Uncensored Direct Marketing

If you’re serious about scaling in 2026, your payment stack and checkout flow can’t be an afterthought. Outdated payment setups lead to cart abandonment, unnecessary declines, and lost revenue for online businesses.

Maria breaks down the exact steps to modernize your payments for the new year — optimizing checkout, expanding payment options, and building a setup that supports growth, stability, and higher approvals.

____________________________________________

📌Must-Read Resources to Upgrade Your 2026 Payment Stack

🔗 10 Payment Trends That Will Transform Transactions in 2026

🔗 8 Pricing Page Optimizations That Seriously Boost Conversions

Your holiday sales are booming — but what happens when Stripe freezes your account right in the middle of peak season? You’re not imagining it: Stripe is more sensitive during the holidays. Spiking fraud, unusual transaction patterns, and seasonal chargebacks make accounts more likely to be flagged.

In this video, Maria breaks down why Stripe freezes happen, how to spot early warning signs, and the proactive steps you can take to keep your payments flowing and your holiday revenue safe.

Whether you’re running an ecommerce store, subscription business, or selling high-ticket items, this is the ho...

If you’re running an ecommerce store, subscription business, or online shop, you’ve probably noticed December declines spike during the holiday season. Banks tighten risk in Q4 because disputes, chargebacks, and fraud claims historically rise in Q1 — which means more transactions can get declined right when you’re trying to maximize holiday sales.

In this video, Maria breaks down:

✅ Why declines spike during December and the holiday rush

✅ Most common causes of payment declines during this season

✅ How to respond to each type to increase approvals and protect revenue

✅ The #1 act...

If you’re seeing “Do Not Honor,” “Pick Up Card,” Code 05, Code 04, Code 07, or “Issuer Decline” in your transaction logs, this video breaks down exactly what they mean — and how to fix them before they wreck approval rates and revenue.

This video uncovers what these decline codes actually signal and why banks trigger them. Whether you run subscriptions, upsells, or a high-ticket funnel, these declines can quietly kill revenue if you don’t know what’s behind them. Maria explains what merchants can do to recover the sale, reduce future declines, and stabilize cash flow.

If decline codes spi...

Most “chargeback alerts” still make you refund the order, so you lose the sale anyway. RDR, CDRN, and Ethoca only notify you after a dispute is filed. Order Insights is the only alert that stops the dispute before it exists, giving the bank enough info to verify the charge instantly.

Most alert programs (RDR, CDRN, Ethoca) don’t actually save the sale — they tell you a dispute happened and push you to refund it. That kills your revenue and can even hurt your VAMP ratio.

Order Insights works differently. When a customer tells their bank “I don’t re...

Stripe holding your money or freezing payouts? Here’s why reserves happen — and what ecommerce brands, subscription businesses, and online sellers can do to get their funds released faster.

If Stripe is suddenly holding your money, placing a “% reserve,” freezing payouts, or delaying transfers, you’re not alone. Thousands of ecommerce brands, subscription businesses, coaches, SaaS companies, and online sellers get hit with Stripe reserves every year.

When Stripe thinks your business model, refund rate, dispute patterns, or chargeback risk are too high, they lock down your funds — and once a reserve is in place, getting your...

Are you sinking thousands into third-party invoicing tools — when your accounting software and payment gateway can handle everything without extra fees or subscriptions?

In this video, Maria breaks down the high costs of popular invoicing platforms like Bill.com, Chargebee, and Chargezoom — from monthly subscription fees to the extra percentages they take off every transaction. She explains how connecting your existing accounting software (like QuickBooks or Xero) directly to your own payment gateway can eliminate those costs, simplify billing, and give you full control of your client data.

Maria compares popular third-party invoicing software to the...

The BNPL world just changed — and if you’re a merchant, you’re not as safe from it as you think.

The CFPB’s new Buy Now, Pay Later regulations are aimed at BNPL providers, but the fallout will hit sellers next. Expect higher fees, tighter approvals, and more limits on who can use these services — especially if your store falls under “high-risk”.

And it doesn’t stop there. These changes will also affect how customers see and use BNPL. As fees rise and approvals drop, BNPL could become a less appealing checkout option — hurting conversions and yo...

Using Stripe — or thinking about it? Here’s what most business owners don’t realize about how Stripe really works compared to a merchant account.

If you process payments online, you’ve probably come across Stripe payments — one of the most popular tools for eCommerce stores, SaaS companies, and digital entrepreneurs. But is Stripe really the same as having a merchant account, or do they work differently behind the scenes?

In this video, Maria breaks down everything you need to know about how Stripe works, what a merchant account actually is, and the key di...

Whether you’re applying for your first high-risk merchant account or looking to add a backup payment processor for extra stability, this video walks you through every step to set your business up for success.

Maria covers exactly how to get a high-risk merchant account approved, what documents underwriters expect, and how to position your business to present the best first impression to merchant account providers. Even established merchants using Stripe, PayPal, or Square should maintain a secondary processor to protect revenue and avoid downtime.

What you’ll learn:

✅ Required documents for high-risk mercha...

Are your credit card declines climbing and your approval rate dropping? Every failed transaction means lost revenue. In this episode, Maria breaks down how to fix payment declines, boost approval rates, and recover more sales through smarter payment processing strategies.

If you run an ecommerce store, sell online, or operate in a high-risk industry, this episode will help you uncover why payments fail — and what you can do to fix it.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Read and interpret decline codes that actually matter

✅ Retry soft dec...

