Today I removed myself from several mailing lists of people I had a lot of respect for — people whose products that I have purchased and/or recommended to others, people who I thought were honorable and created good value through their lists. Why did I remove myself, you you may ask? I removed myself because all of them (including Jeff Walker himself) have bombarded me with e-mails about the Product Launch Formula before, during, and after its release on Tuesday this week. It is bad enough to get an e-mail or two per day from the creator of the program — getting one or two e-mails from each of 8 people per day for a week is completely out of control. (In fact, Jeff himself will probably send our 4-5 e-mails today alone because his program is allegedly closing tonight.)

Yes, I understand that you need to make money. Yes, I understand that you are an affiliate of Jeff Walker’s Product Launch Formula and you stand to get a cut of the TWO-THOUSAND DOLLAR PRICE TAG on this thing if I buy it. The problem is that I used to have respect for all of you, which is why I was gracious enough to give you my contact information and trust the e-mails that you sent me. I have since lost respect for a lot of people over this product.

Here is why you have wasted my time and caused me to lose respect for you.

1. E-mail Overload

I have received over 45 e-mails in less than a week for a product I will not buy. Enough said.

2. Lengthy Videos

All these emails had a link to this page where there is a 30-minute sales video and a button that says "Get Started Today!" That is it. If I didn’t have 30 minutes to listen to this guy drone on, I could use the little progress bar to click ahead to the end where Jeff Walker (around the 27-minute mark) finally tells you that the program is priced at nearly $2k. Had I listened to all 30 minutes only to find out he was selling a $2k program, I would have been even more pissed.

I’m sorry, but someone who takes 30 minutes to get to the point really has no respect for my time and doesn’t deserve my business.

3. Hiding the Price

Not only it the price not mentioned until the end of that final video (and this is the 5th or 6th video of his that I have seen), it is not mentioned in ANY of those e-mails. In fact, you have to dig pretty hard around the internet to find the price anywhere, and all you can come up with is the price from a launch of an earlier version of the product.

4. Affiliates Galore

Do you know who is talking about the product? People who are going to financially gain if you buy it. There are very few independent reviews of it, and the course descriptions during the launch process are pretty vague as well. Do you really think you are going to earn my respect talking about "Jeff Walker, that Great Guy" instead of giving me an actual hard review of the offerings?

5. The Precedent

Will Jeff Walker make money from launching this program? I’m sure he will make something, and so will his affiliates — but the reason why I won’t be buying into it is because he is setting this precedent of building hype for his launch instead of building relationships. After all these e-mails, videos, and Googling I have done on this subject, what more do I know about Jeff Walker? Nothing much really, other than this is the 3rd version he has released of this product, he likes to just talk you through the slides you can download and read faster than he talks, and his products are rather expensive. I have also found out that he is now offering some sort of product creation course, although for some reason that I can not understand, you take this course after you take the product launch course.

Do I know what his coaching methods are? No. Do I know what his coaching calls are going to be like? No. Do I even know if I will like him? No. He even added some sort of limited-caller, last-minute Q&A session to answer last-minute calls before the close of the program tonight, but I shouldn’t have to rearrange my day and spend my valuable time researching his stuff so I can give him my money. If you want my money, you should try picking up a copy of Scott Stratten’s book, Unmarketing, and learn how to reach out and engage your potential customers.

Tell me, who in their right mind purchases something with this sort of price tag without any sort of test drive? Imagine going into a car lot and asking to buy a car. The salesman tells you "You have to buy the car and then I will give you a money-back guarantee so that you may return the car within 30 days if you don’t like it." This program is asking you for a $2k loan while you decided if you like the product (and he can keep your money) or if you don’t (and you can hope he gives you a refund as promised).

People, please. Common sense. Stop the info product overload insanity. Stop buying this stuff from people who engage in these kinds of tactics. Stop peddling this stuff if it’s going to make you look bad or you haven’t personally tried it yourself. Stop wasting all of my time. And please stop spamming me. This stuff is not okay. This guy is not the first person (or the last) to engage in these kinds of tactics — he just happens to be the target of this discussion for today because of his gratuitous spamming. So all of you, PLEASE JUST STOP IT.

I look forward to your flaming and comments below.

I just watched a great video from Amy Porterfield, who is someone I have on my Facebook friends list because she is always full of great business tips. The video is free and will take about a half hour of your time to get through the intro and the 1st video in the series, but I promise it is time well spent! (If you want to shave 5 minutes off your time, just fill out the form and go straight to the first video — she will go back over the intro material in the that video.) The video covers social media automation, productivity, and strategy is a very clear and concise way. I hope you enjoy! I know I took some notes of things I can personally use in my own business today.

