JULY 2006 Greetings & Salutations: I gotta question for you ... Are YOU Stupid? Thankfully, almost no one is stupid about everything. Then again, unfortunately, almost everyone is stupid about some things. Do you ASK questions about the things you want to know about? Or, do you just accept whatever answers you can find on your own ... not wanting to appear to be stupid? When you are asked a question, do you respond by quoting, almost word for word, the answer given by some authority figure (or, worse yet, the party-line), without thinking? Do you ever question the answers you already think you know? -- I do, all the time. When faced with two answers to the same question, do you ASK yourself 'why?' there are two answers? Do you ever ASK yourself whether or not the person giving you an answer has an ulterior motive? Fortunately... Stupidity Can Be Cured! All you have to do is ASK! Every condition in your life has it's cause. -- Poor people are poor, because they have never asked themselves, "why am I poor?" -- They just accept the condition and pass it along to their offspring. Unless YOU learn to ASK for what you want from life, you will be stupid. But, you have to keep on asking, and Asking, and ASKING until you get the answers that will, finally and lastingly, lead you to a full understanding of success in business and in life. Rudyard Kipling said it best: I keep six honest serving-men [They taught me all I knew]; Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who If you will notice, there isn't an answer in the bunch. ASK, and you will receive. -- It is better to appear to be stupid in the eyes of really stupid people than to NOT ASK and really be stupid yourself.
JULY 2006
Greetings & Salutations:
I gotta question for you ...
Thankfully, almost no one is stupid about everything. Then again, unfortunately, almost everyone is stupid about some things. Do you ASK questions about the things you want to know about? Or, do you just accept whatever answers you can find on your own ... not wanting to appear to be stupid? When you are asked a question, do you respond by quoting, almost word for word, the answer given by some authority figure (or, worse yet, the party-line), without thinking? Do you ever question the answers you already think you know? -- I do, all the time. When faced with two answers to the same question, do you ASK yourself 'why?' there are two answers? Do you ever ASK yourself whether or not the person giving you an answer has an ulterior motive? Fortunately...
Every condition in your life has it's cause. -- Poor people are poor, because they have never asked themselves, "why am I poor?" -- They just accept the condition and pass it along to their offspring. Unless YOU learn to ASK for what you want from life, you will be stupid. But, you have to keep on asking, and Asking, and ASKING until you get the answers that will, finally and lastingly, lead you to a full understanding of success in business and in life. Rudyard Kipling said it best:
If you will notice, there isn't an answer in the bunch. ASK, and you will receive. -- It is better to appear to be stupid in the eyes of really stupid people than to NOT ASK and really be stupid yourself.
I hope you didn't miss this unbelievable opportunity ... Unbelievable
I hope you didn't miss this unbelievable opportunity ...
Now, let's do some ... Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! Anony Mouse wanted to know... "You give great sound advice ... need some help on this one please. -- I have a contract with a local satellite provider/installer who sells dish network to the local area. He will pay me an (x) amount per install I generate business for him. -- Since Dishnetwork is so heavily advertised ... I am kinda stumped how to effectively market for this installer ... trying to keep my cost low as possible, of course. I also sell a "healthy coffee program"(free sample to clients upon request) not sure if i could use coffee as a teaser to coincide with the Satellite promotions to generate sales or something similiar. -- He will allow me to market it anyway i want to ... no restrictions. -- Any input you could give me would be highly appreciated!!!!!" Mouse: NO ... I would NOT give away a sample of "coffee" to sell a dish installation. What I would do is get ALL of the advertising that Dishnetwork is using and try to write a sequel to those ads. See my article on the subject at: Jun00.html
Now, let's do some ...
Anony Mouse wanted to know...
"You give great sound advice ... need some help on this one please. -- I have a contract with a local satellite provider/installer who sells dish network to the local area. He will pay me an (x) amount per install I generate business for him. -- Since Dishnetwork is so heavily advertised ... I am kinda stumped how to effectively market for this installer ... trying to keep my cost low as possible, of course. I also sell a "healthy coffee program"(free sample to clients upon request) not sure if i could use coffee as a teaser to coincide with the Satellite promotions to generate sales or something similiar. -- He will allow me to market it anyway i want to ... no restrictions. -- Any input you could give me would be highly appreciated!!!!!"
Mouse: NO ... I would NOT give away a sample of "coffee" to sell a dish installation. What I would do is get ALL of the advertising that Dishnetwork is using and try to write a sequel to those ads. See my article on the subject at: Jun00.html
Kendall Smith wrote to tell me ... "A while back I bought your ebook on finder's fees; long story short I'm now waiting for my first $1000 check as a result of having that book handy when a deal kind of landed in my lap. Now, how to get my mind tuned into actually pursuing such deals ... you know when you're not accustomed to something it can be a challenge to develop the needed skill set." Thank you, Kendall ... By the way, if YOU want to do what Kendall has done, you can learn all about Finder's Fees in my Free Report, at:
Kendall Smith wrote to tell me ...
"A while back I bought your ebook on finder's fees; long story short I'm now waiting for my first $1000 check as a result of having that book handy when a deal kind of landed in my lap. Now, how to get my mind tuned into actually pursuing such deals ... you know when you're not accustomed to something it can be a challenge to develop the needed skill set."
Thank you, Kendall ... By the way, if YOU want to do what Kendall has done, you can learn all about Finder's Fees in my Free Report, at:
Ernest Jones needed some advice ...
"I'm in need of some quick advice: -- 1. I have your finders course and read about how no to expect to get paid working Exotic finders deals. I'm currently being tempted to join an Merger & Acquisition Network to split fees as a finder to an already established group of 205 Equity Fund investors. From your experience... is there any potential even if it takes the better part of 6 months to a year to find and wait out a closing? -- I'm retired and don't need regular monthly pay checks. -- 2. Can you discuss the Pro's and Con's of how you think e-bay will impact finding as a viable endeavor? -- Waiting to hear the great one speak the truth as always!" Ernest: The M&A field has long been a viable field for Finders and it appears some of the M&A Networks are filling a need. (We didn't have such networks when I was young and super-active.) -- BUT ... When I read over some of the materials from a couple of those networks I noticed that they don't offer the best advice when it comes to making contacts, providing leads, etc. -- SO... If you join one of the M&A Networks, follow the methodology explained in my course rather than the methods they advise. You'll fare much better. As far as eBay goes, I haven't had any experience with them so I would be remiss in offering any kind of opinion.
"I'm in need of some quick advice: -- 1. I have your finders course and read about how no to expect to get paid working Exotic finders deals. I'm currently being tempted to join an Merger & Acquisition Network to split fees as a finder to an already established group of 205 Equity Fund investors. From your experience... is there any potential even if it takes the better part of 6 months to a year to find and wait out a closing? -- I'm retired and don't need regular monthly pay checks. -- 2. Can you discuss the Pro's and Con's of how you think e-bay will impact finding as a viable endeavor? -- Waiting to hear the great one speak the truth as always!"
Ernest: The M&A field has long been a viable field for Finders and it appears some of the M&A Networks are filling a need. (We didn't have such networks when I was young and super-active.) -- BUT ... When I read over some of the materials from a couple of those networks I noticed that they don't offer the best advice when it comes to making contacts, providing leads, etc. -- SO... If you join one of the M&A Networks, follow the methodology explained in my course rather than the methods they advise. You'll fare much better. As far as eBay goes, I haven't had any experience with them so I would be remiss in offering any kind of opinion.