Visa’s new fraud monitoring rules are officially in effect — and the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) could put your business at risk if you’re not prepared.

In this episode, Maria breaks down exactly what VAMP means, why Visa introduced it, and how to protect your business from fraud penalties and shutdowns.

You’ll learn:

✅ What Visa’s VAMP program is — and how it works

✅ Why stricter fraud monitoring is rolling out now

✅ The key metrics Visa monitors (and what they mean for you)

✅ 10 practical steps to protect your merc...

Most businesses only find out they’re high-risk after getting shut down. Learn what the label really means and how it impacts your ability to accept payments.

Are you running an online business and wondering if you’re considered high-risk? High-risk merchant accounts are one of the most misunderstood parts of payment processing. The truth is, most e-commerce, subscription, and digital product businesses fall into the high-risk category — even if they’ve never had issues with payments before.

In this video, Maria breaks down what a high-risk merchant account is, why businesses get labeled high-risk, the diff...

Amazon’s $2.5B FTC settlement is a warning for subscription businesses. Learn the new rules and 5 compliance practices you need now.

The FTC recently hit Amazon with a record $2.5 billion settlement over deceptive subscription practices — from unclear free trial terms to making it difficult for customers to cancel.

This isn’t just about Amazon. The case highlights how the FTC is cracking down on subscription businesses and setting new compliance standards that every company must follow. If your business relies on recurring billing, subscriptions, or free trial offers, these rules apply to you.<...

Visa has introduced new chargeback rules through its Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP). While it’s aimed at acquirers, merchants can’t afford to ignore it because, as acquirers scramble to protect their portfolios under Visa’s stricter fraud guidelines, merchants will be the ones who get cut off, restricted, or penalized.

📥 Get your free downloadable guide to protect your business from VAMP here.

In this video, Maria breaks down:

✅ What VAMP is and why Visa launched it

✅ How the fraud-to-sales ratio works (1.5% now, moving to 0.9% in 2026)

✅ Why acquirers and processors...

Are tariffs eating into your profits?

Import duties, trade talks, and sudden tariff changes are creating chaos for online businesses, dropshippers, and eCommerce store owners. In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down practical strategies to stay profitable through the tariff mess while keeping your customers happy and avoiding costly disputes or chargebacks.

You’ll learn:

✅ How tariffs affect dropshipping and imported products

✅ Why radical transparency with customers prevents chargebacks

✅ Checkout page strategies to avoid surprise duty fees

✅ How to offer prepaid duties and inclusive pricing mo...

Friendly fraud is one of the most frustrating challenges for business owners—and despite its name, there’s nothing “friendly” about it. In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down what friendly fraud is, why it happens, and how you can protect your business from rising chargebacks.

With Visa estimating chargebacks will rise by 42% in 2026, business owners need to understand the real costs of disputes: lost sales, product costs, service hours, and even the risk of losing your payment processor entirely.

👉 In this video, you’ll learn:

- The difference between friendly frau...

Thinking about starting an online store or want to swap services but not sure if Shopify is the right fit? In this video, we break down the best Shopify alternatives in 2025 — including WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and Shift4Shop so you can choose the right eCommerce platform for your business.

We’ll cover:

✅ Why Shopify might not be the best option for certain businesses

✅ Shopify Payments limitations & hidden fees you should know about

✅ How WooCommerce gives you low-cost flexibility and control over your customer data

✅ Why BigCommerce is powerful for...

Think Stripe’s fees are just 2.9% + 30¢? Think again. In this video, Maria Sparagis (payment processing expert and owner of DirectPayNet) breaks down Stripe processing fees, reveals their hidden charges, and shows you exactly how to read your Stripe balance report so you can uncover the real cost of doing business.

We’ll cover:

If you want to know the true cost of Stripe and how to...

Confused by payment processing fees? In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down the real costs behind merchant account statements — beyond the advertised “2.9% + $0.30.”

Whether you're using Stripe, Shopify, or have a standalone merchant account, this is the ultimate guide to uncovering hidden fees, understanding interchange rates, and negotiating better deals.

🔍 Learn what "interchange plus" really means, how to spot PCI compliance penalties, refund and chargeback traps, and why your true processing costs might be MUCH higher than you think.

📊 Maria walks you through an actual merchant processing statement and explains...

Has Shopify Payments frozen or shut down your account out of nowhere? You're not alone—and you're not helpless.

In this episode, Maria Sparagis, owner of DirectPayNet, explains exactly what to do when Shopify pulls the plug on your payment processing. From understanding why it happened to setting up real alternatives that can handle high-risk businesses like supplements, digital goods, CBD, coaching, and subscriptions—we’ve got you covered.

✅ Learn how to:

- Get clarity from Shopify (even when they ghost you)

- Send a physical letter to escalate...

Visa’s VAMP rules are here and they’re reshaping how online businesses handle fraud, chargebacks, and card testing. In this episode, Maria Sparagis (with over 20 years in payment processing) breaks down exactly what the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) is, how it affects merchants, and what you must do to stay compliant.

What's Covered:

✅ What Visa’s VAMP rules mean for your business

✅ How acquirers are passing fraud liability to you

✅ The tools you should already be using to prevent disputes and card testing

✅ Why 3DS (3D Secure) is your new be...

