
Uncensored Direct Marketing
Hosted by Maria Sparagis, president of DirectPayNet, and payment solutions expert for entrepreneurs in the high risk industries of supplements, dating, business opportunities, gambling and more. On this podcast, Maria shares her knowledge on how to reduce decline ratios, add thousands of dollars to your bottom line with a few simple conversion hacks, and maximize revenue while keeping your high-risk merchant accounts happy and healthy. As a cryptocurrency advocate since 2012, Maria will also share her knowledge on the digital currency markets.
Maria has worked with several high level entrepreneurs in Direct Marketing including Christian Hudson, Julian Reyes, Jeremy Schoemaker “ShoeMoney”, Mike Chang and many more.
She has been featured in American Banker, Vice, Inside Bitcoins, Coindesk, and Yahoo.
Connect with Maria mariasparagis.com or directpaynet.com
Latest episodes

Mar 31, 2022 • 14min
Make 10K a Month by Following These 3 Rules | How Maria Sparagis Built a 7 Figure Fintech Business
What does success look like to you? Is there a shortcut to get there? Success is something that many people desire, but what does it really take to be successful? Let's hear it from someone who knows what it takes to build a thriving business. If you do not know her story, this is your chance to listen to the compact version. Today, Maria will let you in on the three key strategies that took her from a struggling entrepreneur to building a successful business helping thousands of 7-8 figure businesses with their funnel and payment systems!“If you do work for free, you're gonna get feedback; you're gonna get critical information that is gonna help you grow.” - Maria SparagisConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagisPinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Mar 24, 2022 • 21min
From Rags to Riches | Online Marketers Share Their Journey From Poor to 8 Figures
If you are an entrepreneur or a copywriter struggling with impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and you're just not making enough money, this episode is for you. If you need inspiration and motivation, know that you are not alone in your journey. Many direct response business owners and freelancers also struggled on their way to the top. The important thing is to take steps every day to reach your goal. Consistency is the main ingredient to success. Keep trying until you see a breakthrough and push forward. Learn from these entrepreneurs whose journey probably started the same way as yours. “Take a moment to think about where you are and be thankful for the ride. Your destination won't be too far away if you remain consistent and add to your arsenal of skills.” - Maria SparagisIf you want to watch the full episodes, check out the links below: Justin Goff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpvtCl3TBLUStefan Georgi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-l9dBcEC4kJonathan Boyd - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOU-PKUffu4David McMenomey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRTH-78Rx84&t=3sAndrew Contreras - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTh3SmCM1KgChris Haddad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wjDo_UxiLU&t=2sPauline Longdon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy24Fq8_KXE&t=3sRich Schefren Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUNaF0vHqwU&t=33sRich Schefren Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSwa_lAKkMIAmber Spears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEGNA1si0w0&t=19sConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Mar 17, 2022 • 16min
Is Your PayPal Account Frozen? Here’s What You Can Do to Recover Your Funds and Keep Your Business Running
Has PayPal frozen your funds? If Paypal is your only source of accepting payment, then payment holds can be very frustrating. This can usually happen if you're selling supplements or in any business classified as high-risk. Other triggers include scaling too fast or getting numerous disputes or chargebacks. But can PayPal legally freeze your account? If you want to know why they froze your funds, how to prevent it from happening again, and the steps you need to take to recover your funds, listen to this episode until the end. You can also access additional resources to learn how to navigate through the challenging issues a merchant encounters, particularly with payment processing.“I would suggest that you get a merchant account if you're in the high-risk industry or if you've had problems with PayPal. Stripe isn't necessarily your best solution, but it is a quick solution.” - Maria SparagisReach out to Maria Sparagis if you need help with unfreezing your PayPal funds, applying for a merchant account, or just getting a template of the letter to send to PayPal. You can listen to these episodes for more information: What is the MATCH List / TMF? Why are you on it and what to do. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdMjCzFT2TUWhy You Need a High-Risk Merchant Account - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBM0-_p7m3sConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Mar 10, 2022 • 11min
Take Your Copywriting Skills to the Next Level With These Expert Tips
Copywriting has become synonymous with making money, freedom, and a flexible schedule. But what does it really take to become a successful copywriter? What steps can you follow to take copywriting from a side gig to a career that supports the life you’ve dreamed of? There are tons of resources online on how to level up your copywriting skills. But you might get lost in all the information. So, to help you fast track your learning, here are the best copywriting tips and strategies from some of the world's highest-paid copywriters and offer owners. Getting mentored by these experts would usually cost you thousands of dollars. But you can get access to them for free in this episode of Uncensored Direct Marketing. Let’s dive in!“In order to be a successful copywriter that makes money, you need way more than writing skills.” - Maria SparagisIf you want to watch the full episodes, check out the links below:Ning Li - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fapwsf0VTOgGurleen Singh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i5RxsRhXggChris Haddad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wjDo_UxiLU&t=2sStefan Georgi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-l9dBcEC4kTroy Ericson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIFmDsP7rIoRich Schefren Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUNaF0vHqwU&t=33sRich Schefren Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSwa_lAKkMIPauline Longdon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy24Fq8_KXE&t=3sAndrew Contreras - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTh3SmCM1KgConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Mar 3, 2022 • 39min
SUPPLEMENT INDUSTRY MARKETING: Avoid Compliance Errors with e-commerce attorney Chip Cooper
