How I Made Over $1,800 in 12 Hours...and the Money is Still Pouring In

[Dennis Gaskill]

You tell me if I'm crazy.

Late last night I sent out "thank you for being a subscriber" email to my list, and offered them a free gift in appreciation. This is something I do now and then, because I really do appreciate them and I want them to know that.

On the download page for the gift I included a very hard to refuse offer. Ten products for ten bucks. The ten products are ten ebook I wrote. They average 20 pages each and cover a variety of topics.

With one ebook I included resale rights, and with another I included private label rights. Three were personal use only and the other five had giveaway rights.

When I got up this morning I had over $1,800.00 in fresh money in my Paypal account. At just ten dollars a sale, that's 180 sales, and the orders are still pouring in. I'm expecting to double or triple that before it's done because I know there will be another flood of orders tonight when people get off work and check their email.

You might think it's crazy selling 10 products for 10 bucks, but I get more than money for doing it.

1. I build up a LOT of good will.

2. The resale rights product has a back end sale built into it, so I'll get sales from the sales my customers make.

3. All of the products have back end sales built into them, so I'll get more sales from my customers.

4. Five of the ebooks have give away rights, so a lot of people are going to be helping spread my site around, and of course I'll get back end sales from these as well.

5. Many of the buyers are first time buyers from me. When they see the quality, they'll be more likely to buy in the future. I can't emphasize enough how important getting that "ice breaker" sale from a new customers is.

6. My reputation is only enhanced as someone who gives a lot of value, and the generosity of the offer really sets me apart from the crowd.

7. It builds trust, even with people that don't buy.

Now, I don't usually talk about my income because it's not your business, and I'm not trying to brag now because it really isn't all that much. I wanted to illustrate one thing...it's all about giving first, and then giving real value when you make your sales offers.

What do you think, am I crazy?

Edit: A few of you have asked to see the email I sent out. Rather than me having to keep sending it out one person at a time, I've posted a copy of the letter on my WF blog.

[Zeus66]

You loco, hombre! And $1,800 is $1,800. That kind of loco is muy bueno.

John

[spearce000]

Nice strategy. Thanks for sharing.

[Gary King]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

What do you think, am I crazy?

Dennis,

Can't verify that, but this is a great reminder of two things IMHO...

1 - Over-deliver and you'll see results
2 - Care for your customers and you'll see them too.

Congrats.

[Lulu Chil]

Congrats,

I like to hear what people are making and in my case encourages me to do what am doing. Thanks for the info.

[Dennis Gaskill]

Well, that was unexpected. Someone just PM'd me wanting to buy my mailing list.

It's not for sale, so don't ask.

[Leslie B]

That's really a gread idea. Adding it to my notes for later on (like, when my list has a decent size )

Leslie

[peakperformer]

That's a pretty great strategy you used, and it absolutely works. Frank kern also teaches this same strategy in his well-known mass control course, and it has worked wonders for thousands of people who used the exact same strategy on their list. A great money-maker to be used once in a while to generate some quick cash

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by ccmusicman

HAHA!

That's great.

Well, anyway, it goes to show you how valuable a list really is.

I know a LOT of newbies are afraid of starting up an email list...but it's probably the most important, long term business builder, pretty much ever.

Rob

I couldn't agree more about the importance of having one or more mailing lists, Rob. That's why I'd never sell my list. Well, that and the fact I promise I won't in my privacy policy.


@ Zues66 - Hey John, do I look like I speak Spanish? I went to Alta Vista and translated your message and it came back with something about happy flying monkeys. Man, you are cryptic, amigo.

[Zeus66]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

@ Zues66 - Hey John, do I look like I speak Spanish? I went to Alta Vista and translated your message and it came back with something about happy flying monkeys. Man, you are cryptic, amigo.

I learned long ago to keep the flying monkeys happy. The repercussions of angering them are too horrible to talk about. So now I just do what they tell me to do. They told me to comment on your thread in Spanish. I don't make the rules.

[discrat]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

You tell me if I'm crazy.

Late last night I sent out "thank you for being a subscriber" email to my list, and offered them a free gift in appreciation. This is something I do now and then, because I really do appreciate them and I want them to know that.

On the download page for the gift I included a very hard to refuse offer. Ten products for ten bucks. The ten products are ten ebook I wrote. They average 20 pages each and cover a variety of topics.

With one ebook I included resale rights, and with another I included private label rights. Three were personal use only and the other five had giveaway rights.

