How Should I Respond? 108

“I face the very real possibility of becoming homeless. “

I got this message in an email yesterday.

This isn’t the person’s picture, but the person who e-mailed me could be in a similar situation to the man in the picture soon.

This may be happening to someone you know and care for, if not today then soon.  I’m predicting a flood of people in this same situation.

I’m getting more and more of these types of e-mails every day and I need your help to know …

How should I respond?

I know we haven’t spoken much, nor have we met, though I hope you can help me. I’m in deep financial trouble. I have almost nothing left and if I don’t come up with some money by the end of the month, I face the very real possibility of becoming homeless. That terrifies me.

I’ve worked as hard as I can with all the resources I have available to me and while some things are in motion, the one thing I need the most has dried up completely. Cash flow. At the moment, I have none. I’m down to about $150.00 in my bank account and I have about $1,300 in credit left for cash advances on my Visa.

If I can get as little as $500.00 coming in, I can pay the minimum on the Visa and my Amex and make cash withdrawals on my Visa, but not for much longer, as you can imagine. My monthly expenses are only about $1,000.00 but I’m unable to match that.

I’m incredibly frustrated. I’ve worked as hard as I know how, even up to seven days a week and virtually everything I’ve touched has failed. I feel incredible shame even in writing this, but I have no choice anymore. I can see things getting better with the joint ventures I’m working on. The problem is that they’re taking time to come together and I’m almost out of time. I know that things will get better; I just don’t know when.

I’m not asking for a handout. I have a lot of skills and am quite capable. Unfortunately I’ve made a lot of  mistakes and it’s led me to where I am now.

I sincerely hope you can help me or point me in the right direction.”

Let me know what you think!

What kind of advice can I give this person that will really help … right now.

All the best,

Ken McArthur

Tobri.com
KenMcArthur.com
jvAlertLive.com

And more, more, more.

About Ken McArthur

Ken challenges us to realize we ALL have an impact – whether we want to or not – on thousands of people who we touch in our day-to-day lives by demonstrating that simple things make a HUGE difference. The popular host of a series of live events that bring together top-level marketers, entrepreneurs, business owners, corporations and non-profit organizations to create multi-million dollar joint venture relationships – he creates incredible, intense impact for product launches and multi-million dollar profits in surprisingly short timeframes. Regularly asked to speak at leading marketing events, he has managed product launches ranked in the top 400 sites on the Internet. Ken McArthur is also the creator of AffiliateShowcase.com, a pioneering affiliate program search engine and directory system and the founder of the MBS Internet Research Center, which conducted the world’s largest survey ever attempted on the subject of creating and launching successful information products. Not satisfied to concentrate entirely on large organizations, Ken also works with select individuals to help them create a decent living utilizing the power of the Internet. Ken was the official mentor for Sterling Valentine as he took his launch from ZERO to over $100,000 in less than 8 days. Ken and Sterling documented the process as a “proof of concept” for Info Product Blueprint a massive home study course that is the “bible” of info product creation. Ken offers top-level coaching and mentoring programs designed to help individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations reach masses of people using the techniques, tactics strategies and systems that he has developed specifically to help people spread their ideas, products and services around the globe.

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108 thoughts on “How Should I Respond?”

  • Nathan Segal

    MAJOR UPDATE FROM NATHAN SEGAL
    In the last few hours, things have changed dramatically. I heard back from Frank Garon who said he will help me. I’ll be getting a call from him tomorrow.
    The second major event came from Bill Clemens who also posted on the blog. Bill is in the process of helping me in a huge way by doing a promotion to his list.
    In addition, I wrote a highly controversial press release that I sent to Bill. In the next day or so all of these events should take place.
    I’m going to be sending this release to all of my Internet marketing contacts. You can read the content of it here: http://www.simplehowtoguides.com/cppx3x4ir/imminenthomelessness.pdf
    Since I wrote the release, things have changed, though at the time I wrote it they were different. Still, it’s gone out in its current form. I’d appreciate it if you would forward this release to everyone you know.
    My intention is to create a media firestorm and a lot of buzz. As I said many times on this blog, I need help NOW! I don’t have the luxury of waiting around.
    I want to offer a big thank you to everyone who has helped me so far. I’ll keep all of you posted as things develop.
    Nathan Segal

    • Bill Clemens

      Nathan,

      I just sent out the first mailing to about 60%+ of my list. I also pointed people back to Kens site for any social proof in case they think it’s BS. I have my Fingers, Toes and Eye’s crossed buddy. 🙂

      • Dan Nickerson

        I sent an email to Nathan with a number of ideas, one of which is I highly recommend there’s another option besides the $67 offer.

