On
Internet, we all assume double roles -- you're a seller and a buyer; I'm an e-zine publisher and a subscriber; we're web site owners and surfers. And we're all after one thing -- to get a piece of cyber pie and make money online.
Millions go online every day and sometimes it's difficult to be personal in dealing with people who we either want to sell to, subscribe to our e-zine, or just plain drag to our latest web site.
In a place where all things are virtual and it's easy to stereotype, it takes time and a lot of hard work to build a good and reliable reputation. And it only takes a short while for that good reputation to come crumbling down.
I'm a seller, a publisher and a web site owner, but I'm not here to give you a sales talk, ask you to subscribe to my e-zines or even implore you take a peek at my web sites.
Today I'm your prospective client or buyer, your potential e-zine subscriber and your web site visitor so I'm here to share with you what I think about things you've been doing to me and others.
*IF YOU'RE SELLING ME SOMETHING, how are you talking to me?
- Hey, I'm not dumb! The last thing I want to read from you is an ad implying I'm dumb. I read you're looking for less than average people to join you. Gee, what a boost in my self-esteem. I took one look at your headline and I promptly sent your ad to trash. I'd be surprised if you do get a lot of response.
- Give me a break! I don't need you to give me false praises about how great you think my web site is. And aww, shucks...you even attached a snapshot of my web site with itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow...err, small people getting pulled to my site as if my site's a magnet. But you know what? I don't own that site! Your e-mail harvesting software picked up my e-mail address from a site that published one of my articles. So no thanks, I don't want to use your search engine placement service to drive traffic to my site. You can't even get my site right!
- I never gave you permission! I'm a member of legitimate announcement lists so I can promote myself and read promotions of others. However, lists I joined are clearly not safelists so don't tell me we're both members of a safelist and that your message is not spam when I receive an e-mail from you offlist. Our association is only within limits of announcement lists we're subscribed to and just because we're both in those list doesn't mean you can keep my e-mail address in your address book. I never gave you permission to contact me later offlist to promote latest get-rich-quick program you just joined.
*IF YOU PUBLISH AN E-ZINE, how are you talking to me?
- What a name plate! By time I get to main content of your e-zine, I've scrolled 100 lines down causing me to get that glazed (sometimes crazed) look. When I do reach first article, I'm too exhausted to read it. All I could remember are numerous top sponsor ads and your verbosity, not to mention tons of exclamation marks you've put after your every statement.
