It's common practice on Internet that newsletters, or 'ezines'(there are over 300,000 in existence currently), publish articles from writers and in lieu of payment, feature author's "resource box" at end of that article. The publisher receives content free of charge and writer receives exposure whereby ezine readers can link to their website. A win-win.

As a widely featured writer, my publicist, Anne Marie Baugh (who is very highly regarded on and off Web), sends my new articles to those Internet publications who advertise for article submissions. Upon doing so with my latest article, she received this response from a publisher:

{{{{Anne edit below (we can save 150 or so words) for best parts and keep last par.}}}}}

"Could you please tell me why you are sending me these articles? Oh, I think I know answer. I am supposed to put these articles in my newsletter to generate business for Rick Beneteau. Right? Well, what do I get out of it except absolutely nothing. I will be honest with you even though you might not like what I am about to say. I am pretty sick and tired of all scamsters and opportunists on net that want something for nothing or only want to take and don't know how to co-operate so that everyone gains. In first place I am not stupid enough to publish these articles just to benefit Rick Beneteau and secondly articles sound too much like a motivational, inspirational speech that mlm companies use. If they had practical tips that you could apply to business then I would print them but as it is they don't so I haven't printed one yet in my newsletter and I don't plan on printing one in my newsletter anytime soon.

As for money that one can make with an ezine or newsletter. Let me fill you in on something, there are a multitude of "I want something for nothing" type of people on internet and as long as you keep giving they will keep taking and give you nothing back in return. This is reality even though it is not pretty. Unless you actually can get real business people subscribed you won't make a red cent. The only other way that you may be able to make money is if you are selling people hype and pipe dreams and books that tell you how to become a success. This is what business opportunity seekers are buying, they are buying dreams and not reality. It is kind of obvious that Rick Beneteau knows this and is cashing in on it. Unfortunately, I don't wish to lie and con people. If I can't run a business honest way then I don't want to run it at all.

I would sure like to hear your thoughts on what I have said and I don't want to hear some business hype because I don't buy it and I've seen it all before."

Now, what makes this publishers reply not only naive and unprofessional, but also funny, is that her last paragraph invites a response from Anne. Anne sent her a brilliantly worded letter that not only defended me but politely provided this angry person with a little education on Internet publishing. What happened next? I receive a VERY polite letter from her complaining that Anne was "harassing" her:-) Does phrase "get a life" apply?:-)

Lately, I've encountered some very ugly "flames" from subscribers to my opt-in newsletter. Some were long-term readers who woke up one morning with amnesia, suddenly unaware of publication they subscribed to and had been receiving for months and wrote me spam riot act, complete with expletives. A few thought it prudent to report me to "spam police". Good thing I keep subscription records:-)

Ok, before you begin thinking "this Beneteau guy has probably let off some cyber-steam", well, I have. Occasionally, I've reacted out of pure emotion when someone has attacked my integrity. I am fully aware of this "trigger" in me and usually know better than to fire back when I'm hot under collar. A few times, I've been embarrased by my own words. Nothing vile or vulgar mind you, but an unprofessional display of anger. So yes, I'm guilty too:-)

{{{{{Anne, re-write next paragraph}}}}}

A good rule of road - if you feel any kind of negative emotion when communicating by email, complete it, but don't click send. Let it sit there until your temperature reaches normal again and remove "emotion" from your words. As evidenced above, you just may be wrong, but even if not, you will be acting in a totally professional manner.

Now, some questions to ponder.

Does a dial-up account come with an unspoken license to spew venom?

Will whirring sound of a connecting modem actually boost testosterone levels?

Is faceless Internet new, global venting ground?

Is Net getting nasty or what?

Rick is the author of 3 top-selling eBooks at: http://www.interniche.net/ebooks.htm and the purveyor of those amazing traveling billboards called I.D. IT! Plates: http://www.iditplates.net

Something else. The ONLY successful joint ventures I have ever experienced have been with entrepreneurs that were "full of self-confidence", possessing a very high level of self-esteem. Conversely, any time I partnered with someone who was either "full of themselves" (usually a by-product of low self-esteem) or simply had precious little self-esteem in their tank, bottom fell out!

And that's what I've always likened self-esteem to - gasoline tank on a car. Everyone has a self-esteem tank and it's either full or empty or somewhere in between. But you know what? It's perfectly ok to get low on fuel. We all do at times, but truly successful people know how to "fill 'er up" again, and pretty quickly. All I know is that during those periods of time in my life when it appeared I was stonewalled or even going backwards, my self-esteem was suffering!

Today, I enjoy amazing friendships and partnerships with many successful people. To a person, each is brimming with self- confidence and a deep seated belief in themselves and what they are doing. They are fun to deal with too! The kind of individuals when setbacks, even those of worst kind where self-esteem can take a real blow, are not only overcome, but used as "fuel" to pole vault them ahead on their path to even greater success.

And you know what else? Among most outstanding of these people work tirelessly on projects that have nothing to do with making money for themselves but rather helping people in need! That's right, community service projects. Self-esteem AND selflessness in success formula? You bet!

Here's a paragraph, again from my (pending) new book, about how I believe we move forward in life towards success, with self-esteem in tow:

"It takes many inches to make a mile. We can only move by inches, one inch at a time. It's when we look miles ahead and wonder "how are we going to get so far?" that we fail to move forward at all. The paradox is that we can choose to live life "in rear view mirror" and remain so far back that moving forward, even an inch, is most difficult. Most important, we must always keep in mind that anytime we suffer a setback while moving forward, it will always be just a matter of inches, and not miles."

I want to close this article with a challenge for you. I dare you to stand in front of mirror right now, and every day from this moment forward, and say to yourself, "I like you, and I love you"!

The moment you truly begin believing it is moment that success you crave will start coming your way!!

© 2001 Rick Beneteau

Rick asks: YOU, an Internet Star?

You bet! Becoming an Internet Star is all about Publicity. Rick will help you create Millions of Dollars of FREE Publicity to put YOU in Internet Spotlight. It’s fun, easy, and you'll make kinda money you've only dreamed about!

Rick is the author of 3 top-selling eBooks at: http://www.interniche.net/ebooks.htm and the purveyor of those amazing traveling billboards called I.D. IT! Plates: http://www.iditplates.net