Competing With The Master Cleanse

10 replies
I know competition is normal online and in internet marketing, but how do you determine whether you can really compete against a certain market?

The one I am specifically talking about is the Master Cleanse market.

You see, through someone close to me, who is relatively well known and trained and spent time in the shaolin temple, I have access to the "original" master cleanse recipe, the one that has been used for centuries, not 50 years like the one that is currently being sold.

And this one included much more DETAIL and backing. There are major variations between this one and the "Master Cleanse". There are specific details the master cleanse misses about the whole cleanse, and the one I have access to has specific details to it. Including some things that contradict the master cleanse version.

(I showed him the copy from online and he laughed. Pointing out the issues with it, and right away I went wow, that makes total sense. The details in this one compared to the master cleanse are not even in the same league.) And I would have documented proof of this version working, from various students of his, and him and his wife (He has been using it for over 20 years, and I can tell you this version works, quickly.)

I guess what I am asking, given the specific market, is it doable? I understand given the powerhold that specific recipe has online it will be tough to overcome, but if you were me would you do it?

Sylvia
#cleanse #competing #master
  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Tani
    Interesting!

    I'm quite familiar with the popular version of the Master Cleanse and have even tried it myself a few times (I still get sick thinking of the salt water part).

    I would think that you *can* compete, but you'd have to make it very very clear that this is different from the widely available Master Cleanse. Maybe even give it a new name. Highlight the ways that it is different and/or how certain aspects of the Master Cleanse are harmful/wrong/whatever.

    But I think that the Master Cleanse as-is is so widely available for free that you'd really have to differentiate yourself.

    Love,
    Shannon
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  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    I would not care about existing competition. You can get a program that has a value add, and you can also work out a business model where the plan is free, but you have affiliate links to the supplies. The only concern I have is liability. This country is full of lawyers waiting to take a chunk out of you. Make sure you have carefully considered your exposure here. I'm not saying don't do it, just make sure you do it right and your liability is limited. Consider creating an LLC for this effort.

    TomG.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Shannon,

    That was my thoughts, it would for sure need a different name, or at least a way to determine it is very different from the one available all over the place.

    Unfortunately LOL the saltwater is still a part of the diet (wish it wasn't LOL) but there are also added things that make that part not so sickening (I threw it up the first time I tried the Master Cleanse just couldn't stomach it, and like you just the thought makes me cringe).

    So maybe market it to the same demographics, just give them the knowledge it isn't the same old recipe? Pretty much my thoughts on it too.

    Thanks for your feedback,
    Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Tom,
    One benefit I have is I'm not American LOL. I do understand what you are saying though, and would very much take that into consideration, liability wasn't even something I had thought of.

    Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Tani
    Another angle is to market to a long-life crowd. I don't know if that's who you're thinking about when you say the normal demographics for the Master Cleanse (cuz I usually think of the MC as for people who want to lose weight, despite all the claims to the contrary).

    I recently saw a product that I can't find now that was marketed toward the long-life crowd. Was a combination of diet, exercise "ancient Chinese secrets", but I can't find it now.

    Examples of these people would be the ones that follow Linda Goodman (who claimed immortality, even though she "died"---or did she?) or I used to have another book about the "Lost Teachings of Atlantis".
    Love,
    Shannon
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    I was thinking the weight loss crowd, but the live long life one would work too. Considering the source is in his 60's and looks maybe 40, just had a brand new baby with his wife as well...Hmmm ideas ideas LOL.

    Thanks,
    Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author ozduc
    Originally Posted by Sylvia Rolfe View Post

    And I would have documented proof of this version working, from various students of his, and him and his wife (He has been using it for over 20 years, and I can tell you this version works, quickly.)

    Sylvia
    What do you mean by this version working?
    I take it by your next post where you said,
    "Unfortunately LOL the saltwater is still a part of the diet"
    You are referring to the fact his students have lost weight while doing the cleanse.
    If so I think you should re-think how you plan to market this. After all the whole concept of the Master cleanse is to flush the system of toxins. It is not really a "diet". Loosing weight is just a side affect that some people have from doing the cleanse, however most of them put the weight right back on after returning to normal eating.
    If you want to promote it as a diet you should really have a good follow up plan in place that goes for at least a year with maybe some mini cleanses every few months to keep people on track. Perhaps you could set up a membership site where you have a forum for the members to interact and then feed them content every week, including meal plans, snacks to eat etc etc. You could probably charge a minimal fee for this say $7-17 a month and have a pretty good customer retention rate if you provided good support for the members
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  • Profile picture of the author Marhelper
    I used to own a site thecompletecleanse DOT com. I tried like crazy to unseat the big boys like Master Cleanse and then woke up and realized that I would be better off going after less competitive sites/niches ... I then flipped the site for decent money (I do not regret my choice).
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    ozduc, I meant from both the detox side as well as the weight loss side. The students regularly use it to keep themselves in weight catergories etc for training. But the whole membership idea is still a really good one, thanks for the idea.

    Marhelper,
    I know it's a very hard market to crack which is why I'm trying to get feedback. Maybe different angle to promote it to, as I know it is a profitable idea, if done right.

    Sylvia
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    • Profile picture of the author Marhelper
      Originally Posted by Sylvia Rolfe View Post

      Marhelper,
      I know it's a very hard market to crack which is why I'm trying to get feedback. Maybe different angle to promote it to, as I know it is a profitable idea, if done right.
      Sylvia
      I agree with you. It is very profitable and if you find a way to get in there you will do very well.
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