When I got up this morning I had over $1,800.00 in fresh money in my Paypal account. At just ten dollars a sale, that's 180 sales, and the orders are still pouring in. I'm expecting to double or triple that before it's done because I know there will be another flood of orders tonight when people get off work and check their email.

You might think it's crazy selling 10 products for 10 bucks, but I get more than money for doing it.

1. I build up a LOT of good will.

2. The resale rights product has a back end sale built into it, so I'll get sales from the sales my customers make.

3. All of the products have back end sales built into them, so I'll get more sales from my customers.

4. Five of the ebooks have give away rights, so a lot of people are going to be helping spread my site around, and of course I'll get back end sales from these as well.

5. Many of the buyers are first time buyers from me. When they see the quality, they'll be more likely to buy in the future. I can't emphasize enough how important getting that "ice breaker" sale from a new customers is.

6. My reputation is only enhanced as someone who gives a lot of value, and the generosity of the offer really sets me apart from the crowd.

7. It builds trust, even with people that don't buy.

Now, I don't usually talk about my income because it's not your business, and I'm not trying to brag now because it really isn't all that much. I wanted to illustrate one thing...it's all about giving first, and then giving real value when you make your sales offers.

What do you think, am I crazy?

Good stuff, Dennis !! Thanks for sharing and making the Warrior Forum a better place for learning and sharing!!

[Andy Money]

Very nice work, gotta love email marketing.

[Zanti]

Hey Dennis, You're as crazy as a fox. Love the detail in your post. I'm working on something similar now. Your info has helped me a great deal.

Brian

[Emily Meeks]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Well, that was unexpected. Someone just PM'd me wanting to buy my mailing list.

It's not for sale, so don't ask.

There's only one phrase for that... EPIC FAIL LOL.

(What point was the OP trying to make? Build a relationship! "Can I buy your relationships?" WTFBBQ)

Anywho...

I really appreciate this post. You should ALWAYS concentrate on building value, even to those who don't buy. Just because somebody didn't buy your first, second, or even third product doesn't mean they aren't learning from you... and who knows, they may just buy something from you/something you recommend...

[LilBlackDress]

Nice job Dennis.

I would love to know how large your list is to get such a nice conversion but I know that is not right to ask. So I won't.

But awesome job!

[KaseyJones]

yup, i'm always a sucker for good deals and bonuses... you have a really good strategy for making customers happy, i'll try to implement this myself

[WD Mino]

Hi D,

Well that is just the way it is when you are the way you are people know your genuine and that can be a great motivator on it's own aside from the fact your products are always well done so it was a no brainer for them. Just another thing i admire about you thanks for sharing it I don't see it as bragging I don't think your crazy I think you know your customer know the need and act accordingly.
Cheers my friend
-WD

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Marc Rodill

What is your conversion rate like?

As a percentage of my list or of those who go to the thank you page?

Originally Posted by moneysoapbox

There's only one phrase for that... EPIC FAIL LOL.

(What point was the OP trying to make? Build a relationship! "Can I buy your relationships?" WTFBBQ)

LOL - Exactly! Not to mention his emails would be spam to them. They wouldn't be responsive to that at all.

I really appreciate this post. You should ALWAYS concentrate on building value, even to those who don't buy. Just because somebody didn't buy your first, second, or even third product doesn't mean they aren't learning from you... and who knows, they may just buy something from you/something you recommend...

Exactly. I had one guy call and tell me he'd been a subscriber for years and this was the first time he'd bought anything. He actually called for another reason, but that was part of the conversation.

I see so many posts here that ask about technique or how-to info, I thought it might be instructive to know sales and success do not have to be based in the best copywriting, or slick packaging, or anything except value, accountability, and relationships.

[Charann Miller]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Well, that was unexpected. Someone just PM'd me wanting to buy my mailing list.

It's not for sale, so don't ask.

Why won't you sell it to me??

Hehehehe, kidding, I can see why they'd want to buy it off you though.

A beautifully executed plan Dennis, thanks for sharing.

[thetrafficaddict]

Brilliant strategy man!

A lot of people don't do the whole 'over delivering' thing and that's why they don't see $1,800 days.

Not only did you build a lot of trust with your subscribers, you also got 180 new paying customers. These are people that just bought from you, and you know that they are receptive to offers now.

[Dennis Gaskill]

One thing I noticed I forgot to say, I did mention the ten for ten sale in my email, so it wasn't like I sprung a surprise on them. I just didn't give many details about it. They had to get that from the thank you page.

@WD - Thanks for the kind words, Will.

