Spam Social Media Ads Don't Work, 4 Easy Solutions

Spam Advertising Posts Don't Work & Can Even Cost You Followers.

Question: When you open up the newspaper or a magazine; do you go to the classified ads section or
stay on the pages that have content?

Question #2: When you are on Facebook and you see an obvious spam ad, do you skip it and to to something more interesting like a video or photo from a friend?

The Real Risk to the Spammer

If you spam too frequently on social media, even group pages, you run the risk of people actually getting offended, skip your ads, deleting them, blocking you, or just unfollowing you. The above reactions are not only common; they can result in the opposite effect that you were looking for.

What is the Solution ?: 

Engaging people while spreading your brand is not rocket science. The secret is not better technology either. Here are 3 easy but effective ways to keep people engaged without hurting your SEO rankings:

1.) Post Tips that are related to your industry. This establishes you as an expert, not as a salesperson.

2.) Use the chat feature on Facebook or messaging on other media to actually schedule appointments with people. Instead of sending more spam or a sales video; ask for a networking appointment via chat.

3.) Keep your status updates short: 82 characters only; like a tweet might be. Keep your videos under 60 seconds sot that they also do not appear like a infomercial.

4.) Finally, use back links to your website, blog, or other content filled sites.

Because I have personally tried to do the above I have been able to contact people that had networks much larger than mine that were willing to hep me. The result: I now have access to 2 media networks that each have 20 million viewer monthly and I have met individuals with up to 500,000 Facebook followers that have posted my business page links for free.

Weekly tips and workshop notices are also available at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/salesandmediatraining/
You can also message me at the above url address or request to join the group page:
Content not commercials  , on Facebook via the above link.
Creative Commons Copyright 3/31/ 2015

Tax Season I.D. Theft and Fraud Warning

The article below is a guest article offered by Legal Shield and not meant to be specific tax of financial advice.
Should you want more information on affordable identity theft detection and credit restoration
in the event of identity theft damage;simple click on the link below to research or purchase a plan:
legalshield.com/info/taylorr

Tax Season: ID Theft and Fraud Warning! Tax scams and tax related ID theft take many forms including mail, phone, e-mail and now even social media and texting. HIGH RISK DEMOGRAPHICS: While everyone is at risk, many of these scams target older people, those that may be newer to the United States, or simply those less experienced with computer security or tax filing procedures. Watch out for your friends and family who may fall into any of those categories and share this with them. EMAIL SCAMS: Phishing Taxpayers and their advisors should be prepared for e-mail scams that use the IRS name. Some demand payments while others promise refunds or request information on you or a payment you’ve made in the past. They want your name, social security number, bank account numbers, and other identifying details they need to accomplish anything from printing fake checks to taking control of your checking account or even filing a false tax return and collecting a refund in your name. The IRS has explicitly stated that they will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, texting, or any social media. Forward scam e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. Do not open any attachments or click on any links in suspect e-mails. Taxpayers should also be aware of unrelated scams (such as lottery sweepstakes winners) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS. PHONE SCAMS: Impersonating the IRS One scam currently operating (just one of many) that involves several callers including an initial “agent” and then an angry “supervisor” who call and demand immediate payment to avoid threats ranging from arrest to deportation. They have scammed people in every state and continue to operate from a variety of area codes (many calls use numbers with Washington D.C. and Virginia area codes). I actually asked a number of people who received these calls in the past to send me the phone numbers; they were all from the same three numbers and by simply entering the numbers in Google, I brought up many identical fraud complaints. According to J. Russell George, the treasury inspector general of the Tax Administration, this scam has already taken $14 million from the thousands of taxpayers who have actually reported it; many likely have not. George cautions that the scam continues to grow, “It is critical that all taxpayers continue to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls from individuals claiming to be IRS employees. This scam, which is international in nature, has proven to be the largest scam of its kind that we have ever seen. The callers are aggressive, they are relentless, and they are ruthless,” he said. “Once they have your attention, they will say anything to con you out of your hard-earned cash.” According to the IRS website and various government press releases, the IRS usually first contacts people by mail — not by phone — about unpaid taxes. And the IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone. The callers who commit this fraud often: • Utilize an automated robo-call machine • Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers • May know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security number • Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling • Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam • Call a second or third time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles (caller ID supports their claim) Fighting Back: How to Report Scam Attempts The IRS itself provides substantial guidance on these issues and even has a form you can complete on line if you’ve already been defrauded. If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s what to do: • If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions. • If you don’t owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation scam” form on TIGTA’s website, or call TIGTA at 800-366-4484 • You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint. Special Thanks to of-counsel attorney Ike Devji with LegalShield provider law firm Davis Miles McGuire Gardner PLLC for providing the content of this article.

