Hey guys,

It’s true!

You can get 3 FREE copies of Mike Filsaime’s MDC Monthly.

Mike Filsaime’s Newsletter Click Here

Mike Filsaime is using a new way to spread the word.

He is not asking for any tell a friend of even an OPT-IN

He is experimenting with a new type of Social Viral Marketing that appears to
get him backlinks to his site just for sharing the word.

Mike Filsaime’s Newsletter Click Here

This seems to be the truest form of Viral marketing I have seen yet. It uses
social media and blogs to get the “news” out about something rather than
Tell-A-Friends etc.

But the main thing I want to share with you is that you can get 3 Kick-Butt
copies of his latest newsletter and you don’t have to pay $89.00 to get it.

Just click the link below and it is yours Free!

Mike Filsaime’s Newsletter Click Here

P.S. – Even if you THINK you are not interested in his newsletters (Which are
pretty good from what I see) I suggest you give it a shot for 2 reasons. 1- You
may be surprised at the quality. And 2- Wait until you see how he is trying this
new viral marketing.

Think about this for a moment.  We all want to get our message into as many hands as possible, if we’re using social networking as a business tool.  But how valuable is that broadcast if nobody is actually looking at it?

My thought pattern follows along the same one that I was using when I was defending Gary McCaffrey and his TweeterGetter application.  Many people complained that it was “evil” because you were building this huge list of people without having to follow them back.  I argued that simply following people who follow you (reciprocal following) is actually a bigger problem than simply following people who don’t follow you.

Let me quickly explain why this is so.

Many who were complaining about TweeterGetter complained that their list is about “quality” not “quantity.”  Now that is not necessarily a bad argument, but it isn’t supported by being a reciprocal follower either.  I submit to you that your list of followers is of higher “quality” if it is actually filled with a bunch of people that you AREN’T following.  The reason is that if someone follows you, and they remain a follower even if you don’t follow them back — THEN, and only then, can you be sure that you actually have a dedidcated audience that actually WANTS to hear from you.

Think about it… how many of the people that you’re currently following do you actually pay attention to unless they @reply you?  For me, if I’m honest — the answer is NOT MANY!  I don’t ignore people or go out of my way to avoid reading their tweets, but I don’t go looking for them either.  Lets cut to the chase, I don’t have time.  And neither do you!  So wouldn’t it be foolish to assume that everyone who is following you is actually looking forward to and reading your tweets?

For me, I log into Twitter, and I scan the first page of Twitter, and if I see anything that interests me, I reply to it.  But if it’s not on that first page when I log in, I’m never going to see it.  The reason is simple, and it’s one that internet marketers should be aware of…

You want to get your site listed on the first page of Google, why?  Because you want to be seen!  Well, Twitter is no different.  If an update isn’t on your “updates’ home” page, you’re probably not going to go searching for what your tweeple said.  And guess what, they probably won’t be looking for yours either!

Are YOU reading Twitter updates on pages' 4 and 5? No? Well, your follower aren't either.

The reason reciprocal following doesn’t work is the same reason that safelists are GENERALLY not effective.  They aren’t full of people hoping to receive YOUR emails; they are full of people wanting you to read THEIR emails.  So everyone signs up with an email address that they don’t even check (come on, admit it — if you’ve used safelists, you’ve done it too!), so as not to be bothered with a bunch of “spam.”  It amazes me how people think that while they may be avoiding other people’s messages, that these same people aren’t doing the same thing to them.  Of course they are people.  Wise up!

So while I’m not telling nor suggesting that anyone abandon Twitter from their marketing campaigns, what I am suggesting is that we do a better job of keeping Twitter’s actual marketing “power” in perspective.  Sure, having 45,000 followers means that you have the POTENTIAL of having your message read by 44,000 more people than they guy with only 1,000 tweeple on his list — but if your list is comprised of 45,000 people that you’re also “following” [and ignoring, which you probably are (unless you're spending 48 hours a day on Twitter)] without actually FOLLOWING, then it’s conceivable that his 1,000 followers might actually be paying attention to him.  And as I’m sure you already know, having “eyes” on your product doesn’t mean much if they don’t care about your message to begin with.

I bet you think it’s a better use of time AND money to get 50 TARGETED visitors to your web site using a highly optimized Google Adwords campaign than it is to purchase one of those “100,000 ‘HITS’ Guaranteed!” traffic packages, right?  Thought so!So my point is this… Twitter may be (and IS) a great tool, but try not to get caught up into believing all of the hype right now that makes it sound as though building a big Twitter following is just as good as building a huge optin list.  The fact is, from a marketing standpoint, it’s not!  I believe that Twitter, like television commercials,  is a valuable tool, but I also know that half of all households mute those commercials anyway.  The bottom line is that exposure has two figures one needs to keep in mind.  First, how many people will your message reach; and secondly (and even more importantly), how many of those people will care?

Just something to think about…

When I finished creating myself a little “template” image at 1280×1024, I looked over my handy work and thought, “Dude, I think this could help a lot of people!”  So at that, I decided to continue slaving away and to “spread the wealth.”  I decided I would whip up several templates optimized for 1280×1024 displays, but with the template itself being various sizes: 1920×1200, 1440×900, 1680×1050, etc.  I figured this way PRO DESIGNERS (of which, I am most definitely not one) could use my templates to comply with their customers’ requests, while at the same time ensuring that the background remained optimized for the majority of the eyes that would see it.  This would also give them a nice visual aid when they have those pesky customers who say, “It doesn’t look right on my screen.” While that customer is using a widescreen 26″ Dell display at 1680×1050 to do their surfing, when the vast majority of users will not be.  This would allow you to say, “OK, here’s your image at 1680×1050, but as you can see anything to the right of this point, or below this point is going to be unseen by most web surfers.  You want to make sure that what we build is going to look best for the majority of your visitors, right?”

Template @ 1920×1200 Optimized for 1280 Viewing

So, I did just that.  I created my template to be optimized for 1280×1024, but I made them for multiple design sizes.  After that, I got to thinking… ‘Ya know Jace, if you share these templates with others a lot of them aren’t going to keep vertical space in mind.  You clearly have the left/right boundaries marked, but you need to show them how to make best use of their vertical space too!”  So, I went back in and I added “perforations” to my templates to demonstrate at what point your design was “wasted” by designing “below the fold” because it wouldn’t be seen.  I marked how much of the vertical space would be visible at 1280×1024 in both Firefox and Internet Explorer (assuming that your visitors have all standard toolbars, plus one other: i.e. Google or Yahoo!) and then I decided to mark the same points for widescreen resolutions of 1280×768.

At this point I smiled to myself and thought… ‘Man, this is pretty cool!’

I figured it was time to share these templates with the world, but THEN my stupid willingness to help as many people as possible got the better of me.  Even though I was already tired and worn out, I got to thinking — ‘While most people do optimize their Twitter profiles with a horizontal resolution of 1280 pixels in mind, some still want to optimize theirs to 1024 for older monitors and eyes.’ In doing so, you do sacrifice a lot of valuable design space, but if that’s the resolution you want to target, that’s what you have to put up with.  So… I actually went back and made 1024 optimized versions of all of my templates!

One thing to note is that the templates are in PNG format, so you can use them with YOUR editor of choice: PhotoShop, Paint Shop Pro, GiMP, Paint.NET, or whatever else.  Simply open the template size you wish to work with and add new layers below the template layer.  Alternatively you can do your design work and then import the template into a new layer in your image to see what it should look like after you save and upload to Twitter.

And here’s the best part… I’m giving these away to all of you without cost!  Yeah, I know… I’m such a nice guy! *wink, wink*

All I ask in return is that if you find these templates useful, FOLLOW ME on Twitter.  And heck, if you’d like to continue “spreading the wealth” you could always:

Tweet This message using the button below.

