And so on and so on…

Everyday, we find brochures, sales letters, pamphlets or magazines in our mailboxes presenting moneymaking ideas such as reading books for money, assembling crafts, sewing baby items, stuffing envelopes, and so on. You may have seen clas­sified and display advertisements on the Internet, news­paper or small business publication offering work-at-home opportunities.

These ads often sound as if you are one of those lucky few selected and now being offered with the rare chance to make easy money while sitting lazily in your couch with a can of beer in hand! At the end of these letters are action sentences that enjoin you to try the described scheme – quick! -- or risk losing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity altogether.

Have you ever wondered why these ads and sales pitches seem real and believable, or at the very least, intriguing? For one, they were written by professional copywriters or talented sales people who know how to write. Much too often, we don’t want to read these ads but sometimes, we find ourselves reading these sales letters and ads from end to end, no matter the length of the copy. Oh, yes, the writer knows how to write a sales letter that really sells. In fact, we have a section for you on that, at the end of this article if you want to learn how. 

For generations, information brokers (as they are called) have thrived and made millions of dollars (as they claimed) selling get-rich schemes targeted to people wanting to make money, and lots of it, from the comfort of their own homes. It is unfortunate that the growth of home-based businesses also led to the increase in the number of fraudulent moneymaking schemes.  

But, why do you think is the information business doing well, in spite of the widespread fraud going on? -- Because they know that millions of people out there needs extra money and a lot of them wants to get it THE EASY WAY.  Hence, they offer home opportunities, some with complete busi­ness package (e.g. computer, software, manuals) in an attempt to show us that it so easy to make money with the use of their SECRET FORMULAS. They further sweeten the deal by pricing their “products” on the low side, because they know that people are more willing to part with relatively small amounts like $19.95 or $24.95 or $29.95 (although there are more expensive ones). They can even afford to sell at $9.95 or less but they know that you will not feel good buying  “cheap” products that are supposed to generate huge heaps of money for you. Those who take the bait do so with the attitude that “if it works, fine; if it doesn’t, then charge the $24.95 paid as tuition fee in life education.”  Although an increasing number of victims do complain and demand for a refund of their money but you can be sure that it will be a while before you take your money back, if ever it does. 

Remember, these information brokers have been there for a while and they have studied and tested the factors that get people’s attention and what people want.  That is what they mean when they say that they have spent tens of thousands of dollars and many years of research evaluating the work-at-home and home-based business. They know that people always want the best for less so they use magic phrases like “Much more with MORE for less.” Therefore, they will convince you to part with your money by giving additional FREE extras, like FREE this, FREE that, more FREE this, and more FREE that, if you sign up today or before the week is over.  

These free items are the “clinchers” to your doubting mind. All the sweet sounding words, money back satisfaction guarantees are designed to make you decide to part with your money, even against your own volition.  Before you write out that check or call their toll free phones to give your credit card number for your order … WAIT!   

Be cautious. Although everything may be legal as far as the offers are concerned, be wary about what these offers can really do for you. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that people hopeful in looking for entrepreneurial opportunities lose more than $100 million a year to prepackaged businesses that promise big riches with little effort.