Over $250 $400 Million Dollars

Worth of Products & Services Sold

You too can apply these “specific” methods, techniques &
approaches to start or expand your existing business…

Over the past 30 years, J.F. “Jim” Straw has written well over 300 books, booklets, manuals, reports, courses and articles about doing business — all based on his own personal, hands-on experience. His writings are “specific” methods, techniques and approaches to doing business that anyone can use to start or expand their business.

As a mailorder marketer…with over 700,000 customers worldwide … Straw has sold over two-hundred & fifty-million dollars ($250,000,000) worth of products and services by mail. Everything from Beauty Supplies to Heavy Equipment … Burglar Alarms to Sleeping Bags … Fishing Lures to Women’s Wigs … Automobiles to Wheelchairs … Investment Opportunities to Seafood … Consulting Services to “How To” Courses … all by mailorder.

Today, Straw is making a new … bigger … fortune on the Internet.

As a member of “Mensa,” with a lifetime of proven success in marketing, Straw justifiably identifies himself as a “Marketing Genius.”

Here’s the Interview…

1. Mr. Straw, you’ve been in business for a very long time. I’m sure anything you share with my members today would be ‘priceless’. With that said, could you share with us your passion? How old you were when you got started in business and what made you decide to start your own business, did something happen?

I started selling “GRIT” and Cloverleaf Salve when I was 9 years old. — In the beginning, I only wanted to have all the wonderful things other kids had. Later, I learned that I could only have what I wanted by providing other people with the things they needed … things that would make their lives better than mine.

2. When you got started, were there any failures? What did you learn from them? Did you ever consider quitting.

I can count my successes on my fingers and toes - but - it would take all the hairs on my chest to count my failures. Each of my failures was a learning experience … those failures taught me what I should have done to succeed. Didn’t learn much from my successes since those successes were based upon what I had learned from my failuers.

3. Do you have any regrets?

That made me think. — NO, I really have no regrets. There are things I would have done differently had I known then what I know now - but - I do not regret anything I have done.

4. Was there a turning point when things just finally started working out?

When I finally learned “why” I wanted to succeed.

After attending a lyceum at school where a Catholic Priest told us about their vow of poverty, I must have had a puzzled look on my face that evening. Seeing I seemed to be troubled, my Dad asked me what was bothering me. I told him about the lyceum and how the Priest had told us about their vow of poverty. — His answer gave me a reason (why) to become rich …

“For some reason, they believe they can help more people by being poor - but - if you really want to help people, get rich. A rich man can help more people in one day than a poor man can in a lifetime.”

5. Could you provide my members with a description of what you do? What area of expertise do you excel in?

Having spent over 50 successful years in business, I’ve done it all. While I was doing it, I started writing about what I was doing and how others could do it, too. — Now, being semi-retired, I don’t do much of anything but teach others what I have done.

I excel in listening to what people want or need … then, finding a way to supply it.

6. What is a typical day for you like right now? Do you go to an office, do you work long hours? Do you have employees?

Well … I usually get out of bed about 4:30 each morning. Have my coffee. Relax and think about what I did yesterday to see if there is anything I should re-do. Contemplate the day ahead and make of a list of things I should do. Nap. Drink more coffee. Go to my office at home about 7:30 (yes, I spend about 3 hours preparing for each day). — I usually get all my work done by noon … have lunch with my wife; Delores … enjoy the rest of the day.

No employees although I do outsource some tasks.

7. I’m a big proponent for direct mail and I’ve heard others say that you yourself have amazingly sold over $250 million dollars worth of products and services by way of mail order. Is that number accurate? And how in the world did you that?

Actually, that number is a little old … the total now is over $400 Million.

I did it the way all of us did it … I tested, Tested, TESTED, then tested some more. When I found something that worked, I just kept doing it until I found something that worked better.

8. What’s the most creative marketing idea you’ve implemented and seen the biggest results from?

Sorry … no big single success stories. Never hit any homeruns … just a ho’bunch of singles; some of which are still producing income for me after 30 years.

9. In today’s marketplace, could small business owners profit from using direct mail / mail order to market their products and services?

Yes, yes, yes … with all of the wannabees, amateurs and ne’er-do-wells jumping on the Internet Marketing bandwagon, there is less and less junk mail to compete with. With less competition, the opportunities for Direct Mail are stupendous.

10. Are there inexpensive ways for small business owners to promote their products and services offline?

Yes and No. The two best are Classified Ads and PostCard mailings … they’re inexpensive and highly effective - but - if you cut corners to make anything inexpensive it is just about worth what you are willing to pay for it.

NEVER look for inexpensive methods … look for effective methods. If a method is effective its cost will be easily recoverable.

11. For a small business who wants to implement direct mail / mail order into their business, what words of wisdom would you provide. Are there any materials you would suggest they read?

Suggest they read anything written by Joe Cossman or Dan Kennedy - and - of course, anything I have written on the subject.

Just remember the rule: test, Test, TEST, then test some more.

12. What about the Internet…what role has the Internet played in your business?

The Internet is ONLY another advertising medium. It is NOT the end-all, be-all, the promoters claim it is.

Use it as you would any other advertising medium … in conjunction with any and all or the other media.

13. What one thing would you consider to be the most important if one expects to be successful online?

Truth! Truth may not build you the biggest email lists - but - your customers will be yours forever.

14. In closing….many small businesses struggle with their marketing and advertising. What’s your final advice to these guys (and ladies)?

Don’t give up. Keep testing EVERY idea you come across. When you find something that works, just keep on doing it while you test EVERY new idea.

You only lose when you refuse to fail.

15. Thank you for your time Mr. Straw, I really appreciate it.

You’re welcome.

Here’s a link to Mr. Straw’s Entrepreneur Resource Page:

Hard-won knowledge you can use to increase your fortunes … starting immediately.

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