Free Twitter Background Templates (401)

Thanks, and I hope you find these little templates useful if you’re looking to design your own unique Twitter background.  They did take me quite a bit of time to make.

And find it, I did.  I pointed her to FT Signature Manager.  She thanked me for the link and set off on her merry way to give the installation a go.  She got the plugin installed, but couldn’t figure out how to configure it.  I figured that it was just a case of the WordPress 2.7 branch’s backend being so drastically different than previous iterations.  So, I tried to explain to her where to go to configure the plugin.  After she couldn’t find the options, I decided to install it myself and walk her through it.  (Aren’t I sweet?)

What I found was that it took me a few minutes to figure out how to set this thing up too, but we eventually nailed it down.  I gave Jamie the information, and she added her signature to her blog.  A couple of her readers commented that it was pretty neat and that they would like to do the same.  With that, I decided I would write up a detailed tutorial (complete with screenshots) walking users through installing and configuring this signature plugin.  So, without further adieu, I present to you the tutorial…

Your Golden Ticket

These directions assume that you are using WordPress 2.7.x.  If you are using an earlier version of WordPress, I assume that you know how to manually install plugins for WordPress, and you should start this tutorial at step 3.

1. Getting Started

The first thing you’re going to want to do is install FT Signature Manager, and you might as well take advantage of WordPress’s new built-in, plugin installer.  After you have logged into your WordPress Admin panel, scan the sidebar for “Plugins” and expand it if it already isn’t.  Then click on Add New.

Slick New Plugin Installer Built Into WordPress

2. Find the Plugin

After the Add New plugin page has loaded, you will have the option to search WordPress for plugins.  By default the search criteria is set to “term.”  Leave that as is and type in “ft signature” before clicking on the search button.

Perform a search for: ft signature.

3. Install the Plugin

The search results should find and return the plugin “FT Signature Manager.” Simply click on the text link reading, “Install” to proceed.

With FT Signature Manager in toe, click Install

4. Confirm Plugin is Activated

After confirming that you wish to install the plugin, it should already be activated, but you should confirm this by checking Plugins > Installed to be sure.  If it doesn’t show up in the activated list, you may activate it here the same way you would any other plugin by clicking the “Activate” link.

Plugin activated? Check!

5a. Setup that Signature

Now that the plugin has been installed and activated, we need to let WordPress know whether or not the default behavior is to show the signature every time (When you make a new post, you have the option to turn the signature on or off from within the posting screen.  You will find that option near the bottom of the posting screen labeled Signature Options.) or not. And of course, you get to set your desired signature up (using HTML) complete with text, images, or whatever you want.  Access the signature configurator by clicking on Users > Signature Options in the sidebar.

If you do not see Signature Options, you may need to expand the menu by clicking on the drop-down arrow to the right of Users.

5b. Signature Setup Continued

Determine what you want your signature to read (text) or show (image), and input the HTML into the text box.  Note that if you wish to use a multiple line signature, you will need to manually create the line breaks using the BR tag as shown below.  When you have your signature’s text/image HTML entered, you can click on the Update button to not only activate your signature, but to also gain a preview of what your signature is going to look like on-screen.

Enter Signature HTML and Click Update

6. Post Away

At this point, your signature is setup and ready to roll.  All that’s left now is to test it out by making a post and seeing your signature in action.  Keep in mind that even if you set the default behavior to always on, this plugin will only add your signature to posts made AFTER installation and configuration.  It will NOT automatically append your signature to your prior posts, although you can go back and add it yourself, if you feel so inclined.

Thanks — I hope this helps some of you!

Note: You can actually see the results of this plugin directly below.  Notice how the signature previewed in the image above is now shown below this post.

Mike Fitz runs a blog where he posted about his reasons for frowning upon TweeterGetter.  His conspiracty is that the big reason TweeterGetter is bad is because Gary McCaffrey is stealing passwords of Twitter users.  To me this notion is crazy for several reasons, but I tried just playing devil’s advocate and asking Mr. Fitz if he’s worried about that if he has or planned on posting the same warning for other services that request your Twitter credentials.

Technical jargon alert:  Of course, this problem isn't Gary's fault, it is a natural result of Twitter refusing to take advantage of  0Auth in their API.

Anyway, when I defended TweeterGetter one of Mike’s readers decided to make a childish, homoerotic, suggestion about my sexual preference.

http://mike.brisgeek.com/2009/02/14/tweetergetter-twitter-password-harvester/#comment-43401

I was disappointed to find that rather than admonishing his reader, Mike instead opted to result to joining in and calling me names.

http://mike.brisgeek.com/2009/02/14/tweetergetter-twitter-password-harvester/#comment-43410

When I called him onto the carpet about that, he attempted to deflect the entire issue.

http://mike.brisgeek.com/2009/02/14/tweetergetter-twitter-password-harvester/#comment-43431

I pointed out that I didn’t appreciate his comments nor the way he was choosing to handle the entire discussion.

http://mike.brisgeek.com/2009/02/14/tweetergetter-twitter-password-harvester/#comment-43435

I’d have to say, I’m done with the issue now.  I probably won’t be returning again, but I want to make sure that I have handled things properly thus far.  Your thoughts?

=-=-=-=-=-=

In the sake of fairness, the ENTIRE article, and my comments can be viewed HERE.

If I have handled things poorly or improperly, you have my permission to tell me so.

6,851 Followers in Less than 2 Days

What has TweeterGetter done for me specifically?  It’s hard to say.  What I do know is that When I signed up with TweeterGetter yesterday I stood at 102 followers.  As of this writing I am at 165.  Now, that’s a pretty huge jump considering my lack of Twitter exposure when I only had 102 followers before we began, and I don’t want to credit all of that to TweeterGetter either.  It’s hard to say how many of 63 followers I’ve picked up in the last day were a by product of TweeterGetter and how many were a result of the article I wrote concerning the service… or even how many were simply “natural” follows due to my having been very active [providing SOLID content and STELLAR (in my own and correct opinion) humor] on Twitter in the last 24 hours.

In the end I don’t really care that much.  One thing is certain, even if I didn’t pick up a single follower via TweeterGetter, which I know I have — I still would have nothing negative to say about it or Gary.  The reason is simple.  In spite of all of this “pyramid scheme” and “ponzi” talk, this application is negatively affecting NOBODY.  Even if I do not “benefit” from it, I wasn’t harmed by it either.  The fact is no money has changed hands (so far); nobody is being forced to do anything; and everyone who has signed up has been presented the OPPORTUNITY to opt-out of following Gary before they ReTweet his message.  I won’t even mention that in no way can TweeterGetter force you to remain one of his followers after you sign up.  If you wanted to simply sign up and then unfollow him IMMEDIATELY, there’s nothing stopping you from doing so.

So, what then is the big deal?

Well, the big deal is Gary himself!  This thing is ingenious!  It’s powefully simple in concept and execution and that is what is making him both an overnight success and controversy.  I would love to get an interview with this guy and pick his brain.  I must admit, this little idea has planted a seed or two into my own mind.  Of course, I may never launch them as I’d hate to be remembered [sarcasm] for bringing “pornography and prostitution” to the masses as Gary has done.[/sarcasm]

So, in less than 48 hours Gary has managed to acquire some 7,000 followers for himself and many others of us have leeched off of that success to grab a bonus 10, 20, 100, 200, or 500 for ourselves.  No babies nor animals were harmed in the making of TweeterGetter, and I have made contacts with several people I probably never would have otherwise.  Not only have I made contact with them, but I have shared laughs with them and am looking forward to long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with each and every one of them.

