Ben Settle

An lunatic ambitious fan writes elBenbo a song:

(Based off the hit, he says, by Hozier – “Take me to church”)

Ben Settles got humor
He likes to giggle at the gooroos
To many peoples disapproval
I should’ve worshipped him sooner
If the gurus ever did speak
He’s the last true mouthpiece
Every Sunday’s gettin more sweet
A fresh podcast each week
He was born sick you heard them say it
My bidniz offers no absolutes
Daily emails from the boardroom (bar room?)
Bustin copy each and every day
It’s the email players way
He was born sick but I love it
Causes me to do well

Amen, Amen, Amen

Aaaaaand that’s a rap.

Not just for the amusement, but also because it lets me know my boys and ghouls are simply a higher standard of people overall who stand out from other peoples’ lists like a wet fart in a library.

On to bid’niz:

If you want to create a loyal fanbase like this, simply learn my email methodology.

It’s quick.

It’s not nearly as expensive as it looks.

($3.23 per day — ooh)

And, it works for all types of businesses.

To get your grubby little pinkies on the June issue, subscribe here before it goes to the printer:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Hear that?

That’s the sound of a thousand fluffpreneurs screaming at the beat down they were handed yesterday by blogger Mike Cernovich on Twitter in less than 140 characters:

“Most successful people are not ‘positive.’ You gotta be ruthless with yourself, your time, and cut out the time drags and losers.”

Reckon you won’t see that in a Willy Wonka meme on flakebook anytime soon.

More:

Denying and suppressing your negative emotions and motivations is like taking a sharp (serrated!) knife… and castrating your creativity, your problem-solving ability, and your enthusiasm to push through barriers to accomplish great things.

Those feelings can give you power when you’re burned out.

Energy when you’re tired.

And, yes, inspiration when you’re uninspired.

The key is to not *stay* in a state of perpetual negativity.

(That is, if you value your physical and emotional health.)

Even Bruce Banner only lets the Hulk out when the monster is needed.

But, when the villain is defeated, he turns back into Banner.

Which brings me to the punch line:

The June “Email Players” issue hands you a special mindset for connecting with your market’s worst emotions (complete with several examples from several different markets) to multiply your sales via email in ways your feel-good competition (who are above playing in the dirt with their market) won’t be able to keep up with sending 1000 emails filled with pegasus poop and unicorn farts.

It’s one of the most important lessons I’ve ever taught.

And, it’s made me a ton more sales than I would otherwise.

(In the diet niche, Jim Yaghi — who was one of my business partners at the time — we converted 40% of the list to buyers and this is how I wrote practically ALL the emails at the time.)

Time’s getting short, though.

She goes to the printer next week.

Subscribe here today to get it in time:

www.EmalPlayers.com

Ben Settle

In Donald Trump’s magnificent “Art Of The Deal” book (one of the best business-related books I ever done read) he says something that, when translated into email marketing, is worth solid gold bar bricks falling out of the sky.

What did he say?

This:

“Most people who do have the instinct [for making deals] will never recognize that they do, because they don’t have the courage or the good fortune to discover their potential. Somewhere out there are a few men with more innate talent at golf than Jack Nicklaus, or women with greater ability at tennis than Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova, but they will never lift a club or swing a racket and therefore will never find how great they could have been. Instead, they’ll be content to sit and watch stars perform on television.”

That’s a powerful lesson never (or hardly ever) told these days.

And, what he said applies to a lot of blokes selling online.

Or, who want to sell online.

(But are too scared to try.)

I too sometimes wonder how many people are on the fence about getting serious about selling with email… who have talent and instinct for this sort of thing… but never do it or even try. Or, at most, write one email per month and never let themselves have fun with it, throw their inhibitions away (about what people will — GASP! — think of them), and don’t even try?

Anyway, you ever needed inspiration to write that email, that should be it.

Take your ability to write emails, hone it, and excel at it.

The result will be more sales and a lifestyle 99% of people on this mud hole planet can only dream of.

What?

You don’t yet have the talent but want it?

That, my little fledgling, is where “Email Players” comes in.

In one reading of the “Email Players Playbook” that comes with the subscription I can have your mind bursting with ideas and ways to sell with emails starting the very same day, then keep your mind on fire with ideas month after month so you never run out of ideas, or ways to profit from email.

Each month I keep you on track.

Give you ideas.

Examples to model.

And, fill your mind with ways to blast your sales up a notch or two (or ten) nobody else (to my knowledge, at least) is talking about when it comes to selling with email.

Example:

The June issue which goes to the printer next week.

It contains one of the most profitable email “techniques” I’ve ever used to make lots of sales spanning multiple markets and products. It’s something I was inspired to try while studying Walt Disney’s creative process.

And, it works like gangbusters.

But, only if you know how to use it.

And, only if you subscribe in time here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Check these mangos out:

Over the past year especially, there’s been this new fad amongst the goo-roo fanboys to tell people to get off their email list in some lame attempt at posturing. But, the vast majority of the ones I have been (people send me stuff like this regularly) sound not only pathetic and needy (like when someone is trying to act “tough” when scared and pretending not to be, but everyone can see right through it), but are destroying their reputation, their brand, and, yes, their sales.

