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April 2, 2017 By Andy Traub

Don't Be Fooled By The Internet Marketing Tease

This might piss some people off, but it has to be said.

The old ways of internet marketing still work, and that’s sad.

Since I’m teaching a free class twice on Wednesday on the one tool that’s essential for building an online course, I thought it was a good time to address this.

Screenflow basics logo

The Two Reasons People Teach Online Classes

Reason #1

To tease you. This is the worst. They give enough information to entice you into buying something, but not enough to help you if you don’t buy something. They string out the process and play to your emotions. They automate webinars in ways that deceive, instead of automating in a way that gives you flexibility and choice.

Teasing is the worst because you get no value for the time you’ve spent watching. You only get a sales pitch.

It’s like a fake worm on a hook. You take a bite, and you get hooked, but don’t even get a snack out of the deal.

Reason #2

To be generous. This is the best. Blog posts and podcast episodes are helpful, but there’s nothing as powerful as learning live, and being able to interact with other students and the teacher. Generous marketers let their teaching speak for itself.

They don’t sell hard. They don’t create false scarcity. They don’t create fake countdown timers that reset every time you reload the page. They don’t manipulate or pressure people.

Generous marketers teach great information that adds value.

After they add value they confidently ask for the sale. If customers don’t buy then the marketers sleep well, knowing that they helped people. They create no regret for their customers, just good will.

There isn’t much middle ground. You either help people, or you tease them.

As a customer, you should run from the tease offer and consider the generous one.

Join Me For The Good Kind of Free Class

Click below to register to attend the free class I’m teaching on Wednesday at 9 AM or 3 PM CT on the only tool you need to create an online course. No teasing, I promise.

Click here to register for the free class

Filed Under: Email marketing, Generosity, How I work, Marketing, Promotion, Selling, Uncategorized, Webinars

December 5, 2016 By Andy Traub

The Map Isn't Wrong, But You're Forgetting Something

840 view andy traub
Driving east on 840. Not the fastest route.

I use the Waze driving app every time I drive. By default, it gives you one route and starts navigating. What most users don’t know is that Waze offers more than one route. You have to hit one more button to see them. Where I live, the other routes are always prettier.

Waze’s default filter is speed. That’s not my default filter.

Tools can help, but we choose what’s easiest to our detriment. (highlight to share)

It’s ok to want a map, but if your only filter is “get there fastest” you’re missing out on a lot. Use tools and courses, but filter the directions.

I choose the prettiest route.

What’s your filter? Are you applying it?

Filed Under: Being Different, Ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: decision making, Driving

November 9, 2016 By Andy Traub

Why Internet Marketers Are Losing Trust

Gary Vaynerchuk’s book title Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook – was a summary of how you should connect with a potential customer multiple times before you ask something of them. Gary strikes me as one of the good guys based on how generous he is with his content.

Unfortunately, the principle of generosity is dying among many internet marketers. (Highlight to Tweet) Like a car stuck in one gear, they are stuck in selling mode, and it’s bad for the whole industry.

I recently spoke with one of the biggest names in internet marketing, and they said they had no interest in teaching their audience with no sales pitch included because they didn’t need to teach anymore. They just sell now. All. The. Time.

It’s true. I get their emails. I see their Facebook ads. They just keep selling.

Permissible? Yes. Beneficial? No.

Are they allowed to do this? Absolutely. They’ve built up their email list and social media following, and now they’re cashing in. But, not everything that is permissible is beneficial.

Customers and fans feel tricked when someone is generous with them and then sells, and then just keeps selling. (Highlight to Share) It’s not the selling that’s unhealthy; it’s the obsession with selling.

There is generosity in selling something helpful to other people but if all you do is sell, I think you’ve lost your way.

Many have lost their way.

You can trade your lists with your friends and sell, sell, sell, but it’s going to have diminishing returns. (Highlight to share)

Why People Are Tired

People are growing tired of the launches, the promises, the complexity, the price tags on every solution. They want a human connection. They want empathy. They want a guide. They want a sojourner.

Maybe people just want a quick fix, and they’re willing to pay for it, but I’ve never bought a product that provided a quick fix for me other than a fast food meal and a band-aid. Quick fixes, it turns out, are like putting duct tape to slow a leaking tire. It might hold the air in for a bit, but it’s not a long-term solution.

These people will just keep selling, and many will keep buying. I’m unsubscribing. I’m letting Facebook know I don’t like that ad. This isn’t a whine fest; it’s a reminder to all of us in the content marketing space to keep adding value no matter how large your list grows.

Trust can be earned, and trust can be lost. It’s up to you.
(Highlight to share)

Filed Under: Marketing, Promotion, Uncategorized

August 18, 2016 By Andy Traub

Do You Make This Mistake When Building An On-Line Course? (Video 2:47)

A lot of people are creating courses that teach people how to create on-line courses and membership sites. Yes, there’s some irony there. I know many of these course creators and their courses are awesome. However, many of them don’t teach a very important aspect of building an on-line course.

The aspect you must start with is your personality, your preferences for how much you want to interact with your customers.

On-Line Idols

Don’t make the mistake of trying to copy your on-line idols. They’re good people, but they’re not you.

Don’t bow at the altar of passive income if it means you miss out on teaching the way you were meant to teach. (highlight that to share it on Facebook or Twitter)

Make something you want to make. It’s yours so make it your way.

 

Filed Under: Marketing, Tech tools, Uncategorized

June 3, 2016 By Andy Traub

How To Make Sure You Buy The Right On-Line Course Every Time

Choose the right on-line course (2)

Buying on-line courses can feel like visiting a used car lot where you get pressured into making the wrong decision. It doesn’t have to be like that.

I created the “Is it legit?” On-Line Course Checklistso you can always buy your on-line courses with confidence. I’ve sold tens of thousands of dollars in on-line courses and helped others sell hundreds of thousands of dollars in courses. I know what great courses have, and how to avoid buying bad ones. This free checklist will guide you in making great decisions every time you’re considering buying an on-line course, help you avoid wasting thousands of dollars, and save you hundreds of hours wasted on bad courses. Click below to get the guide. Enjoy! Andy

Filed Under: Marketing, Tech tools, Uncategorized

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