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| PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMS! Research all business opportunities thoroughly, and never blow off other people's bad experiences. Ask around (and listen!). The Scams101 Message Board is a good place to start. What's that? You've found a Biz Op and you're wondering if it's endorsed by FIB?... Not unless it's listed in MaaMaw's Magnificent Toolbox. |
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FIB - Scams 101
Re: NOW 34 Things About AWAI Michael Masterson SCAM
Posted By: Jonathan Hiatt In Response To: Re: NOW 34 Things About AWAI Michael Masterson SCAM (Monica Day)
Date: Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 2:43 p.m.(pst)
I must admit that when I initially received the "Can You Write a Simple Letter?" promotion, I was a little skeptical. Ordinarily, I would have thrown it away. Thankfully, I did not. I intend to purchase the course. I have been freelance writing for the past year or so but cranking out magazine and newspaper articles isn't exactly the way to make a living. That's why there's the world of copywriting. But before you purchase the course, I would encourage you to do and keep in mind the following:
1. Google "Bob Bly." Bob Bly is the most successful copywriter in the business. He has authored over SEVENTY books, including "The Copywriter's Handbook" (which I own) and "Secrets of a Freelance Writer: How to Make $100,000 a Year or More" (I own that one, too). Take the time to skim these books. You can usually find them at a decent local library. They will give you an introduction to the business and world of copywriting. Another excellent one is "The Well Fed Writer" by Peter Bowerman. Bowerman, like Bly, and Nick Usborne (a copywriter who specializes in the Web), is not a paid endorser.
2. Bob Bly is a board member of AWAI. He is not a paid endorser. Bob Bly has been writing copy full-time since 1982. I highly doubt someone like Bly, with over twenty years experience in the business, would sit on the board of AWAI if he didn't personally believe in the merits of the program. I think if anyone had a bull**** detector, it would be him.
3. Read David Ogilvy's books on advertising. A little dated but still useful.
4. Yes, there ARE people who have benefited from AWAI's programs who are professional copywriters. And they DO have websites.
5. Having a degree in marketing or advertising is NOT a prerequisite to being a successful copywriter. Many have degrees in liberal arts (I have a background in English from the University of Minnesota).
6. I contacted the local BBB and AWAI has an exemplary record with the bureau. Go see for yourself. Just do a Google search. It has been my experience that businesses that AREN'T members of the BBB are usually much more suspect. People like the assurance that comes with purchasing a product or service from a BBB member.
7. What does concern me a little bit about copywriting (and Bly echoes this concern) is that copywriting seems to be more of a "business opportunity" than a profession. And that may very well be true. But anyone who can write clearly and concisely---and convincingly---can make a very good living writing copy for clients of all sizes (and NO, your pay doesn't come in the form of a spaghetti dinner).
8. AWAI makes it very clear that they are NOT an accredited institution of higher learning. No different from Stratford Career Institute. I think a lot of people look to AWAI to supplement their existing knowledge. But AWAI CAN get you started. Completing a college degree, of course, DOES make a huge difference but as I said before, it need not be in marketing or advertising. I believe Bly has an engineering degree.
9. AWAI does not equivocate about their money back guarantee.
10. Why don't you simply order it and see for yourself? And regarding testimonials, the claim that they all consist of relatives of Michael Masterson is nefarious. Unless he has over three hundred close relatives (the number of testimonials on AWAI's site). By the way, testimonials must be used with a person's consent for legal liability reasons.
And, yes, Jonathan Hiatt is my real name. Hiatt Communications, LLC is the name of my freelance writing business in Minnesota (just look it up on the Secretary of State website if you're that skeptical). I don't believe "flame wars" serve any useful purpose. I can't speak for everyone, but I have better things to do with my time. Like write.
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FIB - Scams 101 is maintained by Lesley Fountain with WebBBS 5.12.
| PLEASE READ THIS LEGAL NOTICE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU FILE A LAWSUIT OR EVEN WASTE TIME THINKING ABOUT IT. It has been done before, but never successfully. In fact, the last dodobird who tried it ended up being ordered to pay more than $77,000 in attorney fees ($65,000+ to my attorneys and $12,000+ to my co-defendant's legal advisor).
If your attorney is worth his salt, he's going to tell you that the expense of filing a lawsuit you can't win is a whole lot worse than any "damages" resulting from messages posted on this insignificant little chunk of cyberspace. NEWS FLASH: I didn't just climb down off that ol' turnip truck yesterday. I'm well aware that expressing a negative opinion, relating one's personal experience, and restating provable facts are all legal in this country and do not constitute libel, slander, or defamation -- so you don't want to play games with me, and you sure don't want to start something you aren't prepared to finish. I don't take threats lightly, and I don't accept bribes (or did you call it a "mutually-beneficial arrangement"?). I'll turn you in faster than you can yell, "ARREST ME, I'M SCUM!!" Do yourself a favor and turn your legal team loose in greener pastures. Although we may, from time to time, monitor or review discussions, postings and the like on the Friends In Business (Scams 101) Message Board, we are under no obligation to do so. We are not responsible or liable for any claim arising from the content of any such discussions or postings or for any error, defamation, libel, slander, omission, falsehood, obscenity, pornography, profanity, danger, or inaccuracy contained in any information contained within such locations on the Site. You are prohibited from posting or transmitting any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic, or profane materials or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any law. You are likewise prohibited from posting any false claims against any company or individual. We will fully cooperate with any law enforcement authorities or court order requesting or directing us to disclose the identity of anyone posting any such information or materials. By posting messages and/or content on the Friends In Business (Scams 101) Message Board, you give permission for Lesley Fountain/Friends In Business/Shoestring Success Publications to display, distribute and use the posting and content for publication, advertising, promotion, excerption or example. You grant Lesley Fountain/Friends In Business/Shoestring Success Publications complete, perpetual, but non-exclusive rights to use, archive, reproduce, adapt, modify, distribute, sub-license, repurpose, rework, compile, or offer for sale or resale the messages, postings or content appearing on this site in whole or in part, throughout the world and universe, on a royalty-free basis without remuneration. If you cannot accept or agree with the terms of service for this website and discussion board, you are advised not to post on this board. In closing, I would like to remind you once again that it is still legal, in this great country of ours, to express a PERSONAL OPINION, as long as it is presented as opinion and not as fact. And finally, all you scammers out there will do well to remember that TRUTH IS AN ABSOLUTE DEFENSE against charges of libel, defamation, and slander... so if you're operating just a hop, skip, and jump ahead of the law, you might want to think twice before doing anything stupid... (AND SHAME ON YOU!!). |