WHOA HORSEY!!... ***HUMONGOUS*** disagreement here -- SUPER JUMBO SIZED --

> Ya ever notice that what Corey calls “newsletters” are really sales
> pitches

No, I didn't.

He would have to be an idiot to send out "newsletters" that are nothing but sales pitches because it goes against everything he teaches.

> all one has to do is opt out of those “fact-filled” newsletters.

That's true, but it's your loss if you do.

I receive his free "Marketing Tips" newsletter. I opened my folder and pulled up two at random. This is what I found:

=================
February 2005
=================

It starts with a "FEATURE EDITORIAL" which *is* a sales pitch for his new "Two-Minute Profit Secrets Newsletter." He says this Feb. 25th issue is "special edition" to include a small sample of the articles in this "Two-Minute" newsletter. Then come the sample articles:

---------------

"Boost Your Sales by At Least 80% with a 'Call to Action' That Really Gets Your Visitors to Buy!"

This article goes into great detail about the crucial "call to action" including the following subsections:

The Power of Suggestion (with examples, a discussion of "an emotionally appealing benefit," and closing the sale).

Don't Rush It! (it takes a lot of work to close the sale so you don't want to go there too fast -- with a thorough discussion of this point and a checklist of things you need to accomplish first)

Don't Beat Around the Bush! (a common mistake is to "imply" what you want the reader to do, but you need to tell them exactly -- including examples)

Make Them an Offer They Can't Refuse! (important points to include in your call to action with oodles of examples -- including mention the problem your product addresses, a persuasive tidbit, transferring ownership, etc. -- also what kinds of statements are *less* compelling so you also learn what *not* to do)

And a nice summary in "Final Thoughts."

-----------------------

The next article is "Using Images in Your Salesletter: Three Tips Guaranteed to Spruce Up Your Copy -- AND Boost Your Sales!"

It starts with a brief discussion of using images in your sales copy and then goes into specifics:

"Three Images You Must Have Within Your Newsletter"  (three specific areas of your newsletter are addressed, with a thorough discussion of what types of images belong here including what, why, and how)

"Tips for Creating High-Impact EBook 'Covers' and Digital Product 'Boxes' that Generate More Sales"  (This is an extremely detailed section that I wish I'd taken the time to read before I started messing with my own hideous ebook cover, including images, fonts, colors, and much much more. Well crappy doodle... back to the drawing board!)

=========================

Was that a fair issue to use as an example?  Maybe not -- it was, after all, pitching another free newsletter and using the best of the best as examples.  Okay, so let's try another.

===================
December 2004
===================

"Get Your site Ready for the Holiday Rush Using These 10 Easy-to-Implement Profit Boosting Tips!"

This article explains why Christmas isn't the time to make any major additions or changes and provides 10 "Quick Tips" -- each of which is discussed in great detail. These include:

Add Benefit To Your Headline
What Is Qualified Photography?
Feature Seasonal Specials In the First Fold of Your Homepage
Send Out a Holiday E-mail Promotion
Consider Replacing Third-Party Ads
Offer Fast, Flexible Shopping
Offer to Ship Gifts Directly to Recipients
Include Some Sales Material
Offer Online Gift Certificates
Explain Why Your Product (or Service) Would Make a Great Gift
Offer a "Book Now and Save" Promotion

Each of these tips is followed by extensive details and, in some cases, examples.

After "Final Thoughts" on his topic, you get the dreaded SALES PITCH -- but you're already at the bottom of page 11 of the email.

Also, I should add that the "sales pitch" is for the "Brand New Tools and Resources Section in Our New and Improved Newsletter Archive Center" -- which I believe is free, but I haven't confirmed this yet. Also, a "FREE Upgrade to Our Premium Edition." Finally, you can now have permission to reprint these "Marketing Tips" articles on your web site or in your ezine as free content.

=============================

I ask you:  WHAT DO YOU EXPECT??

These two FREE newsletters are absolutely *STUFFED* with valuable content -- and it's ORIGINAL content, unlike so many newsletters which use content sucked from "free content" sites and original newsletters like these.

People don't write these things for their health. It is perfectly acceptable to include sales pitches, as long as they are more than offset by useful articles.

