Ben Settle

Reader “Lori” writes:

Ben
You seriously major in smart a– but that’s what we love/hate most about you.Your ability to piss off everyone at at some point is what makes you,you.Please continue to ruffle are innermost beast…

Ah yes.

A true “Benverbs 31” kinda chick:

Possessing the “level 12” wisdom to see the value in having the ability to simultaneously make people both want to write me a check and rip my spleen clean out with their bare hands.

But you know what?

I don’t (always) do it on purpose.

It’s a natural consequence of having an opinion.

Voicing it.

(Especially when unpopular).

And, doing it in a way where people both get value and entertainment out of it — which I teach in the “Email Players” newsletter each month and, especially, in “The Email Players Playbook”.

(Included with your “Email Players” subscription).

Speak of the devil…

Next issue goes to print soon.

A few secrets inside include:

• How to use email to attract hot, sexy women into your life (or high class customers, if you’re a chick or married — ANYONE can make lots of sales from the info inside)

• A simple mindset “tweak” that will automatically make people want to do more business with you (even if you’re a brand spanking newbie fresh off the turnip truck)

• How to emotionally connect with readers (the one thing that separates the men from the boys in copywriting, marketing, email, negotiation, selling — and all other forms of persuasion)

• How to build “Oprah” like trust in your prospects so they feel like you’re a friend and not just another salesman trying to “work” them (I learned this trick from reality TV shows — and it works like gangbusters every time, for every market, selling any kind of product)

• The #1 way to get a girl’s attention (works on prospects for your business, too — in fact, according to Gary Halbert this is THE #1 most powerful appeal you can make in advertising)

• A “counterintuitive” way to get someone interested in you (whether romantically or to buy from you — used by a guy who sells $30 million per year worth of wine JUST by email)

• And a ho’ bunch mo’

I don’t know how many will agree…

But, I believe this is one of the BEST issues I’ve written.

We shalt see…

Get your lovin’ here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

“It was real. Everything he said was real. Whether he was talking about divorces, or drinking or whatever it might be… it really happened to him. And I thought that was really cool.”

– Jay Leno
(Talking about the late Johnny Carson)

So recently a subscriber asked:

why do you keep talking about your personal life and relationshipswith girls so much lately. don’t get me wrong i think it’s rad but i am cuirious. thankyou and have a great day! 🙂
-Carla

Well, that’s a good question.

Two reasons:

1. They all tie into the next “Email Players” issue

I “theme” my emails each month around the coming “Email Players” issue — to build momentum and keep a sense of continuity to my writings.

2. Writing about real stuff is the best way to do emails

In fact, check this out —

Recently I declared on Facebook:

“Everything you need to know about being successful with email marketing is on the Johnny Carson documentary on Netflix…”

And it’s 100% true.

(Hat tip to Doberman Dan for telling me about it.)

In fact, each time I watch it (I’ve seen it a half dozen times), I get some new insight, idea, or thought that makes my emails more persuasive, more fun to write and, yes, my golden pigeon, more profitable to my bottom line.

Take the quote at the top of this email, for example.

(From Jay Leno about the late Johnny Carson.)

It sums up what I strive to do:

Be real.

You may not like everything I say.

You may not believe everything I say.

Hellz… you may not even agree with everything I say (which is okay, it’s not against the law for you to be wrong, so it’s ALL good…)

But one thing you get is:

The real McBen.

And like me, love me or leave me…

What ya read is what ya get.

(And if you like “real” then wait’ll you hear the first episode of my upcoming “Ben Settle Anti-preneur Show” — which should be ready for listening very soon.)

So anyway, watch that documentary.

Take notes.

Then, apply to your emails.

And when you’re ready to take your emails to the next level?

Check out “Email Players”.

Subscription info at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Check out this little ditty that came in:

Dear Ben,

Late night thinking about this, imagine that, but thought I’d share. Initially I thought your emails were affected and pretentious. I thought to myself, who is Ben Settle? Does he have kindness and compassion for his friends and family, or is he a veritable copy writing cool guy that thinks he’s the bomb. I eventually started opening your emails periodically and as the emails came in, the frequency of my opens increased, until finally, I open every email. Whether the stories are intrinsically interesting or not or whether I agree with the content (doesn’t matter), I came upon the realization that I’m attracted to the confidence in the storytelling; the raw truth as Ben Settle see’s it, that ultimately got my attention. And…..here I am interacting– a feat. The raw truth, well told, seems to be the magic serum, and you courageously dispense it freely.

Thanks.

Rebecca

For some reason I have this voice of Beavis saying to Butthead:

“I think she wants me”

Seriously though…

She is right, storytelling IS powerful stuff.

It lets you communicate on an emotional level.

And, it’s extremely persuasive to boot.

In fact, the human brain is “hard wired” to be persuaded by stories from what some neurologist dudes told me, (Which is why I talk a LOT about it in the February “Email Players” issue.)

Subscription info at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Here’s one for the archives…

Remember that email a couple days about simplifying your life… and cutting out anyone who insists on complicating it?

Not just for business, but your personal life?

(And the example I gave of the chick I cut out of my life)?

Well, check out this reply.

If every chick read this, the world’d be a MUCH “jollier” place…

I need to forward your email to all the women in my life. It will help them in business and relationships with men.

I know that they will scoff, think you are sexist and terrible for dropping that girl like that. I say you are honest.

Yep, get rid of the people who want to analyze and drivel on about nothing…they are whiners. Suggest they see a therapist. Therapist’s get paid to listen to garbage…friends, business partners, spouses do not.

Women understand men in business, yet get perplexed in personal relationships with them. They must keep in mind that men are the same in both.

Men love simplicity and are simple people. No, not simpletons but are aware of the basics…work, food and sex. They are not noticing their girlfriends new haircut or outfit. They don’t care if the office gossiper is bad mouthing them to her neighbor in the next cubicle.

Men are thinking about what’s for dinner, the latest game scores, and why they got charged extra this month on the electric bill.

Feelings? Not on their radar. If women feel the need to talk about their feelings or analyze their relationships, call a girlfriend.

Leave the men in their lives alone to play with the dog and open jars. Feed them, love them and let them be.

People will call me sexist, I say wake up, this is biology. Women pay attention to detail. It’s because they have babies and must keep the baby alive. This requires detail and paying attention to emotion and nuance.

Maybe you can print my email out and give it to the women in your life, before they begin a relationship with you. Or even before they sign up for your email list. It’s straightforward. Put a box at the bottom that says “check off if you understand and are willing to comply.” Then anytime they begin to complicate your life, hand them a copy.

So, go on Ben, live the simple life…it’s a joyful one.

Sincerely,

Naomi (Simple life lover)

That’s what I’m talkin’ about!

(In fact, the only thing that would have made this email better is if a sammich was included with it somehow…)

Anyway, there is MUCHO wisdom in her email.

Not just for girls.

But, for dudes, too.

Especially if you sell to a specific gender…

The next “Email Players” issue won’t show you how to “manage” a relationship with a woman… but it will show you how to use some cool marketing skills to attract them into your life. And, if you’re a girl or a married guy, these exact same skills can be used to pack your business with new customers.

It’s all the same, Sweetie.

And, I show you how in the upcoming issue.

Subscribe here in time:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Got a ripe one for ya today:

Recently this dude I know got dumped by his girl and he’s having a tough time dealing with it. He’s actually pretty successful (far more successful, monetarily speaking, than I am, that’s fo’ sho’). But, his girl gave him the slip and he spent a few hours on skype telling me about it and how to avoid having it happen to him again.

My advice?

Well, in his case, he put his girl on a pedestal.

He damn near worshipped her.

And that, in my humble (but accurate) opinion, was his downfall.

So I told him henceforth to never, ever, Ever, EVER put a girl on a pedestal.

I don’t care if it’s someone he’s dating.

Or a girlfriend.

Or, even a wife.

First of all, its dorky.

And secondly, there are practical reasons for this.

Like your peace of mind.

Your dignity.

And, yes, your income levels.

Is there a girl you like so much you can’t stop thinking about her? Think about and work on your business, instead. Some girl giving you crap or nagging you? Ignore her and work on your business. Some chick disrespecting or complicating your life? Dump her ass, then work on your business.

You get the idea….

Never pedestalize your woman.

Pedestalize your business, instead.

After all, your business will never leave you or forsake you… never nag, complain or get insecure and act stoopid (i.e. sabotage your success) on you.

Instead, it’ll give you focus.

And passion.

