

Uncensored Direct Marketing
Maria Sparagis
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
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2023 • 9min
Preventing Shopify from Holding Your Business Captive
Shopify is a world-leading ecommerce platform. With it comes Shopify Payments and Shop Pay to make getting a business started easier than ever. The caveat? Shopify Payments is Stripe in disguise, and you know what that means: closures, freezes, and withheld funds.Shopify also provides a way out. You can use a wide variety of payment processors and gateways with Shopify. In this episode, I'm going to explain to you why you should use an alternative and how it will protect your business.Need payment processing for your Shopify Store? Get in touch! maria@directpaynet.com

Oct 16, 2023 • 12min
Stripe Account Suspended - Avoiding Permanent Shutdown
Payment processing is the lifeblood of your business. If you can't accept payments, there is no revenue, there is no profit, and there is no business. Stripe provides payment processing in (basically) 3 easy steps, but that ease of access comes with major pitfalls.This episode covers what happens what you receive the "Stripe Account Suspended" notice, how to keep your business running, and when it's okay to use services like Stripe.Looking for more content? Check out my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@uncensoreddirectmarketingNeed payment processing that supports your business? Email me! maria@directpaynet.com

Oct 3, 2023 • 10min
"I'm labeled as Stripe High Risk, but how does that affect my business?"
If you've been notified that you're a Stripe high risk merchant or you know that your business falls into a high-risk merchant category, this video is for you.Stripe doesn't play nice with high-risk businesses, and just because you're high risk doesn't mean you deserve to be shut down or pay twice as much!In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know to keep your business steady and even keep using Stripe, if you want to, as a high-risk merchant.

Sep 25, 2023 • 9min
How You Can Save Big on Credit Card Processing Fees
Credit card processing fees add up quickly, especially if you're working with the wrong processor. In this episode, you'll find 4 ways to save on processing fees with guaranteed results.Don't let your business drown in fees. Learn exactly what to do to keep those numbers rising.Need a merchant account? Get in touch!Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagi...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpayne...Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Jun 1, 2023 • 40min
"There's only ONE WAY to make millions on YouTube." - YouTube Expert Rohan Sheth Shares All
"We're managing $150 million in paid advertising this year." - Rohan Sheth, CEO & Founder of GrowRevRohan Sheth is a content creation and business growth expert who's helped Russell Brunson and ClickFunnels eclipse 1 billion views on YouTube, among countless other achievements. In this video, he shares his wealth of knowledge, having worked with industry giants like ClickFunnels, the Mikkelsen twins, Mastermind.com and many other uber-profitable online sales entities. He founded GrowRev, a Full Stack Content and Media agency, which has generated the following numbers for its clients over 10 years:-1.2 BILLION ad views-Over 8 BILLION clicks-Over $200 million spent on paid adsWith a background in direct sales, Rohan quickly became a top performer in Canada and caught the attention of leading sales companies in North America. He then transitioned to digital marketing, specializing in Google ads and founding his own agency. Rohan's expertise extends beyond traditional marketing methods as he harnesses the power of AI to produce high-quality content. Very few are better at using AI to create a large volume of premium content.In this interview, Rohan addresses key topics such as:- Creating content with AI- Organic growth on YouTube- The differences between B2B and B2C content strategies- The importance of when to post for maximize organic reach on YouTube and other social platforms - The ideal length for YouTube videos- The impact of posting frequency- How to attract and engage ideal clientsHe also reveals how to leverage podcasts for business growth and provides valuable tips on building an online audience. With his data-driven approach and deep understanding of viewer psychology, he has successfully generated impressive results for both his clients and his own ventures.Learn from Rohan Sheth's expertise in content creation, marketing automation, and business scalability. Watch the full interview to gain actionable insights that will empower you to take your content and business to new heights.Enjoy the full convo and leave your questions in the comments!Time stamps:00:21 Who is Rohan?03:45 How to use AI to create quality content11:05 Can you still grow a YouTube channel organically?14:05 B2B vs B2C on YouTube19:00 Does it matter when you post?22:20 How long should YouTube videos be?25:28 Can you post too much content?27:30 How to attract an ideal client?31:30 How to grow your business with podcasts35:50 How to build an online audienceMentioned in episode:GrowRev: https://growrev.com/ClickFunnels: https://www.clickfunnels.com/blog/author/clickfunnels/Russell Brunson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellbrunson/Russell Brunson website: https://www.russellbrunson.com/Mikkelsen twins: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG-mhrxX8teJvYb-kQ33D0QMastermind.com: https://mastermind.com/Connect with Rohan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rohan_sheth/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtLywU65Iwl0mls5vHeEUQLinkedIn:vhttps://ca.linkedin.com/in/therohanshethTwitter: https://twitter.com/therohansheth?lang=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rohanshethgrowrev/Learn more about GrowRev: Website: https://growrev.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growrev/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growrev/?originalSubdomain=caConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

