
Halloween is the prefect time for this post -- and the once-a-year greeting,
"Trick or Treat." I
have interests in several different areas including fitness, real
estate, investing, marketing, advertising, skiing, Porsches and
guitars. As a result, I receive an enormous amount of e-mail from all
categories.
Most the email should just put
"Trick or Treat" in the subject line.
Why? Because almost all of them are a
"trick" disguised as a
"treat." I'm sure you know what I mean because they all have the
same damned format and pattern (not much creativity going on).
Let me run it down for you....
First,
you receive a
text-only email... with at least two or three shortened
links. This email informs you of this
incredible, time sensitive
deal. You better click on the link before time runs out. There is
almost always a
P.S. message reminding you, once more, that you should
click on the link before time runs out. (
Trick or Treat?)
O.K.,
so you click link and are delivered to a new page or blog. Typically
it's a freakin tower page that scrolls for about two miles! It's
filled with testimonials, videos, audio, pictures, you name it. And
guess what? They all proclaim that whatever it is they're selling is
the most fantastic thing ever and you better sign-up or purchase right
now! Because time is running out. (Trick!).
Help! I Can't Get Out!
Lately when I try to click out of the tower page, a drop down screen appears and makes the deal even better.
(Trick!) Sometimes, this will go on two more times until the deal is down to $1
(Trick!)Jeezzzzz....
did these people all go to the same direct response seminar? It's all
the same format... from real estate foreclosures to "How to Rule
FaceBook" seminars.
Masterminds Everywhere
And did you know that almost all categories have secret "Mastermind" meetings?
(Trick or Treat?) I don't know. I've never been to one.
Comments?Most
recently, in the investing community I've noticed 3 or 4 people who all
plug each other's businesses and products. Yes, they have all the
secrets to investing in a down economy. I have a feeling they are the
only 3 or 4 people making any money.
Trick or Treat Classic
My favorite Trick or
Treat was actually a scheme from the '60s. A guy took out a
1"
classified newspaper ad asking you to send him
one dollar and he would tell you how to make
$1,000 a week
in your spare time. What did you get for your dollar? You received an
envelope with instructions on how to place a 1" classified newspaper ad
asking for $1 in return for instructions on how to make
$1,000 a week in your spare time.
O.K. .... so here's a cool link. You be the judge..... Trick or Treat?