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Is This An Obvious Lie In The Truth About Abs Sales Letter

by Gary M.
27 replies
I noticed the new video "presentation" on the Truth About Abs site. I'm partially through with watching both the men's and women's presentation, and couldn't help but notice a bunch of huge holes:

1. On Mike Geary's site, the presenter says his name is John
2. In the women's presentation, "John" proceeds to tell a story that sounds like BS (he noticed a girl at the gym losing weight and he never saw her doing sit ups, his girlfriend wanted to lose weight and then someone told her she should be a model, etc).
3. In the men's presentation, "John" tells another BS sounding story about Joey in place of the girl that was in the women's presentation

I seen that Mike had a big increase in conversion rates by switching to this video, and I have other niches that I could probably hugely increase conversions in by telling a fictitious story as I think the one on the Truth About Abs site is, but I have my reservations... I'm honestly tempted to make up a great story that hits all the right buttons like Mike's does, since I know I'm selling high quality info (as is Truth About Abs), just to get conversions up...

What do you guys think is happening with that video? Mike is a king among marketers, and I'm surprised at the video... And honestly, the fact that he's doing it, and is such a stand up guy, makes me want to do it too!
#abs #letter #lie #obvious #sales #truth
  • Profile picture of the author Gary M.
    When the story isn't true and they're using words like "I" & then trying to sell information about how tho false results were achieved...

    To me, it's deceptive.

    But if people honestly think it's okay I'm going for it!
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    • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
      Originally Posted by Gary M. View Post

      When the story isn't true and they're using words like "I" & then trying to sell information about how tho false results were achieved...

      To me, it's deceptive.

      But if people honestly think it's okay I'm going for it!
      Do what you think is right, who gives a crap what other people think.

      Some will think you are a scammer, others will applaud your marketing ability.

      Its all comes down to how YOU feel about it. You already know what your heart is telling you to do.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi Gary M,

      Originally Posted by Gary M. View Post

      When the story isn't true and they're using words like "I" & then trying to sell information about how tho false results were achieved...

      To me, it's deceptive.

      But if people honestly think it's okay I'm going for it!
      From what I've seen, heard and learnt, whichever path you choose you need to make sure that you do it with conviction (not a pun on getting convicted for dishonesty ).

      Your last quoted sentence suggests that you need others to justify what is currently unjustifiable in your own mind and on top of that, you are asking others for their honest opinion about practising dishonesty, a combination which is unlikely to result in clarity for you.

      Again, from what I have observed, it is common for those who are successfully taking the route you outlined, to adopt a policy of not talking about it too much.

      My personal advice is for you to follow your gut instinct, because the world is full of illusions and therefore we all need a trusty guide.

      As for the answer to your question about Mike Geary, looking at it from a different perspective, it doesn't have to make any difference to your level of success what he does or doesn't do. You would prefer to forge your own path rather than following in his wake I presume?

      I hope that's not too cryptic for you. If it is, read it again and contemplate for a while.

      Hi Cool Hand Luke,

      There's no reason for anyone to doubt your before and after shots. For a start, it's clear to see the stretch marks across your abdomen caused by your prior obesity and apparently, women adore that look - they call it a six pack of beer or something.
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  • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    What's wrong with telling a story to illustrate a point?
    What's wrong with using fake screen shots and bogus income claims to illustrate a point?
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  • Profile picture of the author Brooke Milt
    It will all depend on whether you can be only partly truthful and be able to sleep at night. I understand inflating slightly but when you begin to stretch the truth so much that the original product is nothing like your description you step into a whole new level of scumminess for the sake of a buck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary M.
    Your before and after pics are awesome. LMK when I can buy your miracle ebook lol.

    Okay, so I've been sort of obsessing over which path to take. I've also been rewatching the presentations and think I may have been too harsh.

    I now have to admit that it might not be a lie or Mike's part (but who the hell really, really knows other than him and "John") but I definitely think it's embellished as f*ck.

    I plan to create similar video sales letters, which admittedly aren't going to convert as well as Mike's - at least not just yet - thinking of a way to hit all the pain, blame & pleasure buttons without making up a totally false story. I'm sure it can be done, sort of like the famous Wall Street story about the two men... and now that I'm thinking about that story, it sounds totally fabricated also, but I've heard no complaints about that one and it doesn't even seem deceptive - more like fiction.
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    • Profile picture of the author realfun
      Originally Posted by Gary M. View Post

      Your before and after pics are awesome. LMK when I can buy your miracle ebook lol.

      Okay, so I've been sort of obsessing over which path to take. I've also been rewatching the presentations and think I may have been too harsh.

