Lessons Learned From My First WSO

13 years ago

A couple of comments about your post...

1. Your being known on the forum is a good thing, but an email blast to subscribers would have been a better thing. If you had a list started, even a small one, you could have sent invitations to the WSO's launch. That would help kick start your sales and social proof. If you don't have a list started, then get on that right away.

2. Believe me, I come from a news background and I know the importance of headlines. It would be safe to say that a headline is just as or more important as the content of your post. If they don't click, then your content is never read. With that being said, hype isn't necessarily needed to sell a good product. Sometimes a clear no BS statement works much better than any hype that you could throw out there. I have tested many headlines with WSOs and detailed descriptions usually beat out hype.

3. Social proof is indeed necessary. You should have launched with social proof in place.

One added note... you talk like this was a one time thing. You can always amend your listing and bump it. You could even start a new thread. Make sure you use the lessons that you have learned and keep on going. Congrats for getting out there... now stay out there!

[ 4 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3343392].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose

One added note... you talk like this was a one time thing. You can always amend your listing and bump it. You could even start a new thread. Make sure you use the lessons that you have learned and keep on going. Congrats for getting out there... now stay out there!

Thanks for weighing in on this, Brian.

No, it's not a one time thing, and I do plan on bumping once I get a few reviews. I just posted this because:

I wanted others to learn from my mistakes, and
Hopefully I'd learn a few more things from warriors like yourself!

Will

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3343454].message }}

Steve Solem

13 years ago

Hey Will - thanks for sharing your WSO advice here.

I ran my frist WSO back in June of last year and here are a few things I learned that I know really helped me.

1) I bought every WSO about running a successful WSO I could find and tried to apply as much of the great advice that I could.

2) I did my research to see what competition I was up against so I could be sure to make my offer stand out.

3) I tried to be as transparent as possible and give people every reason to trust me. I used my real name as my username and told people who I was and why I was qualified to be selling the info I was offering.

4) I produced a video detailing EVERYTHING that was included in my WSO and tried to answer as many questions about it as possible before they came up in the thread. This won't work for some WSOs where you're selling a "secret" system or idea, but I was selling marketing materials with PLR so this worked well for me.

5) I asked a few trusted warriors if they would review my materials about a week or so before I planned to launch. All were super generous and helpful in sharing comments that I used as testimonials and they provided critical feedback to help me make my offer even better.

6) I sold the first few copies at a great price and raised it gradually as more copies were sold. This helped get things off the ground and keep the momentum going as purchasers posted reviews.

7) I offered a great money back guarantee, even though I started selling my WSO at under ten bucks.

8) The absolute best thing I did though, was model my WSO after a hugely successful WSO running at the time which taught me to do all of the above!

Hope you and anyone else thinking about a WSO find this helpful!

Steve

[ 4 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Need Offline Leads? Get them more easily with two great Lead Gen reports and 65 pages of quality PLR PLUS flyers, postcards and other marketing materials. Starting at under $5!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3343538].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve Solem

6) I sold the first few copies at a great price and raised it gradually as more copies were sold. This helped get things off the ground and keep the momentum going as purchasers posted reviews.
Steve

Thanks, Steve!

I actually thought about doing that and now wish that I had. It looks like a great way to build excitement.

Will

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3343554].message }}

Nick Brighton

13 years ago

Originally Posted by 1960Texan

Hype the headline. For the record, I don't like hype, but recognize that it's sometimes important when you're trying to get people to click on what you're offering. My headline was too tame, and should have reflected the genuine excitement I felt when I released my product.

Sorry, but this kind of advice to others will have a ripple effect. The last thing we need in the WSO forum is more hype.

I know you probably don't mean the kinda hype I refer to, but most folks will take your advice as a signal to add to the BS that infests and pollutes that forum on a daily basis.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3344008].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Nick Brighton

[/LIST]
Sorry, but this kind of advice to others will have a ripple effect. The last thing we need in the WSO forum is more hype.

I know you probably don't mean the kinda hype I refer to, but most folks will take your advice as a signal to add to the BS that infests and pollutes that forum on a daily basis.

I probably should have used a more appropriate word than "hype." What I meant is that my headline lacked the excitement that I felt about the product. As headlines go it was about as dull as you can get.

Will

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3344341].message }}

paulie888

13 years ago

Originally Posted by 1960Texan

Thanks, Steve!

I actually thought about doing that and now wish that I had. It looks like a great way to build excitement.

Will

Will, if you use WSO Pro for your payments, you'll be able to implement this pricing strategy much easier. You can specify how much the price changes after a certain quantity is sold, and this is all automated so you don't have to change the prices manually.

Paul

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

[WSO] Secrets To Making $100/Day In 21 Days Or Less - Starting From Scratch!

>>> Features Jason Fladlien, John S. Rhodes, Justin Brooke, Sean I. Mitchell, Reed Floren and Brad Gosse! <<<

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3346145].message }}

vok

13 years ago

Originally Posted by paulie888

Will, if you use WSO Pro for your payments, you'll be able to implement this pricing strategy much easier. You can specify how much the price changes after a certain quantity is sold, and this is all automated so you don't have to change the prices manually.

Paul

Just out of interest, can you use your own custom buy button with WSO Pro or do you have to use the buy button provided?

Chris

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3346481].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by paulie888

Will, if you use WSO Pro for your payments, you'll be able to implement this pricing strategy much easier. You can specify how much the price changes after a certain quantity is sold, and this is all automated so you don't have to change the prices manually.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. I almost went with WSO Pro this time, based on the endorsements alone.

Originally Posted by Barry Davis

Plus, putting your WSO in your sig (see below) helps a lot. I noticed you don't have a sig at all.Barry

Thanks, Barry. I've been turning off my sig for this thread...didn't want anyone to think I had found a sneaky way to promote my WSO!

Will

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3346869].message }}

Barry Davis 13 years ago

Thanks, Barry. I've been turning off my sig for this thread...didn't want anyone to think I had found a sneaky way to promote my WSO!

Will

I don't think it is being sneaky . Just another way to let people know what's available and promote your product at the same time.

Barry
- Thanks
Signature
Action Organizer
Secret Niche Video Course WSO
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3346884].message }}

clickstrength

13 years ago

Very timely for me -- I'm in the middle of prepping for my first WSO and nearly eschewed social proof, as I'm really anxious to launch. It's one of those things where you know you need it, and you know you should give the warriors you contacted time to properly review the product, but you start to convince yourself that you'll be fine without.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3344346].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

I think my biggest mistake was launching without social proof...if you can wait until you have at least 2 or 3 reviews it would probably make a huge difference.

Will

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3344360].message }}

Hanz

13 years ago

Originally Posted by 1960Texan

Next time I won't make the following mistakes:

Get over yourself. I've been a forum member for a while, made a few friends, received a couple of thanks, and I thought my standing among my fellow warriors would be a nice jump-start to the launch of my WSO. Nope! Which leads me to the next two points:
Hype the headline. For the record, I don't like hype, but recognize that it's sometimes important when you're trying to get people to click on what you're offering. My headline was too tame, and should have reflected the genuine excitement I felt when I released my product.
Not so fast! Another important component of a successful launch is social proof. I've got a few trusted warriors looking at the material, and I should have had the patience to let them finish looking it over and get back to me before launching. Instead, I let my excitement get the best of me and launched it cold. Never underestimate the power of a review.

I realize that I'm effectively espousing humility in #1 and advocating braggadocio in #2, but I guess there's a time and place for everything.

In any case, I'm glad for the experience. How about the rest of you? What mistakes have you made? What will you do differently next time?

Will

I also usually launch WSOs completely cold with no reviews whatsoever and it doesn't seem to make a bit of difference. But that usually depends on the type of product you're marketing. A make-money product definitely needs reviews before people will be convinced. But a product like an eBook with resell rights doesn't require reviews based on my experience.

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

All The Hottest eBooks, Graphics, Software, Videos, Audios, SEO Reports & Articles You Want with PLR ~ New Products Added Daily in Super Hot Niches! ~ Sign Up to PLR Assassin Today

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3344478].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Hanz

I also usually launch WSOs completely cold with no reviews whatsoever and it doesn't seem to make a bit of difference. But that usually depends on the type of product you're marketing. A make-money product definitely needs reviews before people will be convinced. But a product like an eBook with resell rights doesn't require reviews based on my experience.

That's interesting. My WSO definitely fit into the "make-money" category. I'm curious though; have you split-tested releasing resell ebooks with and without reviews?

Will

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3344876].message }}

Hanz

13 years ago

Originally Posted by 1960Texan

That's interesting. My WSO definitely fit into the "make-money" category. I'm curious though; have you split-tested releasing resell ebooks with and without reviews?

Will

Actually what I always did was just create a PLR product and add a few links of sample chapters for customers to view in regards to the quality of the product so that they can judge for themselves without needing to rely on reviews.

I then basically just wait for customers to post their questions if they had any and I would address the questions the next morning. But there's a big PLR crowd out in here and they're always looking for fresh new exclusive content. So if they find something which looks ideal based on their needs, they'll grab it, especially considering it's fairly priced.
I always did well with PLR products. There's nothing people like more than buying a decent product AND getting a license to do with it as they wish.

I've definitely split-tested though. But I saw no real difference. Although having a nice set of graphics and limiting copies tends to help when it comes to PLR. Plus a good reputation helps too. If people liked your first product, they'll likely look at your second product, etc.

I also think people have become a little bit skeptical these days in regards to reviews because many folk tend to just pass along a testimonial without actually implementing the steps in a book. How many reviews have you read now which say the same old thing like "This can definitely make you money!" Meanwhile they're only thinking that it can make you money. They didn't actually implement the steps in the book and actually make money, LOL!

The products which will truly thrive are those where customers actually report back with good results. Nobody really cares about the potential of making money with a product. They want to know outright if people are really making money with it. Then you'll get a lot of happy customers.

