An Open Letter To 'AP'

by mak25
14 replies
I'm posting this letter here since I cannot PM anyone due to my post count. If it's posted at the wrong place, my sincerest apologies.

It's intended for AP, but for anyone who would like to comment, I would appreciate any and all comments. Thanks, Mike.

Dear AP: My name is Mike Kruce. I've been a member of WF since June 2008. I never really was all that active since I had other business obligations. I joined (lurked) with the curiosity of learning about IM. I 'dabbled' a little with affiliate marketing, but like most, I let it go dormant since my life had other obligations. In addition, it wasn't really something I had my heart in.

Long story short: I worked in the Title Business for 16 years. About 1 1/2 years ago, they went under due to the Mortgage, Banking, Real Estate fiasco. In the process I lost my job, my home, and pretty much all I had. I now live with my son. I'm no youngster, I'm 58 years old. To start all over from scratch is an eye-opening experience, humbling to say the least. Currently I'm unemployed, sans for some 'odd jobs' I can find. At present it sucks being me.

OK. So much for the 'Queen For A Day' sob story. ;-)

Recently I came across the thread 'Offline Marketers: What services are you offering for monthly fees?' I read and read and read. I thought...'Hey! This is something I can do, and could be a great career for me'. The thread was filled with SO much info. Much great advice, especially from you sir.

That being said, there were attachments you had in the thread that aren't there anymore. I suppose I came across that thread a bit late. :-(
Is it possible that I could receive them? I'd be very grateful. It seems to me the info you shared was very enlightening and gave those who received them more focus and direction on the 'ins and outs' of how to establish and conduct the business of local business consulting.

My knowledge is limited, and would like to embark on helping LOCAL businesses. You stated:

* Create a Google/Yahoo! Local Map listing (FREE)
I know a little about this. Yellowboy has a WSO about this, am thinking about getting it to learn more about how to implement this correctly. Although I have to watch my pennies.

* Get your client listed in the Vertical Directories (FREE)
Same answer as above...I believe he delves into that area also.

* Set up AWeber, write a few auto-responders (Client pays)
I'm familiar about this...I HAD a AWeber account a while ago.

* Now place a Lightbox or email capture on their website (FREE)
I can do that :-)

* OnPage SEO (Title tag, Meta tag cleanup will suffice, FREE)
I have some knowledge of that...limited though.

* Free Press Releases (scribble something and post it up, FREE)
I'm not well versed about this at all. Any suggestions as to where to learn more about this? And why it's necessary?

* Free Blog
I know WordPress.

* Free Twitter account
I know Facebook, not much about Twitter.

* Write some Free Atricles and post to Ezine (FREE)
I have an Ezine account, so I know about this.

* Have the client call his Merchant account and Print email capture on every receipt. Customer can get "Preferred Offerings" Great for any Restaurant and Retail stores (FREE)
It's little nuggets like this that made reading that thread a pure delight, and allowed me to think there was indeed hope for my future...thanks for all that you and everyone else contributed.

At age 58, I'm pretty much on my own. It's up to me now to do something for myself. As for my former career, nobody wants to hire a man of my age...if in fact they are hiring at all. Most are still laying off, if not closing their doors.

I thank you AP for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this. I hope to hear from you with any advice you may have for me, and about the attachments I wasn't privy to.

Your friend,
Michael Kruce
#letter #open
  • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
    I could only imagine the 16 years of information in that "Title Insurance" head of yours that could help a lot of people. I smell a Clickbank product.

    Don't lose hope. There are many ways to earn a living online. Local businesses are one of them. Find clients, seal deals and outsource the web work to someone in the Warrior for Hire section.

    Hint: Use this resource to find companies that have recently incorporated and need websites:
    http://www.state.nj.us/njbgs/

    Who's AP, btw?
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936107].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author J Bold
      Originally Posted by BlueSquares View Post

      I could only imagine the 16 years of information in that "Title Insurance" head of yours that could help a lot of people. I smell a Clickbank product.

      Don't lose hope. There are many ways to earn a living online. Local businesses are one of them. Find clients, seal deals and outsource the web work to someone in the Warrior for Hire section.

      Hint: Use this resource to find companies that have recently incorporated and need websites:
      NJ Business Gateway Registry Services

      Who's AP, btw?

      That's really good advice. Perhaps you should help him get his product set up and then put it on your network?

      Products are the way to go. That's where I'm going to start focusing more and more.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936158].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Bard
    Try posting a visitor message for him at his profile page here:

    View Profile: AP

    I just sent him a PM on your behalf.

    Told him that you were trying to communicate with him about his offline thread.

    He is able to PM you but I don't think he is online right now.

    Hope that helps.

    Matt
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936116].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
      Originally Posted by Matt M View Post

      Try posting a visitor message for him at his profile page here:

      View Profile: AP
      I was about to do that but you beat me to it.
      Signature

      “The first draft of anything is shit.” ~Ernest Hemingway

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936119].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Matt Bard
        Originally Posted by mohammad111 View Post

        I was about to do that but you beat me to it.
        Reminds me of one of my favorite bumper stickers I read a while back.

