JULY 2002
Greetings & Salutations:
Have you ever wondered ...
"If most of the information about making a
fortune on the Internet is horse manure and hogwash, where do
the promoters get those people who give the fantastic testimonials
of success using that information?"
First ... if you read carefully ... some of those testimonials
are of "the emperor has no clothes"variety -- "I
just know I'm gonna make a fortune using this valuable information."
They ain't done it yet ... probably never will ... but what they
have to say 'sounds convincing' in a testimonial.
On the other hand, you have those people who give less-than-totally-truthful
testimonials.
In order to gain the approval of the promoter and experience
a vicarious thrill of fame, those people actually 'lie' to the
promoter about their success. By so doing, some of them
even hope to achieve success by association ... allowing the
promoter to use their full name and address in a published testimonial,
or appearing in the promoter's TeeVee program to bear witness.
One of those people once told me that, to succeed, you had
to "fake it 'til you make it." Although most
people thought he was rich and successful, he never did make
it. -- By spending every penny he earned on 'appearing' to be
rich, he never had money enough to ever get a real business started.
Then again...
"You cannot teach a man anything; you can
only help him to find it within himself."-- Galileo
So, even if only 10% of the information provided by a less-than-totally-truthful
Internet marketing guru is factual, there will be those among
his (or her) customers who will find what they need within themselves.
Those people will attribute their success to the promoter who
awakened the 'spirit of success' within them. -- They won't even
realize how much they had been mislead until much later, when
they look back and compare what they had done to what they had
been lead to believe they were supposed to do.
To illustrate, let me tell you...
A true story from my own experience.
As you know, back in my younger days, I made some outrageous
money as a Finder. Then, in 1978, I created my Finder's
Fee course ... which has since become the 'bible' of that industry.
But, I have never before told the story about how that course
came into existence.
Back when I was just a kid, growing up on the farm, I discovered
that I could make a few extra bucks by putting buyers and sellers
together and charging a 'commission.' -- If farmer Brown had
a tractor (or whatever) for sale, I would make an arrangement
with him to give me a commission if I could find him a buyer.
Then, when I found another farmer who needed such a tractor,
I would introduce him to farmer Brown and, if he bought the tractor,
I would get my commission. -- It was 'easy money' because I knew
almost everyone in the county, what they had for sale, and what
they might buy.
Later, when I was in the Army, I learned that used car salesmen
would pay me what they called a 'bird dog fee,' if GIs I brought
to their lots bought a car. -- Again, I was earning Finder's
Fees, introducing buyers to sellers, but I didn't know it at
the time.
Sometime during my stint in the Army, I somehow acquired an
old book about unusual businesses. In that book, there
was a rather lengthy chapter about earning Finder's Fees.
That chapter mentioned that Finder's Fees could be earned in
the fields of Industrial and Oil Field Equipment (just like farm
tractors), Closeouts, Liquidations, Collectibles, and a whole
world of areas I had never even considered.
Even before I got out of the Army, I had started earning bigger
and bigger Finder's Fees on all kinds of products and services
... just introducing buyers to sellers ... as I had 'learned'
in that old book. -- By the mid-1970s, I was known internationally
as a successful finder ... earning some outrageous fees for 'finding'
some of the most diverse products and services you can imagine.
For 10 years, I firmly believed that my 'success' as a finder
was due to what I had 'learned' from that single chapter in the
old book I had read. And, had anyone ever asked, I would
have 'testified' that I owed my success to that author.
As I pursued my career as a finder, I read everything I could
find about Finder's Fees. -- Everything I read was 'bullstuff.'
None of it even vaguely resembled the 'truth' about being a finder
- and - when I was able to actually speak to the authors, I learned
that they, personally, had never earned any Finder's Fee, but
they had 'read' about it (maybe in the same book I had read).
In 1978, when I decided to 'teach' people how to really and
truly earn Finder's Fees, I went back into my archives and retrieved
the old book I had read ... thinking I would use the chapter
on Finder's Fees in it to start my course.
