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Friday, September 3, 2010

I’m Hacked… You Benefit!

Posted by Mike Massie on June 30, 2009

I am spitting mad about the “Cap and Trade” legislation that passed the House last week. This new hidden tax is going to hit the working class – our bread and butter clients – harder than anything the government has thrown at them in recent years.

Here’s what the Wall Street Journal had to say about it:

“Hit hardest would be the ‘95% of working families’ Mr. Obama keeps mentioning, usually omitting that his no-new-taxes pledge comes with the caveat ‘unless you use energy.’ Putting a price on carbon is regressive by definition because poor and middle-income households spend more of their paychecks on things like gas to drive to work, groceries or home heating.

The Congressional Budget Office – Mr. Orszag’s former roost – estimates that the price hikes from a 15% cut in emissions would cost the average household in the bottom-income quintile about 3.3% of its after-tax income every year. That’s about $680, not including the costs of reduced employment and output. The three middle quintiles would see their paychecks cut between $880 and $1,500, or 2.9% to 2.7% of income. The rich would pay 1.7%. Cap and trade is the ideal policy for every Beltway analyst who thinks the tax code is too progressive (all five of them).”

I know – it stinks, BIG TIME!

As soon as the economy starts to show signs of recovery… BAM!

They hit us with a piece of junk legislation like this.

And I’m spitting mad about it!

So, instead of throwing my mouse at my computer screen (they break very easily, something I’ve discovered since last November) I’m doing something to help you guys…

The backbone of our industry!

I’ve temporarily slashed prices on ALL my manuals and digital books, which are all listed on the following page at prices that are 40% to 60% off of retail:

SORRY… THE SALE HAS ENDED!

And, for ANYONE who orders this week from the site, I am going to give you a FREE teleseminar next Friday:

How to Market Your Martial Arts School Online Using FREE Web 2.0 Technologies!

This is my way of…

1. Saying THANKS for continuing to support my work and message during the toughest economic times in recent history -

and…

2. Helping our industry stay STRONG, even at a time when the nation’s leadership seems dead-set on ripping the guts out of the middle-class!

And, please note that, while it’s likely I’ll continue to be hacked for an indeterminate period of time, the sale ends at 8:00 AM CST on July 2nd…

So please head over there and take advantage of it while the sale is running.

SORRY… THE SALE HAS ENDED!

God bless America… and all of you,

Michael D. Massie
Blog: http://martialartsbusinessdaily.com/
Social Network: http://www.masainetwork.com/
Business Manual: http://www.small-dojo-big-profits.com/
Resources: http://www.starting-a-martial-arts-school.com/
Summer Camp Manual: http://startingasummerdaycamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michael.massie1
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mabizdaily
Performance Nutrition: http://truth.mymaxsystem.com/athletes.php

P.S.: Here’s some recent feedback on our business materials…

“I think your stuff is great, it is almost to good to share
but I am going to anyway. Thanks.”

Sensei Robert Taylor
Sidekick Karate
China Grove, NC

P.S.S: Take advantage of my furious wrath today!

SORRY… THE SALE HAS ENDED!

The Magic Words That Get You “In”

Posted by Mike Massie on March 19, 2009

Its no wonder consumers are skeptical about things that are free

It's no wonder consumers are skeptical about things that are "free"...

The other day, I spent about 45 minutes on the phone helping a school owner trouble-shoot his operations.

The thing is, he didn’t pay me for my time, and I don’t really know him from Adam.

So, how’d he get such a big hunk of my time… for “free”?

He said the magic words:

“I bought your book a while ago…”

Allow me to interpret that, so you’ll understand the psychology behind why I was so willing to provide this individual with my time…

Basically, when I heard those words, my mind interepreted it as, “Mike, I am more than just interested in you and your company… in fact, I’ve taken the extra step to do something that benefits you before I ever contacted you to ask for your help.”

This is what is known in marketing as “reciprocation” – you do something nice for me, and I’ll naturally be compelled to do something nice for you back. And, it’s a powerful sales tool that can “get your foot in the door” with your customers.

Now, I should add this caveat regarding reciprocation… after years of having this principle used as a form of overt manipulation, consumers are rather skeptical regarding anything that is “free”.

So, you should exercise this principle with caution… or, rather, with courtesy.

Here’s what I mean:

Instead of overwhelming your prospect with seemingly unbelievable offers of “FREE! FREE! FREE!”, you should instead overwhelm them with outstanding courtesy, professionalism, and customer service – and then as a “by the way” type thing, you give them something for free that they never expected nor requested.

That’s powerful, and it works because it’s a marketing tactic that is based on building relationships and doing things in a way that is at once selfless while at the same time potentially serving you and your school.

So, in case you missed it, here are those magic words:

“How can I help you?” (Hint: They only work when you mean it.)

Wow, what a concept. ;)

Mike Massie is the author of Small Dojo Big Profits and runs a martial arts business coaching website for new instructors and small school owners, StartingAMartialArtSchool.com.

Questions? Comments? Completely disagree? Let the world know – post your comments below: