Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Did You Remember To Offer a Christmas Gift?

Most people are seeing the value that Christmas Season has on their business at this time of year. Wallets are out, people are spending, and people are more likely to make purchases, for all sorts of things, during this time of year.

Some marketers, however, are taking advantage of the above points and in my case, never before have I seen so many 'costly' items circulating in my email inbox, in the form of links, ads, etc.

Tons of the 'hit you little but hit you forever' items are in the mass of ads I am seeing right now. You know? The 'small membership fee' items that go on forever but which ADD UP and COST A LOT over the long run.

I've checked out some of the 'deals' I see in sites where I have membership, too, and I can tell you - there are VERY FEW VALID REASONS for me to spend money on the 'deals' I have seen this holiday season.

There is a trend - a HUGE ONE - going on in Internet Marketing circles where everyone is being told to "MAKE A MEMBERSHIP SITE" and set up 'residual earnings' for themselves that will go on forever. Yes, this is ultimately a good thing, but if ALL YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH are ideas centred on squeezing membership fees out of people, your internet marketing tactics are always going to involve "THE UPSELL."

Many of the gurus insists that this constant upselling is necessary, is fair and valid in the 'battle of internet marketing.' This much might be true, however, it doesn't seem to be a great strategy for beginning marketers - many of which are the type who join mailing lists for the first time. The 'UPSELL' to 'Paid Membership Advantages' is great for gurus - not so good for those struggling to keep their foot in the door, make their earning balances rise, and establish themselves online as legitimate entrepreneurs.

Most of the 'make a membership site' opps out there that are 'fast-track' deals are actually programs and entrances into sites that make a person BYPASS real learning of business. Done with forms, templates, ready-made promotional tools, one can bypass all reasonable ways to actually LEARN THE BASICS of earning, website maintenance, list-maintenance, etc.

Beware of the tons of 'ready-made' and 'ready to go' programs because if all you have to offer your list is a mass produced form letter or turnkey website/url, you are NOT TEACHING YOUR REFERRALS ANYTHING!

Do your referrals a favour this Christmas season and send them GOOD TOOLS to get started with, and make these tools FREE! At this time of year, most people are "TAPPED OUT" from Christmas gift purchases. Offer your referrals a way to CONTINUE learning and working on internet promotions at this time of year and allow them to keep their remaining money in their pockets!

Next Post: My FREE gifts for the holiday season