Frequently Asked Questions

What is Friendswin?
Friendswin is a social networking company providing cutting-edge video-enabled communications products which allow friends to communicate in an entirely new way. Friendswin is the ultimate web destination where friends can meet, hangout, socialize, have fun and make money online.
In addition to standard social networking features, Friendswin also offers premium services such as:

• Video Resumes – A “state-of-the-art” feature that allows a job-seeking person to create a video profile which is included as part of their resume stored on Friendswin. The job-seeker then sends a link (or includes a link in their standard resume) to prospective employers allowing the employer to view both their standard resume plus view the video.
• Video Dating – This service allows members to post a “video” dating profile on Friendswin. Instead of just looking at pictures (which may be 10 years old) and reading about someone, you can view their video and quickly get a much better feel of who that person is.
• Video Social Networking – Why settle for static information when you can create dynamic videos that friends can view and enjoy. Savvy business people will use this feature to create different profiles for a business or service they want to promote.
• Video Conferencing – This is a service that enhances all of the above services. Imagine being able to have a “live” video conference with the following:
  • A potential “employer” who has viewed your video resume
  • A “prospective “date” who has viewed your video dating profile
  • Your “team” in a business venture
  • A group of “friends” just hanging out

How can I get involved with Friendswin?
Friendswin is a membership based company which offers three (3) levels of association with the company:

• Free Member – A person or entity that joins Friendswin to enjoy free social networking features.
• Subscriber – A member who spends $9.97 per month for our premium services (Video Dating, Video Conferencing, Video Resumes, etc).
• Independent Marketing Representative (IMR) – A member who elects to promote Friendswin to other people. For IMRs, there is a yearly fee of $49.95 to cover sales and marketing tools such as a backoffice that tracks activity in your organization and promotions to help you build your IMR and subscriber base.

For features such as Video Dating, will I be able to localize my search criteria?
Absolutely. Our site will offer localization for many of our features.
Is your site secure?
Yes. Our website is extremely secure. It is SSL compliant and all personal data is encrypted for storage in our database with 128-bit encryption.
I cannot login to Friendswin. What should I do?
As you are trying to login, our system will compare your login ID and password to information stored in our system. If they do not match, you will get an error. You should request a new password by clicking on “Forgot Password?” link at the bottom of the login area.
NOTE: This will reset your password to a computer-generated password and the new password will be e-mailed to your e-mail address on file.
You will need to check your e-mail for this newly-generated password. Write it down and then return to the Friendswin login and enter this new password.
After you login, use the “Edit My Password” link to change your password to something you can remember.
Friendswin Support Ticketing System – How do I submit a ticket?
Please use this support ticketing system to report and track all issues or concerns you may have.
To submit a ticket, click on the “Support” link on the bottom of the Friendswin page.
If you have not used the support ticketing system before, you will need to “Register”. When you register, please use the same e-mail address and password you used when you joined Friendswin.
Login, select “Submit a Ticket” and enter the following:

• Subject for your ticket
• Select the appropriate department for your ticket
• Select the priority of your ticket
• Click in the message box to describe in detail your problem or question. Please start by providing us with the following:
  • Your Name
  • Your Member #
  • Your Issue

After completing your information, click on “Submit Ticket” and the ticket will be posted in our support system.

What happens when I submit a ticket?
You will receive an e-mail confirmation with links to your submitted ticket. If you need to add additional information, click on the ticket link. Do NOT "reply" to the e-mail because e-mails do not provide audit trails and tracking. ALWAYS click on the ticket link.
When technical support receives your ticket, it will be routed to the appropriate person based upon the "department" specified. We may need additional information to troubleshoot or resolve your issue. In that case, we will reply to your ticket requesting the information we need. When we solve your problem, we will reply with answers or information about how we solved the problem.
We will then "close" the ticket. When you receive our reply, if we have solved your problem, please do NOT reply to thank us. When you do, it re-opens the ticket and delays the support process.
If we did NOT answer your support issue to your satisfaction, DO reply back with your concerns.
Please do NOT submit a second ticket for the same problem. ALWAYS simply reply by following the link in the e-mail or go on the Friendswin site, click on “Support” at the bottom of the screen, login to the support system and open your “Tickets,” then reply.

