Welcome to another issue of the no-BS newsletter dedicated to demystifying the world of passive income, where we share practical, reliable strategies to build and sustain income streams that work for you.

If you want to help someone else make money while they sleep, forward this email to them.

In today's issue:

• If You Believe Marketing Is Evil, Read This

• Facing My Flaws Head-On Was the Best Decision Ever

• How To Write Caffeine Emails With Geoff Stephen

• The No B.S. Way to Get People to Believe in Your Brand

FROM MY WORLD

If You Believe Marketing Is Evil, Read This

Marketing gets a bad rap. How often have you heard that salespeople are sleazy? You know the clichés: “If it quacks like a salesman, run the other way.” 

People love to bash marketing...until they need something. And when they do, guess who they're drawn to? The people who market best.

Let me hit you with a real-world example. A few years ago, I had laser eye surgery. It wasn’t an easy decision—I was literally handing my eyesight to strangers with laser beams. So, naturally, I researched like a maniac. 

The clinic I chose? Not the one with the best medical reviews, not the one with the cleanest record, but the one with the best marketing. They had the empathy, the reassurance, and the confidence I needed to feel safe. Their marketing made me feel understood. 

Funny enough, the same thing happened when my wife wanted a breast surgery. We visited four different clinics, and guess what? We chose the most expensive one. Not because of the price, but because of the trust their marketing created.

And then there’s my own journey. Back in May 2011, I had one of those panic-inducing moments that every online entrepreneur dreads: my laptop crashed with the notorious blue screen of death. At the time, I was hustling hard, trying to build my list-building empire through blogging, and that laptop was my lifeline. 

So, I dragged it to the local technician, hoping for a miracle that wouldn’t break the bank.

Later that day, I went back to pick up my laptop, and we got chatting. 

He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him all about my blogging ventures: how I was using forum marketing to drive traffic and growing a following on Twitter. 

His reaction? “Oh, you’re one of those spammer a-holes who market products on forums!”

Ouch. Nobody likes being labeled a spammer, and I certainly didn’t appreciate it. We ended up in a heated, 40-minute debate about what constituted spamming versus real marketing.

Spoiler: I didn’t manage to change his mind that day.

Fast forward four years. I ran into the same guy at our local bar, Muza. (We only have one bar in town, so crossing paths was inevitable.) He walked over, offered to buy me a beer—which I declined in favor of a soda—and we got to talking. 

This time, he had a different tone. He admitted he’d been following my work online, had come to respect what I’d accomplished, and even asked if I’d teach him some of my marketing techniques. The same person who once dismissed me as a spammer was now asking me for guidance.

Here’s the lesson: What some people see as annoying or intrusive marketing often transforms into admiration when they see the genuine impact. 

Marketing, when done ethically and with skill, can change minds—and lives. It’s not about tricking people. It’s about reaching the right people in a way that resonates.

That’s why I’m proud of what we do as marketers. When we market well, we help people find solutions they truly need and want.

MY GIFT FOR YOU

I Want To Ship You a Copy of My Book

As our way of saying thanks for subscribing to the newsletter, we’d like to ship you a free copy of the Amazon best-seller List Building Lifestyle: Confessions of an Email Millionaire. This book shows how to build a scalable passive income online even if you’ve got no previous experience.

Claim your no cost copy by texting the word BOOK to +1 833-259-7282

You can also just click the button below if you’re reading this on your mobile device.

This book costs $20 on Amazon, but if you text the word BOOK to +1 833-259-7282, you’ll receive a special link allowing you to get a free copy of the book plus $3,251.88 in bonuses (just chip in on S&H).

MINDSET MAKEOVER

Facing My Flaws Head-On Was the Best Decision Ever

Shame. It’s the emotion we all love to hate. But here’s the thing: if you know how to use it, shame is like a turbocharged engine for success. The kind of force that propels you from "meh" to unstoppable.

Let me tell you about one of the most embarrassing moments of my life—me, standing completely naked in front of a full-length mirror, at 16 years old. Flabby, squishy, and painfully self-aware. That’s when the voice inside me screamed, “Look at you! No girl is ever going to give you a second glance.” 

Brutal, right? But instead of drowning in self-pity, I felt this surge of determination. That was the day I decided to get in shape. And not just physically—mentally, too.

Here’s the wild part: That same shame-fueled fire has driven me to push beyond limits in business. Every time I felt financially, emotionally, or professionally inadequate, I didn't wallow. I got to work. I launched email campaigns. I studied marketing strategies. I didn’t just want to improve; I was ashamed of being stuck, and that feeling was pure jet fuel.

Most people think of shame as a negative force—something to be avoided. They’re wrong. Shame is powerful because it forces you to get real. It shatters the delusions we like to cling to, like, “I’ll get around to it someday,” or, “I’m too busy.” Nope. Shame exposes your excuses and demands change.

But, be warned: There’s a right way and a wrong way to use it. Shame can destroy you if you let it, like a bad boss constantly breathing down your neck. Or it can become your greatest motivator. When you catch yourself feeling that raw, ugly feeling, ask, “What can I change today?” Turn shame into your personal transformation coach.

And remember, your brain is a master trickster. It’ll tell you all kinds of lies—like that you're not good enough, or that you’ll fail no matter what. That’s when you step in and outsmart it. Instead of letting shame consume you, convert it into action. 

For example, if you’re ashamed of your income, funnel that energy into building better offers or sharpening your email marketing skills.

Practical Tip: Grab a notepad and write down three things you’re ashamed of right now. Then, turn them into your action plan. Feel ashamed of being out of shape? Sign up for a workout program. Embarrassed about your lack of marketing results? Get studying. Ashamed of procrastination? Start a daily routine. 

Shame is your map to the next version of yourself.

Turn your shame into your superpower—because that discomfort? It’s showing you exactly where you need to grow.

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

How To Write Caffeine Emails With Geoff Stephen

Do you feel weird emailing your list? Perhaps you’re afraid to annoy your subscribers? Are you sensitive to unsubscribes and spam complaints? Then you’re going to love this episode, where Igor interviews Geoff Stephen, the father of Caffeine Emails. 

Find out how to generate more sales with your emails while creating more good will with your email list than ever before! 

CURATED READS

The No B.S. Way to Get People to Believe in Your Brand

Dan Kennedy tells it like it is. In “No B.S. Trust-Based Marketing”, he cuts through the fluff and teaches you how to market with integrity. His core message? People buy from those they trust, not just from those who market the loudest.

Kennedy delivers practical, no-nonsense strategies for building credibility, positioning yourself as an authority, and crafting marketing that turns prospects into lifelong customers. If you’ve ever wondered how to make people trust you and want what you’re selling, this book is your guide.

Why You Should Read It: It’s a masterclass in creating genuine, trust-driven marketing while staying bold and effective. Plus, Kennedy’s humor and straightforward style make it a must-read for anyone serious about success.

RIDDLE ME THIS

Can You Crack The Code?

I'm black and white and always square,

Scan me right, I’ll take you there. 

From menus to tickets and even ads, 

I'm the future link to a digital pad. 

What am I?

Think you've cracked the code? Reply to this email with your guess and see if you're right!