Easy, Ethical & Profitable Sales Tips For Serious Entrepreneurs

Below is a marketing secret I got from a truly VILE man.

A man for whom lying is as “routine” as ordering a hamburger. Who murdered his own father in cold blood. And who’s so WICKED, he has dreams (heck, fantasies) of destroying the planet with a push of a button — while strolling through a field of human skulls with blood literally raining down from the sky on his face.

Yikes!

Anyway, who am I talking about?

None other than Lex Luthor.

At least, the version on the TV show “Smallville.”

But you know what?

As scummy and evil as he is, Lex is also an extremely savvy businessman too. And believe it or not, Lex uses at least one marketing secret that’s brilliant, simple, and can (ethically) give you a HUGE advantage.

And that is knowing your competition’s weaknesses.

Look, Lex is nothing if not prepared.

In fact, old “Chrome Dome” is so good at knowing his enemy’s weaknesses that, whenever someone thinks they have him “beat”, he turns the tables and puts the screws to THEM 10 times worse.

Take his nemesis Clark (i.e. Superman), for example.

In one episode Clark attacks Lex (actually it was Lex’s clone, but no matter) only to find him wearing a Kryptonite ring. So even though Clark could easily rip someone’s head clean off with a flick of his wrist… when Lex wears that Kryptonite ring, there ain’t a dang thing he can do to him.

And so it is in Lex’s business dealings, too.

By studying his enemies, he ALWAYS knows their “achilles heel.” Always knows the “crack” in their armor. And thus, always has his competition quaking in their boots within minutes.

And guess what?

You and I can do the same thing:

Whatever your market or business… study your competition.

Look for the “tender spots” in their sales and marketing funnels.

Doing so is like putting on your own Kryptonite ring — where even your bigger, stronger and more cash flush competitors can’t touch you with a 10 foot pole.

And, in many ways, will be afraid to even try.

Ben Settle

P.S. If you want to “bullet proof” your business, and be like the Man Of Steel of your market, then learn as many different ways to sell and market as you can.

Like the 101 (easy and ethical) sales secrets at:

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I’m A BIG fan of MMA (mixed martial arts).

It’s truly the ultimate sport that separates the men from the boys.

And while I don’t watch a lot of TV (I choose to buy my favorite shows on DVD), the one show I always DID watch was an MMA-based “reality” show called “Tapout.”

This show is like a testosterone party for us guys.

But it has a LOT to offer marketers no matter who you are.

How so?

Because each show is packed with real life success lessons about the raw power of persistence, belief and doing what it takes to win and dominate against more talented competition.

And guess what?

Recently Fox Business did a special on the Tapout company that is (in my opinion) extremely inspiring — especially if you’ve been struggling in your business. And especially if you think you lack the “smarts” to make it.

Anyway, you can watch the clip below.

Like I said, it’s pretty dang inspirational.

In fact, the ending may even give you goose flesh.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have:

Ben Settle

P.S. As you’ll see, one of their “secrets” was using vision to sell others (i.e. investors) on their dream. In chapter 4 of my new Crackerjack Selling Secrets book, I show you how one of the world’s top negotiating experts uses this powerful selling “tool” to do the exact same thing:

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Sheesh.

Even when on a “news fast” I STILL hear about the economy.

Whether it’s from my family, friends, or random Internet chatter, I keep getting whiffs of financial news.

With one “camp” saying everything’s peachy keen.

And the other screaming about how the sky could fall at any time.

Which one is right?

I don’t know.

All I know is the whole mess reminds me of those old Loony Toons shows where Elmer Fudd walks off a cliff. But, instead of falling, he keeps walking on the air because he doesn’t KNOW he’s not on land anymore. However, as soon as he looks down and realizes he’s on air — WHOOSH! — he drops like a lead balloon.

Hey, let’s face it:

A LOT of people were walking on air when the banks went ka-blooey.

Question is, how can people prevent it from happening again?

How can you protect yourself and family if things DO get worse?

Below are 5 simple things anyone can do to defend themselves from future financial storms and government/bankster “hi-jinx.”

Yes, they ARE simple steps.

But don’t let the simplicity fool you. This stuff really does work. And, in most cases, won’t cost you a penny.

Here goes…

1. Shut Off The News

What’s that?

You’ve heard me rail about this before?

I can’t help it.

The news is negative and worthless, IMHO. Unfortunately, you may not be able to totally shut it out. I mean, even if you’re on a food fast, you’re still going to smell what’s going on in the kitchen, yeah?

But you can still refuse to eat their food.

And it’ll do WONDERS for your productivity.

2. Mastermind

Haven’t found a mastermind group yet?

Then what are you waiting for?

This one thing ALONE can get you on the right track and fill you with so many ideas you won’t even know what to do with them all.

If you can’t find one, START one of your own.

3. Multiple Income Streams

“One” is the WORST number in business.

If you rely on one income stream, then I HIGHLY suggest changing that — fast. Otherwise it’s like you’re walking on air in the cartoons and don’t know it.

4. Be Thankful

Count your blessings before you count your money, and I bet you’ll find yourself getting more of both.

Hokey?

Maybe.

