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Buying Bright Shiny Objects (BSOs)

by Marvin Johnston
13 replies
Like a lot of people, I've bought my share of BSOs, but I take a different view of the reasons. First, a couple obvious reasons, and then maybe a not so obvious reason.

1) My primary reason for buying BSOs is the education they can provide. And since I love learning about new topics/techniques/etc., I will frequently buy BSOs with no real expectation of implementing them, at least immediately.

2) I find the sales letters for successul BSO sales to be useful to see how they are written, and then compare the description to the actual BSO.

3) We all have different ways of learning, and sometimes the way one BSO presents the information clicks with my brain in ways that others don't.

4) And lastly what I consider to be unethical, I get sucked in by the sales letters written as though this will work for everyone. In fact, a whole set of other (unmentioned) criteria need to be in place before it stands a chance of working.

One example of this might be "How to Make $4,526.24 Tonight, After Dinner, and Before Bedtime." No problem if 1) you already have a product that provides value YOUR list wants, 2) you have a great relationship with your warm to hot responsive list, 3) you have a distribution system already in place, 4) and a few more etceteras.

So I'm curious what are the major reasons others here buy BSOs?

Marvin
#bright #bright shiny objects #bso #bsos #buying #objects #shiny
  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    When I have a need, I'll try to find a solution.

    That's all.

    I buy a boatload of PLR content + tools + services these days.

    Because they are practical, and I actually USE them.

    I think buying all the content in the world is okay. As long as you USE it.

    The issue with "BSO Syndrome" is when people BUY all the stuff and NEVER use it right?

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  • Profile picture of the author AmanD
    It's a time and money draining mistake to stay well clear of.

    These days I only buy information products on the specific areas I'm working on.
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  • Profile picture of the author JosephC
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    • Profile picture of the author onSubie
      Originally Posted by joecason View Post

      Not trying to burst your bubble, but they really dont provide any. If someone found a way to make a lot of money, they would not sell their secret in a $4 ebook in the WSO forum.
      This is a silly statement. Have you been living in a van down by the river or something?

      I have picked up some excellent WP Themes for offline clients that are very sharp and easy to use and set up a killer site.

      I have picked up excellent information that worked on getting qualified for CPA networks.

      I had a nice Amazon website built with an income guarantee that was fulfilled.

      I found two great websites (secret resources in the WSO I bought) to sell digital products on that I still have not seen discussed or recommended in the general forum.

      I have no interest in building an app but I have learned a lot about the various platforms you can serve apps from, pricing strategies, ways to give way an app for free and still make money and how to find and work with a developer.

      I have not used every piece of information found in WSOs but it was all very educational and enlightening.

      People who think all WSOs are BSOs are people looking for a quick fix, without any understanding of their own skills and abilities and who go for over-hyped sales copy while ignoring common sense and red flags.

      People who have an idea of what they need and read sales copy with their "critical thinking" cap on rarely get scammed.

      They may be disappointed after being mislead, but rarely scammed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
      Originally Posted by joecason View Post

      Not trying to burst your bubble, but they really dont provide any. If someone found a way to make a lot of money, they would not sell their secret in a $4 ebook in the WSO forum.
      There is a LOT more out there than just WSOs acting as the next BSO, take the WarRoom for instance. Or almost every email sent to someones email list. Additionally, not everyone is selling in the MMO market.

      I think your comments are typical of the classic marketing mistake... you are not necessarily the target market. As such, your perspective is probably not the same perspective as the people buying these BSOs.

      As another totally different market, what do you do if your goal is to increase membership in a hobby organization? Wouldn't it be a good idea to know what other approaches are being used? And wouldn't that information be valuable regardless of whether or not you decided to use it?

      Marvin
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve B
        Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston View Post

        Wouldn't it be a good idea to know what other approaches are being used? And wouldn't that information be valuable regardless of whether or not you decided to use it?
        No.

        I think you're getting carried away with your argument. There is a big difference between buying something for it's information value or so you'll know what's going on in the market, vs buying something simply because it appeals as a bright shiney object.

        The latter, by its definition, is something that is purchased because it looks new, enticing, and appealing yet, in fact, doesn't have the value that it appears to have on the surface.

        If you have the money to waste on buying the shiney objects - fine - go for it - that's your business.