Why Stripe Declines Upsells & How to Fix It: Optimize Your Funnel for More Conversions

If your upsells are getting declined—especially after the front-end sale goes through—this episode is a must-watch. 💳 In this in-depth breakdown, Maria Sparagis explains exactly why Stripe and other payment processors may be flagging your upsell offers, and what you can do to increase approval rates in your checkout funnel.

🔍 Learn:

- Why upsells and order bumps get flagged—even after a front-end sale

- How Stripe Radar rules and default settings could be killing your conversions<...

Choosing the Best Payment Processor for Your Online Business in 2025

Wondering which payment processor is right for your online store? In this episode, Maria Sparagis (CEO of DirectPayNet) explains the crucial differences between popular PSPs like Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and getting your own dedicated merchant account.

What you’ll learn:

- How Stripe and PayPal work for startups vs. scaling businesses

- Hidden fees you might be ignoring

- Why your business might outgrow Stripe sooner than you think

- How a merchant account can increase your ap...

Are webinars really making a comeback? 🤯 In this episode, I sit down with Gia Liossis of GIAffiliate Management to find out why webinars might be your brand’s untapped goldmine—especially if you’re in health, beauty, supplements, or coaching.

We get into:

- Why webinars still work in 2025 (and who they don’t work for)

- The best affiliate audiences for webinar conversions

- Tips to get people to actually show up live (hint: it’s not just giveaways)

- Live Q&As vs. product discounts – which builds more trust?

In this episode, Alex and get into the wild world of hiring — and what happens when 350 people apply for a job... but only eight follow simple instructions.

Whether you're a job seeker wondering why you're not landing interviews, or a small business owner trying to avoid the chaos of recruiting, this conversation offers raw insights, real numbers, and a surprisingly effective hiring hack that saved thousands in recruiter fees.

💡 Topics Covered:

- Why 97% of job applicants failed instantly

- The simple test that filtered 350 applicants

- Why y...

Worried about the looming recession and how it might impact your online business? In this episode, we're diving deep into recession-proof strategies for e-commerce and direct response brands.

I’m joined by Alex to explore how businesses can thrive, not just survive, during economic uncertainty.

We cover:

✅ Why building a brand matters more than ever in 2025

✅ How micro-influencers can boost conversions and protect your PR

✅ Must-know payment trends: Buy Now, Pay Later, Apple Pay, ACH & more

✅ How to avoid chargebacks and reduce refund rates during downturns

✅ Mobile...

💸 Stripe’s NEW Dispute Fees Are Outrageous — What You *Must* Know to Protect Your Business

Stripe just changed the game — and not in a good way. Business owners now face a $30 fee to fight disputes, and if you let Stripe’s “Smart Disputes” AI win them for you, they’ll keep 30% of the recovered amount. Seriously.

In this episode, I pull no punches, breaking down why Stripe's new policy is deeply predatory, how it's forcing sellers into a lose-lose scenario, and what you can do to protect your profits.

👉 You’ll learn:

* Why Stripe doubled...

In this episode my media guy Alex and I dive deep into the implications of Capital One's recent acquisition of Discover. We get into how this major shakeup could affect business owners who accept Discover cards, including potential changes to processing fees, merchant account structures, and overall payment dynamics.

There are parallels to Amex's OptBlue program, which might show how Capital One aims to streamline Discover's merchant onboarding process—potentially increasing costs but also making the card more widely adopted. Also, Capital One's likely strategy of boosting Discover's rewards program could drive consumer demand and force businesses to...

🚨 Visa’s New Chargeback Rules Could Shut You Down – Are You Ready? 🚨

Visa is flipping the script on chargebacks—and if you're an online business owner, this affects you. I'm breaking down the new VAMP (Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program) regulations that are already live in Europe and heading to North America.

From stricter chargeback thresholds (dropping to 0.9% in 2026) to new penalties for merchants who ignore card testing fraud, Visa's changes are tightening the noose on risky behavior. Even if you rely on Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR), guess what? Those alerts are now counted against you.

🔍 Learn...

Stripe has officially applied for a Money Transmitter (MALPB) license in Georgia. It's a move that will change what we know about Stripe in payment processing...at least in the U.S.

But what does this really mean for your business?

In this episode, I, Maria Sparagis, payment processing expert and founder of Direct Payment, break down the real implications of Stripe becoming its own payment processor.

From bypassing big banks like Wells Fargo and Barclays to potential changes in who Stripe approves (or rejects). These are the questions many aren’t asking: Is...

Your mobile checkout page NEEDS to be optimized. Mobile is rocketing past desktop for sales, which means more people are tapping around on your mobile site than ever before. If you've left your mobile checkout page unchecked, you're LOSING MONEY.

In this video, I'm covering 9 ways you can optimize your mobile checkout to secure sales and bump your bottom line.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

1:08 Mobile Checkout Stats

2:10 #1

3:05 #2

3:43 #3

4:28 #4

5:30 Desktop vs Mobile

8:50 5 Optimizations

15...

Stripe Radar is the built-in fraud tool Stripe offers directly through the dashboard. But if you leave this tool unconfigured, you'll either block valid payments or accept fraudulent ones. So here's how you can tweak Stripe Radar to fit your business better and convert more sales, no matter what region you're in.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

1:15 Stripe Radar Flags

4:41 Business Impact

5:53 How It Works

11:46 Configuring Stripe Radar

20:48 Outro

Monthly subscriptions are a more sustainable choice for businesses. Not only do customers like them more for various reasons like lower price points, but they help lower your risk profile.

Lifetime access sounds appealing—having accessing for an entire lifetime. But that is also the catch. You have to support that product for a lifetime, and if you don't then those customers will win a chargeback suit against you.

If you're still interested in selling lifetime access, I've got a few tips for you in the video.

Wa...

What to do when Square closes your account and you can't accept payments.

Just like with Stripe or PayPal or Shopify Payments, Square is keen on shutting down any account that has the slightest tinge of risk. If this happens to you, immediately open a backup account—but don't stop there. That acount is just for 10% of your transactions and to tide you over while you open a real merchant account.

Don't fall into the Square payments trap. If it's too easy to sign up and too good to be true, then run.

Ne...

You've been upselling wrong this whole time. Here's how to do it the RIGHT WAY. And for when the upsell doesn't hit or your customer simply can't afford, I've thrown in a few alternatives for you like downselling and affiliate offers.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:55 What Is an Upsell?

1:48 How to Upsell

14:22 Downselling

18:59 Outro

Shopify Payments, the gateway and processor that Shopify uses and AGGRESSIVELY pushes you to use is actually powered by...Stripe! So if you're not able to use Stripe, then you're also not able to use Shopify Payments and vice versa.

But luckily, I have some great alternatives for those of you who still want to use Shopify's platform without Shopify Payments.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:33 Shopify v Shopify Payments

1:52 What is Shopify Payments?

2:47 Alternatives

6:06 Why Choose Alternatives?

7...

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Jason Schappert has been an entrepreneur his entire life and is here to share the ins and outs of building wealth as a business owner. One of the greatest pieces of advice he gives is to PAY YOURSELF FIRST. Listen and watch as he dives into how to invest, what to invest in, how to pay yourself, and taking your business to the next level.

Get in touch with Jason:

https://www.facebook.com/MoolaCopilot/

https://www.instagram.com...

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

If your Stripe account has disappeared or you can't access it, here's how to recover.

Stripe Account TERMINATED: https://youtu.be/L6075XCHvOw

0:00 Intro

0:25 Why Your Account Disappeared

1:05 #1 Forgotten Email or Password

2:05 #2 Stripe Account Terminated

3:02 #3 Accidental Deletion

6:19 Following Through

7:55 Securing Your Stripe Account

9:36 Outro

The best Stripe alternative for your business really depends on what you sell and where you sell. Stripe won't accept a ton of risk, so returns and chargebacks can literally destroy your business. PayPal, Square, and Shopify Payments act the same. While there is a place for any of these payment services, there are also much safer options to keep your store running no matter what happens.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:47 Why You Need an Alternative

2:25 Top Stripe Alternatives

5:04 How...

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Insufficient funds, error code 51 in your payment gateway, doesn't have to the end of that customer's journey. Aside from the obvious, here's what insufficient funds can mean and 4 ways to save the sale and profit from these customers.

0:00 Intro

0:47 Insufficient Fund Declines

1:36 Why Insufficient Funds Happen

3:53 Strategies to Save the Sale

5:30 #1 More Payment Modes

7:02 #2 BNPL

7:51 #3 Installments

9:48 #4 Low-Cost Offer

11:17 Outro

DO NOT HONOR ERROR: https://yout...

A contract will save you from declines, refunds, and chargebacks. Here's what you need to include in yours:

1. Service Timeline

2. What's Included in Your Service

3. Pricing

4. Refund Policy

5. Payment Terms

6. Confidentiality Agreement

7. Cancelation Policy

8. Customer Specifications

9. Jurisdiction

0:00 Intro

0:40 High Ticket Products

1:20 Declined Transactions

4:21 How to Make a Contract

14:24 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

What is the MATCH list? Or the TMF? How did you get on it in the first place, and how do you get off? I answer all these questions right here so you can continue running your business as low-risk as possible.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Black Friday Cyber Monday is almost here, and I've got the PERFECT BFCM strategy for you.

You also may not realize this, but Black Friday is a GOLDMINE of customer data. It's honestly more valuable to gather this data than to make a one-time sale. Let's get into it.

Liss Graham Email Strategy: https://youtu.be/KnC8-bM4Dec

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:45 Chargeback-proofing Sales

3:30 One-Time Payment Products

4:45 Customer Data

6:39 Subscriptions

7:41 Geni...

Click to Cancel doesn't have to be the downfall of your business. The FTC's new rule is aimed at protecting consumers, but also offers businesses a new type of sales funnel.

Cancellations can be a sales funnel. Don't let customers off the hook so easily, but don't force them to stay on. Finding the balance is key.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:58 Click-to-Cancel

2:10 Negative Options

2:49 Opt-Outs

4:45 Why the FTC?

6:44 Amazon and Adobe

8:27 Cancellation Funnel

11...

Today, I'm speaking with someone who knows the business well and has worked with me for quite some time. Together, we're answering the more common questions we get about Stripe, reserves, backups, and essentially how to continue accepting payments when your Stripe account freezes over.

0:00 Intro

2:30 Low Chargebacks, Funds Held – Why?

4:22 Chargeback Ratio Safety Zone

7:09 How to Accept Payments

10:52 Solid Backup Processor

13:00 Will Shopify Close Your Store?

