You’ve heard of article marketing.

Right?

You write content rich articles.  You post your articles on “article marketing” sites.  Someone surfing the internet reads your article.  They click your link which drives them back to your website.  They sign up for your autoresponder.  You collect a lead. 

And eventually they buy from you.

That’s how article marketing supposed to work.

But what happens when your article marketing account gets shut down?

Think it can’t happen?

Then you need to read my story:

I like to write.  I’m good at it.  And so, I posted several hundred articles to a popular article marketing site which sent me traffic up the wazoo.  And then one day, out of the blue, this site kicked me to the curb.

No warning.

No head’s up.

Just an email saying, “Hey Wes.  You’re done.  Turned off.  No more…”

So, I emailed the person who threw the guillotine on my head.  

And was told they “disagreed” with a post on my website.  And I had to either “remove the post or they’d permanently cancel my account”.

Now mind you, the post they were referring to was not offensive.  

Matter of fact, it was one of my most popular posts.  

But nonetheless, this site “disagreed” with it. 

Now what?

Do I cave-in and remove the post?

Or do I tell them to stick-it-where-the-sun-don’t-shine?

Turns out I took the first approach.  I removed the post.  They reinstated my account.  All was back to normal except I felt like “chicken little” for complying.

Then again…

It made sense because most of my traffic comes from this particular site.  

So it was a good decision in the long run.

However, it also taught me a very valuable lesson.

Going forward, I realized I could not rely on this site to drive traffic to my website.

Why?

Because relying on “one” thing leaves you at the mercy of that “one” thing.  And in business this is stupid because it puts you in a position of weakness.

This is something you may want to think about too.  

I sure have.  

And I run my business different because of this incident.

Speaking of running your business different:

Every month I write and mail a paper and ink (and paid) newsletter called The Marketing Maniac.  I cover all sorts of direct response marketing topics in order to help you add new customers, referrals and repeat sales to your small business. 

Take for example May’s issue, where I show you:

How to become an expert in almost any niche in 3 days or less using a website and a piece of plastic.

Why be an expert?  They get paid more.  They get more respect.  And experts never want for customers.

Thing is, May’s issue is only available until 5/31/12 for the low subscription rate.

Details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac

www.WesleyMurph.com

“Ouch…”

“I’m dying over here…”

“I can’t take it anymore…”

“My legs feel like they’re going to rip…”

“Will somebody help me…”

I’ve muttered these words everyday for the past three weeks.

Why?

Because I’m doing an exercise system called P90X. 

And boy, is it kicking my butt.

Yet despite some soreness, I’m already stronger.  My guns have more definition.  And overall, I’m glad I started the program.

But something else has happened that I never expected:

I get killer marketing ideas during my workouts!

No telling why.  I figure it’s because P90X gives me a break from my day so my left brain can catch a snooze.  Anytime this happens, my right brain takes over…

And wa-la!

Ideas come fast and furious.

Or maybe P90X bathes my brain in endorphins which sparks my idea creator.  

Who knows?  

All I can say is that while I’m huffing and puffing, ideas jump into my head like popcorn rattling around a tin.

Sometimes they come fast too.

Really fast.  

So I have to hit the ‘pause’ button on my DVD player.  Sprint to my computer.  And jot down whatever’s in my mind before it slithers away.

Sometimes I think I’m a bit like Rainman because I can’t turn off my brain.  

But hey, it goes with the territory when you love something as much as I love direct response marketing. 

Anyways, you may have other hobbies that give you ideas. 

But for me, my money’s on P90X.  

And speaking of money:  

In May’s issue of The Marketing Maniac (my offline and paid newsletter) I talk at length about how you can become an expert FAST using nothing more than a website and a piece of plastic.

Truly.

This works.

And you can grab this issue for the low introductory rate until 5/31/12.

Membership details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac

www.WesleyMurph.com

Is that a weird question?

Some might say.

I don’t think so.  

My wife is quite the woman.  You’d love her too if you were in my shoes.  And since today is her birthday, I decided to tell you a few of the reasons why my wife kicks butt.

Ready?

1)  My wife is self-motivated.  

What separates you from success?  

Self-motivation.  

It’s that simple.  

We live in a world with tons of opportunities.  And while many are not easy to attain, opportunity is  available.  To all.  So long as you possess the self-motivation to go after and get what you want… 

…like my wife. 

2)  My wife is healthy.

Want proof?

Last Saturday, my wife hopped out of bed at 7 a.m. and knocked-out 12 miles.  Most of the course was uphill too.  So twelve “uphill miles” were like running 25 flat miles. 

Make all the money in the world.

But without your health you got squat. 

3)  My wife is smart.

Truly.  

In fact, long ago when I was studying for an MBA (and having trouble with a few Math problems) who was the one to come to my rescue? 

My wife.  

The smart one in the family.

Intelligence is crucial if you want to excel in today’s crazy-competitive world.  Everybody’s out to eat your lunch.  So you must eat or be eaten.  And it takes brains to eat.  The more brains, the more you eat.

But hey, you’re reading my blog.  

So something’s churning in that noggin’ of yours.

I could carry on.

