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OFFLINE CONTINUITY - latest trend?

by The Info Dojo
13 replies
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I find it interesting that the latest trend (to me anyway)
seems to be offline (snail mail)-based continuity programs.

When I first noticed this movement towards 'offline' -
  • Stompernet - Net Effect
  • Kern - Mass Control Monthly/InfoMillionaire
  • Filsaime - 'Best Damn' Magazine
  • Silver - Maverick
I couldn't help but think that there must be a reason for the emphasis on 'offline' all of a sudden.
Possible reasons (off the top of my head) are -
  • Increased perceived value when physical products are shipped to customer.
  • Removing dependence on customer's email address as sole means of connecting.
  • Reducing concerns/issues regarding email delivery and SPAM laws.
  • Reducing concerns about future Internet Sales legislation/restrictions.
  • Having customer's address and/or phone could assist with deciding Live seminar locations.
  • Having customer's address and/or phone # increases the value of one's business, when sold.
Why do you think the IM Guru's are gravitating more and more towards 'offline' as of late?
#continuity #latest #offline #trend
  • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
    Originally Posted by The Info Dojo View Post

    I couldn't help but think that there must be a reason for the emphasis on 'offline' all of a sudden.
    Possible reasons (off the top of my head) are -
    • Increased perceived value when physical products are shipped to customer.
    • Removing dependence on customer's email address as sole means of connecting.
    • Reducing concerns/issues regarding email delivery and SPAM laws.
    • Reducing concerns about future Internet Sales legislation/restrictions.
    • Having customer's address and/or phone could assist with deciding Live seminar locations.
    • Having customer's address and/or phone # increases the value of one's business, when sold.
    Why do you think the IM Guru's are gravitating more and more towards 'offline' as of late?
    I think you answered your own question
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    • Profile picture of the author Ben Rudge
      Originally Posted by Kyle Tully View Post

      I think you answered your own question
      I totally agree... the reasons you listed are quite ingenius and I had never thought of them myself. In particular the one about it being worth more if you were to ever sell the business.

      Ben
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      • Profile picture of the author The Info Dojo
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        Kern's offline Infomillionaire continuity program is now 100% online

        See post #285 under thread entitled - Re: Anyone bought infomillionaire?
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
    I decided to go with the physical newsletter.

    My reasoning is that it just seems more 'substantial' then a pdf, and more likely to be read (since they will be layign around the house ). If they actually read it and see it has good content, hopefully they will stay subscribed longer.

    You can also drop some extra's in, like a cd.
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    -Jason

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  • Profile picture of the author FlightGuy
    A lot of these guys are following a trend - offer a digital copy after a couple months of offering the physical copy. It's either supplemented at an additional optional charge, or replaces the physical copy so that they save money. In the end they have your full name, address, phone number, email, etc.

    This adds tremendous value to their business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hail-To-The-Redskins
      I am a member of Stompernet's "Net Effect", and they too have recently introduced a 100% online based service to accompany the offline dvds and monthly magazine service.

      I suppose this covers any geographical areas which may have unreliable postal services.

      But I agree with Kyle, I think you've answered your own question - its the perceived value of a physical product.

      My 2 cents

      Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author artwebster
    Or maybe it is just an acknowledgenent that the internet isn't all it is cracked up to be. Maybe they realise that real off line people don't switch on their computers as often as internet marketers would like to believe that they do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    This isn't a new trend - but the people you're watching are only just starting to do it.

    I think it's probably because these guys are friends and talk to each other, so it's probably come up in conversation and sounded like a good idea.

    The reasons you listed are the usual reasons for considering this stuff and also - these people are now considered Gurus and are always looking to provide their followers with evidence that they're leading the way, so sometimes it makes sense to do things just because it's not normal or common for them to be doing it.

    Who cares - just ask them and they'll probably tell you.
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    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      # Increased perceived value when physical products are shipped to customer.
      This is the number 1 reason.

      # Reducing concerns about future Internet Sales legislation/restrictions.
      This is the number 2 reason.

      If you trace back this trend, I believe you'll find the main influence to be Dan Kennedy. He has been arguing the case for offline continuity for several years, and some of the top Internet marketers are either in his inner circle program or have buddies who are.

      I'm in the process of launching two subscription programs with physical delivery. Why? A main reason is that I want subscribers to be exposed to upsells and special offers. I don't have confidence that subscribers would be as likely to look over the contents of emails accompanying a monthly digital delivery. I also suspect that physical delivery encourages consumption. Untouched CDs, DVDs and manuals nag at us in a way that files on our hard drives do not.

      So there are a couple more reasons to add to your list.

      Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad Gosse
    Another reason.

    Much harder to refund or chargeback a product you received by fedex

    People are much too lazy to ship back the product to get their money back.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Yet another possible reason...

      Once you have all the physical data (address, phone, possession of a live credit card), you can rent your list, sans email address, and still keep your promise you made on your squeeze page to never share, sell or rent the email.

      I think the guys with the big lists are realizing how big the potential income stream is from list rentals. That stream keeps a lot of catalog houses and magazines afloat, and is a major profit center for many direct-response sellers...
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      • Profile picture of the author Mary Laine
        I had not even thought of that, but of course, you are quite correct. I think offline is the way to go now, as it is a whole new marketing dynamic, one that people are used to buying from as compared to buying online. For MANY MANY people, the idea of buying anything online is still very alien to them.
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        Yet another possible reason...

        Once you have all the physical data (address, phone, possession of a live credit card), you can rent your list, sans email address, and still keep your promise you made on your squeeze page to never share, sell or rent the email.

        I think the guys with the big lists are realizing how big the potential income stream is from list rentals. That stream keeps a lot of catalog houses and magazines afloat, and is a major profit center for many direct-response sellers...
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  • Profile picture of the author josefnew
    I think you have a point there.
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