May 25, 2023 • 11min
"I've made over $1.5 million selling to Christians" - Online Sales Expert Andrew Contreras
Religion can be profitable. Andrew Contreras is an online sales expert who's created products in the Christian niche that have made him a great deal of money. This is a clip from my full conversation with Andrew that I had a few months ago. I found this segment wildly fascinating, as it explores how he's made so much money selling products to a religious audience. No matter your theology or what you think about God and the afterlife, this is a remarkable story about a man who identified a very profitable niche to launch several products in.Connect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

May 18, 2023 • 41min
This guy runs BILLION DOLLAR advertising campaigns - Marketing Expert Nathan Yeung shares all
Nathan Yeung is a marketing expert that generates millions of dollars in annual revenue for his billion-dollar clients. He's a marketing genius that understands how to run wildly successful paid and organic campaigns in both B2B and B2C verticals. In this exclusive interview, Maria Sparagis sits down with renowned Marketing Operations expert Nathan Yeung to uncover the secrets behind a successful social media campaign. Discover the strategies that businesses can employ to effectively leverage both paid and organic methods in order to maximize their online presence and reach their target audience. From optimizing ad spend to crafting engaging content, Nathan shares his expert insights and practical tips that can help propel your brand to new heights in the digital realm. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this conversation is a goldmine of knowledge for anyone looking to make a splash on social media. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to gain a competitive edge and take your business to the next level!Connect with Nathan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeungnathan/Connect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

May 10, 2023 • 45min
Should the government regulate AI? How can businesses benefit from AI? #aiforbusiness w/ Gene Marks
Should the government regulate AI? Is a recession coming? We speak with leading US business expert Gene Marks about AI, the economy and more in this special episode. Much is being made about AI and its impact on propoganda and how it can shape public thought through deepfakes and the spread of misinformation - but it's affect on businesses is equally compelling. Gene has written in the US' leading political and economic news publications over a career that spans 3 decades. He's a social democratic but fiscal conservative, and admits that economic forecasters have no idea what the future has in store. He's refreshingly honest about what he thinks business owners should do to leverage AI - which is NOTHING? His takes are invaluable and any business owner should watch this full conversation if they want to make decisions that will improve their bottom-line over the next 5-10 years. Watch the full conversation and let us know what you think on Gene's thoughts in the comments. Gene's articles: https://www.inc.com/author/gene-marksConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

May 4, 2023 • 7min
Why AI could kill 90% of copywriting jobs by 2025 - Trevor "Toecracker" Crook on AI & Copywriting
"The new generation of copywriters, if they're not that good... they'll be left for dead." -10-figure direct response marketer Trevor "Toecracker" Crook on how AI will affect the copywriting profession. Do you think that AI will kill most copywriting jobs? It's certainly got freelancers in countless industries considering new employment opportunities, as ChatGPT and other AI chatbots could soon replace them. But will AI actually replace human copywriters, or simply enhance them?Trevor "Toecracker" Crook is a wildly successful digital marketer and business guru. He consults for offer owners in the direct response space, helping them earn 8 to 10 figures every year. Here's what he has to say about AI and it's impact on copywriters. Connect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Apr 27, 2023 • 42min
Why Companies SUCK at Social Media - 7-Figure Expert Bryan Kramer Explains
It was easy for businesses to 10x their investment in social media 5 years ago. That's changed, as consumers are more weary of connecting with brands online than individuals. There's a reason that influencers are king... people want to connect with humans and 'humanizing' a brand isn't easy. So how can brands connect with audiences on social media nowadays? Bryan Kramer has consulted for some of the largest companies in the world and understands how to turn social media into a revenue generating avenue. Connect with Bryan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjkramerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryankramer1/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/bryankramer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorConnect with Maria:Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.comDirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet#socialmediaforbusiness #socialmediaexpert #socialmediamarketing #brandbuilding #brandingexpert