And you know what happens if a few bad apples turn out to be spammers who aren’t bringing anything positive to my tweeting experience?  Simple, I’ll elect to unfollow them!  Just as I know they will do if I don’t bring some value their way too.  So, with all of that being said, the whole concept of this being nothing more than a numbers game is ludicrous.  If it turns out to be nothing more than a numbers game you can rest assured that just as quickly as Gary reaches 10,000 followers (and I predict that takes place some time tomorrow or Saturday at the latest), he will find his follower count back down around 2,000 or less because people will quickly abandon ship.

So I say, we give things some time and we find out what Gary’s long-term plans are and about how he plans on enriching the lives of others by tweeting.  Maybe it will turn out that he really is interested in nothing more than making his follower count hit astronomical heights, and if that’s so — rest assured I will unfollow him quickly.  But maybe he will turn out to be one of best and most engaging tweeple under the twitosphere.  And if that happens, I’ll be glad that I “erred” on this side of the line rather than the side that chose to hang him first and ask questions never.

Oh, I almost forgot this is MY blog and I can spam it if I want to!  *giggles* So, please allow me the liberty of pasting my token “spammy” TweeterGetter link here so that you may follow me.  Thanks!

http://tweetergetter.com/jacebarnett

In any event, many marketers are upset and say that Gary McCaffrey is “prostituting” Twitter.  I think it’s mainly jealousy speaking, as they can’t stand to see people taking “shortcuts.”

Those who don’t think it’s a shortcut claim that it just doesn’t work, because “ReTweeting Gary’s message only benefits him.”  They argue that your followers are already following you, thus you don’t gain any new followers and only Gary benefits.  This argument is easily proven false by acknowledging that yes, my followers are already following me, but THEIR followers aren’t!  When they sign up for TweeterGetter under me, all of their followers who see the value in TweeterGetter don’t just follow Gary, they follow me too!

Now for those same marketers crying, “Where’s the relationship in that?”  I ask you, is this not the same thing as the EXTENDED Networks found on LinkedIn?  Do those disgust you too?

What about this whole thing just being a ploy to get Gary more followers?  Well, if anyone signs up and doesn’t want to  follow Gary, they don’t have to — they can simply untick that box.  What this means is that not only is Gary not charging for his application, but he isn’t even making it a requirement to follow him to use it.  Which I don’t think would be unfair if he did.

I argued in the She-Sales Seminar thread that crying foul over someone getting a bunch of followers is stupid, because unless I provide quality content to my follower I won’t be keeping them anyway.  The fact is, if you follow me on Twitter and all I do is spam you, you’re not sticking around anyway.  The only way you remain a follower of mine is IF I provide value to your Tweeting experience.  Thus that “relationship building” they are complaining is missing is actually VERY MUCH PRESENT.  And if it isn’t present, then you lose your followers anyway — thus leaving their whole reason for waving the red flag null in void!

Face it folks, this is nonsense!  TweeterGetter is a great idea, and Gary’s only sin is that when he introduced it to the Twitter Nation he did so without Filsaime, Reese, Kern, Ambrose, or Belcher on his birth certificate.  Any attempts to masquerade this “boycott” as anything more than jealousy and slander is simply ridiculous.

Please Gary, take solace in the fact that not everyone is against you.

Good night!

The biggest update to this journey though is that I will be unvailing a new web site soon.  I don’t want to give too much away just yet, so I’ll just leave you with this teaser.  If you’re an avid reader (like I am), you’re probably going to be a big fan of my upcoming product and service.

Signed Certificate 59 Out of Only 1,000

The materials have arrived.  Now the big questions remain:

1.  Does John Reese really know his stuff?

2.  Can he really help me reach my lofty goals?

3.  Will I be disciplined enough to study and follow?

4.  Does anyone (other than the bank holding my mortgage) care?

Tune in tomorrow — same bat-time, same bat-channel!

Unfortunately for him, I have so much content from him to weed through now that he probably won’t be receiving any more money from me until I get all caught up.  Sorry John!