Uncensored Direct Marketing

How do you write natural-sounding emails that actually convert?  A lot of marketers struggle to craft emails that people would want to read. But some can write emails that function as automated sales machines from the moment you click send. Today, Maria invites email marketing expert and direct response copywriter Brennan Hopkins to talk about what happens when you combine technology with delivering delightful messages that draw people to your CTA. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, but his strategy can make a significant impact on your revenue.  Make sure to take some notes and try out a couple of the proven tips that Brennan shares in this episode.“You have to email in proportion to what your brand or business can actually manage.” - Brennan HopkinsIn This Episode:- Meet Brennan Hopkins- B2C vs. B2B email communication- How to choose the right email copywriter for your brand- Do you really need a niche- Email marketing strategies that work- Driving up engagement without being “spammy”- Leveraging Klaviyo and other email marketing software- Email marketing pricing structure- Learn from Brennan: Check out his FB page for detailsConnect with Brennan:- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/brennan.hopkins.1?_rdc=1&_rdr- Website: https://www.brennanwhopkins.comConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Even if you’re new to the world of cryptocurrency, you’ve probably heard about Bitcoin (BTC). But what is it exactly? Could cryptocurrencies allow you to buy goods or services, and can they be traded for profit? Tune in to today’s episode and get ready to pick up exciting information about cryptocurrency; how to buy it, invest in it, use it as a form of payment, and how to protect yourself financially. As with previous episodes, Maria touches on relevant and fascinating topics, so let’s dive in. “I’m a big believer that it’s very important to have as many payment modes as possible on your website so you can convert every sale.” - Maria SparagisIn This Episode:- How much do you know about cryptocurrency- Is BTC a good investment - Get informed by following influencers and experts- What are NFTs - How do you choose which coins to invest in- The role of blockchain technology in the digital economy- Crypto as a payment option and B2B remittances - Why you should consider using open-source platforms If you’re interested to learn more, listen to two previous episodes on the same topic:- Shaking the Digital Economy: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Tech Explained with Marc Hochstein-  Look Into the Future: AI, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies with Dr. Daniel DiemersConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Consumer behavior is constantly evolving, and people are getting smarter. With more than 10,000 ads running per day, getting a share of buyer attention is more challenging. How can a marketer generate conversions? Tune in to this informative and value-packed conversation between Maria and her guest, Eli Cohen, an expert media buyer specializing in native advertising. Eli learned about native advertising from James Van Elswyk, the founder of Purple Leads. Whether you're an online business owner, media buyer, copywriter, or affiliate who wants to know how to run profitable ads with native advertising this episode is for you.“Anything that you sell can convert; it’s just going to take more steps to do so.” - Eli CohenIn This Episode:- Who is Eli Cohen- What is native advertising- The strategy and approach behind native advertising- What exactly does a media buyer do- The relationship between media buying and copywriting- How long should you run a campaign on a limited budget- The core competencies of a media buyer- What is a Grey hat offer- How ad blockers impact media buyingConnect with Eli:- Connect with Maria and she can connect you with EliConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Have you taken a close look at your merchant account statements? Merchant account fees can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. In today’s episode, Maria will discuss how you can optimize your merchant account, get the best rates possible, and how and when to negotiate with your payment processor. Knowing your numbers and understanding the variables you have control over can save you thousands of dollars. So grab your most recent account statement and listen up. With Maria’s simple tips, your business can begin saving money today. “You have to know your numbers; you have to know what you’re being charged. It’s important for you to know that reconciliation is key.” ~ Maria SparagisIn This Episode:- Why it’s good to scrutinize your monthly statements- Understanding the discount rate - Why Interchange Plus pricing model is beneficial for you- Transaction fees you should look out for- PCI Compliance fee and non-compliance fee- How your MCC code significantly impacts your Interchange fees- Integrating anti-fraud measures can save you lots of money- How much in reserves should you pay - Why you should do a thorough reconciliation Connect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Want to get actionable tips to increase your bottom line? On today’s episode, Maria talks to Andrew Contreras about copywriting offers, trends in direct marketing, and more. Andrew is one of the biggest influencers in the direct response industry. He wrote the most successful Christian offer, The Shepherds Diet. He is also one of the managing partners and the CEO of New Crescent Media, a company that is transforming the supplement industry. Whether you’re a copywriter, an offer owner, or an entrepreneur, you won’t want to miss this! If you liked this episode, head on to Copywriting Tips and Trends with Julian Reyes. Julian is Andrew’s business partner at  New Crescent Media.“In order to grow something bigger, you have to leverage other people, their minds, their hours of work, and their skill sets.”- Andrew ContrerasIn This Episode:- How Andrew discovered copywriting - Finding a business partner to scale your business- Why you need a coach and where to find the right one- The Pros and Cons of having a business partner- What’s unique about the Christian niche- Andrew’s best tips for driving traffic- Upcoming direct marketing trends- Exploring TikTok and new platformsResources:Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene M. Schwartz, the most important book ever written about persuasion, copywriting, marketing, and human behavior - https://breakthroughadvertisingbook.comConnect with Andrew:- New Crescent Media Website: https://redcrescentmedia.comConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Today’s episode is an interesting conversation with Marc Hochstein, the Executive Editor of CoinDesk, a news site specializing in bitcoin and digital currencies. Marc has more than 20 years of business journalism experience, including 17 years at American Banker, covering banking, technology, capital markets, real estate, and other industries. You don’t have to be a tech-nerd to enjoy this conversation. If you’re interested in what the future holds, stay tuned and expect an intense exchange of ideas between Maira and Marc around cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and how money transforms in the digital economy. “Don’t put in more than you can afford to lose. Even Bitcoin with its track record is not something you bet the whole farm on.”- Marc Hochstein In This Episode:- The narrative of the early Bitcoin community- Mastercard now accepting crypto transactions- Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV- The Lightning Network protocol- Crypto as a payment method- Crypto vs. the US dollar- What you need to know about Stablecoins - What exactly is DeFi- Marc’s 5-year outlook for crypto Connect with Marc:- CoinDesk Website: https://www.coindesk.com/author/mhochstein- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchochsteinTwitter: https://twitter.com/MarcHochsteinConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Are you an entrepreneur who’s looking for an amazing copywriter or a freelance copywriter who wants to level up your skill? Whichever side you may be, you will benefit enormously from listening to this podcast. Today, Maria gets on a conversation with Stefan Georgi, a direct response copywriter whose words have grossed over $700MM. He’s the inventor of the RMBC method, a systematic approach to writing better sales copy more consistently in less time. Stefan is the co-founder of Copy Accelerator, a high-end copywriting mastermind whose 170 members generate over 1.5 billion dollars in annual sales. As with her other episodes, Maria’s aim is to provide quick, actionable steps to help you succeed in your online marketing journey. If you liked this episode, go ahead and listen to Direct Response Marketing in the New Reality with Justin Goff. Justin is Stefan’s business partner and co-founder of Copy Accelerator.“We’re all in the service business so you need to WOW people, over deliver, and be the best at customer service.”- Stefan GeorgiIn This Episode:- Who is Stefan Georgi- How to write a sales copy with integrity - Tips to kickstart your copywriting career- Not all copywriters are created equal- How to establish yourself as a copywriting expert - Customer service is paramount- Live selling and the changing landscape of marketing- What does the future look like- Cryptocurrencies and the gig economyConnect with Stefan:- Stefan Georgi Website: https://www.stefanpaulgeorgi.com- Copy Accelerator Website: https://www.copyandfunnelaccelerator.comConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