Link: Amy Porterfield’s Simple Social Media Formula

For More Information

• The HyperAlerts Website
• The HyperAlerts Facebook Page
• Mari Smith’s Summary of HyperAlerts (I found this through Google and it’s nicely done.)

Part 1: Sue Berk of Sue Berk Designs

Sue Berk Designs, founded in 2002, makes painted ceramic crosses, frames, and baby blankets. Sue Berk had no formal art training, but always had a love for it. Her background includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, working in high tech marketing and product management, renovating houses, and making her own tiles for home renovations.

I think the most important thing that Sue Berk did was make the jump from a service-based business (where she was hand-making all her own ceramics for customers) to product-based business (where she could replicate her product in mass quantities). Service-based businesses limit your income because you can only make as much money as you have hours in your day. Sue could only paint so many items in a single day, and the more she painted, the less time she had to live the life she wanted. Switching to a product-based business allowed Sue’s income to take off while still allowing her to enjoy the rewards of seeing her designs in customers’ hands.

Website: Sue Berk Designs

Read the whole article at How to Make Six Figures

Part 2: Mike Koenigs of Traffic Geyser

Mike Koenigs got started at an early age, teaching himself how to program at the age of 14. His first company, Digital Café, a multimedia agency that produced games, movie websites, and other interactive experiences. He’s created over 300 web sites and more than 30 products, and has a quite impressive list of clients under his belt. Mike is also credited for inventing the "Internet Infomercial" for marketing and selling products or services with video on the web.

Mike Koenigs does two things that I really like:

1. He solved a problem in his own life, and then went to help other people like him solve the same problem. For every niche entrepreneur out there, there are many others who are in the same boat and have the same struggles you do. Being a DIYer who solves a problem for yourself puts you in an excellent position to solve that problem for others in your situation. Also, by serving people similar to you for your product, you already have an excellent understanding of your target market.
2. He takes a lot of notes. Whether you use a notebook or a mind-mapping program, I have found that jotting things down serves a record of my ideas and helps me process or refine an idea. Sometimes I see my notebook as a business colleague that I am bouncing ideas off — the ideas are inside me and I have the power to bring them to market, but I need a sounding board to help me refine and clarify them.

Website: Traffic Geyser

Read the whole article at How to Make Six Figures, Part 2

Part 3: Matt and Emily Griffin of Bakers Edge

Matt Griffin came up for the idea for his specialty brownie pan in 1998, but didn’t launch the company with his wife until 2002, and didn’t get the pan to market until 2005. They followed a very unconventional path, from winning an ideas competition (and $25,000 in cash from VISA and MSN), to being picked as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things.

I think Matt and Emily Griffin are an excellent study in perseverance — their product took 5 years of thought and processing to come to the market, but they still did it. Many people think they have to be first to the market to have any success, but a solid idea with a strong plan will make it whether it takes 1 month or 10 years.

Website: Bakers Edge

Read the whole article at How to Make Six Figures, Part 3

Part 4: Steven Woolley of ooTunes

ooTunes doesn’t have an exciting website or celebrity endorsements, but it is the #2 iPhone app of 2010 on CNET and one of Tech Digest’s Top 10 apps for 2009. Steven Wooley’s one-man software development team created an app with an average of 4 stars on 798 ratings with raves on both the app’s functionality and on Steven’s customer service in adding new features and addressing problems.

Steven Woolley is proof that you don’t need heavy funding to launch a serious business — he got started with nothing but a laptop and iPod, both of which had been given to him as gifts! You also don’t need many products to keep your business running strong, as Steven only really makes money from one. The important part is that he works hard on the one product to make it the best it can be, so that his customers keep giving him rave reviews and the sales of his app continue.

Website: ooTunes

Read the whole article at How to Make Six Figures, Part 4

Part 5: Rob Walling of Software by Rob

Rob Walling has been building web applications professionally for 10 years, working as as a consultant, a freelance developer, the development manager for the City of Pasadena, and a team lead for the world’s largest prepaid credit card company. His current "internet portfolio" includes sites like Dot Net Invoice, Wedding Toolbox, and Apprentice Lineman Jobs.

The thing that stands out about Rob is DIVERSITY. He doesn’t rely on any one income stream to meet his monthly numbers, which softens the blow to his finances if one of his sites doesn’t do well in a given month. I think Rob should also be applauded as being one of those small business owners that keeps the economy strong, as he not only pays himself income, but also employs virtual assistants (VAs) to help him run his day to day operations.

Website: Software by Rob

Read the whole article at How to Make Six Figures, Part 5

Part 6: David Wood, author of Get Paid for Who You Are™

David Wood is fast becoming one of the foremost voices in online marketing and lifestyle design, having built a rewarding hobby into a million-dollar online empire that allows him to work and play from anywhere in the world. His book and website helps entrepreneurs turn their passions into rewarding careers by building internet businesses. He breaks his launch plan into five simple steps, and incorporates giving back into the overall vision of building a business.

I think David is spot on when he describes his only limit as being himself now. When you work for yourself, as I do, I have the choice of launching my idea today or one year from now. All I have to do is decide to "feel the fear and do it anyway" (as David says), push through it, and get it done.

I also like that David had so many coaches assist him along the way. So many solopreneurs think they have to do everything on their own, but that isn’t true. It is important to build your own tribe (colleagues, friends, coaches, or financial advisers — whoever it may be!) to see you through your business. Just find the key people who you need to succeed in your business and surround yourself with them.

Website: Get Paid for Who You Are

Read the whole article at How to Make Six Figures, Part 6

Courtesy of ContactMe.com

1. Will my logo be made at a high resolution?

All graphics can be downsized. That its, if you make a logo that is print resolution (generally a large file), it can be downsized for screen resolution and web site use. The problem is when a logo is given to the client at web resolution (72 dpi) and the client wants to print business card, make a banner, or even just have the logo on the site in a larger size. Upsizing images leaves them looking pixelated and jaggy, where as downsizing keeps a graphic file crisp and clean.

The logo on the left was downsized from a larger file,
while the logo on the right was upsized from a smaller file.

Summary: Make sure your logo is designed at 300-600 dpi minimum — higher if you will be making signs or banners.

2. What file format will my logo be in?

If the logo designer gives you a file that is already compressed (for example, in JPG or GIF format), you will not be able to make modifications to the file, change colors, resize it, or remove the background. Where I see this problem the most is with clients who have a JPG logo on a white background and want to put the logo on a colored background — the background has to be removed by hand, bit by bit, which is time-consuming and expensive.

This is the result of changing the background color from white to black without the original source file.

Summary: Ask for your logo to be in EPS/vector format, AI (Adobe Illustrator) format, or PSD (Adobe Photoshop) format with all objects ungrouped or in their own layer.

3. Do I own the rights to the original files?

This is the most disheartening issue that I see crop up: Business owners who have a compressed/web version of their logo that are told they don’t own the rights to the original files when they go back to ask for a new version. You will always need several versions of your logo, so you will need the original files to make those versions down the road. For example, I have been working with the Rockstar Wedding Planer LIVE Grace & Luxury team to get their e-zine out to there subscribers, and as part of that I had to send them their logo in four different sizes, both on a white background and on a transparent background. Making clean, crisp versions of all those would have not been possible if the logo designer hadn’t provided the full Adobe Illustrator files.

If you want crisp logos in a variety of sizes, you'll need your original source files.

Summary: When you make a contract to hire someone for a logo, make sure they will be providing you with all the information and files at the end — including your logo in EPS/AI/PSD format, the fonts used for the logo, and the colors on the logo in both print (CMYK) and web (RGB).

Starting a Small Business

• How to Write a Great Business Plan
  Sure, you might be able to start a simple business without a business plan if you are not looking for funding, but writing out a business plan is an important step to help you clarify your offerings and goals with your business. I have seen many businesses fail from a lack of focus and direction.
• How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Brand
  From your website to your business cards, the colors you choose shape the opinions people will form about your business. Even if you are hiring someone else to create your branding, you should read this article to know what to watch out for.
• 10 Things to Do Before You Start Your Start-Up
  Planning is an essential part of starting a new business, so do your research before you start your business to save you from a lot of costly mistakes down the road.
• How to Write a Marketing Plan
  Even the most innovative products on the market can die a slow and painful death from a lack of sales. The difference? People who meet their sales goals have a clear marketing plan, which enables them to make the right move at the right time.

Your Home Office

• The Basics of Home Office Design
  Some people can just grab a laptop and go, but I find that I am more productive when I use a space that is designed for working. Mine happens to be in half my bedroom, which would kill some people but it is a good location for me. The goal is to design a space that works for you and meets the needs of your business.
• How to Set Up a Home Office
  This one goes into detail about tax deductions for home offices, which is an important consideration for those who work at home.
• Deducting Your Home Office Expenses
  Knowing what you can and can’t deduct off your taxes before you set up your home office will empower you to make more financially sound decisions for your business setup.