And, yes, purpose.

Plus, you know what else?

You should have this attitude towards customers, too.

Don’t pedestalize them, either.

Serve them, yes.

Give them your BEST, absolutely.

But don’t pedestalize them, let them get away with disrespecting you or relying on any one of them for your income… or suffer the same fate (i.e. you’ll lose them and not get paid) as my friend did with his girl you will.

Hey!

Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

You are?

Good.

Then, one more thing to think about:

If you pedestalize your business and grow it using email the way I teach… it can give you a lifestyle that lets you call your own shots, answer to no man, and live completely debt free on your own terms.

And that, my little droogie, will make you more attractive.

(To women, JV partners, customers — everyone.)

That means you win, boss.

Which reminds me:

In the February “Email Players” issue I will show you how to use some unique marketing skills to get all the dates you can handle. (And, how to get all the new CUSTOMERS you handle, too — anyone can benefit from this issue, not just single dudes).

It’s a real doozie this time..

Probably one of the best issues I’ve written.

Alright enough.

Subscribe here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

I once showed up… late… for a date.

As in about 55 minutes late.

She was (understandably) livid with yours truly… and when she started to read me the riot act I held up my hand as if to tell her to tone it down… and said just one thing to disarm her death ray and make things right.

What did I say?

Simply this:

“A Settle is never late.
Nor is he early.
He arrives precisely when he means to.”

Did it work?

Of course.

She couldn’t help but crack a smile.

And, all was good from then on.

You see, nothing disarms an impatient angry woman (or righteously angry customer) you have accidentally wronged (hey, it happens) like some well-placed humor.

That’s how powerful it is.

It works in emails, too.

In fact, one of my favorite Dan Kennedy quotes is:

“People buy, and buy more readily, when in good humor”

True ‘dat.

This is one reason people should lighten up in emails.

But instead, most emails are limp.

And boring.

And either “all business” or all content.

(Or, worse, all sales pitch).

Ugh.

No wonder so many people struggle online.

This goes for guys trying to get dates, too.

And guess what?

In the February “Valentine’s Day” edition of “Email Players”, I show guys how to use marketing to get all the dates you can handle. (If you’re a chick or married, worry ye not — I also show all the many business and marketing secrets embedded within my methods… and if you can’t make more sales after reading what’s in this issue you should hand in your marketing card — cuz you’re hopeless.)

Alright enough.

I gotta wrap this up.

Or else I’ll be late for yet another date…

Here’s where to subscribe to “Email Players”:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Right now I’m listening to:

“Simple Man”

(By Lynyrd Skynyrd)

I’ve written about it before.

And, how it applies to the way I run my business.

(And personal life.)

Here’s what I mean:

Sometimes subscribers (and this is happening more and more lately) ask for ways to simplify their business. Some are saddled with dozens of employees they have to babysit. Others are stuck in “testing hell” wasting their time testing every single metric they can (no matter how useless). And a few are trapped by offering too many products and want to “streamline” everything.

In other words…

These blokes work for their business.

Their business doesn’t work for them.

Screw that sideways.

I’m ALL about simplicity.

If something isn’t simple in your business and becomes a burden to your mind… cut the thing that complicates it out.

(Or outsource it.)

Same goes with your personal life.

Cut people out of your life who thrive on complicated.

Believe me, you’ll sleep better.

And, have more peace of mind.

In fact, here’s a real life example:

Recently I cut off someone from my life who I cared quite a bit about for this very reason.

She simply had to go.

Why?

Because she insisted on making complicated what *should* have been very simple. And because I’m a man of simplicity, she disqualified herself when it became obvious her complicated ways weren’t going to change.

So, out she went.

Without hesitation.

And, without explanation.

I suggest you do the same.

Be ruthless about these things.

Otherwise, you’re doomed to a life of frustration.

(And as far as chicks go, if you’re a dude worried about doing the above to girls who needlessly complicate your life because you’re scared you’ll be alone or whatever, don’t be — the next “Email Players” issue will show you how to get all the dates — and customers — you can handle with some simple marketing techniques I’ve honed over the last 2 years.)

Anyway, bottom line?

Cut complicated from your life.

Embrace simplicity.

And, enjoy life more you will, Yoda.

Hey, you only have so many days on this planet.

You want to waste them with business activities, people or other relationships that do nothing but make those precious minutes complicated?

