Ben Settle

The only question that matters is asked…

“Hey Ben, You regularly mention not following various goo-roos’ advice blindly…how do we know we can trust your advice versus the goo-roos without seeing any “proof” other than your word? I absolutely love your teaching and am beginning to apply it to my business, particularly emailing my blog posts rather than linking back to them. I’m considering joining Email Players, too.

I’m just curious how you’d answer that question.

I don’t mean this as negative or critical at all.

Just one of those “how do you know” questions.

A very good question.

Here’s my answer:

Look, I don’t think you should follow ANY advice (including mine) blindly and I’ve said it before.

Test everything, see what works for you.

The proof is in the doing.

It’s the only real “proof” there is.

Take the tips I give away free (especially in the free “Email Players” pdf and my media page) and use them.

It costs bubkis to test this stuff out.

It either works or it doesn’t.

And if it does?

If you want more?

If you want the really advanced material?

“Email Players” is waiting patiently for ya at…

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

P.S. Speaking of proof…

The FTC doesn’t like us posting testimonials where people had results that aren’t “average.” Otherwise I’d post the testimonial I got last week from Kelly Tanguay about the free tips (not even the paid stuff) I give away. Specifically, how she doubled response (and more than doubled sales) for her boss resulting in over $50k in extra unexpected dollars from a single mailing.

Bottom line:

The material speaks for itself.

I got nuttin’ to prove…

Fred (a networker marketer) asks…

“I’m in the biz-op arena of network marketing. It does seem like I should be able to adopt your email strategy to network marketing with good, (maybe excellent) results. What do you think?”

I think it’s a great question.

I reckon lots of network marketers wonder about this.

And the answer is:

Yep.

I think network marketers could dominate using email correctly.

And I’ll tell you why:

Many moons ago (2002’ish) I was a frustrated network marketer who couldn’t sponsor my way out of a paper bag if my life depended on it. I mean, I REALLY sucked at it. Until one day I found a brilliant direct marketer (and network marketer) named Art Jonak.

Back then, he had a weekly tele-seminar.

And on it he taught generic MLM training.

(i.e. the info could be used with any opportunity.)

His tips were awesome, too.

And I learned a lot and was inspired each week.

Anyway, long story short…

I didn’t know exactly what company Art was with.

Nor did I care.

Because after a few of his training calls I just knew I wanted HIM as my sponsor. So I emailed him and one of his team called me and I ended up switching over (although I did not stick with it, since I was making my transition to being a copywriter — which I did not suck at — at the time).

Now, apply that to email.

You build a list of biz opp seekers and MLM’ers.

You send daily emails about GENERIC MLM & biz opp stuff.

And, you do it the way I teach.

Think of the people on your list who are frustrated with not making money or with their company or who just want a leader to follow… who they gonna call?

You’d be the man.

Nobody else would be good enough.

And it wouldn’t matter what “opportunity” you sell.

Why?

Because you’ve used email to position your bad self as a LEADER — not just an “expert” or “sales man.”

So yeah, I think my methods would work.

And I think you’d own.

For more info:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

An email student gets attacked:

“Ben, since learning and doing emails your way I’ve had a lot of great success and more sales, but I’m also hearing from people who hate my guts! Is this normal???”

Indeed it is.

And it’s GOOD, too.

You’re on the right track, stud.

In fact, just recently I’ve been called all kinds of lovely names by people who simply disagreed with something I’ve said — like “asshole”… “huckster”… and even “psychopath” by a well-known Internet marketing teacher. (Except, according to him, just not a very “charming” psychopath. What does he mean I’m not charming? WTF???)

And you know what?

I’m thrilled by it all.

Means I’m doing something right.

Maybe even a LOT of things right.

Believe it or not, you can often gauge your effectiveness with email by how many people hate on you, despise you and envy you.

So keep up the good work!

Plus, realize this:

Anyone who dares stick their heads above the fray and give an opinion that takes others out of their cozy wittle comfort zones is gonna get shot at. So when you do email correctly you’re almost guaranteed to get a steamy pile of hate mail.

Don’t worry about it, though.

It’s a badge of honor.

It’ll put some hair on your chest.

And, it can also put money in your pocket.

I wrote about this a while back here:

www.BenSettle.com/blog/how-to-profit-from-hate-mail

Ben Settle

I put a new media interview on my site.

It’s a recording of a recent appearance on Todd Schnick’s “Intrepid Radio” show, and we rapped about some email tips and ideas which directly contradict what ye olde goo-roo’s like to teach.

Maybe we can clean up there mess, eh?

We’ll see.

To listen to it go to:

www.BenSettle.com/blog/media-interviews

It’s the 3rd interview down the page.

And it’s about 28 minutes long.

Ciao.

Ben Settle

I’m a bit late to this game.

But here’s my 2012 prediction:

At the end of 2012, all the Internet marketers across the fruited plain will make a prediction about… 2013.

Anyone want to bet against that?

No?

Didn’t think so.

In the meantime…

To kick off 2012 right, I finally got around to putting up a “FAQ” page on my site to answer the most-asked questions I get on a weekly basis. Long time readers of these emails already know this so probably not worth reading. But if you’re a BenSettle.com “freshman”, then it may be worth your time.

Anyway, enough banter.

Here it is:

www.BenSettle.com/blog/faqs-for-the-uninitiated

Ben Settle

I’m sure one exists somewhere.

But, I have yet to find it.

No… I’m not talking about unicorns or an honest politician… I’m talking about a product that cannot be successfully sold via email.

