About two weeks ago we received a group of sales messages that really didn't say specifically what they were for. They all came to our various autoresponder addresses so we had a pretty good idea they were from a fictitious address. Their request was to submit your name, address and telephone number for additional information and you were to email it to them at an email address in message. So we filled it out (with fictitious info) and returned it. It bounced right back. I don't understand why anyone would send out a mailing and use a fictitious address even for information they were requesting. Dah!

I don't know of anything you can currently do to restrict someone from harvesting all email addresses you might be using other than some of new encryption software. So basically you have to live with it. Luckily if you're using a program like Eudora Pro, you can set up filters to control flow of some of this garbage.

You can send me all covert messages and sales propositions you want, I will never even check one of them out. It may be one of most enticing offers I have ever seen, and it will go in trash folder. If I am going to do business with someone, I want to know that you are above board and I am not going to be associated with someone that may possibly get ME a bad reputation due to their bad mailing habits.

In a lot of instances, it isn't new marketer's fault, he or she is all enthused about starting a business and making some good money. It is hype sellers and bulk email pushers who sell them a bill of goods. The individual purchases one of these disks of 100,000 HOT email addresses and a stealth bulk mailing software program and are off to make a million dollars! But they soon find out that they don't even make enough to cover their expenses. Then they become one of those statistics I mentioned at beginning.

Don't get sucked in by hype! There are plenty of places on web where you can ask questions and get pretty honest answers that might save you a great deal of money and embarrassment. Visit forums, discussion boards, subscribe to newsletters like this one. Get to know Net before you jump in! Don't start out by operating your business in a covert manner using false addresses, lies, and intrusive marketing programs. You will lose in long run!

The top marketers on other hand, think like a sniper. They know that they may only get one chance to close sale. They take careful aim and make every shot count.

They know their target.

So what do these snipers do?

The most important element in their arsenal is their targeted list. They are masters of building and working their list.

By targeting their market they place odds in their favor.

By making every shot count they have enough reserve funds to turn around a losing offer and make it into a winner.

If you truly want to succeed, learn difference between a suspect, a prospect and a customer.

Put away that shot gun and make every shot count.

Start targeting your advertising campaigns and remember, "One shot, one kill!"

Do that and you'll avoid being next casualty.

Wishing You Success