Life insurance, How to avoid the minimum 50% health surcharge

How to avoid life insurance surcharges

About the author: The author ,Randy Taylor has advised consumers and  financial planners, stock brokers, and insurance agents on life insurance planning for 32 years  He has also been a state and national speaker in regards to life insurance.  Ca. License #0643596

What is an insurance "rating", and what does it mean in dollars and cents to be "rated up"

There are several rate classes with preferred plus and preferred being available to those that are not taking 

routine medications, no history of adverse driving records, and have no family history of immediate family deaths before age 60. 

The next class up is known as standard and is available to those in average good health

that might have a minor health condition that is well controlled by medication.

Surcharges known as "table ratings", work as follows: The minimum rating is usually a 50% surcharge

added to the standard rate to cover the insurance company for the increased risk. After the first table rating; there  are incremental charges of an additional 25% for each table or rung on a ladder until a decline which is around 7 increases.

The bottom line: How can an applicant avoid the minimum 50% surcharge?

The first thing to commit to memory is that all insurance companies are not created equal in terms of 

how strict they are when  looking at your health. A single company agent is less likely to be able to help you versus working with an objective broker that can match your health history up with the  company and product that is best for you.  The second thing to consider is that you should get a second opinion if you have a health condition and are rated up.

Give me the bottom line. When might I get an average good health rate if working with an

objective broker?

These common conditions can often be overlooked if there are no other health or lifestyle concerns.

High cholesterol history: If controlled with medication for over 1 year and now in the normal range, no rating.

High blood pressure: If controlled with medication for over 1 year and now in the normal range, no rating.

Occasional Cigar or chewing tobacco use:   Out of 1274 companies approx. in California, only a handful will allow cigar use without  charging tobacco user rates. A broker can often get a standard non smoker rate.

Height vs. weight issues:  Some aggressive companies will allow up to 6' 0 and 250 lbs. normal rates

while others will charge the full 50% rating.

Private pilots:  The rating for private recreational pilots can be as high as $2.50 per thousand , If the client is in perfect health he is also often not given the good health rate; but instead a standard rate, 30%+  higher  plus the $2.50 per thousand of insurance surcharge.

However: a male over 50 with 100 hours of solo experience may qualify with No surcharge at all if you have a knowledgeable broker!

Diabetes: Once again, average good health rates, with No rating is available if controlled  with medication so that the A1C ratio is within guidelines. If the onset of the condition is after age 40; some companies, will allow the lower rate of average good health, saving 50% or more.

Note that each company has their own separate underwriting guidelines but some companies have certain niches, like cigar users for example; whereby they are less strict that other carriers.

As with all financial decisions, you should consult with your insurance broker,financial advisor, attorney, and/or tax advisor before making decisions.

Copyright: Creative Commons 2/28/2015

Author: Randy Taylor, Lic. #0643596

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Life insurance and I.R.A. Account Specialist
Serving clients and brokers since 1983

How to get referrals on the spot with only two questions

2 Easy But Specific Questions Can Lead To More Referrals in any industry!

About the Author:

Randy Taylor has been both a state and national speaker in 3 different industries:
Office products, Hospital Research, and Financial Services.  He was interviewed 6 times on television or radio and sales and acting. He is a veteran of over well over the 10,000 presentations and has exceeded the standard recommended for expert status.

