So there I was catching up on the mail I wanted to read, you know the stuff, content that’s very good or useful but you don’t always have time for.  Sent from people or companies you can make some time for because they actually help or give value.

One of those valuable and helpful newsletters I’ve been reading for years is called Kickstart and at the time of me writing the last issue was #1226.  As regular and reliable as you like since 2001.  The really nice guy behind Kickstart is Martin Avis and I first met him at one of his ‘London Lunches’ (they are regular ‘get togethers’ that Martin organises where people at any level who work with the internet or marketing get together and chat about ideas, concepts, business, get help and give help or advice. As well as eat and drink and have fun).

Martin Avis

Earlier this week Martin had to txt me back that he was well on track after I’d forgotten that he was flat out getting things ready for the release of his updated manual on how to ‘get your own newsletter up and running – in the right way‘.  (I also sent someone else a text on Tuesday thinking it was Thursday but that’s a different story. )  As Martin publishes one of the most responsive newsletters online he’s the right man on the job and when he says “It’s how I run my business and how I plan to teach you to run yours.” I’m listening. Every business should make the most of every communication channel (including mine).  Anything that gives me a great insight or a step by step process in an easy to follow manual (so maybe I can get clients at least on the same page of what needs to be done, why and what’s involved) I’m going to investigate.

If you want to check it out for yourself and save the time of reading what I think go here http://www.mutualadvantage.co.uk/ezineacademy

- It’s written so a beginner can understand what they should be doing and why from the start, with a method of getting up, running and getting results cheaply.  It’s not a tick box guide it’s a refreshing reminder of the basics and what ‘good practice’ is. It explains the hows, ways and principles to talk and build relationships online with people who are or might be your customers.  While Martin focuses on newsletters what he says holds true for all social communication mediums.

This manual isn’t just for ‘internet marketers’. Martin says on page 43

“I’ve worked with many local businesses, including printing companies, plumbers and retailers, who have found it extremely beneficial to have a regular email newsletter to keep in touch with their customers.
Many small businesses tend to forget that the cost and effort of acquiring a new customer can often be completely removed, simply by increasing the number of jobs done per existing customer.”

Here’s another chance (rather than read my thoughts) to go and see what Martin is about for yourself and how he can help you  http://www.mutualadvantage.co.uk/ezineacademy  You can skip straight to the buy button and press it, you get a full guarantee anyway because he wants it to work for you.  If you’re not happy Martin’s not happy.  That’s just the way he is.  Having said that I do like the way he writes about ezine-academy.

Still here? not gone to grab your copy before the price goes up when the launch period finishes.

In the Ezine Academy members area.

If I could have justified snapping up Martins only offer to new members I would have pressed the button to get two years of pre-written newsletters. I know ‘I’ wouldn’t have been the author and even though I know they were more than good enough to send, say if I was short on time, I just didn’t have the budget (again).  I wanted them last time they went on offer too and now I’ve gone through the manual, in hindsight I’m kicking myself for not taking advantage. That’s the only tough choice you’ll have to make – do you take the up-sell as well?

After downloading the manual which is a 200+ page pdf, and the bonuses, I started watching a video of a presentation Martin gave at one of the many events he gets asked to speak at.  It was getting late so I didn’t watch it all but what I did see was Marting explaining the basic process and concepts in a very watchable format that could help anyone looking to start or improve a channel of customer communication building value with newsletters.  It bought a smile to my face to see Martin championing the good old pound.

What’s in the manual?

Look I haven’t had the time to read the whole thing yet.  I know what I know and I know what I was looking for.  I found it.  I hoped I would.  I’ve skimmed it and found bits I’d forgotten, I’ve skipped bits I didn’t think I needed to read.  I’ve got bits that I’ve earmarked to learn from and pages I need to expand on.  I’ll definitely come back to page 103 – Why Do People Unsubscribe?

Other pages in my notes are:
Its a people business.  P 54
Branding and Perception P 60

And while Martin almost glosses over social media, everything he explains about building relationships with newsletter readers is relevant to building your digital brand and your relationships with people across multiple networks.  The same principles apply.

