There’s been a great disturbance in the force.

Apparently, I have a new enemy.

Check this out:

There’s this somewhat well-known Internet marketer who I kinda-sorta know (I was on his Internet radio show once a few years ago) who recently did a little “analysis” of me.

One of my subscribers forwarded it over.

And I found it quite… illuminating.

Why?

Because amongst his babblings, he said I fit the bill as a not-so-charming psychopath (and that I admitted it on my blog)… am not as sharp as I tell you I am… not making the killing I “brag” about (he said he Google’d me)… and that I write emails that are too long and uninspiring, and he knows this because he’s my perfect prospect but never clicks on any of my calls to action — yet says my writing intrigues him in a bizarre sort of way…

(Sounds almost like he’s both OGLING and Googling me.)

OK, so those are his opinions.

And he’s certainly welcome to them.

But, is he right?

Let’s see what’s going on here…

(And no, I’m not revealing his name and giving him a free plug, most long time IM’ers can figure it out on their own, anyway)

1. Psychopath

I heard someone else using this word about online marketers but I think what they REALLY mean is sociopath. There’s a difference in as much as psychopaths are extremely violent sociopaths, or who have an “urge” to kill (or maybe I’m just watching too much “Dexter”).

Anyway, this guy said I admitted to being one.

He says I took a personality test that said so.

But alas, he was wrong.

You can see what I actually said here:

www.BenSettle.com/blog/?p=4293

Burping along…

2. Bragging About Making A Killing Online

If he had done even a shred of actual research he would know I don’t publicly count money whether I’m hurting for it or if some day I end up swimming in the stuff like Scrooge McDuck. For one thing, it attracts all the wrong people into your life. And for another, it puts a juicy fat target on your back for “lawsuit happy” lawyers and losers who want to blame you for all their problems.

Besides, I’ve never said I make a killing, anyway.

(Especially not in a psychopath kinda way…)

I wonder if this dude ever gets tired of being wrong.

Let’s see…

3. Not As Sharp A Marketer As I Tell You I Am

I have never claimed to be “sharp.”

But, I will be blunt with you:

There are lots of things I’m NOT good at.

Far too many to list.

But I have mucho confidence in those things I DO excel at — like emails, copywriting, selling, etc — and thoroughly enjoy myself when cowardly little goo-roo fanboys hiding behind their computers have emotional meltdowns over my perceived arrogance on such matters by sending me hate mail, etc.

Hey, it’s entertaining to read.

Plus, it means I’m probably doing something right…

4. Long, Uninspiring Emails

This I found especially amusing.

Reason why is because he says his passion is email and so he’s my “perfect prospect.”

Not so fast there, Jethro.

Methinks he’s the exact opposite of my ideal prospect.

How do I know?

Because from what I’ve seen, the dude is ALL about “free.”

Free traffic.

Free opt-ins.

Free Willie, etc, etc, etc…

It’s always about free.

Hey, if that creams his twinkie, goodie for him.

(I bet if my stuff was free he’d be clicking them links…)

But those kinds of customers (assuming they buy at all) tend to be huge pains in the assimus who never appreciate anything, never know the joy of earning what they take, and freak out whenever they have to — GASP! — pay for something.

As for length…

If it hurt my sales I wouldn’t do emails like this.

So ’nuff said there.

Anyway, normally I ignore nonsense like this.

Got enough drama in my life right now, thanks.

But this guy lied so easily about all this stuff (just like the sociopaths he claims to protect the public from, kinda makes ya wonder)… I wanted to set the record straight.

Actually, maybe I should be grateful for him?

After all…

He just gave me an excuse to plug my product:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

P.S. There was one more thing my paranoid foe said:

He suggested I don’t give any “gold” on my blog.

Gonna have to call BS on that one, too.

Forget for a second I have a “media” page on my site with more free content on it than most paid products… and forget for a second there’s like 700 posts on my blog.

Forget those facts for a second.

Let us ponder this:

If there’s no “gold” on my blog, then why do I get testimonials about my free content? And I don’t mean “oh wow golly gee whiz your website is like really neat and stuff” testimonials.

I’m talking performance testimonials.

Where people profited from the free material.