Originally Posted by thetrafficaddict

Brilliant strategy man!

A lot of people don't do the whole 'over delivering' thing and that's why they don't see $1,800 days.

Not only did you build a lot of trust with your subscribers, you also got 180 new paying customers. These are people that just bought from you, and you know that they are receptive to offers now.

Thanks. Two quick points regarding your post: not all the customers are new. I don't know the percentage of new vs established customers. The other thing is that it's better than an $1800 day, that's where it was when I started this thread.

I guess there is one other point that offers a good lesson...my customers' taught me this strategy, all I did was pay attention.

How?

When I first started sending out appreciation gifts I noticed my sales always picked up immediately. So I figured adding a special offer to the gift page would be even better, and it was. It's cool what we can learn just by paying attention!

[freedomguy]

Thanks a bunch Dennis!

A whole list-marketing course in a single post, don't you just love this forum.

John

[Gary King]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Well, that was unexpected. Someone just PM'd me wanting to buy my mailing list.

It's not for sale, so don't ask.

Hey Dennis, could I have a review copy then please?
.
.
.
.

(yes, just kidding)

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Gary King

Hey Dennis, could I have a review copy then please?
.
.
.
.

(yes, just kidding)

No problem, Gary. There is a one million dollar deposit required just in case you don't return it in the same good shape you received it.

[uzomaeze]

the power of a list, the good thing about this business of yours is that you had the list working for you, this is cool, I love the idea of building a list from scratch, another thing is not to keep your list idle, because an idle list is a devil workshop

[Hanz]

Great work!!! Definitely inspiring!

[Shaun Lee]

Nice, that's like selling your email (not the list, just that one email) for $1800.

-Shaun

[Maddi]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Well, that was unexpected. Someone just PM'd me wanting to buy my mailing list.

It's not for sale, so don't ask.

Lmao For real?

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

You prove a great point here Dennis. Provide Value and Care for your list and let the Law of Reciprocity do its work

Good stuff

[mpx305]

Dennis,

Thanks for a real example of how to take care of your subscribers. Whenever I get my own list, this is how I want to do things.

Mario

[mikkosant]

Provide value and you will be rewarded...eventually. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cheers

[Lina T]

Just goes to show that if your heart and your intentions are in the right place, things will work out for you - sometimes success comes from beyond a formulaic way of doing things - you often can't factor heart and good will into a formula, but in my opinion, it is required for the type of success that is actually gratifying.

Congrats!

[Ehanson]

Just goes to show you how far a simple thank you takes you.

Helping people (genuinely helping people)will make money in the long run. You already had the subscribers of course but they joined your list because you're helping them get what they want.

Crazy like a fox, nicely done.

[entrepreneurjay]

Awesome your a smart man thats a good chunk of change and it will keep coming in. Hopefully you have affiliate links in your E-Books for when they go viral you can make a small fortune!

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Nathan Segal

From what I can see, what you did is a bit reminiscent of Frank Kern's 4 Day Cash Machine. Not the same, but a similar idea.

Nice going.

Nathan, it is different, but I did try to simplify my email in that style. I think the results were pretty good, so I'll probably try it again.

Originally Posted by Maddi

Lmao For real?

Good stuff

Maddi, I'm not sure if you were asking if someone really asked to buy my list or if my list really isn't for sale, but the answer is yes, someone did PM me about it and that PM is still in my Inbox; and no, the list is really not for sale.

Originally Posted by mpx305

Dennis,

Thanks for a real example of how to take care of your subscribers. Whenever I get my own list, this is how I want to do things.

Mario

Mario, treating people right goes a long way toward building the kind of relationships that lead to success, online or offline. The way I treat my subscribers is more a result of my approach to life than it is because I'm a smart marketer.

Originally Posted by rckstr27

Just goes to show that if your heart and your intentions are in the right place, things will work out for you - sometimes success comes from beyond a formulaic way of doing things - you often can't factor heart and good will into a formula, but in my opinion, it is required for the type of success that is actually gratifying.

Congrats!

Absolutely. While there are commonalities to success, there are also things that make the path to success unique for each of us. Finding that path is the tricky part, but if your heart is in the right place I believe it helps -- big time.

Originally Posted by Ehanson

Just goes to show you how far a simple thank you takes you.

Helping people (genuinely helping people)will make money in the long run. You already had the subscribers of course but they joined your list because you're helping them get what they want.

Crazy like a fox, nicely done.

