Internet Business and Personal Success

Here’s a quick, and possibly money-saving tip for everyone.

It can have amazing results.

Sometimes paying you the equivalent of hundreds of dollars an hour.

It’s so simple a child could do it (actually they already do).

Ok, enough rambling. The secrets is simply to ask. Whatever situation you are in, just ask.

I do this all of the time, and a recent interaction just reaffirmed its power. You see, I was researching a popular site among Internet Marketers when they want to make serious progress in their online business. I found it to be a terrific resource, one that I’d be interested in making use of. But along the way I hit some snags on their website.

Being a programmer, I quickly informed the support and webmaster of my problem, which I’m sure many others had faced. It wasn’t anything earth shattering, but I figured they would appreciate knowing–in case people were put off. Below, you’ll find a copy of my quick message to them verbatim. Pay very close attention to the last line.

I was checking out your site and found that all the buttons on the
Learn More" page were broken.  It appears they need https:// instead.

The message is:
------
The page must be viewed over a secure channel

The page you are trying to access is secured with Secure Sockets Layer
(SSL).
-----

You might be loosing sales or people...

Are there any current specials, or discounts available at this time?

Thanks,

Tim Gary

That’s right, “Are there any current specials, or discounts available at this time?” I wasn’t even my more subtle self. I didn’t do a smooth transition to the question, or make it a little friendlier (“I wonder if you might have…”). I simply asked.

You probably have guessed what happens next, but keep in mind that I had already done some searches to see if there were any discount coupons, or specials, and nada, zilch, nothing came up.

A day later, I got a response, and a one-time-use (me only) 50% off code for their service for as long as I renew. This one email will end up saving me hundreds of dollars in the next couple of years, and it’ll continue to save in the years that follow.

My 5-10 minutes of quick research, visiting a site, and emailing them some helpful information, and most importantly asking them if there were any discounts available ended up paying the equivalent of at least $900 per hour for just the first year of savings! 10 minutes for $150/year savings.

Do you think I’d have gotten this offer if I hadn’t asked? No way! Did i expect them to go as far as a 50% off code? Of course not! But I’m really glad they did!

I do this all the time. Not just online. In fact I probably do this online a lot less than I should.

I’ve done it to get a huge discount on the repair of some expensive sunglasses that I accidentally crushed.

I’ve done it to get great deals at Art Festivals, stereo shops, and just about any other place you can imagine. Even some “big box” stores give employees a little leeway in granting 10% or 20% off if an item is opened, or blemished in some insignificant way. JUST ASK!

Now, what is it you are going to ask for?

-Tim

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