But try it for yourself and I think you’ll agree.

5. Learn To Sell

Earl Nightingale said it best:

“Selling is the world’s highest paid profession — if you’re good at it, and if you know where you’re going.”

Very true.

And if you want to be able to sell in a quick, easy and 100% painless way, check out the 101 secrets in my new book (free to anyone who joins my CD-Of-The-Month deal) at:

Anyway, that’s all for now.

Next time… something else.

Ben Settle

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Before reading, a little “disclaimer”:

I’m NOT a Twitter expert. I’ve never claimed to be a Twitter expert. And the following is probably worth the electronic bytes it’s “printed” on.

But that won’t stop me from giving an opinion, anyway

Here’s the scoop:

Lately, I’ve observed certain things happening on Twitter that make it VERY easy to either un-follow someone, or ignore them in the first place.

Kinda like the kid who “sprays” people whenever he talks.

He’s the slob who it’s easier NOT to talk to than it is TO talk to because nobody wants to get nailed by “residue” from his last meal. So even if he says something “cool” nobody knows about it.

Below are 5 Twitter mistakes (I believe) do the same thing.

And literally “cyber spray” everyone who sees them:

1. ONLY TWEETING FAMOUS QUOTES

I’ve got nothing against inspiring or thought-provoking quotes.

But for some people, it’s the ONLY thing they do.

Which is a pity.

Not just because it’s easy to ignore them after a while. But because the world desperately needs unique voices — and not just the “warmed-over” thoughts of others.

2. ALWAYS PITCHING

People who do this on Twitter are like the annoying AmWay rep (no offense to y’all MLM’ers doing it right) always pushing his deal down everyone’s throat at parties.

Worst part?

99% of these links lead to truly horrible sales pitches.

Which (to me, anyway) is the REAL crime.

3. ONLY RE-TWEETING AND NOTHING ELSE

Hey, don’t get me wrong — I’m all about RT’ing,

But every single tweet?

Pretty easy to ignore (and un-follow) people who do that.

4. FOLLOW FRIDAY

I don’t “get” follow Friday.

I mean, I understand the idea. What I can’t fathom is the point of putting in multiple people in a single tweet.

It has almost ZERO impact.

Especially since so many other people are doing the same thing on the same day. It’s like looking at the car ads in the Sunday newspaper:

A big fat sea of sameness.

Why not plug ONE person with a reason why, instead?

5. RE-TWEETING FOLLOW FRIDAYS

This is when someone does a Follow Friday of someone’s name and, say, 5 others. And then one of the people whose name was RT’d decides to RT that same tweet — every single time.

Ugh.

It dang near burns the eyes to read them.

# # #

OK, again, I’m NOT Mr. Twitter expert.

So take this email with a shaker of salt.

But if you want to stand out online (Twitter or elsewhere) you have to have impact. And if you want impact, don’t be the kid who’s always “spraying it” instead of “saying it.”

For a free lesson showing you how to monetize Twitter (from a “for real” Twitter expert) check out:

Ben Settle

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Remember that “blasphemous” email I sent the other day?

The one where I said value, content, copy and teaching are not “king” when selling online? How they are ALL very important. But how they are not necessarily the moolah-making panaceas everyone thinks?

Well, that email prompted quite a few responses.

And along with the responses, some (good) guesses at what IS king.

For example, one astute subscriber said “action” is king.

Is action king?

I don’t know about that.

Action is MEGA important, no doubt. But… it’s like saying if I flap my arms enough I’ll eventually fly. I mean, you have to take the right KIND of action.

Lots of “arm flappers” are befuddled at why they aren’t making bank.

Another person said establishing trust was king.

Hey, I’m ALL about establishing trust.

It’s one of my favorite ways to sell.

But it’s still not king.

After all, there are many people who you probably trust online but have never bought from, eh? Because, while it’s an awesome (underused) sales tool, trust ain’t king when selling online.

Finally, another smart subscriber said knowing your market is king.

I admit… I used to think so, too.

After all, he (or she) who knows their market best “wins”, yeah?

While that’s true, at the same time, there are millions (literally) of marketers who know their markets like the back of their hand who still aren’t making significant scratch.

Reason why is because knowing your market isn’t (IMHO) king.

Look, y’all get an “A” for effort on this.

These are ALL important (even vital) components.

But NONE of them are king.

Frankly, the real king isn’t obvious.

In fact, it doesn’t even LOOK like a king or like it even belongs in the “deck” at all. And yet, playing this card often means you can make oodles of sales whether anyone likes you or not, trusts you or not, or if you even know how to sell or not.

But don’t worry, all will be revealed in my CD-of-the-month deal:

Speaking of which…

Don’t join when it’s launched JUST to get this secret or the free book.

For one thing, I’m not sure which month I’m going to reveal this secret. It could be something I talk about in month 1 or month 12 for all I know.

I’m still mapping things out.

Secondly, I can’t stand people who join just to “get the free stuff.” In fact, I probably won’t let people who drop out (especially if they drop out right after the first month they join) rejoin in the future.

This is for SERIOUS people who want to master the craft of selling.

Not freebie-seekers who want to master the art of mooching.

Ben Settle

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