Guess what? -- Rereading the chapter on Finder's Fees in that
old book, I learned that what the author had written was actually
even more misleading than the 'pure bullstuff' I had read since.
(It's a good thing I had never given the author a testimonial.)
But, something in that book had inspired me to decide to become
a finder.
So ... you see ... even though only 10% of the information
provided by a less-than-totally-truthful Internet marketing guru
may be factual, there will be those among his (or her) customers
who will find, within themselves, the inspiration to succeed.
Those few will give glowing testimonials to the efficacy of the
promoter's teachings ... fully believing that the information
he (or she) provided was instrumental in their success ... not
realizing that it was their own thinking that produced the results.
Once those people have made the decision to succeed, it matters
not that over 90% of what they have read is worthless.
They will ... as I did in my pursuit of finder's fees ... adapt,
adopt, develop, and implement the methods necessary to achieve
their success.
By the way, I'm talking about 'bullstuff information' here,
not 'bullstuff advertising.' -- Even 'bullstuff information'
can inspire a person to succeed. -- 'Bullstuff advertising' only
benefits the promoter.
Although 'bullstuff advertising' is a corruption, until a
person is well versed in a business method, technique or application,
it is almost impossible for them to discern the difference between
bullstuff information and the real thing. Therefore, unfortunately,
even the very best of information may be, and often is, unwittingly
labeled as 'bullstuff' by those who do not know.
But...
All it takes to succeed (in any business) is a
decision to be successful.
Once the decision is made, you will do it!
It really doesn't matter what inspires you to make that decision.
Whether the information you are relying upon is the best, most
reliable and factual dissertation ever written on the subject,
or pure 'bullstuff,' your decision to do it ... no matter what
it is you decide to do ... will produce the results you anticipate
and expect.
Think about it! Relate your decision making to anything
(or everything) in your life. -- When you are indecisive, you
wander around in a state of perplexity ... nothing seems to be
going right. Then, when a decision (about anything) is
finally made, the stress is relieved and you can go on about
whatever you are doing and accomplish your intended goal.
Even if the decision is to give-up, or quit, or just forget
it ... the result is the same. -- You do it!!
When YOU finally and unequivocally decide that you are going
to succeed at something (anything), you will do it. -- That's
why all of the great teachers of 'success motivation,' emphasize
goal setting. Because, once you decide upon a goal, you
will find a way ... even though you stumble and fall along the
way ... to get to that goal. -- The decision to get to your goal
is all it takes!
Decide, today, that you will have a successful, profitable
business ... no matter what kind of business it may be.
Once your decision is made and you know without doubt what your
goal is, forsake all other avenues to success. -- Then, even
if you are following the teachings of a less-than-totally-honest
guru, you will succeed.
The decision is yours and yours alone!
Now, let's do some ...
Questions & Answers, Comments
& Other Good Stuff!
Mike Wirth wanted me to tell you
...
"I'm contacting you purely out of obligation. -- When
I found out about the dangers virtually every PC user is exposed
to (and in most cases even isn't aware of), my eyes about popped
out of my head. -- It's no secret that horror stories about hackers,
cyber-terrorists, viruses, and other insidious computer-related
nightmares are all over the media like wildfire, but nobody ever
seems to talk about real life solutions. -- Until now. -- Luckily,
a viable answer to these problems is available that covers ALL
aspects of computer security. Every computer user MUST
have this ASAP before it's too late. -- Since you have a valued
email list, every person on it should be aware of this information
and how they can be protected from the deadly predators lurking
in cyberspace. -- The evil stuff is downright scary the more
you find out about it! -- I've reviewed this product, installed
the necessary software on my computer (it's FREE), and am convinced
this is something that will help people conduct business safely
in cyberspace. -- Please check this out right away."
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=34899
Mike:
Thank You for the info ... I just told my readers about it.
