I’m guilty (please read this)
I have a very important message to share with you.
No, it’s not me saying that I’ll be retiring soon, neither is
there anything for you to buy in this email today.
I want to start by telling you how guilty I felt for not
giving you great value. Yes, I have not been keeping my
promise and as much as I don’t want to say this, I
know that’s the truth. You might even ‘leave’ me today
after reading this.
There’s a reason why you’ve subscribed into my list -
because I’ve said to deliver content to you.
And I haven’t live up to that promise… for a long time.
–
I’m on other marketers lists as well (that’s how I caught
myself seeing the mirror today) and it’s just astonishing to
why I would want to keep on being on their lists when
each time I’ve received an email, it’s another promotion
promoting their cronies.
And if there’s any ‘good’ piece of content, it is most
likely a teaser to something else.
No, this email is not about whining like a crybaby or
criticizing a marketing strategy because both of them
(cronies promotion and teaser content) are NOTHING
WRONG. As a matter of fact, they’re the most brilliant
ways to make money, lots of money.
You see…
I got succumbed into greed. Bad.
I’ve stopped giving out good content to you and all
of my loyal subscribers.
Like, every Sunday, I’m supposed to published my
“Sunday Email” Series but my last issue was months ago.
See what I mean about not thinking of my subscribers?
The truth is, not only I get greedy, but I was also angry.
First, the greedy part – I realized that each time I sent
out a product promotion, I’ll make money and since
everyone and their dogs are doing that in the internet
marketing niche, might as well I do it too before I’m just
left with the crumbs. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME.
And I felt angry because each time I try to help someone
to start a real internet business, it’s either they give up
along the way or they just want to buy the magic pill to
swallow, which obviously I don’t have.
*BUT* many marketers seem to have that pill with the
latest “how to make money with Clickbank” products.
Nowadays, a marketer selling a course on how to make
money from blogging might not even make money from
blogging.
A marketer selling an article software might not even
be using his own software for article marketing.
And so on. You get the idea.
I don’t even want to get into the conversation of the amount
of lies, baloneys and scams out there.
So why bother to teach since they don’t appreciate it. Might
as well keep on mailing to my list and make money easily.
I lost my cool along the way by not trying to understand
my subscribers and customers well enough and it affects
how I think badly.
No, I’m not ‘bailing’ myself with excuses because it’s a
shame trying to point fingers elsewhere with one’s own
wrong doings.
–
My message in this email is this:
Regardless of whether you’ve just subscribed or you are
my long-time subscriber, I want to say that I’m sorry.
If you have to unsubscribe, I would understand.
But if you are not, I am going to take this opportunity
for a ‘redemption’ and also, to ‘give back’.
I’ve decided to do this – for this entire month of March,
I’m going to send you all kinds of content ranging from
ebooks, videos to new marketing tactics because I want
to stop marketing to the ‘outside world’ and give my
attention to you and the other 100,000 subscribers
that I have.
But I would appreciate your patience because none
of these have been developed yet. Whether you believe
me or not, this email wasn’t prepared to be written
or sent – it just happened. You know one of those feeling
that comes to you, the “that’s it, this is it” and “enough
is enough”? Yup, that’s what I’m experiencing now.
Also note that I’m not trying to be heroic or a man of
super integrity or something – I’m just trying to be more
reasonable to my list.
I’ll also be announcing some radical announcements -
like, for the first time in history, I’m going to accept
*solo ads purchase to my personal development list at
an insanely affordable fee. I thought I should give
opportunities to others who I’ve always turned down
their JV proposals and perhaps, open up a new
opportunity for them to be successful.
(*I’ll be announcing this soon and if you want to be notified
before they’re all sold out because I’m only having very
limited slots, email to patric@successtrace.com now.)
I hope my small step would influence other marketers to
stop promoting as much as they do and focus on giving
more value to their subscribers so that ultimately,
all of the lists you’re subscribed, will deliver great value
to you instead of 5 promotions a day.
If you feel like leaving a comment or continuing this
conversation, feel free to leave it below. Positive or negative,
I’m all ears.
Thanks again,
Patric Chan
Patric,
I’ve been subscribing to your list for a few years, the whole time I’ve followed Internet Marketing, e-Commerce and other stuff like these. A question has always hanged between me and those – could I, as a 18-years-old student even gain any profit, like you and Ewen Chia and the others. It has been preventing me from trying, thinking of “what if –” and continuing normal life, hunting for bargains in school books, food and everything.
After reading your e-mail I thought it’s best to simply ask you – is it possible for me, could I change short-time jobs to better and most important more interesting way to earn income? Is it possible to start with small cash and grow the business if it goes well? Or would I be in debt for my life if this fails?
