Why do some Internet Marketers feel it is necessary to lie to me?

The topic of my this post is the result of two different e-mails I received this past week from people wanting me to have a look at their product or opportunity.

The header of the first e-mail read,  From:  Zachary; Subject:  I am ready to join.  Since I haven’t been in contact with anyone named Zachary, I was suspicious but opened it anyway.   Upon reading the email, I find this person has lied to me at least twice.

Fist lie:  The content of the e-mail has nothing to do with joining anything I am involved with.  The writer is pitching a program for finding contacts on the Internet (which he no doubt used to find me).  The subject line was crafted to get my attention an prompt me to open the e-mail.  It had nothing to do with the content of the e-mail.

Second lie:  I look at the bottom of the message and notice the name in the signature is not Zachary.  Now I am wondering if either name is correct.

In the second e-mail, the writer tells me she found a slip of paper with my name on it from a convention she attended.  She claims to be with the same company as me, is rapidly expanding her business, and wants to share with me how she is generating leads.  I find this interesting as the company we supposedly share a connection through is fairly new and has not yet had their first major convention.  I know who most of the serious business builders are and her name doesn’t ring any bells with anyone on my team.

She found my contact information from a company replicated web site.  As did the first person.  I have no problems with this but why lie to me?

Business is built on relationships.  Relationships are based on trust and integrity.  Both of these writers have blatantly lied to me right out of the gate.  Why would I do business with either of these two people?

Put Junk Mail to Good Use

Put Junk Mail to Good Use – Send Back YOUR Advertisement

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We’ve all received junk mail.  I am not talking about spam e-mail but advertisements received through traditional mail (aka snail mail).  Typically this type if mail range from credit card applications to charities wanting donations.  Go into any small town post office and you will see the trash bin there is full multiple copies of the same garbage.  I have come to realize that some of this unwanted mail can be put to good use.

I look for the mailings that include a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Typically the postage in the top-right corner is pre-printed and says something like Business Reply Mail; Postage Paid if Mailed in Canada.  The envelope will also have the sender’s address printed on it as the destination.  Return address is usually blank.

Of course the intent of the self-addressed stamped envelope is intended so that you can mail back your credit card application or donation and not have to pay postage.  Instead of a cheque or a credit card application, I like to send back an advertisement of my own.  The idea is that perhaps some low paid clerk will open the envelope and see an opportunity.  Worst case scenario is the junk mailer gets to pay to see my advertisement.  🙂

Below is an example of what I am currently sending.  The advertisements are double-sided with one ad on each side of the 1/3 sheet of paper.

I Get Paid to Drink Coffee (Canada Coffee Guy)
I Get Paid to Drink Coffee (Canada Coffee Guy)
Drink Coffee.  Make Money.  Lose Weight.
Drink Coffee. Make Money. Lose Weight.

Facebook Photo Album Security & Manulife Financial

Update on September 18, 2013:  The CBC have removed the article from their web site that I made reference to.  As a result the link is no longer click-able.

Introduction

A recent story that appeared on the CBC web site about Manulife Financial withdrawing disability benefits due to photos found on Facebook has prompted me to write this article.  The CBC story can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/11/19/quebec-facebook-sick-leave-benefits.html.  Thanks to some personal experiences dealing with Manulife Financial, I have a clear idea as to how insurance companies and WCB handle disability claims.

Facts on Facebook & Photo Sharing

Even if you are always very careful with whom you accept friend requests from and what you post, always assume that anything you or anyone posts to Facebook can be seen by anyone.

Here are some basic guidelines.

  • When you create or upload photos to an album on Facebook, check the settings and who has access to the album.  Sometimes photo albums may be set to be viewable to ANYONE, whether or not they are on your friend list.
  • Facebook usually notifies you if you have been tagged in a photo that has been uploaded by someone else.  Always check any photos you have been tagged in.
  • Mouse over the Settings menu in Facebook and click on Privacy.  The Privacy page will appear with the following options.
    • Click Profile to examine and change who may see various parts of your Facebook profile.
    • Search is very powerful.  It controls what people see if they type your name into Google or other search engine or if they search for you within Facebook.
    • Facebook usually notifies you if you have been tagged in a photo that has been uploaded by someone else.  Always check any photos you have been tagged in.

