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Archive for September, 2009

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Tuna, Shrimp And The Value Of Relevant Content

September 30th, 2009 by Anthony Kibe

Every once in a while, an email drops my inbox, I’ll check out the subject line and think it’s something I definitely want to read but if I’m in the middle of doing something else (meaning I shouldn’t be checking my email in the first place) Well, I’ll star that particular email and plan on getting to it at a later date.

I’ve had one waiting to be read for 3 days and even though I don’t always read most emails from this place I won’t mention, the title had lured me enough to care.

“Scientific Experiment Explains Why ‘Fake It Till You Make It’ Marketing Might Actually Work..”

I went to bed last night thinking about that email and planned on reading it first thing this morning so I can get it over with and see what Science has to say about this particular subject.

So this morning, I honored my plan and finally got to open this email I’ve been dying to eat up. Early morning, still a little sleepy and definitely not very patient since I got me stuff to get to, I’m browsing this email, looking for a link, a word, a phrase…something that has anything to do with the subject line. I’m ready to soak it all in, to dive in and peruse this Scientific study and maybe I can go out when I’m done and buy a Gucci suit, gold cufflinks and a shiny shoe and start faking it for real.

5 minutes later, I’ve clicked on all the 3 links and read one of the posts—it’s about a rather unromantic story of a study by a world class musician who gets totally ignored by subway riders because they think he’s just another pan handling bum..or is that “hat handling”– even though he’s playing one of the greatest pieces ever written on a 3.5 million dollar violin (didn’t know they cost that much)..but I digress.

Great story about perception but NOT what I’m looking for. After my “ooos”, I move on back to the email…next link please, “Discover The Top 64 (Yes, Sixty Four!) Opportunities Today…”. Definitely not what I’m looking for, won’t even bother clicking……next !!, “how to get leads with Linkd-in and bla bla bla… I don’t even bother to finish reading the title.

About now, I’m clicking faster, my palm’s a little moist, my fingers a little shaky and my temperature’s rising just a little bit. “where is the damn article I’m looking for? “

5 minutes later, I’m mad (not that mad) but I feel duped, lied to, tricked, conned, scammed and had. I’m a sucker for a freaking subject like. I fell for it, I got hooked, reeled it and cooked….well, may be not cooked but you get my point.

My point: There were three links in that email, all leading to some great articles but they were not what I was promised and that made me mad (again, not that mad) I wasted both my energy thinking about this email I was gonna get to eventually, and then when I did, I wasted both time and energy looking and searching for what I was promised on the subject line and it wasn’t there. And then at the end of the email, a nice romantic closing

“Well, I hope you enjoy today’s picks as much as I do. :-) .

I’m thinking, are you frigging kidding me? Enjoyed? Really? You, the email sender wasted my time and my energy and you hope I enjoyed the articles you picked for me and then lied to me about what they were about? Seriously? If you were standing here, I would punch you (I wouldn’t) but I can fantasize.

Moral of the story: There’s a reason why Google slaps and punishes anybody who writes an ad that leads to content that’s not relevant to the ad. Of course they would, otherwise google would have the world mad at it because when people search for something, that’s exactly what they expect to find. When you promise tuna on your ad or your article heading, you can’t expect people to like you very much or buy from you if they click on your ad and find Shrimp.

While it’s OK to be creative and come up with juicy subject lines, titles and ads that create curiosity and cause people to click, Content is still KING and people expect exactly what you promise them or they’ll click away mad at you for wasting their time and will be hesitant to give you another chance the next time they run across you or your stuff.

So, don’t be the email sender I’m ready to strangle by thinking you can get away with conning people into opening your emails or reading your articles or whatever else you want them to do. Write relevant content—every single time and give people exactly what they’re looking for.

If you promise tuna, shrimp won’t do..period.

I’m done ranting.

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Posted in Learning, Marketing | No Comments »

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This Is The ONLY Proven System on Earth For Making Money With Your MLM Program.

September 26th, 2009 by Anthony Kibe

No it’s NOT. There are many—in fact, there are hundreds and different people need different kinds of systems that fit their temperament and skills.

So, when I come across titles like these on marketing websites, I just have to wonder—why lie like this just to make money?   What’s the use?   Do you feel good about yourself?   I know I wouldn’t

Look, I know you have to sell yourself and your stuff. But I hate the blatant lies that marketers tell just to push products, programs and systems to unsuspecting desperate, struggling Online Network Marketers.

Stop lying people. Stop misrepresenting your products and services. Stop exaggerating and claiming to have the ONLY system in the world that can make money for someone. It’s a damn lie—shame on YOU if you use such tactics.

Be honest. Don’t claim to have the ONLY system in the world to do something when you know you don’t. There are others and you know that. Would it kill you just to say your system is ONE of the best, or ONE of the FEW?

The ONLY? That’s just not true. You’re lying. Call it marketing, call it good copy writing skills or call it Monica. The truth is it’s a lie.

I’m done ranting.

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Posted in Learning | 1 Comment »

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The Importance Of Noise-Proofing Your Marketing So You Can Focus.

September 26th, 2009 by Anthony Kibe

Is it just me or does it seem like every time I think I have everything I need to build a kick ass business, some guru drops an email with yet another “must have” course, tool or program I gotta have and shouldn’t live without?

I love my mentors. Everything I know I’ve learned from them and most of that education I didn’t even have to pay for. For that, I will forever be grateful. I would be lost without my mentors and my gurus…seriously. Sometimes though, I do catch myself feeling like I’m betraying our relationship if I don’t purchase the next new thing they come up with—which shouldn’t be. After all, I am only human; I can’t do it all.

The problem with these offers that flood our inboxes is that whenever you read one of those promotional emails and see all the great things the “new program” can do, two things happen.

One, you spend money and buy yet something else that you’re probably not going to use or you ignore it and be left with this feeling deep inside that you’re missing out, a feeling that make you feel inadequate as you are today. It’s going to be a while before you can move on because you’ll keep wondering if “maybe your business would have grown or maybe you would be doing much better and making more money had you bought that last “thingy” your mentor or guru just came up with.

I’ve had to keep reminding myself that my mentors are running businesses. As much as they care about my success ( I hope they do) the bottom line is that they’re trying to make money and the more stuff they can sell to me the more money they can make.

There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s business, but I have to be a savvy customer and learn when to say NO or wait until I’m done with the last thing I purchased from them before I add yet one more thing to distract me from what I’m already doing.

You should do the same. It’s your responsibility as a customer, as a marketer and as a business owner to noise-proof your marketing because if you don’t, you will never be able to focus.

If you’re in the middle of trying to master blog marketing, do you really need to purchase the next Pay Per Click course that your mentor puts out? Even though it might sound like you’re being smart by taking advantage of the pre-launch discount, the truth is you’re just adding one more noise making instrument in your already crowded band and that’s no way to make good music.

Have you mastered the one you bought last time? Have you used it to a point where it’s actually producing the results you were promised?

Trust me on this one, discounts always come back. It’s OK not to purchase the next big thing just because it’s on sale or it’s the new thing, a problem that’s very prevalent in online/network marketing.

Learning to noise proof your marketing is hard but it’s critical if you hope to maintain any kind of focus that allow you to actually follow through with one thing, one marketing strategy, test it, improve it, polish it and master it until it works.

With three other options sitting on your hard drive, the moment blog marketing becomes a little challenging, you’re going to abandon it and open up the last Pay Per Click course your bought and start doing it. And then the moment you realize that PPC is not the golden egg laying goose either, you’ll abandon that and open up the SEO course or software you purchase before that and on and on and on.

These programs and tools are like junk food in the cabinets of someone who’s trying to eat a healthy diet. As long as they’re available, you’re going to nibble. You’re not going to focus on your “healthy” marketing. You’re not going to be consistent. You’re going to cheat and therefore you’re not going to be successful

So my advice is, noise proof your marketing by first picking one marketing platform to focus all your energy on, stick with it and block out anything and everything else that does not support the type of marketing you have chosen. The best way to do that is to NOT purchase additional courses and programs for marketing platforms you aren’t even using.

If you choose to focus on Search Engine Optimization, only read the material that will make your SEO skills kick ass. If you’re doing article marketing, focus on studying relevant material that will enhance your article marketing skills until you’re getting the results you want to get from that and if you choose blogging as your marketing platform, well, get everything you can lay your hands on about blog marketing and leave the rest of the stuff at the
virtual store.

Better yet, unsubscribe yourself from most of the email lists you’re on.. including some of your favorite mentors. That way you don’t have to even see those very tempting deals and offers that flood your inbox on a daily basis. A while ago I did exactly and honestly, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. I’ve been able to completely focus on one marketing platform and when I’m done with that, I know exactly where all my mentors and gurus are—I’ll go find them then.

You don’t have to buy every program your mentor or guru comes up with or recommends.

Trust me, when it’s time for you to branch out to that other thing, you will still find enough discounted products out there that will do exactly what you want them to do.

Focus. It’s the only way to do marketing right.

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Posted in Branding | 2 Comments »

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Why I Might Not Want You In My Team, Yet!

September 12th, 2009 by Anthony Kibe

Anthony Kibe Pic

I know that’s ironic coming from me the quintessential Network Marketer himself. Shouldn’t I be begging and pleading with you to eschew ignorance, see the light and realize that Network Marketing is the “bestest” darnedest thing since Vodka?

Of course it is, which is why Network Marketers are making so much goddamn money and living like rock star across the globe right—roll eyes, chuckle — Right !!!!!!!

Allow me to rain hard on your imaginary parade if you’re a first timer who’s never been in network marketing and you think this is how you’re going to fire your boss and move to a condominium on the East Side.

For those of us who’s been doing this long enough—with hardly any success for the first….let’s say 5 ½ years, Network Marketing is definitely the bestest damnedest thing since (insert favorite treat here) That’s why we love it and do it. For you dear newbie who’s just coming in the door with hopes up in the clouds, it’s time to straighten you up.

First, you are the prospect I absolutely do NOT want on my team and you know why? You don’t know s**t about Network Marketing. Network Marketing is a business about marketing and if your experience with sales and marketing is a lemonade stand in 5ths grade, you have no business being here. Seriously, there are like a million other things you can do that will make you more money, faster………including a garage sale or a flea market.

