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Health eBiz
Online Marketing Tips for the
Health & Wellness EntrepreneurApril 2003; Issue 1, Volume 1
Health eBiz is published monthly and provides up-to-date
information on wellness and marketing trends, and
no-nonsense tips to help you build your business online.
Table of Contents
Editorial
Health Claims: Should Alternative Medicine be Judged by the Same Yardstick as Traditional Medicine?
The criticism of alternative medical claims by traditional medical practitioners is growing. Its true that there are many alternative pracitioners out there who just want to make a fast buck. There are also many desperate people who are willing to try anything, and easily fall prey to these claims.
Watchdog websites like Quackwatch are doing an excellent job of exposing and reporting these claims. However the danger that arises here is that of a cultural bias.
The bias that arises when practitioners of 'western' medicine apply their own standards, while commenting on ancient practices that are accepted systems of medicine in other cultures and countries. Despite this criticism, a growing number of consumers are opting for "alternative" or "holistic" treatments.
In the USA, expenditure on complementary or alternative medicine stands at US$2.7 billion per year. By the year 2010, at least two-thirds of the U.S. population will have used some form of alternative approach to health care.
The shift towards alternative treatment is partly a result of the growing disenchantment with the 'cut, slash and burn' style of traditional medicine, and the greed of drug companies. But it also says something about the efficacy of many alternative methods, many of which are only now being recognised in the scientific world.
In countries where these so-called alternative systems are actually the "traditional" ones, it may be perfectly legal to make claims in the context of the system of medicine practised there. However in countries that follow a predominantly western system of medicine, it would be illegal to do so.
So how does one function in a global milieu, where complementary and traditional systems of medicines often clash with one another, and practitioners of both end up suing each other for libel and other claims?
Isn't it only fair to expect that if alternative practitioners want to make health claims - especially in the international market - they must also allow their products and treatments to be open to independent scientific scrutiny.
It is hypocritical to make a claim that has not been proven by peer-reviewed scientific research, and then shout from the rooftops that alternative medicine is being "supressed" by vested interests.
For their part, traditional practitioners should try to clear their minds of cultural biases, and embrace the obvious benefits that a holistic view of medicine can offer consumers and physicians alike.
This editorial is based on the writer's personal opinion. It does not claim to represent current facts or popular opinion.
Do you agree or disagree? Click Here to send in your feedback about this editorial and it will be published in a future issue with a link back to your website.
FDA Allows Qualified Selenium, PS Health Claims
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized four health claims, with appropriate disclaimers, concerning phosphatidylserine (PS) and selenium. The first two claims, authorized Feb. 21, involve selenium and cancer. The second two claims, authorized Feb. 24, regard PS and cognitive dysfunction. Full story
SARS Health Claims Criticised
Type "SARS" into an Internet search engine and advertisements from a variety of companies pop up offering products as diverse as health supplements, disinfectants and special protective suits that marketers say will keep the new disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome, at bay. Federal health officials warn that they will keep a close watch on companies that seem to be playing on fear. Full story
American Botanical Council's new Safety Labeling Program helps manufacturers put science-based safety information on herbal supplement labels. The Safety Labeling Program (SLP) is designed to help manufacturers provide a range of safety data on product labels for the benefit of both consumers and healthcare professionals. Full story
Growth Hormone Scams
Are growth hormone supplements all they are being made out to be? The New England Journal of Medicine has denounced misuse of an scientific report it published in 1990 about growth hormone. [Drazen JM. Inappropriate advertising of dietary supplements. New England Journal of Medicine 348:777-778, 2003] Many marketers are misrepresenting the article's significance and claiming that boosting HGH blood levels can do everything from reduce body fat to turn back the body's biological clock. The article "Growth Hormone Scams" by Stephen Barrett, M.D. traces the history of these claims and why you should disregard them. Complete article
Two supplements being heavily promoted by network marketing companies have come in for criticism by the health watchdog, Quackwatch. The organisation has written a lengthy investigative report debunking the promotion of Seasilver, a liquid herb and nutrient product marketed by Seasilver Inc., of Carlsbad, California. In another report it has dissected many of the "preposterous" statements that Robert R. Barefoot makes about coral calcium products.
NCAHF Blasts MLM
The National Council Against Health Fraud has issued a position paper warning consumers to shun multilevel companies that sell health-related products. Complete article
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has initiated several actions designed to protect Americans from risks associated with use of ephedra products. Currently there are many dietary supplements containing ephedra which are sold as appetite suppressants for dieters, to improve endurance during exercise, and to generally boost energy levels and alertness. On the basis of new evidence in the medical literature and in adverse event reports, there are reasons for heightened concern that dietary supplements containing ephedra may present a significant and unreasonable risk of illness and injury. Complete article
QUOTE UNQUOTE
"Behind every successful woman...is a basket of dirty laundry." - Sally Poe
Follow-up or PerishMost network marketers understand the importance of following-up with leads and customers. It has been proven that most prospects must hear your message at least seven times before they buy. Online that may be much higher.