14:50 Stripe Reserves

17:39 Frozen Stripe Account

20:02 Chargeback Alerts

27:14 Backup Volume

30:32 Outro

Authorize.net is one of the best and most versatile payment gateways for any online business. Here's why you should use it and how to connect it to your Shopify account.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

00:34 What Is Authorize.net

1:52 Getting an Account

3:41 Connecting to Shopify

6:50 Outro

Not converting at checkout, or even before? Here's what might be going on and how to solve it.

Checkout conversions are the make-or-break moment for your business. Without sales, you're toast. Understanding why customers drop off and where they drop off is a key factor in improving not only your checkout flow but also your product and your business.

0:00 Intro

00:47 How to Increase Conversions

02:31 A Winning Checkout Page

4:32 Understanding Your Declines

7:20 Biggest Decline Reasons

14:28 Outro

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in...

Chargebacks suck. They're inevitable... but also preventable! Let's get into the timeline of a chargeback, how you can save yourself some $$$ with chargeback alerts, and methods any business can utilize to reduce chargebacks to a minimum.

Remember, every business experiences chargebacks. But that doesn't mean your business has to suffer because of them.

Get payment processing that SUPPORTS your business:

directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:45 Every Business Experiences Chargebacks

1:41 Cardholder Rights

4:02 Common Reason Codes

6:51 Business Owner Rights

8:16 Win or...

Stripe paused payouts? Can't access Stripe funds? Can't accept payments?

These are all too common issues globally for Stripe users. This video will cover how to handle it step-by-step so you can keep your business running and get your money back.

Stripe shut you down: https://youtu.be/Y4SHOET94G8

Lower Stripe fees: https://youtu.be/dTCC0SSS8Bo

Backups and Application Approval: https://youtu.be/mz_KYFtEJf8

0:00 Intro

1:11 #1 Missing Account Info

2:41 #2 Disputes

3:57 #3 Your Niche

5:51 #4 You Scaled Too Quickly

Go High Level has tight Stripe integration, but that doesn't mean it's the only option. You connect many of the world's most popular and versatile payment gateways into your GoHighLevel account, opening up the opportunity to use a payment processor that better suits your business.

In this video, you'll find out if Stripe and GHL are right for you.

0:00 Stripe and GHL

1:18 Options Other Than Stripe

2:09 Stripe-Only Features

3:06 Benefits of Having a Backup

4:08 Should You Use GHL?

6:22 Optimizing Your GHL Experience

✓ Need a me...

Getting your merchant account application approved is not easy, but this video will cover everything you need to know to get banks and providers to say "yes" to yours.

0:00 Intro

00:58 What are you selling?

1:37 Is your product high risk?

3:24 Is your website ready?

8:11 Are you on MATCH or TMF?

9:40 Have you declared bankruptcy?

10:23 Do you have bad credit?

11:43 Is your bank account low?

13:31 Outro 

Stripe account suspended? https://youtu.be/duyX85tqSNk

Stripe permanently terminated? https://youtu.b...

Stripe Tokens are super useful if you go all-in on Stripe—but you should NEVER rely solely on one solution. As a business owner, it's risky to put all your eggs in one basket. Stripe Tokens don't let you move around so freely, though. So what can you do?

If you're selling subscriptions via Stripe and tokenizing that data (as you should be doing), then find a 3rd-party vault to transfer those tokens to. That way, you can use the same customer data and subscription data no matter when payment solution you choose.

✓ Need a merc...

If Stripe shut you down without warning or notice and you need to get your store back up and running ASAP, THIS VIDEO IS FOR YOU!

Before trying to get your money back or your Stripe account unsuspended, open a new account somewhere else. Your first priority should ALWAYS be the ability to process payments. Without that, you don't have a business.

Follow my guide and your business will be back up and running in no time, Stripe or not.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://maria...

Every business should have a podcast, and Justin Moore of Podigy Podcasts is here to show you just how it's done. No matter what you sell or what you offer, there is always a reason to have a podcast. It helps you connect with customers on a deeper level, building a relationship beyond the sale.

FInd out just what you need to get started and how to do it efficiently in this episode of Uncensored Direct Marketing.

Get in touch with Justin Moore:

🔗All the resources he mentioned are here: https://www.skool.com/t...

Issuing bank declines like insufficient funds, do not honor, etc. are KILLING your relationship with your payment processor and your bottom line. For every decline, you pay a fee. So why not scrub issuing bank declines from your transaction list? Here's how.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Is your Shopify account suspended? Did Shopify freeze your funds or terminate you?

I know this is a frantic time, but rest assured there are solutions. Using alternatives to Shopify Payments is your first step. This keeps your business up and running while you try to get in touch with Shopify Payments about unfreezing your account and releasing your funds as well as apply for a REAL merchant account.

A suspended Shopify account isn’t the end of your business. If you have any more questions, leave a comment down below or get in touch wi...

All you need to know about applying for a merchant account or a MID. I'm giving you exactly what to look out for in your business, or website, and your application so you can improve your chances of approval and start accepting payments ASAP.

FTC cancellation policy: https://youtu.be/jSxod26tmXE

Checkout page improvements: https://youtu.be/cF6wp6gs17g

Stripe balance report: https://docs.stripe.com/reports/balance

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpa...

John Caprani is a beast when it comes to digital networking. But that's not all he does—in fact, he would tell you NOT to label yourself this way.

Taking a broader approach to your business, connecting with people on a personal level, and understanding needs (both local and global) is the meat and veg of this killer digital networking strategy.

