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Question for Alaister (RE: War Room)

by Lance K
30 replies
Alaister,

I'd be interested to hear what Freelancer's vision is for the War Room.

It's described as "The Internet's #1 private forum for elite marketers & entrepreneurs.".

My question to you or Matt or anyone else in the know is what makes (or will make) the above statement true?

I ask because the price increase leads me to believe that there are plans to improve and/or overhaul the War Room.

It has largely become a repository of free reports of tactical nature. Personally I'd like to see more strategic discussion in there. I guess I always got the feeling that the War Room was intended to be something along the lines of a group master mind. Also, I realize there are some real gems in there, but they're getting harder to find all the time. And trying to sort through all the noise to find them can be rather time consuming.

Sure the free WSOs and other free reports discussing tactics have a place in there. But maybe it would be beneficial to split the War Room in to 2 sections (perhaps as simple as a Tactics section and a Strategy section.)

I'm just thinking out loud, because IMO the War Room does have the potential to live up to it's billing as "The Internet's #1 private forum for elite marketers & entrepreneurs." with a little bit of TLC.

Regards,
Lance

P.S.
The WAMA replays are a nice edition.
#alaister #question #room #war
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
    It has largely become a repository of free reports of tactical nature
    I agree, it looks like a directory for squeeze pages. I always recommend newbies to the war room, but last time I went in there, I noticed it's nothing more than one big squeeze page.

    But maybe it would be beneficial to split the War Room in to 2 sections (perhaps as simple as a Tactics section and a Strategy section.)
    That would be a great idea, a makeover is long over due for sure
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    Fascinating of you guys to mention that.

    It's true that there isn't much brainstorming discussion occurring within the actual forum, and most of the thought processing takes place OUTSIDE (Naturally because people tend to share their best stuff OFF site in order to promote their own end. We're all marketers after all).

    What is the best way to improve this phenomenon?

    People could always contribute/create awesome brainstorm/strategy sessions there... All it would take is a few people to lead the way right?

    Plus, the WAMA events improve things... That's some solid brainstorming, or at least creates an atmosphere that prompts great strategy discussion.

    Nothing's preventing people from interacting in some of the most fruitful, constructive dialogue within the actual forums. But nobody's leading the way.

    You have the power to lead the way.

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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    I think they need to ban lead generating offers as it would remove a lot of the crap from the War Room.

    I never go there anymore because it was always just a mass of optin offers for the same old things over and over again.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      I think they need to ban lead generating offers as it would remove a lot of the crap from the War Room.
      Or at least sequester them to their own sub forum that's tucked away in the corner. The people who are looking for them will find them.
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    • Profile picture of the author brutecky
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      I think they need to ban lead generating offers as it would remove a lot of the crap from the War Room.

      I never go there anymore because it was always just a mass of optin offers for the same old things over and over again.
      Yep I dont go there either. Its a total waste. I doubt Freelancer.com will do anything to clean it up. They have no interest in Warrior Forum as a community (at least thats the impression I get from them) In fact Ill be surprised if Alaister even answers this thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author pxjenkins
    I must admit I took out membership couple of days ago for the war room, and the two reports I found already are almost justifying the price even at this stage.

    The idea of dividing the war room into various areas, strategy and tactics (and others?) Sounds really good. Anything to speed up navigation and usability must be a good thing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Originally Posted by pxjenkins View Post

      I must admit I took out membership couple of days ago for the war room, and the two reports I found already are almost justifying the price even at this stage.
      There is some good stuff in there.


      Originally Posted by pxjenkins View Post

      The idea of dividing the war room into various areas, strategy and tactics (and others?) Sounds really good. Anything to speed up navigation and usability must be a good thing.
      Agreed.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        When the War Room was launched what made it different was that threads were moderated before they appeared.

        So you might post something and it could be a day or two before someone had time to approve the thread. While it kept the silliness and spam out - it also put a damper on discussion. Forum discussions are "in the now" - and there were times when War Room threads sat unapproved until a mod had time to go there and look through them.

        If you separated it into "free stuff" and "discussion" - the discussion area would be barren.