        If you’re going to do a split mailing I would do one to the “Speed Up PC” book for $10.00. The photographic market is tiny and $67 is a lot of money for people to donate. Everyone has a computer and the lower donation option will result in far more conversions. Also others would be much more likely to promote that offer.

  • Bill Clemens

    Just wanted to post the email I sent out for Nathan and I am looking for anyone interested in helping with constructive criticisms. Here it is below,

    Dear Friend,

    You may have been on my list for a short time or a long time, I don’t know.
    I do want you to know that do my best to provide as much value with my
    work as I can and I have done this for many years. I also am a firm believer in Paying It Forward.

    My buddy Nathan Segal, like many others in this world today, has been hit by a number of financial disasters and the end result is that he now is seriously in the red.

    The result is that he is now running an emergency sale, made up of all his digital products, for the low price of $67.00 for everything.

    It’s all here:

    http://goo.gl/Tqo0E

    Here’s what you get:
    • His book, Speed Up Your Computer In 30 Minutes Or Less, with all the video tutorials
    • A one-year membership to DigitalArtistU.com which gives you information on how to increase your work flow if you’re a photographer or computer designer
    • His book on PHOTO-PAINT X3/X4 and two hours of video tutorials
    • His book on how to use Photoshop CS2 (a bit out of date, yes, but it’s the best I have)
    • His new course, Secrets of Profitable Freelance Writing. In this course, he
    shows you everything he knows about how to find high-paying writing jobs online, how to write a query letter that sells and how to build long-term relationships with magazines and editors.
    • Photographic MS Word Templates (50 of them) designed for creating professional reports

    Like I said, this is a special sale to help Nathan get back on an even financial
    footing. If you can help me help him, it would be greatly appreciated.

    BTW, Heres a special BONUS from me directly just for purchasing this.

    Bonus #1
    I am going to be running a (2) month long weekly Mastermind Group on Skype. Where I will be showing you all the ins and outs of list building, I am also going to do my best to get some of the Biggest Guru’s and authors on the net right now to join us each week where they can share their special tips with you.

    Bonus #2
    You get full access to my course List Building Fast 101,

    http://listbuildingfast101.com/

    In this you’ll learn, how to build your own massive list of people interested in what you are selling, with the simple click of a button you could have cash in mere hours, just like I’m doing here to help Nathan out.

    All of this could be yours without having to spend $197 on the course which is what I have sold it for in the past or precious dollars on some high risk PPC campaign, without wasting months of your time trying to SEO your site, or paying anything for advertising…

    One final thing, These Bonus’s are only for those who purchase through my link, once you purchase email a copy of your receipt and I will forward all the bonus information to you right away.

    And just in case your wondering if this is for real or some scam here is the full story on my friend Ken McArthur’s Blog https://kenmcarthur.com/?p=431

    Here’s that URL to buy from again:
    http://goo.gl/Tqo0E

    Thanks in advance.
    Bill

  • Nathan Segal

    UPDATE FROM NATHAN SEGAL

    It seems that there are many people who have said they would like to help me, but the question seems to be, “How?”

    Here are a couple of ideas for you:

    1. If you have a head shot that needs some basic editing, such as color changes or blemishes removed, I’ll do that for $25.00.

    2. If you have articles or reports that need editing, I’ll give you a half hour of time for $25.00, as well. If you more work than that, we can negotiate a rate.

    For more information, write to me at: visualartist49 AT gmail DOT com.

  • Vua612015

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  • enkeliguide

    Change in life can be good. What I have found is that trusting in God for answers and being willing to accept the answers is crucial. Then ask yourself, is this about me or is there someone else who will benefit from my experience. Whom shall I serve? What do you really want. Focus on that and it will come.

  • mobileHolly

    I know this post is 3 years old, but since Ken just linked to it onFacebook I will add some new things that weren’t around before. I have not tried all of these things, but I personally know people who have done these things. It’s not enough to necessarily pay a mortgage, but in combination it adds up.

    Teespring.com – you can run a 2 week campaign to sell shirts or sweatshirts. Depending on how much you charge, you can make enough for groceries for the week. If you throw in a bonus of something you wrote, so much the better. I know of an internet marketer who recently did very well at this promoting to his list.

    Fiverr.com – Offer to write something small for $5 (you keep $4) and then throw in some add-ons. Examples include $10 for same day service, $5 for extra revisions, etc.

    There was a promotion last year or so on Appsumo.com to “Kill your inner wantrepreneur.” The contest challenged participants to come up with ways to make money, right now, without a website. The winner offered to make websites for $500 and advertised on Craigslist that he was new in town and wants to build his portfolio. You could offer something similar as a copywriter, graphic artist, etc.

    Add “Accepting contracting assignments” or something similar to your LinkedIn profile

    Apply for temp work at Manpower.com or something similar. They have office positions, and I once scored a technical writer assignment from a household name this way. I’ve also worked at a LOT of companies doing secretarial work when I was between jobs.