        "I may be slow but I'm ahead of you" :p
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936124].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Glenn Newsome
    If you don't get the attachments soon, PM me your email and I will send em your way.
    Signature
    WSO Addicts Blog

    AKA "webnetincome" before the big name changes!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936139].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    Michael, when you look at AP's profile, scroll about half way down the page. There is a comment by Michael Nguyen in which he posts a link to the saved threads. It's all there.

    Once you unzip them you will see he saved them as "website complete" through window and when you scroll through the unzipped list you will come to files that have the little blue IE icon. Right click on any of those and open with a browser.

    I think you will find what you need in there.

    :-Don
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936144].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Glenn Newsome
      Originally Posted by Don Schenk View Post

      Michael, when you look at AP's profile, scroll about half way down the page. There is a comment by Michael Nguyen in which he posts a link to the saved threads. It's all there.

      Once you unzip them you will see he saved them as "website complete" through window and when you scroll through the unzipped list you will come to files that have the little blue IE icon. Right click on any of those and open with a browser.

      I think you will find what you need in there.

      :-Don
      Cool, that is even better for him.
      Signature
      WSO Addicts Blog

      AKA "webnetincome" before the big name changes!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936147].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author txconx
    Hang in there, Mike. Something tells me you've got what it takes to pull yourself back up. I love how you've researched this, let AP know what you've done for yourself, then politely asked for help. God bless you, man!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936146].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    Well, I didn't open every saved file - there were dozens - by date. I guess I could open the last one and see all.

    At least any links to attachements would be there. I don't know if the links still work.

    :-Don
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936159].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Phil Spinelli
    I worked in the Title Business for 16 years.
    What's stopping you from starting a title business of your own, or doing something related to that, instead of trying to learn something completely new?

    When I was laid off from a company in the past, I became their competition. Actually many entrepreneurs start their own business for a similar reason. They were either laid off or pissed off and dissatisfied with the company they used to work for.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936218].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Bayo
      Originally Posted by Phil Spinelli View Post

      What's stopping you from starting a title business of your own, or doing something related to that, instead of trying to learn something completely new?

      When I was laid off from a company in the past, I became their competition. Actually many entrepreneurs start their own business for a similar reason. They were either laid off or pissed off and dissatisfied with the company they used to work for.
      Good points.

      Many of the best consultants (not only in Offline Marketing consulting, 'happened' (for want of a better phrase) into consulting.

      There are numerous opportunities available to help local businesses. The key is to be able to help them get results that they want and some they need that they may not be aware of ... yet.

      Whatever you do, make sure you don't become what I call a 'behind-the-screen' offline consultant who amasses a huge amount of knowledge but has zero implementation under their belt.

      You can do it and if you want to bounce questions feel free to PM me and I'll get it at my email address.

      Regards

      Bayo
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936242].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author mak25
      Originally Posted by Phil Spinelli View Post

      What's stopping you from starting a title business of your own, or doing something related to that, instead of trying to learn something completely new?

      When I was laid off from a company in the past, I became their competition. Actually many entrepreneurs start their own business for a similar reason. They were either laid off or pissed off and dissatisfied with the company they used to work for.
      Thanks for your reply Phil...after all I've been through, and the state of the business here in South Jersey, the last thing in the world I would want is to be in that business!

      Too many people who are hanging in there are starving. A good friend of mine who's in the business hasn't had a deal in 3 months. I'm guessing as soon as his bank account runs dry, his doors will close too.

      It's time for a change for me. I like the upside potential of helping local businesses with this kind of marketing.

      I just need some education with some of the services that I could offer.

      Michael

      Originally Posted by Bayo View Post

      Whatever you do, make sure you don't become what I call a 'behind-the-screen' offline consultant who amasses a huge amount of knowledge but has zero implementation under their belt.

      You can do it and if you want to bounce questions feel free to PM me and I'll get it at my email address.

      Regards

      Bayo

      Thanks Bayo for your comments.

      No, I don't want to be that person who just gains information and does nothing.

      On the other hand, and maybe it's just me, I want to make sure that I DO have enough knowledge to perform the services necessary to throw my hat in the ring and get out there with confidence.

      That last thing I would want to do is get a client and not know what I'm doing.

      For instance: Press Releases. I'm not well versed at all about them. I'm not really sure about their uses and how they benefit local businesses.

      Same goes for Google Maps. I understand a little about them, but need more knowledge about how to implement them successfully.

      There's so many WSO's available on this subject, and so little money on my end, it gets confusing as to which one I should get to learn more about this matter.

      Thanks for the offer to PM you with any questions I may have. Unfortunately, I can't PM yet due to my post count.

      Michael

      Originally Posted by Don Schenk View Post

      At least any links to attachements would be there. I don't know if the links still work.

      :-Don
      Thanks Don. I went through the pages and all links were gone. :-(

      Michael

      Originally Posted by Glenn Newsome View Post

      If you don't get the attachments soon, PM me your email and I will send em your way.

      Hi Glenn. Thanks so much for your offer to help!

      Unfortunately I can't PM you due to my post count. My email is: mkruce25@comcast.net
      if your offer still stands.


      Thanks again,

      Michael

      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Michael, check your inbox for a PM from me.
      Thanks Dennis...got it and emailed you.

      Michael
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1937051].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Michael, check your inbox for a PM from me.
    Signature

    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1936392].message }}

Trending Topics