As if on cue, two weeks after my original post on marketing spam I received a solicitation and engaged in a dialogue which exposes a very common sales tactic that is causing much frustration, disappointment and wasted money on internet "marketing."
This is a bit of a long post, so I've included a link to the hair-raising video piece I recorded to accompany and explain it...and maybe save you a bit of time: Click here to view the video piece
Below, you will see the email exchange (with names changed to avoid any hassle), with my email replies in boldface:
Hi Mark,
How would you like to set your PR Marketing campaign on auto-pilot? We've secured an amazing deal just for Somerandombusiness members with the newly launched PR Firm, Somerandombusiness.com. They provide a hands-free PR marketing solution guaranteed to launch your press release to the first page of Google. Their team will personally work with you one on one to get your press release written and distributed online. All you need is just 5 minutes to fill out a simple form and they get the ball rolling on your pr campaign.
So if you've been looking for the ultimate solution in generating traffic from your press releases - This is exactly for you. Here's what you'll receive:
1) A high quality customized SEO press release about your company, product and/or services.
2) Premium press release distribution that reaches over 40+ High Authority, High Traffic websites (Sites like About.com, NYDailyNews.com, Boston.com, etc.)
3) A customized PDF report detailing exactly when and where your press release was indexed and ranked in Google and Google News. The report also includes links to over 40 High Authority Sites which have republished your press release.
In short, you'll save a ton of time and money using this hands-free PR marketing solution. Most writers will charge upwards of $300 for just one press release, and that's without distribution.
Somerandombusiness.com is offering you just a fraction of what other services charge. Check out their offer now and if you order today you'll receive a 50% discount off their already competively low priced solution of $149. Order Now with the coupon code:
And pay just $74.50 for a custom written press release + online distribution! (This offer is good for just the first 30 people who order) Best Regards,
John Doe
www.somerandombusiness.com
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Dear John,
First page of Google is a bit vague. First page on what key word search?
Mark Boyd
www.marqeteer.com
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(NOTE: at this point a more specialized salesperson responded to my emails, because I asked a direct question that these companies don't want you to ask)
Hi Mark,
This is Steve from Somerandombusiness.com. I received a question you asked John Doe about our services. I believe you had a question regarding first page rankings on Google.
We have a 100% success rate in getting ranked in Google News' first page. We have a about a 95% success rate when getting ranked first on Google News.
You asked on what keyword search. Well that would depend on what keyword you wanted to target. If you were interested in our service I would be more than happy to talk more about this with you and how we can help your company/website get more exposure through our service. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!
Best Regards,
Steve
Somerandombusiness.com
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Dear Steve,
If I'm understanding you correctly, your first page ranking is on Google News and not necessarily first page ranking on my targeted key word search. Is this correct?
Mark Boyd
www.marqeteer.com
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Hi Mark,
That is correct. However, although we don't guarantee first page rankings on your targeted keyword search, we have had many successes where this was in fact the case.
You wouldn't be ranked first obviously, but your press release would should up on the first page ranking of your targeted keyword search. Hopes this clarifies things.
Steve
Somerandombusiness.com
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Notice that in the first email says "guaranteed to launch your press release on the first page of Google." Notice how the answer changes after my simple and direct questions.
Remember: NO ONE (not even ME!!) can guarantee your press release (or any other marketing piece) placement on the first page of an organic search in Google, which is where your most effective marqeting is done. It takes time, there are no short cuts, and I can show you how:)
My point here is to be aware of promises being made that, while being exactly what you WANT to hear, will ultimately leave you feeling disappointed and believing that internet marketing doesn't work. You'll basically be paying for a very fleeting 15 seconds of fame, because on Google News and the other websites where your press release may appear, news influx is so fast that your press release will be buried within hours if not minutes.
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