The Most Annoying New Marketing Tool Ever Since The Popup

[Jared Alberghini]

OK, flame me if you wish, but this is my personal opinion on how I feel about the subject, so there is no need for a bunch of 'but it works' replys...

The exit strategy that locks your browser, and FORCES you to read the confusing 'Please Don't Leave, because I am So Desperate' warning that ends you with the thought of... what the hell did that mean? Should I click OK or Cancel...???

Showing desperation is not a good tactic. Neither is trickery.

I simply view this tactic as a website/offer that leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

People aren't as stupid as you think... they know when you are 'Trying Too Hard'.

Be honest, provide value, that's the way to your customer's heart.

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

- Jared

[J.Knight]

Agreed! 100 SQUILLION percent agreed!!

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather earn less money and not annoy people.

I don't mind pop up subscription boxes... they don't bother me at all and the fact is, they work.

But, when I try to exit I've already made the decision I'm leaving, and annoying me is DEFINITELY not going to seal the deal.

JK

P.S. I know people are going to come on here and say, "yeah, but it works". But, is it worth it? I think not.

[Dixiebelle]

Amen, Amen!! And those who say it works are not always right. Trying to get past it will make you never want to return.

If your offer is good, your potential customer will either buy or bookmark your site for later viewing. You don't have to try to hogtie them to your site.

Dixie

[jazzyjeff]

Jared,

I agree, that popup box annoys the hell out of me too. It usually has a discount offer in the box when you click on the back button. Why not just offer the discount right on the page instead of that popup gimmick?

Jeff

[ninja newbie]

You guys are right on point with this one. I freakin hate when that happens, and it seems to spreading quite rapidly. Who says that it works, I think it flat out sucks. Yeah, thanks Jared for pointing that out, I'm with you all the way on this one brotha.

Terry

[Li Weng]

What makes it worse is that after that "virtual smart agent" tells you about this 10% special discount, and you go back, only to find that there is actually NO discount at all. Now I don't know how this works, but to me it's false advertising! And it devalues the entire product/program.

[BIG Mike]

Along with all of the other recent, "I hate" threads , I think that you are confusing your personal preferences with managing and promoting a business effectively. What we individually prefer is often a stark contrast to what we actually do when it comes to business.

There are many things I dislike or find annoying as an individual browsing the web and looking for things to spend my money on. What you’ve mentioned in your OP is one of those – it’s mildly annoying, although not more than 2 clicks away from removing the annoyance.

That said, the businessman in me however, has to look at this differently. With the growing prevalence of these types of systems, I have to ask the questions, "Are they working? Do they merit some of my time researching them further and reaching a decision to test their effectiveness?"

Similarly, the developer in me is saying, "Whoa – cool!" and asking myself how I could do it bigger and better. Are there elements of the methodology I could use in other ways?

Emotionalism and personal feelings really have no place in business management. Allowing your individual preferences to drive your business practices is based on the assumption that all of your customers have the same preferences as you do. Not likely.

Incidentally, I don’t use that particular system, although I have something on the drawing board that more closely meets my particular needs.

Getting back to my first paragraph above, I made those comments for this reason – in looking at the title of this particular forum, I’m reading:

Main Internet Marketing Discussion Forum (358 Viewing)
Where We Talk About Making Money

It seems to me that a bunch of folks are interpreting the forum’s purpose as, “Where we rant about marketing and the tactics that piss us off”. Instead of bitching about the methods being used, personally, I find it more productive to discuss them objectively and identify the strengths/weaknesses of them.

For those with clear potential for increasing sales, traffic, exposure, etc., I think they merit testing at the very least – without testing, you will never know if your personal preferences statistically reflect those of your visitors and customers.

[melanied]

They must be effective, because so many people are using them, but I do have to say - as a consumer, I've never fallen victim to one and they annoy me greatly!

And I'm a person who doesn't even mind Pop Ups, as long as they're not TOO obtrusive and only promote your newsletter! haha.

[Jared Alberghini]

Hey Mike... Thanks very much for the well thought out & valuable reply.

- Jared

[FrankRumbauskas]

This tactic is very effective. I measured a significant increase in OTO conversions after implementing it. And far fewer "I clicked on the wrong link, can you send it to me again?" support tickets.

