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

“What chance does Gotham have when the good people do nothing?”

– Rachel Dawes
“Batman Begins”

I’ve been selling on Amazon for a few years now.

It’s a great place to sell books.

And, there’s a LOT of profit potential for us all.

But, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend:

Lots and lots of fake, negative and downright nasty reviews of books… mostly from people who have not even read the book in question (you can tell because they will usually just be trollish comments with no specifics, just mindless nonsense.)

While, at the same time, there’s a famine of honest reviews.

Case in point:

Last week I plugged “Christian Business Secrets” a lot.

My publisher says we got over 100 sales.

(In just 7 days.)

Yet, only ONE person left a review.

And this is the problem.

If you’re going to buy a book on amazon and not leave a review (not talking to the loser trolls here, but the honest book buyers with an actual opinion) then that means the only people who WILL be leaving reviews are the trolls, losers and jealous bottom-feeders who do nothing but leave dorky 1 star reviews — many of which don’t even make sense. (One blue flame special left a review on one of my books complaining he couldn’t read it due to having conjunctivitis, then saying he expected better of me lolz — I reported it to amazon but they did nothing to remove the obviously bogus review, and herein lies the problem… what chance does amazon have if the good book buyers do nothing?)

So, a humble request:

If you bought Christian Business Secrets, leave a review.

I don’t care if it’s good, bad or ugly.

Just make it honest.

From the “gut.”

And, helpful to would-be readers.

(If you leave a negative review, be specific why.)

I will even make this fun.

The BEST review gets a special treat:

An issue of my old “Crypto Marketing Newsletter” that explains how to profit from putting content you’ve already written (yes, you’ve already written probably several Kindle books and don’t even know it) on Kindle.

Best review does not necessarily mean 5-star.

Just the most thoughtful.

The most entertaining.

And, the most helpful.

(Like a good email to your list should be.)

Here is the link to leave a review:

www.ChristianBusinessSecrets.com

Ben Settle

P.S. Deadline to post your review to qualify for the goodie above is by Friday at the stroke of midnight eastern standard time.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again…

My “Christian Business Secrets” book is one of the best (in my humble and purely BIASED opinion) overall business books on the planet. It’s designed so you can turn to any page and get some kind of tip, idea, insight or thought to make your business better — whether in sales, marketing, positioning, customer service or just being the kind of business people LIKE buying from.

And no… you don’t have to be Christian to profit from it.

In fact, check this 5 star amazon review out:

(From a self described Agnostic)

Agnostic-Or Possibly Buddhist, January 4, 2014

But I couldn’t resist and I bought this just for the title. I think this must be an excellent example of “exclusionary” or “tribe” marketing. And I really want to see how that rest of it plays out!!! Honestly, Business has no secrets. It’s all just things that you haven’t learned yet. In this case, I am expecting to learn how to do “exclusionary” marketing from an obvious expert.

So, there ya go.

Smart entrepreneurs find lessons everywhere.

And, in this case, you can learn things like:

• How to sell your products and services without feeling like you’re manipulating anyone.

• How one of the world’s top eBay sellers prospers online using scriptural principles freely available to the world.

• How to use your small business to bring about real changes in big corporations. (Boycotts don’t work — but THIS will.)

• How to use your house keys to discern if someone would be a good business partner or not.

• How to use popular persuasion “tactics” ethically and in a way that makes people glad and happy to do business with you.

• Why King Solomon (who was granted divine wisdom by God) probably would have been a HUGE fan of sending daily emails to his leads and prospects.

• A “can’t miss” way to win the trust of cold (and even hostile!) prospects.

• How to “arrange” it so nobody in your market wants to buy from anyone but you. (Even if you don’t have the lowest prices.)

• The Apostle Paul’s simple 3-step advertising system that’s since been used (consciously or unconsciously) by some of the most successful salesmen in history.

• And a ho’ bunch mo’…

Grab it here:

www.ChristianBusinessSecrets.com

Ben Settle

Burping along on my 2014 goals…

Last couple days I talked about having more patience and more self discipline — both of which will be invaluable in helping me achieve my next 2014 goal, which is none other than…

Pumping out more projects.

For example:

• Write a sequel to my zombie book (which will be about a vampire, not zombies)

• Start a weekly podcast

• Write 6-7 emails per week instead of 5

• Write more “How to” Kindle books

• Do more consulting type deals (like the “Oceans 4” mastermind workshop I’m doing with Andre Chaperon, Jack Born and Ryan Levesque in Vegas next month)

• Do more media appearances (radio and print)

• Write a book (about email marketing) for a traditional publisher

• And the list goes on…

Here’s the thing:

Over the past couple years I’ve kinda coasted.

By that I mean, I have mostly focused just on writing the “Email Players” newsletter, along with these emails, and emails for other ventures I have my fat fingers in… plus a few books here and there. But recently (for reasons I will go into later) I’ve been motivated to do more…

To push myself harder.

To conquer new territory.

And, build a legacy that outlives me.

I can’t do that by staying comfy.

Instead, I have to get out of my comfort zone.

And you know what?

You should do the same.

Not just in 2014.

But, for the rest of your life.

(Otherwise, what’s the point?)

More tomorrow.

Go here for more beef soup for the soul:

www.ChristianBusinessSecrets.com

Ben Settle