Susan Blair wanted to know
...
"Do you know someone that sells xxxxxxxx, and other things
that are used in xxxxxx. One of the countries that are
contacting me from Europe said that they want to get a full container
to ship to them. -- I didn't want to tell them that I don't have
them. I thought that I should be able to find someone and
work out a deal with them for a good price and then just email
over to them and see if they accept it. I am really learning
a lot from you and your books. I thought that this is something
that Jim would do. Right?"
Susan:
Any time you are seeking a specific type of product, it is
best to go to your local public library and ask the librarian
for their "Thomas Register." -- It's a reference book,
so you won't be able to take it from the library.
The "Thomas Register" is an annual directory of
manufacturers in the U.S. -- The old 1976 copy I have only has
6 volumes ... the 1992 edition has over 15 volumes. (That's
the last one I bought ... set me back about $500.) I'll
bet the 2002 edition is over 20 volumes.
You'll find all the sources you need in it - and - if the
"specific" product isn't listed, just telephone one
of the companies offering a similar or related product, tell'em
what you are looking for, and ASK them if they know anyone who
can supply what you need.
John E. Shreeve wants to give you
a FREEBIE ...
"First off, I have to say that your e-letter is one of
the very few free newsletters I read from "cover to cover".
I store them all in a file too - treat 'em like gold dust!
Good information is rare. -- Anyway, I thought I might alert
you (and perhaps your readers?) to my free ezine called "WiredPR
News." -- As the name suggests, it offers tips and tricks
about online PR - how to get your business or company covered
in the media. -- I'm both journalist and publicist - writing
for papers like the Financial Times in the UK and some aviation
magazines in the US. -- Anyway, my approach is unconventional.
I don't use press releases (hardly ever, anyway), and have a
battery of "guerrilla" tactics I use, drawn from my
work as a journalist. Being a journalist, I know what editors
and newsrooms hate and what they like. Whereas straight PR people
don't usually grasp it ;-) -- I give all sorts of tips in my
newsletter, as outlined on the site. It could well give your
readers some insight into how to get their businesses covered
in the media - it's insider info basically. -- If you would like
to mention this in your e-letter, then tell your readers I'll
send them a free report on search engine placement if they sign
up. The report was first published in the Internet column I write
for the business section of my local paper. So, it's original,
not rehashed."
Thank You, John ... I appreciate your kind remarks.
Okay, Gang ... to get your freebie, go to:
http://www.wiredpr.com
Rodney Alleman asked ...
"I would like to publish an e-book version of a book
that was written many years ago. -- How can I find out who has
the rights to it so that I may write and received permission?"
Rod:
The first thing I would do would be to go to Amazon..com to
see if the book is still in print ... or being offered by someone.
If it's not there, it's probably out of print -- so, I would
try to contact the publisher listed in the front of the book.
If the publisher still exists, ASK them about the book.
If the publisher does not exist, it may be that they were
acquired by another publishing company. -- To find out, I would
call Bowkers ... (877) 310-7333 ... and ASK if they have any
information about the 'old' publisher (give them all the details
from inside the front of the book). -- Go from there; if the
publisher was acquired by another company, call that company;
if not, go to the next step.
Run a web search on the Author's full name ... go to the links
provided to find out as much as you can about that author. --
If the author is dead and the publishing company no longer exists,
the book is probably in the public domain & you can re-publish
it without peril.
Let me know how it goes.
Angela Smith done writ me
a love letter ...