        I'm not sure the War Room's purpose has been defined as yet. I can see it being integrated more into the Forum - what if those who wanted to be affiliates of WSO's had to be War Room members? I was sorry to see the requirement of War Room lifted for WSOs but I'm sure there was a reason.
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          I was sorry to see the requirement of War Room lifted for WSOs but I'm sure there was a reason.
          Yeah ... the price of the War Room was preventing a lot of people from launching a WSO, I imagine.
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        • Profile picture of the author lgibbon
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          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


          I'm not sure the War Room's purpose has been defined as yet.
          A self promoters bumping free for all by the looks of it.
          Probably used to keep it out of the main forum.
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  • Profile picture of the author internetmarketer1
    I do think that the War Room does have a lot of lead generating warriors looking for a way to reel others in join their list, which is what I believe what the WSO section is mainly for.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    If anyone sees an opt-in form that does NOT give you an option to download the product without having to opt in, please report those. When I see those I nuke the thread and give the person a warning or some time off (depending on their history here).

    There should be no squeeze pages in the War Room with a forced opt-in to get the product.

    RoD
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    • Profile picture of the author lgibbon
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      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      If anyone sees an opt-in form that does NOT give you an option to download the product without having to opt in, please report those. When I see those I nuke the thread and give the person a warning or some time off (depending on their history here).

      There should be no squeeze pages in the War Room with a forced opt-in to get the product.

      RoD
      I just reported one of those.
      It was only after I reported it I found the link in almost invisible text
      at the bottom of the page, well below the email harvesting box.
      That's not exactly a nice practise either.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        Originally Posted by lgibbon View Post

        I just reported one of those.
        It was only after I reported it I found the link in almost invisible text
        at the bottom of the page, well below the email harvesting box.
        That's not exactly a nice practise either.
        This is a good point. If the download link or button is hard to find, too small, or it appears that the marketer is trying to hide it in some way, please report those too.

        I just found one today where the download link was so tiny and placed underneath the very large opt-in from. I contacted the OP and he corrected it.

        RoD
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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          Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

          This is a good point. If the download link or button is hard to find, too small, or it appears that the marketer is trying to hide it in some way, please report those too.

          I just found one today where the download link was so tiny and placed underneath the very large opt-in from. I contacted the OP and he corrected it.

          RoD
          I don't visit the War Room much, but I've always wondered why anyone at all would bother contributing to it since forced opt-ins are not allowed. What do they get out of the deal when they offer something for free? What's the incentive to share?
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          • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
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            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            I don't visit the War Room much, but I've always wondered why anyone at all would bother contributing to it since forced opt-ins are not allowed. What do they get out of the deal when they offer something for free? What's the incentive to share?
            Well, many of the posters in there say they are "giving back". I suspect users may be giving stuff away for a few other reasons as well.

            It's possible that some users may be giving free stuff away to build their "Thanks" count.

            Beyond that, users may actually pick up a few customers by giving away a small taste of what they are selling. For instance I could give away 100 stock images and some folks may like the free package enough to consider purchasing a product I am selling now, or a product that I sell in the future. In addition they will be exposed to any marketing material that is included in the downloads. They may also be inclined to sign up to my list to see what I am doing in the future.

            Cheers

            -don
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            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              I've reported a few War Room "freebies" recently that had changed to an opt in requirement the the thread had been in place (with no optin) for months.

              I think some are taking advantage of the changes on the WF - and hoping no one notices or cares.
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              • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
                Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

                I've reported a few War Room "freebies" recently that had changed to an opt in requirement the the thread had been in place (with no optin) for months.

                I think some are taking advantage of the changes on the WF - and hoping no one notices or cares.
                I've seen a couple already today and am going to be taking a closer look in there (as well as some of the other mods).

                If we catch anyone changing their download link back into a forced, opt-in form they are going to get some time off from the forum.

                RoD
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                • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
                  There is nothing wrong with building a list in the war room, as long as it's done by the rules. I really think Lance has a great idea though. Why not break the war room in sub forums like "free stuff" "brain storming" "discussion" "tips" etc....