What is the difference between a free member, a subscriber and an IMR?
Anyone who joins Friendswin is a member.
A Free Member is simply a member who has not yet paid to subscribe for our premium products such as Video Resumes, Video Dating, Video Social Networking and Video Conferencing.
A Subscriber is simply a member who pays $9.97 per month and enjoys unlimited access to all of our premium products.
An Independent Marketing Representative or “IMR” is simply a member who has elected to join as a business builder and possibly earn money with Friendswin. An IMR can also be a subscriber.

How does an IMR make money?
IMRs earn commissions two (2) ways:

• They introduce Friendswin to their friends and sell them subscriptions for our premium products. The total dollar volume for all subscriptions personally sold is called your Personal Sales Volume or PSV. IMRs earn 8% multiplied times their PSV.
• They introduce our business opportunity to other business-minded people. IMRs earn money on the subscriptions sold by the other IMRs they have recruited. The total dollar volume for all subscriptions sold by the other IMRs in your group is called Group Sales Volume or GSV.
• IMRs earn 2% multiplied by the GSV for level 1.
• IMRs earn 3% multiplied by the GSV for level 2.
• IMRs earn 4% multiplied by the GSV for level 3.
• IMRs earn 5% multiplied by the GSV for level 4.
• IMRs earn 6% multiplied by the GSV for level 5.
• IMRs earn 7% multiplied by the GSV for level 6.
• IMRs earn 8% multiplied by the GSV for level 7.
• IMRs earn 9% multiplied by the GSV for level 8.

Are there any qualifications for an IMR to earn commissions?
Yes. In order for an IMR to earn commissions in the matrix, they MUST generate a minimum of $9.97 (sell one subscription) a month in PSV. This qualifies the IMR to earn commissions on the first 4 levels of the matrix.

• They can elect to become their first subscriber by purchasing our premium services for $9.97 and fulfill that initial requirement OR
• They can simply have a friend (who is not also an IMR) purchase our premium services.

In order to earn commissions on levels 5 through 8, IMRs must generate additional PSV.

• A PSV of $19.94 or more qualifies IMRs to earn commissions for level 5.
• A PSV of $29.91 or more qualifies IMRs to earn commissions for level 6.
• A PSV of $39.88 or more qualifies IMRs to earn commissions for level 7.
• A PSV of $49.85 or more qualifies IMRs to earn commissions for level 8.

As an IMR, does buying my own subscription qualify me for commissions?
Absolutely.  You'll qualify for commissions on Levels 1 through 4 with your own paid subscription.  Typically, it is difficult to sell others on something you are not using yourself. Click HERE to order your own subscription now!
If I sign up an IMR and he or she become a subscriber, does that count toward my PSV?
No. Your PSV is your own personal sales. When an IMR becomes a subscriber, the subscription cost of $9.97 will show up in his or her own PSV, however, that same $9.97 shows up in your GSV and increases your commissions!

What happens if one of my subscribers becomes an IMR?
You will lose the $9.97 from your PSV, but gain it in your GSV as that subscriber will now be in your downline as an IMR. Essentially, you lose a personal subscriber but gain a business partner and you still get a commission on the subscription based upon the level on which the person entered your IMR matrix.

Can I lose my position in the Matrix ( IMR)
Yes. You can lose your position in the matrix three (3) different ways.

• If you do not pay your $49.95 annual IMR fee when it’s up for renewal.
• If 60 days elapse without your generating at least $9.97 in PSV per month. This rule will take effect after January 1, 2008.

NOTE: You can guarantee your position in the matrix by subscribing yourself.

• You will lose your position in the matrix if you violate the terms outlined in our “Policies and Procedures” unless you correct the violation.

Does Friendswin provide tools to help IMRs recruit other IMRs or find subscribers?
Yes. Friendswin has created marketing campaigns to help IMRs build both their subscriber-base as well as recruit other IMRs. Each campaign type provides banners, links and sample e-mails geared toward the specific campaign.