Questions are the Answer for all aspects of the sales process

Questions are the underlying secret to success in all key areas of the sales process including referral acquisition. That includes the following:

  Building Rapport
  Fact Finding
  Presenting
  Objection Handling
  Closing
  Referral gathering

The bottom line:  Referral Collection
Don't wait for referrals: Ask for them. 

The general method: Be specific and ask for the exact client referral that meets you ideal client profile.  

Question #1: " I am expanding my business and I need your help: Who do you know who: ( Fill in the blanks with age, geographical location etc, income."  Do not change a single word. *

Question #2: First go to LinkedIn or Facebook and find out who recommended them on that media.

Feed those names as follows:  " I plan on contacting , fill in  the name,  Do you mind if I mention that you and I are friends. Don't ask for permission to call them; only permission to use your current contacts name. 

Those 2 easy questions can actually be the difference to success or failure.

To be included in tips on a Facebook group page and to also be notified on online or offline sales

and networking seminars; asked to be added to the Facebook group at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/salesandmediatraining/

Other free tips are offered with no opt in at:

https://www.facebook.com/RandyTaylorFinancial

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=72389552&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

http
s://www.facebook.com/AskRandyTaylor 

Subject to Creative Common Copyright, 2/10/2015:This article can be copied or shared as long as it is used in it's entirety and not altered in any way.

To schedule Randy Taylor as a speaker; simply instant message me with a call back phone number at: https://www.facebook.com/AskRandyTaylor

* Quote attribution, question 1, to Mark Sheer.

"Telephone Sales for Dummies" How to be more effective

Selling is Not Telling:

Telephone sales techniques are no different  than person to person sales calls.
If you use time and field tested principles instead of a script; you will 10 times more effective.

About the Author:  Randy Taylor has been trained in sales by fortune 500 companies, in 3 totally unrelated industries and been both a state and national speaker on sales practices. He was also quoted
by Forbes Magazine regarding sales practices for home based businesses. He is also a sought after speaker on networking practices and was interviewed on television and radio 6 times in 2014.

The Basics:

  Use an outline to keep you on track that includes questions you want to ask; but never a script.

 Immediately identify yourself and the purpose of your call.

 Ask the prospect "Is this a good time to talk?" " I need about 5 minutes"
 The client will usually say: No , but what is this about?  You can then begin by asking questions.

If they say no, mention I understand; what it was
 about was a way to: reduce your advertising cost, or whatever bullet is important.

Ask questions about their current situation to immediately engage them in a conversation and to uncover their needs that you can solve.

Take notes about their goals and needs and address that later when you present a single solution.

Try to keep your entire sales call to 10 minutes which includes fact finding, presenting, and closing.

After presenting, Close by summarizing the concerns they mentioned; and which feature of your service addresses that. Do not add other product solutions. Finally ask for the business and ask a closing question.

Finally explain what you will do and when. Then get a verbal commitment for them to follow up; mail a form back; go to a website etc.

Key Point:  The Person that talks the least, ( The one asking the questions), controls the call.

When calling from a referral lead:  Ask only for the appointment. Do not present product features. Referral procurement and telephone objection handling will be addressed in another article, workshop, and video.

For more information please contact Randy Taylor below.
Copyright by Creative Commons author Randy Taylor 1/5/2015
https://www.facebook.com/groups/salesandmediatraining/
https://www.facebook.com/RandyTaylorFinancial

LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE LIVING

Finally Something New in Low Cost Life Insurance

Living Benefit Term Life Insurance from Transamerica*

The author ,Randy Taylor has advised consumers on life insurance planning for 21 years while also advising financial planners, stock brokers, and insurance agents on product selection for an additional 10 years. Ca. License #0643596

* Not an offer of insurance and see a specimen policy for complete details while also consulting

with your financial advisors including tax professionals or attorneys before making decisions.

