Main Street Marketing Machines vs. Google Maps?

32 replies
When you do a local search Google Maps usually appears right at the top. With the huge map, a bunch of highlighted listings, links to reviews, phone numbers right there, etc. it seems this would get most of the attention of most users.

I'm interested in Mike Koenigs' Main Street Marketing Machines program but does anyone know how they address Google Maps, if at all? It just seems that even if you had say a #4 or #5 listing for a client that they would get much traffic at all, based on my above assumption.

The idea behind MSMM is solid, and it looks like they provide some great training and tools, but none of their videos or "testimonials" ever talked about real results that real clients are/were getting. Sure "Fireman Mike" might have got a $13k deal from a local business, and got them listed on the first page of google, but are they actually getting anything in return?...
#google #machines #main #maps #marketing #street
  • Profile picture of the author Vanquish
    Mario Brown has an offline course about dominating the google maps section of local listings. You can find it here;

    http://www.warriorforum.com/169102-o...omination.html
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    Nothing to sell, only value to give and new knowledge to learn.
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  • Profile picture of the author dsiomtw
    Thanks for the reply. Your link doesn't seem to work? Says page not found.
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    • Profile picture of the author MediaPlanner
      Dito. Link not working for me on my end either.
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      • Profile picture of the author abrandt
        Hi:

        I found this thread while doing some other WF research.

        I believe this is what you're looking for from Mario Brown:

        Dominate Google Local Business Listings
        http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...797-month.html

        I am purchasing MSMM today. We are completely in the blind in regards to how MSMM optimizes at all, however based on Mike Koenig's reputation and previous successes, I am going to take the time to subscribe and dig in and see what it can really do. (see post: #28)

        Hope this proves helpful,

        Alan
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  • Profile picture of the author Glenellis
    I was interested to see what Mike was going to include in his package, but even more interested in the price.

    For $3,000, I expected a whole lot more.

    If you really think about what he "gave away" in the pre-sale videos, and you are willing to spend about $150 at Big Mike's site (Incasoft? Incansoft? Sorry, Mike, I'm blocking on the name) I think you can do everything you need to do in order to get a local client onto Page One of Google, without any of Mike's help.

    The best thing I saw on the earlier vids was the idea that you go into a local niche and crush Page One on Google, then send an email to the top 15-20 people in that niche and essentially create a stampede amongt them to your front door, with the winner getting the lease rights on your website material for a long as they are willing to pay.

    As for finding the "right" niches, you can just look at the top 10 professions and trades and find more work there than you can ever hope to do yourself.

    So is this really worth the money he's charging?
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    • Profile picture of the author abrandt
      Hello Glenellis:

      IMO: Big Mike Incansoft vs. Main Street... NOT EVEN CLOSE.

      You're comparing a pea shooter to an armed and fully fueled F-35 Lightning II (replacement for the F16).

      Alan

      Originally Posted by Glenellis View Post

      I was interested to see what Mike was going to include in his package, but even more interested in the price.

      For $3,000, I expected a whole lot more.

      If you really think about what he "gave away" in the pre-sale videos, and you are willing to spend about $150 at Big Mike's site (Incasoft? Incansoft? Sorry, Mike, I'm blocking on the name) I think you can do everything you need to do in order to get a local client onto Page One of Google, without any of Mike's help.

      The best thing I saw on the earlier vids was the idea that you go into a local niche and crush Page One on Google, then send an email to the top 15-20 people in that niche and essentially create a stampede amongt them to your front door, with the winner getting the lease rights on your website material for a long as they are willing to pay.

      As for finding the "right" niches, you can just look at the top 10 professions and trades and find more work there than you can ever hope to do yourself.

      So is this really worth the money he's charging?
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  • Profile picture of the author Glenellis
    That's interesting, because I used just a couple of Incansoft products I had laying around, and used them for a friend of mine who is a probate attorney in a mid sized town. Last Monday he was on Page 3, #5 for the main keyword (xxxx probate attorney). Today, he is on page 1, #10, and about 3/4's of what I did for him is still in the process of kicking in.

