A brave new inbox
Rarely will I post a reply in a blog…but the more I wrote to Jim, the more I realized this needed to be shared with all. I hope you don’t mind. Jim’s comment was posted in response to this blog, and it’s a great question — one that required me to clarify the original message.
Enjoy.
Hi Jim;
Well, that’s not ‘exactly’ what I meant — and yes, 7MM is coming. Yes, it is…really. Promise.
Posting “a workout” is a tricky thing, but I can give you some advice…and I’m happy to post typical workouts if that will help you and the others on 10 — no problem.
The intent of my blog was geared toward what I’ll be providing on a monthly basis as far as email newsletters are concerned.
I want to make Fit Over 40 and M-Power newsletters THE BEST in the business.
Less promos. More content.
I want to earn clients through giving more than is expected — and I feel M-Power and this blog has been a great start to that.
Our M-Power clients send me daily emails saying, “This is way beyond what I expected.” We’re doing a survey in January asking what people WOULD have paid for M-Power had they known the benefits. Something tells me it will be WAY over the tag we have on it.
Now, with ‘newsletters’, that’s all free — and of course we use newsletters to promote the product itself. Nothing wrong with that. However, the content of the Fit Over 40 newsletters took a bit of a nosedive in the past 4 months.
I take full responsibility.
I have a myriad of obligations, to be sure, but I’m also 100% committed to excellence.
Therefore, ALL of my clients (this will take a few months of programming, so hang in there) will have the ability to choose what they want for free (newsletters every month) and even how many promotions “other” than the product the newsletter is sponsored by they want to receive.
In short, we will be the leaders in “non-spam email”, even though I technically never spam anyone. No one has received an email that has not requested to be on a list — and I’m a member of the Anti-Spam Leaque. I take your inbox as seriously as you do.
Here’s the deal: I ONLY pass on products I believe in 100%. For example, look at the FullStrength Nutrition Shake ad on the far right. You know why that’s up there? It’s not just because Shawn Phillips and I are friends — it’s because this stuff ROCKS.
I have a billion (well, not a ‘billion’, but a gob) of supplement companies that want me to put an ad up. “It sells like crazy!”
Who cares — it sucks.
Shawn’s shake doesn’t — and the price tag will prevent 99% of the world from ever knowing it. However, if it’s on my site, you can bet your Rummy that it’s EXCELLENT.
So, sending someone an email about, say, Dan Robey’s new book, or some other product, is NOT something that most people will want to miss. Why? Because I know it doesn’t suck. I know it will work for the vast majority. I know it’s a step beyond.
And, that’s why you don’t see 20 products to the right.
Long story longer: I still want to respect people’s inboxes. If they do NOT want me to say, “Check out Shawn’s new shake” out of fear of spam or thinking I’m only after a buck, then by all means I want them to only get what they want.
Over time, I will earn total trust — in fact, I’m up on the trust list for most people on the web, and most other people in this business. There are a few who don’t believe me, I suppose, and that’s fine.
Cynicism is the result of a poisoned soul.
I trust that my openness and my commitment to give more than is expected will cause abundance within ALL parties; financial and otherwise.
I know of no other way to proceed.
Thanks for reading. {10}
Archived in 7 Minute Muscle, Fit Over 40, Just Jon, M-Power.
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Comments (12)
Alyson said:
Hey Bingo, say hi to Jan for me :)
I can attest to the yumminess and effectiveness of the Full Strength shake Shawn Phillips concocted. I sent for the free sample, and I got a very nice letter from Shawn asking for my feedback and two very delicious meals (the shake is geared to the nutritional needs of lifting MALES, so calorie-wise it provided me with two). And as he suggested, I savored it and duly noted that it did keep me not-hungry for a full 3 and 4 hours after! Great stuff! Now to get him to concoct a blend for us WOMEN!! :) Also to note, I have NOT been bombarded by ads or pleas to purchase more of the stuff, altho I certainly will when I’m able to.
Congrats Bingo on your full-ownership status of Fit Over Forty and blessings to you in all your endeavors!