I’d really appreciate if you could answer me, and give me a few tips and some help!
Best regards from under great winter,
Henri K,
Finland
Well said Patric,
Just a few days ago Mike Mograbi and I were talking along much the same line… we felt that too many IM marketers have fallen into the belief that customers are just money in the bank, no matter how poor the material they are offering is. There are a few exceptions to that rule so I don’t want to paint all IM marekters the same. But it is time we started giving back to our customers even if it hurts our bottom line for awhile. I believe in the long run it will make us even more successful. Just look at Frank Kern, Andy Jenkins and others who give away often more than they sell. Yet they are wildly successful.
Bob
Patric,
This is a courageous email that I think will do you a lot more good than harm – especially by
truly providing content and information to subscribers that can make the difference between failing and being able to survive and thrive.
One thing that I think most successful ‘gurus’ forget is that the majority of their subscriber’s lives
would be completely changed for the better by being able to make and additional $500 to $1,000 USD per month. It is NOT the “Rivers of Cash”, “6 Figures A Month” etc. etc. that people are
looking for – in the short term. They want to generate the income to keep their house, car, pay
bills, and ease the pain and stress of being in debt.
Content on how to truly accomplish that with mindset, strategy, and product, and process will
not only make you a hero, you will be one of a very few stand-outs who actually deliver what
they promise. Good for you!
You have displayed the courage needed to risk transparency, and while that may feel ‘risky’, it
is quite rare in the IM world and usually pays off very well. And to comment on your frustration
over the drop-out rate, and people not completing a course, this same frustration was shared
just the other day by Ed Dale. I think a lot of your subscribers – who begin a course with a lot
of hope and enthusiasm, lose that hope when then hit a block of some kind when trying to
grasp or “DO” something that they don’t know how to do, and don’t know how to ask for help.
Personally, I am looking forward to your coming emails and reports. I have been a subscriber
since 2005 and am sure the next five years will be even better!
You are a good man Patric.
Sincerely,
John
Dear Patric,
Great post! Such integrity and humility! I always say, when values rule abundance follows. You’ve certainly shown us a great example of returning to your true values so no question in my mind that – even though it wasn’t your purpose – this will lead to even higher profitability!
Looking forward to hearing more.
Dr. Joni Carley
http://www.drjoni.com
Can’t blame at all. Where the hell is quality? It’s just about selling products but never the how-to. All of the product reviews are just made up by affiliate sellers. What’s the point?
Just like those low standard business schools that teaches you a lot of past cases but never teach you how to make money. No one can teach a person how to make money unless he is willing to risk himself and do it . Even that course took you millions of dollars (George Soros).
Your conscience is appreciated. I’ve tried hard to promote you but the fish aren’t biting.
Hi John,
Thanks for the reminder about customers. And also, thank you for being a long-time customer, you’re one of those few people who truly understood internet marketing because most would have given up when they fail to get it going. It’s been a journey and I’m glad walking with you for the past 5 years and onwards.
Patric Chan
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your thought. You’re right on the nail, that’s how I ended up side tracked and no longer believe in adding value… I know, it’s not an excepted characteristic. Regardless of whether we achieve success or not, I believe we should go back to our root and continue to deliver good content because end of the day, we want to look back and be proud of what we did. And most of the time, the business will automatically follows when we do that. Take care, Bob
Hi Henri,
To be honest with you, I really can’t give you the answer because I do not know what you’re doing, what resources you have, what’s your level of knowledge and so on. But generally, I’ll say that you can make part-time income with absolutely no problem at all but you got to learn from the right source and get the support that you need. If you want to be like me, Ewen Chia or others… this might even happen but the biggest step is that you have to start now, regardless of whether you’ll make money online or not. Many people want to make money online and so on but they don’t understand that this is a process. I don’t be at where I am today since last week… I’ve started since 2003. The point is, success comes with time as well because each small step that you take will add up to your greater success.
Thanks,
Patric Chan
Hi Joni,
Thanks for your kind words. I’ve visited your website and I know you’re the person who are doing the same for your subscribers and customers as well.
Hi George,
This is why, it’s time to take a step back and see what’s missing in terms of adding value to people and the time is none other than now. Thanks for sharing your thought.
Hey Steve!
Thanks for promoting! It’s most appreciated.
Well, to be honest with you, I too find my products hard to convert compare to many $47/$77 Clickbank products because I can’t ‘compete’ with magic pills. This is why it makes me ‘gave up’ in the past for teaching… but all of these are going to change.
Thanks,
Patric Chan
Also note that I’m not trying to be heroic or a man of
super integrity or something – I’m just trying to be more
reasonable to my list.
I’ll also be announcing some radical announcements -
like, for the first time in history, I’m going to accept
*solo ads purchase to my personal development list at
an insanely affordable fee. I thought I should give
opportunities to others who I’ve always turned down
their JV proposals and perhaps, open up a new
opportunity for them to be successful.
(*I’ll be announcing this soon and if you want to be notified
before they’re all sold out because I’m only having very
limited slots, email to patric@successtrace.com now.)
“I hope my small step would influence other marketers to
stop promoting as much as they do and focus on giving
more value to their subscribers so that ultimately,
all of the lists you’re subscribed, will deliver great value
to you instead of 5 promotions a day.
If you feel like leaving a comment or continuing this
conversation, feel free to leave it below. Positive or negative,
I’m all ears”
Nice job. Don’t really get it or understand what you mean.
Hi Patric,
I thought that I would take a few minutes out to send a comment.
I have long thought that integrity in business was in short supply and when marketers talk about the money being in the list I would have appreciated someone, anyone,remembering that a list is a list of people. And people do matter.
It is one of the few times that I have bothered to read an email right through..
I hope that you keep to your word.
Sincerely,
Tony
Hi Patric,
Well done.Its time that most of the bull shit comes to an end.The marketers are circulating the same
crap at different levels.Its strange that the few important pieces of the puzzle are Never given out.Therefore
the majority(95%) of the people out will keep feeding these “gurus” with money and never seem to make some themselves. At some stage the bubble should burst.
i hope that what you are saying is true.This is one of the ways to build up trust.Only by building up Trust with your list and giving them meaningful Content will you move on.
I too just quickly scan through the mails and this is possibly one of the first that i read right through.
Regards
Giovanni
Hola Patric,
Good to see somebody stands up and speaks up “It isn’t all about money!” Recently I bumped onto internet marketing and start exploring, subscribing, monitoring….. and bulk of emails I got so far are “I have the best secrets, techniques, products! You are invited to join for $$$” You know, those hyped-up sales pages day by day. For one thing they are competing for my $$, for another thing they pushing each other away from my $$ (I’m holding back for more researching and monitoring). Any advice?
I feel that since you have stood up, your back is on the wall right now. I mean, people are now watching what’s your next move thanks to this confession of sort above. We are looking, watching. =)
So:
- Have belief in yourself and please do deliver the quality. People will see you are a man of your words that way.
- Eventually not everyone will be satisfied though. If you know you have done your best, that’s what matters.
Regards,
Lukman
Hi Lukman,
Thanks for your thought. I’m doing what is right – this is why I’m not concern on how they want to look. If they are not happy with my content and upset that I send promotions, then with all means, unsubscribe from my list. My intention is to provide more value and stand on integrity.
All the best,
Patric Chan
—-
Hi Patric,
This is really a bold e-mail and one that speaks from your heart. I think we have alll been guilty of this somehow. Rememeber when we first started on MLM and how enthusiatic we wereto share witrh friends only to realise that we are pushing products and not delivering value to our best friends.
Your personal story is truly inspiring ,coming from a small island in Penang and making it to the top pf the Internet marketing stratosphere.
I will keep reaading your newletters so please keep them coming.
All the best
It’s nice to see your honest response. I’ve been bombarded with promotions and I wonder how many of these big name marketers can continue to build a long term list if they’re just pitching in almost every email.
Yeah…I do understand what you’re saying about CB products. Sometimes you want to deliver the raw truth, but a lot of people would rather buy into scams instead. Stay true to yourself and I truly believe that you’ll be ahead on another level.
Patric,
If I read you right, what you are suggesting is that no matter how much money you can make off of eager buyers who either study more about IM than actually practice and do the repetitive work that it takes to be successful or are willing to pay for whatever they need to learn the next thing or something they may not know,
It doesn’t feel near as good as making money by helping others succeed.
We are after all entire beings who intrinsically need to reproduce – even our knowledge.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to watching you over the next few months to learn …
hiya, even though I doubt anyone will bother to scroll down this far to read these later comments, I felt I had to leave something.
I have been drifting online for a few years looking to make things better for my family. The same reason we all do it I suppose. There seems to be a movement starting where the so-called ‘gurus’ are no longer able to call all the shots and the little guy has finally woken up to the reciprocal back scratching going on.
A new ‘honesty’ has spread, almost virally, between the Internet Marketers and I do hope that eventually it will bring an end to inboxes full of the same product sales pitch but with different bonuses/add-ons!
Don’t lose heart and keep going,
Go Safe, Pol