Ben Settle

So Kevin Trudeau got cast into prison.

Of course, everyone’s ready to crucify him.

Me?

Not so much.

And while I’m not a big fan of Trudeau or his recent marketing (although his mega memory got me straight A’s my last semester of college), I trust Trudeau far more than I do any government bureaucrat. In fact, any time the government goes after a marketer I assume that marketer is innocent until proven guilty. The reason why is, there’s so much blatant corruption and favoritism (especially in health markets) even FTC lawyers admit it.

An example?

Okay…

I had a client (by far the biggest and most successful marketer in the self defense industry at the time) whose lawyer flat out told him this when we were selling his health supplements:

“Imagine a big pharma executive with the FTC in his hip pocket reading this ad deciding if you’re competition or not…”

I had to water everything down.

Not a single claim made it through.

(Even when backed by multiple sources, studies, testimonials, etc).

If that doesn’t prove the point, then read Chase Revel (founder of Entrepreneur Magazine)’s story.

It’s an eye opener.

My point?

The government is not there to help you.

It’s not “for the people”.

Nor is it your friend.

Unlike a corporation you have no recourse if they go after you.

They have unlimited resources.

(Graciously paid for by you, the taxpayer).

And, they know you will eventually run out of money.

Why any business man trusts the alphabet agencies is beyond me. It’s stoopid on a stick to feed a hissing rattlesnake and think it’ll let you pet it without biting you.

(Lenin called ’em “useful idiots”).

Bottom line:

Believe whatever propaganda you want.

But I trust the government about as far as I could throw a piano.

And, that ain’t far…

Still want to be in business?

Don’t care if you’re punished for being successful?

Then check out “Email Players”.

It’ll get you successful.

And, probably on the alphabet agency radars.

(They only go after successful marketers).

Here’s where to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Behold…

Following is chapter 1 of my new book:

“The Book Of Benverbs”

In the land of dumb asses the smart ass is king

Wisdom doesn’t come cheap

Everyone wants honesty until you tell them the truth

There are no dumb answers, only dumb questions

The only people who don’t have a right to complain are the people who voted for the winning candidate

My opinion may change, but the fact I’m always right never changes

God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth so you can listen to me talk more with minimal interruptions

It’s perfectly okay if you disagree with me, it’s not against the law for you to be wrong

I’m incapable of ever being wrong, ergo I’m always right

Write drunk, edit sober

This is a book in progress.

More to be added soon.

In the meantime… stretch forth your hand and apply this (anti?)wisdom, and you shall have peace and prosperity all the rest of your days.

I guarantee it.

Or your money back…

Ben Settle

P.S. You still have a little bit of time (the afternoon, I reckon) get the October “Email Players” issue — which includes info about email retargeting and the One Email Format to rule them all I’ve used for years (and is the “most ripped off” kind of email I write).

Here’s the link:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Check this out:

I happen to be facebook “friends” (500+ of my closest friends are on facebook) with several bartenders. I don’t know if this is coincidence or if I simply have a drinking problem. But something I’ve noticed is these men and women are always trying to rally people to their respective bars on the nights they work. Which is smart, as the more people that come out, the more who will pay them tips (assuming they’re not a bunch of cheap skate customers, of course).

Bartending is TRUE selling.

Anyone who works for tips is a REAL salesman in my very humble (but always accurate) opinion.

They have too many bad days, they don’t eat.

But, you know what I’d do if I was a bartender?

I’d still tell my flakebook friends when I’m working.

But, I’d also use email.

(Does that shock you?)

In fact, if a bartender did the following their problem would not be a slow night… it would be trying to manage ALL the customers trying to get to the bar, even on nights that are usually dead.

Anyway, here’s what I’d do:

1. Build a list of LOCAL beer, wine and spirits connoisseurs.

(Easily done with Adwords and local PR)

2. Mail that list daily (shocked?)

3. Segment the list by interest (beer drinkers, wine snobs, etc — these two types of people don’t exactly speak the same language)

4. Mail each segment daily about their passion:

Whether it be wine.

Or beers.

Or foods that pair with each.

Or unusual stories behind certain beers or wines.

Or how to pick up chicks at bars.

Or… or… you get the idea!