Matthew Allen wanted to know ... " I bought your course on MailOrder. -- -- I've sent away to dealers for the products I'm interested in. -- I have a few questions. -- 1. Should I get a website that customers can order from? -- 2. If yes, do you recommend a company that develops and maintains for a reasonable fee? Should I do it myself? -- 3. Is it advisable to sell different product lines to different groups at the same time, e.g. books to one group and jewelry to another? -- 4. Is there an expected time frame for this to take off? I'm not in my 20's and brash so I don't expect it to happen tomorrow, but is there a reasonable timeframe to expect consistent results? -- 5. Should I get a PO box?" Matthew: Getting a website is really unnecessary if you are going to be marketing by mailorder - but - it may be a good idea if you are going to sell online as an affiliate for various companies. Actually, it is quite easy to do a website once you get the hang of it. I started by going to the local bookstore and buying books like "Webmastering for Dummies" and "Webmastering for Kids" ... by the time I got through those, I knew enough to get started. Then, I bought the Adobe PageMill ... which is a program that actually makes web pages (it is very easy to learn from the manual they provide; I printed it so I could read it as I went along). Any ISP can maintain your website for you ... some of them are as cheap as $7 per year - but - I prefer ipowerweb.com -- they cost more but they provide everything you need. There is no reason why you can't keep and maintain a mailing list for 2, or 3, or 4, different kinds of products. As long as you mail the right products to the right lists. Sorry, there really isn't any reasonable timeframe. It depends upon so many variables no one can even begin to guess. Some people are profitable within 30 days ... others are never profitable. If you take your time and do it right, you should see some good results in 6 months to a year. We used a P.O. Box for 12 years ... changed to our street address when it just got too inconvenient to go to the Post Office every day. Now days it really doesn't matter.
Matthew Allen wanted to know ...
" I bought your course on MailOrder. -- -- I've sent away to dealers for the products I'm interested in. -- I have a few questions. -- 1. Should I get a website that customers can order from? -- 2. If yes, do you recommend a company that develops and maintains for a reasonable fee? Should I do it myself? -- 3. Is it advisable to sell different product lines to different groups at the same time, e.g. books to one group and jewelry to another? -- 4. Is there an expected time frame for this to take off? I'm not in my 20's and brash so I don't expect it to happen tomorrow, but is there a reasonable timeframe to expect consistent results? -- 5. Should I get a PO box?"
Matthew: Getting a website is really unnecessary if you are going to be marketing by mailorder - but - it may be a good idea if you are going to sell online as an affiliate for various companies. Actually, it is quite easy to do a website once you get the hang of it. I started by going to the local bookstore and buying books like "Webmastering for Dummies" and "Webmastering for Kids" ... by the time I got through those, I knew enough to get started. Then, I bought the Adobe PageMill ... which is a program that actually makes web pages (it is very easy to learn from the manual they provide; I printed it so I could read it as I went along). Any ISP can maintain your website for you ... some of them are as cheap as $7 per year - but - I prefer ipowerweb.com -- they cost more but they provide everything you need. There is no reason why you can't keep and maintain a mailing list for 2, or 3, or 4, different kinds of products. As long as you mail the right products to the right lists. Sorry, there really isn't any reasonable timeframe. It depends upon so many variables no one can even begin to guess. Some people are profitable within 30 days ... others are never profitable. If you take your time and do it right, you should see some good results in 6 months to a year. We used a P.O. Box for 12 years ... changed to our street address when it just got too inconvenient to go to the Post Office every day. Now days it really doesn't matter.
Ricky Nelson wanted to make it bigger ... "A while back I ordered your $1,000-$5,000 Free & Clear program in 30 days. -- My goal is to do this on a Full-Time basis. I know that you wanted the prospect to use this service preferably when you need the money. However, you did not oppose full-time usage either. What is your take on this, and also can we create our own flyer? I'm not tryingto reinvent the wheel, but just put some of my own choice of words on the flyer." Go for it, Ricky ... One of the people who bought that report back in 1983 or 1984; living in Arkansas, is still running the deal full time ... earning over $20,000 per month. Create your own flyer ... make it work for you.
Ricky Nelson wanted to make it bigger ...
"A while back I ordered your $1,000-$5,000 Free & Clear program in 30 days. -- My goal is to do this on a Full-Time basis. I know that you wanted the prospect to use this service preferably when you need the money. However, you did not oppose full-time usage either. What is your take on this, and also can we create our own flyer? I'm not tryingto reinvent the wheel, but just put some of my own choice of words on the flyer."