Google and other search engines often cache pages that are found.  So even when things get deleted, that data or images may not be gone forever.

Facts about Manulife Financial and Disability Claims

First thing to note is that the only goal of any corporation is to make money.  Manulife Financial is no different.  The more claims they deny that are not challenged the more money they get to keep.  Whether or not Manulife Financial or any other insurance company is totally honest about what they do is another story.  It is this writers opinion that Manulife Financial is often extremely dishonest when it comes to dealing with disability claims.

Manulife Financial uses private investigators to check up on those receiving benefits and/or those who have applied for benefits.  If you ever get a telephone call from someone who claims to be with a courier, there is a good chance someone is checking up on you.  The ONLY delivery people who have ever called me to confirm when I will be home are those delivering flowers.  Last time a “courier” called and it wasn’t a flower delivery, I saw a van parked outside my home.  Sure enough, said van proceeded to follow us to an appointment.  In Red Deer, Alberta there is a private investigator for Manulife that uses a dark Ford SUV with a license plate that starts with BUJ.

As per the CBC article (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/11/19/quebec-facebook-sick-leave-benefits.html), Manulife have confirmed that they DO use Facebook to check up on those receiving or applying for benefits.

The bottom line is Manulife Financial and other insurers are often quite dishonest when it comes to honoring claims.  I know this from personal experience.  My recommendation for anyone who has a legitimate claim, who feels they are being dealt with unfairly, is to contact a lawyer who works on contingency.  We did and it made a huge difference with how our claim was handled.

Onoway Christmas Shopping Extravaganza

Title: Onoway Christmas Shopping Extravaganza
Location: Onoway, AB
Description: Your One Stop Christmas Shop

JavaFit Functional Coffee
Verve Energy Drink

Princess Florence Handbags
Epicure Selections
Norwex
Beauticontrol
Party Lite
Only Green
Arbonne
Tupperware
Stella & Dot
Discovery Toys
Squeaker Sneakers
Karen’s Candy Wrap
Stampin’ Up
Princess House
YJ Juice
Usborne Books
Silpada
Pampered Chef
The Babba Shop

Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-11-07
End Time: 14:00

The Power of a Dedicated Heart

The video below was sent out to our team by my partner, Beau Armstrong of Texas.

My favorite quote from it is, “Effective people make quick calculated decisions and change their mind slowly.  Ineffective people make slow decisions based on little and change their minds quickly.”  from the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

This video made my Tuesday morning.  I hope it makes yours.

Sampling

My wife and I are regular vendors at a local Farmers’ Market.  We also enjoy working trade shows and similar events.  Since we sell food products, we often have samples available.  A recent guest interaction has prompted me to change my plan regarding sampling.

Recently at the local Farmers’ Market I am approached by a young lady who seemed interested in Verve, a healthy energy drink, that is on my table.  She is unsure and asks if she may have a sample of the sugar-free version.  I wasn’t set up for sampling that day but since I had the sample containers with me I obliged.  She had a sip of what I had to offer and that was it.  No purchase.

I felt ripped off as I realized this lady had no intentions of actually buying anything.  She was curious as to what the product tasted like and that was it.  Now I was left with an open can of product that eventually got tossed and out the cost of a can of Verve.

Later on I was discussing this with a buddy who I have partnered with to promote functional gourmet coffee.  Beau sends out samples all the time but not necessarily to anyone who asks.  He tells me that it is his gut feeling that decides.  Beau knows a fellow who never sends out samples and, if asked, will tell you that if you want to try his product you can buy a box.

While contemplating this blog post I decided to consult my favorite book on working trade shows, Guerrilla Trade Show Selling (by Jay Conrad Levinson, Mark S. A. Smith, and Orvel Ray Wilson).  On Page 120 is a blurb that describes sampling and exactly what happened at the Market.

If your product is edible, you obviously want people to sample your wares.  But keep in mind that classic trade show sales story:

Simple Simon met a pieman going to the fair.

Said Simple Simon to the pimean, “Let me taste your wares.”

Said the pieman to Simple Simon, “Let me see your penny.”

Said Simple Simon to the pieman, “I fear I haven’t any.”