• The Recruiting campaign features a landing page that educates prospective IMRs about the Friendswin Business Opportunity.
• The Video Resumes campaign features a landing page that educates prospective subscribers about the benefits of joining Friendswin and posting a video resume.
• The “Video Dating” campaign features a landing page that educates prospective subscribers about the benefits of joining Friendswin and posting a video dating profile.
• The Social Networking campaign features a landing page that educates prospective subscribers about the benefits of joining Friendswin and posting a video profile to entertain their friends (social networking is about having fun on the Internet). Business-savvy members may chose to post a video profile explaining the benefits of a business they are promoting.
• The Video Conferencing campaign features a landing page that educates prospective subscribers about the benefits of joining Friendswin and joining one or more of their friends in an interactive video conference.
  • A wife or husband “video conferencing“ with a spouse who may be serving in the military
  • Parents or grandparents “video conferencing“ with their kids or grandkids who may be located in different parts of the country or world.
  • Friends “video conferencing” with friends who have moved away.
  • A group of friends “video conferencing” in an environment where they can actually see each other verses simply instant messaging.

I am NOT receiving e-mail from Friendswin. What should I do?
You’re e-mail provider might not deliver any or all of your messages from Friendswin to your inbox. To ensure that you receive messages from Friendswin, please follow the easy instructions below to quickly add us to your address book.
Note: Instructions may vary depending on your browser or e-mail client version.
The very 1st step is to add "topdog@friendswin.com" and "support@friendswin.com" as new contacts in your e-mail contact manager. Check the list below for other instructions on configuring the various e-mail clients to receive e-mail for Friendswin.

MSN Hotmail

• Login to your MSN Hotmail account
• Click the "Contacts" tab on the top
• Click "Safe List" on the left
• Enter "topdog@friendswin.com" in the text box and click "Add"
• Enter "support@friendswin.com" in the text box and click "Add"

AOL - Old Version

• Login to your AOL mailbox
• Click "Spam Controls" at the bottom
•  Select "Edit" to the right of the Sender Filter
• Select "Use a Custom Sender List"
• Select "Allow only the senders and domains listed below"
• Enter "friendswin.com" in the text box and click "Add"

AOL - New Version

• Login to your AOL mailbox
• Click "Settings" on the top right
• Click "Spam Controls" at the left
• Select "Medium" as the setting for your Spam Filter
• Select "Allow mail from all senders" (the default)
• AOL will create a "Spam Folder"
• Check your "Spam" folder and mark mail from "friendswin.com" and "support.friendswin.com" as "Not Spam"

ALTERNATIVE:

• Select "Allow mail from"
• Enter "friendswin.com,support.friendswin.com" in the text box.

NOTE: You may also have to enter the domains of all other senders you wish to receive mail from
Yahoo Mail Classic

• Login to your Yahoo Mail Account.
• Click "Options" in the top right corner
• Select "Spam Protection"
• Be sure SpamGuard is "ON". If not, click the link to turn it on
• Check the “Save these messages in the Bulk Folder for” [1 month]. 1 month is the default and the proper selection
• If Friendswin messages are sent to your “Bulk Mail,” simply access the “Bulk Folder,” select the message from Friendswin and then click on the “Not Spam” button. This places this message back in your “Inbox” and allows future email messages from Friendswin to automatically go to your inbox.

New Yahoo Mail

• Login to your Yahoo Mail Account
• Click "Options" in the top right corner
• Select "Spam" in the left column
• Be sure Control SpamGuard is checked to “Automatically send suspected spam to my Spam folder”
• If Friendswin messages are sent to your “Spam” folder, simply access the “Spam” folder, select the message from Friendswin and then click on the “Not Spam” button. This places this message back in your “Inbox” and allows future email messages from Friendswin to automatically go to your inbox.

SBC Global (AT&T - Yahoo)

• Login to your SBC Global Mail Account
• Click "Options" in the top right corner
• Select "Filters" from the options provided on the left
• Click "Add"
• Enter "friendswin" as the filter name
• Enter "friendswin.com" in the field next to "From header: contains"
• Select "Inbox" in the "Move the message to:" field
• Click "Add Filter" to add the filter

Gmail

• Login to your Gmail Account
• Click "Spam" in the left folder area
• Select the e-mail from Friendswin and click "Not Spam" at the top
• The message is moved back to your "Inbox"
• Future messages from Friendswin will now go to your Inbox
• Select "Inbox" to view your message

Comcast
Comcast DEFAULTS to blocking and deleting ALL messages suspected of being SPAM before they ever reach your inbox. Please make the following changes:

• Login to your Comcast Webmail account
• Select "Preferences" from the left area
• Select "Spam Filter" from the right column
• Select "Keep a local copy...". Comcast will create a "Screened Mail Folder" when you receive mail they think is spam. The first email you receive from Friendswin will now probably be placed in this folder.
• Open up the "Screened Mail" folder, click on the Friendswin email and then click the "Not Spam" button. This places the message back in your inbox and creates a rule so future emails from Friendswin will also be placed in your inbox.
• Click "update" to complete the request.

BellSouth
BellSouth DEFAULTS to blocking and deleting ALL messages suspected of being SPAM before they ever reach your inbox. Please make the following changes:

• Login to your online BellSouth (now AT&T) Mail Account
• Click "Options"
• Select "Spam Blocker" from the E-Mail Options
• Click on "Hold suspected spam in my MailGuard folder for a day or two" and click "Save" at bottom of file
• When a new e-mail arrives that you want to receive but which has not gone to your "Inbox", simply log into your webmail, select the “MailGuard” folder, click the e-mail you want to receive and then click the "Not Spam" button. This moves the email to your inbox and allows future emails from this address to reach your inbox.
• As an option, you could also click on the "Don't screen my incoming messages for spam" and ALL messages will reach your inbox.

Now you should receive all important messages from Friendswin and our members. If you experience any problems, please contact your email provider for more details.
NOTE: If you use a different e-mail provider and you have solved the problems in receiving Friendswin e-mails, please send us a ticket outlining your solution and we will update this list.
Will my commissions be taxed as they are accrued or paid?
No. If you are a U.S. resident or business, you MUST enter your SSN or EIN before being eligible to receive commissions. You will receive a Form 1099 at the end of the year showing the total commissions paid.
Residents of other countries must follow their country’s laws and regulations.

On what days are commissions paid?
We currently calculate all commissions as of the last day of the month and cue up payment on the 15th of the following month. We may elect to change the pay cycle from monthly to bi-weekly or weekly in the future.

What payment methods does Friendswin use to pay commissions?
For all U.S.-based members, Friendswin will pay commissions and bonuses via the following methods:

• ACH transfers directly to a member’s bank account
• PayPal
• Company check mailed to IMR’s address on record

For foreign members, Friendswin will pay commissions and bonuses via the following methods:

• PayPal
• Company check mailed to IMR’s address on record

NOTE: There are different fees associated with the various options.

What payment methods does Friendswin accept for subscriptions?
For all US-based members, Friendswin will accept subscription payments via the following methods:

• ACH transfers directly from a member’s bank account.
• Visa or MasterCard

For foreign members, Friendswin will accept subscription payments via the following methods:

• Visa or MasterCard

How many hours per week must I work to earn commissions?
You are not paid per hour of work. You are an independent contractor, so you set your own hours based upon what you feel is required to build your business.
Can “Free Members” or “Subscribers” earn commissions?
NO. Only IMRs are eligible to earn commissions.
Will I be able to make money by referring other members to Friendswin?
Yes. You would be required to join as an IMR. IMRs get paid in a 5 by 8 forced matrix. Please see the compensation plan for details.

What does “Forced Matrix” mean?
Forced Matrix simply means that IMRs can only have 5 other IMRs on their first level. Once that level is "full,” additional sponsored IMRs are “forced” to take positions in the first open slots present in their personal matrix. The process of placing IMRs under other IMRs in your downline is called “spillover.” See the Compensation Plan for details.

The system will not accept the "verification code" I enter. What can I do?
One of our members reported a similar problem. They were using McAfee for their PC's security.This is what they found:
“I kept digging and found a Microsoft site (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308260) that walked me through a series of checks to fix web page display problems. The second step said to check one's anti-virus program. I painstakingly went through my McAfee suite and disabled things one at a time and then tested the site. I found turning off the setting for "Web ad blocking" solved the problem. This is not very intuitive but it provided the solution.”

What if my referral does not show on my referral page?
If an individual whom you have sponsored does not show on your referral page, the person you referred must send a “support ticket” to request to be placed under you (the referrer).
If you send in the request, your request will be denied. We must ensure the member wishes to be moved.
Please include all names and IMR numbers when contacting Friendswin.

How old do I have to be to participate in Friendswin?
IMR - You must be 18 years or older to join as an IMR
Subscriber – You must be 16 years or older to join as a subscriber.

Can I have more than one account?
No. You are only allowed one member account per person.

Can I sponsor my