    And it didn't cost either of us $3k.

    If you want (or need) to spend that kind of money to get started, don't let anything I say stand in your way. I just don't see where what you are going to get is really worth that kind of expenditure.
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    • Profile picture of the author mtntgr
      Which Incansoft products did you end up using?

      Thanks
      mtntgr

      Originally Posted by Glenellis View Post

      That's interesting, because I used just a couple of Incansoft products I had laying around, and used them for a friend of mine who is a probate attorney in a mid sized town. Last Monday he was on Page 3, #5 for the main keyword (xxxx probate attorney). Today, he is on page 1, #10, and about 3/4's of what I did for him is still in the process of kicking in.

      And it didn't cost either of us $3k.

      If you want (or need) to spend that kind of money to get started, don't let anything I say stand in your way. I just don't see where what you are going to get is really worth that kind of expenditure.
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      opportunityisnowhere

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  • Profile picture of the author Glenellis
    Oh, one more thing...

    The idea is that we are targeting local niches where there are few (under 300,000) pages and at least one paid ad...so think about it...the competition is probably not that great, and even a small amount of effort on behalf of one client will result in great SE palcement on one, two or even all three of the majors. So using your analogy, in most cases you would be using an F-35 to blow up a taco truck, when I am using a well placed grenade, and we are both achieving the same effect.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    If you believe you are spending $3,000 for a software just to obtain multiple first page rankings then you aren't seeing what is being provided.

    ~Dexx
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    • Profile picture of the author Bon508
      The Main Street Marketing Machines post in the Internet Marketing Product Reviews forum is closed for some reason, otherwise I would've posted this there.

      I did buy it. Hey, I had a nice tax refund this year and have been wanting to get into the offline area for a while, and figured this big purchase would be the catalist (kick in the butt) to get started.

      I've only spent a few minutes looking it over, but one of the things I checked were the videos it includes of previous FirePower (the MSMM prequal) Super Summits. Watched just one presentation by someone who has "been there, done that," and picked up quite a few tips! (I personally get a lot out of hearing from people who have actually used the techniques I'm trying to learn.)

      Anyway, just wanted to reiterate what Dexx said... there's a lot more to this package than a tool (or several tools) that help with Google SERP rankings.

      I don't think it has to be "this or that" either, regarding whether MSMM is better or worse than other people's products that help marketers work with offline clients... I plan to use what I've already got in conjunction with MSMM.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    Three grand... to learn how to help local businesses
    rank in the SERPS... really? I guess it's true... there's
    one born every minute.

    Tsnyder
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    I too also purchased the program (hell I've been charging $2,000 - $4,000 just do to do the 10x10x4 formula for clients as it is, so this is a no-brainer)

    So far I have to say that this thing is a motherload of info and tools, I'm going to be devoting the next week+ to just going through both the 2009 and 2010 Firepower summits, not to mention the other materials...

    If its not up to par between now and the next 29 days, then I'll ask for my refund, but so far I don't see it happening.

    But I'm def liking what I see so far!

    Cheers,

    ~Dexx
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  • Profile picture of the author dsiomtw
    The whole thing just seems fatally flawed due to Google Maps. So what if you have a top 10 ranking for "la jolla painter". For 1 it gets almost no searches, and more importantly, the eyeballs of anyone who DID search for that term will go immediately to one of the "local business results" right at the top ala Google maps. These listings are highlighted big time, they have phone numbers, reviews, etc.

    To think you are going to get any clicks being #4 or #5 for "la jolla painter" is silly. You'd be lucky to get 1 click per month. That is not something you can charge a painter for in good faith.

    Can someone tell me what I'm missing here?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    I'd have to disagree as I have a website ranking #5 for a keyword that is related to eye doctors and it gets leads (i have an opt-in form) despite being below a full 10-box of businesses.

