Hi: heh, heh, heh..... lol.... rofl See, this thread illustrates EXACTLY what I'm talking about. -- Raplh posts something that he "thinks" is helpful, but he has inaccurate information -- Peter corrects him -- By his reply, Ralph seems to feel offended and retorts that there's always someone talking down and finding fault. That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about. lol Humans!! Go figure. : ) Linda P.S. Ralph, if you're reading, please don't take offense. There is none intended. It's an observation of human nature. You and Peter just happened to illustrate exactly what I'm talking about. For what it's worth, I think it happens a lot more ONline than OFFline. There is no tonal inflection or friendly smile in a post that we'd see in fact to face communications.

Hi folks - we meet on another forum. It seems that like minds DO congregate. As some of you know my business (BC Professorship and Lifetime working experience) has been Marketing Communications - i.e. how we as marketers should aim and create our marketing messages. (see the book! - 'Fitting in the 4th P'on amazon and barnes & noble websites) Well, why not take the opportunity to plug it? Anyway - herewith free class: 1) Target your prospects. By the very nature of the internet this is very hard to do, as it covers so many people. 2) Qualify your prospects. This you CAN do easily by using the opening phrase or question. As in any other form of media the reader can immediately then turn the page or click-off. 3) Do not multi-hit (Direct Marketing expression)- as the anti-reaction from even initially favorable responders dramatically increases to TOTAL negativity - or even worse. 4) Make your case clearly and accurately. Many forum writers are incomprehensible in both their message and their points. We all know what happens don't we - instant switch-off. Hardly the reaction the writer was hoping for? Finally and for many people on the forum, who do not appreciate this point. As Gary, Cheri and myself have been noting and enjoying, people from different countries react differently to messages and message approaches. In America the constant hyperbole is more acceptable than in Europe or the Far East. It is totally unbelievable when sourced from Eastern Europe. Having lived and worked in 12 different countries from Australia to Estonia, and done projects in about a dozen more, I believe these to be fundamental truths, and we can all be more effective if we recognise our differences and work with them rather than trying to fight them. I personally enjoy some forums for the contact made with different people, for the learning about what makes them tick, and also for the information that several provide. For making sales? Not in my case at least. Cheers, Norm

Hi Norm; ========== Finally and for many people on the forum, who do not appreciate this point. As Gary, Cheri and myself have been noting and enjoying, people from different countries react differently to messages and message approaches. ========== Very good point. I've worked with clients in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Italy & more. You're quite right... people from different countries respond differently to messages and approaches. One thing that seems to be common though is that BS smells the same no matter where we're from. That's something that a lot of newbies need to learn, too. lol : ) Linda

Hi Linda, GREAT thread! It was very good of our Ralph to so eloquently illustrate your point one of the very first replies! ========================================================= One thing that seems to be common though is that BS smells the same no matter where we're from. That's something that a lot of newbies need to learn, too. lol ============================================================ That's very true - actually, as I was reading through the posts, I was thinking of something a little worse - I'm sure you and Peter know what they spray on the cornfields every year in the Barry area... man, does that stuff stink! Back to the illustration of driveby spamming that Ralph has so thoughtfully supplied us - what is even more astonishing about the majority of these kinds of ads is how little the senders know even about their own products! Time and again, I've received this kind of ad from someone who: a.) Doesn't even know my name b.) Doesn't have a clue HOW their own business works c.) Doesn't have a clue whether the product they're hyping actually works or not d.) Doesn't really care whether the product they're hyping works or not e.) Doesn't have a clue what they're talking about f.) Doesn't really care that they don't know what they're talking about as long as they think they can find enough suckers to buy their junk. Personally, I don't have the time or the patience to pay any attention to this kind of joker, so I delete everything that even faintly looks like an ad unless it's directly addressed to me in the subject line from someone I already know. Those who post ads on my forums just get their ads deleted. The only WHY they'll ever get is "Wrong place." If I wanted to be a little more detailed, I suppose I could explain WHERE they could put it... (I HATE piggybacking - see: http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/260502.aspx ) God bless, Dave

Hi Dave! ========== GREAT thread! It was very good of our Ralph to so eloquently illustrate your point one of the very first replies! ========== lol. I thought so, too. ===== Those who post ads on my forums just get their ads deleted. The only WHY they'll ever get is "Wrong place." If I wanted to be a little more detailed, I suppose I could explain WHERE they could put it... ===== Oh, God, I laughed. Once, when I'd deleted 3-4 messages from the same person, I wrote a message saying that I don't want to have to block anyone, but it it continues, I may have no choice. I got a scathing message telling me *I* am wrong... after all, this place is called ADland -- (with the "ad" bolded) and it's FOR blasting ads out. I replied to say that's what the classified are for - yes - it's not what my forum is for. A couple of weeks later, that same person was asking for paypal donations to make ends meet. And, I'm not slighting someone for not being able to make ends meet. I've been there, too. The point is - how much does it take for people to realize what they're doing isn't working?? You know? : ) L