I recall once getting very irritated with Mr. Merz and his lack of response to one of my JV requests a long time ago on another forum (WF). I sent Mike some PM's and expected him to come right back and be eager to promote my offer to his partners that help him launch sites.

I didn't know Mike very well then and I still don't know him (you Mike!) very well now. But I have learned a lot since then and now I finally understand why I got the response (or lack thereof) that I got!

Mike didn't know me, we didn't have a relationship, I hadn't given ANYTHING back to HIS community. I'm still a total newbie here and wouldn't expect any of my offers to be promoted until I've at least contributed some value and made a difference in this online community.

That was a big thing that I just didn't get back then when I was 100% green behind the ears. Now I understand thanks to Mike, Reed (who I have had the chance to work with a bit), and the other members here at JV Notify Pro and other online forums I participate in that even in an online business sometimes you have to give before you get.

Just because you "heard" that someone is talented and skilled at launching websites does not mean you are entitled to their services, and in many cases, it doesn't even mean that you can pay for their services.

Every experienced business owner knows and appreciates that they have the right to refuse business to anyone, and if you have a weak offer or a bad rep, or a lack of rep, why should someone get behind you and your offer and try to make it work?

I mean seriously? Why SHOULD they?

Would Mike Merz be willing to risk his entire online reputation by promoting someone he is not familiar with and has no rapport with?

What if the product is a total B-U-S-T? What if the people start asking for refunds and the new guy that begged Mike to promote has run for the hills?

Who would look bad in that situation... surely Mike's business and reputation would suffer just as bad as the guy who took the money and ran!

I know if I was Mike I'd only be interested in dealing with people who have ALREADY established themselves as knowledgeabe, reputable, and willing to stand behind their own product. I think Mike's hard work and experience has earned him the right to only participate in launches that are put on by what he believes to be high quality marketers with high quality products.

I know my misconceptions as to how "launches" work and how to get a lot of affiliates behind you were common ones for a person new to the internet marketing niche especially. I always saw notification emails from Mike about the scheduled launch of the next big product and never realized to get my offer out to Mike's list it would take a little bit more than simply sending him a private message on a discussion forum.

Everyone wants that instant gratification. No one wants to put in a little elbow grease and take the time and effort to come socialize and share ideas a bit. Heck, open up a little and let people get to know Y-O-U and next thing you know people will be hunting YOU down asking how they can help promote your offers!