Thank You John Reese

Sat, Jul 7, 2007

Working at Home

I just came home and read John Reese’s amazing email in which he apologizes to women marketers and to his readership in general for promoting the Rich Jerk’s event

I felt battling emotions as I read. 

I felt relieved. 

Relieved that he didn’t know what that sales letter contained when he promoted it. 

Of all the ‘Jerks by Association’ that send promos – I was most shocked by John’s participation. Shocked, confused – saddened.  It is a relief to know he wasn’t privy to the horrible message of that salesletter.

I felt renewed respect.

Respect because it took major character on his part to write the apology.  I can understand how he came to the decision to send the promos – and I can accept and respect his feelings about the Playboy Mansion even if I do not agree.

Lots of people make mistakes and experience regret and never open up their mouths to admit it.  It takes a big man to step up and admit a mistake so publically.

I felt valued.

As a woman – I felt valued by John.  Qouting his email:

“More than anything I am concerned about how the
marketing of this event was damaging to the
hard-working WOMEN of the Internet Marketing
industry.

The marketing was very sexist and took the position
that the networking event was purposely only for men—nearly implying that Internet Marketing was no place
for women and that they weren’t allowed.

This was extremely poisonous.

The Internet Marketing industry is what it is because
of MANY great women marketers.  Women like Lynn Terry,
Alice Seba, Rosalind Gardner, Alexandria Brown,
Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, and Liz Tomey just to name a
few.

Many of them have contributed to this industry equally
if not MORE than many of the men have.  They bust their
butts and work extremely hard.  And they all (including
many, many more I didn’t mention) deserve RESPECT
as well as RECOGNITION for their contributions.”


Thank you John.  These remarks brought tears to my eyes.  You named good friends of mine, women who I love and respect and have learned more from than any male marketer out there. 

I deeply appreciate your willingness to be transparent about your decision to go to the event.  I respect your reasons and I admire your determination to not leave other people who responded to your recommendation hanging.

It proves that you take the responsibility of your reach seriously.

It proves – at least in my eyes – that you are not a jerk – even if for one small moment you appears to act like one ;)

This post was written by:

Kelly McCausey is the host of Work at Home Moms Talk Radio and owner of Mom's Talk Network. She has built a successful internet based home business and helps other moms do the same.

Contact the author

  • Kelly -

    This is my first comment left on your blog, tho I read it all the time!

    Love your stuff, girl!

    I am SO glad you blogged about the email from John Reese!

    I, too, felt those same "icky" feelings when it came to John Reese participating in all that madness. Getting that email from him was a relief...and sending that email not only renewed my belief in how seriously he takes his list/supporters, but also portrayed just how big of a person he can be.

    I agree with what you said - I can now respect his feelings, even if I don't agree.

    Thanks for such a great blog, Kelly! Its fabbbbb-u-lus, dahling!

    ~Jennifer
  • I'm not on John's list and I'm glad he apologized but I'm curious as to WHY he didn't know what the sales letter contained before promoting it? That seems like a mistake that a newbie to affiliate marketing would make, not one of an experienced, professional marketer.
  • I'm very impressed with his apology. He hasn't lost a subscriber here. It took a lot of guts to admit he made a mistake. I still respect him a lot.
  • I respect him even more now that he took the time to not only admit that he made a mistake but to make his apology publicly! That had to of taken some courage.
  • I don't buy it. Sure, it's a good PR move to apologize, but I think it was done just to try and keep people from un-subscribing from his list. In the end, he is still endorsing the event, AND getting paid an affiliate commission for the people that bought it while enforcing the perception that the affiliate marketing industry is sexist and lacks morals.

    Just my opinion.

    Here is my two cents on the event and the promotions:
    http://www.whattheweb.com/2007/06/24/rich-jerk-...
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