Filter Number One - We Will Do All The Work

An opportunity claims that it is fully automatic, totally on autopilot and/or states that you need to do nothing, be wary. There is no free lunch. Stop chasing unrealistic dreams. If no work or serious investment is required by you, then there will be no serious income. If $20 is going to turn into thousands, why would they need you? If no work is required and everything is completely automatic, why would they need you? Think Physics - For every action there is an Equal and opposite reaction. You will receive income proportional to your effort and investment.

Filter Number Two - Testimonials

When judging a sales letter and the testimonials included, consider the source of the testimonials. First consider the supplier of the product and your previous history with this supplier. Have you or would you give him a good testimonial on previous products? Second, consider the actual product user. Is it another online marketer who has a relationship with this supplier. Often the suppliers of online products work in tandem or groups. Each supplies the other testimonials and so on. Lastly, 50 testimonials do not impress me. Supplying 3 or 4 testimonials is adequate. No testimonials is a minor concern, but usually can be allayed by direct contact with the merchant.

Filter Number Three - Proof

When analyzing a sales letter, consider the amount of proof demonstrated. If the proof claims are outlandish, then maybe they should be taken with a grain of salt. One must also judge proof by its source. If the proof sources from a satisfactory previous supplier, then one’s confidence level rises. If the sales letter is by someone unknown to you except on the internet, someone you have had no previous product experience, then one’s confidence level might reflect more caution. No proof is a minor concern, this usually can be addressed by direct contact with the merchant.

Filter Number Four - Replicated Marketing Systems

If everyone is buying the same set of marketing tools, then how effective will those tools be in the marketplace? Marketing tools like graphics are great. Template articles are useful if it is stressed that the articles will require rewriting before submission. PPC keywords and ads are not useful because everyone will be using the same one which will cause bidding wars and duplicate efforts. If you are basing a purchase decision on the availability of marketing tools to promote a program, then you must allow for serious customization if you expect results.

Scams

I have a question to which I cannot give you a definitive and complete answer. This question is central to many of the products and services which relate to business opportunities. It also relates to the business opportunities themselves.”If X is such a wonderful business tool, then why are you offering it to me, your competition?” X can be just about anything. If it is better to sell shovels to gold miners than it is to be a gold miner, then why should I be a gold miner? These comments on filters are presented in the hope that you will be better qualified to make your choices. Few things are more frustrating than an underdelivering product. Remember that when the shoe is on the other foot. That is, when you are the merchant delivering a product or service. Always overdeliver.

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Mike Anderson is actively involved in network and online marketing. Very limited coaching services are available. A believer in the mentoring and buddy system, Mike strongly suggests that all marketers, network or direct, online or offline, join membership sites to both contribute to and learn from the experience of other like minded individuals.

William ‘Mike’ Anderson
1021 Lake Charles Drive
Roswell, Georgia 30075
mikesbizzz@yahoo.com