I would hope not.

At least, if you have goals in life, that is.

That’s why I’m a simple kind of man.

And why my email system is simple, too.

More info at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Happy Sunday my little droogie.

Tomorrow I’m recording the first two shows of my new radio show/podcast (tentatively titled “The Ben Settle Anti-preneur Show”). If these first two shows go good and I like doing it and have fun with it, I will start making the show LIVE — so you can call in real time and banter, argue with me or just rap with me about marketing, business, whatever.

But these first two shows?

They’ll be recorded.

So instead of live call ins, I will take some time to answer questions or comments related to business, marketing, etc.

If you’re game, submit your question/comment to:

www.BenSettle.com/contact

Also, one more thing:

The show will not be the Mickey Mouse Club.

I’m gonna get personal.

I’m gonna get real.

And, I’m gonna be “raw” in my communication.

In fact, my evil friend and business partner Trevor Mauch has convinced me to open a bottle of wine before each show and sip on it a little (not too much heh), to keep it a bit more loose and unpredictable.

(That’s the way we roll here where I live in The Burgle.)

Thus, the show is not rated “G”.

Or even “PG 13”.

I joked with my producer it’s rated “B” (for badass).

Anyway, we’ll see if it lives up to that rating or not, eh?

But, if you like my emails, you’ll probably like the show.

(Maybe…)

OK, enough of this clacking.

Again, if you want me to address a business-related question on the air or if you just have a comment or request for topics to talk about shoot me a message here:

www.BenSettle.com/contact

That’s it for now.

Enjoy thy Sunday…

Ben Settle

Holy shnikes Sunday’s email caused a ruckus.

That was the one where I talked about my goal this year to begin the search for a suitable woman (and the criteria that must be met) worthy of my seed to carry on my linage, legacy and business when I’m gone. Yes, your boy Ben wants to stop his serial dating ways and “settle” down to have a family of at least one or two sons.

His family line depends on it, after all.

(Otherwise we go “extinct.”)

The response has been… amusing.

For example:

Girls have been sending me emails “campaigning” for the position as the mother of my children. (Although none were smart enough to attach a picture, one of my criteria is common sense, so they were disqualified right out the gate).

Some feminists (the angry ones) were outright pissed at me.

(If only they’d put all that passion into making better sammiches…)

And the dudes?

Well, the dudes have been giving me virtual high 5’s for having the balls to say what they are all thinking.

As for my business?

Has it helped?

Hurt?

Been indifferent?

I don’t know.

Depends on how you look at it.

I LIKE unsubscribes. While most marketers freak out about opt outs, I celebrate them. If someone is so weak minded they opt out because they disagree with something I have to say (and ignore the lessons involved that can put $$ in their hot little hands) I say let ’em go and don’t let the unsubscribe page hit ’em on the ass.

More:

People are asking if I had a plan with these emails.

It’s a perfectly understandable question, too.

Last week I talked about everything from owning guns to women and some other personal stuff going on inside my beady, rat-like brain.

Far more personal than usual.

And, far more controversial than usual.

Is there a rhyme or reason to this?

Does it get the cash register ringing?

Sometimes it does.

Sometimes, not.

But, what it DOES do is it bonds people to me more… let’s them know I’m giving information to them straight (and not trying to slip some lame sales pitch in their drink like a mickey).

So when they ARE ready to buy, who they gonna call?

Me, of course.

That is, if I have the right offer.

At the right time.

And, present it in the right way.

That’s what my email system is all about, after all.

There’s something else, too:

This is one of the ways you build not just a list… but an audience. There are many hundreds (if not thousands) of people who “lurk” on my site who have not yet (for reasons I cannot fathom considering I give away a free “Email Players” issue on the opt in) joined my list.

Some of them end up buying.

Which brings me to the point:

Don’t just build a list.

Build and AUDIENCE.

You don’t have to be a jerk about it like I am sometimes.

You can be “you.”

Using your personality.

And, your knowledge.

This idea of building an audience is what Danny Iny is teaching tomorrow on his free online workshop I’ll be at studying and taking notes along with everyone else.

Yes, below is an affiliate link.

But, the training is free.

The information is free.

And, implementing his ideas is free, too.

Here’s where to register:

www.EmailPlayers.com/audience

Ben Settle