And, yes, I’d tell them every night I’m working and think up some kind of “excuse” to get them into the door (whatever the specials are, happy hour, etc)

What would happen?

Well, I don’t have a crystal ball.

But… I suspect said bartender would become like a celebrity.

Kinda like Dan Kennedy’s Giorgio client.

People would come in just to chat with him/her.

And, feel *privileged* to do so.

(That whole social proof thang — when the bartender is so popular, and has that “celebrity” appeal, everyone wants his/her attention, well…)

So simple.

So easy.

So… profitable.

But, here’s the catch:

They’d have to know HOW to email right.

In a way people like reading.

And, yes, like buying from.

That’s where “Email Players” swoops in.

First, your subscription comes with a book (“The Email Players Playbook”) which outlines my system step-by-step — and shows you how to implement the information (in other words, I don’t get you all dressed up with nowhere to go).

Then each month you get ongoing training.

You see the emails I’m using.

You see WHY they’re working.

And, you see HOW to apply the same concepts to your emails.

You also can ask me unlimited questions (by email) and, if you’re the freelancing sort… you get first dibs on leads people send me every once in a while.

Alright bartender, enough.

October issue goes to print tomorrow.

It’s chock full of goodies.

Including a bonus on email retargeting.

But happy hour is ending.

So get it here while you can:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Some think I’m too much of a hardass on customers.

They don’t understand why, for example, I go out of my way to tell people NOT to buy my product, and actively turn such people off from even wanting to be on my list (much less buy anything from me).

They have the old “why not cast a wide net” mentality.

Me?

I say screweth that.

Life’s too short.

For example:

Below is feedback from two different “Email Players” subscribers.

You tell me, which would YOU rather deal with?

Who’d YOU rather spend your time helping?

Who do YOU think will be making out like a bandit in his niche in the next 5 years, not caring what’s going on with the economy and has financial stability… while the other is still “planning” and hopping from one course to the next:

Subscriber #1:

“I get so many great ideas every month, I don’t have time to implement them and I end up doing a half arsed job.”

Subscriber #2

“I’ve been meaning to write you and tell you how helpful EP has been. But I haven’t had the time, because I’ve been busy implementing like crazy! In the last six months of being an EP subscriber, I’ve added another funnel/niche. This one has a daily email, leading to a monthly print newsletter (based on the info you sent on how to profit from a print newsletter), plus two back-end offline (book and CD) courses. In addition I added two brand new Kindle/CreateSpace books, mostly culled from my daily emails, to this niche. Not bad for six months of being a subscriber. But this is just a start. I’ve just started planning a third funnel/niche that I’ll be working on implementing in the next few months. So thank you. The EP newsletter has been a great source of information not just about email marketing, but about marketing and business as a whole.” – Al Simon

’nuff said.

Now, don’t get me wrong, guy #1 is NOT a bad dude.

But, he’s not “Email Players” material.

And Guy #2?

He’s a winner.

And, a true *email player*:

A dude who implements.

Takes massive action.

And, yes, profits immensely from it.

Anyway, next issue goes to print Tuesday — and it includes a kick ass bonus training on email retargeting.

Very few people know about this.

(Much less do it.)

Get your email lovin’ here while there’s time:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Got an email from “Email Players” subscriber Jonathan Rivera saying he and his buddy did $10g’s using nothing but good old fashioned email and the telephone. 

In fact, they didn’t even have a sales page until the last day.

Pretty cool, eh?

But riddle me this:

Remind me why everyone is toiling away their lives creating long, droning sales pages and/or videos, killing their backs and going blind looking at a computer screen all day again?

Not to say a good sales page doesn’t help.

It definitely does.

But, don’t waste time obsessing over one, either.

Get those emails out.

Make sales.

And, while you’re doing that, optimize your funnel.

Oh, and speaking of copywriters and emails…

Monday I helped teach a mastermind/workshop in San Diego. One of our clients who got BBQ’d on the “hot seat” was Ryan McGrath representing Agora. I got to talking with him and it turns out Agora has a TON of copywriting gigs — even if you’re a newbie who has no reputation and hasn’t figured out all the butts to kiss yet at seminars.

Anyway, he sent me a LONG list of job openings.

It’s like a newbie copywriter’s wet dream.

If I was a new copywriter I’d be on this like white on rice.

Seems to me the tests you’d get to see, the experience you’d gain, the contacts you’d make… would be like getting a 10 year copywriting “crash course” in a matter of weeks and months. And, getting freelance opportunities like this is a “perk” of being an “Email Players” subscriber.

No, don’t subscribe JUST for that.

(Only a fool would do that, and a few have to their shame…)

But, if you’re a freelancer on the fence about subscribing anyway, and want access to this big ol’ fatty list of Agora job openings (and, more importantly, “fast track” Ryan McGrath’s attention when applying), then do this:

1. Subscribe to “Email Players”

www.EmailPlayers.com

2. A day later you’ll be invited to a private Google group.

Join it.

Then, read the archives to see it.

Ben Settle

So a few weeks ago I FINALLY did the deed:

I applied for my passport.

What took me so long?

Hellz if I know.

Laziness, maybe?

Lack of motivation?

Better things to do?

Whatever the reason, I applied for that mo’ fo’ and when I did something kind of interesting happened that can help you write more profitable emails. What happened was, when filling out the application it asked me to tell the gummint (as if it’s any of Obama’s bid’niz) what country I wanted to visit and when.

My answer:

Transylvania!

Oh yeah, babycakes!

And when the woman at the county courthouse saw it she glanced up at me over her bifocals with a weird look — as if she was examining me for pointy ears or razor sharp teeth.

Seriously.

I kid you not.

She looked me up and down like I was an alien life form.

Anyway, the lesson?

The bizarre and weird gets attention.

I don’t know how many times I have to drive this point home, but so few people (on my own list!) utilize this powerful quirk of human nature it’s downright embarrassing.

So get weird.

Get bizarre.

And, yes, get more sales.

It’s something I teach about subject lines specifically in the “Email Players Playbook” — which comes free with your “Email Players” subscription.

But, a word of caution on this:

Think before subscribing.

I mean, really think.

Lately a bunch of wholly unqualified people have subscribed.

They don’t think like business people.

They have short sighted goals.

And they can’t even consume & implement 16 pages per month.

Doesn’t make ’em bad people.

But, it does make ’em terrible “Email Players” subscribers.

I only want players subscribing.

Not spectators.

So if you ain’t a REAL business, don’t subscribe.

Go buy from some hyped up launch.

My system is wholly inadequate for you, your lack of long term dedication to the craft, or your short sighted goals (most people online look at products they buy as “costs” and not “investments” — and they wonder why they fail over and over and over…)

Anywhat.

That’s the criteria for subscribing.

If you ARE qualified give it a shot at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Been on a Steve McQueen movie kick.

The dude was the quintessential “anti professional.”

(That’s a term I invented to explain the type of entrepreneur who makes his own rules and lives by his own code of ethics — the guy on his horse who never tries to impress the customers but always gets the sale…)

Anyway, just watched his movie:

“Nevada Smith”

A LAME title for such a cool movie.

It’s about this young, naive man whose parents are brutally skinned, tortured and killed by bandits. And he goes after the killers on his own, without any training, education or idea what he’s even doing.

All he knows is he wants revenge.

And, he does whatever it takes to get it.

Including getting himself thrown into a brutal bayou prison (full of man-eating snakes, reptiles, etc) just to ice one of the murderers.

Now THAT’S dedication.

In fact, as the main bad guy says:

“He’s not a killer… he’s an EXECUTIONER!”

Which brings me to the point:

There are very few people with that kind of “executioner” mindset — doing whatever it takes to achieve their goals. They may be “killers” in as much as they know what they want and pursue their goals.

But there are scant few *executioners*.

Entrepreneurs who ruthlessly go after what they want.

And, won’t stop until the job is done —

Regardless of if they’re scared, or how many failures they’ve had or if they’re rendered temporarily penniless. (As Gary Halbert used to say: “Nothing is impossible for a man who refuses to listen to reason!”)

So, what are you?

Are you a mere killer in business?

Or an executioner?

Do you give up because sales suddenly drop off?

Or because you lost all your money in a bad deal and would have to start from scratch again?

Or because you have to work impossible hours?

With the economy about to tank to the point of no return at any time… with customer skepticism at all time highs (can you blame them?)… with all the strangling rules, regulations and anti-business politicians getting elected… you can’t just be a killer in business.

You gotta be an executioner!

You gotta be systematically ruthless in pursuit of your goals.

Even if you’re naive.

Even if you’re scared.

And, even if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Alright enough.

The October “Email Players” issue goes to print next week. It explains (with examples) a special kind of email that I believe most people can profit immensely from, especially if you feel “icky” pitching and selling.

It also explains email retargeting.

And, some other cool “tricks.”

Go here to subscribe in time:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Don’t you feel special?

I’m writing you during my break at our “Oceans 4” mastermind workshop, before we take our clients out to eat and for some fun.

(That’s why it’s so late today.)

But, I wanted to talk about this email retargeting thing.

Even I had NO idea how powerful this is.

Ryan Levesque is the one who was teaching it to all the attendees today and, if any one of these clients doesn’t triple their $5k back within a week of using it then I’ve told them they’ll be expected to hand in their marketing card to me.

What is this email retargeting, exactly?

It breaks down like this:

Let’s say I was using it.

(And I will be in a joint venture very soon.)

What I’d do is basically add some code to my emails. And, if you were to open that email, you would then see my ads for the products being sold in those emails on Facebook and other sites they visit.

So I’m basically “haunting” you everywhere you go.

And, to put it bluntly, your ass belongs to me at that point.

Wherever you go, there I am…

Stalking you.

Cornering you.

And (if you need the solution I offer) selling you.

Hey, not a lot of people know about this.

Which means if YOU use it, you’re way ahead of the game.

More good news:

In the next “Email Players” issue (which goes to the printer in a week), I am including an advanced bonus explaining exactly how this all works and how to start using it right away.

Plus, this issue also includes:

• The (legal) million dollar email secret of a crooked MLM company that no longer exists. (Of all the email methods I use, THIS one is by FAR the most “ripped off” and copied).

• How to sell without selling in emails (perfect for people scared of pitching but still want to get the cash register singing)

• How to make your list instantly more “receptive” to your offers

• How to use email to do fundraisers (and how doing so can grow your business and result in many more sales of your product)

• And a ho’ bunch mo’

But the hour grows late.

And, there’s no time to lose.

If you want in on this in time, go here today:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

I once dated this chick who said I had 2 personalities:

“Ben” and “elbenbo”.

Ben took control most of the time — and is the fun, intellectually stimulating, all around humble (heh) and lovable guy you’ve come to know reading these daily emails. The guy who is always up for something fun and interesting, and easy to get along with.

Then, there’s elbenbo.

elbenbo is kind of a prick:

Grumpy.

Laconic.

Easily irritated by petty annoyances.

And, often snapping at the drop of a hat if she forgot to put a tomato on his sammich (OK, maybe he wasn’t THAT bad, but…) or just ignoring her for hours on end — wanting to be left alone to ponder his thoughts or intellectual pursuits and business goals — instead of listening to her prattle on about her feelings or whatever.

It wasn’t just her, though.

Frankly, elbenbo wants nothing to do with people at all.

He finds them bothersome.

And, he loves saying “the masses are asses.”

Thus, he is much more content sitting in his “lair” like the Grinch in the Dr. Seuss story — telling his dog about his devious plans and hatching up ways to take over the world… the thought of being around a bunch of people about as appealing as a dead fish that’s been left out in the sun.

Like I said, the dude’s a prick.

And, luckily he’s (mostly) suppressed these days.

But, here’s the thing:

Often, like when it comes to seminars, elbenbo takes over!

Kinda like when Bruce Banner is angry and “hulks out.”

He wants nothing to do with seminars. Will make up an excuse NOT to go. (Even when being comped!) And, prefers the solitude of his lair…

But, this time the elbenbo has no choice.

He’s being FORCED into the daylight!

Because Monday I (we?) will be in sunny San Diego to teach an intense mastermind training with Andre Chaperon, Ryan Levesque and Jack Born. Then, we’re taking the attendees out to eat and to some breweries.

A merry time will be had by all, no doubt.

And as for the elbenbo?

He’s just gonna have to sac up and deal.

So anyway, there you go.

A little mindless TMI for ya.

I may or may not write you Monday.

Depends if elbenbo doesn’t destroy my (our?) laptop…

Either way, check out:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle