Like many women, I have my own "Avon Lady," someone from whom I have ordered on a regular basis over last couple of years. Mary works in same office building as I do, one floor below mine.

I suppose Mary makes a nice little side income from her Avon customers. But Mary has a bad business habit that I think we can all learn from, and avoid.

Whenever I order items from an Avon catalog, Mary always delivers them to me promptly, in one of those little white Avon bags that company provides. Inside bag, along with items I've ordered, she conveniently includes a copy of newest Avon catalog. So far, so good.

But here's thing--if, for whatever reason, I don't happen to order anything from new catalog, Mary seldom drops me off a copy of *next* catalog. Or one after that. Or one after that. In fact, if I don't order during a particular campaign, only way I get a copy of newest Avon catalog is when I call and ask her for one!

Why do so many marketers shoot themselves in foot?

It takes time to build an online presence.

Why do so many marketers go out of their way to lose business and credibility?

They do everything they can to destroy any chance of doing business with future customers. In many cases they not only lose a future customer, they destroy their reputation.

Some ways not to market.

1. Subscribe to an ezine and every time publisher sends out their newsletter, play email tag and hit them with an ad.

Do you think you'll make a sale?

I doubt it.

2. Use forged headers in you email.

What are you hiding?

If you don't want me to know who you are, why in world would I trust you with my money?

3. Send me an email saying, "You're receiving this message because we are both members of same opt in list."

Since I don't belong to any safe lists, you've started your sales letter with a lie.