Good point. Years ago I read something by Zig Ziglar that I'll paraphrase here, "You can get anything you want in life if you'll help enough others get what they want."

That struck me as a truism when I read it, and I try to remember that every day. That's one of the reasons I post a lot here.

To everyone else, you're welcome for any inspiration you are able to draw from this thread. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Create your own success story now!

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by entrepreneurjay

Awesome your a smart man thats a good chunk of change and it will keep coming in. Hopefully you have affiliate links in your E-Books for when they go viral you can make a small fortune!

Jay, there are a few affiliate links in a couple of them, but all the ebooks promote one or two of my own products. I've already started receiving sales from them.

[SullyUI]

I don't think it's crazy to be generous with your offers at all, as you can see it's not only lucrative but it builds a good reputation for you. Definitely worth the effort.

[Lisa Gergets]

Dennis, generosity will get you everywhere...

[mikemcmillan]

Party at Dennis' house tomorrow from 10pm-3am. Free beer! No opt-in required!

[George Wright]

Originally Posted by mikemcmillan

Party at Dennis' house tomorrow from 10pm-3am. Free beer! No opt-in required!

I'm in!

George Wright

[Richnana]

Great tactic. The best part is that these ebooks took your time once but you can profit from them over and over again. It doesn't matter that the books only costs $10.00 your subscribers felt they were getting a good value for their money. The real secret is that you have enough subscribers to make that type of money.

Only goes to prove that the money really is in the list. You can do this over and over again with more products

[Brian Tayler]

Way to go Dennis. Awesome success.

[Deepak Media]

It took you years to make $1800 in 12 hours! and there are people who make millions in a matter of hours

When we look at a tree, the giant root structure below the soil is not as obvious as the tree above it. And same for tall sky scrapers... there is a deep foundation beneath it.

It is obvious that you have laid the foundation already!

Good luck for your future!

[InternetMarketingIQ]

That's good. But it's the frequency of income that matters.

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by mikemcmillan

Party at Dennis' house tomorrow from 10pm-3am. Free beer! No opt-in required!

No problem! I should warn you though, that little puppy in my avatar got a bug and spent the weekend sick at both ends. The last couple days haven't been real pleasant around here. She's seems to be getting better after we got some med for her today, but the rule is, whoever is closest to her if an accident happens gets to clean up.

Hey George, you still in?

Originally Posted by Richnana

Great tactic. The best part is that these ebooks took your time once but you can profit from them over and over again.

That's one of the reason I don't seek web design business anymore, I only take new clients through referrals, and only then if it's something I want to do. With web design you create one product and make one sale. You can pick up a little recurring income from hosting and updates, but I never cared for the maintenance part of it, and some clients are just pests and difficult to deal with. In my experience, with ebooks you get repeat sales that add up to more money in the long run.

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Deepak Media

It took you years to make $1800 in 12 hours! and there are people who make millions in a matter of hours

I'm working on it!

Originally Posted by InternetMarketingIQ

That's good. But it's the frequency of income that matters.

Yes, true. But with a well-established list and a good relationship with the subscribers, it is very much repeatable. While my "thank you" special offer is an occasional thing, earning this kind of money from this list is a regular thing. Like I said, I didn't post numbers to brag, but to give a real life example of the value of giving first, and then of building exceptional value into your offers.

[Sue McDonald]

Well done. The old saying "the money in the list" but what you do need is to foster that relationship and who doesn't like to be given a free gift but only if it has some value to your subscribers.

[armadin]

That's really great stuff Dennis, really happy for your victory on this , just goes to show how well customers will take care of you when you take care of them.

Let me tell you also, making 1800 in 12 hrs is no small feat, and sure people do make millions in 12 hours too but that is not the point, whatever amount of money you make from your work that makes you happy and earns you a good living is a total win in life.

Gratz again and thank you for sharing it here Dennis.

[GaryJBloomer]

Dear Dennis,

You da man!

Seriously though. A really great example of give to get.

Nicely done and thank you for sharing your thinking.

Kind regards, —Gary B.

[Morriskl]

adding it to my notepad for future reference
Thanks for sharing. ( this has boosted my spirits up )

[A Bary]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

Well, that was unexpected. Someone just PM'd me wanting to buy my mailing list.

It's not for sale, so don't ask.

This is really pathetic..

This person either didn't read or didn't understand your post...

You made money because you treated your list well, how did he expect you to abuse your list by selling their emails to someone else

Anyways, this is a good sharing, I wish everybody else tries to brag about his/her earning learn from you and post something of value like you did...