I've had a few debates on this concept and wondered what your thoughts were...?

by JoeyS
13 replies
Basically, the general idea is, don't worry about giving away content for free.

On the one side, you have content which is specifically designed to sell, give away teasers, purposefully hold some information back etc...which seemed to be the way until recently. on the other you have a more liberal approach where you don't worry about it.

I've been thinking and observing the giants in this game who have built a huge loyal following. And what I can see is that they generally don't worry about what they give away, what they write about, what they stick up on youtube in terms of quality content.

It seems to me that the general philosophy is to spread great value out into the world with the idea that great value will be returned to you through loyal fans and ultimately monetary investment in you and ultimately your fans feel more secure in you as a person/brand/knowledge base and maybe reciprocation becomes more at play.

Is this idea way off? I get the feeling that this might be market specific and only work in certain circumstances but its just something i've observed and found interesting to think about.
#concept #debates #thoughts #wondered
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Here is the rule of thumb: (and the end of the argument)

    If you are providing a SERVICE give away as much information as you like
    because this will show your expertise and when the prospect wants the service
    he will come to you.

    If you are selling information, then you give away "teasers" .

    [/END OF ARGUMENT]

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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    • Profile picture of the author Tony Dean
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Here is the rule of thumb: (and the end of the argument)

      If you are providing a SERVICE give away as much information as you like
      because this will show your expertise and when the prospect wants the service
      he will come to you.

      If you are selling information, then you give away "teasers" .

      [/END OF ARGUMENT]

      -Ray Edwards
      I agree!

      Give away valuable content to gain a following first, then second: SELL them more content!
      Signature

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    • Profile picture of the author dlane1987
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Here is the rule of thumb: (and the end of the argument)

      If you are providing a SERVICE give away as much information as you like
      because this will show your expertise and when the prospect wants the service
      he will come to you.

      If you are selling information, then you give away "teasers" .

      [/END OF ARGUMENT]

      -Ray Edwards
      I'll second that. Also this is the most concise way I have heard this said.
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      • Profile picture of the author JoeyS
        Thanks guys,

        Basically, lets say I have a huge amount of piano video lessons or martial art video lessons all structured into an accessible format in a members area which is accessed through a monthly recurring fee.

        Should I really be bothered about showing one off lessons on youtube for free (which I plan to do atm), and worrying that some of what i am teaching is covered in my paid content? These videos being separate to the paid videos of course. Like vblogs with value.

        My gut at the moment tells me it really doesn't matter because people will invest if they like what you do. If they get the concept again whilst paying for it? well they get it in a structured way as part of a bigger learning objective.

        Would this model be classed as service or product based?

        Thanks so much for the valuable insight.
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  • Profile picture of the author adamv
    Here's a really good video that talks about the very question you're asking.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by JoeyS View Post


    It seems to me that the general philosophy is to spread great value out into the world with the idea that great value will be returned to you through loyal fans and ultimately monetary investment in you and ultimately your fans feel more secure in you as a person/brand/knowledge base and maybe reciprocation becomes more at play.

    Is this idea way off? I get the feeling that this might be market specific and only work in certain circumstances but its just something i've observed and found interesting to think about.
    I think this can be applied in almost every Niche

    BUT

    I do believe in certain non -mmo Niches ( at least the ones I'm in) this approach is somewhat less important.

    Still important, don't get me wrong. But in some Niches people just want a Solution really bad to help them alleviate a problem.

    Sure, you can try to coddle them with loads of free valuable info. til the end of Earth. But when they want it, they want it NOW in some of these Niches. They just soon forgo the whole buyer- seller relationship many Warriors are so bent on espousing here time and time again...you know "gotta build that relationship and trust with your Subs" lol

    And this is where you can be the knight in shining armor and come to their rescue and supply them with that Product that truly helps them with this problem

    So in a way you are right ...in some Niches it may not be as applicable as others.


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    ^^^ Good stuff man.

    Funny thing being, never even heard of the guy in the video, yet he instantly builds credibility by 'answering a question' - that in essence is a problem for many, and the way he used an actually subscriber, defines his purpose to solve problems.

    His video (and several other are FREE) - but, as he strongly suggests... The ultimate mindset of marketing successfully, especially in a digital or virtual environment, is still enabling people access to YOU.

    Direct marketing, publications, even membership sites... Often lack the 1-1 aspect... Direct access to an expert!

    In the last 3 days, I have experienced several revolutionary 'game changers' in my thinking, my mindset, and the manner which I; myself have failed to comprehend... And as the video above 'illustrates' the near exact 'solution' to my personal hangups prior, it too describes 95% of the marketers who have, or are continuing to fail.

    It's a simple equation really, one Sean Mize 'exploits' beautifully in this article...

    Overview of Maven Coaching Model – Maven Profits

    Read it. Process it. Let it resonate in your mind. Visualize it. And most importantly, as Napoleon Hill says;"some of you will get it in chapter one. Others will read the whole book. Others will read it 10x... and NEVER get it!" (ok, I paraphrased a bit there.)

    Point being, in order to layout the path for others... You need to know where You are on that path.

    You cannot know what lies ahead, as You look ahead, and seek guidance from those before You...

    But, if you look back occassionally, you will often find the distance you've traveled, the knowledge, experience, and expertise you have right now, is valuable to 100's, 1000's, even 10's of 1000's of people whom are stuck... Somewhere on the path you've already conquered.

    The hard part, is understanding "what that experience and expertise is worth?"

    How many of us would pay to have a direct link to a source (a real, not fake source) who would 'reach beyond the screen, answer the phone when we call, be there to critique our designs, product ideas, writings, sales copy, etc...?

    God knows, that is not only rare, it's often expensive... But, what's it worth to you? Others? Or in actually quitting the 9-5 job you despise? To obtain your freedom?

    Seriously, I've learned a lot here as I have been on & off this forum for 4 years.... But nothing, I mean not a damn thing has ever tied it all together as the 'insights' I've stumbled upon in just the last 5 days!!!

    STOP... and just look back on occassion, often you'll find as you're looking ahead, seeking fame or fortune, or even your personal freedoms... Those who will most value you, are not aheadof you... They simply knew "Who their audience was, and what they needed or longed for..."

    They knew exactly; What the problem was, and how to position, package, and deliver it!"

    And they knew "Their purpose, and what the service they were rendering IS WORTH!"

    Sounds complex, but it's all realitively simple if your 'determined' to free yourself of the 'illusion' fear paints upon the canvas of your mind!

    All the tools, resources, training in the world will not make YOU successful... That my friend is the 'awakening you must first accept' - then, all else will "pull you" to seek, and ye shall find!

    Godspeed,

    Art
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    Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Consider this: if you don't start the conversation, you don't get the chance to make a sale.

    If your prospect knows that they are in serious "pain," then you don't need to give as much away. Sometimes you can go straight to the solution.

    Describe the problem, the situation they're in. That's more powerful than giving away free content.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andre Slater
    This is my opinion on the topic...

    First when your making content sometimes you create something that you feel like is going to change the world.

    Something that when you release it to the public, it's will rock the fabric of society...

    Something that when you release it then Oprah Winfrey herself would seek your infinite knowledge...

    So you put a price tag of $1000 and sell this killer info, but then you realize no one cares or it's not as good as you thought it would be and your situation hasn't changed and Oprah hasn't called you...

    On the other end you may put up the dumbest video that you messed up all the way through, on the dumbest topic that only took you 5 minutes, but you got 5000 views in a week on it and your email is flooded with people thanking you on your video and how much it changed their lives and they become your fans and followers...

    It all boils down to building a following of people who:

    Know - Like - Trust you...

    You do this by giving people what they want, helping them out, and giving good stuff...

    If they Know you they will: Look at what you have to offer
    If they Like you they will: Listen to what you have to say
    If they Trust you they will: Look, listen, and BUY from you
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    My primary business is copywriting. I write copy and teach it. So I provide
    information and also a service. This means that I have to show that I know
    what I'm talking about for free. I do that in my articles and YouTube
    channel. But I cannot give away the farm because I have a membership
    site that provides more value.

    Now this means that a copywriter who doesn't do coaching can give
    away more than I can and therefore gain more credibility in the field.
    So the information I have behind locked doors will only be available
    to my members--I have to sacrifice that aspect of the service side
    of my business.

    Case in point: I have been sharing a certain formula now for over
    8 years with my students. Another copywriter now claims this
    formula (not saying he got it from me) and basically owns it.
    Only my students from way back will be able to confirm that
    I taught that a long time before. Now if I didn't have the
    coaching element of the program, I could share a lot more
    and gain more copywriting clients and reputation as a A-list
    copywriter. But something has to give.

    Hopes this makes sense.

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    This is not a tough dilemma - nor debate. Just giveaway the freebie, do email marketing, do backend marketing, then enjoy the rest of your 23 hours everyday.
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  • Profile picture of the author godinu
    I think your business model may work in a way similar to what yoga sites (such as my yoga online) do: they send out email newsletters with links to blog posts about helpful techniques (eating, meditating, simple stretches, whatever), as well as teaser sample videos for longer, paid projects. every now and then they run a promo where people can access a sampling of the premium content for free. Even Deepak Chopra does this with his projects.
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeyS
      Thanks for the advice guys!

      adamv - Just watched the video! Really good. That kinda demonstrates the conclusion I came too but describes the concept better. My online business ideas are centered around building a community and creating a subscription membership site so that was very relevant. I want to create an online piano community and wealth of lessons behind a membership site and I am planning on doing every piece of marketing possible, I have loads of ideas including the obvious putting lessons up on youtube for free because the amount of views they get is insane I also have my unique selling point as piano is quite a saturated market.

      I can't wait to get this going and getting some advice from you all on the journey. I really do love this forum for inspiration and ideas.

      Still hung up on a .com name though Its damn hard to find something that doesn't sound sleazy like 'learntoplaythepianofast.com' and others like it that sound too markety.
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