Watched a kick assimus movie recently…

“Miracle”

It’s about the great Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks, and how he took the US hockey team to a gold medal in 1980 Winter Olympics — kicking the Soviet commies’ asses who were heavily favored to win.

(Called “a Miracle on Ice” — thus the name of the movie.)

Anyway, one scene sticks out like a fart in study hall.

A scene that sums up success in anything:

  • Sports
  • Business
  • Marketing
  • Finding a job
  • Learning new skills
  • And anything else you wanna excel at

It’s when the team is slacking during a game.

(Looking at chicks, etc)

And this pisses ol’ Herb off something wicked. So after the game he makes ’em line up on the ice and do these intense drills which are so hard, the guys are literally puking on the ice from exhaustion.

And, he KEEPS making them do them.

Over and over and over…

Even though they’re puking.

Even though it’s so late the building is closing down.

And, yes, even though they’re ready to pass out.

Again and again and again…

Anyway, here’s the point:

When teaching the drill, Herb tells them:

“Get used to this drill. You’ll be doing it *a lot*. Why? Because the legs feed the wolf, gentlemen. I can’t promise you we’ll be the best team at Lake Placid next February. But we will be the best conditioned. That I can promise you.”

Awesome stuff.

It’s ALL about conditioning in sports.

Ask anyone who’s done it.

Football, wrestling, track, etc.

The best conditioned guy almost always beats out the best “trained” guy. And this, my flabby friend, is the attitude to have if you want to win at email marketing.

Lord knows my emails are riddled with typos.

Plagued with run-on sentences.

And, contain a complete lack of “flair.”

But I’m easily one of the best **conditioned** email copywriters on the planet making my wins FAR outweigh my losses.

And I got that way by… writing!

Often times multiple emails per day.

(In addition to sales letters, articles, my newsletter, etc).

And, by applying what I learn (from experience or studying what others’ are doing) and letting all that accumulated knowledge and experience *compound* on itself over time until, today, I belt out emails and ads in a fraction of the time it takes everyone else.

It’s all from plain old “retro” hard work.

Persistence.

And, yes, a pursuit of excellence.

Those things (freely available to anyone) are 90% of the battle.

Apply them and you WILL bag more of the green stuff.

Again, those things are 90% of the battle.

However, to win the WAR you need the skilla, strategies and tactics.

That’s where “Email Players” comes in.

Each month I show you what I’m doing to write emails that make lots of sales. I also hand you the same strategies I use to stay ahead of any so-called competition. And, I give you that swift “Herb Brooks” kick in the bootay you need to APPLY what you learn, and not just let it sit on a shelf so you can go chase after the next BSO (bright shiny object).

Hey, most people never apply anything.

Which means if YOU do, you have an instant advantage.

Bottom line?

If you’re tired of diddling around trying to grow your business on social media or wasting cash on BSO’s… then give “Email Players” a look-see.

Wait a minute… what?

You want “PROOF!!!!”?

Okay, I get it.

Here’s what Carl Harvey — Senior copywriter at the ginormous direct response company “Mindvalley” — said about “Email Players” recently:

“I’ve been subscribed to EP for about 4 months. In short, it’s awesome and pays for itself immediately. You won’t just get better at copywriting… but at structuring offers and promos, providing value to your list, understanding the psychology of effective marketing, how to stand out and be perceived as unique… And so much more. If you use email at all in your business, you’d be silly not to give it a go. It’s dynamite and will make you more money, with happier customers, pretty much right away.”

There you is.

Read it.

Apply it.

Profit from it.

It’s the best way to fight the commies:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

And the inevitable question rears its head…

“Ben, I’m in trouble, I just got laid off and I need to make an income like yesterday. Advice???”

Y’all must think I’m Miracle Max or something.

Look, you basically have 3 choices:

1. You can bend over, put your head firmly between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye.

This is what a lot of people are doing.

(And it’s kind of a pity…)

2. Get a time machine and go back a few years when you KNEW you should have been preparing for something like this to happen.

Hey, the ancients knew this.

Think the 7 years of famine story in the Bible.

Or the grasshopper & ant fable.

Or… or… you get the idea.

What?

Can’t find a time machine?

Not even on eBay?

Then, here’s the 3rd option I’d recommend:

3. Start building an email list and mailing it.

Yeah, like yesterday.

Don’t SPURN this advice.

Do it!

And what I would suggest is figuring out a service you can offer and sell for quick cash flow, while building your own product line on the side.

What kind of service?

That’s entirely up to you, my fledgling.

But think of what skills you have, build a list of people interested in that service (either for hiring or learning it themselves) and start mailing it every day using the Settle sytem of email marketing — www.EmailPlayers.com — and never let up.

Relentless follow up is KEY, babycakes.

And also, stay away from distractions.

Turn off the TV.

And quit listening to hype.

Time to focus.

Build a list… mail it every day… and get to work.

And next time…

Dig your well BEFORE you’re thirsty.

Ben Settle

P.S. This is a timely topic, too.

Why?

Because in the March “Email Players” issue, I’m showing you how to not just be a bonified… but BENEFIED… email marketer and writer. Thirty days is all I need to turn even the noobiest of noobs into someone who can pump out profitable emails sometimes in just minutes per day.

A tall order, you say?

Nah.

It’s actually pretty simple.

No, it’s not easy.

But, it is simple.

All you have to do is follow the “commandments” laid out in the next issue and you’ll go from email noob to email player in just 30 days.

But, be prepared to work hard.

To tell your loved ones you won’t see much of them for a month.

And, to make lots of sales.

(Which has its own problems, but those are the problems I create.)

Go ye here next:

www.EmailPlayers.com

I often blatantly plug “Email Players”.

One reason I do this is because so many people ask about email marketing and really, it’s the only way to learn my system. You can try to “reverse engineer” my emails if you want. But I assure you, you’ll never get more than 30% of the puzzle solved on your own (and I’m always amused when people try).

That said, there are some who should NOT subscribe.

It would be a waste of their time.

And, it would be a waste of their money, too.

This would include:

  • People with no email list to sell to (this is not a “magic bullet” way to build a business, but it can shoot your existing sales through the roof)
  • Goo-roo fanboys
  • Lazy people (email is not a “lazy” way to do anything)
  • People who cling to guarantees (there’s no money back guarantee)
  • Those who can’t afford it (please do NOT go into debt to buy this… personally, I bought all of my info products early on by saving up for them, didn’t hurt me none…)
  • Non-entrepreneurs (i.e. if you merely “play” business)
  • People who don’t implement info, and just let it sit…
  • People who can’t write an original line of copy without raiding their swipe files, and want everything handed to them without having to think
  • Anyone who needs constant hand holding
  • And so on, and so forth…

Anyway, here’s the bottom line:

I don’t teach this info lightly.

And I don’t want just anyone joining.

In fact, if anything, I’ll probably put more barriers up to keep the wrong people from subscribing.

We’ll see.

In the meantime, to see if it’s for you, go to:

 

www.EmailPlayers.com

 

Ben Settle

Cruel Tutelage

“So my pathetic friend… is there anything that you can do well?”

– Pai Mei

Want to hear something interesting?

Once upon a time someone (who SHALT remain nameless) offered to pay me quite a hefty sum of the green stuff in exchange for me flying out to where they live and personally (in their house!) teaching them the mysteries of the “Settle” way of writing emails.

Of course, I declined.

No, not because of my reclusiveness.

(Some price tags override even my introversion…)

But for fear of their safety.

You see, I’m from the “Pai Mei” school of teaching.

You know who he is, right?

He was the old kung fu master in the movie “Kill Bill” — a merciless man who took great pleasure in humiliating his students via mockery, physical pain and psychological torture.

And like him, my attitude would be I’m NOT your “coach.”

Or even your “mentor.”

