2 launches, Great potential, pissed off customers...

[Bearded]

<rant>
Last month, Frank Kern emailed his jv's.

He was giving away the whole Mass Control Seminar.

I constructed an email campaign for my list that included 4 solo emails.

I hyped the crap out of it because I believed it was a ridiculously good deal (and it was). I paid $2k to go to that seminar, and he gave it away for free.

It sold out in 18 minutes, and only *1* of my subscribers snagged a copy. Everybody else was all primed, and hit a "sold out" page.

LAME.

Fast forward to today.

StomperNet has a similar offer.

I've seen it all, and it really is very good content. They're giving away Stomping the Search Engines 2, 7 modules of high quality SEO education, what would've been a $497 product, for FREE.

Awesome. My list will love it. They've ASSURED JV's that they have enough copies to last a while.

They're set to launch at 2PM Eastern. I queue up my mailing for 5 minutes before that, and wait for it.

At about 1pm eastern, the page changes. Now launch time is 3pm eastern.

I think, fine, they're having some server issues. I requeue my message for 2:55, and wait.

It sends.

I check the page. "NEW LAUNCH TIME: 3:30PM EST"

Grr...

I really wanted my mailing to land as the doors were opening. People aren't going to go back every 5 minutes and check if there's an order button yet. Especially after being disillusioned with Frank's launch.

Now it's getting worse. At 3:30 nothing happened. At about 3:35 the page changes: "NEW LAUNCH TIME: 4:30 EST"

At 4:30 nothing happened.

At 4:55 the page changes: "NEW LAUNCH TIME: 5:30 EST"

Suddenly what could've been a nice profitable mailing for me is pissing off all my subscribers.

These guys charge $800 a month for their membership site. They're running multiple 8-figure businesses, and they can't meet a launch deadline.

And I know I'm just a small time JV. I'm sure Filsaime and all the other heavy hitters are sitting there just as pissed off as I am. It's been delayed *4* times so far.

Everyone who was looking is now just going to think "When it does finally go live, it'll sell out quick and I'll miss it." This is *killing* conversion.

Ever since PLF 2 came out all the major launches have gone like this:

Buzz Buzz Buzz -> Launch Time -> Server Crash -> Sold Out

This is now two large promotions that I've done to my list that have completely fizzled. And now I look like a jack ass.

Come on guys. Figure out how big of a server farm you need to handle the load, and buy twice that many.

UPDATE: Delayed AGAIN! Now it says: We're So Sorry. We're having server issues. This offer is STILL available and as soon as we can, we'll activate our order system
</rant>

Joe

[Eric Johnson]

Agreed,

This actually does make the one with the relation to your list...you, look bad. Really unfortunate.

[VinceNouvel]

You know what. I was also promoting their Stomper Vision course when it was launched back then. This is exactly what happen. Damn.. I know this will happen..
Great Stuff + Over Exposure = Server Crash!!

[Jelasco]

Since their intended audience is Internet marketers, people should realize that server problems can and do happen.

If people are going to be so upset about having to wait to place an order, I'd say they don't have the right temperament to run a business.

How about some patience?

[VinceNouvel]

to get something worth over $500 for free.. Its worth the wait... Trust me.. Yeah more patience guys...

[JasonKing]

Originally Posted by Jelasco

Since their intended audience is Internet marketers, people should realize that server problems can and do happen.

If people are going to be so upset about having to wait to place an order, I'd say they don't have the right temperament to run a business.

How about some patience?

Joe's complaint is written as an affiliate.

AND FAIR ENOUGH.

Keep an eye out for the third launch baulk ... my grandfather told me bad things always happens in threes ...

-JasonKing

[Josh Anderson]

This is one of the reasons that when people contact me asking me to promote something I tell them that I have two requirements:

1. It has to be an evergreen offer... meaning it does not rely on scarcity and hype as its main method of sales and will continue to be offered on into the future so that my efforts as a promoter are rewarded.

Additionally if it is quality and I do recommend it I intend to continue to promote it not just a one off mailing.

2. I almost never participate in launches. I prefer to do targeted promotions after the hype and hoopla is over and after the email bombardment by everyone and their mother ends.

My own subscribers respect me better and are more responsive because of this approach. They know if I have something to say it is because I believe its worth looking at not because I need to hurry up and promote.

[ibringjoy]

I agree that these launches are getting out of hand.

I like your attitude about it, Josh, and wish more listowners had the same.

I never go to any of these big launches anymore, because they always remind me of a feeding frenzy of a bunch of sharks. In fact, that's what they are, essentially. I think it's disgusting, and I bet a lot of other people do, too.

So that's my rant.

I'm sorry you looked bad to your listmembers, Joe. What happened is not your fault, and I'm sure a lot of them understood that, even if they were pissed about what happened.

Better luck on the next one. Or maybe you could find something that's not involved in a big launch, but you know it to be an excellent product, and recommend that one to your list.

