The number of comments proves this is a hot topic that MANY people feel concerned about.
It’s not about tearing down because options and solutions have already been presented by many of the commenters.
This thread is also not about John Reese, and it’s certainly not an attack on him. His product undoubtedly has value to many, that’s not in dispute.
John is merely the latest in a long line of marketers to use a promotional method that a lot of people (both customers and marketers) are concerned about.
The crux of the matter as I see it, is best presented as a question:
Should internet marketing related products be launched with hype, by affiliates and JV partners who use unscrupulous tactics, bombarding their lists, and competing against other promoters by adding ‘bribes’, OFTEN without having even seen the actual product they’re promoting?
Of course, customers DO have a choice, they CAN unsubscribe from a list, BUT customers can also be manipulated. After all, we are in a world of expert marketers who can make plenty of people believe that their product is the magic pill that’ll solve all their problems and make them lots of money.
It’s been my observation that a LOT of customers are starting to rebel. They’re starting to realize that they’ve spent lots of money without any results. They’re starting to realize that there really are few genuine ’secrets’. They’re starting to realize that they need to find a mentor who provides help and value CONSISTENTLY, not just right before a launch with the sole purpose of whipping people up into a frenzy of excitement, only for them to be abandoned later, until the next launch…
Andrew Locks last blog post..Episode #13 – Cellphone Woes, Back End Sales, How to Choose a Reliable Web Host, and a Marketing Lesson from Zappos.com
Hey Andrew!
Your post is very well written – just like your show at http://HelpMyBusiness.com
You manage to get said in a few words what is really clear and true about how both sides of the story are true.
While you CAN unsubscribe – we WANT great content and to be treated with respect.
That is why I wrote I am Joe’s Emai List.
Thanks for your support Andrew,
Rick
Hello Rick and all who are following this post especially Deb who seems to have taken Rick’s post WAY too personal. I am with Dr. Dana Myatt on this one. John has done very very well for himself and to think that Rick can hurt his earnings or anyone else’s for that matter is off base to me. WAY OFF BASE!
If you are a good marketer then you CAN sell period! That is the bottom line. You can’t let one man’s opinion of what you’re doing or not doing stop you. There are always going to be haters and naysayers but to say that Rick hurt John’s sales is a weak a– cop out in my humble opinion. I mean some will, some won’t, so what next!!
When someone says to me that I can’t do this or can’t do that it just makes me more determined to prove them wrong. John’s first TS was good enough that it’s credibility alone is closing sales for John. I know I REALLY liked it and like John. As a matter of fact I am one of these guys who was waiting for all the bonuses to come out before I decided to buy. Rick’s post is certainly not going to stop me. No offense Rick.
A very good friend of mines once said “You’re not a real marketer if you can’t stand on your own two feet. If all you can do is ask others to mail to their lists for you then that isn’t marketing because anyone can do that.” Now we all KNOW John Reese does not NEED people to mail for him. He CAN obviously stand on his OWN two feet but there are alot of folks out there who can’t. So what they NEED to do is LEARN HOW TO MARKET BETTER. If Affiliate Marketers out there are going to allow what Rick says and think “victimize” them then they need to get out of the game. You have to be able to bring it or just don’t get involved. I can’t concern myself with what others say. I just hone my skills more and use what others say as fuel to succeed.
John Reese is considered a legend by alot of folks in this industry and his reputation and credibility alone probably sold the copies of TS 2.0 that DID sell. Yeah some Affiliate marketers threw in their bonuses to make more sales for John and themselves but it’s not like John would’ve starved if they hadn’t. I am sure John is doing quite well with this launch.
You have to build a relationship with your list. You have to have built an affinity with your list and that is what makes or breaks the deal. Not one man’s opinion which Rick IS entitled to just like you are Deb but I think you misread Rick’s post and intention in the post.
There are too many folks out there who DO pimp out their lists for a commission without really giving a damn about people’s success. WHERE is the follow up? Where is their intent to make sure the customers that buy through their links understand the material THEY are endorsing. Those that just come out to make a quick buck are the folks you should be attacking Deb. I mean isn’t this still America that we live in? Don’t we have freedom of speech here? Last I checked we did.
I don’t know ONE IM’er or Affiliate Marketer that AFTER he or she endorses a product as an affiliate and makes that nice affiliate commission takes it upon THEMSELVES to put on a free teleseminar or webinar making sure that folks consume the material and understand it. I’ve never known or heard that happen. There is no “after you buy through my link” support or follow up. They just leave buyers on their own. I am referring to the affiliates and not the owner of the product. John has offered to do alot for the buyers on this TS 2.0 but I am referring to affiliates in general. They just figure it is the author or owner of the original product’s responsibility but it would be nice once in a while to see affiliates follow up and make sure their subscribers/buyers are getting all they can out of the product. I may be wrong and if I am I apologize but have never heard of such a thing. Affiliates move on after promoting a product. I mean they deliver their bonuses and then you are on your own.