It’s the other side of the coin when people declare they are opting out of your list.

Just do it, already, Cupcake.

Nobody cares.

More:

It’s as stoopid as when people on flakebook drama queen and grandstand about how they are cleaning house and getting rid of friends… instead of just, you know, *doing* it without publicly nattering on about it.

The point?

It’s tactics vs principles.

The late negotiation master Jim Camp talked a lot about this. For example, when I want people to opt out it’s not done tactically or as a technique or whatever. It’s because there are certain people I really *don’t* want on my list — and who I naturally turn away — without having to say it — via my content (and even on my opt in pages).

I want to repulse the turds away.

But, I do it as a *principle* by which I do business.

Thus, I rarely (if ever) say word-for-word “get off my list!” because I don’t have to.

Contrast that to the types of “get off my list!” emails where it’s obviously a tactic. Probably, something they saw someone else do. Yet, all their other emails and marketing are clearly pandering to everyone.

It’s a big ol’ fatty disconnect.

And people sense it.

And, yes, even laugh at it.

So anyway, that’s my take on it.

Do with it what ye will.

If you want more guidance on this, check out the June “Email Players” issue. There’s a short section in it that shows you how to get the riff-raff off your email list without all the usual goo-roo fanboy pomp, grandstanding, and drama queenery.

Subscription info here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Apparently, now even my email *signature* is offensive:

“Just a quick thought, although I feel like me offering advice to you regarding email messages is like my 10 year old offering advice to Nadal on how to play on clay. Love your email tips, but this one today left me with a bad taste. It is all helpful, funny, kind of light-hearted, feel good, friend-to-friend, etc. Then, almost as an afterthought, it closes with a stern warning to all of the crooks, thieves, cheats and liars that are, apparently, a significant part of your recipient list. Ugh. I’m sure that’s not the feeling you want to impart to your readers, but that was my gut reaction to reading that part of your message. Anyway, just one man’s opinion. My apologies if it’s not my place to comment.”

My response:

1. That’s an automated appendage at the end of all my emails.

It didn’t just go on there “today” it’s on all my emails and has been for the last 3 years since I caught a self-described “7 figure” earning fitness coach who sells high priced coaching (what a shock!) lifting one of my emails word for word, verbatim. A guy who, ironically, states on his site how hard he works for his success, yada yada yada.

(All that copying and pasting must be rough on the ol’ carpal tunnel…)

The amusing part was, his own list ratted him out to me.

Which should tell you something about how loyal people are to thieves.

More:

2. In my experience, the people who get offended by my signature at the bottom of each email are either thieves who blatantly steal other peoples’ content (or are intending to), or fluffpreneurs and snowflakes who take things obviously not even directed at them personally. Getting acid reflux about that warning when you have no intention of plagiarizing (it is obviously directed at thieves) is as pointless as getting upset at an ordinary boilerplate copyright notice.

After all, they both say the same thing.

One just says it while baring sharp teeth.

Anyway, the point:

Yes, I do wish to impart that feeling on those types.

Fluffpreneurs & snowflakes will get zero value from anything I have to offer because they don’t believe in substance in the first place. And thieves are, well, thieves.

Why would I cotton to either of them?

Why would I care what they think?

Why *not* offend them?

For everyone else:

The next “Email Players” issue is, in some ways, one of the most valuable issues to date. It was inspired by something I saw as a kid on the Disney channel (believe it or not), that has made my emails more profitable than any other strategy, tactic, or technique I’ve ever used.

This is no exaggeration, either.

Yes, it’s super simple.

(Like most of what I teach.)

But, it’s super profitable, too.

And, I can’t make any guarantees but I don’t see how anyone who has an offer and a list could not make out like a bandit using it.

Anyway, she goes to the printer soon.

Subscribe here to get it in time while you still can:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

A few months ago I was interviewed for AWAI’s magazine.

And, one of their questions was about testimonials.

Specifically, they said:

“The testimonials on your website blow most testimonials out of the water. They’re specific, unique, and from really big names in the direct response writing world. How did you get them? Did you ask for feedback? Were they volunteered?”

I thought this was an excellent question.

People often buy just because of a testimonial from someone they know or recognize.

And, even though I don’t use testimonials on my sales letters all the time (due to the confusing FTC rules on the matter) I do still use them in other ways, like on my blog’s testimonial page which I just recently updated with a bunch more. And, even then, I didn’t put *all* of them up yet.

(It is getting to seem like overkill.)

Anyway, all of which begs the question:

Would you like to know how to get a lot of testimonials?

And, would you like to get them without having to ask for them?

Then check ye out the upcoming June “Email Players” issue.

It includes a bonus training where I show you a secret way I have been using for years to not only get lots of testimonials… but, get what “for real” publicity guru Paul Hartunian calls “gold card” testimonials (i.e. celebrity-types — in my niche guys like Gary Bencivenga, Brian Kurtz, Russell Brunson, etc)… and almost always without formally requesting anyone send me a testimonial like some kind of beggar.

