what really matters (imho)

5 replies
There's a lot of talk on here about something. Something we all grasp at, claw and fight for. The questions swirl the same way, circling this illusive THING we all want and will try anything to obtain.

You know what the THING is.

But here's THE thing...what happened to the soul of marketing? The heart of it?

I'm talking of course about the pride and dignity and humanity and integrity of CREATING QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT REALLY MATTER AND REALLY HELP PEOPLE.

The questions are all too often :: how can I make money, what can I do to make them buy, how do I convert people into sales.

People should not be converted into anything but..people. I fear we as marketers have often lost sight of what matters, being those who ambitiously seek to provide unique quality information, products, and services to other people.

I know I know, not everyone does this. But it seems too often the focus of everything on here. How to make $10K a month, how to make $200,000 a year..what about how to create a really great quality product or service?

Because when you create quality, you don't have to worry about the money.

When you do what you love and produce the fruit of your passion and hard work, simply putting it clearly in front of those who you think or know would like it, they love it buy it, talk about it, buy more...etc.

I see short and long "How To's" about making money online, giving advice that leads newbies down a road of creating fake and empty businesses where the only goal is making a buck and trying to trick people into taking the bait and hoping they don't realize how empty the product really is or how it was thrown together by someone else for a few bucks, just to make it look reasonably valuable.

Don't be an empty marketer! Make real value, create it with your own paws!

Want to know how to make money? Do real quality work that is for the purpose of actually providing that quality to someone! Then you can price it at practically any number and see results.

I have an offline business in consulting that I do off and on. I recently doubled my rates. Why? Because I am a scarcity and provide the highest quality service and help to my clients. How do I know this? Because I've worked at nearly all the similar companies to mine and know for a fact that most people get by giving crappy service.

So for example, if you're wanting to put together a report that draws subscribers, create that report yourself and in a niche that you're proud of and really knowledgeable and into! If you're not knowledgeable but into it, create a series of youtube videos that follow your process of becoming an expert and build subscribers with these.

If you're creating a landing page, write the damn thing yourself! Think you suck at copy? Just be yourself and express your passion and do your best, read about how to write copy, make your inability to write good copy a "damaging admission" that builds respect with readers.

Making a squeeze page? Don't pay someone to do a fancy one, make it yourself! Follow the rules of basic conversions and sales pages and just make it even if it's ugly. My ugliest pages outsell my nicest ones consistently.

The goal isn't to be ugly, it's to ingrain yourself into your work, every fiber, and you'll stand out from your competition because everyone else is having cheap and hollow crap made for them in order to try and get money fast. Be the marketer who is willing to take the road less traveled and out-genuine the sh*t out of your competition.

I've said too much.

Bleh!

~john

edit: oh, and be patient! be willing to wait even a year before seeing real profit. If you stay true to doing your best at really giving your best, the results will come. Sometimes someone hits a "lottery niche" where they happen to be super passionate and ready to provide quality in a niche that's been untapped and they see almost immediate results when they launch, but for the most part it will take time to see those results. After a couple years you'll be doing the $10k, $15k, etc months, but stop sweating the money and start focusing on being amazing at creating amazing stuff for the amazing people you serve.
#imho #matters
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
    Awesome post.The easiest way in the long term, and sometimes in the short term to make great money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    John,

    Nice thread, but I have a few contrary thoughts I'd like to add.

    Originally Posted by John Westbrook View Post

    Because when you create quality, you don't have to worry about the money.
    This sounds warm and fuzzy, but IMO the reality is, there are all kinds of wonderful high quality products that never sell worth beans because the marketing stinks. If you don't worry about the money, you'll just put your product out there and no one will ever get the chance to see how good it really is.

    When you are concerned about ROI in your advertising, about driving traffic to your offer, and about conversions it elevates the sales of your product. IMO, quality alone is never enough. Don't market your next high quality product and see how well it sells. I believe you should always be aware of the metrics of your marketing. Even the best products rarely sell themselves.


    Originally Posted by John Westbrook View Post

    Want to know how to make money? Do real quality work that is for the purpose of actually providing that quality to someone!
    Again, quality products are what you're talking about, but they don't necessarily bring you money by themselves just because you build them. Great marketing overcomes mediocre products all the time. Now I'm not suggesting you do mediocre product creation, but it seems to me you're downplaying the role of marketing and suggesting great products sell themselves. I don't subscribe to that philosophy. I say, build a great product then market the heck out of it and don't wait for years hoping that a targeted buyer will happen along.


    Originally Posted by John Westbrook View Post

    oh, and be patient! be willing to wait even a year before seeing real profit.
    I don't believe you should wait for anything. You should be marketing hard even before your product is released. In reality, how many people have a year to wait until they see if their product is going to produce decent income? Hopefully, folks are doing marketing tests, tracking and modifying, so they know that they have a winner before major marketing campaigns are launched.

    You insistence upon high quality and customer value is not to be questioned . . . but I think you're ignoring, or at least downplaying, the work that is necessary to be a successful marketer. I've been in this game a long time and have yet to see products sell well that are not marketed well.

    Just my thoughts,

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
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  • Profile picture of the author John Westbrook
    Thanks for your feedback and thoughts guys!

    quick note on the hard work part vs wait, wait is not a statement regarding the amount of work you should be doing. It's a reflection on the mindset you have about results. Many people don't want to wait for results (wait being the state of expectation, not the state of activity), they expect to see instant results from their days' worth of work.

    Again, thanks for the great feedback and discussions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Monkmoney
    Quality plus creativity plus sound marketing techniques whether online or offline

    Think that sums it up =)
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    • Profile picture of the author mlpauling
      IM is work and those who think they are going to get in and make a million with little or no work are only going to keep giving away their money until they lose all hope and quit!
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