For example:

A subscriber asked about insurance leads.

She said (and she’s right) people are already bugged by the insurance agents calling them up, etc. She doesn’t know if email marketing can work in her case, where she captures basic information from random users, who are hoping to compare quotes offered by different insurance providers.

Who would sign-up for an “insurance” ezine?

And what are the chances of them filling out that form?

My answer:

What you do is become THE consumer advocate for people looking to buy insurance. Millions of people are looking for insurance each day, are afraid of paying too much, of not getting the right coverage, not getting scammed, not sure how to know which company is best, who to trust, etc.

You simply give them ongoing tips about these things.

Every day.

By email.

With genuinely helpful information.

Then, somewhere in those emails you tell them if they’re looking for a quote to click the link, type in their name and email, etc.

Do this and you’re trusted.

You’re truly helping them.

And, you’re making it “safe” to give you their information.

It’s really pretty simple.

It goes back to the drill analogy:

If you sell drills, don’t start by showing them your drills, show them how to drill the best holes, and then buying your drill becomes a no-brainer.

This applies to ANY industry.

Be the advocate.

Show people how to avoid scams, problems, etc.

And then show them the solution.

As far as the “how to” of writing those emails, that’s where “Email Players” can help. First, it comes with a book (“The Email Players Playbook”) and then each month I show you examples, techniques and discoveries I’ve learned (and continue to learn — I’m always trying new stuff) ongoing.

The next issue goes to print Monday.

It’s about how to be entertaining.

And it’ll make you stick out in the inbox like a fart in study hall.

(But in a GOOD way).

Go here to subscribe in time:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

I don’t hide the fact “Email Players” is pricey.

But, what many of my price sensitive website subscribers don’t realize is, it should not “cost” you anything. The whole point is to get your issue by mail each month, rip it open, read it (very important…) and then APPLY what’s inside.

Doing so should make the price tag irrelevant.

Why?

Because email is immediately applicable.

And if you make at least $97 back it didn’t “cost” anything.

It was essentially free.

Or (most likely) MADE you a profit.

(So it’s like buying money at a discount…)

There are no guarantees of success, of course.

But here’s an example:

Remember on Christmas Eve when I sent you that email template where you give Santa advice? Here’s what happened to “Email Players” subscriber Charles Kirkland when he applied it:

Dude, use this email…did a few changes to it. But made over $400 on Christmas day. That one email just paid for 4 months of your newsletter.

Thanks
Charles Kirkland

No too shabby, eh?

And I put samples like that email in every issue.

Each month I showcase real emails I’ve used illustrating the concepts and ideas I’m teaching, all of which are easily adaptable to most any market out there with a little thought.

It ain’t complicated at all.

In fact, it’s usually really simple.

Maybe that’s the problem?

Everyone wants complicated.

Oh well…

Subscription info at:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Got this question about open rates:

“Is an Open rate of 20-25% actually good? Is a Click rate of 5-10% amazing? Somehow, this seems paltry for a quality list, folks begging for more…”

The answer:

Yes, no, maybe.

(How’z that for a politician answer?)

You see, I couldn’t care less about open rates or click thru rates in most cases. Yes, there are times when the intel comes in handy. But what I mostly care about are sales.

How many sales did the email get?

Let’s put it this way:

If you did a split test and got a 50% open rate and 5 sales on test A, but a 45% open rate and 9 sales on test B, which email did better?

Which put more $$ in your hot pocket?

Which added more names to your buyer’s list?

(Where the real $$ is made.)

Clickthru rates are more useful.

But open rates?

Not so much.

Especially since, due to smart phones and a few other technical factors (a computer scientist friend has explained to me recently), your open rates are not accurate anyway.

More:

There’s a danger to tracking open rates, too.

Not a big danger.

(No need to get paranoid about it.)

But, in some cases, just tracking opens might get your email flagged as spam and wind up in the junk folder.

Again, tracking opens does have its uses.

But mostly I care only about sales.

After all…

Sales pay for your food, shelter and toys, not open rates.

Anyway, my too many cents.

To learn how to write emails that drag in lots and lots of sales, check out the “Email Players” newsletter.

The January issue mails next week.

The topic:

Making more sales by being entertaining.

Here’s where to go:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

This is kind of amusing…

Recently I was talking to a friend who has been keeping track of all the so-called “retirements” of certain Internet marketing goo-roos. This is where a goo-roo (with great fanfare and drama) announces their “retirement” with some big sale or whatever and then disappears.

At least, for a while.

Soon, they’re back in action.

It’s amusing because it’s such an obvious gimmick.

Kind of like the big comic book companies (DC and Marvel) who keep “killing” off characters… only to bring them back just to kick start sales.

They did it with Superman back in the 1990’s.

They did it with Captain America last year.

They did it with the Human Torch this year.

Next year, it’ll be some other character.

Just like next year will probably be another IM goo-roo “retirement”… and dramatic return.

And, of course…

The goo-roo fanboys will keep falling for it.

Keep looking for shiny new objects.

And keep struggling.

It’s too bad.

I mean, let’s face it:

It’s not illegal being a naive goo-roo fanboy.

But many clearly abuse the privilege…

Ben Settle

P.S. My but this was negative, wasn’t it?

Hey, if you want 24/7/365 sunshine blown up your skirt, there are plenty of other lists to be on. That’s the beauty of email — it lets you be YOU, warts and all. To learn how to “leverage” emails into consistent sales (even so-called “negative” emails), check out the “Email Players” newsletter at:

www.EmailPlayers.com