Now get back in here and be funny, waterblocker-it!! :)
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 08:16 AM
Alicia said:
“Shawn’s shake doesn’t — and the price tag will prevent 99% of the world from ever knowing it.”
That’s for certain at $54.45 plus shipping for 14 packets! I wish for a day when quality foods and supplements are available to the majority instead of the minority. Are you listening Washington?!?!?!
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 09:15 AM
Todd said:
Buddhadamn! It’s a crying (frustrating, teeth-knashing, jaw-clenching…) shame the good stuff is always so expensive, especially comsumables that you’d be buying on a repeat basis. It might very well be worth the price, but when you can’t afford the price, it doesn’t really matter how good it is…
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 09:49 AM
Tammy said:
Hey Mike, thanx for the ideas. I had a crush on a guy named Mike in school; could it be…..? (Since you are married do you have any friends? Just joking of course, ok, not really). And Kellie, thank you too. I just happened to have purchased a Vita Mix shortly before all of this dental sh.. so I guess it was perfect timing! “All I want for Christmas is the rest of my teeth..” I was on a ton of Prednisone and antibiotics as a kid for almost 18 years because of severe asthma and always being sick and they caused progressive decay at the gumline. I know it is going to take a little more planning and effort to come up with nutrition dense and tasty purees (soups and smoothies, too) while feeling satisfied without being able to chew, and not just gulp the stuff down.
Janine, I can relate to the ‘between the hips and knees’ area. Even though I am not technically overweight at 118 pounds that is the area where I definetly need the most work to reduce the surfaced, pocketed fat and tone the muscles underneath. Do you know of any way, other than surgical, to tighten the skin so that it doesn’t hang over the knees? God I hate that.
Lee, the Chinese Bamboo Tree Theory? I love to hear more.
Todd, I have always loved doing cardio first because then my muscles are warmed up for the weights and I haven’t ever pulled anything. I am willing to try anything, though, and the variety would be good. Thanx
That Shake sounds great and would be perfect for my situation right now but their is no way in heaven or he.. that I could afford that much! I spend just a little more than that for all my food in one month!! (With a few nutritious leftovers from my mom). Why?? Make it a great day everyone!
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 10:38 AM
Teri said:
I agree about the shakes. I have no doubt that they’re fabulous, and I was ready to order until I realized that with shipping costs, each shake would cost over $4.40. I wanted to order Jay Robb’s protein bars, too, but they are almost $3 each. As Todd said, it doesn’t matter how good they are if you can’t afford them. But Jon, I think we all trust your recommendations!
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 10:55 AM
Dee Renee said:
I got my cardio shoveling snow today. Shoveling snow is just one of those parts of living in the Midwest that you want to stay healthy enough to do whenever it happens. I’m thankful that I can do it, and I’m sad that a local man who was younger than I am died shoveling snow during the last snow storm.
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 12:09 PM
mike said:
Hello All
I did do the shoulders today. I took out the hearing aids and grunted to a cranked up Paul Brant (country tunes) By the time I got to laying lateral raises I was really hollering but I did it. Funny I don’t usually make that much noise. It kind of felt good doing so. Thank Bingo it could be true I might just be able to really get back to my training.
Hey Tammy come on by Canada sometime.
For now my sets are 10 8 6 6 for most lifts. I do mostly super sets where possible. Once I am back in the game and feeling strong I will be doing many different lifting techniques some of which I knew from before and a lot of adding the Benson twist. I can’t wait to see how it works out.
Miky out
Posted on Dec 15, 2005 05:56 PM
Lissa!!! said:
I did my version of 7mm at the gym tuesday….was pressed for time and squeezed it in….the 3rd week of Mpower gives a bit of insight to this theory. My shoulders have not been this sorein a long time…so Im psyched about it and will continue with it even when im not pressed for time….the morning cardio has become something I actually look forward to. Not since my competing days have I felt such a commitment to training and Im loving it…thanks again Jon (i think I say that everytime I blog) for making me remember how much I love to train and eat right…I can feel the fat melting off!!!woohoo
I would love to try shawns shakes…I agree that it would be a nice if he created something for spefically for women….maybe us women over 40….do you realize the buying power of women 40-50 yrs old….plus… what woman do you know that is NOT on a diet or looking for a way to be healthy of feel better…or looking for a nice chocolaty shake on a daily basis…DO IT Shawn!!! i loved myoplex 5 yrs ago…but it just isnt the same now.
