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Member You - Lesson #5: Four Easy Ways to Kill Your Business Using Your Autoresponder... And How to Avoid Them
If you are a consultant or you are in a service business one of the most important things you need to do is to place yourself in confidence in the customer's mind. This is not as easy as it sounds of course however if you fail to do this you cannot expect to get the account or the client. And even if you do get the client it will only be for a short period until someone else comes along who can provide peace of mind for the customer.Selling yourself in a service business is very important and some people take its to the extreme and end up trying to use trickery or fake-ness. If you are selling to another business and you are approaching a business owner generally the business owner will see through your trickery and your professional attire.If you string along the Bull too much they will just consider you another fast-talking, smooth salesperson. Having been in business for 27 years and met many a person that try to snow me; let me tell you this brings hatred into the mind of your customer.Simply acting professional and wearing a suit and tie is not selling your self. You must be very c
If You Lack Focus, Be Prepared...
Spammers with such an attitude find out the hard way that it's really very costly, even dangerous. In fact, some of the recipients can make the spammer's life quite miserable!
From complaining to your ISP or web host, to sending mail bombs, nasty viruses and even significant threats — from hacking into your computer to causing physical harm!
Plus, nowadays many recipients are members of a variety of anti-spam groups that arm members with tools for tracking, reporting, filtering and even stopping spammers' attempts!
Of those, the most popular one is CAUCE (i.e., the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email). They have created a number of tools, such as blacklists, now used by most ISPs.
Finally, keep in m
Does a professional or trade association exist to serve its members, to serve the profession or industry, or does it exist to perpetuate itself? Sure, you you’re your answer based on your experiences. Unfortunately though, I have come to believe that there are simply too many people involved in association leadership today that believe in the latter. Many of these leaders do not consciously realize they do believe that the reason for an association is to perpetuate itself. Yet, their actions in this area speak so loudly that few listen to their patter.I recently visited the web site of the American Association of Association Executives and searched “member value” but what I found was more directed to the organizational side. My lack of finding information specific to “member value” strengthens my assertion. Sure I found great information on subjects like: Identifying program goals and setting realistic expectations, identifying and defining the needs of the target audience, developing program structure, building a budget and cross-selling and up-selling additional programs and services.While these
That and more can kill your business!
NEVER use your autoresponder for spamming in any way. You can lose your account, pay fines, get locked out from your ISP, lose your website and, above all, get jail time.
It's a serious matter that must never be overlooked. Sure, you may stumble onto someone who says they can help you spam without getting caught. But please remember this...
The reason you want a smart autoresponder is to expose your sales message more than once to your prospects in order to create trust, credibility and believability.
So, why would you do something that literally contradicts that very notion? Spamming is good if it's done once. That why spammers must keep spamming in order to stay alive!
Spamming is Like a Drug
Spamming is like a brief high... If it works (and it rarely does), it only brings a small cash infusion in the short term. That's all. You have to remain unknown, cloaked, hidden.
Then you have to work, and work, and work... Non-stop!
On the other hand, if you build an opt-in list of eager, highly targeted prospects, you only need to work once... That's it! You can spend the rest of your time growing your business.
Here are four seemingly easy ways of using your smart autoresponder that can kill your business really fast...
NEVER email a list of non-targeted email addresses picked at random (such as by using software to "harvest" email addresses posted on the web).
NEVER buy lists of email addresses from unknown list brokers or suppliers (many of them offer thousands of names on CD-ROMs, are often useless and are known as outright scams). Trust reputable ones only.
NEVER email any contact unless you have their explicit permission to do so (and that includes adding email addresses in bulk to your autoresponder database!).
NEVER share your own opt-in list to others, since their spam will kill your business even if it wasn't your fault! Spam can get in a lot of hot water, plain and simple.
Why "Opt-in" and Not Spam?
As you know, using responsible email marketing to grow your business can help you save loads of time, fatten your bank account and give you an astonishing return on investment.
Instead of using spam, think about starting a legitimate opt-in list of targeted prospects, and then turn them into life-long customers by consistently keeping in touch with them.
Spammers usually don't care if the people who receive the message are really interested or "not" in their offer. That's why they tend to send an inordinate amount of emails...
... All with the hope that they get a few "bites."
Look at it this way...
If you shoot a gun in the air (or in the dark), you will seldom hit a target. That's why you have no choice but to keep shooting and shooting... Until you finally do hit it (if ever).