                  There is alot of good stuff in the war room, but it gets lost within all the optin threads, and timely answering of stupid questions to bump up these optin threads. It has gotten real bad in there, I wouldn't be surprised if people focus 100% of their list building efforts in there. You have people in there timing and answering every question there, just to bump the thread 10-20 times a day.
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          • Profile picture of the author Lance K
            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            I don't visit the War Room much, but I've always wondered why anyone at all would bother contributing to it since forced opt-ins are not allowed. What do they get out of the deal when they offer something for free? What's the incentive to share?
            I don't think the war room was initally intended to be a place to offer "stuff" but rather a place to share/discuss ideas, strategy, experience, etc.

            As for what those who are offering "stuff" for free get out of it...perhaps exposure (or exposed in some cases )
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          • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            I don't visit the War Room much, but I've always wondered why anyone at all would bother contributing to it since forced opt-ins are not allowed. What do they get out of the deal when they offer something for free? What's the incentive to share?
            They are allowed to use an optional opt-in form, just as long as the download link is obvious.

            They are able to brand their name by sharing freely in the War Room and they get to include their resource box and links, etc. in their reports / products. etc. and those have the potential to go viral.

            Lastly, your signature is still active in the War Room, so you definitely get some exposure there.

            So there is still plenty of incentive for people to share in there.

            RoD
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          • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            I don't visit the War Room much, but I've always wondered why anyone at all would bother contributing to it since forced opt-ins are not allowed. What do they get out of the deal when they offer something for free? What's the incentive to share?
            The biggest incentive, in my opinion, is getting people on your list who actually want to be on your list (and not people who sign up just in order to get a free download link and then unsubscribe or ignore you from there on out). That makes for a smaller, but far more responsive list (compared to a list comprised of forced opt-ins). I've tested both. And the difference is stunning.

            I'll take a super-responsive list of 1,000 people over a marginally responsive list of 10,000 people, ANY DAY.

            Because when it comes time to promote a paid product to a super-responsive list, your conversion rate will go through the roof (assuming it's a quality product that's a good fit for your list, with good sales copy, etc.). And when you have a kick-@$$ conversion rate, big affiliates take notice. And I don't need to tell you what the end result of having big affiliates promoting your product is.

            THAT, in my opinion, is the ultimate business model (non-forced opt-ins for a quality "lead in" product --> super-responsive list --> high conversion rate when promoting paid products --> attract super affiliates). And it's what makes the War Room absolute gold for product creators.
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          • Profile picture of the author seobro
            I would suppose exposure. Creating a big name. That is a lot more important in the beginning when nobody knows you. There is an old saying. Back when I was twenty, I gave $1000 dollars worth of law for $20 dollars. Well, now that I am eighty, I give $20 worth of law for $1000. Yeah, it is so true and in so many ways.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I didn't realise forced opt-ins were a no-no. The next thread I read was doing just that so I reported it as Rod suggested.
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    • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
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      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I didn't realise forced opt-ins were a no-no. The next thread I read was doing just that so I reported it as Rod suggested.
      It's been a rule since 2010.



      Cheers

      -don
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      • Profile picture of the author GlenH
        Originally Posted by ForumGuru View Post

        It's been a rule since 2010.



        Cheers

        -don
        Exactly...I thought that was the case too.

        Seems clear that is not being policed
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Thanks Don. I guess I just don't keep up with all the rules. I know I don't break them but trying to remember them all can be hard But that one is definitely now in my brain (along with a lot of other stuff.)
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Thread title: Re: Question for Alaister (RE: War Room)

    Only person who hasn't responded: Alaister

    lol
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    • Profile picture of the author wiifm
      Since I'm not a big guns marketer, the first question that strikes me is, will those who paid a one time fee for lifetime access be subjected to the $97 annual increase and be put on annual renewal?
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    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      Thread title: Re: Question for Alaister (RE: War Room)

      Only person who hasn't responded: Alaister

      lol
      I noticed that too. But honestly I don't think much of it. This is a big place & there's a real chance he hasn't seen this thread.

      I actually thought about shooting him a PM about the thread so he would know about the thread for sure and we wouldn't get the comments about him not responding. That way he could decide to either respond or delete the thread. Either way, no skin off my back. I was just curious and thought others may be too. But if Alaister or anyone else from Freelancer doesn't want to address this in public I'm fine with that. Like I said, just curious.
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