Reese And Walker's 'Watch This Video' Trick...

[Matt James]

I noticed these two guys using the same technique in their recent launches.

You get an email telling you to go watch a video only to be faced with a screenshot and yet another sign-up form.

If you click on the video image a little pop-up appears telling you to fill in your email address.

Now, I'm kind of impressed with this because from a marketing point of view it's using curiosity to get sign-ups (although I've resisted so far)...

But... it's also annoying. They already have my email. Why jump through another hoop (and yes I know they're segmenting their lists)?

At least Kern gives you the video before asking you to sign-up (again).

What are your thoughts on this little tactic?



UPDATE: Having now watched the video... hell yes it's worth your email addy!

[MunkMurray]

I also came across this and yes, it's very annoying.
I don't think it's legit for these guys to do it because of their guru status

[Matt James]

Hey 'Munk' yeah it is a little annoying.

Actually I don't want this to become a guru-bashing thread, maybe my first post was a little mean.

What do we think of the tactic? A fair exchange to see the video or asking too much from subscribers?

Don't forget we can always learn something from these guys. Maybe on Frank's launch he wasn't getting enough sign-ups with the video first, sign-up second technique?

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by Matt James

What do we think of the tactic? A fair exchange to see the video or asking too much from subscribers?

Well, as you've "resisted so far" you are in
no position to comment.

John

[Asher]

Hi Matt,

I believe this is part of a test... if you've been watching
the gurus - you know that they are always testing so that
they can tell their subscribers the results.

They are always testing - part of being a guru because
they've got to be willing to do some things most people
won't.

So, in a sense, as long as you are on a guru's list, you
are subject to testing... in my opinion.

Asher

[Matt James]

Well, as you've "resisted so far" you are in
no position to comment.

Ha! That's a very good point, I better sign up.

I was talking more about the fact you need to sign up once more for another launch but hey...

Let's see if the video blows me away...

So, in a sense, as long as you are on a guru's list, you
are subject to testing... in my opinion.

Interesting point of view.

[Shaun OReilly]

There are other ways to segment lists without requiring
a further opt-in.

For example, with AWeber Analytics it's possible to create
a sublist 'on-the-fly' of only those people who clicked on
the link to view the video (or those who didn't click).

I don't know if Elabs (that John Reese is using for the initial
e-mail) has that facility.

It's also possible to use a little coding in the first e-mail link
to then pre-populate the subscription box and remove
another hurdle for people signing-up.

It's also a question of expectations.

From the way John's e-mail was worded I expected to be
able to view the video on that page. No biggie though - I
subscribed to see what he's up to.

I'd consider making the e-mail clearer and overcoming the
objection for signing-up to a sublist.

When you click on the video a bit of javascript is activated
to bring up a message box. I'd have thought it would have
been better to bring up a pop-up asking for the e-mail to be
entered in the pop-up directly.

That said, I'd use a reverse video page giving good free
content without the need for signing-up and create a sublist
using AWeber Analytics and their subscriber click tracking.

There must be a reason for him not going for the reverse
video approach. Either testing, or something else.

Dedicated to your success,

*Shaun O'Reilly

[MunkMurray]

Hi Matt,
I did not mean to sound all guru bashing...
All I say is that successful people should respect their subscribers the same as less successful people (maybe even more...) and I feel that this little trick is somewhat not respectful.

anyway, I agree with Asher, if we are on a guru's list we can expect some kind of experiments to be done with us

Cheers,
MunkM

[Dan Liptak]

Well, I'm not on his list and saw the post on Twitter. So, maybe it is for when the link gets passed around on the social networking sites. That way he gets new subscribers and he segments his current list.

Also noticed that he just asks for email. No name field.

Should be a launch worth studying....

Dan

P.S. Now I am on his list.

[Andy Hart]

For me it depends who's doing it, in this case its john reese and the video was awesome so I don't mind.

To me it makes no difference how many lists I'm on they all go to the same email account and like I said if the material and the person in question is worth the extra optin why not?

andy

[Tsnyder]

I got Frank's email... went to the site and
opted in... never got the confirmation email.