How do you go about writing?
The Gentle Art of Connecting with Your Readers P 113
“My real purpose in writing this course is to help you „get it‟ from the word go.”
“There is a secret word that I‟m about to share with you that tells you everything you need to know about effective communications and connecting powerfully with your readers…
…that word is …”

(as if I’d spoilt it for you )

What Not to Write – was an eye opener with possibilities I should have considered before..

Section 3: is all about the Nuts and Bolts and includes among other things a section All About Squeeze Pages

If you already know how the bits go together and didn’t want to see how other people work with them then P 213 onwards will be great for you it’s a section called  ‘But I can’t write!’

As Martin says

“Oh dear. If you really believe that, there may be no hope for you. … You may find that writing is not the difficult and mysterious process that only people with brains the size of planets can do. Thank goodness!”

and we get a real insight from him on how to and options to author content people will respond to.  Add in curation principals and your set to roll.

BTW. Thanks for the encouragement on P231 Martin. I’m so glad I can.

So where can you get your how to start and run a social newsletter that stands more chance of working and making you money?  http://www.mutualadvantage.co.uk/ezineacademy

“Automated Cash Formula” (ACF) by Dave Gale is a $37 Internet Marketing product in pdf format. There are the obligatory upsell’s at $67 and $19 offering videos so you can see how Dave does what he does. I haven’t bought the videos so I can’t comment but I’m sure they will make things much easier to follow for some.

Where to begin with this review?

My Biggest Problem with the sales pitch is the whole BS of the headline and sub headings

Totally Eliminate The Hard Work To Making Money Online;
Make You Hundreds Of Dollars A Day, Everyday, On Auto-Pilot…
Using The Internet Without A Website, Selling Any Products Or Doing Any Marketing Whatsoever – Even If You’re Currently Flat Out Broke With No Time Or Energy To Spare.

Sorry for being blunt but …. bullshit, horseshit and …. arrrgghhh

YES the formula can work for you but you will need to put in more than a couple of hours per project to get it right,

So what’s the formula:

In short JV brokering: Or put another way using “two tier affiliate programs” to your advantage.

and the concept behind the formula:

Without revealing the reveal exact step by step details, as it is a paid product, you basically do lots of research, recruit the right people at the right time as sub-affiliates in any niche market and get paid off the back of their efforts.

What Do I really Think About ACF:

This isn’t a new concept.
People are making pretty good money doing it.
This strategy “could” work for you if you have the time to do it right.
If you have the time you would probably make a small fortune as I can see lots of people buying the guide won’t even bother trying.

To make this work you’ll need to do real research.

You’ll need to find the right person to talk to and get in touch with them by email.
There will be lots of ‘no replies’ and the odd ‘yes’.
There’s a lot to take in and you might need to buy additional software to make things easier/quicker once you’ve got the first deal done and out of the way.

The Good Bits

I thought ACF was fairly a well written step by step guide.
It includes some solid and screen shots and info on;-

how to find a niche market
how to find a good two tier affiliate programs in those niches
how to find potential sub-affiliates who have a high traffic site or existing mailing list
It also contains a sample proposal letter to help start you off with your sub-affiliate recruitment drive.

The Cons

Although The Automated Cash Formula doesn’t get a ‘scam alert rating’, I suggest the sales pitch should be taken with a pinch of salt.

As for the income claim … I’d say he made money but at the same time part of it is as fake as a $3 note. Here’s why. In the material you’ll see references to Clickbank income. Well Clickbank doesn’t have a two tier programme, so he couldn’t have made all of his money using it. However … some of the people he contacted, he may have cross sold too … I just don’t know.

It’s far from Automated.

Overall Conclusion:

Although this money making strategy is workable and the right sort of person will make a killing if they implement it, I’m not 100% confident enough to fully recommend this product.

The sales letter over hypes the reality of the product and the income claim may catch the unwary. And I’ll say this bit again. The way I read it I won’t have the time to implement it. I know the importance of research and personally, I’d want to allow a week or two per project to start it off.

Some of the research methods outlined are great for newbies and some intermediate marketers and that is knowledge you may be able to use later on.

If you still want to buy it now your eyes have been opened and you know the ups and downs here’s the link. You could do worse.

http://www.mutualadvantage.co.uk/automatedcashformula

PS: The cost of this ebook is $37 with $67 or $19 up-sell for the videos. Go see …