So many people seem to mangle the quote about “Money being the root of all evil” and somehow blame human greed on poor, defenseless money.

When the actual quote “A love of money is the root of all evil” says it all.

A love of money or “stupid, foolish greed” is obnoxious, painful and self-defeating. It’s funny how constant human behavior has been over the ages, regardless of modernization, development and technology.

Thanks John - this one’s going on file

thanks for the insights and the book recommendation. I’ve read Think and Grow Rich and will add MoneyLove to my wish list.

cheers
Ramon

I’m sure that there’s a quote for every need/want and/or desire than can be found and for FREE!..

Harun

Your 20 years + of experience shines through on this post…

And TRUST ME FOLKS… HE’S NAILING IT! In fact, if anyone here
is creating info products, just pay people FLAT FEES. To hell,
with royalties… That’s where people lose it… I just experienced
that recently with a close friend.

Matt

P.S. Too bad the “$70 quote dudes” don’t understand karma…
Their lost…

The unspoken words that aren’t in your passage here, but were taught to us by yourself and Gary Halbert is to always “over-deliver” in your product or service. The same holds for the direct response community.

Whn I look back over 20 years in the game so many long term successful campaigns have been linked to over-delivering on the promise. Unexpected gifts, premiums and simple communications.

These things amplify personalization and assist in developing a “voice” of the company. It’s the direct response version of Madison Avenue’s “branding” mentality.

Even with you writing for us over the years, you’ve always “over-delivered” on what was asked and agreed to. For those reading here, know that John lives his talk.

Perry makes it a standard practice… Joe Polish does it… Fred Gleek does it… Ben Z does it even before the sale… there’s a pattern of success here.

All these examples are “giving” type guys. Their excitement for business, people and their product often boils over to OUR collective benefit.

The 80-20 rule remains in place… and the cream rises to the top. The karma of giving, sharing and creating community synergy is paramount to long term success.

Let the greedy sucker fish eat the $#@! off the bottom of the aquarium. The view doesn’t change much down there.

On Michel Fortin’s website’s forum, www.CopywritersBoard.com, Michel posted the question “Who’s Your Copywriting Hero?”

Your name showed up… as we all would expect, because you are a copywriting guru.

More importantly though, you give and give and give. You give tips to folks you’ve never met.

You’ve taught me more about Marketing than the University of Cincinnati’s College of Business ever did… and you did it for free.

And that’s one more reason why people will mention your name when asked “Who’s Your Copywriting Hero?”

You give, you get.

Thanks!

Nick Wright

And secondly, the greed factor. My first venture into the world of “guru” marketing came by a coach in the fitness industry who was well respected by many and revered by most. He wanted to take his business to the next level with info products, a book, coaching groups etc. All was well and good until he (and his girlfriend) got greedy. Then it all changed. He was generous, especially with me, and with his time for others. Then the marketing machine took over. ROI. Dollars. “Why should I pay you that royalty when you wrote that stuff for me last year?” Unbelievable.

The best compliment I ever received about my copywriting skills came from a former coaching group member of this guru. I had been writing the copy for this guru for about a year and then the relationship went south. The guru took over writing his own copy with a very greedy/aggressive tone that was completely not him. It was salesy. It sucked. This former client found out that I was writing copy for him but was unaware that I had recently stopped. The “new” salesletter was so different than everything I had written this client said, “Wow, you’re good. That letter was so salesy.” Turns out it didn’t turn a dime. And everything I had done before that had sold a ton. I was so proud that my copy had kept the tone of the original guru and NOT the one who turned greedy. Since then the guru’s business has actually sagged a bunch. Respect has been lost by most because of the greedy tone that comes through in his copy.

Money doesn’t make you evil, it just makes you more of who you are inside. If you’re a greedy bastard at your core it’s going to come out. But if you’re charitable and giving you’ll be more of the same.

Thanks for a great blog John.

Best

Jonathan Edwards - Olympian, Copywriter
www.MarketingTipsForPersonalTrainers.com

And it just kills me when I hear about folks displaying such damn narrow minded selfish behavior. I mean really . . . $70 for a quote. Nuts!

There’s something called “gratitude” that I believe more people should subscribe to. Some people these days are handed out every thing and expect even more! They have no clue what or how true value is determined or earned.

And yes, I too much agree when you suggest many of the super-successful entreprenuers are quick to share and are eager to give back.

Hell, take top gun copywriters like . . .well YOU, Gary Halbert, Gary Benvicenga and Clayton Makepeace. We’re getting a BILLION dollar marketing education from you guys all for the small cost of taping the Internet!

Thanks Man! I for one appreciate it! To HELL with all the others who think they are winning the battle but losing the war!

Warmly,

Emette E. Massey
masseydirect@yahoo.com

Keep up the astute observations.

Darwin