Ben Settle

About a month ago, I posted a list of 24 ways anyone could use to triple (not an exaggeration) your sales, income, and all-around success in a fast way.

One of the tasks on that list was:

“Ignore social proof when making buying decisions”

To which a few people asked why ignore social proof?

My answer:

By all means USE social proof in your marketing. Social proof being (basically), if “xyz celebrity/guru/credentialed person/or person like me uses/endorses/sells it, it must be good enough for me.”

Robert Cialdini wrote about this years ago.

And, it’s a very sound marketing principle.

But, like anything that works, it’s also used by the unsavory types, too.

The con artists.

The thieves.

And, especially, the various sociopaths skimming the shadows.

That’s why I didn’t say to not use it in your marketing.

I said ignore social proof in marketing before making a buying decision for your own purchases. It wasn’t all that long ago (and it still happens, it’s just more sophisticated now, more of a 2.0 version) when the exact same affiliate circle-jerk of gurus would all blindly endorse each others’ products and eBooks, etc, without even having consumed those products first, and people would buy because their favorite guru said to buy it.

A lot of people got burned in this industry back then.

And, it was because people bought solely on social proof.

I’m not saying it can’t be a factor in buying something.

But, it shouldn’t be the only factor.

That includes with anything I sell, too.

Yes, I use social proof. And, it’s there to help sell my products. But, there’s a reason I have said repeatedly over the years to assume everyone is full of shyt (including me) when reading our ads, and make us demonstrate why you should buy, first.

Thus, the power of daily emails that let you demonstrate your knowledge every day.

And (if you do it right) in a way people look forward to reading and buying from.

(You’re not a pest, you’re what Dan Kennedy called a “welcome guest.”)

That’s where my Email Players newsletter comes in.

The May issue is going to the printer soon.

I’ve got all kinds of goodies inside this one — including how to sell in markets where everything is given away free, how to do cold emails (bonus training), and a ho’ bunch more.

Here’s the link to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Recently I saw Wes “The Sales Whisperer” Shaeffer post this ditty on Facebook:

“Does rambling and giggling for 75% of a webinar increase sales?”

Let’s face it:

Nothing makes sales and shows respect for peoples’ time like spending the first 8 scheduled minutes of a webinar constantly stopping the talk to welcome everyone on as they come in late. I hear tell some people in the coaching world actually teach doing this for “engagement” or whatever. But, one reason to study copywriting beyond the free Facebook coach’s livestream superficial level is to develop a healthy paranoia of just how low attention spans are, and how intolerant people are to having their time wasted.

Here’s my rule of thumb on such things:

Assume all it takes is one word (not even once sentence) to lose people.

Do that and the whole presentation changes start to finish.

It’s good advice for email, too.

Although, if you do email right, you can get away with a lot more slop.

(Not much, though.)

Anyway, that’s free advice nobody will take.

But, that doesn’t stop me from giving it anyway.

For the paid advice, the advice designed to be read, implemented, and profited from (and not sitting on a shelf, collecting dust, waiting for the magical email fairy to touch your computer with her magical twinkle pole and make you sales out of thin air), check out my “Email Players” newsletter.

The May issue is just around the corner.

And, it’s especially helpful if you compete with “move the free line” gurus.

Here’s the link:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

The answer is always no:

“Is there a way to order just one copy of just this month’s email players newsletter?”

This is like asking:

“Is there a way I can get in shape exercising in your gym for just one month?”

“Is there a way I can benefit from taking your fish oil capsules for just one month?”

“Is there a way I can be protected by purchasing your insurance for just one month?”

As much as I’d profit from taking all these opportunity-minded peoples’ money, it’d be doing them a disservice. One issue ain’t going to solve their money problems any more than just buying one eBook would or taking one college class would.

Their inner-game has to change, first.

Otherwise, they’re just quitters wasting their money.

(I don’t cotton to quitters.)

Only when they see it as an investment — a skill to learn, hone, and commit to long term, where the knowledge and experience compounds on itself over time, like interest in a retirement account — and not an overnight wealth, one-time lottery win, will they be ready.

That leaves a very small pool of people qualified.

And, that’s by design.

I prefer fewer high quality customers over lots of low quality ones who get most of their advice “FREE!” on Facebook, that I have to babysit and listen to complain due to their obsession with quick fixes, swiping, and cut & paste — craving pre-written emails and templates over timeless principles that work for any product/market (and in other media besides just email).

That’s why I’m a 4 quarters vs 100 pennies kinda guy.

And you know what?

That mentality has served me well lo these many years.

I suspect it can do the same for you, too.

But, the first step is having an abundance mindset (realizing if you sell a quality product, there is less supply of “you” than there are of people wanting to buy what you have) vs a scarcity mindset (i.e. fear losing any and all sales). And then, marketing in a way where you have enough leads where turning them down doesn’t sting.

Enter my “Email Players” newsletter.

Do email right long enough and your problem isn’t having enough customers.

It’s separating the low class jackass ones from the high quality ones.

A good problem to have…

Here’s where to subscribe:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

“Email Players” subscriber Alexander J.A Cortes gives away the entire “secret” on Twitter to being not only in the top 1% of human beings in your category of business, but how to do it in 5 years or less.

Here’s the big reveal:

Spend 1 hour on any one of the following 

-reading a hard book 

-intense physical practice/training 

-writing 

Do all three daily, and you’ll be within the top 1% of human beings in 5 years, guaranteed

I hereby declare that the single most Valuable tweet ever written.

Which is ironic.

Why?

Because, I guesstimate only about 1% of people reading this will take it to heart, or do anything more than read, nod, and file it away for never. All of which is why those of us who do these 3 things consistently get to have nice things…

As for what to read, what kind of writing?

In my humble (and 100% biased) opinion, it’s:

• Reading something about persuasive communication (Books, newsletters, biographies of great leaders, etc)
• Writing an email each day designed to sell something

Enter the “Email Players” newsletter.

It can help you kill two of them birdies with one stone. And, help you make the money part almost right away if you have a list and an offer.

Here’s the link:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

“Email Players” subscriber Ray Khan not only reveals the ONE big secret to getting anything you want, living the lifestyle you want, and even having the romantic life you want:

(That less than 3% of people will do… but still doesn’t stop me from sharing…)

I’m making money hand over fist with the email list, Ben Settle Style.

No one does it better than you.

My subscription continues to pay for itself over and over.

Of course, I show up and do the hard fucking work too.

I really appreciate and learn so much from you.

Podcasts, [Email Players] Playbook, several of your E-books and your daily emails

The key is just taking ONE fucking idea and running with it.

Today it is so hard to stay focused. Even for myself, being slightly attention deficit.

The way I do it is to stay at my island home (when not travelling) get the work done, pump out the emails, sit back and make money.

So simple, IF YOU DO THE FUCKING WORK! (notice how I keep repeating that?)

Also, I might add I charge premium prices in a commoditized industry. How? By providing top notch customer service to our valued customers.

Best always

One final thing: In the past year, 3 competitors in Canada went bust. Why? Because they sell on price and don’t do the necessary work such as emailing with infotainment.

People just don’t get it.

Do the fucking work, make the money and take vacations like I do, several times of year
to places that are fun, interesting and exciting.

Did I tell you I live on an island, surrounded by Trees, nature and very few people.
Manitoulin Island (7 hours north of Toronto, Canada) is the worlds largest freshwater island

Cheers,

Ray Khan

PS Women stalk me on facebook and ask for out for dates. Why? Because they see the pics of me dining out with my buddies in fancy steakhouses while travelling the world and having a superb time. Haha. I qualify each and every date.

That’s all I’m sayin’, Chuckles.

What people don’t get is it takes work.

Lots of work.

Hard work.

Like the guy in the movie “Castaway” taking all that time and blistered hands to get that first fire started by rubbing sticks together. But, once you get that fire going, it’s just a matter of tending it. Unfortunately, 97% of people are like the guy Earl Nightingale used to mock, standing in front of the stove and telling it:

“Give me heat, and then I’ll add the wood!”

Ah well.

There are two types of people in this world:

Those who take action and those who don’t.

If you’re the latter there’s nothing I can do to help you. No amount of knowledge will do you a lick of good. On the other hand, if you are in the first camp, it doesn’t take much to achieve whatever goals you have — financial or otherwise.

Especially if you use my email system.

And, of course, follow it and implement.

The April issue is going to the printer tonight.

To get it in time, best go to this link and be quick about it:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

I recently read a story about how there are now fact checkers who are fact checking the fact checkers in the news business.

In other words:

The left proclaimed themselves “fact checkers.”

Now, the right is proclaiming themselves the “fact checkers” of the left’s fact checking.

Anyway, there’s a huge upside to you and me from this:

All this fake new rhetoric is only showing just how controlled and manipulated information is and always has been. For vast majority of people, as long as “their side” says something (even if demonstrably fake) it’s true. If the “other side” says something (even if demonstrably true) it must be fake.

Same mentality carries over into business and marketing.

Here’s what I mean:

If you understand how to write emails that position yourself so with your list you’re “their guy” or “their girl”, your marketing’s job is a helluva lot easier than if you have the usual boring, lukewarm positioning everyone else has. It’s also why people who read (with understanding) the April “Email Players” issue (today’s the deadline to subscribe to get it) will have a huge advantage because of this — as it demonstrates a way of doing emails that naturally makes people choose a side (to be on your “side”) without you having to tell them to, without posturing, without beating your chest about what you believe or how great you are, or without any grandstanding whatsoever. It’s even worked to bring people over to “my side” from someone else’s side who had previously despised me.