I'd love to see the video but something in
John's system isn't working for me.

I even went to the page and opted in again,
thinking maybe it didn't go through the first time,
but I got a message saying I had already opted in
so that isn't the problem.

Tsnyder

[Stevecyr]

This is actually annoying...but its a good idea to get more sign ups..they annoy us to the extent that we agree to sign up..because if we dont then they have our e-mail addres...and they will keep on mailing us..

[Jeff Walker]

I didn't send the people on my list to an opt-in page... they were sent directly to the video.

If you got to my opt-in page, then it was by following a link from one of my partners.

-Jeff

[jbsmith]

I don't really have a problem with it - if one month I sign up for an announcement list and then a few weeks later get access to a specific video or video series that I find interesting and am asked to sign up to another list, then that's ok with me...likely also means I won't get a bunch of emails for videos I don't want.

From a marketing point of view - it's tough to argue against segmentation - and there is also something to having a user that is willing to jump through a few hoops when you are isolating a list for an upcoming product launch.

While that may sound negative - the idea is that you only want to be marketing to those who are passionate about the area within which you are offering the product which usually means they will be willing to signup again.

Jeff

[camforbes]

I'm with Jeff. I don't really see a big problem with it.

I think both John and Jeff are doing good things and providing good information -- and moving the "free line" at every step.

The same argument can be made for the givaways currently taking the "guru" market by storm - Infomillionaire, Mass Control 2.0, Butterfly Marketing 2.0, etc...

They're testing, trying different things, and making money at the same time.

Actually, when I put it that way... I'm kinda jealous!

[GarrieWilson]

I think it's pretty smart. Especially if other people are promoting it because you cant segregate other peoples lists.

It also allows you to start preselling the people who are interested with a set of messages that are designed only for that. Then those who didn't opt-in but are already on your list, you can keep pre-preselling them.

Garrie

[Matt James]

So yeah it all seems pretty smart except...

Just got an email from JR himself, apparently it was a "goof" and we should have been directed straight to the video!

[thegamecat]

Do you have a link to this vid?

[Raydal]

Well, John just sent out an email to apologize about
asking for a sign up again so it turns out that it was
a mistake and not the latest guru strategy.

I guess he read this post or heard from a few of his
subscribers.

-Ray Edwards

[jasonl70]

a goof eh?? it takes a bit of extra coding to set something up like that
Maybe he sent the wrong link to his list, and it was meant for others.

[camforbes]

...or perhaps JR is reading the Warrior Forum as we discuss this and was like "Oh sh*t! I better send out another email!"

spooky.



By the way, hi John! Noticed you're not on the MCSD Agenda?!

-cam

[Mark Riddle]

Mistake or split test, you decide

Could it be the no 2nd sign up won the test?

Mark Riddle

[goalpower]

Curiosity kills the cat. They hooked you, it worked - that's the bottom line. Yes they already had you on their list - but now they know whose actually taking action on what they send out. They know who's spending quality time reviewing their info - plus you're right they've segmented their list.

They now know who responds to video - and can sell to those who are "visuals and auditories".

It's an awesome tactic, as it is giving the marketer awesome "list intelligence".

[mikefilsaime]

Hey guy,

Ryan Deiss did that first. It had very good results and Walker and Reese are testing.

Results are very good.

We are markters and customers. So always try to see things from both perspectives.

If you want to know why REESE sends people to this page, it is about
creating a sublist. He can now segment to people that re not yet interested
and he knows who as clearly raised their hand for more information.

Also, many people have john1234xxx @ gmail.com but their NEW email
is johnnew1234xxx @ gmail.com

So this also allows John Reese to get an updated list.

BUT... remember, his affiliates and JV partners are also sending to this
page so he is continuing to build a list.

One of the things we all want to remember that Jeff Walker teaches in PLF,
get a list after launching your product. You get a list during your PRELAUNCH
of your product.

