Tatjana, I am looking forward to seeing your lesson for us.  I am always happy to be learning something new, especially to make my web sites look better.  I have become addicted to building the web site, it seems. 

Javier, it sounds to me that you are very excited, and that excitement is contageous... so especially with the prospects that are all around you, I'm sure it will catch with them!!  If you have advice on autoresponders, please feel free to let me in on which one you are using.  The one I'm using is beginning to get on my nerves.    I've been looking for a better one, just haven't found it yet.  I would definitelly appreciate any tips you have. 

Thanks for your kind words, K.

And Thanks for posting that survey, Norma.  Interesting and informative.

I personally have three domain names at the moment.  I have (at least) five (that I know of) in my first level with two, and two with three.  Also, two of my blue trials this week signed up for two each.  Six are business people, but the rest are active in the opportunity, too.  I do believe in this product.  I also believe that if GDI meant for us to sell the opportunity only, there'd be no need to have a product at all -- there are plenty of MLM's that sell opportunity only.

I have made some more ads but have not had the chance to upload them, as sitebuilder was down yesterday, and today I keep getting kicked out.  But I finally made a bird one as you requested a really long time ago, Norma.   

FYI to all reading & participating in this thread:

After receiving a flaming email from someone masking himself as a concerned citizen, I've done some research, and the email bill I quote in my disclaimer is not actually accurate. 

The latest can-spam information can be read at the FTC website here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/canspam.htm  The new can-spam act that took affect 2004 has the basic same provisions.

The email bill I quoted in the above disclaimer posted previously never was passed.  (Good lesson for me to do my own research and not rely on one misleading article passed along to me, even if it was by a lawyer.)  If you're curious, go here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d105:SN01618:@@@L&summ2=m&

I'd also like to mention that, contrary to my flame mailer's belief, my post here was not intended to condone actual spamming, and the disclaimer wasn't offered to give anyone "immunity" legally from spamming.  You can add any words to the bottom of an email, but still be breaking the law, just as you can misquote the law and still be in compliance of the law.  I'd never tell anyone to risk something that could lose them their business, and I hope you all know that. 

Cristin,
This is the disclaimer:
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This message is sent in full compliance of U.S. Federal e-mail bill S.1618 Title III, Section 301, Paragraph (a)(2)(C), and as such, this message, by law, cannot be considered SPAM. Should you wish not to receive future mailings from this account, please respond to this email and include the phrase "Remove Me" in the subject line. Thank you.

The part I quoted is how I begin my messages in order to document for the person receiving the email that they did in fact request this information from me, and that I am sending them the information pursuant to their request.  The U.S. Federal e-mail bill referenced in the disclaimer outlines that a message is not considered spam so long as the person requested it, and/or you are giving them an option not to receive emails from you in the future.

I recommend putting the disclaimer at the bottom of all emails.  And when responding to leads, I also recommend putting the part I quoted in there someplace, too.

Hope that helps. 

No problem, about using the disclaimer.  Like I said, I encourage everyone to use one these days!

As far as saving the emails, it's probably just a matter of personal preference.  I was raised in "cover thyself" camp, so to speak, which is why I do it.  I have three domains with GDI, and therefore have 30 email addresses at my disposal.  As one person without 30 different personalities, and without enough ideas to use up 30 mailboxes, I have one dedicated to leads only.  Once I've emailed those leads, they go into a folder.  It's just a matter of hitting "select all" and "move to confirmation folder" for me, so it takes equal time to selecting them all to delete.  I'll probably never need them, but murphy's law runs rampantly through my bloodstream, so if I ever deleted one, then that would be the person to cause me to get reported. 

Steve,

Yep, this is MLM for sure.   No doubt.  No question.

But if you want to talk percentages, how many people today will be turned off by the offer to "join my mlm!"  Let me tell ya, ALL OF THEM, unless they A) Don't know what an MLM is, or B) Have been doing this for years.

I'm of category B.  However, most people I meet on the streets, in my community, and even online, ARE NOT.  In fact, the only MLM-ers I know, who aren't already with GDI, are already with other big name companies (and that's how I know them!).  Either that, or they're still recovering from bankruptcy.

Therefore, anyone who's sugar-coated this down to becoming an "affiliate program" has done so in their minds and in their sales pitches only.  Why?  Because it's one way to sell this thing, right?  People hear "affiliate program" and they think to themselves either A)I've seen that on Amazon or Ebay, and those people aren't bankrupt yet, or B)I have no clue what that is, but it doesn't sound like "scam."