And, you want to know something?

There’s no reason it won’t be the same for anyone else who uses the info.

Key word is “uses.”

All right, enough.

I’m sending the April issue to the printer later today.

If you’re not on board before then, it’ll be too late.

Here’s the link:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Today is the deadline to get your hot, sticky paws on the April “Email Players” issue.

Here’s what’s impatiently waiting for you inside:

• How to “train” your list to read your emails and content before even thinking of reading anyone else’s.
• How even an ordinary Joe can get lots of engaged social media followers without needing a super charismatic personality or big bewbs.
• How to “troll” your way to all the sales, traffic, and even media attention you can eat! (The first 11 pages of this issue is examples — i.e. requires thinking and modeling — of ways to troll your market for big profits, including examples from email, Facebook, Twitter, media publicity, and even from a sales letter written by an A-list copywriter.)
• Why I no longer offer back issues for sale each month, and how the reasoning behind it can be adapted by anyone else (regardless of what you sell) to make a bundle. (In my case, it increased my profits 5-10 times, your milage will vary, but worth a test…)
• Why I don’t have sales links to my products on my website (and why I believe doing the same on your website can put many many more rupees in your hot little piggy bank).
• Plus, another 3-page bonus issue of “Ravings of an Adman!” which includes tips like:

How to use email to sell “commodity” type products (like socks)… a secret (used by FBI negotiators) for knowing exactly when to introduce your product in your sales pitches… a powerful persuasion tip from a kidney-stone sufferer… and more.

More:

This issue is heavy on examples, and not so much on “how to.” You’ll have to be able to look at them and figure out how to “adapt” to your product and market and goals. So if you’re not the thinking type (and need paint-by-numbers marketing prole training) best pass.

I’m sending this issue to the printer today.

After that it’s too late to get it.

Here’s the link:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

Couple weeks ago I read about Fox New’s new goal:

To get their advertising time down from 13 minutes to 2 minutes per hour.

Hopefully this becomes a new trend with all the networks.

Why?

Well, I haven’t read Investors Business Daily in a long time. But, from what I remember, this is somewhat similar to their ad model of less ads at a higher price, with more content in the publication. That means, the advertising costs more, but the response is higher for advertisers, with way less competition, and a better experience for consumers.

I remember Gary Halbert talking about this years ago.

Specifically, about newspaper advertising.

And, how he made way more profit advertising in the thin (but expensive) publications like IBD (vs Wall Street Journal) and Tuesday newspapers vs the thick Sunday newspapers full of advertising everyone was competing in. I know I’d much rather (for example) pay a premium to have a solo mailing where all they see is my offer, than be competing with other advertisers just to save a few shillings.

In fact, I implemented a version of this principle in Email Players this year.

(With how I used to back end sell products.)

The result?

Has been 9-10 times (no exaggeration) more profit each month so far.

And you know what?

I explain exactly what changes I’ve made, why I made them, and how you can use the same principle with your business (regardless of what you sell) inside the April “Email Players” issue that I’m sending to the printer this weekend.

I won’t say this part is “mind blowing” info.

(The most profitable information rare is mind blowing — usually it’s quite dull.)

But, it is profitable.

Chances are, you’re not doing it.

But, if you did, you’d see a fat bump in profits.

To subscribe in time to get this issue, go here:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle

The last few public speaking gigs I did, I gave my “Villains” talk about email.

(Probably the most profitable info I hav ever used.)

And, one of the things I talk about in that speech is TURP surgery. (Not to be confused with TRUMP, although the liberals’ll probably find it just as painful.) It’s a gruesome procedure people with severe prostate problems sometimes undergo. Basically, what happens is, the doctors stick a sharp instrument down…

Wait.

You don’t really want to hear about that do you?

No?

Good.

Because I don’t really want to write about it, or even think about it. (Probably, you already know where it is headed, and cannot “unsee” it, though. I tried to warn you in the subject line…)

So why am I bringing it up?

Because there’s a way to use this surgery to bond with your list in ways your competition never will (regardless if they are a man or woman, or have a prostate or not).

And, you want to know something?

The April “Email Players” issue contains another exciting bonus training called:

“Ravings of an Adman!”

And, in this training I tell you all about it.

(Yes, even the gross parts, but you can simply not read that.)

I also show you how to use this knowledge to make your emails pull lots of response, even if you don’t make a single claim.

That’s in the April issue.

And, that’s only if you are subscribed before the looming deadline.

Here is the link:

www.EmailPlayers.com

Ben Settle