I think it's beneficial for the customer because many really do click on the wrong link when they meant to order. This allows them to go back and get it right.

[kettlewell]

I personally hate them -- but from a business perspective it makes absolute 100% sense.

I believe its Mike Filsaime that said if a visitor is leaving your site from an offer, they aren't coming back - so do what you have to to make the sale - even if it's at a discount, it's more than you get if they leave the site.

I think Mike (from post above) is right - personal preferences and business practice aren't always the same. I despise all popups, yet I use them on my sites to build an email list.


Matt

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by Jared Alberghini

OK, flame me if you wish, but this is my personal opinion on how I feel about the subject, so there is no need for a bunch of 'but it works' replys...

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

Seems to me you only want replies that agree with your opinion.

John

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by melanied

They must be effective, because so many people are using them

Sadly, that kind of thinking has got lots of people into
self inflicted trouble.

There are lots of lemmings in this business.. people who
will blindly implement something because everyone else
is doing it.

The only way you can know that something is effective
is to test it in your own environment.

John

[Jared Alberghini]

Originally Posted by kettlewell

I personally hate them -- but from a business perspective it makes absolute 100% sense.

I believe its Mike Filsaime that said if a visitor is leaving your site from an offer, they aren't coming back - so do what you have to to make the sale - even if it's at a discount, it's more than you get if they leave the site.

I think Mike (from post above) is right - personal preferences and business practice aren't always the same. I despise all popups, yet I use them on my sites to build an email list.


Matt

Thanks Matt, that's exactly why I said it's my preference/opinion/whatever, not to get a 'but it works' conflict going...

I am not my own customer. My preferences should not inhibit the practices that I dislike, especially those that prove results.

You need to step outside of yourself, and think like your customer thinks.

I can't stand this confusing exit/browser locking technique, but then again I couldn't stand popups back in the day before pop-up-blockers... but hey... there wouldn't have been pop-ups in the first place if they didn't work.

- Jared

[Jared Alberghini]

Originally Posted by John Taylor

Sadly, that kind of thinking has got lots of people into
self inflicted trouble.

There are lots of lemmings in this business.. people who
will blindly implement something because everyone else
is doing it.

The only way you can know that something is effective
is to test it in your own environment.

John

Hey John... I just jumped off this bridge and it's a hoot... you wanna be next?

P.S. You beat me to the next point I was going to make with this thread...

- Jared

[Ebbi]

Originally Posted by FrankRumbauskas

This tactic is very effective. I measured a significant increase in OTO conversions after implementing it. And far fewer "I clicked on the wrong link, can you send it to me again?" support tickets.

I think it's beneficial for the customer because many really do click on the wrong link when they meant to order. This allows them to go back and get it right.

Here I agree!
When the visitor has already become a member it's okey to use these
methods to keep them happy and of course make more money.

But this pop up screen stuff on the sales page is driving me crazy!
It's better now because I only use Google Chrome.

When these don't leave now windows start Google Chrome doesn't load
anything until you say it's okay! The buttons are not OK and Cancel but
Leave this page and Stay on this page.

Not trying to trick you into clicking on cancel

Ebbi
p.s. I personally don't like them, will I use it for one of my websites in the
future.... I can't answer that

[DougBarger]

I've actually got a solution already in development that does something similar but is not annoying so it's good to hear perceptions on what's soon to be the 'old way'.

[SolomonHuey]

The bottom line is that they do work, and you shouldn't be upset for being sold something, especially as a marketer. I don't see how increasing sales can be interpreted as being desperate, it completely makes sense from a business standpoint.

As a customer...yes I absolutely hate those exit prompts (or whatever they're called). But the marketer inside of me can't hate the website owner for using them. It's just another opportunity to learn something new.

Solomon Huey

[Joseph Then]

Instead of saying "I hate this", "I hate that", why not do a TEST to see if it works for your business?

[fred67]

I must be strange as I'm quite happy to have pop-ups invade my privacy. Just so long as I can exit them at will.

The most 'criminal' pop-ups are those that freeze your browser & 'force' you to look at the page until it's ready to allow access again, (or I pull the plug from my computer). I really don't understand the mentality of 'any' marketer who uses them, it HAS to be counter-productive.

