You're Right... or Wrong

Tony,
Me? Negative? or just cautious of such exagerated claims to wealth? Let's just say that I've already turned over enough of my money to those that have made similar claims or to "get-rich-quick". I don't find it to be negative to help others from making the same mistakes.

You may be Right that I'm not on your list. I have my own criteria for evaluating what to avoid (and your website would tend to fall into that category). But, then again, how would you really know? I might be someone that was not happy with what you've pitched. Just a hypothetical comment... I may be wrong... you may have a great offer and it may be legitimate. But it certainly has the sound of those that the FTC warns about.

You state that it is only a "Lead Generation" page and that you're not selling anything, then what is it that your generating leads for? (There's nothing on your page that indicates what someone will have to do to make $5000/month.) While you may be correct only the in part that it is a Lead Generation page, if you generate a lead and subsequently offer to sell them a business opportunity, franchise, instructions, or any other form of taking money from them, in exchange fo them to make money, then you ARE selling and it would still fall into the classifications that the FTC and other government sites warn about. [Good pay (say, $250,000 a year) in a short period - Reference: FTC links in my previous post.] It appears that you think you are able to avoid that by claiming that the webpage isn't selling anything. You're only walking a fine line of what you think is going to be a defense against any complaints that might come against you. Only my opinion, but from the complaints I've seen on the FTC website, I don't think it would work too well as a defense, should you come under their scrutiny. But what do I know? You've probably run everything through your lawyer, who's told you that it's good marketing and that you have nothing to worry about. (If so, I'd get a new lawyer.)

You're right, the FTC is not going to "approve or disapprove" your ad. I didn't mean that in the literal sense, but only to provide thought on whether it meets their criteria for avoiding prosecution for fraud, should there be a complaint filed against you. However, if they receive a complaint from someone that responds to it, then you'll be having to provide a good defense or possibly face some serious consequences from actions they may take against you. (Make sure you tell them that your lawyer said it meets the standards of the federal trade laws.)

The FTC and other government entities of law enforcement do have a lot of good information about the types of business "come-on's" to avoid and they do go after those that make claims that they can't substatiate, as Larry points out in a subsequent post. But, I also doubt that you bother to read the FTC's website. Hopefully, others will, and approach these types of things with caution, if at all.

The FTC not only has a lot of good information on types of things to watch out for, but they also have lots of files of complaints available for download. Maybe I have too much time on my hands, but I've read through a lot of those. By doing your homework and seeing what others have filed against other businesses (whether or not they are all justified or not) helps one understand how to stay above reproach in their dealings with their customers or potential customers.

If I err on the side of caution, at least I don't have to worry as much about whether my ethics will be disputed.

Once again... You're Right... I may serve no function here except to display my negativity about such "Get-Rich-Quick" offerings in the hopes that it will prevent someone else from forking over their last few dollars when they are down on their luck and looking for a way to make-money-fast.

> Jim, this post is the best evidence that you don't understand the FTC's
> role and that you really serve no function here except to display your
> negativity. :)

> The FTC doesn't "approve" advertising or give their stamp of
> approval on a particular business. Asking the Federal Trade Commission to
> "approve" your business is like asking a jeweler to approve your
> shoes.

> The truth is that we've actually had hundreds of people who have earned
> $250k in their first year. Some have earned quite a bit more. Many people
> earn more than $5,000 in their first month. (I did this my first week).

> So, given the fact that it's being done every day, no, it doesn't seem
> unreasonable to me to include those figures in the ad.

> But, you're also missing a basic point of marketing, so let me help you
> out: The purpose of my website is not instruction. It's for sorting. Quite
> candidly, I have no interest in spending time with everyone who thinks
> they want to be in business. I'm only looking for people who are dead
> serious about earning a six-figure income in the next 12 months.

> You see, I have no interest in talking to people who are looking for a way
> to earn an extra $500 a month. You can do that by delivering pizzas.
> That's not my market. And they're unlikely to leave their information
> after visiting our site.

> But, those who do get a followup call an all the information on the
> company, the products, the money and the opportunity.

> Evidently, the sorting process works fine. I'm able to market very
> efficiently without dealing with alot of tire-kickers. Plus, the main
> point is that your name isn't on my list and, if for no other reason
> alone, that's a good reason to keep the page just as it is. :)