        But for most of us, buying these things is a big waste of money and time and I would never recommend it. There are much better ways to research your market or gain an education.

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
          Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

          No.

          I think you're getting carried away with your argument. There is a big difference between buying something for it's information value or so you'll know what's going on in the market, vs buying something simply because it appeals as a bright shiney object.

          The latter, by its definition, is something that is purchased because it looks new, enticing, and appealing yet, in fact, doesn't have the value that it appears to have on the surface.

          If you have the money to waste on buying the shiney objects - fine - go for it - that's your business.

          But for most of us, buying these things is a big waste of money and time and I would never recommend it. There are much better ways to research your market or gain an education.
          I think you are stretching the definition of BSO... or I am restricting it. Maybe time for a better description: Something a person buys because they, at least initially, feel the information or product they are receiving is worth the price they are paying.

          Note I am only talking about this from the buyer's perspective as that is the only one that matters.

          The problem with flat statements such as yours is they depend on fuzzy definitions of the initial statement. One way to deal with them is to force common definitions, so we are talking about the same thing. But I suspect both of us would argue (in most cases) it is not worth the time or effort.

          My general feeling in such cases is don't force your limitations on me, I have enough of my own ("you" being a general term, not you personally.)

          Regardless, I don't think either of us has changed the others mind

          Marvin
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          • Profile picture of the author Steve B
            Marvin,

            Isn't it called a bright shiney object because of it's outward appearance? It's flashy, slick, appealing, cool, new, unique, gotta have . . . yet, when it's opened up the buyer finds there is little or no value. That's my definition.

            Your definition, "Something a person buys because they, at least initially, feel the information or product they are receiving is worth the price they are paying" fits every purchase I have ever made! I always buy things because I feel they are worth the price.

            Go ahead and use your definition. I like mine better.

            Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author origin
    BSO's can be addictive, just like gambling and porn. Some personality types will keep going back to the "next fix".

    There is an element of excitement when buying the BSO. The "expectation" of what is on the inside can be satisfaction in itself. Like opening a Christmas present.

    We all like to open gifts and presents. For some of us that feeling can become addictive. And it is easily triggered by the sales page that makes it sound even MORE exciting.

    So we come back for more, to experience that "excitement" again.

    This is not the only reason, but there is a psychological element to buying BSO's that contributes to us buying them.
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  • Profile picture of the author miklanderson2
    Income claims have always struck me as being on the verge of being unethical. How can someone who doesn't know you and doesn't know what you're capable of make a claim as to how much money you can make using their method?

    I always laugh to myself when I see odd dollar amounts like "Make 2,456.78 online this week" and can't help but wonder if there's one guy out there somewhere who's like "Man, that's exactly what I need to pay rent this month. I'm buying this product right now."
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    "A bargain is something you don’t need at a price you can’t resist."
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  • Profile picture of the author Emir Hayric
    Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston View Post


    One example of this might be "How to Make $4,526.24 Tonight, After Dinner, and Before Bedtime." No problem if 1) you already have a product that provides value YOUR list wants, 2) you have a great relationship with your warm to hot responsive list, 3) you have a distribution system already in place, 4) and a few more etceteras.
    And of course when asked they will always reply "yes this is designed with newbies in mind but your mileage may vary according to how much work you put in". I don't mind now and then picking up a product on a dimesale when it first goes live and it is someone who puts out products frequently. More often then not there are some gold nuggets in those small low price reports.
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  • Profile picture of the author gmarklin
    virtually all the people selling these BSO'S are just like the people they are selling this junk to. They have not made a nickel either
    When you see these sales letters where the guy was maxed out on his credit cards because he bought all the junk the gurus were selling, and then he "cracked the code", just stop reading because the only person who is making money is the guy who wrote the sales letter.
    George
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    • Profile picture of the author Emir Hayric
      Originally Posted by gmarklin View Post

      When you see these sales letters where the guy was maxed out on his credit cards because he bought all the junk the gurus were selling, and then he "cracked the code", just stop reading because the only person who is making money is the guy who wrote the sales letter.
      George
      Hahaha that one truly made me lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author pitocus
    What's scary is to see people detailing how to put together a BSO (this one has a more colloquial meaning than "bright shiny object") a day rewriting stuff with outsourcers in India.
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