Probably the most annoying marketing ploy from my standpoint is; the 'multiple' OTO.
It's bad enough that 'after' you purchase something you really want, that you then get directed to a OTO. But when you get re-directed to 'three or four' after making a purchase it drives you to wanting an instant refund.
YES! INSTANT REFUND!

So be warned all you 'multiple' ONO practitioners out there :-(

Pete.

[NormanSP]

Totally agree Jared. When I try to leave the page it's because I have no further interest in what the site has to offer. I don't need anything blocking my way out.

[RC7000]

What is the point in this thread - the method work and has been proven to work.

[Kamran]

From a customer point of view, I hate it
From a seller point of view, i do not want annoyed customers, if they didn't like my product by reading my sales page, then they better not be my customer

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by melanied

They must be effective, because so many people are using them, but I do have to say - as a consumer, I've never fallen victim to one and they annoy me greatly!

And I'm a person who doesn't even mind Pop Ups, as long as they're not TOO obtrusive and only promote your newsletter! haha.

The fact that so many people use them only means that the developer sold a lot of copies, or sold a few copies and had them escape to the wild.

Frank found an application that works for him - on an OTO page - where, if the person clicks away, they really do lose an opportunity. He didn't mention whether he offers a discount or simply a warning that it really is a one-time offer. I'm guessing it's the latter...

If I chose to use this technique (and I might, someday, in the right situation), I would use the full technique.

Someone mentioned discount offers with no actual discount. Those folks are trying to cheap out by using a simple javascript alert rather then the full script which does actually alter the sale price.

For me, the bottom line on any specific tactic is how well it meets two criteria:

-Does it serve my client's/customer's/prospect's best interest?
(I want repeat sales.)
-Does it work in my situation, based on my testing?
(The numbers don't lie.)

[Christopher R Everson]

It works.

To the tune of increasing my bottom line on some sites 10% or more.

That's monstrous.

The same way those annoying opt-in popups net almost 25% of my subscribers on some pages.

That's monstrous.

And when the next mildly annoying tool comes out that increases my front end, back end, or bottom line, you better believe I'll buy it!

It's all about testing.

[OnlineMasterMind]

Originally Posted by Jared Alberghini

OK, flame me if you wish, but this is my personal opinion on how I feel about the subject, so there is no need for a bunch of 'but it works' replys...

The exit strategy that locks your browser, and FORCES you to read the confusing 'Please Don't Leave, because I am So Desperate' warning that ends you with the thought of... what the hell did that mean? Should I click OK or Cancel...???

Showing desperation is not a good tactic. Neither is trickery.

I simply view this tactic as a website/offer that leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

People aren't as stupid as you think... they know when you are 'Trying Too Hard'.

Be honest, provide value, that's the way to your customer's heart.

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

- Jared

I was gonna comment here, but wow... I thought Big Mike's comments are all RIGHT ON TARGET.

This OTO can be responsible for anywhere b/w 20-60% of total sales! (I know firsthand)

Well said Mike.

I don't mean to flame you Jared but your comments clearly reflect those of a consumer, not a marketer.

[GeorgR.]

i dont care whether they increase sales, i know this is fricking marketing forum.
This is the most annoying, obscene, customer-un-friendly plague which should be BANNED by google and all those sites should be eradicated from the SERPs forever and punished with $7 minimum bids on AdWords.

Its still me who decides when to enter and EXIT a web site....and i cant stand those scripts screwing up my navigation with their "fake chat room ladies" popping up at exit.

Customers should not want to leave your site w/o buying in the first place. Instead of installing this #&%$! of a script better go over your sales pages and improve there, instead of depending on an exit catcher to "turn" your customers around and make them buy when they already decided to leave.

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

instead of depending on an exit catcher to "turn" your customers around and make them buy when they already decided to leave.

If they are leaving, they ain't customers.

Personally, I don't like them and, as a personal preference,
I don't use them at the moment.

However, I have tested them and, in the vast majority of
circumstances, the sales conversion rate increased.

If you were managing a business on behalf of shareholders,
it's your duty to maximise the return on investment.

Try thinking like a business person instead of thinking like
a consumer.

John

[Loren Woirhaye]

They personally annoy me but I have tested the VSA
and seen it increase opt-ins.

Haven't had hate-e-mail about it either.

[ExRat]

Hi,

These things have a habit of working themselves out. Market forces rule. If they're too much, or become ineffective, they'll disappear. Then something else will replace them. If they continue to work, they'll stay.

If it's the trait of a good marketer to view all things in terms of ROI and make decisions via testing, then it's also the trait of a good business person to not get too concerned about things that don't affect their ability to be productive and profitable - and if you're spending as much time as possible on the right things, you probably won't come across these annoying things too much in the course of your daily activities - unless you're a newb in guru clothing.



Hi Jared,

Be honest, provide value, that's the way to your customer's heart.

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

That's assuming that the ultimate goal is to get to their heart. This is the fickle, fast-changing faceless internet, let's not forget. Some might say that you don't need to go that far - just as far as their wallet. You don't need to get them to fall in love for a good one-night-stand.

[OnlineMasterMind]

by the way...

in my experience a simple one time offer exit pop works better WITHOUT the fake virtual assistant.

They look the same but one just has a message and no one trying to talk to you.

And of course, testing is key.

[essmeier]

I've found that the VSA does work. I use a "fake" cartoon agent who admits upfront that she isn't a real human.

And I make good on whatever I'm offering in the box, be it a discount or a freebie throw-in.

Charlie

[Valdor Kiebach]

that crap virtual sales assistant fake chat popup thing, got to be the worst, I had 1 popup once that was offering a discount of 0.00, i asked it what colour panties it had on and it closed on me.

[tommygadget]

Originally Posted by Christopher R Everson

It works.

To the tune of increasing my bottom line on some sites 10% or more.

That's monstrous.

The same way those annoying opt-in popups net almost 25% of my subscribers on some pages.

That's monstrous.

And when the next mildly annoying tool comes out that increases my front end, back end, or bottom line, you better believe I'll buy it!

It's all about testing.

OK, so your sales letter has one popup for the freebie and a different popup if they leave? Just asking. Oh, and who's exit popup do YOU use?

TomG.

PS - I do find them annoying too, but am willing to test them out

[Hesaidblissfully]

I find them annoying (who doesn't?), but if it keeps a significant number of people in someone's marketing net, why not? Although I don't think I'd use them on my pages as a personal preference.

What I don't get is the fact that I get a discount if I'm about to leave the page, but wouldn't have gotten it if I'd just clicked "buy" straight away.

[Alice Seba]

"It works," responses are usually based on short-term numbers, first time customers. It's tough to measure the long-term effects of such tactics because so many other factors come into play, but it would be interesting to find out.

[Ebbi]

I can't remember where I read this, but a visitor might be
interested in the product without buying it the first time
they enter the sales page. Many people go out and look
for reviews, coupons or just do a simple google search to
see if the product/service is legit.

So saying that a visitor isn't a customer when they leave
the page is correct BUT, Like Alice said you don't know
what the long term effects are of such tactics.

I'm sure many marketers here will agree that they hardly
never buy the service/product the first time they land
on it!

aaaaa.... Now I remember. I read this in some list building
report where it goes into graping the visitors email and
name because most people don't buy until their 4 or 5
visit. I'll try to find this to back up my comment here but
I'm sure fellow warriors have heard or read something like
this before.

Treating visitors that leave your page as non-customers will
do exactly that. Grab the visitors email in a honest, good old
fashion opt-in box and build your list.

"Money is in the list" - It's been true for many years and still
today it's one of the most successful marketing tactics around.

Just look at the BIG company's.. CPA networks have never been
this popular since they begun and it's 80% about getting people
on there list, not annoying them until they do! One simple offer
they can say yes or no too.

Ebbi

[kf]

The Most Annoying New Marketing Tool Ever Since The Popup

Silly me. I thought it was the spoofing of 'x $ in y hrs' threads clogging up the first page.

[Jakehyten]

Seriously those are SO annoying. Is someone supposed to say to themselves after they are tricked into staying on the page

"oh i think ill buy this on second thought!"

[Justin Mandel]

Again, most IM'ers are annoyed by virtual sales lady pop ups because we are all subject to these tactics. But, when these strategies are applied to niche markets outside of IM, then what happens?

Conversions? Yes. In some cases. Which is what the script was made for.

The bottom line as BIG Mike said is that personal preference should play no part in how we market to others.

The only thing that counts is to implement what works - Period.

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by fred67

I must be strange as I'm quite happy to have pop-ups invade my privacy. Just so long as I can exit them at will.

How does that invade your privacy?

[Tony X]

Something to remember too is that just because someone is leaving the sales page doesn't mean they don't want to buy. It could be that they can't afford the product or their skepticism radar is high.

To reduce skepticism slightly and help people afford the product, most, or should I say some of the offers give you some sort of discount or freebie.

It also helps those people who are "on the fence".

That's why they work. They only annoy marketers because it's a marketing tactic. Just like the Opps.. emails or anything other tactic that people whine about.

IMO, test it. That should tell you what your niche thinks about it.

[onlinetreason]

Completely agree with you brother!

[GeorgR.]

Originally Posted by Jakehyten

Seriously those are SO annoying. Is someone supposed to say to themselves after they are tricked into staying on the page

"oh i think ill buy this on second thought!"

thats probably what the creator of the script wants you to believe

[GeorgR.]

Originally Posted by Justin Mandel

Again, most IM'ers are annoyed by virtual sales lady pop ups because we are all subject to these tactics. But, when these strategies are applied to niche markets outside of IM, then what happens?

Conversions? Yes. In some cases. Which is what the script was made for.

The bottom line as BIG Mike said is that personal preference should play no part in how we market to others.

The only thing that counts is to implement what works - Period.

Maybe some are right and their sales ARE incresing 10%-50% AFTER they implemented this /&%!"" even if i dont believe those claims.

As stated above...if the customer is already at THAT point you should tweak somewhere else.

MAYBE you inc. your conversions 20%, but you leave a BAD taste in customer's mouth and (at the end) you gained as much as you lost by losing trust of your customers with such practices.

This just shows big disrespect for customers and also leads to make conclusions in regards to what the vendor in Q. is actually selling.

Methods rather suitable for snakes oil salesmen or "Buy now because in 5 Minutes this awesome offer will expire" - vendors. If i read such sales letters and see this, i do not think that the very same person will sell me a quality product, and i could also tend to believe that the vendor in Question treats his customers w/ disrespect in general.

That's just my personal line i am drawing.

[mjbmedia]

so to vary the line of answers then.

Lets start analysing why they work.

Often a potential customer can be close to buying, thinking yeh I like this product but......its $30 too much or I'll surf a bit more and see if theres anything similar for less etc etc.
Then the OTO comes up bringing it into their price range or just tipping them over the edge into buying mode, slight pyschological issues at work but effective.
Sorry Jared I know this wasnt the point of your thread but the answers were getting monotinous.
Do I like them, as long as you can close them with one of 2 clicks theyre OK.

[Ben_Curtis]

I've seen so many that now I know if it's something I'm sort-of interested in, maybe I can get it for less. It has struck me as unfair to those who pay the first price, though.

[neddag]

Yes they are annoying.

But seemingly the virtual agent offering a discount works, at least according to some who use it.

However like most things (especially in the make money niche) it probably won't work very long. They have become so common that I know of a couple of marketers that when they want to purchase something, will ALWAYS check to see if there's a virtual agent offering a discount before they click the buy button.

I suspect (though I have no proof) that this will become common as well, costing the vendor $10 (or whatever) per sale. Eventually this will offset any additional sales that are being made.

It will be interesting to see how long the effectiveness lasts. I do believe it will continue to be effective in some niches (just not this one).

Ned

[SpicyRobby]

Hi Guys,

My experience tells me that using the virtual agents affects the sales volume, yes, but not the way I wanted!:-)

I set the agent up on one of my websites where I'm selling info product and most importantly - it's not the IM niche.

I didn't get any sales for as long as I was keeping the agent on the site, and as soon as I took him off the normal sales volume returned.

Conclusions? If it's annoying folks who aren't used to seeing the agent popping up a few times daily... I don't know where it works then! Maybe only in the IM niche where people already expect getting a bargain and get the product...

[Wendy Woudstra]

Actually, I've found that this discount popup has caused new behavior when I want to buy a product. I ALWAYS leave the page once to see if there's a hidden discount. If there's a discount, I'll take it, if there's not, I'll pop back in and buy at regular price.