When People Call You...With Ulterior Motives!

I am a reasonably good natured person. I love to help people solve
problems in their online businesses. That is why whenever I do a
video on YouTube or other Social Networking Sites or write a blog or article,
I don't mind revealing my e-mail address or my phone number.
Like I said, I want to make myself available to help others. It's all
about caring about people and taking action to build trust and business
relationships.

But lately there has been a re-surfacing of a sneaky little "Black Hat" marketing
technique that has reared it's ugly little head. What happens is this. A person like myself (Let's call him or her "the caring marketer") will give people access to talk to them (personally) by phone or e-mail for the sole purpose of answering questions they may have about any products or programs they may have to offer on their website. Along comes someone who sees the written ad or video and contacts that person by leaving a message like this...

"I saw your ad (or your video) and I'm really interested in your prooduct(s) (or programs) and I have a question I need answered about it. Could you please call me at 555-5555."

Well... what happens is the "caring marketer" calls this person back and the "prospect" with
the "question" asks..."So are you making any money with what you are doing? If not...I have a fantastic program that you need to look at." etc....etc...blah...blah...blah. Well, I think you get the picture.This person used the phone number as a "lead generation" tool to get the "caring marketer" on the phone, just so they could pitch their program or business opportunity to them.
Some people think this is a "creative" way to get people to "chase you" instead of the other way around. I just think it's selfish. That person had no intention of purchasing the "caring marketer's" product in the first place. They just wanted a sneaky way of getting that person on the phone to they could try and convince them to sign up with THEIR program.

When I get people that do this to me...I'm not rude to them, but as soon as I hear or even sense the "sales pitch" coming, I simply cut into the conversation with a polite"thank you but I'm not interested"....and then I end the call by simply and (gently) hanging up the phone. I then have my wife put that number on my blocked call list so they cannot try again. (at least not with that number.) Anyway...my point is this. If you do this be prepared for this kind of thing to happpen. When it does, be polite and professional but don't let that person "keep you on the line" unless YOU want to. Remember...You're in control...not them.

Until next time
Have a Great Day :0)
Ken
(904) 683-3704
truefocus@comcast.net
www.TrueFocusGroup.com
www.makingagreatliving.com

Identity Theft is Running Rampant...Protect Yourself!

Identity theft can happen anywhere at anytime… to anyone. In line at the Mall,
online while you are at home or right out of your own trash. If your identity is stolen,
you can spend hundreds of hours cleaning up your credit and struggling to get back
your good name. You may already be a victim and not even know it.
So what can you do?

Here are some tips…

1. NEVER give out your social security number (unless it is absolutely necessary).
   Thieves can use it to break into your personal banking info and private records.
2. NEVER give out your bank checking account number or routing number.
   If anyone has that, they can drain your bank account faster than you
   can say your first name.
3. NEVER leave your purse or handbag in your car in plain sight, (even if you
   walk away from it for 30 seconds). This is very tempting for someone to
   “snatch and run” with. Then they have your credit cards, checkbook,
   drivers license, and other personal information.
4. NEVER pay for things online unless the company has some form of encrypted
   software installed on their site that masks your credit card number.
   Encrypted sites should have https:// instead of http://.
5. NEVER hand your credit card to someone in a restaurant that is NOT your
   waiter or waitress. They could easily copy or scan the whole number and
   expiration date to use later on.
6. NEVER hold your credit or debit card in an open manner when standing
   in line to pay for a purchase where someone can see it standing behind you,
   (especially if they have a camera phone where they can record an image
   of your card). The same applies when entering your Personal Identification
   Number (PIN) at an ATM. Be very aware of WHO and HOW CLOSE they
   are standing behind you.
7. NEVER make ALL your (PIN) number or passwords the same. Chances are,
   if you do this, and someone gets your information, they can go through all
   your accounts and take everything you have in them.
8. NEVER allow a browser to save your login/password. These pieces of valuable
   information can be extracted from your cookies to a hacker waiting in the wings.
   Use an encrypted software for protecting your login/passwords such as
   Roboform for Windows and 1Password for Macintosh. Also, you won't need
   to try to remember all your login/passwords for sites you frequently visit.
   Roboform and 1Password will remember them for you and put them in a
   log that you can print out and have a paper copy of for backup purposes.
   If you're interested in internet protection, check out roboform at
   www.roboform.com or 1Password at http://agilewebsolutions.com.

There is a great company dedicated to protecting your identity. Lifelock!
Their mission is to protect your good name, and they stand behind their
services with our $1,000,000 Guarantee.

Check them on the Left hand side of this page

Until next time
Have a Great Day :0)
Ken
(90...
truefocus@comcast.net
www.TrueFocusGroup.com
www.makingagreatliving.com