> In the newsletter that pitches his “secrets of their success” program,
> Cory says we’ll read about "average joes" who often started
> their first web site with less than $100..and that we should “Remember,
> this is not the theoretical approach that most Internet marketing courses
> or consultants will teach you. These are real people, like you and me,
> making real money -- graciously breaking down step-by-step THE EXACT
> RESULTS YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE when you apply them... right from the
> horses' mouths! It doesn't get any better than
> this!”

I agree -- IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!

For YEARS I have completely ignored the "Secrets To Their Success" newsletter because, in general, I hate newsletters (actually it's done in the form of a membership site, but that is neither here nor there). I can't BELIEVE I could be so stupid!

"Secrets To Their Success" -- Corey Rudl's PRICELESS paid newsletter -- is unlike anything I have ever seen. It goes into INCREDIBLE detail with each one of its success stories -- step by step by successful step.

And for now, they are giving away a "site makeover" each month -- and each "site makeover" is presented -- **IN FULL** -- in the newsletter for no extra charge. I cannot BEGIN to describe how valuable this is!! (The two *IN-DEPTH* success stories are also priceless, but this "site makeover" is beyond anything I've ever seen in a newsletter or membership site.)

When you subscribe, you get access to the last two months as well.

Moving on:

I have a ***HUGE*** bone to pick with this:

==========================================
"THE EXACT RESULTS YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE"
==========================================

I have never seen Corey say this anywhere.

No, I am not calling you a liar --

You said it's "in the newsletter" that promotes "Secrets To Their Success." I can't find that newsletter, so you may be exactly right -- I'm not going to deny what I don't know -- but he would be sticking his neck WAY out to say such a thing, and he isn't fond of doing that.

But for sake of argument, let's agree that he said it.

HOWEVER, you don't subscribe from the newsleter --

When you go to the Secrets To Their Success web site, you won't find any such statement.

I searched for EVERY instance of the word "exact" and found only these statements -- NONE of which promises that you or anyone else will duplicate these results:

"discover the exact step-by-step strategies"

"discover exactly which specific things made them successful"

"You'll know exactly what works and what doesn't, making it easy to apply the same techniques to your own business and profit."

"The EXACT tips and tricks he uses to make an exceptional income

"Discover the exact strategies Chad is using to generate revenues in excess of $1 million per year..."

"* A 10-Page Synopsis of EXACTLY what you need to change or tweak!"

> Then...the mandatory “disclaimer” tells us that “The testimonials and
> examples used are exceptional results, which do not apply to the average
> purchaser, and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will
> achieve the same or similar results.”

Yeah, kinda just squeezed in there cuz it's "mandatory" -- except that doesn't fly in this case.

It's on that one page FOUR SEPARATE TIMES.

Four times in the MAIN TEXT of this page -- not in small print, not as an afterthought, not at the end, and not behind a link -- you find the following disclaimer:

"* The testimonials and examples used are exceptional results, which do not apply to the average purchaser, and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual's success depends on his or her background, dedication, desire, and motivation."

Also, the GUARANTEE is worded this way:

"... And if, after 90 days, all of this doesn't make you at least an extra $1,000 in profits, or if for any reason you're not thrilled with your membership, just e-mail us for a complete refund of all monies you've paid.

"(To be fair, all I ask is that you send me your website address and proof that you tried to use at least some of the strategies you learned, as well as proof of your results -- or lack thereof -- and I'll refund all your money.)"

Maybe it's those rose-colored glasses super-glued to my nose, but IMHO, that's clear as a bell.

NOWHERE does he say you can expect to achieve these results -- exact or otherwise -- and NOWHERE does he say he'll cheerfully refund your money if you don't even try his methods.

I think that's fair, electronic newsletters and membership sites being what they are.

Like Jim Straw says -- to get the information back, he would have to kill you.

> So, which of the above statements is true?

This one:

"Each individual's success depends on his or her background, dedication, desire, and motivation.".... (and I would add "and his or her brains, and business sense, and time commitment and talent for knowing what's hot and what's not and about a dozen other things").

In my not-so-humble opinion, Corey's free newsletters are OUTSTANDING and "Secrets To Their Success" is RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP and I can't *BELIEVE* I was stupid and arrogant and NINCOMPOOPY enough to ignore it all these years.

Luv,

MaaMaw