When consumers want something, they want it now. They want free shipping, excellent packaging, and a product that’s as perfect as they expect it to be with returns options.  Customer expectations around the globe are continually shifting. If you are an online merchant, fulfilling those demands is easier said than done. Order fulfillment is a function that directly impacts your revenue. You need to have a well-built process around it. Listen to today’s episode and get actionable steps as Maria exchanges best practices and strategies with guest Malcolm McKinnons, an expert in just about everything in the online marketing space.“Find ways to characterize your customers so you can treat them in a consistent way.” - Malcolm McKinnonsIn This Episode:- Fulfillment and processing in the online marketing space - How to choose a fulfillment provider- Why is it essential to have a backup - Testing your fulfillment provider’s process- Understanding chargebacks and refunds- Technology integrations that matter- Inventory management is hugely important- Product personalization vs. standardization- What can Malcolm do for your businessConnect with Malcolm McKinnons:- Malcolm McKinnons Consulting Website: https://mckinnons.orgConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

Are you ready to navigate the future? Do you see yourself buying products and services using the digital gold currency and having your own electronic identity? How far should we allow technology to rule our lives? Listen to this mind-blowing episode as Maria interviews Dr. Daniel Diemers, author, thinker, speaker, an active futurist in the international Fintech and Crypto/Blockchain community, and co-founder of tech company SNGLR Group. Stay tuned and get ready to take a ride into the future of AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.“There’s going to be a lot of challenges around technology, but I’m very positive we can solve them.” - Dr. Daniel DiemersIn This Episode:- The Power of Blockchain Technology - What is the future of Bitcoin - The right balance between privacy and transparency - Facing the technical hurdles of exponential technologies- Who’s going to save you when something goes wrong- Are you ready for “The Smart Future”- Every item needs to have an identity- Where are we headed- Daniel’s prediction about BitcoinConnect with Dr. Daniel Diemers:- SNGLR Group Website: https://www.snglr.groupConnect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet

One of your priorities as a direct marketer is preventing chargebacks because they can hurt your conversion and profit. It is also time-consuming to process a dispute and deal with an unhappy customer. Plus, there are other costs associated with disputes and refunds. But how do you prevent chargebacks? In today’s episode, Maria provides five tools available to merchants to avoid chargebacks, save money, and make more money. Don’t just wait for a dispute to happen. Be proactive and analyze what’s happening in your business. Q1 is usually the highest chargeback season, so make sure you have all the necessary measures in place. “If you spend a little bit of time understanding how chargebacks occur and why they occur, the proactive approach will yield the best results revenue-wise.” - Maria SparagisIn This Episode:- Chargeback prevention vs. chargeback mitigation- Do you know how to Kount?  Get to know this out-of-the-box tool- Tweaking your payment gateway settings to prevent fraud- Why you should utilize 3-D Secure for non-US customers- Training your Customer Service Team to educate and help your customers- What is a descriptor and why you should test it using different card types- How does analyzing traffic from different sources help you prevent chargeback- Should you use alert systems Connect with Maria:- Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com- DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/directpaynet- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariasparagis- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/directpaynet