Sit back, get your notepad out, and start discovering just what it takes to a behemoth on social media.

Get in touch with John!

https://www.facebook.com/jdcaprani

...

With Stripe recently restricting services for certain content creation businesses, many creators are searching for alternative payment solutions.

In this episode, we explore Stripe alternatives, how to recognize Stripe-like services that may restrict you, and how to secure your payment processing for the long run.

Throughout the episode, we provide actionable insights to help you select the payment processor that aligns with your business model, integrates seamlessly with your platform, and empowers you to thrive in the creator economy.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com<...

In this revealing interview, I sit down with Dr. Ant Webb, former supplement industry titan, to discuss the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of his once thriving business.

Dr. Ant opens up about his early days as a driven entrepreneur, sharing the strategies and mindset that propelled his supplements company to astounding heights. However, success can be fleeting. He vulnerably recounts the red flags he missed as his business began to crumble beneath his feet.

With refreshing honesty, Dr. Webb reflects on the critical lessons he learned through his harrowing entrepreneurial journey. He offers invaluable...

Are you frustrated with low conversion rates despite having stellar copywriting and sales techniques? In this eye-opening video, we dive deep into the often-overlooked aspects of payment processing that could be sabotaging your sales.

Today, I'm covering:

- Why even the best copy can fail to convert

- Common checkout issues that drive customers away

- How to identify and fix bottlenecks

- Strategies to optimize your checkout process for maximum conversions

Don't let technical issues undermine your hard work in crafting persuasive copy. Join me as...

Get ready to supercharge your networking skills in this game-changing episode featuring Raanan Rosenbaum, THE networking pro from Kendago! We dive deep into the world of in-person and digital networking, uncovering the secrets to building powerful connections that can transform your personal and professional life.

We also chat in-depth about media buying, when to let go of a traffic source, and so much more.

Raanan drops knowledge bombs on:

- Why networking is non-negotiable in today's fast-paced world

- Insider tips for crushing it at networking events and conferences

...

High refund rates will kill your business. So how do you keep them low and what's the sweet spot?

Aim for less 5%, but really if you're at 3% then you're golden. Keeping refund rates low also helps against chargebacks (indirectly), improves your relationship with payment processors, and keeps conversions high. Less refunds, more solid sales, higher bottom line. What's not to like?

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.fa...

Liss Graham, of Lisst Email Management, is a ROCKSTAR in the email marketing industry. She knows what to say, how to say it, and who to say it to. If you're hesitant about starting an email list, then Liss is here to show you how it's done. Tune into this episode on all things email marketing and email list management. From regulation and AI to how to start your first!

Want more on list management? Get in touch with Liss!

https://lissgraham.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-graham-9b34ba7/

...

Shopify Payments is the built-in processor and gateway for your Shopify store—but it's not the only option you have! In this episode, I'm covering the ins and outs of payment processing, what options you have on Shopify, and why you should consider using alternatives to Shopify Payments to save on fees and better secure your business.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram...

Direct response elicits an immediate response (usually a purchase) from the customer. Branding is more build up for recognition and desire. Here's how you can incorporate some of the best branding tactics into your direct response business.

Want more about phone sales and telemarketing? Check out our FTC episode!

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet...

Meet Forbes' $100+ Million Copywriter", Chris Orzechowski. From wrestler to million-dollar-making marketing expert, we pick his brain on how to get to that million-dollar milestone. But more importantly, we get the ins-and-outs of X advertising—what it looks like, how it works, and who to target.

Want to get in touch with Chris?

➡️ https://orzy.co/

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-orzechowski-b5531823a/

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/orzymedia/

➡️ https://twitter.com/chrisorzy

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Websit...

The FTC announced new regulations for telemarketers—inbound and outbound. If you use a call center, if over-the-phone sales is your main method, or if you're hopping on the new cycle telemarketing in 2024, then listen up. These rules WILL affect your sales and whether your business stands a chance.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions Duration: 00:13:10

Want in on the affiliate marketing game? Today, we're thrilled to have Gia Liossis, a seasoned affiliate manager with years of experience in the marketing game. She shares all on what it takes to make it, going from social media to affiliate marketing to changing careers and so much more.

Whether you're a marketing veteran or new to the scene, this conversation with Gia Liossis is packed with insight. Don't miss out on learning from one of the best in the business!

Get in touch with Gia and GiAffiliate Management:

https://www.facebook...

Are you a 6- or 7-figure merchant using Stripe? You might be spending way too much on Stripe fees per transaction and monthly. Here are some tips to lower Stripe fees with minimal effort that can save you TENS OF THOUSANDS per month (depending on your volume).

This episode gives you some simple tips on how to crush Stripe fees in half—OR MORE!

From 2.5% to just 0.5%, easy.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.l...

Jamie Lewis, the "grandpa of marketing" has had a wild ride on his path to marketing stardom. Today, he shares with me exactly how he got here, from exploring undefined territory in domain flipping and affiliate sales to how success can affect your personal life.

Sit back and listen to this tell-all from a marketing madman.

Get in on Jamie's BADASS CLASS while there's room:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassclassgroup

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com<...

Stripe is a powerful 3rd-party payments platform that many online business owners use (even if they don't know it). Stripe, Shopify, Woo—all if it is powered by Stripe. So if you're going to use it anyway, why not make the most of it?

This episode, I'm giving you the top Stripe features every merchant needs to turn on (or off).