But as I always wonder as do thousands of other people on here; if a method is making a person so much money, why sell the secrets for $7? I guess maybe some people are just really really nice?

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

All The Hottest eBooks, Graphics, Software, Videos, Audios, SEO Reports & Articles You Want with PLR ~ New Products Added Daily in Super Hot Niches! ~ Sign Up to PLR Assassin Today

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3345411].message }}

1960Texan

13 years ago

^^^^^^
Thanks, Hanz, that's great that you split-tested and saw no discernible difference...and I absolutely agree with you on the quality of some of the reviews.

Will

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3345434].message }}

K_tir

13 years ago

Thanks for your advice!

Thanks

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3345799].message }}

Barry Davis

13 years ago

In most cases, reviews sell the product more than your sales copy. Especially if those reviews come from trusted people on the WF.

Send out review copies prior to launch, and then when you launch write those people with a direct link to your WSO.

Also, if you didn't know, you can edit your headline. When you click on "edit" there is another button for "Advanced Edit." In Advanced mode you can change your headline.

Plus, putting your WSO in your sig (see below) helps a lot. I noticed you don't have a sig at all.

Barry

Thanks

Signature

Action Organizer
Secret Niche Video Course WSO

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3346515].message }}

tehnolife

Banned 13 years ago

Like the others mentioned, you need to make a product for information that people are looking after, have a short copy but at the same time an interesting one(not hyped) , have a great title to catch attention, have a fair price(not too little also), have a few reviews, and the most important "A GREAT PRODUCT" and you will make money for sure.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3347156].message }}

just Zer0

13 years ago

I have never launched a WSO, and in fact have never created a digital product in the form of an ebook or course.

I have however started my first book - it is about Quitting Smoking - and I am going to ask for the Warriors critism upon completion.

But this is actually a quality thread with some very useful knowledge in it and I will certainly be reading it, learning it and keeping an eye on it.

Thanks OP.

I wish you all the best with your future WSO's

Peace and Love,
Zer0

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Zer0: Creative Geniu$.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3347612].message }}

stanislavlem

13 years ago

Thanks for advices! It's great! I also think that social proof does matter!

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3348206].message }}

jamawebinc

13 years ago

Just a couple of comments.

First: I agree with you on Hype. Say what you want, but a headline with Hype works. Of course it matters what you define as hype.

Just look at the WSO Ads that appear and the ones that have the most action. In my opinion they have more hype.

Second: I don't think the people who purchase WSO are necessarily the same ones who write in the message threads.

Reviews seem to count a lot. Even when the price is very little.

It amazes me that a product costing something like $12.95 or $17 or even $10 or $7 gets so many "does it include this?" "Do I need to have this?" questions before people buy.

People probably spend more on candy and coffee during the day without blinking an eye

If you are so worried about wasting $12bucks or it "not being worth $12bucks" even when a guarantee is offered, maybe having an online business is not for you.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

- The Death of Product Launches -

-SEO and Business Building Blueprint -
.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3348271].message }}

mrmanpower

13 years ago

Originally Posted by jamawebinc

Just a couple of comments.

First: I agree with you on Hype. Say what you want, but a headline with Hype works. Of course it matters what you define as hype.

Just look at the WSO Ads that appear and the ones that have the most action. In my opinion they have more hype.

Second: I don't think the people who purchase WSO are necessarily the same ones who write in the message threads.

Reviews seem to count a lot. Even when the price is very little.

It amazes me that a product costing something like $12.95 or $17 or even $10 or $7 gets so many "does it include this?" "Do I need to have this?" questions before people buy.

People probably spend more on candy and coffee during the day without blinking an eye

If you are so worried about wasting $12bucks or it "not being worth $12bucks" even when a guarantee is offered, maybe having an online business is not for you.

I agree with this. get more review copies out and update your offer, ask for comments from buyers too.

Thanks

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3348297].message }}

Ronny Kibet

13 years ago

This are some useful point being pointed out here. Somebody take note of this.

Thanks

Signature

-Subscribe to my free premium wordpress plugin giveaway. SUBSCRIBE NOW

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3352011].message }}

paulie888

13 years ago

Positive reviews definitely count for a lot with WSOs, so try to gather at least a few before launching one next time. Especially if you're new to selling WSOs, prospective buyers will be looking for some kind of validation or proof that that what you're offering is worth buying.

Paul

Thanks

Signature

[WSO] Secrets To Making $100/Day In 21 Days Or Less - Starting From Scratch!

>>> Features Jason Fladlien, John S. Rhodes, Justin Brooke, Sean I. Mitchell, Reed Floren and Brad Gosse! <<<

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3352050].message }}

Lessons Learned From My First WSO

Trending Topics

Clickbank low cost recurring

Been a while! Any of you Old Timers here?

How much does the rebranding affect CR ?

Are billboards still effective in driving customers?

Boat and Jet Ski Rentals...... Door Hangers Effective?