"Fast Weight Loss! Make Easy Money! Increase Your Sex Life!"

I participate in a weight-training online forum. Recently a subject came up which heated everyone. I wrote a post which I think is deep enough in my thoughts to share in my blog. I have no idea who reads my blog (except for Missy in WVA - hi Missy!) but if anyone reads it, this is very important to share.

The subject was regarding these programs which promise that you'll lose fat, get more muscular, make all the money of your dreams, increase your mental power , get more sex, better sex, look younger . . . blah blah blah. You've heard it all.

These ads are mostly online and by email, but can also be found in some magazines. They are "testimonial style", crafted with certain words, and sometimes phrases are highlighted in the morass of text which your eye can barely read. The copy (that means, the actual words) are chosen with the most impact in mind. Here's what always gets me: they say that "this information is soooo valuable that it would be worth $500 - but we are giving it to you for the low price of $150, and throwing in these free e-books worth over double that $500..."

That being said, I have participated in presentations where the marketers have decided to use these tactics. I respectfully requested that they consider other tactics, but, since it wasn't my project, they went their own manner. That's perfectly alright. I have never felt, and hopefully will never feel, that these marketing tactics are appropriate.

Ignore the crap and focus on what you feel is integrity-ful. If those letters/programs in your e-mailbox or on your screen are crap, ignore them and laugh :)

If they pique your interest, find out more. You'll discover (one way or another) the real truth: either you will be changed forever, or you would have helped someone get a new boat.

It's that simple.

I laugh my head off about people with "programs". Honestly. You should see the ones I get in my e-mailbox also.

Some people just learn the FORMULAEIC (sp?) (uh: "formula'd") way of MARKETING the product (or program). They use buzz words and particular ways of advertising which get some people buying. A SMART person doesn't get entranced by buzzwords or phrases. But others are. Anything that makes you "buy now", "hurry", "fast, easy", "my life changed, and it was easy" is a scam. Nothing GOOD and WORTHWHILE is easy. (Simple, maybe: not easy)

And there are no "promises": only progress.

It always makes me laugh that many of these "experts" also have a part of their website(s) where they tell others "How to make the money of your dreams in online marketing". Hmmm. How telling.

It's up to each individual how they want to present themselves (and their business), what business they have, and how (or whether) to be full of INTEGRITY about that.

Me? I've been told (by "pros" * ) to scrap my current website, change it to the screaming-headlines "testimonial-style", and offer my knowledge/coaching via "pay for info" products. At the moment, I won't do it. Not a whit. And my wallet is the poorer for it --- but my SPIRIT feels just ducky. I have no boat, my car is 6 years old now (really? Honda makes an awesome car!), and I haven't bought new clothes since I-don't know-when. But I sleep well at night regarding my BUSINESS ETHICS.

I want the buyer to beware. Stop being scammed, if some of those advertisements are scams in marketing language which grabs you emotionally. I want the buyer to learn how to GROW UP and BE WISE : do your research.

I have a personal way of looking at advertisements: sometimes the subtler, the more truthful it is. Less "yelling". They know that what they are selling can stand the test of time. They know you can research it. They know that they don't have 10-seconds to grab your attention or you'll buy elsewhere. They want a quality customer who is not looking for a quick fix -- and will have a disastrous, quick-fix mentality.

It's kind of like the martial art aikido: to get a blackbelt, it takes many years of hard work, self-reflection, inward change, body understanding, sensitivity, ... and the black belt is considered "just proficient" or "just beginning to know". Nothing fast, but it's incredible for those who do it.

Have a thoughtful day.

* PS: the "pros" who tell me to change my website have fancy expensive cars and probably second houses. I don't. But, to me, it's like junk bonds: someone is making money off someone's else's gullibility.
I'm not a Buddhist, but I like the Buddhist thought of "Right Livelihood": "one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully". To me, 'righteous, legal and peaceful' means that I give people their hard-earned money's worth.