Kathryn

[giveusallfreedom]

Originally Posted by Jelasco

Since their intended audience is Internet marketers, people should realize that server problems can and do happen.

If people are going to be so upset about having to wait to place an order, I'd say they don't have the right temperament to run a business.

How about some patience?

I don't know how much they're charging for this offer, but if it's like the other one and they want to charge me $800/month, I don't have to understand anything.

If I'm only paying $50 and the server crashes, it's no big deal as long as they handle it properly.

[Kay King]

Josh made an important point:

I almost never participate in launches. I prefer to do targeted promotions after the hype and hoopla is over and after the email bombardment by everyone and their mother ends.

Why promote one launch after another when you know the history is "server down" - "delays" - "sold out"?

Much better to promote proven products that keep selling over the long term.
In the end, you'll make more money with far less stress.

kay

[Joni]

Originally Posted by TOPGUN08

Hmm I think these "server problems" are part of their marketing strategy.

Was thinking the same thing.

[Eric Lorence]

That masscontrolsite.com still does not load today.

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by TOPGUN08

Hmm I think these "server problems" are part of their marketing strategy.

How do repeated delays on the same day benefit them?

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by JasonKing

Joe's complaint is written as an affiliate.

AND FAIR ENOUGH.

Keep an eye out for the third launch baulk ... my grandfather told me bad things always happens in threes ...

-JasonKing

Gee, a german saying is GOOD things come in threes!

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Josh Anderson

This is one of the reasons that when people contact me asking me to promote something I tell them that I have two requirements:

1. It has to be an evergreen offer... meaning it does not rely on scarcity and hype as its main method of sales and will continue to be offered on into the future so that my efforts as a promoter are rewarded.

Additionally if it is quality and I do recommend it I intend to continue to promote it not just a one off mailing.

2. I almost never participate in launches. I prefer to do targeted promotions after the hype and hoopla is over and after the email bombardment by everyone and their mother ends.

My own subscribers respect me better and are more responsive because of this approach. They know if I have something to say it is because I believe its worth looking at not because I need to hurry up and promote.

That IS a great policy!

[Mark Riddle]

In my days as a political candidate marketer, when we knew there was going to be a TV crew that was going to cover the event:

We would Schedule to be late.

The crowd mainly made up of the candidates hard core supporters would always be so happy to see them after waiting too long, on camera it showed as a more energized, enthusiastic crowd.

The ones who were luke warm about the candidate would have already left, and you got a better QUALITY Crown, Not QUANTITY.

That's what I think of every time I see a server crash or delayed start.

Its Quality Filtering 101

Mark

[mikefilsaime]

Hey guys,

As for Frank's, that is really a separate discussion. He was doing a test and will re-open for the masses. I agree, it would have been great to make more sales. He had NO IDEA it would sell out that fast. I thought it would take about 4-6 hours. - Yeah - it sorta sucks.

As for Brad and Andy's thingy, they will NOT make any excuses.

We are marketers and we do our best to deal with technology. Their "Tech Guys" assured them it would be ready. This one is NOT about server melt downs. It is simply YET ANOTHER unforeseen issue. This time, the payment gateway.

Yeah it sucks. Yeah Andy is ripping his hair our. Yeah he wish it did not happen.

But he and Brad are working on it and are JUST as upset as you and 100% understand why you would be upset.

No excuses. They know it. They think the site will be up any moment from the time I write this

Mike Filsaime

[JasonKing]

Originally Posted by netmalls

In my days as a political candidate marketer, when we knew there was going to be a TV crew that was going to cover the event:

We would Schedule to be late.

The crowd mainly made up of the candidates hard core supporters would always be so happy to see them after waiting too long, on camera it showed as a more energized, enthusiastic crowd.

The ones who were luke warm about the candidate would have already left, and you got a better QUALITY Crown, Not QUANTITY.

That's what I think of every time I see a server crash or delayed start.

Its Quality Filtering 101

Mark

This is a very, very interesting perspective, Mark ...

Originally Posted by seasoned

Gee, a german saying is GOOD things come in threes!

Hehe .... everything comes in threes! Think McKinsey ...

[Ephrils]

Originally Posted by TOPGUN08

Hmm I think these "server problems" are part of their marketing strategy.

It's definitely doing it's job of pissing off prospects with flying colors. I wonder if they intended this.

[Bearded]

Originally Posted by mikefilsaime

Hey guys,

As for Frank's, that is really a separate discussion. He was doing a test and will re-open for the masses. I agree, it would have been great to make more sales. He had NO IDEA it would sell out that fast. I thought it would take about 4-6 hours. - Yeah - it sorta sucks.

As for Brad and Andy's thingy, they will NOT make any excuses.

We are marketers and we do our best to deal with technology. Their "Tech Guys" assured them it would be ready. This one is NOT about server melt downs. It is simply YET ANOTHER unforeseen issue. This time, the payment gateway.

Yeah it sucks. Yeah Andy is ripping his hair our. Yeah he wish it did not happen.

But he and Brad are working on it and are JUST as upset as you and 100% understand why you would be upset.