I’m your MASTER.

I OWN you.

Your hand is MY hand — and would type what I tell it to, your brain is MY brain — and would think what I say.

It would NOT be fun for a student.

Oh just the opposite!

It’d be intolerable.

And, in many ways, inhumane.

Frankly…

The physical writing training combined with my psychological torture (via mockery, shame and sheer cruelty) would have you waking up in the middle of the night (sleeping on the hard floor, of course) making typing motions with your fingers. In fact, just like Beatrix in “Kill Bill”, your fingers would be so broken from all the typing and writing… you would not even be able to eat with utensils.

And if you tried eating with your fingers?

I’d toss your food on the ground and tell you:

“If you want to eat like a dog, you can live and sleep outside like a dog. If you want to live and sleep like a human, pick up that fork!”

Yes!!!

Just like Pai Mei did!

It would be SO much fun for me.

But for you?

Hell on earth.

Heck, my cruel tutelage would probably violate several articles of the geneva convention.

Do you see now why I don’t take coaching students?

Why I stay home?

And why I instead urge people to subscribe to my “Email Players” newsletter for ongoing training?

Mine is a SWELL ship for the captain.

But a HELL ship for the crew.

So y’all are better off with the newsletter:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

I’ve mentioned this before…

One of my ex-girlfriends once said I had two personalities:

Ben and elbenbo.

Ben being the fun, kind, all around humble (heh) and loveable guy. elbenbo being the prick who’d snap if she even so much as forgot to put a ripe, plump tomato on his sammich. (My pal Jodi describes that personality as “assholeyness.”)

Anyway, I got a new podcast up.

You decide which personality won out in this episode.

You’ll also learn:

  • How chicks “trick” guys into pining for them (and how guys can “flip the script” and use their sneaky wiles against them — works for getting clients, too).
  • Why mush cookie marketers piss off their lists.
  • Why you shouldn’t put customers on a pedestal.
  • The “gray hulk” secret to attracting a loyal and passionate customer base (works for emails, podcasts, videos and any other media you sell with).
  • Why I’m such a jerk about doing joint ventures.
  • How to generate thousands of dollars for a charity or cause using email (while growing your list and sales at the same time).

In my humble (but accurate) opinion, this is the best episode yet.

Especially if you want advanced buyer psychology insights.

Listen in here:

http://BenSettleShow.com/iTunes

Ben Settle

P.S. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes. Even if you think I’m the devil, don’t steal other peoples’ chances to hate my guts, too.

Share the lovin’, babycakes…

“Only the men in this tale give me displeasures without pleasures”

-Sinbad
“Sinbad The Sailor”

The quote always cracks me up.

It’s from an oooooold movie called “Sinbad the Sailor” (he’s referring to the woman in the tale who is two faced and treacherous, but he digs her anyway) about Sinbad’s 8th voyage.

But, there are no monsters in it.

No sea serpents, either.

Nor is there any cheesy stop-go animation.

However, there are some interesting life lessons in it that translate directly to business, and have influenced me in many ways.

Like, for example at the end of the movie.

Sinbad finishes his tale…

And then he goes and throws a bunch of gold and jools to the beggars he forced to listen to his story (at knife point – captive audience hehe), who jump on the ground scrambling for as much as they can, and he gets angry at them and starts assaulting them, telling them they’ve learned nothing of what’s really important about life (not gold, jools, etc) and the joy of earning what they take instead of getting it for free.

A good message.

Especially in Internet marketing land.

(Where the culture of cheapness & entitlement reigns.)

Anyway, a good flick if you find your righteous self plagued with Sunday night insomnia.

A problem I won’t have this weekend, btw.

Just landed in Vegas last night.

Going to be doing the Oceans 4 mastermind consulting with my boys Andre Chaperon, Jack Born and Ryan Levesque. If you are in town this weekend, hit one of us up.

We’ll be somewhere or another afterwards…

Alright.

I’m outta here.