People associate MLM with Pyramid schemes.  And Pyramid = Scam.  So quickly most people go in their minds from MLM=Scam within 2.3 seconds.

If you want proof, I'll show you the folder in my mailbox dedicated to the comedic responses I get from people I've sent only the link to the movie to (i.e., via the "Invite" system), rather than my own personal "sugary" email masking and rewording the "5 layers" and the "multiple levels" and the "network" that's plastered all over the GDI site. 

That's why, even though I don't see it the same way Deborah does, I do sell this thing the way Deborah does.  Why?  Because if I line up ten people on the street and say, "Who wants to join my MLM?" and then ask those same people, "Who wants a Free Trial on a WebSite?", I'll get seven sign ups for the web site, with maybe three around long term, and I'll get zero on the MLM.

I'd love to sell the opportunity, but I'm being honest here.  I don't KNOW HOW to sell this as an opportunity alone, other than to MLM-ers, and they're few and far between (that is, the serious ones, not the "I want something for nothing, because I heard it on Oprah ones).  Pointing people to the video sends me responses of people who say, "What is this?  Some new advanced pyramid scam?" (That's a paraphrased quote from an email today that I received from someone who's been an online friend for almost two years....and she was serioius. )

Any advice highly welcome.  I appreciate all you've said so far, and I'd love to hear more.

Help?

Thomas, I agree with doing what Nicole has said, as I have good retention of quality people as a result of doing so.

I may certainly be wrong, but I believe in all the internet marketing businesses I've been affiliated with, there are always at least 9 out of 10 people who want "something for nothing."  We live in the world of people who want to get rich quick; just look at all the spam emails and silly ebooks out there promoting programs that have titles like "make your computer work for you!  do nothing and make millions!" 

Well, Thomas, I am agreeing with you, that I am not wanting to work with people who are wanting to "do nothing" and expect to make "millions."

Those people who sign up under me don't last long.  If they do, I'd be shocked.  If yours keep paying the ten bucks a month and do nothing else, just consider that icing on the cake for you.

Meanwhile, join up with some message boards, online groups, and forums that will allow you to network with some QUALITY people who are really genuinely INTERESTED in working for the money!  Don't target people who want to "get rich quick" if you're looking for people who want work!

Get creative about it.  For example, do you like sports?  Do you play chess?  Do you speak another language?  Join a board that has nothing to do with this or any other business.  Fill out your profile, and leave this link to GDI business in your profile, and in your signature line, if the board allow that.  Get to know some people there.  Make friendly, you know?  Chit chat with someone a few times over the boards or email.  Once they feel like they know you a little bit, maybe then ask them, are they interested in hearing about an opportunity to make some extra money?  If so, then invite them to watch the GDI movie.  This is one way I make my "recruits" online.  I am involved in many mom boards, publishing boards, law school tutoring programs, artist and writer boards, deaf community boards.  Anything you have interest in, it's good to join that kind of person.  You will be able to relate with them of something other than GDI, so you will seem to be another REAL person, you know, "one of them" and not just "some man named Thomas the go-to get rich quick guy."


To Gina,
In addition to what was said above, I will also add that when I am feeling discouraged that I am putting a lot of time into something that isn't making me a lot of money right now, I think about that for every month, there are going to be checks coming in for these people.  So even though I may spend a few hours and only get one person in the door, in two years from now, that person will not only have made me $24 instead of $1 (assuming the person has only one domain -- half my downline has more than one), but also money for anyone else the person brings in, and the money those people bring in, etc.
I have been in GDI only several weeks.  However, I have done MLM for years through other companies, and the secret is in building the foundation.  That's what takes the work.  Once you've got all five levels of people active and working, it multiplies a lot faster than you can keep track of!  I only have three levels in GDI right now, and less than 100 downliners, but I am not upset about that, because if I keep averaging 5-10 sign-ups per day, even if most of them quit or never pay (orange & purple, etc.), a lot of people are staying.
You will be fine.  The people you want beneath you are the ones who are WILLING to stick it out.  Even if you spend an entire month to get just a few people in who are quality people and in this for the good and long term, it will be worth it in the long term.
I'm been doing MLM and other marketing for seven years, and I have never seen anything like GDI.  From the other angle of the fact that I work in bankruptcy law, well, let's just say I know who to avoid, and I know when to "run for the hills"  (I did ok with the .com bust, because I knew to sell my stock, see ).  I don't anticipate having to run from this one.
Don't let yourself get too frustrated or burnt out.  Get inspired and excited, in whatever way you can.  You will be successful at this if you keep on keeping on.

