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Today I am talking about a form of email spam that makes me cringe every time I open my mailbox. I was inspired by Chris Cree who, frustrated by the rudeness of a link building spammer, posted his email reply on his blog, warning against One Wrong Way to Get Links.

email spam

As all website/blog owners who disclose their email addresses I have my share of link building spam (of all kinds). Then I get all types of review requests and let’s not forget the press releases of all kinds, which are sent to my email address because I run a PR company (PR, for many, is reduced at press releases submissions) and certainly because I have a moderately influential blog.

Blowing my own horn: some important Web figures visit eWritings when the topic calls to their attention. They are silent witnesses most of the time, but they also engage in the conversation when controversy strikes. So knowing that I have some important readers, I was surprised to learn about “one of the top blogging experts in the world” via an unsolicited bulk email came into my mailbox early this morning.

His name is Rob Benwell. (Rob Who?!) Before diving into the rant, I have to note that it is not Benwell spamming me. The person signs “Katrina Blogging Guru’s.” Apparently she is trying to sell Benwell’s blogging secrets through her affiliate links. Following these links, the unsuspecting reader will eventually land on bloggingincome.net – an ugly site, full of cheap sales pitches and even cheaper graphics. Then a couple of make-believe testimonials will add to the brain washing process… A special offer field, in red, lets you know that if you don’t enroll into Benwell’s program TODAY, you will miss the chance of a lifetime. Tomorrow… the red field will still be there, with a slight date change though.

Leaving aside that the site could make top pick of the month at Web Pages That Suck, I fear that Benwell is indeed successful in its endeavor. Not that one needs a trained brain to smell the scam, but common sense is also a rarity. I also fear that Benwell’s audience has the common sense of a hog and the brain size of a bb. Like it or not, the scammer gets richer while his victims are left with nothing but the option to search online for forums where other misfortunate dim-witted money diggers dive into self pity discourses.

To a reader with a healthy vision over what blogging is all about, the content of the following letter will seem obnoxious. Please note that the purple comments are my own. Take them with a grain of salt – and for you bb brains who by stroke of fate land on my website, my message cannot get clearer than this: if you receive such an email letter, click delete. Learn to appreciate the time and effort someone put here, trying to save you from such a fate (follow links, bb, or else you will not understand what I am talking about).

Hi there, – hi there yourself, at least have the courtesy to address me politely

If you’re interested in making money from blogs and driving thousands of free visitors to your websites then this may very well be the most important email you’ll read all year. – what a stroke of luck! I really have no idea how to drive traffic to my blog, and to be honest, I have been expecting your email the whole year. What took you so long?

Why? – good question.

Because a young guy from the UK has just blown the lid off all the blogging game – AGAIN! – and how haven’t I heard about this before? But don’t give me any solid proof yet – like an article in The New York Times – I do believe in online miracles.

His name is Rob Benwell and he’s making up to $34,244 per month from blogging. – Rob Who? What do you know? The guy has a predestined name too!

The best news is that he wants to share his exact “system he uses with YOU. – I will not even ask why me. I understand that I was chosen by this blogging god and I am very thankful.

He has some CAN’T MISS BONUSES for First Movers, so make sure you head over there now to get everything he’s offering for your Blogging success:

questionable link

Rob is one of the top blogging experts in the world. – Silly me! I thought Liz Strauss was, I thought Robert Scoble was… or Chris Cree… But no! It’s Rob Benwell! And his blog link is?

He’s authored two best selling ebooks that have been read by over 50,000 people and has even spoke on stage in front of hundreds of people sharing ALL of his proven blogging strategies. – again I think this is pretty generous. I’d be more than glad to add myself to the number of brainwashed idiots who believe in everything.

His latest blogging ebook looks like it’s going to be another best seller as it’s ALREADY selling really quick. – I should hurry up to buy it, I don’t want the ebook to go out of print!

Now last time after a few thousand copies were sold he jacked up the price as he didn’t want too many people flooding the marketplace with his strategies. – how many people did you say? 50000? Yeah, that’s nothing.

Rumours are that he is doing this again so you may not have long. – Of course, as I said… I hurry.

Go here NOW: OK, OK… I’ll go

questionable link different from above – sure, I do want malware on my PC

Here’s just a few of the things Rob is going to share with you:

  • How One Dumb Little Blog Can Earn Over $3,947 Per Month – honest to God, I know dumb little blogs that make much more than that. Take Techcrunch for example. Oh, OK… Techcrunch is not little…
  • The 5 Biggest Secrets That Guarantees A Home Run Style Success For Any Blog You Create In 2009 – this is already too much to bear!
  • The Most Successful Step-By-Step Blueprint For Long Term Blogging Success – good, coz’ I was really tired of reading Maki’s professional advice.
  • How To Create Real Blogs In Just A Few Clicks – yes, I am sure this is possible without scrapping software
  • REVEALED: The Secrets To Building A Blog Empire That Earns Over $250,000 Per Year – other than hard work and solid funds for advertising?
  • 6 Surefire Promotion Techniques That Are Driving 36,313 Visitors To Just One Of My Blogs Every Month. – does paying top diggers count?
  • How Any Business Or Individual Can Use Blogging For More Exposure And Gain An Instant ‘PHD’ Credibility Status – does it come in print for me to frame it?
  • The One Technique No One Else Is Telling You About On How To Build A Multi Million Dollar Blogging Empire

Getting excited?? – oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

You should be plus there’s a ton more stuff all explained on the website. – I like the “ton more stuff” idea. It really adds value to this unbelievable offer!

Just go there now… – so when should I go there?

questionable link again…

Regards – re-whats?

Katrina – Blogging Guru’s – what am I missing here?

PS. Rob’s also got a shocking case study on the site that’s really A MUST READ.

It shows how he put his techniques up against some Guru’s latest release and revealed his SHOCKING UNCENSORED RESULTS. – I am already convinced.

Isn’t this email a clear proof that email spammers are stupid? Sending such a message to a professional blogger is an offense. Let’s assume just for the sake of the argument that Benwell was no scammer, wouldn’t such an email seriously damage his reputation?

Unfortunately even genuine businesses follow this email model. No long ago I had to reply to a startup that send me a “Hi there” email asking me to join the network. The text was poorly written, full of clichés and poor sales pitches, with too many links and too many “go there NOW” highlights. A PS was, of course, present and the length even surpassed the one of this entry. This is one of those cases when starting an email campaign without PR advice was a bad move. The startup corrected its approach, and signups boosted considerably.

Let this be a lesson for all of you spammers and scammers: if you are to spam, don’t be stupid. Do it with style and we’ll probably forgive you.


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