A couple months ago, I shared the Bookwise opportunity with you. It appeared to be a solid MLM with potential.
I've seen some people jump on board this, but the past few weeks I've been skeptical that they could really make it work.
I've been using the domain BookWiseProfits.com to build my BookWise business.... until today.
I just received an email from Todd Tanner at BookWise.
It reads...
The use of BookWise in your domain name bookwiseprofits.com is a violation of BookWise policy as outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of the Associate Business Guide (4.2.3)Associates may not use or attempt to register any of BookWise's trade names, trademarks, service names, service marks, product names, the Company's name, or any derivative thereof, for any Internet domain name.
Please contact your domain name registrar and cancel bookwiseprofits.com as soon as possible.
Sigh...
Once again, a company shoots itself in the foot as it seeks to protect itself.
This happened to me with Tupperware and Arbonne. In the latter case, my article on Arbonne has become the single most popular page on the web discussing the topic.
Now, it's BookWise that is discouraging ingenuity and entrepreneurship by desperately attempting to protect their name.
The irony is that the domain goes directly to their own page. How can this possibly be damaging to the company?
Beats me. I've sent them a couple dozen associates and helped make them money.
Shortsightedness.
Instead of sending threatening emails, the company would do far better to make their policies flexible if they would serve the company and their clients. I now see red flags and am happy to comply with the company's request. The domain will now redirect to this page instead. I will be removing myself from the BookWise program effective immediately.
With that, I no longer endorse BookWise as an opportunity to watch.
It's too bad. Their concept had potential. But like many others before them, they don't truly understand the new media. And in not understanding, they hurt themselves and those who would help them increase profits.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
January 18, 2008 12:37 AM
Just wanted to let you know that this policy changed last fall. I blogged my feelings that it wasn't a great idea as well. They listened!
August 4, 2008 02:38 PM
Hi there. Have you ever heard of Miessence, an organic personal care product company out of Australia. The claim to have a biz op that is grounded in the Network Marketing principals but more flexible -- Multi-channel marketing.
October 20, 2008 03:23 PM
Hey Joel,
I was thinking about this company off and on for the past 2-3 years. A friend had told me the concept and I didn't see the potential at first. It wasn't until recently that I realized that the concept is actually golden. Unfortunately their business model didn't work out to produce the growth and momentum that would sustain it for years to come. Imagine the world years from now. Less than 1% of the world participates in referral based marketing. As those numbers grow with thousands of companies in this industry, it would be smart to position a company that serves the interests of all people who are seeking to gain inspiration, knowledge, and wisdom in pursuing their own home-based business endeavors. Although Bookwise seems to have gone the way of most MLM companies in this tough industry, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. There is much we could learn from what has occured. Perhaps in the future, with enough capital we can create a venture that will be a vendor to all in the industry. Currently, I believe that VEMMA is positioned to produce the kind of capital someone like me is looking for to develop a platform from which the rest of my dreams and personal objectives could be launched.