Does Frank Kern's email marketing tactic work?

[Mark Brock]

I'm sure many of you have noticed this. Maybe the majority of you actually implement what I'm talking about here. All I'm looking for is some facts on whether or not the email tactic discussed below actually works in bringing in sales, or if it is solely as it appears to be?

The email tactic I'm talking about is one I have noticed Frank Kern using time and time again.

His approach is pretty much to tell you about a certain product launch that he is an affiliate for and then state that you shouldn't buy the product mentioned through his affiliate link that he has placed in his email (both at the top and bottom of the message) as you won't be receiving a bonus like you would if you bought through someone elses' affiliate link.

I'm not sure how effective this tactic has actually been in generating sales of these affiliate promotions for Frank but his approach is one that I am very interested in. It instills a sense of trust in the product in question as he is basically saying "...even if I don't earn any money from this sale, you should still get the product". That's quite powerful!

It may just be that he doesn't expect anyone to buy through his link because of what he is telling them but I wonder how many people actually have done and foregone the bonus they would have got from someone else?

Personally, I beleive that this tactic does work in terms of helping to make sales (or at least I want it to work as it has impressed me) however I have absolutely no proof of this. If you've tried this tactic out for yourselves, or you know someone that has (Frank Kern for example) then I'm really interested to find out what the success rate of using this tactic is?

Does it work or is it simply that Frank isn't interested in making the sale, just in informing his list of a good product?

Mark

PS - If you haven't heard of this tactic before, I hope you stick around and listen to the facts the Warrior Forum members will put forward here. If it works, look into using it for yourselves.

[lakshaybehl]

Maybe he just doen't wish to invest time in creating those bonuses. That's what I'd think.

Personally I feel as if he is saying "No, don't buy that because I did not have the time to sit down, review the product and work on making it better". He makes it sarcastic and that is why people dond't see the socnd layer of sarcasm, i think.

I am not trying to read between the lines here... I am trying to read between the characters.!

[lakshaybehl]

Originally Posted by lakshaybehl

Maybe he just doen't wish to invest time in creating those bonuses. That's what I'd think.

Personally I feel as if he is saying "No, don't buy that because I did not have the time to sit down, review the product and work on making it better". He makes it sarcastic and that is why people dond't see the socnd layer of sarcasm, i think.

I am not trying to read between the lines here... I am trying to read between the characters.!

But I might be entirely wrong... who knows? LOL

[MaskedMarketer]

Whatever his real intentions are, its reverse psychology.

[Recon]

Perhaps it's just a tactic to build up his credibility so that when he does release a product he's actually going to sell people would be much more open to it? Certainly seems long term, but I'm not too sure myself.

[Andyhenry]

If someone tells me not to use their link - I don't use their link.

So it definitely doesn't work for everyone - but his whole approach is based around hypnotic suggestions so where it says "do not buy from my link", it also reads "do not BUY FROM MY LINK", so however you look at it there's an embedded command to buy from the link, with the presupposition that you're going to buy the product and it's just a case of which link you'll use.

It's not complicated, just basic psychology at work but he's obviously been doing his homework because he never used to be so focused in this way.

I'd say it's probably working for him as I've used similar methods myself and found it to be successful.

If you want to know whether it'll work for you - try it.

It works best if you already have an informal 'take it or leave it' style of interaction with your list.

Andy

[matthewd]

I would say that considering he has done it a lot, it is probably working for him.

[Christopher R Everson]

He probably realizes that the best bonus wins, he's a lazy surfer guy, doesnt want to compete for every launch under the sun, and just has a refferal system with another marketer and they use the same affiliate link, and he collects payment later.

I know several marketers that do this. It helps them rank high in affiliate contests, get noticed and then go from there.

Who knows though, with so many successful launches, and I'd imagine a successful business(es) under his built, he might just flat out be able to afford to just give away links in his promos, and "make it up" with positive publicity.

I wouldn't be surprised if either were true.

I'm sure Frank or Jason will bring explain.

[MaskedMarketer]

very basic reverse psychology...

It won't work for everyone (its true!)

[JayXtreme]

It works for me...

Dunno about Frank, but I'd say his results are probably okay..lol

Peace

Jay

[Mark Brock]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

If someone tells me not to use their link - I don't use their link.

If you want to know whether it'll work for you - try it.

Andy

I'm the same as you Andy.

I never did click through on Frank's links as he told me to go elsewhere.

I suppose your advise to just go and try it for myself is the best advise that could be given here.

Thank you.

Thanks also to you Jay.

I was hoping to get some proof either way and thanks to you I've just got some. I'm assuming the same as you here. If it works for you then it must work for Frank right?

The one thing that still puzzles me about this strategy though is that the other affiliates are offering bonuses (most of them are absolutely fantastic for the products Frank is also an affiliate for). Because of the fact that the person in Frank's list can get the product elsewhere WITH an additional (potential brilliant) bonus, does reverse psychology actually work in this instance?

As Andy has said, if it says not to use their link, I won't! Would the fact that a potentially large bonus is available elsewhere detract even the most susceptible to reverse psychology to actually go to where they can get the bonus?

EDIT: Thank you Sam for your insights into this whole "bonus" issue. I agree that if it were something I already had, or something I knew I wouldn't use then I'd just get it from someone that I trusted, Frank Kern for example.

Thanks for your help so far.

Mark

[JayXtreme]

Originally Posted by Mark Brock

If it works for you then it must work for Frank right?

This is my thought.. I know that I get success with the tactic, so it must work even further up the line like that for sure..imho

Peace

Jay

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by Mark Brock

I was hoping to get some proof either way and thanks to you I've just got some. I'm assuming the same as you here. If it works for you then it must work for Frank right?

The one thing that still puzzles me about this strategy though is that the other affiliates are offering bonuses (most of them are absolutely fantastic for the products Frank is also an affiliate for). Because of the fact that the person in Frank's list can get the product elsewhere WITH an additional (potential brilliant) bonus, does reverse psychology actually work in this instance?
Mark

If you want proof that it will work for you, the only way is to do it.

It will not work for some people (because they don't know how to work it) and some people will not be effected by it, so theres lots of variables involved. Theres a big strategy around it. Just saying "do not buy from this link because..." is only a part of why it works...

Frank has already built up an image is very popular in his market. The tactic works, but you can not base your success on this one tactic alone (obviously).

Originally Posted by JayXtreme

This is my thought.. I know that I get success with the tactic, so it must work even further up the line like that for sure..imho

But someone further down the line might have a lot of trouble with this technique, so one has to do it with care and caution!

Reverse Pyschology is powerful, but can also backfire...

[Patrice Le Vexier]

By reading this, one can think:

"That guy's honest"

Which is a good long term message even if you don't buy through him.

[Jim M]

It's one of those sales tactics that leaves the ball right in the buyers court.

No pressure - no pushing or prodding - just the facts?

In the past I have always been impressed by the free info Frank put out, I remember quite some time ago he shared something he had just tried - I tried the same thing and got a four figure sum I wouldn't have had otherwise, and it was a one off set up and forget deal.

So - for that I always at least give Frank my attention.

[milan]

This reminds me of Monty Pythons:
"F*** off!"
"Oh how should we f*** off our lord? Show us."

Whatever Frank Kern does some people are going to overanalyse. Yes, he is a great marketer but that doesn't mean he puts so much thought into every detail like that.

He is laid back, that's all. He was just writing what was on his mind. He is laid back for two reasons (and only two lol):
- He is like that by nature. lol
- It works (without any evil or not evil thinking behind it, or any theory)
- You're happier in life by being laid back and honest.

(oh, that's 3 reasons)

Did you ever experience something like this:
You've tried very hard to do something perfect. In school, on your work, whatever. And it didn't work out for some (stupid) reason.
On the other hand, you got some success from something you've never expected.
Get it?
That applies to marketing as well. When you're thinking of selling too much, you blow it.
When you're in a helping people mindset the form often doesn't matter much as it will pay off somehow anyway, and even more important you feel better.

Finally, it's really no secret that MANY people wait to pick up the best bonus in the IM launch. By addressing that he certainly gained more trust from these people. ("this guy understands me").

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Anything that hits my in box from Frank Kern goes straight in the trash, so to answer OP's question: for me, a resounding "NO".

[Chris_Willow]

He explained this tactic in masscontrol monthly I believe.

Chris

[Loren Woirhaye]

I thought he did it because he has a "stake" in the product
because he participated in writing the copy... so he
earns a percentage of gross sales.... increases credibility
of the product and makes him look like a good guy...

Also maybe a "I scratch your back..." sort of thing.

[Hesaidblissfully]

If he continues to do it, then it's likely working for him, either directly or in terms of building trust with his list. I think at this point, Frank could probably send out the following message...

From: Frank Kern

Subject: Holy Crap

Message: Googly Foogly

(link)

...and still make money.

[naonline]

Originally Posted by faxinator

Anything that hits my in box from Frank Kern goes straight in the trash, so to answer OP's question: for me, a resounding "NO".

Likewise, it's a big NO from me. Frank may be a legend but when I see one of his emails now, all it says to me is here is another email from Frank Kern - he sent to his enormous list about something i can't afford - don't open it - you've got better things to do with your time!

Nick

[John S. Rhodes]

Originally Posted by faxinator

Anything that hits my in box from Frank Kern goes straight in the trash, so to answer OP's question: for me, a resounding "NO".

So, you're on his list(s) but you simply trash what he sends? (Why not unsub?)

-- or --

Is he spamming you?

-- or --

Something else?

~ John

Does Frank Kern's email marketing tactic work?

Yes...

[Mark Brock]

Thank you for your honest answers and opinions guys. It's helped me get a better understanding of this tactic.

Originally Posted by faxinator

Anything that hits my in box from Frank Kern goes straight in the trash, so to answer OP's question: for me, a resounding "NO".