Posted on Dec 16, 2005 07:23 AM
Lissa!!! said:
Hey Peeps!
Good news!!!….I found the full strength sahkes for cheaper….lowest I found was $40 a box….do a search on goole.
Posted on Dec 16, 2005 08:46 AM
Lee said:
Dear Tammy
Here is my bastardized version of the Chinese Bamboo Tree Theory, which Herr Führer Bingo can feel completely free to correct as I may have some of the details messed up (the devil lies in the detail, after all Jon, eh?).
You water this bamboo tree for what seems to be years and nothing seems to be happening. Then, all of a sudden, it grows about 30 meters within a very short time.
The parallel? We diligently exercise and watch our nutrition and not much seems to be happening, especially in the stubborn excess fat areas. Just as we are ready to throw in the towel, Oh meine Güte, we see abs! Tigher butt! Smoother thighs!
So let this be motivation to continue on your path right through the holidays.
Posted on Dec 17, 2005 01:39 AM
Jon Benson said:
To Alyson:
Many thanks! Yeah, FullStrength Nutrition Shake rocks. Glad you liked it.
I’m also replying to a comment about “finding it cheaper” — actually, I don’t believe Shawn is aware of that. If someone IS selling FullStrength at literal cost (or a buck over), I don’t think Shawn would be pleased.
People have done the same thing with my e-books. I found “Fit Over 40” on “sale” on an affiliate website for $29. They just took the PDF and created their own website. Stolen merchandise.
I’m checking into whether or not this is the case with FullStrength Nutrition Shake, but I suspect it.
To Alicia:
This isn’t Washington (one of the few times that’s the case) — this is the level of quality ingredients in FullStrength Nutrition Shake. Like I said, I only promote the best and usually that comes with an elevated price tag. Not always, but usually.
Still, if you do the math, this is far less than you’re paying for the average meal OUT, that’s for sure, and not much more than you’d pay for a quality meal at home.
To Todd:
Just a quickie:
“Can” and “choose to” are two different things. : ) I’m not urging anyone to use anything (except my stuff — you should sell your shoes for that… : ) However, I ‘do’ coach people on finances all the time as a lifecoach.
Want to know what I’ve found? Everyone (no exceptions) I coach that struggles with finances uses the phrase “can’t afford it.”
Dangerous.
Right now, if I “kinda” wanted to, there’s no way I could justify buying a Lamborghini. Hell, I’m actually looking at a hybrid vehicle out of concern for something other than “vroom, vroom” — getting responsible in my young age.
On the other hand, “could I afford it?” Sure. I could “afford” whatever I truly found invaluable, no matter the cost. I would find a way TO afford it. I would attract the wealth over time, adjust my income and expenses, save more and spend less, etc.
Obviously this is not the case with a Lamborghini. I enjoy finer things, but I do so in much more moderation than in my past because those things don’t fulfill most of my Core Values. Some of them do — “beauty” is a Core Value of mine (Platonian and all), so I can justify spending money on art, beautiful living, etc. While a Lamborghini is “beautiful”, it’s hardly something you’ll be taking advantage of frequently enough to enjoy it.
I’m not dissing anyone with a sports car — I had multiple sports cars. I’m just yacking.
Anyway, when doing some financial coaching with these folks, we ALWAYS find at least $100 extra bucks a month, if not more, that’s totally being wasted. Without fail. I’ve donated my coaching time to people who are really destitute, even attempting to do so with the homeless. Most of the homeless have issues far larger than they’re ready to deal with and therefore cannot pull themselves out of the hole they’re in. Some can, and when they’re ready, they can use these tools just as effectively as a doctor or attorney.
For others, the middle-income American that is the backbone of this country, it’s a different story. The vast majority do not see where they can save, true, but much more to the point — they spend money on things that are not related to their Core Values. This is where the savings come. We just remove whatever truly isn’t part of their Value system.
Often this is stuff like “cable TV” — when they have a child who is struggling in school, say, and watches Nick At Night or whatever. Why put something in your life that is going to deter you from your Core?
Honestly, if it were up to me, I would not even have a TV, or at least a connection. I had the ideal solution when I lived alone — nice TV, no connection. I could watch whatever I REALLY wanted to watch (relaxation is a Core Value, but it’s kept in moderation) to chill out — but the Idiot Box wasn’t there to distract me all the time.
Did I get a lot done? Oh man — did I ever. I have a roommate now, and that’s a great thing. We have a huge place and it’s like it’s all mine most of the time. Still, he’s a TV freak (in moderation, actually, but he really digs that moderation!), so we have a big set, DirectTV, etc., etc.
And, I find myself watching far more TV because of it. I’m making adjustments this week to correct that concern. It’s a complete waste of time.
Come football season (really enjoy that), I’d just go over an watch the games with a friend. Hey, socialize! Great way to snare two birds. I would rent or download the other stuff I wanted to watch. My TV time was, at most, a few hours a week. The national average is 6 hours A DAY.
What could you do with that time? Most of you probably do not watch TV 6 hours a day, but let’s say you watch it…oh, an hour a day. How could you use just HALF that time to make more money? Great question, isn’t it?
So, spend money on X, or spend money on awesome nutrition that will build your body and energy. Hmmm…let me think…
I think the best answer Todd is to “find away to attract the income”, or simply choose not to spend the income. This way you begin to prosper more all around by releasing the phrase “can’t afford” from your vocabulary.
This is true no matter your income — just a bit of coaching advice my friend. Believe me, I understand that not everyone has the same level of income. I also know that everyone “could easily” increase their income with just a few hours of good coaching on the subject and some good books. The Wealthy Barber is still one of my favorite finance books — check it out.
To Tammy, Teri, etc.
Ditto. : )
To Lee:
Excellent rendition, my friend! That’s the CBT…and our bodies sometimes work in the same fashion.
When people say, “I cannot lose weight,” they are often saying, “I do not have the patience it requires to be lean.”
It’s really a patience game — and you can increase patience by decreasing unrealistic expectations and simply doing some math.
I had a 10er write and say, “I’ve been doing this for a week and I’ve only lost two pounds.” Let’s think about that, shall we?
10 in 10. That’s…ONE POUND! She was 200% above target zone — but it wasn’t fast enough, and so she FELT as if she “could not lose weight.”
You all know how I feel about the term “lose weight”, so we won’t go there — but look at the damage this person is doing to herself by thinking without thinking and setting unreasonable expectations!
The whole idea behind 10 in 10 is a long-term, pound-per-week of fat release. That does not even mean you’ll release a pound every week — but that’s where your mind is set and focused. Period. End of story.
Your body will catch up.
Posted on Dec 19, 2005 11:53 AM
Alicia said:
Still, if you do the math, this is far less than you’re paying for the average meal OUT, that’s for sure, and not much more than you’d pay for a quality meal at home.
John,
That is true for myself but I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about the large percentage of people that live on the bare minimum and would find it difficult to add another $120 to their food budget every month so they can add one shake a day to their meal plan. These are the very people that need good quality food the most.
Years ago when I was a junk food junky and lived off of fast food, my food budget was $200 a month max and most months it was $100. It was easy to get by spending about $25-50 a week on food when three times a day you choose from the .99 cent menu at any fast food place. When I decided I didn’t want to make it into my 40s or 50s and become a diabetic like everyone in my dad’s family, my food budget increased to $400-600 a month in order to include healthier, better quality food. That meant that I had to give up cable T.V., and well most pleasurable activities except for the ones that don’t cost anything, which for me really isn’t much to give up. I enjoy staying home and doing my research, reading and learning much more than going out but that’s me. You can’t expect people to give up the things that bring them pleasure before they understand that healthier food is more valuable to them than those other things. People need more options.
Posted on Dec 20, 2005 10:53 AM
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