Responding to Unhappy Readers
December 18, 2006
Some readers of Seven Years to Seven Figures: The Fast Track Plan to Becoming a Millionaire are unhappy because it does not give very specific, how-to advice. But that wasn't its purpose. It did give plenty of principles and rules and made plenty of specific observations ... but it wasn't a how-to book. That would have made it a textbook.
Still, I should find a way to respond to people who make that mistaken criticism about the book ... and to answer questions they might have.
If we had an active online forum for Seven Years (and my other books) - as we do for ETR - I could respond to readers of the book who have such comments or complaints. And those with questions about their personal financial situation could get answers to them - either from me or from other readers.
Of course, those answers might not be as specific as they would like.
If a person wants a complete, step-by-step plan for something as complicated as starting a business or becoming a real estate developer, they can't get it by reading a 259-page book. They would need to put in a lot of time to educate themselves. (For years, I've been saying that it takes about 1,000 hours of study and practice to become competent in any complex skill or field of knowledge.)
What you can accomplish by reading a good book on achieving a particular goal is to:
* understand the principles involved
* discover the key strategies
* learn the pitfalls, and
* be inspired.
Providing my readers with that information was my objective in writing Seven Years to Seven Figures - and I think I accomplished it.
Read this post in Early To Rise
posted by M. Masterson @ 10:42 AM,
21 Comments:
-
At 7:30 AM,
Alice Flanders said...
-
I bought your copywriting course and your bootcamp tapes (car university). I am in the process of purchasing a three family (not a deal, hope to live there). I am reading automatic wealth right now. I sell AVON AND Fuller Brush. I want to get somewhere. I am 55. I would be very interested in your not yet written textbook of how to.
-
At 7:53 AM,
said...
-
Michael Masterson is worse than the worst used car salesman. Do your research before you purchase any of his books, tools, courses. He'd sell his own mother to make a buck. Regarding his latest book, I suspect that people are disappointed that it didn't provide any specifics because of the TITLE of the book, a title he created just to get you to buy the book. He never intended it to provide any specifics. The point of writing it was simply to make money. Buyer beware.
-
At 9:03 AM,
said...
-
"people who make that mistaken criticism about the book"
I don't think it's very mistaken to expect some specifics from a book whose subtitle includes the word "Plan".
Perhaps a subtitle of "PRINCIPLES to help you develop your own fast track plan" would have been more forthright. -
At 10:07 AM,
said...
-
I found the book, Seven Years to Seven Figures very inspiring. I have learned what I need to do in order to become wealthy in seven years. Thanks Mr. Masterson for providing a fast track plan to becoming a millionaire.
-
At 10:12 AM,
said...
-
Posted 12/21/2006 @10:10am EST by Paul Ritzcovan:
I have been a faithful reader of ETR for about 2 years now and bought Micheal's Seven Years to Seven Figures the day it was released (along with being provided all the generous free bonuses). I am also an Accelerated Copywriter (thanks again to Micheal). With regard to the criticism he has received about his newest book, I find it sad. It obvious to me that these individuals are looking for a "Magic Bullet" that will magical propel them to a better place in thier lives, a place that has elluded them due to lack of education, research and work (such a bad word), bad judgement and a lack of personal responsibility for their past actions. I have read this book twice and have a "Plan" on paper based on the "Pricipals" outlined by him and based on the eight stories in the book. Let's face it, Micheal is only one person and cannot be all things to all people and do everything for everyone, some amount of work (that's that bad word again) has to be done by the people who say they would like to change. Oh and unlike the people who "Anonymously" bashed him above you will notice that my name appears above this statement. Thank you Micheal, please keep doing what you do! -
At 10:20 AM,
said...
-
Without a proper attitude, you could be holding a detailed blueprint for wealth building in your hands and not realize the value. In my opinion, the book goes a long way in helping the reader to establish the proper mindset about wealth and a realistic way of achieving it. The specifics have to do with how to calibrate your financial goals, and the necessity of doing so.
I also like the fact Michael provides detailed examples of not only his own path, but how other people have achieved what he recommends. This is not mere theory or fable, as so many books are. So the structure of the book is, this is the concept, this is how others have done it, and this is why you need to do it.
The reader will be steered towards other ETR/Agora products to assist them, but I would expect him to be enthusiastic about the value of his own products.
Speaking from personal experience, changing your attitude about wealth is a hard path to follow. It requires confronting some very basic beliefs about yourself. It doesn't help when you place your trust in a bogus teacher and get burned. I have have had my share of those experiences.
I think this material is sound, but not every advisor or approach is for everyone. I encourage those who are put off by this author to keep looking. Your teacher is out there, when you are ready. -
At 10:31 AM,
said...
-
I would have more respect for the author if the title of his book had been more honest about what the content entailed--e.g. "Inspirational Stories of the Filthy Rich"). Naturally people would want to learn how to achieve seven figures after reading the stories ("Plan" is in the title, after all). Just because a reader has that expectation doesn't mean that he/she is not willing to work hard, is looking for a magic bullet, etc etc. Michael has built an empire on how to manipulate potential customers in order to make money, hence the title of his book. If you don't realize that, you're just being naive.
-
At 10:46 AM,
said...
-
The answer IS in there. It's on page 6n. It is possible: the answer went over Michael Masterson's head; he's pretty smart. It's possible he didn't, as he says, want to write a textbook. It's probable, he didn't want to write a 1-page book and sell it for $20. That would have REALLY made you mad.
But the answer is in there. And, I will give the secret to you. Send an e-mail to: miche@dubil.net. The answer is free (for now). It's yours for the asking. MM, you're invited too.
Best Wishes.
Michel DuBil
miche@dubil.net -
At 12:21 PM,
said...
-
Yeah, just repeating what others have said, but it's so screamingly blatant. A book whose title directly labels it a "Fast Track Plan" doesn't include any specifics? It wasn't unreasonable for people to expect a step-by-step plan rather than a general statement of principles, given the misleading title. I'm a big fan of Mr. Masterson, but on this one, it's tough to side with him.
-
At 12:24 PM,
said...
-
"Seven Years to Seven Figures" implies that the book will show you HOW TO acheive a seven-figure net worth in seven years. What does Michael Masterson mean, it's not a how-to book?
-
At 1:02 PM,
said...
-
Michael,
I talked to you on the phone about this issue (quite a while back...). I was saying that what is needed in the success field is a new kind of book, not just a narrative but more of a practical workbook.
Each topic would be divided into sections: Principles, Examples, and then an application section with questions, checklists and visual forms the reader can use to apply what he's learned to his situation. I think the problem is SEVEN YEARS... is missing that third ingredient.
This is what people want. I know from my experience the hard part is always the application, not understanding the ideas.
You're legit in my eyes, because you've succeeded more than once, and helped others to succeed more than once. But the reader's complaints are legitimate too, if you look at it from where they sit.
Keep up the good work.
And where's that novel?
Timothy Sullivan
regs@highersky.net -
At 10:58 PM,
said...
-
It's amazing how ignorant people can't take theories and principles and apply them to their situations. Michael, you have more than earned my trust. I even asked you if I should get married over a year ago. I didn't take your specific advice but I followed your theory. You have never steered me wrong.
Your most loyal follower. -
At 12:02 PM,
said...
-
In general, ETR is great. Likewise, Masterson talks directly and while I know he is a copywriter (and thus trained in manipulation), I generally find him to be an honest communicator. Largely because I am a fan, I bought Seven Years. It was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Masterson hyped that he would provide something different than other wealth advisors. It might have been different but it was not better. "Get a higher income" - what kind of real advice is that? While the anecdotes are mildly helpful, much more specificity and direction would make me believe that Masterson really was trying to help people rather than sell a book. While I am sure the book will continue to do well (because Masterson is a marketing whiz), I also believe that he will lose as many fans as he gains because it seems that his focus was more on selling a book than on creating a book to help people.
-
At 12:19 PM,
said...
-
Agreed - ETR is great - the book is not. But, I want to comment on those who are praising Masterson and then signing their name. Are you being honest or are you trying to gain favor? Masterson might be generally a good advisor and may have been nice to you personally but that does not mean the book is what he promised.
As for Masterson's comment on "mistaken criticism", if most people have the same critique (not enough real advice) then maybe the criticism is not mistaken. -
At 3:50 PM,
said...
-
To Jerrett: The issue is not whether readers can apply principles but rather what Masterson claimed would be a different book than the inspirational books penned by other financial gurus. Masterson overhyped his book so much that I know look at all of ETR's offerings with skepticism. And while I normally would not get personal, I take offense at calling others ignorant simply for daring to criticize the book. A better example of ignorance: asking Masterson advice about marriage? There is no indication that this guy is a particularly good family man.
-
At 4:45 PM,
said...
-
To Jerrett Hammmons: this is not a cult - "your most loyal follower". We are here to have an honest discussion. I am now repeating what others have said but I like Masterson and ETR generally but the recent offerings by ETR staff seem similar to Masterson's book: very focused on selling, not so focused on helping.
-
At 11:59 PM,
said...
-
I am fascinated by this string of comments. It captures my misgivings and my ambivalence about ETR over the past few months.
I should start by saying that I’ve bought and read several of Michael’s books, and that I really admire SEVEN YEARS. Overall, I think that people who want to be taken by the hand and given a step-by-step approach that guarantees success for their personal, individual strengths and circumstances – well, that is unrealistic . . . that would be nice, but it is just expecting too much from one book. For me, the book more than delivered on what I wanted.
Also on a positive note, I am VERY interested in MM’s comment about the importance of connecting with quality, key people and I hope he does write that book.
But, at the same time, I have recently come to view ETR as mostly self interested – even to the point that I have considered unsubscribing. For example, the recent marketing piece for the Internet Camp DVD’s had a headline screaming that you can “make money while sitting on your sofa watching TV.” Well, in truth it was a product that allowed you to “learn” how to make money while watching TV. But ETR, for whatever reason, decided to push the envelope and promote the DVD product as something that it clearly was not. With that headline, ETR seems to have decided to reach for maximum dollars by running that old “get rich quick” scam. I’m not saying there isn’t value in the Internet Business DVDs. I’m saying that ETR’s approach shows a naked concern with self interest divorced from concerns for accuracy or the value to the customer.
