The Secret
Mark gets viscerally bent out of shape when he even sees or hears these words - usually an adjective followed by secret. He's got young kids at home so I can't get him to cuss; but he sure as hell doesn't mind laughing or throwing out some viciously sarcastic comment, or impatiently pining for an immediate change of direction... whenever he's in the presence... of this discouraging and revolting word... whether within earshot... but especially at the sight of it... especially online!
Last night's teleseminar with Stu McLaren, the super (I'm sick of this overused 70s word too!) affiliate marketing manager, and Ray Edwards, the big time copywriter, revealed this filthy word to be right down there with the worst of them - particularly amongst those words which have been thoroughly tested with copy used in the vulturous internet marketing niche - all this according to the Ray Man himself, who represents he's also a fanatical tester.
First, here's the 5 best tested words (converted best, and made more money) employed by copywriters in this niche:
proprietary
discover
guaranteed
statistical
validated
Next, he revealed the 5 worst tested words (converted worst, and made less money) employed by copywriters in this niche:
you A big - but pleasant - surprise
proven
secret
explode
learn
I found myself cheering these revelations! So happy was I to hear this information that I was moved to actually chime in at the end of the call, during a Q & A session.
Both of these guys, it needs to be said, are people for whom I have an enormous regard - probably because both come across as so damn transparent and, well... just likable.
They present themselves as experienced professionals with integrity - and unafraid of new ideas.
Stu was promoting an upcoming seminar here in Dallas on this teleseminar; and Ray had just released a high-value-quotient copywriting course for which I had seriously held an interest - and he would be one of its speakers too.
So I asked Ray to comment on these 3 words...
I
expert
teach
... which I suggested might be included in an expanded worst words list... because I thought these words to ultimately be divisive words, as opposed to being unifying words... and I was researching ways to put in place a structure for my persuasion (sales) efforts ahead.
I also intimated that beyond mere words which turned me off - and I couldn't agree more with his findings - words and perceptions which turned me on in a sales letter, for instance, were those which (who?) at least hinted...
... we actually are all just perennial students... and one might best connect to others simply because one demonstrates an extraordinary knowledge of a particular subject... and one exudes a certain genuine enthusiasm to engage others... who, in turn, might wish to share in this same enthusiasm for similar knowledge too.
Ray answered, in effect, that certain framing issues (my words, not his) were rather standardized (my words again) but that generally context (Ray's word) and circumstance (mine) were the guiding lights for what better would serve one's purposes in the end (you guessed it - my words again!).
For which I, naturally, thanked him for his plausible answers.
So can this discussion provide us a clue for what is meant by the attractor factor - since I always seem to be drawn to other writers and marketers - like you maybe?
And could this portend a possible meaning of the secret too?
Ya know... I can't truthfully tell ya.
What I DO know is we're all gluttons for knowledge about how to make more money...
... some of us ethically...
... but just don't **** with me and try to sell me your latest-and-greatest version of the secret either, okay?
You don't wanna get on my worst side... as I'm wont to be a little irrational sometimes - and just might ****in' explode!
There... that'll learn ya!
It's one law of attraction principle proven - and guaranteed - to teach you a damn lesson...
... lest your filthy ill-gotten gains come right back to haunt ya... my secret friend!
:)
For more rants along these familiar lines check out Blair Warren's blog... or just scroll down for something else that'll keep your juices flowin'!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Follow Up Correspondence from Stu
Laurence,
Thanks for your email.
I appreciate you sharing the details of your idea. I can sense your passion behind it.
One thing you must consider is the management of everything. If it’s not managed properly then it will drive people away but if it’s managed well then over time it will attract the right kind of people you want participating.
Good luck!
Take care.
Stu McLaren
MyIdeaGuy
"Taking Ideas From Concept to Cash"
www.MyIdeaGuy.com
www.IdeaSeminar.com
***********************************************************************************
Stu,
Thanks for validating my initial perception of the kind of person you might be - and how you might respond to my message.
I will continue to speak to issues of transparency in the marketing process, especially how it relates to workplace issues of motivation and reward, affiliate programs and JV partnerships, etcetera - not to mention, our relationships with our clients and customers.
How people relate to others is co-dependent on transparent communication being made self-evident to all parties as the relationship is developed and strengthened over time. And you're absolutely right - how this is managed is key to its workability.
Given that 90%-98% of most marketers' persuasion tactics are not acted upon, and only 10%-20% of most affiliate sign-ups actually make a real financial impact for affiliate managers who strive to motivate them is at the heart of what I wish to address.
By turning a blind eye to these issues marketing becomes nothing more than a numbers game...somehow dehumanizing the entire process.
And those with mature businesses - those who have accumulated large customer lists and other marketers to their sales process - are in the best position to invest intellectual capital addressing the essence of this continuing problem...in an honest effort to improve the process...so that its effectiveness can be markedly improved and sustained.
The "right" kind of people we might attract to this overhauled process - if correctly initiated and managed properly - will no longer remain an issue, as it is rendered moot...much in the same way ongoing natural selection...works biologically in nature.
Upon closer examination we understand that these core values of belief inherent within human nature are not so separated from the natural world itself...because, as observed with viruses or butterfly effects, we know certain these characteristics must exist.
The net results can be revolutionary...if we choose to diligently concern ourselves with this underlying core value of belief - and believability - as seen from all sides.
Good luck to you too, Stu!
I'm very grateful to you for reading this at all...
Laurence
Mainspring Mindshares
Http://msms2.blogspot.com
[P.S. - I know you must be very caught up in your busy-ness, so please do not feel the need to respond again. :) Laurence]