    Really at the end of the day, I don't care to defend the program anymore, those who don't want to use it...don't...I purchased it myself, and I'm happy, I have nothing to gain by debating its benefits to anyone

    Cheers,

    ~Dexx
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  • Profile picture of the author samcarson
    Is it possible that the local search numbers shown by the adwords kw tool are incorrect. Reason I ask is for some of the searches I did there are plenty of adwords ads but the kw tool says no data
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  • Profile picture of the author SageSound
    I don't think anybody is buying MSMM because they see the value in it. They're buying it because of the bonuses. Same old story. It's pretty sad, actually. Or not -- they won't be competing for my business!

    Personally, I think MSMM is worth about $15k, and it's a BARGAIN at $3k with NO bonuses!

    There are a couple of components in the package that are worth $3k ALONE. And I'm not referring to the videos.

    I had a meeting with a prospect today and we're looking at getting a $20k-$30k investment from them in the next week. Trust me ... it's not about Google Places.

    The lady we talked with has been doing SEO for the firm on her own for over a year. When we discussed some of the OTHER things we can do for them, she was beside herself. She's unique in that she actually DOES this stuff for the company, and she probably does a ton more than the "average" SEO firm. What she's doing is working just fine. We can bring stuff to the table that she can't even begin to consider doing without access to the tools and knowledge we've got.

    Traffic Geyser is part of that. The information in MSMM is part of that. And what we DO with that stuff is an even BIGGER part. Also, TG is not the only tool we'll be using. There are others.

    See ... if you have not been out there talking to small business owners, you don't really understand their concerns, and you really cannot grasp the true value of what MSMM is all about.

    The dubious questions above are being asked from the viewpoint of someone who's involved with IM, not offline marketing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Marty S
      Originally Posted by SageSound View Post

      I had a meeting with a prospect today and we're looking at getting a $20k-$30k investment from them in the next week. Trust me ... it's not about Google Places
      It's not about MSMM either. There are a lot of "main street" customers in need of support from experienced online professionals. If you are talking these kinds of numbers with clients, seriously, how do you figure you need MSMM?

      ----------------

      I can't say I personally see the value in spending $3,000 but it may be good for some here, but mostly as a confidence builder.

      I personally have declined more offline business than I accept - and I am NOT chasing it. For people looking at getting into this, i would strongly suggest you just go out and get yourself some business and avoid such a huge up-front expense.

      The offline process still involves sales, and it still involves getting in front of people and telling them what they need for a price. <<<< This is 75% of the JOB, and you need nothing but guts , a laptop, and perhaps a little charisma to do this. The other 25% can all be figured out, and outsourced with a few posts in this very forum.

      Just go out and do it first, then have a look at what kind of help you really need, and what part of that work you are really good at and enjoy. I know I am sounding like an old miser here but you have to keep your costs minimal to start. When something starts to click you can easily justify such expenditures later on.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
        Originally Posted by Marty S View Post

        I can't say I personally see the value in spending $3,000 but it may be good for some here, but mostly as a confidence builder.

        I personally have declined more offline business than I accept - and I am NOT chasing it. For people looking at getting into this, i would strongly suggest you just go out and get yourself some business and avoid such a huge up-front expense.

        The offline process still involves sales, and it still involves getting in front of people and telling them what they need for a price. <<<< This is 75% of the JOB, and you need nothing but guts , a laptop, and perhaps a little charisma to do this. The other 25% can all be figured out, and outsourced with a few posts in this very forum.

        Just go out and do it first, then have a look at what kind of help you really need, and what part of that work you are really good at and enjoy. I know I am sounding like an old miser here but you have to keep your costs minimal to start. When something starts to click you can easily justify such expenditures later on.
        This is pretty close to my take on MSMM that I sent out to my list.

        If you have a plan for using parts of the system in a way that will add to your offerings, it might be worthwhile. If you haven't done any offline work, I recommend passing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Robert_Rand
        Originally Posted by Marty S View Post

        It's not about MSMM either. There are a lot of "main street" customers in need of support from experienced online professionals. If you are talking these kinds of numbers with clients, seriously, how do you figure you need MSMM?

        ----------------

        I can't say I personally see the value in spending $3,000 but it may be good for some here, but mostly as a confidence builder.