Best part?

It’s ridiculously simple.

Yet, I doubt too many people do it.

Probably not legendary rockstar ninja enough of a tactic, I suppose.

But, it works.

And, if you use it, I bet it can work just as easily for you, too.

Here’s where to subscribe in time:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Recently, I heard about a freelance copywriter in a bit of a pickle.

He had a sweet ol’ retainer gig with a client, and was doing 5-figures per month writing a few emails and landing pages per month (and other assorted copywriting-related assignments), often working just a couple hours per day. The clients were pleasant, his pay was regular, and he enjoyed the work.

In fact, he enjoyed it so much he had cut his other clients loose months earlier.

And, he stopped marketing for new ones.

In other words, in his career the birds were singing.

The pigeons were crowing.

And, the sun was shining.

All was good.

Until it wasn’t.

Almost overnight his clients got into some kind of financial trouble and went out of business.

Bam!

Just like that!

Since then, apparently this dude (I heard this second hand) has been having a helluva time getting enough work that pays enough to keep up with the lifestyle he got himself into when things were fat and happy.

But you know what the worst part is?

It could have been avoided.

It’s my obnoxiously unsolicited advice to anyone in a service business to be paranoid enough to never let yourself believe the good times will never end. Always have your “human resources” office accepting new client applications (so to speak) just in case one of your big clients decides to leave without giving your righteous self a 2-week notice.

Don’t give me that “but I’m busy!” nonsense.

Keep sending them emails.

Keep letting people know you exist.

And, keep marketing thyself, Soldier.

With my system it’s not only easy to do this, but fun. In fact, would-be “Email Players” subscribers regularly ask if my wicked ways work for getting clients or just informational type products.

My answer:

It’s ALL the same.

The same emails I use to sell (for example) my Copy Slacker product, are the exact same emails I’d use to plug my copywriting services, with just a minor tweak to the call to action. If I sold email copywriting services virtually all of my emails selling “Email Players” could be tweaked to sell services.

More info about “Email Players” here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

The other week I brain farted out 9 words:

(in an email)

“If it ain’t fun to write, toss it out.”

“Email Players” subscriber Andrea Tomio replied:

“And there are people that say you don’t give “value” in your emails. I own all the major email marketing courses (paid lots of cash for them) and NOBODY is saying the above. (potentially worth more than the price of a whole course). Plus your email players book and your newsletter were the only ones than motivated me to actually implement (because of simplicity).”

’nuff said.

Another brain fart:

It endlessly amuses me how many people are infatuated with complicated, and stubbornly insist they won’t succeed unless their business is wrapped up in a 17-step sales funnel, run by multiple “tech-unfriendly” shopping cart programs that need professional programers to manage, hooked up to half a dozen different split testing and analytics programs, all being overseen by a high priced coach and judged by the random opinions of an even higher priced mastermind full of people who aren’t even in the same market as them.

When, in many cases, it’s the simple & *actionable* things that have the most impact.

All right, enough amusement for my soul.

On to the important stuff.

The sales pitch:

To start learning the simplicity of making a ton of sales using easy-to-write, plain text emails people love to read and buy from, check out the “Email Players” newsletter right here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Comes a not-entirely-unexpected question:

“Ben what is a fluffpreneur you keep using that word alot”

I’d love to take credit for coining it. But, I first heard Justin Devonshire drop it while we were hanging out at the Biz N Brewz event. It’s very fitting, too — as it’s all about the feelz for the fluffpreneurs, and feeling good and inspiring people, etc.

Nothing wrong with those things on their own.

But if that’s ALL you have to feed your customers, you’re only hurting them.

Lemme think up an example.

Ah, I know:

Let us harken back to the days of when elBenbo was but a pre-teen. I used to get in trouble because I’d make these sammiches (back then I had to make my own sammiches — rough childhood…) that consisted of:

1. Wonder bread
2. That caramel spread people use for fruit dip
3. Half a bag of chocolate chips

Oooooh yeah!

Pure sugar.

And I loved every overly sweet mushy bite of it.

But you know what?

While it tasted good, it had zero nutritional value at all, and was silently doing damage to my body in ways I shudder to think of today (inflammation, tooth enamel damage, high blood sugar, fat build up, creating an addiction to sugar, the list goes on…).

That’s what fluffpreneurs do to their customers.

There’s no real sustenance.

It’s just a wonder bread, caramel spread, and chocolate chip sammich.

You see it in their videos.

You see it in their lame social media posts.

And, you even see it in their idiotic facebook memes.

It’s all feelz good at the expense of preparing people for the trials and tribulations of having a real business. Probably they mean well. But the damage they do to someone by filling their head with nothing but feelz good fluff vs giving them some raw, nasty tasting medicine when they need it (i.e. the truth) is something that can keep someone broke and chasing that next sugar high of fluffy nonsense.

So anyway, that’s my opinion on it.

You can eat wonder bread and chocolate chips as a treat sometimes.

But, you can’t live off it.

Not if you want to be healthy and have all your teeth.

For details on my anti-fluffpreneur “Email Players” newsletter go here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle