Check out his blog http://realtimemarketer.com/ and his Twitter http://www.twitter.com/thescottbishop

This blog post is going to expand on some of the points that I made during the presentation.

There was an article that brought a smile to my face.

The company behind FarmVille and Mobster Wars had a bit of a challenge to their conscious, relying on ‘scam and spam’ opt-in adverts to generate revenue. I already had apprehensions playing ‘online games’ to begin with. For a few reasons being the lack of professionalism it displays on your facebook feeds, and two the lack of experience it provides it’s users, along with bucking the trends! I knew inherently the goal was to entice players / users with free offers or some kind of validation (i.e. I beat your ass at this game, and all of your friends know you’re a wuss!) in hopes to bait them for advertisers. Even the early games on facebook relied on using the fabled ‘viral effect’ to exchange value after inviting 15 friends to play this ‘game’. The game itself becomes of no value to it’s users, because it’s diminished by the true premise of developing a warm market for Advertisers.  Casinos (slot machines), Strip Clubs (look but don’t touch!), MMORPGs (to an extent) all use this tactic to generate revenue.  Except, in the online world, when people tune out of the banner adverts or counter-program them (adblock them), they get desperate and become more pervasive.   Providing users with an opportunity to opt-in advertising in exchange for in-game currency to me is a violation of ethics, not to mention moral grounds.  Not even World of Warcraft does that, and it’s one of the most addictive games on the planet!

My proof of this? The reaction of the heads of these various outfits in response to being questioned. They respond in anger, which tells me that at some level, they know what they are doing is wrong.  They wouldn’t want to be treated that way as a consumer, but quick cash and a viable excuse “well, they were stupid enough to buy it anyway” to me is not a viable business plan.  It amazes me that regardless of the potential liability, people are still trying to find a way to separate fools and their money using Social Media, when there is nowhere to hide once the damage has been done.

I would like to point out that regardless of case studies and stories of people looking to the number of ‘eyeballs’ on Social Media as an opportunity to sell CRAP as opposed to engaging with them has dire consequences.  These people and businesses do not last long.  From the Spam Kings of the AOL days, to the myspace invaders of the 90’s, they have all been caught, and their effectiveness diminished.  While we can’t provide a user guide to every user on every network, there should be a zero-tolerance policy regarding this kind of behavior.   Social Networks need to remain vigilant and stop these people, regardless of the money involved, because the damage to one’s reputation to me is far greater than any amount of money that could be received.  I sure as hell would not want Facebook to become the Myspace of the new millennium.  Although, as trending seems to show, younger generations are already wisening up to this fact and beating us to the punch.

Even scarier, the game changer might come in the form of the Federal Trade Commission changing the rules for endorsements and advertisers.  In attending Daliah Saper’s presentation during Social Dev Camp Chicago this weekend, I remember distinctly a question from the audience, asking “How is this going to affect affiliate marketing?”  I’m sure the people on the borderline of ethics are scared out of their wits. Read More Here about the FTC.

So without further ado, here are some events I think you should be aware of.

First of all, Social Media Club Chicago is having an 1-year anniversary party, this Thursday October 22 at the Kimball Office.  I’m quite sure the whos-who of Social Media will be there to celebrate!  Tickets and information are available here.  http://smcchicago1stanniversary.eventbrite.com/

Secondly, Gary Vaynerchuk, host of winelibrary.tv, and now author (yes, this is a promo party for his book, but hey, you get to mingle with the guy) is coming to Chicago!  My friend Kelly Olexa is putting together the event, tickets are available here.   You get food and a copy of the book for the ticket price (which was much more to say than the previous engagement. . . ).  Here’s the link http://chicagocrushit.eventbrite.com/ (PS. I have my tickets already)

Thirdly, I’m going to be speaking at SocialDevCamp on November 7^th regarding “The Art of the Conversation” which is just a basic etiquette online 101 course in developing your social presence online.  You can check out the site http://www.socialdevcampchicago.com/

That’s all for now.

Twitter Wall Flyer from Domino's Pizza

Ramon has done it again!

If you don’t know Ramon DeLeon, you should.  He’s the best example that I can point to of what Social Media is about.

First of all, he sent pizza to my birthday party at District (do a search for #wbdayparty on twitter).

But even MORE awesome is now my quote is going out on various pizza boxes on his flyers! (see above).

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!  YOU ROCK!

Will English and Ramon DeLeon

But did you know, all most techs are doing is running scans for said viruses and spyware that usually resolve the problem?  Did you know these tools are free?  Some technicians are making a fortune doing incident repairs on computers that maintenance scanning would do wonders for.

Before you take your computer in to get fixed, or call in the calvary, download these free tools and run the scans associated with them.  If this doesn’t resolve your problem, then call in the good guys.

If it’s a trojan horse, then here are some free tools to try and remove it.

AVG Anti-Virus http://free.avg.com (Never pay for an Anti-virus program!  There are plenty of free alternatives.  This is the best one for my needs and it works really well)

Ad-aware from Lavasoft http://tr.im/hhNX (for Ad-aware)

Spybot Search and Destroy http://tr.im/hhOd (for Spyware)

CCleaner (which is awesome for getting rid of temp files and freeing up harddrive space)  http://tr.im/hhOx

Another tip to greatly reduce spyware and adware is switching to a non-internet explorer browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera works) and loading an ad-blocking plugin.   I like Mozilla and Ad-Block Plus, along with the Targeted Advertising Cookie Opt-out plugins.

However, I wanted to add three more plugins that I think will help tremendously with your current page.

Tweetmeme – This plugin adds the ‘retweet’ button to your posts, making it easier for users to get your information out there on the web.  I don’t know how ‘Project Retweet’ from Twitter will affect this feature, but regardless it’s still awesome

DISQUS Commenting system – This plugin allows visitors to comment with their preferred network (I mainly like the Twitter Connect and Facebook Connect portions of the plugin), so that way you have another avenue to connect with your readers

Lastly Twitter Tools – This plugin will post your blog posts into your Twitter feed, along with configurations to use a url shortener (for Metrics and Analysis).  Just set it up and go!

Although I think the greatest advice from Gina that was missing was regardless of the cool features of Wordpress, content is still king, and I tell folks to focus on getting posts out there as opposed to tweaking the bells and whistles.   You can always have time to do that after the site gets going and you see the traffic.

The last frontier then also is how to monetize posts, without spamming your friends.

Stop Me if you’ve heard this one before. .

I’ve got this amazing product that I want to share with you, that’s going to replace your current income with money from the internet and it’s so easy

http://www.willenglishiv.com

I thought it was easy too, I have this really sad sob story as to why I developed this product, connect with this story and buy now!

http://www.willenglishiv.com

And if you haven’t clicked on the first two links (cause it was so obvious my product was SOOO awesome) here is the third link!

http://www.willenglishiv.com/

Most of what is taught in these secret Internet Marketing classes follows the method of the letter above, give or take.   But I know for a fact that unless the email is solicited (i.e. I was interested in buying what you are selling) that anytime an email has 3 links in it, it’s a bona fide internet marketing sales letter.  I also know for a fact that whatever this person is selling I’m DEFINITELY not interested in buying.  Especially when 4 or 5 of my friends send me the EXACT SAME SALES LETTER.

In the interest of fairness, yes I did post the Tony Robbins sales letter onto my blog.  However, my intention (value proposition) was to help people get discounts to an event I know that some of my friends in my network ALREADY planned on attending.  I disclosed everything regarding the proposition in the beginning of the post.

The other pet peeve in the internet marketing realm is the ‘annoying ‘ lead capture page.  Mind you, I respect that most blogs have some sort of ‘opt-in’ mailing list.   That’s respectable.  Some places even go the more ethical route and do a ‘double opt-in’, where a confirmation email is sent to make sure the recipient wanted to sign up in the first place.   But it’s considered a ‘lead capture page’ where  potential clients qualify themselves to your company in order to business with them.

What’s the difference between a respectable Lead Capture Page / Opt-in letter and an annoying one?  I know that again I’m not interested in buying if when I get to said LCP, a video AUTOSTARTS asking for your email in return for some ‘perceived value’.   If there is some javascript applet that offers you some more value (or a one time offer) as you navigate away from the page (and I specifically block popups, so there is some kind of counter-programming going on) and the second page is even worse than the first.  If it was so awesome why didn’t you offer it the first time?  I will inevitably develop a lead capture page for my IT Business.  However, it’s not required for my readers.  I’d prefer you contact me if you want to, not because I tricked you out of your email address.

Oh, and it gets better, this product I was pitched today was about monetizing your Social Media audiences as a turnkey system.  On the premise of being ‘ethical’.  Yeah right.  That’s already been done before.

Last point, one of the main reasons why I like my business is because I can see building and scaling my business, because it’s something I enjoy and love.   Internet Marketers come and go.   While they may be selling one product and making millions with it, for some reason that pot of gold runs out.  They develop a new product, or they re-package their old information and re-sell it.  Their sales cycle is around 6-12 months, and they always need more!  They are serial-monogamists in that regard, tied to the next idea that’s going to fool them today.  And they assure you that this product, THIS TIME, will be the millionaire jackpot.  Thankfully, I think many of the people that are still around and sustainable are not employing these shortcuts and tactics.  While these people have more balls than brains and are making more money than I am at the moment, I totally do not envy their position.

And that is doing some kind of Video blog.   Or posting Videos of myself on the internet.

I believe my fear is something similar to being afraid tripping the rift and the ‘unintended audience’.  As a matter of fact, my question that I posed to the panelists about Video was in response to the “If You’re Applying for a Job, Censor Your Facebook Page” article on Fast Company, not to mention people younger than I am shying away from Social Media (or at least my theory, the mainstream has ruined the fun and it’s no longer a safe place to hide shenanigans from your ‘unitnended audience’)

Either way, while I was asking the question to the panelists in hopes of spurring a conversation, Tim Jahn from Beyond the Pedway recorded my ‘akward silence’ for a few seconds.

I didn’t know he was recording me, and had I known, I probably wouldn’t have been so stiff.    I guess the other issue would be being my worst critic.   Writing about my experiences seems to be a safe harbor for myself, although as the panelists explained, video does the same thing, and more because it shows more vunerability due to connecting with your facial features and vocal tonality.

As Kelly Olexa (one of the queens of video blogging) mentioned to me ‘just be yourself’.  I’m really good at that!!

Darren Williger, my partner in crime mentioned how his spymaster rant broke down some barriers during a interview with a top company.  .

Believe it or not, I always had a dream of doing some kind of television show.  I actually wanted to do the news and/or the weather when I was younger.  I distinctly remember freezing up at the CNN HQ when I had the chance during a tour when I was younger.

Since then, I’ve gotten over my fear of the stage, have done comedy stand-up routines, emcee’d in front of large audiences (if one day I could EVER get proof I would be soo enthralled),  But if you take all those things away, it’s just me and whatever medium, I can’t do it. . . until now. .

Below is the email from Mike Mataraza, my contact at Tony Robbins.

Gang this is an incredible opportunity! Tony is doing his fire-walk seminar (Unleash the Power Within) here in Chicago and we have half price tickets available for your group! These tickets are available at a HUGE discount.

The dates for the seminar are Thursday Oct. 22nd thru Sunday Oct. 25th in Schaumberg Il just outside of Chicago. Tony will be there LIVE taking you through an incredibly powerful experience.

I have included a day by day description of what is covered at the seminar at the end of this email but a better way to get an idea is to click on this link to a video of the seminar showing you how it works.

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdhNZllSLMo

HERE’S THE BEST NEWS—–TICKETS FOR YOU ARE AVAILABLE AT A HUGE DISCOUNT!!!! (Just call Mike at 949-278-3436 and mention my name)

There are two levels of seating:

VIP —- which sits just behind the Diamond section (Diamond is the first 8 rows and is not discounted) so it is close to the stage and includes at no extra cost both a $250 phone coaching session after the event with one of our coaches in San Diego AND a $300 40 page personality profile.

Normally VIP is $1595 but for you it is only $995!! That’s $500 off.

General Admission—which sits in the back includes simply the event itself but does include the entire seminar! The fire-walk on Thursday the health day on Sunday–all of it!

Normally General Admission is $995 but for you it is only $595!! That’s $400 off!

Both levels include a 12 week e-coaching course from Tony normally valued at $300 for FREE! (So every week for 3 months you will get a video, audio or book chapter from Tony.)

We also have a 100% money back guarantee. You can come to the seminar and sit through the entire first half —stay all day Thursday and do the fire-walk, come back Friday and take notes right up until lunch at 2pm and if by then you don’t think this is changing your life Tony’s company will give you a 100% refund!

I can tell you the reason Mike works with Tony now is that this seminar changed his life personally.
The year after he went he tripled his sales and broke 100k in income and he doubled his income the year after that. He is also far healthier (lost 40 lbs on the health program) and he says that his personal relationships are deeper and more enjoyable than ever.

Please join us for an experience that can change your life. Call Mike, mention my name, Will English IV, and he will get you your discounted ticket.  Or send me an email -> will@dlwconsultants.com

Mike’s #
949-278-3436

ONCE AGAIN HERE IS THE VIDEO LINK => http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdhNZllSLMo

AND HERE IS A DAY BY DAY DESCRIPTION OF THE SEMINAR:

Day One—Transforming Fear into Power

Those who create an extraordinary life and achieve their highest vision share one fundamental power: the capacity to harness their fear and feelings of being overwhelmed and limited and turn them into a drive for focused, clear and positive action. In this session, you will learn these fundamentals & actively use them to create the unstoppable momentum that produces massive results.

• Move through limitations to the resourcefulness that great leaders, entrepreneurs & top athletes tap into.
• Find the psychological strength & overcome barriers that block professional & personal success.
• Instantly place yourself in peak emotional, mental and physical states.
• Achieve tremendous gains in facing and conquering barriers and fears.
• Test your newfound resources by walking barefoot across a bed of hot coals. (You don’t have to, but you’ll want to!)*

Days Two & Three—-The Power of Success Conditioning

Clarity is power. Leaders have it; followers are constantly looking for it. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what it is you truly want most in your life-in your career, your business, your finances, your body, or your relationships. Discover how to tap into your greatest passions. Make fundamental decisions, build a plan and begin to act upon it while creating strategies for sustained momentum.

• Create a life of your design by using breakthrough technologies such as the Science of Momentum and the 3 Steps to Lasting Change.
• Learn how to build massive rapport and connect with anyone in your personal and professional life.
• Develop strategies to better understand and influence people.
• Identify and replace limiting beliefs to gain sustainable results.

Day Four The Power of Pure Energy

• Dramatically increased energy and vitality!
• Significant and lasting weight loss.
• A stronger system and improved overall health.

CALL MIKE FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS: 949-278-3436 (Make sure you mention my name, Will English IV so you can get the discount!)

The other side of the ethics debate is the issue of censorship.   Or even more close to home is self-censorship.   What can you and can’t you say online these days?  We assume that whatever we talk about online, photos we share, etc are part of our small social circle, and thusly invisible to say ‘the unintended audience’ member.   Social Media has changed the game as to the idea of ‘communication’.

Where it would be easier to shape opinion and categorically deny any wrongdoing with communication really being in a vacuum and traditional media having a monopoly on the message, politics has changed drastically due to the ability to look through archives and records of people’s communication online.   There is only a perceived layer of security from the ‘unintended audience’ of your communications online.   I covered in one part of my presentation “The Art of the Conversation” that there are some things that you shouldn’t talk about online.   The reasoning is not because you don’t have the freedom to talk about what you want.  However, most people aren’t prepared for the consequences that responsibility holds.

Something very chilling to me was reading the initial report about someone getting sued over a tweet.  It was pretty high profile.    Regardless, I do have a few cardinal rules, a personal code for myself and my online communications.  The big one is not to make personal attacks or vindictive statements about entities.  There are always exceptions to the rule, and bigger brands usually fall into that exception (I doubt AT&T will sue everyone who has had something negative to say about the company, since it has become a trending topic on twitter quite often lately)  However, the idea is that there is a tangible liability to the information that you post.   Libelous information, even in electronic form, can land you in court.  (Later on, it was revealed that the suit was a counter-suit to an original problem.   However, I believe the damage has already been dealt, regardless of the well-intentioned.)

Taking legal action against social media counterparts however usually doesn’t bode well for the brand making the suit.   The RIAA is a perfect example of this.   Even worse, denying your imperfections after the fact leads ‘patriots’ to dig up even dirtier laundry about the company.   Very simple transactions can turn into MAJOR PR nightmares.  Some brands have decided not to go that route, and actively search for and silence all critics by resolving their needs quickly.   They know the value of communicating that their brand takes care of issues and problems quickly as soon as they come to light.

Of course, this can be taken advantage of, which is always the danger.  But the benefit of resolving issues online in the Social Media space, despite the opportunity for a brand to resolve the issue legally is to broadcast your good name in front of the respective complainer’s audience.   This is better than any marketing platform, or message controlling campaign you could put together.  It’s called word of mouth marketing.