The simple fact is:

My wife is a catch.  

And my success would not have happened had it not been for her.  Everybody needs support.  You can’t go at life alone.  It takes a village, as Hillary once said.

So who’s on your side?  

Looking out for you?

I am.  

In fact, in May’s edition of my paper-and-ink (and paid) newsletter, I show you how I became an expert in an unusual niche in 3 days using a website and a piece of plastic.

You can do this too!

Being an expert is easy.

Read this issue before the price goes up on 5/31/12, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Details are at:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac

www.WesleyMurph.com

Email marketing…

Talk about a killer way to grow your small business.

I use it.  

You can too.  

Good news is it doesn’t take much to learn the craft.  

Just some time.  

A bit of consistency, and…

The ability to write “Mountain Dew” flavored emails.

What are those?

Simple messages that deliver goodness.

Look:  

People will not work to read messages.  Yours.  Mine.  Or anyone else’s.  Which is why movies are more popular than books. 

And since email requires your customers read, email marketing delivers the goods when it’s…

Easy to read.

Easy to understand.

And easy to walk away with a nugget.

Kind of like Mountain Dew:

There is nothing fancy about Mountain Dew.  Just some sugar.  A little carbonation.    And a different enough flavor to have a cult following of “Dew Heads”.

I like Mountain Dew.

So I guess you’d call me a “Dew Head” too.

But back to my point…

If you’d like to snag sales with Email Marketing, then make your message simple.  Make it deliver a bang.  And give your reader a burst of flavor that hits them smack dab in their cerebral cortex.

Want more tips like one?

Then become a Marketing Maniac member by subscribing to my offline (and paid) newsletter of the same title.  In May’s issue, I talk at length about how to be an expert on darn near any topic you want in 3 days or less using nothing more than a website and a piece of plastic.

Subscription details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac

www.WesleyMurph.com

Been listening to a lot of Bruce Springsteen lately.

Why?

Because his “greatest hits” CD is next to my ghetto blaster.

And because there are so many gems on this CD like:

Born in the USA.
Street of Philadelphia.
Dancing in the Dark.
Hungry Heart.

So anyways…

While listening to the boss man, I realized he delivers a stellar marketing message in most of his songs. 

Which is what?

He sings about stuff that relates to the people who listen to his music.

Born in the USA is the perfect example.

In the opening of the song Springsteen says:

“Born down in a dead man’s town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up”

When you go-over those lyrics, you realize Bruce is going for a “connection” with his listener using guitar chords… piano notes… drum beats… and words.

So you’re left with a full listening experience.
 
The point?

Marketing is the same enchilada. 

The first “sale” you must make that connection with your audience.  You must resonate with them.  So they know you are like them.  So they know you understand their problems. 

And so you’re perceived as the best solution.

While the Boss Man may not do this on purpose, I guarantee he’s aware of it.  And over the years, it probably comes natural to him like a fish breathing water through its gills.

You must do it too so…

You connect with your audience.

And position yourself as “an expert”.

In fact, go out and buy Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Until then, get your hands on my latest issue of The Marketing Maniac (my offline and paid newsletter) because in May I show you how to be an expert using a website… a piece of plastic… and a bit of creativity.

Hear me roar…

Experts make more money.

They get more respect.

And if you have any hope of getting to the top of your field, then being viewed as an “expert” is a must-do.

I’ll show you how to be an expert at nearly anything you want in this month’s issue which is available until 5/31/12.

Details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac
www.WesleyMurph.com

Got some hater email yesterday.

In regards to my “anti-benefit” stance on marketing.

I’ll spare the gory details.  But suffice to say, plenty of people disagree with me when I preach the benefits of not leading your marketing piece with benefits.

Am I weird?

Not really.

In fact, the legend Gary Bencivenga put it this way:

“You should make sure your marketing does not look like marketing.”

A simple statement with a very powerful message.

You see, many marketing folks (including the haters who sent me their emails yesterday) were bred from the Dan Kennedy and Gary Halbert school of thinking which says you should come out guns-a-blazing with a benefit-rich sales message.

Problem is…

This approach triggers the “BS” detector everybody has.

So your readers says to themselves:

“Yeah right!”
“You wish!”
“You’re full of bull!”

And when this happens you ain't gonna make the sale.

Gary Bencivenga, on the other hand, is the master at selling under the radar.  His marketing doesn't look like marketing. It's soft.  And subtle.  And it sneaks up on you long before it smacks you upside the head with benefits.

Oftentimes that “right” time is later in the piece.

So I’m not against benefit selling.

I’m simply in favor of doing it Gary Bencivenga style.

And not right out of the gate.

So to all the haters, I say:

1) Get off my email list and take your sad self somewhere else.

2) You going to argue with Gary Bencivenga? 

(If so, then refer back to rule #1).

Don’t mean to sound mean. 

I just have a low threshold for people who talk about things they know little about. 

Anyways, I’m not right for everybody.  And I realize this.  So understand if you decide to subscribe to my offline (and paid) newsletter called The Marketing Maniac you may find you don't like me. 

Why? 

Because this is where I really let the good stuff fly.

Some love it.

Some don’t.

Subscription details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac
www.WesleyMurph.com
 

Funny stuff.

Was listening to a marketing program the other day.

When the speaker said the following:

“You should always load your marketing with strong benefits.  Put them in your headlines.  In your body copy.  Everywhere.  This gets attention.  And it starts your piece off on the right note.”

Really?

Me disagrees.

Benefit marketing is old-school especially when benefits take the lead. 

Not saying this is always the case. 

Nothing is always the case. 

But Paul Public has a hair trigger when he hears “claims” in the beginning.  And once you trigger Paul Public’s skepticism, you’ve lost the sale.

Don’t you react this way?

I do.

As soon as I hear someone make a claim about something, my Spidey-Sense tingles and that voice in my brain says…

“Yeah right!”

That’s why you can tell great copywriters from wannabes. 

Great copywriters are subtle in their approach.  They don’t come right out and make benefit claims.  They simply grab your attention.  And they carefully deliver quality information while gently selling their solution.

This is more my style.

Because it’s how I like to buy.

And so, when I heard this marketing “guru” talk about benefit selling, I immediately knew he didn’t know what he was talking about.  Or he may have been saying what he thinks people want to hear.

Either way this was harmful advice.

All this said:

Be careful who you take marketing advice from.

I know I’ve said it a million times.  And you may be sick of me getting on my soapbox and singing this tune.  But I learned the hard way that oftentimes anyone who calls themselves a “guru” is not what they seem.

Perception is reality.

But oftentimes perception and reality are miles apart.

No need to worry.

Because it’s easy to tell the pros from the amateurs. 

Just look for lots of benefit claims… the kind that online marketers hammer… and you’ll know you’re dealing with a wannabe.

Speaking of wannbes:

In May’s issue of my paper-and-ink (and paid) newsletter called The Marketing Maniac, I discuss at length how you can become an expert in darn near any niche using a website… a square card… and a piece of plastic.

No joke.

I did this.

And you can too.

Also in this issue:

• Joe Polish EXPOSED!  You’ll see a postcard I received from Joe Polish that needs a major makeover…
  
• The New York Times best-selling FICTION book you must read if you want to add “THE” ingredient all marketing must have…
  
• How to mail sales letters for FREE following this company’s genius example…

And plenty more.

Subscription details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac
www.WesleyMurph.com
 

Remember the Soup Nazi?

He was the character in Seinfeld who made world famous soup. 

Jerry Seinfeld loved his soup.

Elaine loved his soup.

The whole gang on Seinfeld loved the Soup Nazi’s soup.

But…

You had to follow his rules, or…

You got NO soup!

Recently, I felt I was under the spell of the Soup Nazi too.

How so?

Some goofball hacked into my Twitter account.  And unbeknownst to me, began sending unauthorized tweets to my followers. 

So…

I contacted this cyber-hacker. 

And he came at me like I was a lowly peasant beneath his feet.

Go figure.

But that’s how a Soup Nazi rolls.

It's his way or the highway.

Good thing the folks at Twitter put the kabash on this goon before he could get any traction. 

My point?

There’s no need to be a Soup Nazi. 

If you’re wrong, admit it and make things right.

If you’re right… well…

Good for you. 

Rejoice in your rightness.  But continue being nice… and helpful… and more than willing to serve your clients within reason. 

There is something alluring about someone who’s skilled and nice.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Oh yeah…

And in May’s issue of The Marketing Maniac (my paper-and-ink and paid newsletter), I show you an easy way to become an expert (any niche you want) in 3 days or less using a website and a piece of plastic.

Subscription details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac
www.WesleyMurph.com

On Friday, I saw The Avengers in 3D.

And talk about cool.

Sure, it’s light on plot. 

But so what. 

I give The Avengers “two thumbs up” since the characters (and the action) kick butt.

Take Scarlett Johansonn for example:

She plays a mysterious woman who shreds men to pieces.  But fighting is not her superpower.  It’s getting information out of people.  And she’s mega-great at it.

In fact…

There’s a scene in The Avengers in which Johansson plays the evil Loki like a fiddle until he spills the beans on his master plot to destroy New York City.

Loki doesn’t even know what hit him.

Until Johansonn and her superhero pals have the information they need to save NY City.

Was this by accident?

Nope.

Scarlett Johansonn knew exactly what she was doing.

And her information extraction on Loki was brilliant.

You must be good at this too.

Why?

Because making the sale depends on it.

The truth is the more information your prospect tells you, the better your chance of closing the deal.  Why?  Because crux in any sale is knowing what you prospect thinks and feels about the main problem your product or service solves.

Check out The Avengers. 

And you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Until then…

May’s issue of The Marketing Maniac is on sale until 5/31/12 for the low introductory rate, and it’s all about how to be an expert.  I’ll show you how I turned myself into an expert in 3 days in a very odd niche… and how you can follow in my footsteps to become “expert” at almost anything you want too.

All it takes is a website.

A piece of plastic.

And my formula. 

And POOF, you’re an overnight expert.

Subscription details are here:

http://www.MarketingManiac.net

Over and out,

The Marketing Maniac
www.WesleyMurph.com