Go for it, Ricky ... One of the people who bought that report back in 1983 or 1984; living in Arkansas, is still running the deal full time ... earning over $20,000 per month. Create your own flyer ... make it work for you.
Carrie was gonna advertise - but ... "For placing classified ads for mailorder, do you find thrifty nickels are a good place to advertise? I've heard both good and bad. Are responses generally low with these papers?" Carrie: The "Thrifty Nickel" is no better; nor any worse, than any other publication for advertising. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The ONLY way you can tell is by testing it. Then, Carrie wanted to know ... "I would just like to know, realistically, what can one expect to make monthly selling information products via dropship mailorder, including your publications? Carrie: My best dealer (before he died) was doing over $100,000 per month - but - of the hundreds of thousands of dealers I have had over the years the vast majority of them have done nothing and earned nothing. Mailorder drop ship dealers earn anywhere from a living wage to a fortune ... all dependent upon their dedication, persistence and testing to find the best methods for them. Realistically ... you can earn as much; or as little, as you want to spend the time earning.
Carrie was gonna advertise - but ...
"For placing classified ads for mailorder, do you find thrifty nickels are a good place to advertise? I've heard both good and bad. Are responses generally low with these papers?"
Carrie: The "Thrifty Nickel" is no better; nor any worse, than any other publication for advertising. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The ONLY way you can tell is by testing it. Then, Carrie wanted to know ...
"I would just like to know, realistically, what can one expect to make monthly selling information products via dropship mailorder, including your publications?
Carrie: My best dealer (before he died) was doing over $100,000 per month - but - of the hundreds of thousands of dealers I have had over the years the vast majority of them have done nothing and earned nothing. Mailorder drop ship dealers earn anywhere from a living wage to a fortune ... all dependent upon their dedication, persistence and testing to find the best methods for them. Realistically ... you can earn as much; or as little, as you want to spend the time earning.
Fred Burnett wasn't sure what it meant ... "I was wondering if you could tell me your definition for 'Private Labeling.' -- Can you private label any kind of product? -- If you could point me to anything you may know about this would be great. I am in biz. for myself with family and have come to trust that you are a truly good at business." Fred: There is nothing mysterious about Private Labeling. You simply have the manufacturer label their product with a brandname you choose. Go to any of the major supermarkets and check the products. Right next to the known brands, you will find their 'house' brand with their label on it ... usually the same product at a lower price because the cost to the retailer doesn't include the necessary advertising costs inherent in the known brand name. Decide what you want to sell. Then, contact the manufacturer and simply ASK if they Private Label their product. If they don't, find another manufacturer of the same product. Keep asking until you find one who does. By the way, when you buy Private Label from the manufacturer, you will be required to buy a goodly volume of the product - and - you will have to pay for the original artwork and set up to make the labels.
Fred Burnett wasn't sure what it meant ...
"I was wondering if you could tell me your definition for 'Private Labeling.' -- Can you private label any kind of product? -- If you could point me to anything you may know about this would be great. I am in biz. for myself with family and have come to trust that you are a truly good at business."
Fred: There is nothing mysterious about Private Labeling. You simply have the manufacturer label their product with a brandname you choose. Go to any of the major supermarkets and check the products. Right next to the known brands, you will find their 'house' brand with their label on it ... usually the same product at a lower price because the cost to the retailer doesn't include the necessary advertising costs inherent in the known brand name. Decide what you want to sell. Then, contact the manufacturer and simply ASK if they Private Label their product. If they don't, find another manufacturer of the same product. Keep asking until you find one who does. By the way, when you buy Private Label from the manufacturer, you will be required to buy a goodly volume of the product - and - you will have to pay for the original artwork and set up to make the labels.
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 Grande Panjandrum
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 Grande Panjandrum
Thought For The Month! "There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself." -- Andrew Carnegie
"There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself." -- Andrew Carnegie
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.
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.
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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