Even for those of us who have been dabbling in the Internet
marketing arena for a decade or more, all these latest
frenzied "Info-Product Launches" are downright scary. In
recent months it is not only the product launches
themselves that have become a little frightening, but also
the rate at which these product launches keep bombarding
all of us in the marketing world. It has become so
relentless you feel like you're an extra, ducking for cover
in some war movie; Saving Private Ryan comes quickly to
mind.
Once upon a time, not too long ago, you might get hit with
one or two really major launches in a year. Now it seems
like we are getting two or three a week. Those actively
looking for good, solid marketing information will be
totally drenched in the latest "How To" ebooks, videos and
courses. Plus, throw in all those debuting membership
sites, seminars, and private coaching sessions and even
seasoned marketers are in serious danger of getting "Info
Product Launch Burn-out."
For the beginning wannabe online marketer it is a virtual
mind field. One misstep and you can wake up, scratching
your head: did I actually pay that much for a marketing
product I can barely understand, let alone put into
practice. Don't get fooled by all the promises of instant
wealth or quick riches. If getting rich was as easy as
123... we would all be sporting Donald Trump hairdos.
To make matters worst, all the latest marketing trends seem
to be promoting the laziest ways possible to make a quick
killing on the Internet. With this simple marketing tactic
or that SEO trick, even the dimmest light bulb on the
planet can have roaring online success without even
breaking into a sweat or using up any of those precious
brain cells. Heaven forbid.
The marketing hype has become so palpable and obnoxious
it's like a rich relative who won't shut up about how much
he's earning while sitting in his pj's and playing with his
PDA.
"How I made 1 million in 52 minutes." "How I made 100 grand
with only a list of 45 subscribers..."
Who is to blame for all this "Info Product Feeding Frenzy"?
Well we won't mention names but these marketers are not shy
about what they're doing. Just the opposite, they brag and
boast about how they can manipulate, control and whip
prospective customers into such a buying frenzy just to see
who can sell the largest amount of product in the shortest
amount of time.
Some savvy and ruthless online marketers have turned this
whole launch process into an art form, offering flashy
videos with real valuable content in order to hook
potential customers and capture their email contact
information. The info-product launch flows out like a
well-rehearsed opera:
- Giving the specific date and countdown clock showing when
the product goes live.
- Incorporating a blog to keep everyone, including the
search engines, informed.
- Strictly limiting the product or buying time to increase
demand.
- Even manipulating you to buy the product before someone
else beats you to it.
- Having top-name JV partners whipping their devoted
followers/subscribers with extra bonus offers.
- Even enticing said affiliate partners with top prizes
from ipods to sports cars.
- Everything is in marketing sync for the big day.
Some of the top marketing pros and experts are now even
offering courses on how to do exactly that: courses showing
HOW you can warm up and psychologically cultivate a whole
list of prospective buyers by giving away very valuable
information in videos, reports and online calls... all to
make that final sale.
There is nothing wrong with making a sale. There is nothing
wrong with making a hundred sales, but there is something
intrinsically wrong when you know in your heart of heart
what you're selling will never be used by half the people
who are buying it.
How many of those sales are from naive or desperate buyers
looking for a 'quick fix' or 'easy ride' to the good life?
How many even if they have the money to buy your product
will never have the will power and fortitude to carry out
the marketing game plan in your product?
How many people are being fooled by all this marketing hype
and rhetoric... how many will actually benefit from buying
your product? Makes one wonder if that old saying is really
true that in any gold rush, it is the people selling to the
miners who make the most money.
All of these marketing products should not only come with
an income disclaimer, which all the marketers prudently
include, if only by some magical power we could see
displayed on each product in big bold letters the tell-tell
statistic: "How many buyers will actually read/view/use and
ultimately benefit from the marketing info-product they
have just purchased?"
That would be one statistic worth discovering. Of course,
there's no way of knowing, but one could argue this number
is quite large. Otherwise, if you believe all the claims on
these products, half the world would be Internet marketers
and rolling in dough.
Online marketing is not easy. It can't be done overnight.
There is a learning curve and you must pay your dues. Be
extra weary of any short cuts and anyone offering them.
Magic formulas do exist and while buying the latest
marketing product and information can definitely make the
journey easier; always remember, no product can make that
journey for you. No product or system can automatically
make you rich. Don't be fooled by flashy headlines, smart
videos and the latest next big thing.
Nor can anyone say these info-products don't have real
value or merit. They do! They are of tremendous value to
those who can benefit from them. If you're marketing on the
web and your sites/marketing are earning you $200-$300 a
day or an hour - even just a small tidbit of information or
advice can dramatically increase your income. Over time the
amount paid for any info-product will be returned to you a
hundred-fold. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the
info-product itself; a marketer might mention a piece of
software or program he/she uses in their work that when
applied to your own can make a big difference in how much
you earn. Been there, done that.
For everything is relative; even the large amounts charged
for some of these seminars, coaching sessions or
info-products can be justified if the buyer gets his
money's worth and then some. It all depends on the
position/angle you're coming from and how much the
information impacts your online business, which will really
determine if one benefits from a particular info-product or
not.
So the next time you're bombarded by the latest
info-product by some of the world's best online
marketers... STOP, take a deep breath and step back from
all the marketing hype and manipulation. Then honestly ask
yourself: How can I use this information? Will I use this
information? Perhaps, most importantly, can I really afford
this product at this time or can it wait?
If you decide to buy, protect yourself by thoroughly
checking out the marketer's reputation beforehand. A
money-back guarantee is only as good as the marketer's
word. If there is a payment option - take this route
because you will lose less money if refunds are not honored.
Above all, if you're buying the product because you believe
it will solve all your problems and will virtually give you
the path to the easy life, just remember this... you have
to do some work. You have to put in some sweat equity. You
have to do your own homework; no one else can do it for
you. It doesn't work that way. Sure some smart, successful
marketer can sell you the answers, but you still have to
write the test yourself.
Like most things in life, there are shortcuts; but you have
to take them yourself in order to get to where you want to
go. Online marketing is no different.
----------------------------------------------------
The author, a former artist and teacher, is now a full-time
online marketer who has numerous websites, including two
sites on Internet marketing. For the latest web marketing
tools try: http://www.bizwaremagic.com
or http://www.marketingtoolguide.com
Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if
this resource box stays attached.
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