Before offering a sample, the pieman qualified his prospect, checking for economic buying power.  Applying this idea to your samples, always ask for something in exchange for giving your sample.  Get information.

Bottom line is I had not qualified the lady at the market who wanted a sample.  Going forward, some options I am considering are:

  • Shoot videos of people sampling my product.  Those less interested may back away.  Those that are interested are helping me with promotional material.  (Yes, I will post a video even if the person is not pleased with the taste.  The occasional grimace on video lends more credibility and is funny too!)
  • When asked for a sample, respond, “If you want to try the product, it is $4.95 per can.”
  • Money back guarantee.  Tell the person asking for the sample that if they buy a can, drink it, and are not completely satisfied that I will refund their money.

I look forward to your comments.

Problems with Intense Debate Plug-in

Today I discovered some glitches with the Intense Debate Plug-In I was using on this site to help moderate comments.  As a result I have had to remove Intense Debate.  Your comments have been retained though the posting date may be changed as I had to manually re-enter them.  If I have missed a comment you posted, please accept my apologies; you will have to re-post.

Hidden Sources of MSG

Recently I discovered I am sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG).  The discovery came as the result of doing some research on the artificial sweetener known as aspartame.  Aspartame and mononsodium glutamate (MSG) are both excitotoxins.  Excitotoxins are chemicals that trick our brain into thinking something tastes good.  These chemicals are ultimately poison.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is found in more foods than I would have imagined.  The part that bothers me most is that by law in Canada and the United States, food manufacturers do not have to directly reveal the presence of MSG on labeling.  Unlike aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG) does not have to be labeled as  clearly.

Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG

  • monosodium glutamate
  • hydrolyzed protein
  • plant protein extract
  • sodium caseinate
  • calcium caseinate
  • yeast extract
  • textured protein (including TVP)
  • autolyzed yeast
  • hydrolyzed oat flour
  • corn oil

Food Additives that FREQUENTLY contain MSG

  • malt extract
  • malt flavoring
  • bouillon
  • broth
  • stock
  • flavoring
  • natural flavors / flavoring
  • seasoning
  • spices

Food Additives that MAY contain MSG

  • carrageenan
  • enzymes
  • soy protein concentrate
  • soy protein isolate
  • whey protein concentrate

Today marks Day #7 without knowingly consuming MSG.  My symptoms, which were mainly diarrhea and and difficulties with focus, have been cleared up since Day #3.  I am planning a future post that contains a list of common grocery items that contain MSG.

Sources

Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by Russell L. Blaylock

Migraine-Free Cooking!

My wife occasionally suffers from migraine headaches.  Doctors usually recommend certain medications which deal with the symptoms.  The problem with medications is drugs only mask symptoms.  Drugs do not cure disease or deal with the root cause of the problem.

Recently I discovered a web site called “Migraine-Free Cooking!” written by Heidi Gunderson.  Heidi is focused on dealing with migraine headaches by being careful about what we eat and drink.  For a long time I have believed that 80% or more of our health is based on what we eat, drink, and breathe.

For some people, tomatoes are a trigger.  As are onions.  What about sugar, salt, and milk?  Click here and find out; scroll to the bottom of the page.

Heidi is working on a cookbook, also titled Migraine-Free Cooking! dedicated to sharing recipes for those who suffer from migraine headaches.  I look forward to writing a review.

Two good ways to make me leave your site

Some Internet marketers get it.  Some do not.  Today I wish to tell you about two tactics that, if used on me, will absolutely guarantee I will never visit your site again.

Tactic #1: Let me start reading what looks like quality information then display a pop-up that demands my contact information or displays an ad.  This is extremely annoying.  If you want a capture page, put the opt-in box beside or below the information I am reading.  If what I see is quality and I like it, chances are I will opt in.  Be in my face and chances are I will click the X, close the window or tab and never be back.

Tactic #2: Have some JavaScript set up so that when I click the X to close the window or tab I get a pop-up that asks if I REALLY REALLY want to close.  This is the equivalent of a car salesperson running after me after I have already told him I am not interested.  Chances are if I have clicked the X, I want to leave the site.  Hound me like a desperate car salesperson and I will never return.  This one is even more of a nuisance when used with Tactic #1.