Like Jason Rivera who told me he made over a $1k in sales in 5 days just using the info in the free “Email Players” pdf issue I give away to new BenSettle.com subscribers. Or Kelly Tanguay who told me how she recently astounded her employers (using just the free tips) to the tune of DOUBLING their response (and MORE than doubling sales). In fact, she said her “Settle-inspired” emails made the company over $50,000 EXTRA unexpected dollars in a single mailing.

Sounds like a lot of gold in them thar hills to me, Batman.

#Winning

P.P.S. Which reminds me of something else…

This guy used to have a podcast show.

And a listener of his show recently told me this guy admitted (on the air) the most he’s ever made online is $15k per year.

Nothing wrong with that, of course.

But, what stinks to mid purgatory are his claims.

Here’s what I mean:

I have an email here from him promoting one of his podcast episodes where he showed how he got over 100k “precisely targeted” (his exact words) visitors to his site (free, of course) over the course of 90 days.

One hundred thousand precisely targeted visitors, eh?

In 3 months?

Yet hasn’t cracked $15k per year online?

Seriously?

He should join “Email Players”:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Methinks he’d inspire more sales…

This has been happening more and more.

At first, I ignored it.

But, as my list has been growing, it’s happening more frequently, and methinks it’s time to put the kibosh on it.

I’m talking about…

People asking for personalized email advice.

For free (of course).

Ain’t gonna happen, Maverick.

The ONLY people I give personalized advice to (and it’s via email) are “Email Players” — www.EmailPlayers.com — subscribers.

This ain’t just a matter of principle, either.

It’s a matter of survival.

Think about it:

Even if I was a syrupy sweet nice guy (I’m not) and believed in giving away valuable information free (I don’t) and had time to answer everyone’s questions (I can’t), I wouldn’t get anything else done.

Now, some are more subtle about it.

They’ll ask something like:

“Ben, I’m thinking of joining your newsletter, but first what would you do with this product I sell…”

Amusing, ain’t it?

(Hey, can’t blame ‘em for trying…)

So let me be clear about this:

If you’re “thinking” of joining, don’t.

You’re not ready.

It’s for people ALREADY using email.

Who have a list (even a small one) they’re adding names to.

And are fired-up to MONETIZE said list.

(In a big way.)

If you’re a newbie, that’s okay.

If you’re ready to take serious action then that’s why your subscription comes with “The Email Players Cookbook” — which shows you the methodology of my system. The newsletter then lets you build on that foundation (monthly) so you can keep the party going perpetually. It astonishes me how anyone could not pick up any issue of my newsletter and not make their money back each month in spades.

After all, each issue has plenty of examples.

(Easily modified in most cases).

Including emails I’m using myself (this ain’t theory).

Plus, there’s lots of easily-implemented tips and tactics, too.

I don’t now how to make it easier.

But, it DOES require thinking… a bit of creativity… and, of course, taking action.

If you don’t have those attributes, don’t subscribe.

You’ll probably just quit, anyway.

(So what’s the point?)

On the other hand…

If you DO have those traits, then I believe I can help you, and, I believe I can help you FAST.

There’s no guarantees, of course.

No “do overs”, either.

It’s sink or swim in the Settle Sea.

And true entrepreneurs wouldn’t have it any other way.

Here’s where to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

No doubt affiliates are seething.

“What’s this case AGAINST affiliate marketing nonsense?”

Hey, like it or lump it, affiliate marketing can be extremely profitable, but in most cases it PALES in comparison to selling your own products.

Some reasons why include:

1. List building

You get a short term sale/commission, but the publisher gets all the long term benefits of having another buyer (not just a lead) on their list.

Goodie for the publisher.

Not so goodie for you…

2. Less money

You can make a 50% (or whatever) commission selling someone else’s product, or 100% commission selling your own. Yes, I know some publishers pay 100% commissions, but see reason #1 again.

3. Cookies

Think about this:

Someone gets your email on their smart phone or iPad and opts in. Unless they buy from that same device (and correct me if I’m wrong…) you won’t get the credit for the sale.

This happens a lot.

People opt in with phone/tablet, buy on computer.

Phooey.

4. No guarantee of getting paid

Publishers are notorious for not paying. Of course, this is is not a problem with clickbank, etc. But something to consider…

5. Sales tax nexus

I’m no tax guru.