Don’t forget to check out:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Got to rapping with my pal Doberman Dan Friday.

Specifically, about how people are more likely to buy when in an emotional state — including when they are mad.

For example:

Last week a guy got mad at my “Night Of The Living Ben” email.

Why?

I have no idea.

(That was a “tame” email.)

But, I’d bet your kidney he bought something somewhere. Yes, that blind, seething hatred probably caused that dude to go out and buy something from someone somewhere — thereby helping the economy and capitalism. My making him angry was doing my part to help the US beat the terrorists!

(So we joked, at least…)

Anyway, the point?

I would MUCH rather people be mad at me than indifferent.

All I have to do is look at the passive aggressive emails, facebook messages I get, and what people snark about in forums, and I know I’m doing it right.

Oh, when I call them them on it they suddenly pretend not to be mad.

But I got ’em.

Their anger belongs to me.

And, because they are emotional, they will likely go buy from someone somewhere (or, one day, realize their wicked ways and buy something from me — I take back all the prodigals).

So don’t worry if people hate you.

You want ’em hot or cold.

But never indifferent.

Otherwise, the terrorists win…

Anyway, on to bid’niz.

Next “Email Players” issue contains a 10 step guide on how to become a master at selling with email in just 30 days.

This is no joke, my little droogie.

I won’t say it’s easy.

But, it IS simple.

And, if you are willing to pay the price, works.

Subscribe here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

An “Email Players” subscriber just asked about opt in rates.

He thought his were too low.

And, he wanted to get them higher.

My response?

Don’t worry so much about quantity.

Instead, focus on quality.

Yes, high opt in rates are groovy. But, only if they are quality leads. I could increase my opt in rates pretty easily by giving away more free stuff, or attracting freebie seekers.

(i.e. the majority of people in my market).

But what good would that do?

Frankly, I purposely put up barriers to the opt in.

For example, my main opt in page:

  • Says my emails are daily
  • Forces the would-be lucky subscriber to check a box
  • Gives them a chance to skip opting in and go to the blog
  • Has an obnoxious ego-sized picture of me drinking a beer
  • Says I’ll be sending them promotional offers

These are “filters” to repulse people I don’t want.

The result?

I get better quality subscribers who are more serious about succeeding with email, are more enjoyable to interact with, and are more likely to respond to my offers.

(And not complain about dumb things.)

Hey, run your business however you want.

But, here’s my attitude:

I’d rather have a list of 50 eager-to-learn subscribers wanting to improve their lives, than 50,000 whiney drama queen subscribers who just ride the goo-roo freebie carousel.

To them, I say this:

Don’t let the opt out page hit you in the arse.

The rest of us have work to do…

BTW, one of the perks of being an “Email Players” subscriber is you can ask me unlimited questions via email (like the guy above did about opt in rates).

You also get a free email critique each month. (no longer offered)

Discounts on my other products.

And, the “Email Players Playbook”.

More info at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

An exciting, action-packed new episode of The Ben Settle Antipreneur Show is up on iTunes.

It’s about spelling nazis.

(Yes, I know nazis should be capitalized…)

Producer Jonathan and I also discuss:

  • How to repulse people into buying from you
  • Why being an ugly chick is like playing the dating game on “hard mode” (and some secret ways they can use to steal the highest value men from hotter women)
  • The difference between copywriting and creative writing
  • And a ho’ bunch mo’

Also, one more thing:

Be sure to give us a high rating on iTunes.

After all, even if you hate my guts and think the show is idiotic and inane, why deny your friends and colleagues the chance to hate my guts, too?

See?

We ALL have rationalization hamsters…

Here is the link:

http://BenSettleShow.com/iTunes

Ben Settle

I usually only tell my Email Players subscribers about client gigs I’m approached with.

But today, I’m doing something different.

I’m telling my WHOLE list.

Anyway, I first met this perfect client in Summer of 2011.

This one is ALWAYS ready to hire.

