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

29 replies
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!
#reese #trick #video #walker #watch
  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    • Profile picture of the author 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?
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      • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
        Originally Posted by Matt James View Post

        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
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        John's Internet Marketing News, Views & Reviews: John Taylor Online
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author 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.
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
    Signature

    .

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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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  • Profile picture of the author 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.
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    I'm On Google + ------------- and of course Also On Twitter

    "The only thing thats keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself about why you can't have it"- Tony Robbins

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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author 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..
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    • Profile picture of the author 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
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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  • Profile picture of the author 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!
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    Screw You, NameCheap!
    $1 Off NameSilo Domain Coupons:

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    • Profile picture of the author 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!
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  • Profile picture of the author thegamecat
    Do you have a link to this vid?
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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  • Profile picture of the author 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.
    Signature

    -Jason

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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Riddle
    Mistake or split test, you decide

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

    Mark Riddle
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    Today isn't Yesterday, - Products are everywhere if your eyes are Tuned!
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  • Profile picture of the author 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".
    Signature

    Steve Meade - Master Motivational Hypnotist and IM Pro

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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    - Thanks
    Mike Filsaime

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  • Profile picture of the author 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!
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    • Profile picture of the author 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.
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  • Profile picture of the author DonDavis
    Well Mike says it was a test and John says it was a screw up. Hmmm.
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    - Thanks
    Mike Filsaime

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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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