        I personally have declined more offline business than I accept - and I am NOT chasing it. For people looking at getting into this, i would strongly suggest you just go out and get yourself some business and avoid such a huge up-front expense.

        The offline process still involves sales, and it still involves getting in front of people and telling them what they need for a price. <<<< This is 75% of the JOB, and you need nothing but guts , a laptop, and perhaps a little charisma to do this. The other 25% can all be figured out, and outsourced with a few posts in this very forum.

        Just go out and do it first, then have a look at what kind of help you really need, and what part of that work you are really good at and enjoy. I know I am sounding like an old miser here but you have to keep your costs minimal to start. When something starts to click you can easily justify such expenditures later on.
        Well said. I love how people say things like "they are looking to get into offline" and that's why they bought this product lol

        They have to buy something to start making money...
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    Agreed Sage, unless someone is already working with local businesses, I don't think they can truly state what businesses will, and will not, feel comfortable spending money on...let alone the amount of money these businesses have spent on wasteful activities as is that generate NO leads and have NO method of tracking/accountability...mostly on the convincing of a pushy advertising sales rep...

    ~Dexx
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Nolan
    The 3k is worth every penny... I'm not even an affiliate.

    I use Traffic Geyser religiously and pretty much have been doing the "main street marketing" without their help....

    As an example, I just did this as a demo for a client. Google "Glebe Dentists" and see what pops up. I take up over 50% of the front page of Google and am ranked #1. This took less than 48 hours. I could list other examples if people like.

    Ie: Ranking #1 for a search term that gets 3600 exact searches a month. --> That was done for a client of mine that is an international pharmaceutical company.

    It's a BRILLIANT system.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Moser
    Is it just me or does MSMM seem like the biggest launch since Mass Control? I wouldn't be surprised if they hit $10 million today!

    There's going to be so many new offline marketers out there now that they'll be bumping shoulders in the streets going from one business to the next! J/K! You have to really differentiate your self more than ever!
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    • Profile picture of the author jackbp
      I've seen the videos....still deciding what I want to do.......

      That's me, that's not anyone else.

      I think Dexx has hit the proverbial nail on the head. If you don't like the program.....GET A REFUND!!

      If you have a better methodology go do it.....there's the key....."go do it"!

      I think Mike has provided a framework in which to operate....that's a good thing from what I've observed over the years.....a framework to achieve a goal is sometimes more important than the goal itself.

      Kinda like taking a trip....your goal is to get to XXXXville.....and it's the "CAR" that takes you there.....Mike's the "Car".
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      It's never too late to be what you could've been

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  • Profile picture of the author Mikedb
    One question.In the video he states that it is not limited to the US.
    Can I use this for my country, the Netherlands?
    Totally different language

    The market here is easy, so I woul be vey interested!

    Regards,

    Mike
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    • Profile picture of the author SwissMarketer
      Originally Posted by Mikedb View Post

      One question.In the video he states that it is not limited to the US.
      Can I use this for my country, the Netherlands?
      Totally different language

      The market here is easy, so I woul be vey interested!

      Regards,

      Mike
      Hi Mike

      this is essential for all European customers... The question is what value you get out of MSMM if you work in another language?

      There should be a discount price for non-english speakers :-)
      I would have to translate all marketing into German and French...
      This will propably the main reason for me why not to buy.

      Greetings from Switzerland
      Robert

      P.S: In my opinion those top noch US internet marketer should work more together with Europeans in order to launch the same product for a different market (Germany: 80 Mio. people, France: 68 Mio. People...)
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      • Profile picture of the author abrandt
        Order ID : GYSER-201004281516-288071
        Order Date: 28 APR 2010 15:16:30


        Hi Members:

        Due to all controversy in WF posts regarding Main Street Marketing Machine BizBox, I thought I might share WHY and HOW I justified (from a business perspective) making this commitment and purchase.