I don’t know you Deb and you don’t know me but I know Rick well enough to say that I seriously do not think his intent was to kill John’s sales. I think he was just pointing out some things that were maybe bothering him and a lot of folks will admit that they DO get tired of receiving tons of emails on the same product launch. I think it is healthy to opt out of IM’ers lists who are not contributing value to their subscribers. If the ONLY time you hear from a marketer is when there is a big launch then unsubscribe I say. I know alot of marketers who DON’T take the time to give a sh– about their subscribers. All they care about is their commissions. They do not educate, help or freely give to their lists. They use the word sheeple in private conversations but would never say it to peoples faces. Who is stepping up for the buyers of the products? Where is their voice when they buy products BECAUSE an affiliate is pushing pushing pushing it down their throats and they never can implement it. It just collects dust on their hard drives. Who feels bad for them?
Are all affiliate marketers “bad” or “selfish” of course not! I am just saying to look around and see how many of them really do follow up to insure the success of their buyers?
Either way I believe we are all entitled to our opinions and if a person does not like the programming then they can just change the channel. It is as simple as that as I see it.
Thanks for reading.
p.s.
For all I know maybe I misunderstood everyone who’s posted comments on this post including you Deb but does that make me a bad guy? Nah just misunderstood like Rick I guess.
God bless you and yours
p.s.s
It is not my intention to disrespect Deb, John, Rick or anyone else for that matter so I hope this comment does not get misread and start another fire.
It’ll be great if we can get the affiliate marketers to refund us the postage, when we sent back the course materials, if the main product is good, but the bonuses are crap.
It’ll be best if we can buy the main product again from another affiliate whose bonuses potentially live up to their claims.
That way we won’t be locked into some worthless stupiac bonuses.
Part of the problem is including affiliates and “jv partners” in a launch.
I often advise new online businesses NOT to launch an affiliate program when they are just starting out – for five reasons:
http://www.affiliate-software-review.com/asrblog/5-reasons-not-to-launch-___-with-an-affiliate-program2
But now that I read my original blog post I realize that I’ve assumed that IM launches are different. Yes they’re different … they’re different in the sense that they’re getting out of hand.
I think I’ll rewrite my post to say that even in the IM world you shouldn’t launch with masses of affiliates, for the same reasons you wouldn’t start an affiliate program when launching in any other niche.
Give good value, get happy customers referring you more, figure out how to optimize your conversion, then start buying traffic … and maybe then think about starting an aff. program.
LMAO @ “bottom bitch”… great analogy! And Frank Kern’s comment about being a slut… HI-LAR-I-OUS! Personally, I think a lot of the activities surrounding a typical “launch” are just pure overkill. The true value (not price) of the product gets cheapened by the “free bonus” wars. If I really want a product, I buy it directly from creator. And then I usually end up unsubscribing from all of those mailing lists that say basically the same thing.
Rick,
You have written precisely what I thought. I unsubscribed from 3-4 lists as a direct result of big-launch whoring – Mike Filsaime was one of these lists.
I watched John Reese’s videos about TS2 and it looks a good product, although not something I want right now. The hyperbole and bullsh^t that it was wrapped in by “the 12 whores” just took the biscuit & I decided to tune them out.
I think such a big part of social networking is trust, and they blew it.
Thanks for an enlightened post.
Lee
Lee Duncans last blog post..Business Success & The Milkman…
nice review boss..
thanks for warning. i wan to buy it before, but not anymore.
ohwillieJokess last blog post..If you love someone
Thank you again Rick for bringing a smile to face.
This Internet Thing intrigues me.
Especially from a Marketers viewpoint.
People are seeking information.
For a multitude of reasons.
And thanks to The Power of this medium, it
is available for FREE in almost all situations. One must be diligent, as we were in the past, and seek the Information, spend Time & Energy instead of Massive Capital.
Now I understand that you can BUY your way into Success, there are example of that all over the net…
But thanks to people like yourself and others the “average Joe and Jane” can learn HOW TO BUILD successful businesses through this Medium.
The new name “Social Networking” is what we have been practicing for 50 years
I still favor Off-line Businesses, much more lucrative currently, and the ability to Rifle Focus the prospects is easier. Not a lot of wannabes.
My off-line consulting grows from Realistic Clients who know what they have to do to get on top and stay there.
I really appreciate your Candor and talent.
Hope to meet up some day
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