Let me tell you what pisses my guts off in Network Marketing; the damn lies.

Lie # 1. Anybody with $500 to invest and enough belief in themselves can do this business. That’s a damn lie. Someone is after your money. RUN.

Lie # 2. All it takes is for you to sign up 4 people who sign up 4 people each and you will start to make insane amount of money. That’s a damn lie. Someone is after your money. RUN

Lie # 3. All you need is a basic knowledge of computers (can you send an email? Can you open your browser? Can you wipe your a**?) That’s a damn lie. Someone is after your money. RUN.

Lie # 4. There are thousands of people who need this product (whatever you’re peddling). That’s a damn lie. Someone is after your money. RUN.

Lie # 5. You can create massive success just working as little as 10 hours a week. YEAH RIGHT!.

I’m a Network Marketer. I love it and I can’t imagine doing anything else,but I hate the lies and I hate the exaggerated income claims and I hate the stretching of truth that happens in this industry. In itself, Network Marketing might as well be the greatest industry on earth but there are way too many ignorant morons, over zealous newbies who can’t wait to sign up their first 5 people and greedy S.O.Bs who just don’t care about the guy they’re recruiting because all they can see are $$$ signs—not a real human being who’s going to lose something when they part with that last $500 buying into a dream that’s honestly full of no more than fluff and air. Want proof? 98% failure rate…that’s proof…. and I’m being generous.

So here is why I don’t want you to join a Network Marketing company.

  1. You don’t know a damn thing about Marketing. Do you? Ivy league graduates and marketing professionals all over the world are hurting because marketing is HARD. People who went to school for 5 yrs to study marketing are having a hard time selling a damn thing and you think that you can come here with your GED or whatever the heck you have and kill it? Hell NO!. If you want to do network marketing, there’s to be a price to pay. A big price. You won’t get anything out of nothing. People won’t flock to you just because your company has the greatest product on the freaking planet or your compensation plan is the S**t. Want proof? 98% failure rate. That’s proof.

  2. You are delusional. You know that story that’s playing in your head? That story you’re feeding on, the one that’s telling you how rich you’re gonna be in a few months, what brand new car you’re going to buy and what neighborhood you’re going to move to? Kill that story. It’s about to lead you down a path of hellish nightmares. That story is just a story. It’s how you’re trying to convince yourself that you can really make this happen. Kill the story NOW. It’s not going to happen the way you think…if it happens at all. Want proof? Really?

  3. YOU DON’T DESERVE to succeed—yet. OK, feel free to hate me but guess what? You don’t. If you did, you would be successful already. If you join Network Marketing because you believe you deserve success, you’re in for a rude shock. You don’t deserve a damn thing that you haven’t applied yourself for, that you haven’t worked hard for and shed some sweat and blood for. You just don’t. This industry chews and swallows…period. Watch your back my friends. Here’s what you can expect. FACT; in 3 ½ months you’ll quit—having lost money. Want proof? 98% do exactly that.

  4. You don’t know how to lead. Have you ever lead a team? Have you ever been a real leader who made the decisions, inspired the team, motivated the team, TRAINED the team, challenged the team, developed content and training for the team to use? Have you? If not, you’re not going to make it no matter what you read in that sales letter or heard on that DVD or hotel meeting.

Those are just the first 4 of many reasons why this industry may not be for you. Contrary to what you may have been told, Network Marketing is not the cure for your financial malady. Network Marketing is just as HARD a business as any other business on the planet or even harder. Network Marketing is a business about marketing and about networking and building relationships. It’s a business where ONLY leaders succeed in. It’s a business where SKILLS are REQUIRED. You gotta bring something to the table. Network Marketing is a business that requires a tremendous amount of patience, hard work, long hours and more reading and learning than you do in some colleges.

If you decide to become one of us, be prepared to spend money and a lot of time learning new skills, new fundamental principles and new strategies of marketing that you’ve even never heard of and unless you’re a pure savant, you’re not going to master the skills you need for success in a couple of weeks or even months.

Unless you’re ready to commit 100% of your focus, time and effort into learning the SKILLS of marketing, unless you’re ready to spend some money on self development and spend time acquiring some serious business skills; unless you’re ready to fully embrace this business as a profession just like any other profession out there, I advice you to move on and find something easier to do. You many never enjoy the rewards of Network Marketing (and they can be very handsome) but you’ll save yourself a ton of headaches and heartaches, save some money, keep your sanity and maybe some day you’ll be ready for this industry—but not yet.

If you’re obstinate and you believe you can learn fast and work hard and give it everything you’ve got and if you’re NOT looking for quick riches and you’re not delusional enough to think that you’re going to be printing money next month; if you’re reasonable enough, teachable enough, patient enough and willing to do whatever it takes to enjoy the abundant rewards that Network Marketing can bring you—then by all means hop on and get to work, but don’t ever say I didn’t warn you.

Your Network Marketing Crime Watch Patrol Man.

Anthony Kibe.

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Posted in Branding, Leadership, Marketing | 3 Comments »