With an opt-in list, however, look at it as your target... It's right there, before you, easy to hit (and hard to miss). Your chances of hitting your target are drastically higher. Right?
The absolute best way to protect yourself from complaints and disgruntled email recipients is to build an opt-in email list and sending email to only those people who asked for it.
Spammers are often enticed to carry out their unethical (and illegal in some places) practices because email is free and fast. But if you remember, it lacks the third "F:" Focus.
If You Lack Focus, Be Prepared...
Spammers with such an attitude find out the hard way that it's really very costly, even dangerous. In fact, some of the recipients can make the spammer's life quite miserable!
From complaining to your ISP or web host, to sending mail bombs, nasty viruses and even significant threats — from hacking into your computer to causing physical harm!
Plus, nowadays many recipients are members of a variety of anti-spam groups that arm members with tools for tracking, reporting, filtering and even stopping spammers' attempts!
Of those, the most popular one is CAUCE (i.e., the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email). They have created a number of tools, such as blacklists, now used by most ISPs.
Finally, keep in mi
Are you the type to sing in your car? Play air guitar or air drums? I am, mostly to lost classic hair bands on my satellite radio. Having fun in what you do is critically important to the overall success of your business. If you are not having fun doing what you are currently doing, why are you doing it?You need to question why are you doing something if you are not enjoying it or having fun doing it. The fun factor is a critical component to retaining passion in your business and also a major step in just wanting to get out of bed in the morning. I remember when I was fourteen years old, I worked at a local pub as a dishwasher. I really enjoyed the first few months working there, I had a great boss and an excellent team. Management changes occurred and it stopped being fun. Now, remember that I was fourteen and fourteen year olds love to have fun. I did not enjoy heading to the pub for my shift. At that time I didn’t drive so I rode my bicycle to and from work. I remember trying to ride as slow as I could so it would take longer to get there. No fire in the belly, no passion to even step foo
Spamming is Like a Drug
Spamming is like a brief high... If it works (and it rarely does), it only brings a small cash infusion in the short term. That's all. You have to remain unknown, cloaked, hidden.
Then you have to work, and work, and work... Non-stop!
On the other hand, if you build an opt-in list of eager, highly targeted prospects, you only need to work once... That's it! You can spend the rest of your time growing your business.
Here are four seemingly easy ways of using your smart autoresponder that can kill your business really fast...
NEVER email a list of non-targeted email addresses picked at random (such as by using software to "harvest" email addresses posted on the web).
NEVER buy lists of email addresses from unknown list brokers or suppliers (many of them offer thousands of names on CD-ROMs, are often useless and are known as outright scams). Trust reputable ones only.
NEVER email any contact unless you have their explicit permission to do so (and that includes adding email addresses in bulk to your autoresponder database!).
NEVER share your own opt-in list to others, since their spam will kill your business even if it wasn't your fault! Spam can get in a lot of hot water, plain and simple.
Why "Opt-in" and Not Spam?
As you know, using responsible email marketing to grow your business can help you save loads of time, fatten your bank account and give you an astonishing return on investment.
Instead of using spam, think about starting a legitimate opt-in list of targeted prospects, and then turn them into life-long customers by consistently keeping in touch with them.
Spammers usually don't care if the people who receive the message are really interested or "not" in their offer. That's why they tend to send an inordinate amount of emails...
... All with the hope that they get a few "bites."
Look at it this way...
If you shoot a gun in the air (or in the dark), you will seldom hit a target. That's why you have no choice but to keep shooting and shooting... Until you finally do hit it (if ever).
With an opt-in list, however, look at it as your target... It's right there, before you, easy to hit (and hard to miss). Your chances of hitting your target are drastically higher. Right?
The absolute best way to protect yourself from complaints and disgruntled email recipients is to build an opt-in email list and sending email to only those people who asked for it.
Spammers are often enticed to carry out their unethical (and illegal in some places) practices because email is free and fast. But if you remember, it lacks the third "F:" Focus.
If You Lack Focus, Be Prepared...
Spammers with such an attitude find out the hard way that it's really very costly, even dangerous. In fact, some of the recipients can make the spammer's life quite miserable!
From complaining to your ISP or web host, to sending mail bombs, nasty viruses and even significant threats — from hacking into your computer to causing physical harm!
Plus, nowadays many recipients are members of a variety of anti-spam groups that arm members with tools for tracking, reporting, filtering and even stopping spammers' attempts!