The supplements industry is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. But supplement merchants face a big challenge as governing bodies crackdown on sellers who violate the rules. So, it’s important to conduct good marketing practices when advertising your offer to keep your business running.To guide us with FTC Compliance, Maria interviews Chip Cooper, Attorney, Co-Founder & CEO of FTC Guardian, the #1 FTC Compliance Training Provider & Most Advanced Online Compliance & SaaS Document Generation Platform. This episode is very informative and can help you avoid the pitfalls when marketing your health products online and on the shelves. “You shouldn’t make claims regarding diseases and medical conditions because you're not going to be able to substantiate.” - Chip CooperConnect with Chip to get a copy of the INFOGRAPHIC:Website: https://www.ftcguardian.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipcooper/Connect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Feb 24, 2022 • 14min
Grow Your Affiliate Marketing Program with These Tips from Top Experts
Affiliate marketing can be one of the most profitable ways to make money online. But it's not as easy as you think. Affiliate marketers can either be a blessing or a nightmare for business owners. Learning to leverage affiliate traffic to grow your business is a huge advantage, but you have to manage your affiliates properly. If you don't, they will cause tremendous losses in your business. Here's a special episode showcasing the best advice from top affiliate managers and business owners. If you’re ready to maximize your revenue utilizing affiliates, tune in to this episode! “Set your standards high, because affiliates are business partners for you and you want to make sure they’re representing your company well.” - David McMenomeyIf you want to hear the full episodes, head on over to the Uncensored Direct Marketing channel or check out the links below: David McMenomey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRTH-78Rx84Amber Spears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEGNA1si0w0Julian Reyes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1vQ8RV0F4UBritanny Bankston - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWkNPerSTGQJazette Pester - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MDZifHv6FQAlex Gunoe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AH35E6zsSwConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Feb 17, 2022 • 46min
Affiliate Marketing And Product Monetization for Your Store with Sven Platte of Digistore24
How does a small or medium-sized business compete in the viciously competitive global market? Is there a way to level the playing field? Lucky for you digital marketers out there, someone thought of your struggles and created a solution. Today's guest is Sven Platte, the Founder and CEO of Digistore24, a digital sales automation platform with an integrated sales partner marketplace. Sven has built two 9-figure companies that help thousands to monetize their passion. Although he is wildly successful, he does not consider himself a Guru. Sven continues to learn and get better at business, investment, health, and relationships every day. And he shares his journey in his podcast, Svencast. Tune in to this episode to know more about the future of digital marketing and how passion can fuel your business to success. “If your goal is to help other people, it never stops.” - David PirtleConnect with Sven:Digistore24 Website: https://www.digistore24.com/Personal Website: https://www.svenplatte.com/enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/svenplatte/Podcast: https://www.svencast.com/#all-episodesConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Feb 10, 2022 • 40min
Effective Chargeback Dispute Management with David Pirtle
Merchants lose billions of dollars to fraudulent activity every year, and “friendly fraud” is the fastest-growing form. It's impossible not to experience chargebacks, especially when you are a high-risk merchant and accept credit card payments. No wonder chargeback management is a huge business. If excessive chargebacks are beginning to impact your business, do not hesitate to ask for help. Work with a chargeback management expert who would be happy to discuss different ideas and plans to help you fight fraud and avoidable threats to your business. After all, you are in business to get customers, not fight chargebacks. Today's guest is David Pirtle, VP - Enterprise Engagement at Chargebacks911, a chargeback management company. Chargebacks are usually not something merchants think about until it happens. So listen in as David shares valuable tips to prevent chargebacks and how to fight them once they occur. Safeguard your reputation as a merchant with the help of an effective chargeback management expert!“Your merchant account is priceless. If you can't process, you don't have a business.” - David PirtleConnect with David:Website: https://chargebacks911.com/Email: d.pirtle@chargebacks911.comFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/Chargebacks911Connect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Feb 3, 2022 • 8min
Conversion Hacks for High Ticket Coaching Programs
When making online purchases, people want a frictionless transaction. So they'll abandon the cart and forget about it if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, for high ticket transactions, declines are even higher. The key to converting more high ticket offers is in your checkout process. Today's episode provides excellent tips to maximize conversion and make more sales. If you are a high ticket coach or selling a high ticket offer, you don't want to miss this opportunity to learn simple ways to increase your conversion rate by as much as 20%.“Getting somebody in your funnel isn't the end of the line. You've got to get them to buy and finish the checkout process.”- Maria SparagisConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Jan 27, 2022 • 20min
Best Kept Secrets Shared By The World's Top Marketers
How would you like to get actionable tips from the world's best marketers? These world-class experts normally charge thousands of dollars for private consultations. But in today's episode, you’re getting access to some of the best advice from not just one, but from 14 marketers who have generated BILLIONS of dollars in sales. From copywriting to affiliate marketing to creating offers and all the important topics in between. Whether you’re just getting started or already consider yourself a guru, there’s sure to be a helpful tip or two for you in this specially curated episode, so don't miss it!“If you listen, I guarantee you will get at least one tip or probably five that will help you in your business today.”- Maria SparagisIf you want to hear the full episodes, head on over to the Uncensored Direct Marketing channel or check out the links below: Chris Haddad - https://youtu.be/2wjDo_UxiLUStefan Georgi - https://youtu.be/g-l9dBcEC4kTroy Ericson - https://youtu.be/nIFmDsP7rIoAndrew Contreras - https://youtu.be/LTh3SmCM1KgJulian Reyes - https://youtu.be/R1vQ8RV0F4UAmber Spears - https://youtu.be/dEGNA1si0w0Rich Schefren - https://youtu.be/sUNaF0vHqwUPauline Longdon - https://youtu.be/Xy24Fq8_KXEJustin Goff - https://youtu.be/LpvtCl3TBLUAlex Gunoe - https://youtu.be/5AH35E6zsSwNing Li - https://youtu.be/fapwsf0VTOgBrennan Hopkins - https://youtu.be/6ykods789YkEli Cohen - https://youtu.be/PkbZCsg3GIEJonathan Boyd - https://youtu.be/uOU-PKUffu4Connect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagisFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynetTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet