Art's Blog

Trick or Treat... by Art Rothafel

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?

FitProStore is Up....

Sign-ups begin: November 7th, 2009

FitProStore  (details...)

• No capitalization
• No inventory
• No shipping
• No transaction fees
  
• No merchant setup
  

... and it's FREE!

We do it all...  for YOU!

• Establish a separate domain for your store

•  Create and develop a complete Private-Label FitProStore with your brand

• Photograph and upload all supplements with your logo

• Photograph and upload all skin care formulas with your logo

• Photograph and upload all printed materials with your logo

• Photograph and upload all green tea with your logo

• Add all text including ingredients,  descriptions, features and benefits to the website

• Set up all SST security for credit card transactions

• Process all credit card transactions on your behalf - no need for you to set up a merchants account

• Create and apply your logo to all products based on order - no minimum qty required

• Package and ship all orders directly to your clients from "blind" shipper.

Click here for more info....

It could not be any easier....!

If you are a certified fitness professional and internet marketer who requires continuity products, recurring income and constant residual revenue... then, this is a NO BRAINER!

CAUTION:  This store belongs to Andy Voris owner of BodyForm.  It's a live store so you can poke around, but if you make a purchase your card will be processed so please be advised!

H.I.T. Me! by Art Rothafel

Ladies and Gentlemen... Start Your Engines!

Introducing the H.I.T. Pack. 

It's an exclusive proprietary combo-pack including Branched Chain Amino Acid Tablets and Endurance Plus Capsules - both packaged in the re-usable Super Tube with YOUR BRAND!

And, it's available at an introductory price: $29.99 (wholesale).  Suggested retail is $49.99 - $69.99.

Several of my buddies and I have been using this combo for quite some time -- especially when we ski.  Here's the typical dosage for me (185 lbs) : 

• 5 Endurance Plus capsules and 4 BCAA about 30 minutes before I ski with lots of water

• 5 BCAA as soon as I get off the hill (immediately after workout) for muscle recovery.

This combo pack really off sets fatigue more than anything else.  Where my leg muscles typically start screaming around 2:00 in the afternoon - I feel no burn.  In fact, with this combo my friends and I often ski til the hill closes at 4:00.

And, even though the Endurance Plus contains guarana and kola nut (natural forms of caffeine), there is no buzz... no irritation of the nervous system.

But, don't take my word for it.  Try it yourself.  You can always order these exclusive formulas separately and experience the difference in your most intense workouts.

When I Was Your Age..... by Art Rothafel

I always hated that phrase.   It meant I was about to get a familiar lecture from my Dad.

 "....when I was your age I had to hike 3 miles to school through 15' snow drifts in -20 degree weather against 50 m.p.h. winds with holes in my shoes and no hat...." 

And, it went on and on about the hardships he endured... like pedaling his bike 40 miles across the dessert in 120 degree heat to caddy at a golf course!

We both knew it was a load of B.S. but it served its purpose.  I was lazy and didn't realize how good I had it.

Perhaps it's just the "right of passage," but, now I find myself using that phrase.... a lot. 

And, I'm not alone.  I hear the same thing from club owners, studio owners, vendors and almost all business owners.

This is what I hear: 

• "What's wrong with today's kids?  What's up with this whole 'entitlement' mentality?  Don't they realize the economy sucks?  That they're lucky to even have a job? "

And then this:

• "God forbid I might ask for a little extra work.   Or, that I might ask a staffer to expand his /her job description since we had to terminate 10% of the staff." 

• "Today's entry-level fitness staff never seem to ask themselves how they might make themselves more valuable to our company.  Instead... it's always, 'What's in it for me?"

Some club owners confided in me: 

• "My staff seems to think I owe them something just for showing up.... like I'm so lucky to have them!"   

• "I recently hired a guy, paid for his new certification process, but, all I ever see is punch-in and punch-out."

Personally, I blame the "self-esteem" movement from the 80's and 90's where the kids in sports programs all received trophies even when they lost!  All the books filled with psycho-babble on how to build your child's self-esteem by basically reinforcing their "goodness" and giving them whatever the hell they want!

Frankly, I'm going back to basics with the following:  "When I was your age....."

Your thoughts?

$10 Membership? .... by Art Rothafel

I received e-mail regarding my blog "Still Not Doing It?" 

It was argued that national brands (like supplements, apparel, energy drinks) provide the opportunity to "piggy back" on national advertising campaigns.  And, they don't require any work other than putting the product on the shelf.

Well... that's a decent argument on the surface. 

Sure, you can piggyback on a national campaign.  But, so can everyone else. 

Just plug "whey protein" into EBay and see what comes up.  Yup.. everything from EAS and Met-Rx to Optimum Nutrition and Pro Lab.  Then plug it into Google.  Wow!

These are all excellent products.  My point is that the pricing is all over the place.  Plus, once people know they can purchase online or at a retail store at a discount... do you really think they'll pay a premium price from you?  So, you're forced to discount.

Not only are you now stuck with discounting, but, you must now dedicate valuable shelf space marketing and merchandising a brand. other than your own.  A brand that your clients and members can purchase somewhere else! 

It just doesn't make sense.   And, it's just plain lazy.  This is the "mind-set" that drives the $10 per month membership! 

 

Still Not Doing It? by Art Rothafel

Sure... you're all over Twitter and FaceBook.  You have your own website and write a blog.  Yes sir... you're a "big wheel" in the electronic world. 

But is that really enough?  

Is your name and business known anywhere beyond the web?  How about your own local market?

I know this will sound self-serving... and, I guess, well... it is!

It's frustrating to see fitness professionals who profess their "bigness" all over the web... but, at local events (seminar, workshop, health fair, etc.,)  don't have the smarts to be wearing their own logo on a shirt!  Or, displaying their own branded products.

Listen... here's the word:  MICRO-BRANDING

It really exists.  The technology is available to microbrand on all kinds of things.  I know.  Our company is totally invested in it. 

Today, you can look, feel and be as professionally branded as the big boys.  It's not expensive.

Do yourself a favor and take a look at the #1 brander in the fitness industry: Gold's Gym.  You want to talk brand imprint...!!!   And YOU can do the same thing! 

Microbranding is "new school."  Merchandising, marketing and selling national brands is "old school."  For lots of reasons.

It's that simple! 

Go big...  You can do it!

Down in Flames.... by Art Rothafel

We have a saying in our company.  It's applied to new ideas, new products and our entire company. 

It's this:  

"If you go down, go down in flames!

What it really describes is our "all or nothing" attitude. 

For example, if Christina has a new idea or concept, she's expected to champion the project.  Same for me.   To give it 110% time, effort and thought.... and then execute! 

And if the project fails... well, we're O.K with it ... as long as it smashes the wall at 200 m.p.h. and bursts into flames!   You get the idea.  And, while we've delivered several "winners" we've had our share of train wrecks!

We're taking the same approach with our entire business during this downturn economy. It's "full-speed ahead!"  We absolutely refuse to be intimidated by the economy.  In fact, while many of my professional peers are pulling back... we're spending money like drunken sailors!

For example, this year we've spent thousands on:

• The WebStore Project (expected pilot roll-out: 2 weeks)
  
• Private Print Job website
• Proprietary die-cut transparent SkinCare Labeling
• New Product Development (wait til you hear about the new H.I.T. package)

And if it all works out, then we will be well positioned to take advantage of any kind economic rebound.  If not... well, then we go down in flames!

How about you?  Full tilt...?

BlastOff Update.... by Art Rothafel

If you're interested in the BlastOff opportunity, here's an update: 

 

• The official launch was delayed due to e-mail compliance issues.  (more info...)

• I've set up a form to notify you immediately as soon as BlastOff
  is launched.  You can sign-up for immediate notification here.
  

• Remember, you want to set-up your homepage as soon as possible
  as you'll have a short window to line up friends, family and
  co-workers to join through YOUR site.

• And, of course, the best part: 
  It is absolutely FREE!

 

If everything goes as planned... this is going to be absolutely HUGE!

 

Art Rothafel

P.S.  Join my FB fan page!  Take advantage of
special "Fans Only" promotions including free gifts
research, videos, web content and more...

 

 

 

 

 
Click here to Join

Fans Only.... by Art Rothafel

Are you a member of our PrivateLabelFitness FaceBook Fan Club?  If not, here's a good reason to join.

Our first FaceBook "Fan Club Only" Promotion. 

FANS ONLY:

Order 15 Journals (8-week or 12-week) this week and you'll receive a Free Starbuck's Gift Card worth $10.  Use it yourself... or give it to your most deserving client or member.

Order 25 Journals (8-week or 12-week) and you'll receive a very cool,all natural canvas tote bag ... (worth $20) You'll be a hit at the grocery store!  (lean, mean and going green)!!!

So... that's it for this week.  As the ad states:  Membership has its privileges.

This FAN CLUB ONLY promotion ends on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Join our Fan Club now!   Click here...

Too Much Buzz? .. by Art Rothafel

No, I don't mean energy drinks...!

What I'm talking about is the "buzz" surrounding the BlastOff Network. 

If you're not familiar with it, BlastOff is sort of like an affiliate program on steroids.  Here's more info.

Admittedly, through my association with Pre-Paid Legal Services, the prime investor, I got in early and it hasn't cost me a dime.

So what's to worry about?

Well perhaps nothing... but, then again, maybe alot.

There is quite a buzz about BlastOff on FaceBook, Twitter and other social networking websites.  For the most part the buzz is full of enthusiasm, energy, and yes, lots of hype.

The buzz is so BIG, in fact, that many of the technical glitches and other issues (and there are plenty) are simply ignored or forgiven by those who have already signed up.  So big, that many of BlastOff's most ardent fans are in denial and continue to rave about how it's going to revolutionize the internet shopping experience!

At this point, (Oct. 11, 2009) no one knows how well, or exactly when, BlastOff is going to launch.  If nothing else it is pure entertainment.  It also is a fantastic "teaching moment."  

If BlastOff can't deliver on its promises then this will go down as one of the biggest web-blunders in recent history -- as well as tarnish the reputation and integrity of thousands of "believers" who convinced friends, family and co-workers to get involved with it.

On the other hand, if BlastOff is successful... it will be absolutely HUGE!   Which, of course, begs the question: 

Is there such thing as "too much buzz?"