Thanks chickies. 

I do recommend to my downline when sending emails that for legal purposes, they ALWAYS use the legal disclaimer, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN GETTNIG LEADS THAT YOU HAVEN'T PERSONALLY GENERATED, always start with the below quoted lines, because this will not only save you a ton of hassle with people who want to claim you are spamming them -- I've had folks I've talked to on the phone, who have INITIATED contact with me in the first place, later claim a follow-up email is spam. -- but with GDI's policies strictly against spam (and believe me, it's enforced!), it will also serve as documentational proof should someone report you.  (I have one folder in my email of all documented proof from "opt in" emails, and another of all messages I've sent initiating contact.  You learn quickly in the legal field to always cover yourself...a benefit to working with scary lawyers.  )

Deborah, I wrote this a few weeks ago.  Much of what is in here came from suggestions of others on the forums here about emailing prospects and following up on movie viewers, etc. :


Hello <firstname>,

I'm <yourname>, and I'm writing in response to your request for information about new network marketing opportunities by providing the following information:

<firstname> <lastname> <emailaddress> <ipaddress> <daterequested>

First, let me say, THIS COMPANY IS DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER network marketing (or multi-level marketing) business I have ever seen, heard of, or been affiliated with, AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE NETWORK MARKETING FIELD FOR YEARS!

WHAT'S DIFFERENT about this company?  Several things!

I am not going to close this message by asking you for money!
I am not going to ask you to sell anything, and I'm not going to try to sell YOU anything!

In fact, the majority of partners in this business NEVER PICK UP A TELEPHONE and NEVER ACTUALLY SPEAK WITH OR MEET WITH ANYONE to try to get anyone involved with this business.

GDI has quickly set itself apart from the crowd in that it is a WORLDWIDE opportunity, which as you most likely know, in the world of network marketing, is HUGE.  GDI has members in nearly 200 countries already, and the company is continuing to massively expand to more and more people every day.  In fact, Global Domains International is already at the top of the list of 50 fastest growing privately held corporations in the United States, and is regularly featured in the business sections of major newspapers nationwide... and RAVED about in publications like Entrepreneur magazine.

You may be thinking, "It sounds too good to be true.  How can this be possible?"

This is an opportunity that SELLS ITSELF.  How?  With THIS SEVEN MINUTE PRESENTATION:  www.money.ws/USERID  Watch it for yourself!!  Once you decide to sign up with GDI, you'll get your OWN personalized movie, that you can refer to ANYONE in the WORLD!

Impressive!  Isn't it??  Tell me, which part of the opportunity sounds best to you?

What I love most about this business is that it is REAL!  Real people are already doing it!  (I know, because I've received all my "training" FROM THE BEST!)  REAL people, like you and I, can earn a great deal of money and have a stable income that only INCREASES over time!

Please contact me at any time with whatever questions you may have!  I am personally committed to your success, and I'm going to walk you through all you need to know to get started step-by-step!

Do enjoy the 7 Day FREE Trial, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Cheers to OUR JOINT SUCCESSES,
<yourname>

---

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This message is sent in full compliance of U.S. Federal e-mail bill S.1618 Title III, Section 301, Paragraph (a)(2)(C), and as such, this message, by law, cannot be considered SPAM. Should you wish not to receive future mailings from this account, please respond to this email and include the phrase "Remove Me" in the subject line. Thank you.

Here's a bib I did.

(I don't want to make the img too big, but it says
"My Mom is a Dot Mom.  Is Yours?"
www.my.ws/_____

You can also cusomize the image, and then upload it to stuff.

Like this mug.



You could put it on a mousepad, tshirt, anything.

Here's one of my postcard designs.  (Can also be used as a banner, although I'd probably make it smaller...)



As far as the postcard question you had in the other thread, Norma, banners like this can easily be used as postcards.  Just print them out on sticker paper and stick to 3x5 or 4x6 blank notecards.

Well, that's a new one on me.    The only thing I can think of is check to make sure your website is not still on forwarding.  If I remember right, the default is that it forwards to that screen.  But once you publish it, that shouldn't be happnening.  Still, check that...
Very strange. 

Is stuff like that considered spam?  I mean, if they're spamming Sonya and she writes to them telling them about our opportunity, I think it would be nuts for someone to get upset about that.  But with this spam policy crackdown, I'm scared to try that.  If we're allowed to do that though, I'd love to know, because I get a ton of emails like that, too.  (like the "turn 6$ into 6000$ email, etc)