Following-up by telephone is fine for those building a local business. But if you want to go global, you must have a system in place that allows you to follow-up by email. Using Autoresponders makes it easy to follow-up with your leads.
Autoresponders are your personal lead-capturing and marketing "Automated Response" system designed to make your response and follow-up with prospects easier than sending out messages manually.
The "Two Step" method of marketing uses autoresponders with the steps outlined here:
1. CAPTURE the Lead - using an autoresponder or email address - anything that will allow you to contact them again.
2. FOLLOW-UP - using a series of autoresponder messages (at least 7-10) every few days that will keep your product or opportunity fresh in your prospect's mind and get the sale/sign-up for you.
Many marketers I have dealt with still do not comprehend the significance of this. They just can't seem to understand that if you are simply allowing potential clients to visit your site once, then leave, you are losing money!
And you have just wasted all those expensive 'guaranteed hits' you paid for with this month's rent. If you had captured their email address, you would at least have a way of contacting them again.
Everytime I visit a website that does not offer me an incentive to leave my email, I feel sorry for the person who owns it because they have just lost a potential customer. Don't let YOUR website be one of them.
If you and your downline want to work your leads efficiently and increase your sales, you simply MUST use an autoresponder on your website. If you don't follow-up, one way or another, your business will surely perish.
Find out why Collecting Follow-Up Information Can Be a Life Or Death ExperienceGet an Autoresponder for your website today
Watch this space:
How do you get your leads to leave their email address with you? Catch this tip in next month's issue when we show you the best bait to use for capturing those precious leads.
Resources:
How to Double Your Small Business Sales in 20 Minutes a Day With Follow-up Marketing
Learn to get the most out of every prospect and client who contacts your business - online or in the real world.
INTERLUDE
If you do a lot of things to build business, you'll build business. They don't have to be done perfectly to work, although the better you do them, the better they'll work. But the main point is that you have to do them -- a lot.
- Joe Girard "How To Sell Anything To Anybody"
5 Compelling Reasons to Choose a Wellness OpportunityCopyright 2003 Priya Shah
I actually have two separate online businesses -
1. Selling wellness products and
2. Selling digital information products (eBooks)Because I can look at things from both perspectives, I often tend to compare the two businesses from the point of view of the better opportunity.
But if I were asked to recommend a single business as the best way to make a living online, the Wellness Business would win hands down.
And no, I didn't choose it because its easy. On the contrary, selling health supplements, vitamins and related products online is NOT easy.
Not only is there tremendous competition, but it simply can't be done by working two hours a day, as is the common perception.
If you sell wellness products, you have to deal with REAL people. People with human needs and problems.
You must be available in person, or by phone, or at least by email, to clarify doubts, answer queries, be prompt and sensitive to your customers' needs and generally make your customer feel good about doing business with you.
You must also provide constant support, training and leadership to a growing organisation of distributors, and help them grow their business.
This can be extremely time-consuming because few of these tasks lend themselves to complete automation.
A seller of digital products has it somewhat easier. (S)He need not even interact with customers, because everything from product delivery to answering customer queries can run on autopilot.
Digital product sellers can (and often are) literally sitting on a beach while their websites churn out profits.
Given these disadvantages, why would anyone still choose the Wellness industry?
The reason I believe is because ANYONE, regardless of their talent or creativity, can actually make a steady LIVING for a lifetime in the Wellness industry.
And of course, there are a few who even go on to become millionaires.
Here are the reasons why I think Health and Wellness should be the #1 Choice for Entrepreneurs online.
1. Health Products fulfill a Basic Human NeedHealth is a #1 concern for many people - often more important than even sex (also a top seller online) or food.
The lack of health can make you feel... well... lousy. And most people will pay their bottom dollar if they can find something that alleviates their pain or discomfort.
To put it more plainly, NOT buying an eBook will not make much difference to your state of mind or body. But not taking your prescription medication can make you feel very bad indeed.
2. Health Products are ConsumableUnlike digital products that can only be sold ONCE to a customer, vitamins, supplements and prescriptions require monthly re-orders or autoships.
Once people start using them and benefiting, more often than not, they will continue to use them.
If you treat your customers right, they will buy from you month after month, providing you with regular commissions and a more or less stable source of income.