But all the nexus laws here in the US of Bureaucrats is making it less attractive for publishers to let affiliates sell their products at all. At this rate, we may even see affiliate marketing go the way of neon text and tracking “hits” as a measure of online success.

So might as well sell your own stuff, too.

Anyway, let’s face it.

You and I both know hardcore affiliate marketers reading this email are rolling their eyes and think I’m nutzo.

But it’s all about good, better, best.

With selling affiliate offers being good.

And your own offers being best.

So at the very LEAST sharpen your email fangs to a gleaming sharp edge. In the next “Email Players” issue (that goes to the printer tomorrow) I give some tips on emails and affiliate marketing.

Including plenty of email examples.

More:

It also talks about a special kind of email I’ve been testing to score lots of sales and a little about writing solo email ads for list building.

She goes to the printer tomorrow.

Subscribe in time here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

I see this mistake over and over and over…

Even from supposedly “seasoned” marketers who claim to be making millions of smackeroos (and they gots the fake photoshopped bank statement images to prove it!).

And yet, it’s guaranteed to destroy your sales.

What mistake doth I speak of?

Doing “one shot” emails.

(i.e. only mailing an offer once, then moving on…)

Lemme ‘splain why:

Last year I wrote some emails to sell a tele-seminar training Jason Leister was doing. I don’t do a lot of JV’s — but Jason’s info is top notch, I’ve used it myself and I know first hand how effective his info is for getting clients.

So I happily mailed for it.

But, it wasn’t a one shot email.

It was an entire WEEK of emails.

Each of which built on the momentum of the others.

The result?

According to Jason, we got a juicy 8% conversion, plus 5.8% on the back end (selling coaching) which added even more commissions to my hot little pocket.

Not too shabby.

Especially considering I don’t market to freelancers.

BUT… realize this:

If I’d only pumped out ONE email (like many chumps doing affiliate marketing) and stopped, my response would have been FAR less. And my backend profits would have been probably zero to none.

What’s the moral of the story?

Mail hard.

Mail often.

And go for the gold, baby cakes.

Also, make sure you get your bootay on the “Email Players” subscriber list lickety split. The next issue goes to the printer Wednesday, and it not only shows you more about using email to kick gluteus assimus with affiliate marketing, but I also hand you the Jason Leister email sequence above for you to study, model and adapt for your own offers.

It just don’t get much easier than that.

“Email Players” subscribers are fortunate indeed.

To subscribe in time, go to:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

P.S. One subscriber sent me a testimonial over the weekend about how he mailed a list of 300 names and sold enough of his membership site subscriptions to be worth over £100k (he’s from across the pond) a year.

Try getting those numbers riding the goo-roo carousel.

Here’s where to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

I might talk a good game about email.

Like it’s the 9th wonder of the world.

But, truth is it ain’t all watermelons and cream. There’s also a “dark side” to using my email methodology that scares people away from it sometimes.

Here’s what I mean:

It’s not unusual to see a HUGE sales bump with my methods.

Right off the bat.

Sometimes as much as double your current sales. (Yes, “Email Players” subscribers have reported this, and I’ve had it happen, too.)

It’s different for everyone, of course.

But it has happened.

So what’s the problem?

The problem is…

The following sudden DROP in sales.

It’s always unexpected.

(Even though I warn people about it…)

And it always throws people for a loop. I mean let’s face it — when sales shoot through the roof and then suddenly fizzle away for no apparent reason, you’re gonna sense a disturbance in the force.

You’ll know something is rotten in Denmark.

But you won’t what it is or how to fix it.

Soon worry sets in.

Panic rears its fugly head.

And the calls for help flood my inbox…

So what causes this mysterious drop in sale?

It’s quite simple, really:

Not adding more names to ye olde list.

This happened to me early on, too.

I was selling my “Copywriting Grab Bag” product. Sales shot up overnight using my email methods. And I was as happy as a politician in a brothel thinking the party would never end.

Until it did.

Sales started dropping off.

They continued to come in consistently (still way better than before I used my email methodology), but the big waves of sales stopped.

Yes, the buyers list was growing.

But the prospect list had significant… shrinkage.

Eventually, the lightbulb went on and I got busy list building.

Now, here’s the good news:

Luckily, “The Email Player’s Cookbook” (that comes with your “Email Players” subscription) includes a couple appendixes on how to quickly (and inexpensively) grow your list. And the next issue talks about using solo email ads (a great way to grow most lists), with examples on how to write them.

So something to think about.

But if you want in, decide quickly.

Next issue goes to the printer soon.

Subscription info at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Lots of affiliate marketers on my list.

And whenever they ask my advice about how to use email to win at affiliate marketing, here’s what I tell ‘em to do:

You gotta go “Indiana Jones” on the competition.

Ever see the movie “Raiders Of The Lost Ark”?

Remember that scene where Indie is running through the crowd with whip in hand… and that swordsman pops up doing a bunch of fancy moves challenging Indie to a duel (whip vs sword)?

But instead…

Indie simply pulls out his gun and shoots the guy dead?

No “duel” necessary?

That’s how you do affiliate marketing.

In other words, don’t try to out-muscle your competition if they have more “celebrity” juice, better marketplace positioning, better ads, etc.

Don’t bring a whip to a sword duel.

Bring a GUN, baby.

And that gun is… email.

You have to realize with email, if you do it right (and almost nobody does it right), you have no competition. At least, not to the people on your list. All the goo-roos and other big shot affiliates may have bigger swords and fancier moves.

But with email you have a gun.

Use it and you’ll win without breaking a sweat.

And that’s where “Email Players” comes in.

Specifically, the next issue.

I explain EXACTLY how to win with email as an affiliate.

And also hand you two email sequences I wrote last year that kicked gluteus bootyus selling products as an affiliate (shocking the product owners in both cases with the high conversion rates).

But time is short.

This issue goes to the printer next week.

No time for dilly-dally.

If you want in, go here today:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

So Star Wars Phantom Menace is being re-released.

I remember seeing the original Star Wars as a 3 year old when it first came out. I was just fascinated when Obi Wan did his “Jedi mind trick” — where a Jedi controls a weak-minded person’s thoughts. In the movie Obi Wan does it by waving his hand at the storm troopers who stop him and Luke at a checkpoint.

The weak-minded stormtroopers do exactly as he says.

Without question.

And without hesitation.

Kinda reminds me of certain goo-roo ads.

I’m amazed at how easily the “weak minded” keep buying products that are obviously rehashed from a previous product, thrown together and sold as if brand “new.”

It’s maybe not exactly like a Jedi mind trick.

But the EFFECT is the same:

They send an email to their list…

And with a wave of its “hand” the ad has a sort of dialogue with the reader’s inner psyche.

It goes something like this:

GOO-ROO AD: Yes my claims sound like bullshit, but you don’t need to check my credentials or track record.

READER: No need to check his credentials or track record.

GOO-ROO AD: That’s not the info you’re looking for.

READER: That’s not the info I’m looking for.

GOO-ROO AD: Move along and click here NOW.

READER: I better click here now!

Hey, don’t scoff, Chewie.

Thats essentially what happens.

Most people turn their “trust dial” down a notch (or two).

While the weak minded buy.

And buy again…

And again… launch after launch after launch…

If that’s you, there’s still hope.

A NEW hope.

It’s called… learning how to sell.

You’ll quickly know if something is BS or not.

Lies will stand out like Jabba the Hutt at a nudists colony.

And you’ll be immune to hype and nonsense.

Only question is… what KIND of selling?

I recommend using email.

In fact, that’s the whole point of my “Email Players” newsletter — to teach you how to stand on your own two feet out there online, chopping off your competitors’ hands and heads (figuratively!) with your lightsaber, and winning one for the LIGHT side of the force, baby.

Bottom line?

Master the mysteries of email.

Use it every day.

And soon, a Jedi marketer will you be.

Go here to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Some of the wisest advice I ever heard:

“Before doing something online ask, ‘does this work in real life?’”

I heard it from Sean D’Souza.

(In his 2008 System Seminar teaching.)

And, I have found it to be extremely accurate.

For example:

Many emailers obsess over open rates.

“Oh I got my open rates up to 45%!!!”

“Great! But did your sales go up?”

“…”

They don’t know.

