"It's Like Selling Needles To Addicts"

12 replies
Now, before we jump into this post or people get upset, this has nothing to do with drugs or drug abuse or making light of anything like that and actually it was...

Warren Buffet who once said..."it's like selling needles to addicts".

Which brings me to this post warriors. You See...

If you think about it if someone is addicted to a certain type of drug and chooses to use injections as their choice, then needles to an addict is a neccesity.

How in the world does this apply to your business?

Think of ways you can be the main source or "needles" to your customers or clients.

Like if email marketing, then what do you need? An autoresponder. You are pretty much captive to one service because then you have to switch services, upload this, download this, may have to have people now double optin etc...

Apple is a huge example. Some of the "apple addicts" go nuts for everything comes out, then guess what? New or update comes out, now need the new thing.

If create a done for you program like a newsletter for a business and that is the business owners marketing channel, you have the needles.

This can apply to any business/ Simply find the needles to the "addiction" and you'll not only see more money, it will give you a chance to provide more value.
  • Profile picture of the author jmh777
    Good points.

    But it's hard for us internet marketers to get the effect on buyers. You hardly recognize an IM product by it's brand.

    I mean maybe a few (Bring the Fresh, MTTB, Ect.)
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  • Profile picture of the author PHR
    Nice threads,

    filling the needs of the others is the main key in my opinion.

    Selling needles to addicts IS LIKE Selling information to people which need them

    Selling snow to eskimos IS LIKE Selling information to people which dont need it because they know everything you are offering

    Just a little example how things should be done in my humble opinion and how not.

    Cheers,
    Peter
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  • Profile picture of the author fasteasysuccess
    Absolutely phr, your "needles" should always be filled with value and jmh, it's not about the im products. It has to be more than about the service or product.

    You have to make it bigger than that. Nothing to do with "branding" at all, it's about bringing a customer in who wants x results, needs x results and needs that x results from you otherwise a pain or can't get anywhere else. His business or x needs you to function in that area of life business, personal, etc...
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      I agree with your point, although the example is a bit gloomy and simplistic. But I do agree with your point generally speaking. But for me it doesn't go quite far enough.

      Because it "assumes"
      • You're the only one supplying needles.(You have Zero competitors).
      • Needles is the only way the addict can consume it.
      -Or -
      • The needle is the only way he wants to consume it (he may fear needles)
      So, how can your specific needles compete when he has other options besides you or other options besides needles?

      That's a more realistic scenario most marketers face today, than the simple "sell needles to addicts" quote you gave. Not sure when that quote was made, but now "The New Normal" is dozens of others probably sell needles too. Not just you. So, you have to work at overcoming that challenge and solve it as well or you're toast.

      Now it's not just ... "Sell Needles to Addicts".
      It's ... "Sell Needles to Addicts -- In Ways Your Competition is overlooking, neglecting or missing".

      How do you separate yourself from the many options(and growing) your prospect has? If you can't do that you'd better get a job or at least have a job to feed yourself.

      Thoughts?
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      • Profile picture of the author terry6
        A problem faced by anyone selling or in politics. How can you stand out? What is the soapbox you can stand on to get attention? Why are you different?
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  • Profile picture of the author Edwin Torres
    Well "needles" can also be giving them EXACTLY what they want. If someone has a problem they want to get fixed right now, the needle could be your product. So, if you market it effectively they'll be anxiously running over to your site to buy it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Braznyc
    Focus on what people are looking for. If you like something in blue and people like it in pink... Sell pink stuff. Or look for an specific niche like "pink stuff with purple polka dots"...
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  • Profile picture of the author fasteasysuccess
    It was meant to be simplistic thenicheman and like explained, assuming "needles" is their choice.

    Like already said as well..."You have to make it bigger than the thing Nothing to do with "branding" or product at all, it's about bringing a customer in who wants x results, needs x results and needs that x results from you otherwise a pain or can't get anywhere else"

    If you can create that (needs but can't get anywhere else), then you have the profitable "needles".

    It doesn't matter if their is 20 of the same business doing the same type thing, because if you can come up with what speaking about, then competition doesn't stand a chance.

    Example gave in post is apple. How many cell phone carriers or options out there, yet...

    Apple pushes something to the streets and the "apple fiends" come running.

    You need to step back and look at your product or service and look at it more than just a product or service and then inject the "added value" needed to make it the best stuff around and market it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Maybe a simpler and more easily understood phrase for this thread is sell into demand. First find an audience or group of people that are looking for a similar solution or "fix." Create or find the exact solution they are looking for. Then make them an offer of that solution oozing with value in a way that removes the risk from the prospect and you will have a winning formula for sales!

      It's a pretty simple concept, but getting all the details right and implemented correctly is sometimes not so easy.

      The best to all of you,

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author fasteasysuccess
    No that title of post would of missed the whole point steve. We all should know our target market inside and out, find out what they want and give it to them with massive value, however...

    Like said, the "needle" in that would be making it more of a neccessity to use your services or products.

    Like gave the example of a business owner who uses a done for you newsletter service and if obviously leaves that done for you service, he's stuck, down and has to either find another newsletter done for you service or stop that in their marketing.

    Another example for you would be say...leadpages. clickfunnels etc...

    You're a business owner online, you have your opt-ins, sales pages, funnels, maybe even some business owners never even think about getting their own autoresponder since provided with some services as well and then if they stop paying that service or want to go...

    They either have to completely shut down for good or take the time and massive effort to switch everything.

    That's when your product or service becomes much more than something of value, it is needed for their "high" or goal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
    Originally Posted by fasteasysuccess View Post

    Warren Buffet who once said..."it's like selling needles to addicts".

    Your points are great, but you do realize this is a really bad statement by Warren Buffet?

    Addicts reuse needles, even dirty ones. They don't waste their "drug money" on buying needles, they buy what they are addicted to, the drugs.

    That is one of the reasons several major cities have implemented needle exchange programs.

    Not to take away from your points...but it is always better to sell what they are addicted to, not the tools...

    Businesses are more interested in leads, than in tools that generate leads.
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  • Profile picture of the author @tjr
    "Internet Marketing: Its Like Selling Drug Paraphernalia"

    I think the Warrior Forum adopting this mantra would go a long way towards turning the image of the IM world around.
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