Much easier to apply for than traditional term insurance plans.

No blood test, no exam , and application can be taken online if you are in normal good health, and applying for less than $500,000 at ages 60 years old or younger.

More than just a death benefit

Terminal Illness payout: One of the ways that you can access tax free money when you need it most.

Should you be diagnosed with a terminal illness; you can ask for a small amount or most of the death benefit to be paid out to you while you are still alive. See your tax person for advice but consider that the advance is normally tax free and can be used for any purpose.

Critical Illness Benefit: (Not available in all states. Check with your insurance agent)

Should you be the victim of a stroke or heart attack you can also access part of the death benefit while alive; even you are not terminally ill as a result of the life event.

Of course once the policy is issued, you can select the guaranteed level premium period that best

suits yours needs and age. Guarantee periods can be as long as 30 years or as short as 10 years; depending on your age.

Suitable for Business or Personal Use: Shorter term periods are often ideal for partnership buy-sell agreements and longer term periods are available for needs such a mortgage payoff insurance.

In summary, you now have low cost term life insurance that allows you to replace all or part of income that would be lost if you had a life threatening event and need cash or an affordable traditional death benefit for your beneficiaries.

Article submitted by Randy Taylor, 10/31/2014 . Copyright: Creative Commons

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Life insurance and I.R.A. Account Specialist
Serving clients and brokers since 1983

Risk Management, often overlooked in Retirement Planning

Why You Shouldn't Put the Cart Before The Horse

Whether your projected retirement date is 30 years from now or in the near future,it is
absolutely essential that  you protect yourself against all types  of  financial loss that could
possibly erase years of cash accumulation with  just one negative circumstance.

Key areas to address before investing for retirement:

Disability  income insurance  Insuring yourself against loss of income:  Disability  income insurance can supply income without interruption all the way to age 65 if you have the right insurance carrier and insurance contract. Ask your agent/advisor about an "own occupation definition of disability."

Pre-paid legal assistance:  One lost  civil suit or I.R.S. audit can erase years  of savings or destroy business assets. I use the monthly service provided by Legal Shield . Pricing & details here at www.legalshield.com/info/taylorr

Identity theft protection:  Several companies offer  continuous credit monitoring for about $10.00 per month. Identity Shield, one option, includes having professional people write the letters and make the  phone calls to also reinstate your credit to where it was 60 days before the invasion. Details at: www.legalshield.com/info/taylorr

Life insurance designed to replace income loss: The family of  a 30 year old  that died by natural causes or an accident; would lose around $1,000,000 !! even if that person only earned  $30,000 per year and would have otherwise been able to work until age 65. A broker can design an inexpensive solution to  this.

Protection against investment risk:  It is not enough to be  diversified since that does not protect against  loss; instead it just  spreads the risk. You can search for bank c.d. or money market rates if you want to have some money liquid at  www.bankrate.com . It you are nearing retirement you also haveover 1.200 companies in most states that will compete for your retirement money with annuity products that feature:  Safety of principal, tax deferral, and freedom from fees if held until the term end or if they are used for lifetime income payments. An "income rider" can be added to fixed indexed annuity accounts that will then add  a guaranteed crediting to the account combined  with guaranteed lifetime payments. See your advisor for specific  advice  that  relates to your situation.

None of the above comments are meant to  be income advice. Always consult with your financial advisor,and/or your insurance agent,tax man,or attorney before making financial decisions.
However, in this difficult  economy in particular; proctect yourself and your family by using basic risk management strategies.

Author: Randy Taylor Lic. #0643596 Creative Commons Copyright 10/15/2014
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Life insurance and I.R.A. Account Specialist
Serving clients and brokers since 1983