Originally Posted by naonline

Likewise, it's a big NO from me. Frank may be a legend but when I see one of his emails now, all it says to me is here is another email from Frank Kern - he sent to his enormous list about something i can't afford - don't open it - you've got better things to do with your time!

Nick

Nick, Faxinator. Thanks also for your honest opinions. Can I try and get the topic back on track here though.

The only reason I mentioned Frank Kern specifically in the title was because he is the only person that I receive emails from that actually uses this tactic of reverse psychology.

This isn't a thread about Frank Kern's emails' and whether or not you read them. It was a simple question about whether or not the reverse psychology tactic worked when sending an email to your list?

Yet again, Frank Kern is only used as an example because he is the only person I receive emails from that uses this tactic. I'm not looking for a critique of Frank Kern himself and why you do or don't open his emails.

Thank you anyway for your replies to this topic Nick and Faxinator.

Mark

[Andrei Rotariu]

Frank is great.

One thing to remember is that he tests and measures everything! So if you see him using a technique more than a few times then my guess would be that something is working for him. I personally love Franks style, hes not in your face telling you how much he makes, he just expresses himself and if you want it than so be it and if not well theres always next time.

One thing i noticed he does really well, is he creates an almost personal relationship with his list. Hes always sending funny videos etc. Then as the original post says he comes along and says "Hey, theres this new product. I think its cool. But you dont have to buy it from me, well anyway ciao"

And that is the exact psychology that friends and family use in day to day life. Think about it. Your best mate really doesnt care if you rent the new Indi jones film or not, but he'll vouch for it. And thats usually enough to push you over the edge.

Franks best attribute are his selling skills. So dont even think when you see him use a technique 2,3,4,5 times in a row that its just a coincidence.

[naonline]

Originally Posted by Mark Brock

Thank you for your honest answers and opinions guys. It's helped me get a better understanding of this tactic.







Nick, Faxinator. Thanks also for your honest opinions. Can I try and get the topic back on track here though.

The only reason I mentioned Frank Kern specifically in the title was because he is the only person that I receive emails from that actually uses this tactic of reverse psychology.

This isn't a thread about Frank Kern's emails' and whether or not you read them. It was a simple question about whether or not the reverse psychology tactic worked when sending an email to your list?

Yet again, Frank Kern is only used as an example because he is the only person I receive emails from that uses this tactic. I'm not looking for a critique of Frank Kern himself and why you do or don't open his emails.

Thank you anyway for your replies to this topic Nick and Faxinator.

Mark

No problem Mark, as an edit to my response I would say the tactic DOES work, but not for every single email.

[SeanIM]

His Kernness is a rockstar....

I'd rather see his short/sweet aff emails from time to time
instead of something wicked long that's pure hyped up ad copy.

At least when he sends promos he respects your time by
keeping them short and to the point.

-S

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Originally Posted by John S. Rhodes

So, you're on his list(s) but you simply trash what he sends? (Why not unsub?)

I've tried, multiple times, to unsub. At this point, I've given up.

[Bearded]

Think about it this way.

You open the mail. It says something like "theres a ton of buzz about product x, and I fully endorse it. Here's my aff link, but don't use it. There are a ton of other guys out there giving great bonuses."

The effect is you feel like he's actually endorsing the product, rather than just being out to make a quick buck, you like frank, you figure "what the hell do I need more information overload with all the bonuses, I'll just buy it through frank's link. He's cool and doesn't try to hard sell me."

And I know for a fact that his PLF 2 email that had this format was one of his most profitable affiliate emails.

This ONLY works because of how Frank has positioned himself in the market. If I did this, I'm sure it wouldn't work quite so well.

[Li Weng]

Originally Posted by Bearded

Think about it this way.

You open the mail. It says something like "theres a ton of buzz about product x, and I fully endorse it. Here's my aff link, but don't use it. There are a ton of other guys out there giving great bonuses."

The effect is you feel like he's actually endorsing the product, rather than just being out to make a quick buck, you like frank, you figure "what the hell do I need more information overload with all the bonuses, I'll just buy it through frank's link. He's cool and doesn't try to hard sell me."

And I know for a fact that his PLF 2 email that had this format was one of his most profitable affiliate emails.

This ONLY works because of how Frank has positioned himself in the market. If I did this, I'm sure it wouldn't work quite so well.

You're right. I doubt it that it'll work for just anyone. He has built up a level of trust and status, so it's ok for him to do it.

[kettlewell]

Originally Posted by faxinator

I've tried, multiple times, to unsub. At this point, I've given up.

I've signed up for so many of Franks promotions that I'm on several of hist lists... is it possible that you're in the same boat? Not trying to defend or justify ... just help solve a problem.

From what I've heard from Frank, if you don't want on his list, he doesn't want you there, and would make it easy to get unsubscribed. I also saw that Frank switched from Aweber to Infusionsoft, so maybe something of a technical nature happened?

Just a thought.