        BACKGROUND: I have been a marketing professional for some (30) years and then a software applications and evaluation consultant from some (8) years for MS Windows business applications from Microsoft down to small shareware houses. Starting 2009, I started dilligently studying Offline Marketing for a year... purchasing over 30 offline marketing WSO's... investing around $1,000. I have been most influenced by Jack Mize's: Offline X Factor and the innovative thinking of Chad Kimball. I have assimilated, integrated and developed hybrid offpage optimization strategies whereby I am now capable of dominating Google 1ST Page SERPS (6 to 9 positions) for business clients and 30% of my optimizations (increasing) are controlling Google Map 1-boxes. With just my 1st (3) business clients, I am billing $8,500 per month. I am working on $15,000 per month campaigns at this point that I believe BizBox and Mike Koenig will prove helpful in my developing and procuring. In conclusion... I am happy and blessed with a wonderful start... perseverance and diligence have paid-off one more time.

        PURCHASE RATIONALE: Having said this, I have purchased Main Street Marketing Machine BizBox by Mike Koenigs. I have carefully evaluated all of the controversy in WF posts... participated in the 7-hour BizBox webinar... and concluded that the marketing tool integration and Biz Box subscriber community has the capacity to seriously enhance my technical and marketing skillsets and further improve project and campaign efficiencies.

        BONUS REFERRAL: I also reviewed many launch bonus offers and chose this one: WF post #1. (I am not an affiliate marketer, so I am comfortable in referring all interest to the above affiliate post.)

        IF I WERE A NEWBIE AGAIN: If I were a newbie all over again... and had the money... knowing what I know now... I would without reservation purchase Offline X Factor... Chad Kimball... and Main Street Marketing Machine BizBox... and bury my head again in study with the goal of metamorphizing into a high-level-competent web optimization powerhouse.

        I hope this lends another dimension to the conversation about Main Street Marketing Machine BizBox and proves more helpful than not! (LOL)

        Alan
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  • Profile picture of the author gavins
    You can translate some of the templates e.g. free reports into Dutch I am sure.
    As for can it work, absolutely. The only tool that won't work right now in the package that I have seen is the Opportunity Finder which has only 3 countries listed right now but the concept behind it can be done manually primarily using Google
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  • Profile picture of the author griswold
    Hey Marty,

    Michael Griswold here. I appreciated your level headed approach.

    I have a few businesses in Denver (nothing big, 3-4) who are asking me to handle their online marketing.

    I feel really comfortable with it, as I know about traffic, conversion, sales, follow-ups, etc. The thing is, I have no idea where to start when it comes to pricing. To ask them what they are willing to pay seems lousy.

    Do you have any recommendations on how to price out services like this?

    Thanks man,

    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author dreammakerbooks
    Banned
    Originally Posted by dsiomtw View Post

    When you do a local search Google Maps usually appears right at the top. With the huge map, a bunch of highlighted listings, links to reviews, phone numbers right there, etc. it seems this would get most of the attention of most users.

    I'm interested in Mike Koenigs' Main Street Marketing Machines program but does anyone know how they address Google Maps, if at all? It just seems that even if you had say a #4 or #5 listing for a client that they would get much traffic at all, based on my above assumption.

    The idea behind MSMM is solid, and it looks like they provide some great training and tools, but none of their videos or "testimonials" ever talked about real results that real clients are/were getting. Sure "Fireman Mike" might have got a $13k deal from a local business, and got them listed on the first page of google, but are they actually getting anything in return?...
    Hey All,
    I felt that since the post mentioned me I should comment. I realize that MSMM is no longer available but still this is relevant. Yes my clients get calls and quite a few of them. They are on Google maps too. I have used video to help optimize their google maps. We are finding that the calls are not coming from Google maps though. The calls are coming from the videos. I believe that people are trained to see what Google will display for them. They want to see what Google sees as the most relevant choice.

    You see anyone can show up in Google maps and people know this. Not just anyone can be on the front page of Google. So yes my clients are actually getting something in return. They are very happy. We have a client that had ZERO list, we sent up a lead capture page, began shooting video and a few months later he has 870 people on the list.

    Another client averages over a phone call a day from our work. he turns about 1/2 of those calls into paying customers. Utilizing MSMM is the real deal and we are helping local businesses BIG TIME.

    Thanks,
    Mike
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