No excuses. They know it. They think the site will be up any moment from the time I write this

Mike Filsaime

Yeah, I know. I wrapped my post in <rant> tags for a reason. I was frustrated with the whole situation. (still am)

With Frank's thing, it just sucks because he actually opened up early, and by the time aweber sent my message out, like I said, only one of my members got in. I know he's re-releasing, and I'll certainly do a promo when that happens.

I know the issues they're having are not a marketing ploy. I'm sure Andy's pulling his hair out and wishing there was more he could do to get it launched. I'd be pissed if I was him, too.

They've already mailed the JV's and made good on it. I'm sure they'll do everything they can to make the customers happy.

I just wish it had gone differently. It looks like they already missed today's deadline by a few hours. (What? Are they running Windows servers?)

But I'm sure they'll still sell a crap load of products.

Joe

[warbar]

Any word what day they will be releasing? Is today off the table now too?

[Dean Shainin]

Does anyone know what happened to the 2PM Eastern time launch today?

I've been trying to get in several times this afternoon.

Has this launched and I'm seeing an old screen or something?

Maybe it's still delayed?

Dean

[Bearded]

Originally Posted by Dean Shainin

Does anyone know what happened to the 2PM Eastern time launch today?

I've been trying to get in several times this afternoon.

Has this launched and I'm seeing an old screen or something?

Maybe it's still delayed?

Dean

Still no word. They're supposed to email the minute it goes live.

Also the "apology" video is no longer live. I'm guessing they took it down because he mentioned 2PM EST.

Joe

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by Bearded

Buzz Buzz Buzz -> Launch Time -> Server Crash -> Sold Out

Originally Posted by TOPGUN08

Hmm I think these "server problems" are part of their marketing strategy.

Is this part of a marketing strategy?

The server would "crash" because they had too many visitors. This is a common response during a launch. How does this benefit a launch?

Scarcity along with the "cattle" technique. It works.

Is it a coincidence these 2 launches are delayed because of server issues?

Is it a coincidence the majority of launches have server issues due to the amount of traffic that they pull in?

Or is it a carefully planned out psychological plot to sell out there systems?

Who knows?

[Dean Shainin]

Originally Posted by Bearded

Still no word. They're supposed to email the minute it goes live.

Also the "apology" video is no longer live. I'm guessing they took it down because he mentioned 2PM EST.

Joe

Where are these guys located?

They are not in Florida or near Florida are they?

I know they are on the East coast. I think?

Dean

[Bearded]

Originally Posted by Dean Shainin

Where are these guys located?

They are not in Florida or near Florida are they?

I know they are on the East coast. I think?

Dean

Atlanta I believe.

[Peter Helps]

You know, this launch is very interesting to me. Yesterday, I had several affiliates email me saying that Stompernet had server problems, yet their site was up the entire time. Even Stompernet says that they have server issues.

On the other hand, Andy said is his video that they have payment gateway issues (must be some MAJOR issues if they can't get the cart setup in 2 days) especially with all the support/ tech. guys, etc. they have to thier disposal.

Sidenote: I think it's more believable for them to say that they have payment gateway issues as oppose to server issues when their site is running the entire time.

As for the affiliates: I think a lot of the affiliates are probably getting a little upset with this entire launch. They are probably getting a lot of complaints from their customers. Hey, they've been emailing them for AT LEAST 2 days now (most of them have been doing it for longer). And every single email leads to nowhere.

My final take on it: This issue may fire in their face or it can actually work in Stompernet's favor.

How can I fire in their face? From all the above comments, it's pretty obvious. Affiliates are upset, their subscribers are upset, etc. And it might hurt their future relationship with some affiliates.

How can it benefit them? Well, let's think about it. My mailbox has been swamped with Stompernet promotion for the past several days. They are getting some major press throughout the Im community. Affiliates keep sending emails thinking it's finally time to open stompernet. They come up will all kinds of angles, marketing tactics, etc. every time they send out. (because they don't want to piss off their subscribers).

In the end, when they do finally release it, I think they'll be a lot of great content in there. If this in fact is a marketing strategy, they're taking on a HUGE GAMBLE. We'll have to wait and see.

my 2 cents,

Peter

[warbar]

'bout time for an update from them, no? You'd think someone would have time for another 2 minute video to post an updated message on the site. Sure, they are going to let people know by email when it's live, but a video with an explanation of the trouble along with a new projected open would be nice.

[warbar]

It's up....

[Ephrils]

Yup, just placed my order.

Go see your upsells! Hurry! GO!

[Jean Morgan]

Loads of upsells!

[Josh Anderson]

Loads of upsells!

They got me on every one ;-)

Looks like some great bang for the buck.

I have never done business with these guys before so I hope their delivery is as impressive as their presentation and copy.

[naonline]

Upsells, what upsells?? When I placed my order I was directed to a BLANK page about video selling technique. I've received no confirmation email from them either, which is very strange as i'd always expect some kind of autoresponse by now.