In that light, I can understand and agree with the criticism of SEVEN YEARS not including “a plan.” And, Eugene Schwartz would certainly agree with the criticism. [Eugene Schwartz promoted books by direct mail; ETR did a set of audio/video/print materials on the “legendary” Eugene Schwartz – a resource I bought.] Eugene wrote very intense copy for each book, packed with promise after promise after promise. But Eugene always insisted that every claim he made for any book was absolutely documented and was 100% literally accurate. While SEVEN YEARS is an excellent book (and does add substantially to what other books on the subject say), and while I would not hesitate to recommend SEVEN YEARS to others, the book does not have “a plan.” Eugene would not approve.
And, similarly, all of the different ETR marketing and business opportunities are pushed relentlessly in a tangled jumble. Can anyone decipher the real differences, in terms of features or benefits, between “DM Masters” versus “The Secrets of Easy Internet Money” versus any of 6 or 8 other ETR products? If I go to Best Buy shopping for a TV, the 20 year old untrained salesman can at least tell me the different features of 2 models I am comparing. Where’s the equivalent service for ETR customers? Where is a catalogue, a consumer’s guide or checklist? In other words, where is anything directed at actually serving the ETR reader/customer as opposed to endless marketing pieces pushing people to buy-buy-buy, buy now, buy everything? Where is the systemized consultative selling that would be so easy for this group of communication professionals to create and implement?
I’m also personally aware of at least one other specific situation in which ETR is pushing a product that is not in the best interest of ETR readers. Alan Cowgill’s program on private lending for real estate transactions is a very powerful and useful tool – so long as you don’t follow any suggestion to advertise or promote that concept in any way. It is always, in every state, in every situation, a violation of the securities laws to do it that way. The disclaimer, “check with your lawyer,” is flat deceptive because it implies the answer might be different in one location or another. That’s false. The only difference is whether you get caught. Not caught – outstanding result. Caught – headed for bankruptcy or jail (or both). [The way Alan did it initially, through personal networking, is allowed under the law, but for most people that’s not where the dramatic leverage is in private lending.] I expect ETR to at least avoid steering me into the rocks; why are they selling this product without the proper information and warnings included?
So in this thread of comments I agree with both sides. SEVEN YEARS is a great book, well worth the price. But I don’t have positive feelings about how ETR treats me, and my feelings are trending against ETR. At the same time, I tremendously admire Michael’s willingness to post comments on negative buyer feedback. In the internet world it would be very easy to just ignore the “mistaken criticism” and leave the disappointed customers in the dark. To me it is a clear mark of strong character for him to take this subject on publicly. Still, my admiration of Michael doesn’t make me feel any better about ETR. Maybe from now on I’ll just read Michael’s books and punt on ETR.
Here’s the fascinating part. Michael is a world expert in direct marketing; central to that is the concept of “lifetime value of a customer.” Fostering bad feelings or distrust necessarily lowers the lifetime value of ETR’s prospects and customers. Does Michael have anyone studying what this is doing to the ETR customer base? Or, as the cheap headlines and inaccurate title might imply, has ETR deliberately chosen a strategy of capturing huge volumes of new customers regardless of whether the methods driving that growth will simultaneously push longstanding customers to burn out or quit?
johngreytok @ austin. rr. com -
At 3:15 PM,
said...
-
Great points - although I can understand liking the book only if you did not read all of Masterson's pre-hype.
ETR is becoming too focused on making money from its readers rather than giving to its readers (and then making money for ETR and its readers) -
At 4:10 AM,
Dean said...
-
Unreal – all the critics are Anonymous. People are looking for the secret but there really are no secrets. Learn some skills and create value for others and you will be compensated accordingly. People want to know what it takes and how to become a millionaire by just reading a $25 book. Pay off your debt, live below your means, save, invest, build a business, write a book with a catchy title that motives and inspires people.
-
At 10:36 AM,
said...
-
Look Dean - its easy to support Masterson as a name. But, it would not be easy to identify yourself as a critic to someone who is powerful in a particular community. You cannot blame people for being anonymous. As to the substance of your remarks, totally agree with your points - but you did not spend months hyping a book promising it would be different than the simple (and smart) points you make.
-
At 6:28 PM,
Grant S. Pollet said...
-
To all the babies,
True success ONLY comes from within and achieving real results. Inspiration is what gives people the ambition to find solutions. Spelling out every detail of a "plan" does nothing to help people become independent.
As for those that are "anonymous", I think you are spineless cowards. I disagree with Michael on some of his articles, and if I had an differing opinion, I would place my name still. Some of you people will NEVER learn the business world. Be tough, rely on yourself, and still be amazing kind and appreciative of people and you will achieve amazing results.
If you are a "follower of Michael", you still have missed the point. Stop admiring his success and then disagreeing with his advice.
Thanks,
Grant S. Pollet
http://www.ricotierrarealty.com
Subscribe to RSS Feed