Running a Small Business

• How to Run a One-Person Business
  If you’re looking to run a one-man (or one-woman) show, you’re going to need a variety of skills to get the job done.
• 25 Ways to Jump-Start Your Business
  Has your business become stagnant? Get it going again — fast! — with these hints and techniques.

Sales and Marketing

• How to Improve Your Cold-Calling Skills
  I know that I generally do well on a sales call, but I only make warm calls (and I dread those anyway). The ability to turn a call into a sale without seeming like a pushy salesperson is a valuable business skill that everyone should have.
• How to Manage a One-Person Sales Force
  An efficient system is vitally important to a successful solopreneur business. This article will show you how to get there.
• How to Make Money on Etsy
  Are you a crafty person? You can make a great living on Etsy, selling your handmade goods, if you start with some sound business principles and some marketing know-how.
• How to Use Social Networking Sites to Drive Business
  The key to successfully using social media is to drive sales for your business is creating an efficient system so that you are not wasting all of your valuable time online.
• 7 Common Sales Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them
  By learning from others’ mistakes in sales, you can set your business up to be more successful from the start.

Your Web Site

• 7 Deadly Website Sins
  Before you spend money (or hours of your own time) on a web site for your business, read this article to educate yourself on the issues you should avoid.
• How to Design a Great “About Us” Page on Your Website
  This article is a great read for two reasons: 1) The About page is an important piece of your web site; and 2) The process of writing the About page will get you thinking about your marketing messaging, business goals, and how you will sell yourself both on- and offline.
• 10 Vital Items You Should Give Your Web Designer
  I’m not a big fan of the term "web designer" being used here, but gathering this type of information and handing it over to your designer/developer/marketing lead will save you from having to redo the site a day after you finished the first version.

Small Business Inspiration

• And the Money Comes Rolling InMarkus Frind started Plenty of Fish out of his home, in his spare time, and now his site serves up over 1 billion of pages a month and he pays himself $5mil USD a year.
• How Would You Like to Make $6 Million Sitting on Your Couch?
  Paul Mann runs Fetch! Pet Care, a service with thousands of employees all across the nation that brings in over $6mil in revenue yearly — and he does it all from his home.
• How to Make a Million in Your Pajamas
  If you think you can’t make "real money" working from home, think again — not only are entrepreneurs making sustainable income from their homes, they are increasing their profits by saving on overhead for their business.

That, dear readers, is what I would call a marketing fail. You don’t need a degree in marketing to tell you that people can’t buy from you if they don’t know what you are selling.

Example #2: The picture above is from the side of a local barbecue trailer near our downtown. This trailer was parked on a major thoroughfare in Eugene, which also happens to be a one-way street. A large percentage of the population of this city drives down this street every day, and since they are all driving the same direction, they can all see the side of this trailer. I drove past it several times before I finally stopped to figure out what the truck actually said (and snap this photo on my phone). The problem is that the business has chosen fonts with non-standard letters, displayed in a non-standard fashion (the half-circle), with letters that are outlines instead of solid colors, and the whole thing is too small.

What do these two example have in common? Rather than worry about branding, a tagline or the colors in their signs, they probably would be doing considerably more business if they just put their name and offer in a black, Arial Bold font on a white background. As it is now, I doubt I am the only one who can’t read these signs while driving my car, so they are wasting time and losing money with them.

I think people get so hung up on the look of the marketing piece that they never stop to think, “Hey, does this make sense?” If you are paying someone to stand on a street corner with your sign or paying for a premium high-traffic location, is the wording on the sign clearly visible to everyone passing by? Oregon is known for its rain — is the sign clearly visible in all weather conditions? Is the sign simple, contain a clear call to action, and does it actually bring in any customers? If the sign is for outdoor use, is it quickly readable from a distance? Is the name of your company in large, clear print? Think about it — when you are driving your car, how much time do you really have to glance at a sign? There is a reason why all the street signs in town are in a boring font on a solid background.

As I couldn’t leave this article with just two local marketing don’ts, I found this picture of Mattress Mania on 11th in Eugene. They are a good example of what a brick-and-mortar sign display should be when they are in a great location with heavy car- and foot-traffic: clear, easy to read, visible in most lighting conditions, and instantly recognizable as to what they offer. Combined with their zany commercials on local TV, they have created a simple, effective, and clearly recognizable marketing campaign.