Stripe SHOULD NOT be used as your primary payment processor for many reasons, but it's a great secondary solution or even to use when you're just getting started.

Need a merchant account? Ge...

Jeannie Mai from HelpGrid joins us for a deep dive into abandoned cart recovery, why businesses CONVERT MORE after human-to-human interaction, and just how much you should really be using AI.

Get in touch with Jeannie Mai and HelpGrid here:

🔗 linkedin.com/jeannie-h-mai-19998776

🔗 instagram.com/jeanniethemagician

🔗 www.helpgrid.com

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: Facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: Instagram.com/d...

Shopify is a powerful ecommerce platform, but it isn't for everyone. In this episode, I'm going through Shopify Pros, Shopify Cons, and if Shopify is the right platform for your business.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

The customer journey is based on targeting an emotion. Every sale, every ad, every email, every click—there's a feeling behind it. A successful customer journey is one that connects with their emotions, making them feel that what you offer aligns with what they need, what they want, and the emotion that drives it.

Take a list to our interview with Jason Friedman, CEO of CXFormula. He's an expert in the customer experience. From anecdotes to advice, there's something for every business owner to take away from this episode.

Seriously, don't miss ou...

Stripe account suspended? Stripe holding funds? Stripe STOLE your money?

Common issues with Stripe from merchants in many industries. So no matter what it is that you sell, if Stripe is holding your money and won't let go, then this video is for you.

Stripe USA Address:

354 Oyster Point Boulevard

South San Francisco, CA 94080

Stripe Email:

notices@stripe.com

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpa...

Content marketing isn't going anywhere. From AI trends to content planning and repurposing, we get the low down on what 2024 holds in the content marketing world.

Joining us and sharing her expert tips is Sarah Noel Block, founder and owner of Tiny Marketing, which focuses on getting marketing teams of 0-2 people to their full potential. She knows what's up, what's down, and how to juggle every marketing role under one hat.

SPECIAL OFFER 50% OFF

Sarah is offering an incredible discount on a session that will skyrocket your marketing (even with a team...

The SEC has finally officially announced bitcoin ETFs. There are pros and cons to having a bitcoin ETF, one of them being centralizing something that was created to be decentralized. But the positives might outweigh the cons here.

Are you investing in a bitcoin ETF?

Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: ht...

Chargeback prevention is the best way to handle chargebacks. The more common solution is chargeback mitigation after they've gone through, but this method involves paying the fee (even when you avoid paying out the refund) AND those chargeback cases that you've won still count against your chargeback ratio.

Prevent chargebacks with these 3 solutions you can easily set up today. Once you set them up, they're fairly hands-off, so you can sit back and watch your business grow safely.

Interested in chargeback alerts? We can provide you with an alert service aligned with your budget and...

Copywriters and markets living outside of the US, this interview with Nabeel Azeez—successful entrepreneur, copywriter, and marketer living in the UAE—reveals what it takes to make it as a marketer looking for US clients.

Not only that, he gives valuable insight into how AI can help or hurt you, invites you to his mastermind, and so much more.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m...

Looking for more from your subscription business? Cart abandonment and subscription cancellations are growing among consumers, but your business doesn't have to suffer. In this video, I cover 4 ways to increase your subscription revenue without spending more on marketing, customer acquisition, or chargebacks.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

You can make money and improve your brand name through negative reviews.

No one trusts a brand that only has 5-star reviews. Likewise, no one trusts a brand with only 1-star reviews. There is a happy medium, and for all the less-than-stellar reviews you get, they're an opportunity for growth and showcasing your customer service skills.

Shopify offers a default shopping cart, but you don't need to use it. When you're just getting started and you want to get your store open quickly, default carts are great. The same is true for WooCommerce and Square.

But you need a shopping cart that fits your business, not a one-size-fits-all option. The fact is that Shopify and other platforms make money from you the more you use their services. So of course they want you to use their shopping cart. Instead, here are some ways to find the best one for your business without overpaying.<...

Are you a startup or business owner outside the US but want to target the American market?

Stripe is an excellent payment facilitator, offering easy-access services across the globe. But when it comes to selling to the United States from abroad, the waters get murky. Stripe isn't so keen on new businesses, those that don't sell more than $25k/month, nor ones that aren't incorporated in the US.

Here's how to use Stripe as a non-US resident and what else you can do to boost your business in overseas.

Holiday shopping is approaching. It's the biggest time of year for most businesses, which means Shopify (both the platform and Shopify Payments) is about to feel a surge of cash flowing through its many circuits.

But Shopify Payments doesn't support all business types. Don't let Black Friday be when you discover your business isn't supported by their processor. This episode covers when to use Shopify Payments, when not to, and a few tidbits of info between.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https...

Shopify is a world-leading ecommerce platform. With it comes Shopify Payments and Shop Pay to make getting a business started easier than ever. The caveat? Shopify Payments is Stripe in disguise, and you know what that means: closures, freezes, and withheld funds.

Shopify also provides a way out. You can use a wide variety of payment processors and gateways with Shopify. In this episode, I'm going to explain to you why you should use an alternative and how it will protect your business.

Need payment processing for your Shopify Store? Get in touch! maria@directpaynet...

Payment processing is the lifeblood of your business. If you can't accept payments, there is no revenue, there is no profit, and there is no business. Stripe provides payment processing in (basically) 3 easy steps, but that ease of access comes with major pitfalls.

This episode covers what happens what you receive the "Stripe Account Suspended" notice, how to keep your business running, and when it's okay to use services like Stripe.

Looking for more content? Check out my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@uncensoreddirectmarketing

Need payment processing that supports your business? Email...

If you've been notified that you're a Stripe high risk merchant or you know that your business falls into a high-risk merchant category, this video is for you.

Stripe doesn't play nice with high-risk businesses, and just because you're high risk doesn't mean you deserve to be shut down or pay twice as much!

In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know to keep your business steady and even keep using Stripe, if you want to, as a high-risk merchant.

Credit card processing fees add up quickly, especially if you're working with the wrong processor. In this episode, you'll find 4 ways to save on processing fees with guaranteed results.

Don't let your business drown in fees. Learn exactly what to do to keep those numbers rising.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaspar...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagi...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpayne...

...

"We're managing $150 million in paid advertising this year." - Rohan Sheth, CEO & Founder of GrowRev

Rohan Sheth is a content creation and business growth expert who's helped Russell Brunson and ClickFunnels eclipse 1 billion views on YouTube, among countless other achievements. In this video, he shares his wealth of knowledge, having worked with industry giants like ClickFunnels, the Mikkelsen twins, Mastermind.com and many other uber-profitable online sales entities.

He founded GrowRev, a Full Stack Content and Media agency, which has generated the following numbers for its clients over 10 years:

-1.2...

Religion can be profitable. Andrew Contreras is an online sales expert who's created products in the Christian niche that have made him a great deal of money.

This is a clip from my full conversation with Andrew that I had a few months ago. I found this segment wildly fascinating, as it explores how he's made so much money selling products to a religious audience.

No matter your theology or what you think about God and the afterlife, this is a remarkable story about a man who identified a very profitable niche...

Nathan Yeung is a marketing expert that generates millions of dollars in annual revenue for his billion-dollar clients. He's a marketing genius that understands how to run wildly successful paid and organic campaigns in both B2B and B2C verticals.

In this exclusive interview, Maria Sparagis sits down with renowned Marketing Operations expert Nathan Yeung to uncover the secrets behind a successful social media campaign. Discover the strategies that businesses can employ to effectively leverage both paid and organic methods in order to maximize their online presence and reach their target audience. From optimizing ad spend...

Should the government regulate AI? Is a recession coming? We speak with leading US business expert Gene Marks about AI, the economy and more in this special episode.

Much is being made about AI and its impact on propoganda and how it can shape public thought through deepfakes and the spread of misinformation - but it's affect on businesses is equally compelling.

Gene has written in the US' leading political and economic news publications over a career that spans 3 decades. He's a social democratic but fiscal conservative, and admits that economic forecasters have no idea...

"The new generation of copywriters, if they're not that good... they'll be left for dead." -10-figure direct response marketer Trevor "Toecracker" Crook on how AI will affect the copywriting profession.

Do you think that AI will kill most copywriting jobs? It's certainly got freelancers in countless industries considering new employment opportunities, as ChatGPT and other AI chatbots could soon replace them.

But will AI actually replace human copywriters, or simply enhance them?

Trevor "Toecracker" Crook is a wildly successful digital marketer and business guru. He consults for offer owners in the direct...

It was easy for businesses to 10x their investment in social media 5 years ago. That's changed, as consumers are more weary of connecting with brands online than individuals. There's a reason that influencers are king... people want to connect with humans and 'humanizing' a brand isn't easy.

So how can brands connect with audiences on social media nowadays? Bryan Kramer has consulted for some of the largest companies in the world and understands how to turn social media into a revenue generating avenue.

Connect with Bryan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjkramer<...

Direct mail is the best marketing strategy that you've never thought of. It offers the best impressions, open rates and exposure - far better than any other paid or organic digital marketing platform.

Dave Fink sold his company for $1 billion to Unilever after just 4 years. He's now the CEO of Postie, which helps companies easily grow their business using direct mail marketing.

If you're a digital marketer, a business owner, or sell ANYTHING online, this episode explains why you NEED to give direct mail a try.

Direct mail marketing is...

Stefan Georgi is one of the most successful copywriters in the world. His words have generated over $700 million in sales and many internet millionaires credit their success to his advice.

We had a chance to chat with him a while back. This clip from the full conversation highlights how a millionaire copywriter thinks. Stefan is a unique guy and approaches things from a direction that most people wouldn't even consider.

Let us know what you think of Stefan's advice for aspiring copywriters!

Connect with Maria:

...

Are mobile homes a solution to the housing crisis?

Young people have been kicked off the property ladder. This is terrible news for an entire generation, as there are few better wealth generating avenues than home ownership.

Forced to raise his mother and sister from a young age, Franco Perez believes he has a solution to the housing crisis: luxurious mobile homes. He's working to reduce the stigma around living in trailer parks.

Why? Because they're a PERFECT way for people to own their home and invest...

Are you a copywriter, or want to be a copywriter? Well, hugely successful copywriter, offer owner and direct response mentor Trevor "Toecracker" Crook explains why you can't JUST offer copywriting services anymore.

AI is set to eliminate most of the copywriting jobs in the world. At least, that's what Trevor thinks... and his copy has generated millions upon millions in online sales.

In this episode, you learn:

-How Trevor made millions as a copywriting expert

-How he's managed to live as a digital nomad for two decades now<...