"Jim, I love Business Lyceum e-Letter. -- I've been a
subscriber for 13 months and want to tell you that Business Lyceum
e-Letter is probably the best ezine I've ever read on mailorder
and I've read a bunch. -- With tips like "the free (tax-paid)
services of the various government offices" in your latest
newsletter to "All it takes to be an entrepreneur is a decision
to be one. -- Once the decision is made, you will do it!"
in your May 2001 edition where you asked "What Does It Really
Take To Be An Entrepreneur?" I'd be a fool to not soak up
every single word you send me. -- And let me tell you I soak
them up two times over. As soon as your ezine hits my special
email box that I created just for it I read it from top to bottom
and usually wind up copying and pasting your advice in a little
word file I made up just for great tips to re-read. -- The fact
that you refuse to promote 'hot-air sandwiches', as you call
them, really makes me pay attention to the things you do promote.
-- I even visit your archives and have found some real gems there
too. Like Duplicating Your Efforts! That one little tidbit
made me $18,900.00 in less than 6 months and got me over 1,000
distributors nationwide. -- Now I'm trying to use that knowledge
with a new online program that I decided to personally promote.
I'm still struggling a little trying to figure out exactly who
the people are who want to be dealers (affiliates in this case),
but I'll get it right very soon. And when I do, I'll remember
to fire the "do-nothings" and support and encourage
my go getters. -- Thank you for taking the time to provide such
a high quality... back to the roots ezine."
Thank You, Angela ...
You made my day.
Sitting behind this cold, dispassionate keyboard I sometimes
wonder if anyone is listening. -- It pleases
me no end that I have, in some small way, assisted you in your
entrepreneurial progress.
Again, Thank You for your kind remarks. I truly appreciate
it.
Roberto Alvarado wanted
to tell you ...
"The Internet is fast becoming one of the biggest marketing
challenges in the business community. -- Almost every business
... large & small ... is clamoring for the methods &
technology to put their business online - BUT - the vast majority
of them don't even know where to start. -- You could make yourself
a fortune teaching them how to do it & providing them with
fully functional, custom designed solutions to their Internet
needs ... couldn't you? -- WSI Internet ... now in its
7th year ... has established over 700 franchises in 87 countries,
with their franchisees doing just that for businesses of all
kinds & sizes. -- As a WSI Internet franchisee, you
use their proven & patent pending business systems to help
small & medium sized companies within your community to profit
from the Internet. -- Having a website is simply not enough.
Businesses must have the knowledge of how they can profit from
this new technology. -- WSI Internet Consultants
(franchisees) are positioned to assist businesses in capitalizing
on all of the possibilities & as new Internet technologies
emerge, WSI Internet Consultants can deliver those results-oriented,
technologically advanced Internet solutions to their clients
... generating an ongoing stream of recurring revenue from each
& every client. -- WSI Internet also provides a dynamic,
on-going support program custom tailored to meet the unique &
individual needs of each new franchisee. -- No Computer, Internet
or specific business experience is required for this business.
WSI Internet provides complete & comprehensive training."
If your goal is to make a fortune from the Internet revolution,
you can check this one out, at:
http://www.wsicorporate.com/business.asp?id=1010
Craig Busch was in a quandry
...
"I am getting ready to start and master (over lots of
time and experience) what I need to do to have a successful mail
order business. >From what I have read, it seems that
you have sold more stuff in dollar amounts that anyone else I
have read about. You also seem to be very knowledgeable
about what does and doesn't sell. -- The three products I am
looking at are ebooks or information books that I would create,
Special Interest Videos that I would produce, or products that
I would get from other sources and sell them here in the U.S.
or oversees. -- With your experience as a mail order guru, would
it be faster to acquire already made products and work with those,
or create my own?"
Craig:
If I could start over today ... knowing what I now know ...
I would NEVER create any products of my own.
I would NEVER stock any products in inventory, either.
I would sell other people's stuff as a drop ship dealer, or as
an Affiliate.
Owning your own products sounds ever so profitable - but -
in the long run, the inherent "costs" and the time
consuming responsibilities, make it far less attractive.
Would You Believe ...
"Alex Mandossian makes things happen - fast! I was first
introduced to him on a Monday afternoon and by Thursday morning
one of his marketing ideas put an extra $12,500 into my bank
account. This guy has an amazing marketing mind ... if you're
smart, you'll put him to work for you too." -- Mark Joyner
(The 'Tiger Woods of Internet Marketing' and CEO of Aesop.com)
If Mark says it, I gotta put some credence to it -- so ...
check it out for your own self, at:
http://www.InfoBizInterviews.com
Michael Winicki wanted to know
...
"Good e-Letter this month (as usual). Quick question
on your response to the gentleman that had failed on a previous
space ad marketing effort. You as expected talked about
the testing-issue, which I totally agree with. -- My question
to you is what carries the most 'weight' in testing, in your
opinion? The promotion, the prospect, the media or the
product itself? -- Ben Suarez treats all four components
equally. Joe Sugarman seems to believe that the product
itself and if it 'resonated' with the public was by far most
important. Joe said he never repeated an ad if it failed
initially. Ted Nicholas seems to believe the headline (i.e.
promotion) was the key point. I believe I remember Gary
Halbert somewhat agreeing with Joe Sugarman that "It's not
how you say but what you say that is important". What
are your thoughts on this?"
Mike:
Knowing ALL of the great names you mentioned personally and
having read their writings over the
years as well, I still say ...
ALL of the mailorder gurus are right - but - ALL of the
mailorder gurus are wrong.
The only way you can know for sure what will work for you
is by "testing" - and - what you test, how you test
it & where you test it also has to be tested. Meaning
you have to test each of the elements until you discover for
yourself which elements require your testing in the future.
Sounds silly doesn't it - but - that's the way it is in the
real world.
Have You Ever Done Any Telephone Sales?
If you have and you wanna make yourself a bundle, Ralph McKay
is looking for a telephone sales person ... on commission, of
course ... to sell a revolutionary new marketing concept to Radio
Stations & Networks across the U.S. (One person signed
up 20 radio stations in two weeks by simply phoning them ...
never leaving his office.)
After looking over the complete plan, I am convinced this
can be a BIG (and I do mean "BIG") winner for both
the Radio Stations and the Telephone Rep who calls on them. --
So ...
If Telephone Sales are your thing, contact Ralph for all the
details.
Yarharbrough Roberts had a question
...
"Your newsletter is great. I have question regarding
the Insurance Business. I'm a Independent Rep marketing Annuities
and Final Expenses. Do you have any ideas how I can get more
exposure to generate more business until I can afford a marketing
program."
Yarharbrough:
If I were doing it ...
First, I would have a one-page, one-side flyer printed listing
ALL of the benefits of the Annuity program ... and another one
listing ALL of the benefits of the Final Expenses program.
I would then drop off a small stack of those flyers to places
where people who would need my services would be in attendance
... the Country Club might be a good place for the annuity program
... funeral homes might be a good place for the final expenses
program.
Just ASK yourself, "where would people who need by products
congregate?" -- then, take some flyers to those places.
P.S. -- Anything you do to generate more business IS a "marketing
program."
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every
issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions;
or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business;
or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members.
Believe it or don't ... I ain't a mind-reader. -- If'n you
doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information,
sources or resources you need.
This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ...
I am just your moderator.
Until next month, keep well ...
J.F. (Jim) STRAW
Testimonialist
Thought For The Month!
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of
them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened."--
Winston Churchill
Can you stump the old master? --
Betcha can't!
Over the past 40 years (man and boy), I have made bundles
of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising,
entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist
& Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail
merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing,
finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business
consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore
banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the
case ...
No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just
starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've
probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ...
Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in
your business - or - if you have any comments about anything
I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your
2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell"
me.
Send your Questions, Comments or 2 Cents Worth
to ...
with "Question" - "Comment"
- or, "2 Cents Worth" in the SUBJECT.
If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you
may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field
of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to
get the real 'skinny' for you.
Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously
just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but
you and I will know who asked the question.
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Copyright - 2006, J.F. (Jim) Straw. All rights reserved.