There's usually no need to keep selling to them again and again (barring the obligatory seasonal promotions).
If the products meet their requirements and you give them a good deal and great service, they will give you repeat business for a long time to come.
3. Your Income Grows ExponentiallyWhen selling a digital product (as an owner or an affiliate), your potential for future income actually DECREASES with every sale you make.
Unless you are among the few top marketers who can churn out a new product every month, or can earn more on back-end commissions, your potential for income will always be limited by your creativity.
In contrast, because most wellness opportunities also involve building an organisation, every product sale actually INCREASES your potential for future income, by growing your organisation of customers and potential distributors purchasing every month.
If you help your downline earn a regular income, few will quit the business they have built so earnestly. Again YOU benefit from the RESIDUAL commissions that the organisation provides.
4. Wellness Opportunities have a High Feel-Good FactorOne of the main reasons that I suspect people stick around in the wellness industry is the feel-good factor. It can really make your day when someone calls or writes, telling you how wonderful your products made them feel. Or how it gave them their life back. :-)
Even more than making money, the feeling that you have helped another person feel better is always a strong motivator in working your business.
I've no doubt it feels good when someone who purchased your eBook writes to tell you how it helped them succeed. But I can bet it comes nowhere near the feeling you get when you help someone beat a life-threatening illness or conquer their pain.
5. The Need for Wellness Only Increases with AgeAs we grow older, we want to work less and enjoy life more. We also want to live healthier lives and enjoy enhanced community interaction.
Wellness opportunities are ideally suited to seniors because they have the potential to fulfill all their needs, ranging from financial security to improved health and personal interaction.
Lastly, working a wellness opportunity empowers you to take steps to improve your own health and well-being.
And do I even need to reiterate the oft-repeated quote that it will be the next Trillion Dollar Industry?
_________________________________________________Copyright © 2005 Priya Shah Priya Shah is the editor of The Glutathione Report and Health Naturale.
_______________________________________________
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and none of the links or content are removed or changed. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated, but is not necessary. Click Here to request this article by autoresponder
Consumer Health Digest
A free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D., and cosponsored by NCAHF and Quackwatch. It summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; news reports; Web site evaluations; recommended and nonrecommended books; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. If you are a wellness marketer, you must subscribe to this publication to keep abreast of new findings and controversies that could affect your business.
Telephone Sales Talk: Key To A Successful Home-Based Business
Talk to anyone who is successful in Network Marketing, Referral Businesses, and Direct Sales, and they will tell you that "the telephone is a golden key to home-based business success," and yet, those same telephones inspire fear in countless people, whether new to the world of home-based business or not. This FREE ebook will show you how to eliminate your fears and teach you the fundamentals of successful Telephone Sales Talk.
The Alternative Medicine Review weekly newsletter
A resourceful ezine of breaking headlines, schools, and new products concerning the alternative medical field and your health. Send mailto:11939-subscribe@zinester.com or visit http://alternativemedicinereview.com/ezinesubscribe.html
Hot Health Tips!
A Simple Source for Natural Solutions. Fr^ee weekly e-zine delivering tips and sources to help you make healthy choices. Sub-scribe now and immediately get your welcome letter with instructions on how to get your FR^EE HUGE e-book LOADED with health information To sub-scribe send mailto:hothealth@getresponse.com or visit at http://www.hothealthtips.com
Motivate Me! (a free daily newsletter for you)
Start your day right! Motivational quotes and business tips that you can use right now to start making more money. Exclusive interviews with self-made millionaires. Product reviews, insider tips, special member-only contests. http://www.livingyourbest.com
Submit Articles for Health eBiz
We accept contributions from subscribers for articles as well as a "Subscriber in the Spotlight" feature where you can showcase your wellness opportunity.
Click here to subscribe and submit your contributions
When you subscribe, you also get a free eBook "Be a Whiz at eBiz," and access to a growing library of Free eBooks.
Disclaimer
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. We do not endorse any products featured and recommend that you investigate them thoroughly and consult with a healthcare professional before taking any decision.
Resources
MLM and Network Marketing Resources
MLM and Network Marketing Articles
Coaching and Tools for Personal Growth and Learning
Opportunity Seeker Leads for your Home Business
"Do, or do not. There is no ‘try’."
- Yoda, The Empire Strikes BackHealth eBiz is published monthly and provides up-to-date
information on wellness and marketing trends, and
no-nonsense tips to help you build your business online.
Contact the Editor:
Priya F. Shah
Email me
http://www.health-ebiz.com
Recommend Health eBiz to a friend!
No portion of this publication may be copied
or reproduced without express permission from the editor
Copyright © 2003 EbizWhiz Publishing
