There is a new launch hitting the web this week, and it is quite a shocker. So far I have seen emails promoting this event coming from Yanik Silver, Frank Kern, John Reese and Mike Filsame - just to name a few.
Warning: DO NOT click on this link if you are easily offended (in ANY way)
http://richjerkplayboyparty.com
Yes, it's at Hugh's place, in case the link didnt give that away. The 'major players' (no pun intended) of Internet Marketing are sending out a "naked link" to their list about this event...
By that I mean a direct link - not an affiliate link or a redirect/tracking link. They each claim that they are not receiving affiliate commission for their recommendation, but its your usual rash of launch emails nonetheless.
Update: I just got some 'insider information' on the JV details for this launch. It is true that "The Rich Jerk" is NOT offering affiliate commission to his launch partners, but instead he is offering an invite for at least 3 referrals. If they make 5 sales, they get to bring someone along (free of charge). With ticket prices at $1997, that's pretty decent compensation.
I also found a second link to the event (a more 'family friendly' link) with less offensive copy. You can see that page at: http://www.richjerkplayboyparty.com/clean.html
This second sales page actually invites women, while the original sales page is very obviously targeting a male audience exclusively...
Technorati Tags: rich jerk, playboy party, gurus
About Lynn Terry
Hmmm...haven't yet heard of it until you mentioned it.
Of course, that could have a lot to do with the fact that I unsubscribed from virtually every internet marketing list I was subscribed to. LOL
~ Teli
Yeah I found their whole behavior disgusting myself. Do you ever notice it's always the same group as well?
One big name said he would never do another jv affiliate sale anymore (because he recently turned "so pure"). Next thing I see he's asking for affiliate commissions for the Playboy party of the Rich Jerk. What a hypocrite!
I canceled stuff and did a mass unsubscribes because they have no more credibility with me anymore.
Yep, I've gotten a few of those too. I should probably do a mass unsubscribe too. It's getting old.
Just for the record, I dont have anything against the Playboy Mansion or the "major players". What offended me most were the side comments made publicly by some of the attendees.
But it is interesting to note that this is one of the first major IM events I've seen that doesnt have a "token woman". Would have been a smart move in my opinion 😉
Sorry Lynn I don't understand what you meant. In the past the fat cat male gurus would only have one female on the seminar to make it look good for themselves?
Please explain.
It's obvious they don't want a woman speaker because it would interfere with their objectifying the Playboy models and treat them like sexual objects.
Thanks!
Most of the major IM events feature at least 1 or 2 female speakers. They have often been labeled "token women" - though I should say that the few I have known to frequent the seminar circuit are very much worth hearing and learning from.
But it does obviously help events appeal to larger markets.
I just found it interesting that there wasnt mention of a single woman attending this particular event...
There really needs to be a better balance of high profiled internet marketers on the web ... there are so many men.
Or, maybe there are more women and I have yet to discover them?
At any rate, we don't want the web to become the "good ole boys club" like you can run into offline.
At least this internet marketing woman doesn't want to see that happen.
There are actually A LOT of women who work online and even that are involved with Internet Marketing. Its interesting to me, but I would venture to guess (from my own experience) that "Guru" status is not the goal for most women, so much as simple 'business success'.
Men like to toot their horn, women like to focus on where they're going. What do you think?
Hi all!
I did get the JV invite from Mike Merz for this 'event' and replied to suggest that he should parse his list... parse me right out of it, even.
Like you, Lynn, I see nothing wrong with holding a a charity event at the Playboy Mansion and might have considered promoting the party - or even GOING to it - had it not been for the Jerk's sales letter that completely negates female participation in any capacity other than that of sex toy.
Here's just a small sample of the copy...
"You’ll then be given an exclusive guided tour of the grounds by playmates. You’ll gain unrestricted and 100% private access to the gardens, the infamous sex rooms, the zoo – EVERYTHING.
And THEN, the party will begin. Our world famous DJ will start spinning, the free booze will begin flowing, and over 200 babes will be frolicking around, giggling, dancing and catering to your every need."
I've lost a lot of respect for some of the men in this industry and seriously wonder how the wives of those who plan to attend would react if they had actually seen that sales letter.