      I now have to admit that it might not be a lie or Mike's part (but who the hell really, really knows other than him and "John") but I definitely think it's embellished as f*ck.

      I plan to create similar video sales letters, which admittedly aren't going to convert as well as Mike's - at least not just yet - thinking of a way to hit all the pain, blame & pleasure buttons without making up a totally false story. I'm sure it can be done, sort of like the famous Wall Street story about the two men... and now that I'm thinking about that story, it sounds totally fabricated also, but I've heard no complaints about that one and it doesn't even seem deceptive - more like fiction.
      I think anyone who's going to be producing a fitness/diet product needs to have at least some qualifications otherwise you are going to get many questions where you need to provide answers to peoples questions

      If you do.. then go for it
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  • Profile picture of the author Curtis2011
    Originally Posted by Gary M. View Post

    I noticed the new video "presentation" on the Truth About Abs site. I'm partially through with watching both the men's and women's presentation, and couldn't help but notice a bunch of huge holes:
    This just in: People lie to make money!


    Also in other news: Scientists discover that water is wet.
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  • Profile picture of the author sane1
    What will really set you free to be yourself, make your own decisions and have a clear conscions is to stick closely to the truth of things and make it your value. That way you are clear of compromising thoughts taking hold and will be wildly succsessful in more ways than you can imagine right now.

    Move beyond Mikes marketing and attract the crowds to you using principals! (an untapped area in online marketing).

    Hope this gives you some food for thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brooke Milt
    The guy in pic one is totally me but in female form when I wake up in the morning but by noon I'm totally jacked and it's all because I sit on my lazy butt eating cheetos all day. Anyone want to buy my ebook on it?
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  • Profile picture of the author Eduard Stinga
    I'd say use your instincts - if you're not going to feel bad that you're making money by using a fictional story, then be it (I'm only saying this assuming that your product is indeed high quality as you said). But if you know your consciousnesses is going to haunt you, then keep it real as it should be
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      I always ask myself: "What would Ken Lay do?"
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      None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
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      • Profile picture of the author realfun
        lol

        Its a story to get the principle across, its not a testimonial which is what is more important and not being fake
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        • Profile picture of the author ChrisEllgood
          I've worked in a gym and been training and learning about fitness for over 10 years now, I can tell you most products are over-hyped rubbish. It's as simple as healthy diet and train, nothing special.

          Most of the things these guys do can't really be proved or disproved. You can say pretty much anything as most fitness related things are based on opinion. I've seen guys selling ebooks saying you can build 15lbs of muscle in a month. I know that's impossible, but people will buy into that because they're desperate to get the body they want, same with your example. The creator of this product knows what his customers want and he gives it to them, even if it is complete bull**** people will still buy it.
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          • Profile picture of the author realfun
            [QUOTE=ChrisEllgood;6049451]I've worked in a gym and been training and learning about fitness for over 10 years now, I can tell you most products are over-hyped rubbish. It's as simple as healthy diet and train, nothing special..

            Ditto and Totally agree
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    Would it be as effective if instead of saying "I" you told the story in the third person. Then it could be simply a story and not implied that this actually happened to you. maybe?
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  • Profile picture of the author Bobdarko
    These are great questions and i guess it's down to personal preference. Just cos everyone is doing it doesn't mean it's right. I would say if you make up a story make sure it's not weak and transparent that anyone could see right through the BS.

    Love the before and after as well. Very funny.
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    Rob M

    Internet Marketing Gurus SECRETS>>>FREE REPORT

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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    What I don't understand is why you're assuming that the stories aren't true? I haven't watched the vids, but what you describe sounds plausible - a little coincidental, maybe, but who's to say those events never happened?
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    • Profile picture of the author Gary M.
      @ Steve, I don't know whether the stories are true or not, but my first instinct was to assume they're lies. The story just sounds so damn corny and some parts of the men's & women's presentation use the same or almost the same wording. Plus, I know some customers must be getting results and are thrilled and love Mike for it, but going through all the trouble of telling his story, collaborating with Mike, and doing the voiceover is a lot of work.

      @ cashcow - good idea. I have to mull over it some more...
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  • Profile picture of the author cantormel
    Is it possible to say somewhere on the site that it's a fictional story to prove a point? Will that help us IMers sleep better at night?
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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    I believe it is very important to be ethical in all sales letters. If you are offering something to people in exchange for their hard earned money, they deserve to know the truth about that product.

    I am not saying that this particular case is a lie, but in the weight loss and muscle gain niches in particular, there is a lot of falsity that is being spread by people desperate to make a sale.

    It might be harder to beat the competition but at least you will be able to sleep at night knowing you have not conned somebody out of their money with incorrect advertising. Even if Mike was lying, that doesn't mean you should follow his path
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