For BFM 2.0, I was able to get 40,000 NEW Double Opt In people on my list.

This New list performs as effective (in terms of open rate and click through rate)
as a 2 years old list of 250,000.

It also performs 2 x better in sales so it is as effective in terms on cash
per click as a 500k list that is 2 years old.

This is called a fresh list and it is a MUST in your launch campaigns.

The "trick" you are seeing is a test that is working very well from my talks with John
and Jeff.

Don't look at it as "the Gurus" trying to annoy you. It is marketing.

It uses "commitment and consistency" The very act of your click on the VIDEO
that gives the message to optin creates a commitment in your mind to see
the video and then you stay consistent with your "action" by giving your email.

There are many types of landing pages we have seen.

The "Squeeze" - Where you give bullets and promise a video for the email.

The "Reverse Squeeze"You give a free video or information and tell them
more or part 2 is available if you enter your email.

This is a hybrid of the 2 that you are seeing now.

All things considered, you always want to test. But this is showing some promise.

Bottom line is in this case, there is good information for the exchange of your email
in this case as one person pointed out. And if you do not like it you can unsubscribe.

This is not free. It is NO COST. You exchange your email for the information.

So what is there really to get annoyed at.

We (all of us in this forum) are marketers. So we must understand John
is not here to just give information away for free with no intention
of making money.

To be clear, he wants to make money in exchange for quality information.

As a marketer never get annoyed at that because that is what we
should ALL be doing.

I like to always look at things not only as a customer, but as a marketers and
ask "What can I learn from this MARKETING ans well as the information."

I hope this helped

Mike Filsaime

[xlfutur1]

Its annoying and even though I wanted to see the video, I declined from opting in again. I just unsubscribed from alot of lists so the thought of getting on yet another list (especially when I'm already on John's list) is not what I had in mind. Maybe alot of us are just getting jaded with opting in for every damn piece of info on earth. That's why I like this forum... no opting in required!

[Nathan Hangen]

Too many people expect something for free. Sure, he's building a list to sell to, but the information in pre-launch videos is usually very useful. You can't get everything for free all the time.

[DonDavis]

Well Mike says it was a test and John says it was a screw up. Hmmm.

[mikefilsaime]

I just saw an email from john eariler in the day.

The "test" I refered to was the VIDEO link for the JV's giving the pop up alert.

My error indeed in my post was that he was creating a sublist.

John cleared up that here in his email

======= From Reese Tuesday =======
I emailed you yesterday to tell you about
a cool new video I just posted (about making
more money with affiliate marketing) and I
made a HUGE GOOF.

I gave you a link to the new site and
not the actual video.

The new site currently requires an opt-in
to view the video (set up for JV partners)
but there was no reason for me to send YOU
to an opt-in page because you're already on
my list. :-)

My apologies for that. I hate opting in again
when I already did, etc. It can be annoying. ;-)

===========

Then he gave the link.

I hope that explains it and as for me talking about a sublist. That was
not the case as I thought it was.

I am still on John's list. I love to see how he markets. I wonder why
anyone would not be on his list. But choice is a good thing. So no
worries if you unsubscribed but as you can see it was not his intention
to do that.

Talk soon!

Mike

[JaniG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Walker

I didn't send the people on my list to an opt-in page... they were sent directly to the video.

If you got to my opt-in page, then it was by following a link from one of my partners.

-Jeff

exactly,

thats great.

i think this forced opt in page has increased opt in rate since i see jeff and john using it.

i think that if people like Jeff and john are using it then its got to be converting.

From a marketing POV, i love it.

and i think i am going to use thie style on my next launch aswell..

Jani G

[ianternet]

I do this all the time, I present a video and let them sign up - I use a lightbox to enhance it more

check it out here: Adjusting Your Social Atmostphere - Twitter Snipe | Keyword Targeted Followers

but I also been doing this testing with direct opin or the js popup and both works

I do it alot with my affiliate landing pages if I want to capture a lead

I also do it with viral tweets - it is very useful to definitely use