Lastly, if it is truly a CHARITY event, then why are affiliate commissions being offered?
It's a flippin' scam!
It is Rosalind... especially if you look into the "charity" 😉 Do a little research on *that* and you'll be even more disgusted.
Lynn and Rosalind,
Yes, the "charity" thing is dubious at best. There are several marketers (including myself) who have attempted to do research on the "charity". Almost all web references to that URL point back to poker sites. In fact, we haven't been able to find one credible source that shows that the "charity" has actually done anything charitable!
So not only did the people who have promoted this "party" (notice the word used is "party", not conference or seminar) offended women, possibly marketed it to children by accident, hid themselves behind their "help desks" so they can't be confronted, but they also blindly promoted it as a charity event without even knowing the name, cause of the charity or how much would even be donated!
Weren't "guru-types" supposed to be SO good at research and due diligence? How many times have we heard THAT one?
Seriously, this is a black eye on the whole industry, and I for one, will not spend a penny with any of them until or unless they stand up and say something for themselves.
It's really pretty sick if you ask me!
Since you mentioned the charity...a call to the IRS by some concerned IM'ers found that there is no tax-exempt entity with that name in the So. California area that can legally accept tax-deductible donations. I put some info on my Squidoo lens about how to check with the IRS online.
But I've said before that I *hope* this info about the charity comes out wrong and that they are legit because I would want at least something good to come from all of this. Sadly, so far, it looks shady. I'm just surprised no one checked this out before defending the event as "FOR CHARITY" (it's always in big letters with these guys for some reason) before promoting.
Seems like they cleaned up the original version and made it very similar to the clean.html version. Did the original write-up of this shocker make them clean up the act?
I found it funny that the subsequent apology included "BUST and BUTT" in the same sentence - [They bust their
butts and work extremely hard]. Not sure if this was by design or totally by coincidence.
LOL good catch, Billy 😉
I think the changes were made after many internet marketers complained to the RJ team after the response from their promotions. From what I understand, many of them hadnt seen the sales copy before they sent the link to their list - that there was a temporary pre-launch page up that was then replaced with the offensive sales copy.
Hi,
I found out about this party back in March, before all the hype and still had no desire to go. I was a member of Xray Domination, in which they tried to motivate members by including the party for the member who could make $5000 in sales first.
Having all those big name marketers in once place while might be a great networking opp, the venue is pretty trashy in my opinion.
It just glorifies money and the rich, making it seem like that's the lifestyle we should be after if we're "online" at all. I wish more marketers would promote "independence" messages more than promote big lavish parties, pictures of fast cars, boats, and big houses. Not everyone who wants to be financially independent wants "things". I had to opt-out too of a number of lists after getting blasted by this one...
Very good point Rian, and I couldnt agree more. I am one that truly values independence and flexibility as a lifestyle. It has given me the opportunity to do things in life I never could have otherwise. And I'm still not a huge fan of flashy material posessions, unless you count my two beautiful children 😉
I also think that a successful online business should be promoted more as a Lifestyle, instead of a "get rich quick" opportunity...
Let's get real honest...even IF they apologized, what excuse is there? I mean, doesn't this show the TRUE colors of many of them? Come on, this isn't grade school where kids are that----kids and don't have that "discernment" yet. In this case, they are all adults and made conscious decisions...
Im a fledgling marketer, and I want to post this message to all of you successful women marketers: all things being equal (meaning you know what you are doing and have your systems in place and are making excellent income from them,) I would choose to put my "learning dollars" in your pockets. Not a male bashing---for the sake of bashing all males. It would simply be my way of backing women who deserve their success in return for the work and contibutions they make. (They give a lot of free stuff to help people get started. Just like the guys do.)
Success is always about putting in the efforts and having the dedication.
I'll bet there are many others like me who want to get into this business; and who feel like I do about this. And for what it's worth I am very proud of you Lynn, Rosalind, Rhea Perry and others.....very proud. May your successes continue to multiply.
And for the women and men marketers with high morals and values; well I am veyr thankful for you!
Sincerely, Gloria