Of those, the most popular one is CAUCE (i.e., the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email). They have created a number of tools, such as blacklists, now used by most ISPs.
Finally, keep in m
Style, durable, fun and affordable is all about Indoor and Outdoor area rugs of today that are in trend. They have been rebel for outdoor decor and they are ideal for your home’s “inner-self” as well! Today our choices are just not limited to gritty, weather beaten mats and tired old Astroturf squares for our patio or poolside area. Now options are available for dressing up your outdoor areas with panache or go for even more casual feel.You can try a western theme for your barbecue, may be think about a patriotic feel for the fourth of July. Indoor and Outdoor area rugs come in a very huge variety of designs and they could be altered in a matte of moment. Whatever area rug design you choose, area rugs a versatile and add a nice touch for your outdoor living area.Today’s indoor and outdoor area rugs are a get through concept. Imagine a area rug that’s functional, attractive, available in many sizes and could hold out the outdoor things, kids, pets and other indoor activities. Indoor and Outdoor area rugs could do just that and could be done in style. The variety that’s accessible would have you outf
NEVER email any contact unless you have their explicit permission to do so (and that includes adding email addresses in bulk to your autoresponder database!).
NEVER share your own opt-in list to others, since their spam will kill your business even if it wasn't your fault! Spam can get in a lot of hot water, plain and simple.
Why "Opt-in" and Not Spam?
As you know, using responsible email marketing to grow your business can help you save loads of time, fatten your bank account and give you an astonishing return on investment.
Instead of using spam, think about starting a legitimate opt-in list of targeted prospects, and then turn them into life-long customers by consistently keeping in touch with them.
Spammers usually don't care if the people who receive the message are really interested or "not" in their offer. That's why they tend to send an inordinate amount of emails...
... All with the hope that they get a few "bites."
Look at it this way...
If you shoot a gun in the air (or in the dark), you will seldom hit a target. That's why you have no choice but to keep shooting and shooting... Until you finally do hit it (if ever).
With an opt-in list, however, look at it as your target... It's right there, before you, easy to hit (and hard to miss). Your chances of hitting your target are drastically higher. Right?
The absolute best way to protect yourself from complaints and disgruntled email recipients is to build an opt-in email list and sending email to only those people who asked for it.
Spammers are often enticed to carry out their unethical (and illegal in some places) practices because email is free and fast. But if you remember, it lacks the third "F:" Focus.
If You Lack Focus, Be Prepared...
Spammers with such an attitude find out the hard way that it's really very costly, even dangerous. In fact, some of the recipients can make the spammer's life quite miserable!
From complaining to your ISP or web host, to sending mail bombs, nasty viruses and even significant threats — from hacking into your computer to causing physical harm!
Plus, nowadays many recipients are members of a variety of anti-spam groups that arm members with tools for tracking, reporting, filtering and even stopping spammers' attempts!
Of those, the most popular one is CAUCE (i.e., the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email). They have created a number of tools, such as blacklists, now used by most ISPs.
Finally, keep in m
Whether doing my weekly radio show, teaching entrepreneurial classes, or doing personal coaching, I talk to a lot of would-be entrepreneurs these days and I’m discovering that many of them are suffering from what I call, "I Don’t Syndrome" or IDS.IDS is a sad malady that affects many people who claim they want to start their own business, but never seem to get beyond just talking about it. The symptoms of IDS are a lack of belief in themselves, a fear of failure and ridicule, a misguided belief that lots of money is required to start a business, and lousy time management skills. IDS can even cause an otherwise intelligent person to question their own sanity. It’s a sad disease that prevents thousands of people every year from achieving their American Dream.But there is hope. IDS can be cured simply by facing it head on and accepting the fact that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re more comfortable working for someone else. Just accept the fact that business is not for you and strive to be the absolute best employee you can be and you’ll achieve suc
... All with the hope that they get a few "bites."
Look at it this way...
If you shoot a gun in the air (or in the dark), you will seldom hit a target. That's why you have no choice but to keep shooting and shooting... Until you finally do hit it (if ever).
With an opt-in list, however, look at it as your target... It's right there, before you, easy to hit (and hard to miss). Your chances of hitting your target are drastically higher. Right?
The absolute best way to protect yourself from complaints and disgruntled email recipients is to build an opt-in email list and sending email to only those people who asked for it.
Spammers are often enticed to carry out their unethical (and illegal in some places) practices because email is free and fast. But if you remember, it lacks the third "F:" Focus.
If You Lack Focus, Be Prepared...
Spammers with such an attitude find out the hard way that it's really very costly, even dangerous. In fact, some of the recipients can make the spammer's life quite miserable!
From complaining to your ISP or web host, to sending mail bombs, nasty viruses and even significant threats — from hacking into your computer to causing physical harm!
Plus, nowadays many recipients are members of a variety of anti-spam groups that arm members with tools for tracking, reporting, filtering and even stopping spammers' attempts!
Of those, the most popular one is CAUCE (i.e., the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email). They have created a number of tools, such as blacklists, now used by most ISPs.
Finally, keep in m
Over the past few years pre-employment background checks have gained significance for employers big and small. Companies can either execute the required activities in-house or can outsource them to human resource companies that specialize in carrying out background checks.There is a lot of paper-work, co-coordination, and follow-up that goes into conducting a background check and for this reasons companies prefer to get the job done by an outside agency. The background checks have to be done in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). According to the FCRA, an individual who earns less than $ 75,000 per annum cannot be reported for criminal acts that are more than seven years old. Also, the checks can only be done with the signed consent of a job seeker.Companies that wish to execute background checks should do so as a matter of policy and should make this known to job seekers. This acts as a deterrent for applicants who intend to hide information. if an external agency is hired to do the check then one should check if the agency is conversant with FCRA requirements, relevant state and
If You Lack Focus, Be Prepared...
Spammers with such an attitude find out the hard way that it's really very costly, even dangerous. In fact, some of the recipients can make the spammer's life quite miserable!
From complaining to your ISP or web host, to sending mail bombs, nasty viruses and even significant threats — from hacking into your computer to causing physical harm!
Plus, nowadays many recipients are members of a variety of anti-spam groups that arm members with tools for tracking, reporting, filtering and even stopping spammers' attempts!
Of those, the most popular one is CAUCE (i.e., the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email). They have created a number of tools, such as blacklists, now used by most ISPs.
Finally, keep in mind that email software (and "add-ons") are making it more and more difficult for spam to reach its final destination, from sophisticated filters to complaint reporters.
Less than a half-percent of people will get your spam!
Save Time, Effort and Money!
Building an opt-in list has a number of advantages. Sure, you can build trust with and sell a lot easier to a list of targeted people. But in addition, responsible email allows you to:
Send email offers to a group of people who know you, expect your emails and want to do business with you.
Achieve greater sales, even from a small list, since it is targeted (and will get through most email filters since your newsletter is added to the recipients' "whitelists").
Not upset anyone since they have given you their permission to email them, as well as not get in trouble with service providers since no one is complaining.
Not waste time, money and energy on buying and setting up email cloakers, spam-friendly servers, fake email accounts and useless bulk email software.
And, above all, not waste time constantly looking for a new ISP (and moving your website from host to host) because your last one closed your account!
If you're putting those people who asked for more information via an autoresponder into an opt-in list, make sure they know: 1) they're subscribing and 2) their email is kept private!
Treat your subscribers like gold... They're your lifeblood!
Minimize complaints by making it as easy an as transparent as possible. In other words, tell them what they will get from you, how often and how easy it is to stop it at any time.
In fact, adding a privacy policy on your website or near your web form (or accessible near your autoresponder link) will increase the likelihood of getting people to join your list.
It can be as simple as this...
---------------------------------------------------
PRIVACY POLICY: Your email address is safe with us. We promise never to
sell to or share with anyone, for any reason, your personal contact information.
---------------------------------------------------
But if you want to create a more complete privacy policy web page (and perhaps have a link to it near your web form), here's some information you might tell your prospects...
WHAT information is being collected (such as email addresses, names, phone numbers, etc).
WHY the information is being collected (tell them that it's for a free report, ezine or whatever, and if you plan on adding their information into an opt-in list for sending periodic announcements or special offers).
WHEN that information is being used (tell them exactly how often do you plan on emailing them).
WHO will be using (or accessing) that information (while you should be the only one, here you might include staff, service providers, partners, etc).
WHERE the information is actually stored (tell them that the information is also secure from hackers)
And HOW to remove or modify that information (tell people exactly how they can update or change their details, or remove themselves from your list). Bottom-line, make your opt-in list safe and secure for both you AND your prospects. The more you do, the greater your profits will soar! Be responsible and use commonsense!
Make it Personal!
Finally, try to personalize your email messages. Personalization increases trust and confidence. But more importantly, it also shows that your messag
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