    Create some small products and put them on JVZoo or E-Junkie or other affiliate sites that offer instant commission to paypal and split revenue. Then post about your offering in their forums.
    Create Squidoo or Hubspot pages (free) that are good quality work. Rank them in Google. Show business owners how you did it and offer to write some for them. Alternately, write excellent content and add one or two affiliate links to a Squidoo page that pays you directly from the program instead of waiting for the site’s payouts. The rules are a lot tougher over there now but it can still be done.

    Good luck and if you are really in this position and not faking, find me on Twitter as @mobileHolly and I will post links to your offerings.

  • John Archer

    Nathan,

    Since you have identified yourself as the author of the post, I’ll speak to you directly. I know your frustration, better than you will ever know.

    You see, I am, or have been, exactly where you are. I took a “JOB” because I’ve not been willing to take the MASSIVE ACTION necessary to create my own income streams.

    HELL, I’d rather respond to the post that showed up in my FACEBOOK feed then take real action.

    I imagine that you’re a lot like me. Tons of Digital Dust and courses on your Hard Drive and nothing to show for it. Here are some ideas that I’ve come up with to actually take action. Today being Monday is a Good time to start.

    1. As has been mentioned, put together a firesale. I’ve actually done that before and made some cash from it. How many PLR, MRR, and RR items do you have sitting there doing nothing.

    2. Take one of the How To Make money courses and actually sit down and implement ALL of the strategies. There are enough instant/100% commission products out there to start putting money in your pocket.

    3. If you don’t want to purchase hosting, use blogger, or another free blogging platform to post your information.

    4. DO IT.

  • Terri

    Linda, your comment 3 years ago and Dave Lakhani’s comment you cited are as relevant today as 3 years ago. People reach out to ‘experts’ – just to ask a brief question – and there is not much mercy anymore for those who are struggling. If we all reached out and helped just ONE person get past their barrier, we would truly have a more peaceful existence and an Internet Marketing community who can regain much of their credibility back after somewhat of a rocky road the past year.

  • Nina

    Hello, I see there a mixture of comments here. I understand where he is coming from, because I was in the same position not too long ago. I was living on my Sister’s couch, crying every night, with no income coming in. I searched for jobs and went on interviews with no luck. But, I knew that I didn’t want to be in New York. However, I had a strong desire to leave NY and go to Texas. My desire was so strong, that I emailed all of my clients and put up an irresistible offer. And you know what, two of them took me up. And, that was enough money to get me to TEXAS, rent a condo for a month and get my bearings in my new state. Long story short: When you want something bad enough , you will find a way to make it happen. I highly encourage him to get MINDSET training. There are a lot of free resources on the net, heck even the local library that will help him train his mind. I tell everyone I meet to read the book: Think & Grow Rich. It’s one of the most profound books on changing your mindset. In a nutshell, if he emailed me , I would have did this:

    1. Understand his situation and show empathy
    2. Let him know there is hope
    3. Give him 1 strategy that I did that helped me get cash flow instantly ( live local workshops are great for that)
    4. Recommend him to get the book Think and Grow rich and actually follow it.

    5. Tell him that no matter what he does, he will fail, if he doesn’t change his mindset and have faith.

    I know having an abundance mindset will make all the difference.

  • Larry

    This is hot stuff! I haven’t read all the comments (105 at the time I’m writing this) so forgive me if this is somewhat repetitive…

    There has NEVER been a time when I have given help unconditionally that has helped the person long term. And I’ve done it plenty. It’s simple…we value things to the extent that we’ve invested in them. If we pay nothing, we perceive that as its worth. Are there exceptions? Sure…I just haven’t seen them yet. And I’ve checked back a few months later and have always found the person in about the same situation.

    Someone mentioned the idea of allowing someone to earn the help. That’s a fantastic idea. It restores the dignity of the person who needs it and allows them to see themselves as a partner in the process, rather than someone dependent on the good will of others.

    I often talk about “How To Receive.” And please understand the difference between RECEIVING and TAKING. If there’s no balance…if there’s no accepting the gift as a birthright of a strong and balanced person who gives in equal measure, it’s not receiving…it’s taking. The pipeline to accumulating more good stuff doesn’t open. We know this in our heart of hearts.

    To Ken’s question…should I help this person out? I think you know the answer. Giving unconditionally to someone experiencing such a scarcity consciousness only perpetuates the problem. Permitting them to earn it and create a new self image changes to cycle…and is the greatest gift you can give someone in need.

  • Larry

    Footnote…Ken’s willingness to give with an open heart isn’t in question. But do you think he would have become Ken Freakin’ MacArthur without recognizing the Divine force in others, and himself…and expecting it from everyone he works and plays with?