They aren’t tracking sales. They simply believe if their open rates are up, that’s how to measure email success.

Yes, open rate stats are useful.

Don’t misunderstand.

But let’s apply them to real life.

Imagine you’re a direct mailer.

Paper, stamps, mailing house, etc.

Just testing your mailing costs a few thousand smackeroos. Will you care how many people open your envelope? Or are you going to care how many SALES you got, so you can make your money back to cover the check you just wrote to finance the mailing in the first place?

Most IM’ers seem to care about everything BUT sales.

Like open rates.

Number of FaceBook “likes”.

Twitter follower count.

How many blog comments they get, etc.

It’s madness.

Yes, the above are fine to track.

But just make sure you track SALES, too.

After all…

What’s putting food on your table?

FaceBook likes and open rates…

Or sales?

Anyway, if you want to start writing emails that make lots of sales (and get great open rates and clickthrough rates to boot…) then check out “Email Players.”

It’s pricey.

And it’s not for those just “playing” business.

(If you don’t implement, don’t join.)

But the results subscribers are getting with their emails is surprising even to me sometimes.

(And I use this stuff every day).

Go here to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Good times… good times…

Recently a website published an article I wrote about a 5 minute change I made to an ad that turned it from a complete loser to a long time winner that resulted in some pretty delicious commissions over the course of a few years.

The information in the article is mucho valuable.

At least, it has been to me.

And in some ways, the most valuable article I’ve ever written.

But, not everyone thought so.

Specifically a goo-roo fanboy who objected:

“What a complete waste of time that was…”

Why would he say that?

Well, because like most goo-roo fanboys, he probably doesn’t like being taught the fundamentals.

They want “ninja tricks.”

They only seek out shiny-new-objects.

And the fundamentals are like kryptonite to them.

It’s like all they want is “advanced.”

But the irony is, advanced info can only be applied successfully by someone who has mastered (not just learned) the fundamentals. It’s like the story about a martial arts master and his new student. The student was full of piss & vinegar and wanted to skip to the advanced stuff.

“Show me something advanced!”

So the master thought about it.

And in the blink of an eye, threw a punch so fast… the speed of it blew out a nearby candle!

“Show me how to punch that fast!” squeaked the student.

To which the master said…

“First, you need to learn HOW to punch.”

Goo-roo fanboys never get this point.

That’s why they’re goo-roo fanboys.

It’s also why I wrote “The Email Players Cookbook”.

I didn’t want new “Email Players” subscribers coming on board looking for somewhere to plug their umbilical cords. The book comes free with your subscription, and lays out the basics of the “Settle system” of email marketing and “preps” you for the advanced material in the newsletter.

The book has lots and lots of tips inside.

Even some “advanced” ones.

(Taught in context…)

Anyway.

You can ONLY get it by subscribing to “Email Players.”

It’s not for sale to the general public.

Go here to get it:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

The only question that matters is asked…

“Hey Ben, You regularly mention not following various goo-roos’ advice blindly…how do we know we can trust your advice versus the goo-roos without seeing any “proof” other than your word? I absolutely love your teaching and am beginning to apply it to my business, particularly emailing my blog posts rather than linking back to them. I’m considering joining Email Players, too.

I’m just curious how you’d answer that question.

I don’t mean this as negative or critical at all.

Just one of those “how do you know” questions.

A very good question.

Here’s my answer:

Look, I don’t think you should follow ANY advice (including mine) blindly and I’ve said it before.

Test everything, see what works for you.

The proof is in the doing.

It’s the only real “proof” there is.

Take the tips I give away free (especially in the free “Email Players” pdf and my media page) and use them.

It costs bubkis to test this stuff out.

It either works or it doesn’t.

And if it does?

If you want more?

If you want the really advanced material?

“Email Players” is waiting patiently for ya at…

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

P.S. Speaking of proof…

The FTC doesn’t like us posting testimonials where people had results that aren’t “average.” Otherwise I’d post the testimonial I got last week from Kelly Tanguay about the free tips (not even the paid stuff) I give away. Specifically, how she doubled response (and more than doubled sales) for her boss resulting in over $50k in extra unexpected dollars from a single mailing.

Bottom line:

The material speaks for itself.

I got nuttin’ to prove…