(Hint, hint…)

And, is like a “super client” dream come true for any hardworking, business-savvy copywriter. (The only thing this client is missing is a cape and tights…)

Why do I say this?

What makes this client so groovy?

Well, for one, this client will NEVER challenge you on price. Will NEVER ask you to work on projects where you don’t believe in the product. And will NEVER (ever) devalue your time or treat you like some kind of underling. Plus, this client will ALWAYS pay you on EVERY project you work on forever — all up front.

But that ain’t all.

This client only has projects you WANT to work on.

For products you 100% believe in.

And is willing to pay you whatever you ask.

(Without question, haggling or hemming-and-hawing.)

After knowing clients like this one I met, I can guarantee your time will always be respected. Your talents will always be appreciated. And never will there be a deadline you can’t handle.

This client is TOPS.

They will never leave you or forsake you.

And there’s NONE of the drama you get from other clients.

Sound almost like fantasy land?

Well, it’s not.

This client really DOES exist, and is just waiting to hire you, whenever you want, at the drop of a hat.

They don’t care about your portfolio.

Your track record.

Or if you’re a man or a woman, young or old.

Just say the word and the gig is yours.

Who is this super client?

Yourself!

Hey, am I saying never to take on other clients?

No!

Do what you have to do to survive.

But personally, I think it’s a mistake to rely on other clients exclusively for your income, as there are many things in their business beyond your control (especially if you have some kind of contingency/royalty deal gong on).

So I suggest also doing your own projects, too.

Start small, if you must.

Maybe find a product on clickbank to sell.

Build a list.

Then sell to it!

Write an email every day.

It sounds really simple.

(Cuz it is.)

But it will pay you dividends for years to come.

Far more than a client ever will.

To get started, zip on over to:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

BEN SETTLE

Publishes ridiculously high-priced books & newsletters about online marketing, writes twisted horror novels & screenplays, and trades options & invests in companies he thinks are cool – like BerserkerMail, Low Stress Trading, and The Oregon Eagle newspaper.

Yours FREE:

World Leader In

Email Copywriting Education

Gives Away His Best Tips

For How To Potentially

Double, Triple,

Even Quadruple

Your Sales Online

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WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Even when you’re simply just selling stuff, your emails are, in effect, brilliant content for marketers who want to see how to make sales copy incapable of being ignored by their core market. You are a master of this rare skill, Ben, and I tip my hat in respect.

Gary Bencivenga

(Universally acknowledged as the world’s greatest living copywriter)

www.MarketingBullets.com

I confess that I have only begun watching Ben closely and corresponding with him fairly recently, my mistake. At this point, it is, bluntly, very rare to discover somebody I find intelligent, informed, interesting and inspiring, and that is how I would describe Ben Settle.

Dan S. Kennedy

Author, ’No BS’ book series

Ben is one of the sharpest marketing minds on the planet, and he runs his membership “Email Players” better than just about any other I’ve seen. I highly recommend it.

Perry Marshall

Author of 8 books whose Google book laid the foundations for the $100 billion Pay Per Click industry, whose prestigious 80/20 work has been used by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labs, and whose historic reinvention of the Pareto Principle is published in Harvard Business Review.

www.PerryMarshall.com

I think Ben is the light heavyweight champion of email copywriting. I ass-lo think we’d make Mayweather money in a unification title bout!

Matt Furey

www.MattFurey.com

Zen Master Of The Internet®

President of The Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation

Just want you to know I get great advice and at least one chuckle… or a slap on the forehead “duh”… every time I read your emails!

Carline Anglade-Cole

AWAI’s Copywriter of the Year Award winner and A-list copywriter who has written for Oprah and continually writes control packages for the world’s most prestigious (and competitive) alternative health direct marketing companies

www.CarlineCole.com

I’ve been reading your stuff for about a month. I love it. You are saying, in very arresting ways, things I’ve been trying to teach marketers and copywriters for 30 years. Keep up the good work!

Mark Ford

aka Michael Masterson

Cofounder of AWAI

www.AwaiOnline.com

The business is so big now. Prob 4x the revenue since when we first met… and had you in! Claim credit, as it did correlate!

Joseph Schriefer

(Copy Chief at Agora Financial)

www.AgoraFinancial.com

I wake up to READ YOUR WORDS. I learn from you and study exactly how you combine words + feelings together. Like no other. YOU go DEEP and HARD.”

Lori Haller

(“A-List” designer who has worked on control sales letters and other projects for Oprah Winfrey, Gary Bencivenga, Clayton Makepeace, Jim Rutz, and more.

www.ShadowOakStudio.com

I love your emails. Your e-mail style is stunningly effective.

Bob Bly

The man McGrawHill calls

America’s top copywriter

and bestselling author of over 75 books

www.Bly.com

Ben might be a freaking genius. Just one insight he shared at the last Oceans 4 mastermind I can guarantee you will end up netting me at least an extra $100k in the next year.

Daegan Smith

www.Maximum-Leverage.com

Ben Settle is a great contemporary source of copywriting wisdom. I’ve been a big admirer of Ben’s writing for a long time, and he’s the only copywriter I’ve ever hired and been satisfied with

Ken McCarthy

One of the “founding fathers”

of Internet marketing

www.KenMcCarthy.com

I start my day with reading from the Holy Bible and Ben Settle’s email, not necessarily in that order.

Richard Armstrong

A List direct mail copywriter

whose clients have included

Rodale, Boardroom, Reader’s Digest,

Men’s Health, Newsweek,

Prevention Health Magazine, the ASCPA

and, even, The Limbaugh Letter.

www.FreeSampleBook.com

Of all the people I follow there’s so much stuff that comes into my inbox from various copywriters and direct marketers and creatives, your stuff is about as good as it gets.

Brian Kurtz

Former Executive VP of Boardroom Inc. Named Marketer of the Year by Target Marketing magazine

www.BrianKurtz.me

The f’in’ hottest email copywriter on the web now.

David Garfinkel

The World’s Greatest Copywriting Coach

www.FastEffectiveCopy.com

Ben Settle is my email marketing mentor.

Tom Woods

Senior fellow of the Mises Institute, New York Times Bestselling Author, Prominent libertarian historian & author, and host of one of the longest running and most popular libertarian podcasts on the planet

www.TomWoods.com

I’ve read your stuff and you have some of the best hooks. You really know how to work the hook and the angles.

Brian Clark

www.CopyBlogger.com

Ben writes some of the most compelling subject lines I’ve ever seen, and implements a very unique style in his blog. Honestly, I can’t help but look when I get an email, or see a new post from him in my Google Reader.

Dr. Glenn Livingston

www.GlennLivingston.com

There are very, very few copywriters whose copy I not only read but save so I can study it… and Ben is on that short list. In fact, he’s so good… he kinda pisses me off. But don’t tell him I said that. 😉

Ray Edwards

Direct Response Copywriter

www.RayEdwards.com

You’re damn brilliant, dude…I really DO admire your work, my friend!

Brian Keith Voiles

A-list copywriter who has written winning ads for prestigious clients such as Jay Abraham, Ted Nicholas, Dr. Stephen R. Covey, Robert Allen, and Gary Halbert.

www.AdvertisingMagicCopywriting.com

We finally got to meet in person and you delivered a killer talk. Your emails are one of the very few I read and study. And your laid back style.. is just perfect!

Ryan Lee

Best-selling Author

“Entrepreneur” Magazine columnist

www.RyanLee.com

There’s been a recent flood of copy writing “gurus” lately and I only trust ONE! And that’s @BenSettle

Bryan Sharpe

AKA Hotep Jesus

www.BooksByBryan.com

www.HotepNation.com

I’m so busy but there’s some guys like Ben Settle w/incredible daily emails that I always read.

Russell Brunson

World class Internet marketer, author, and speaker

www.RussellBrunson.com

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