Why do so many IM'ers ignore this Golden Rule of Marketing?

camnettcontent, you make some valid points. I think a lot of it is new IM'ers follow the wrong people or they don't follow anyone at all. All too often I see "Make $500 every day" or something of the like. People pushing products with claims to get rich or make a hefty sum overnight. No trust building, just selling.

There are too many products and advertisers out there that push making money, but leave out adding value. People get in and think they will become a success in a week and are taught to push push push without building any relationships or adding any value.

One valuable thing a lot of newbies miss is finding a good mentor. Someone who has created value, who will not just show people what needs to be done, but teach them how to do it successfully to create a sustainable business, not just an urgency of product pushing to as many as you can then on to the next product.

I'm guessing there are lots of reasons that pre-selling isn't used more:

• Many IMers, especially newcomers, don't have any idea what it is or how it's used;
• It takes some effort, work, and know-how to do it right;
• Lots of IMers will always choose the path of least resistance, only do the minimum required;
• It's part of the impetuous "me" generation - I want it done my way and I expect it now;
• Building a list of niche subscribers takes too long and nurturing them is not my bag;
• Some will say they've tried it . . . and it didn't work (without learning how to do it right);
• Many assume pre-selling is about distributing product information (which it is not);
• Sometimes marketers are afraid to "put themselves out there" to establish trust and credibility.

There are other reasons, for sure, but these few come to mind now.

Steve

I think the biggest problem is that many new marketers are looking for a quick payday. They could care less about the customer and building a long term relationship (despite the benefit). They're blinded by fantasy of dollar signs.

Or just don't care lol.

They hear about the glory of online marketing and want to capitalize IMMEDIATELY. Then they read a Clickbank book and get 1 sale after 4 months.... and nothing else. They don't value an email newsletter, then they wind up calling everything related to online selling as a *scam*. Not knowing that marketing is marketing is marketing... no matter what you sell.

I just remember when I first thought of getting into business online. I used to think and raved to my friends about quick money or easy money, autopilot business i.e. doing nothing while the money flows like a raging river into my bank account, etc. etc. including setting up a website that people flocks like crazy on day 1. But I was wrong, totally wrong, the reality was light years away from the online business dream that previously playing in my mind. I've been driven by the events of many internet millionaires with big houses and driving kick-ass cars at such a very young age but I was completely oblivious of the long and hard process behind their success. Yes, traffic alone is a big challenge. People just don't care about you, they don't care if your landlord kicked you out of his property, they don't care if you're starving to death, they only care about themselves, they only care of what YOU CAN DO for them. Camnettcontent was right, GIVE FIRST, take second. Think about THEM first and THEY will think about you in return.

Because it simply doesn't always have to be that way.

What ever happened to selling something in exchange for value?

That sounds pretty win-win to me.

I saw a new post just minutes ago of someone asking how to set an automated WP Amazon affiliate site that would pull data from the store, and even suggesting to use plug-ins to, yes, automate Facebook likes.

Like, what's the point of that and what value proposition is it for potential customers?

You can make the coolest site but if it has nothing of value for people but a collection of links, banners and subscription forms, who is going to fall for that?

A waste of time.

I strongly agree with Randall. And I suspect very few have even picked up a physical, business 101 textbook.

I'm so glad the OP started this post. I cannot believe how things have changed for the worse in the 6 years I have been an Affiliate Marketer.

Gone are the days when you would offer a valuable (and highly actionable) report or video in exchange for an opt-in and then follow up with them with a bunch more top quality content that would actually help them. Man do I miss those days. You know, the days when you could use double opt-in and ask for a person's name and still get a great conversion rate.

Now it seems all you see are short one-line squeeze pages that don't even give away anything valuable. Nope. You enter your email address, click submit, and immediately you get blasted with another squeeze page, and if it's not a CPA offer (which it usually is), you'll then get redirected to maybe another squeeze page, or a "thank-you" page with 4 or 5 links to- you guessed it- more squeeze pages! I mean really... What is up with that?

What happened to getting the subscriber and then sending them right to the download page? Maybe I'm being naive. Maybe that just doesn't exist anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you shouldn't change with the times. I just think that the way email marketing is being done by a lot of IMers nowadays is plain crazy. It seems like it's all "churn and burn." I guess that works, too. It just doesn't seem right to me. What's wrong with building up a little rapport before asking for the sale?

Great points!!

And that is really one of the most common mistakes new IMers make!

Especially, with a new email list.

It seems like most are going too too fast! .... meaning that they are going after the sell way too early and way too fast!

You have to lead with value. All the time. That is the best way to build a trusting relationship with your potential customers.

I think, what is happening, is that everyone is just too used to getting things "on demand". They want to get traffic, get leads, and make sales way too fast. And that rarely happens!

Most people do the wrong things, work on the wrong process, and when they do not see the results they want, they say this does not work. Is like taking a successful Chef's recipe, changing some of the ingredients, doing things in the wrong order, changing some of the cooking process, and ending up with a very crappy dish - then turn around to the Chef and scream at his face his recipe sucks!! LOL

It is incredible how many people will not follow the right process, and yet criticize this industry. Shame on you!! ... haha

This is a real business, and it should be treat it as such. It will take the right process, with a lot of consistency, a lot of massive action, and the right mindset!

It will also take a lot of effort and time!

The best things in life do not happen overnight. That is just the raw truth. I mean, even offline, do you really think people push a button and automatically put up a business at a high populated corner - and sell products and services like hot cakes??!! lol .... I do not think so!

There is a right process to make it happen, there is no doubt about it. It is the same when you want to build a successful business online. You will have to put in the hard work with the right process, the right investments - and be very patient!

Now, the most obvious thing you should do online (after doing a deep research) .....

If a lot of people are saying they are not finding much success by pitching pitching pitching ...

Why would you do the same???

Knock knock! ... hello! ..anyone there! haha

I have learned that you need to implement a simple 80/20 rule. Especially with email marketing.

80% of the time share pure valuable knowledge - and 20% of the time have a high converting offer. That's it!

This is also why, building your own blog online, helps you sell more. Because you lead with a lot of value, and people will actually thank you for that and really consider the products and services you recommend!

This is not rocket science. The concepts are simple. It is people who twist things up and go with what they think can get them "very fast" results. Put your ego down, empty your cup, and actually follow EXACTLY what the successful are telling you to do!! ... come on!

Just my 2 passionate cents!

I completely agree with this. Offer value, whether it's a free ebook, course, or just great content and gain some credibility and trust, then asking them to buy something from you is no longer a big deal.

Funny...this same kind of discussion has been around as long as I've been in IM...which is many years. Just as with prospecting, so it is with people "trying IM"; some will, some won't , so what.

OP, you are so right.

But I'd like to rephrase that slightly....

Give first. Take second. Absolutely correct but...

To give, you have to ESTABLISH why people should TAKE from you.

In other words, build trust.

This is where CREDIBILITY comes in.

Be credible.

How?

Be helpful.

Be kind.

Motivate people.

Bring out the best in them.

Whatever form it takes (of course, it all depends on context), ADD VALUE TO PEOPLE'S LIVES.

That's the bottom line

To get what YOU want, you must first GIVE OTHERS WHAT THEY WANT.

Cannot agree with you more!

I have been in the IM world for long, long time. Have seen many come and go. Sadly many of them have given honest hard working marketers a bad name and left bad taste in general public's mouth. They appear like a strong storm and exit like a hurricane. In other words they blow in crap and leave with destruction.

This is one of the main reasons I moved away from IM 5-6 years ago. Still do some digital product creation and marketing but mainly these days focus my business on helping local small business owners. Lot of satisfaction in helping people who appreciate it and then watch their business grow

Another thing that totally turns me off: there are some people out there creating damn good digital products BUT they throw in so many OTO offers it is sickening. Many of the current products creators doing this will never get me to promote... Would never send anyone into OTO hell! Upsell, downsell, sideways, upside down, spin and then release version 2 a year later with even more OTO's...

Bottom line is if you want to succeed, build a relationship with people by offering quality products. Then stand behind them! Fact is the only thing you really have is your name and once ruined, it is cached into web servers for long time.

"give first, take later" just isn't fashionable. People want (expect) instant rewards so they start out that way. Its a fast route to no sales success. And yet these people are being peddled to with exactly what they expect. The 'gurus' have long pre-sale letters, mails, process, webpages etc, giving away lots of (so called) value all selling "get rich quick and 1 button software". Until the buyers stop believing the hype, the hypers will continue to make fortunes with worthless products. There is only one way to make real money, and we all know what that is.

Here it is in other words not just in marketing, but life in general:

"Life gives to the givers and takes from the takers."

LOL Life meaning Mother Nature naturally, like treat the people the way you want them to treat you.

I don't think a lot of people view making money online as something that they can turn into a real business, so they don't approach it from that perspective -- even though the basic rules of business still apply. It's just the medium that's changed (the fact that it's the internet). I mean, unless you're a person that has studied business or happens to follow a legitimate business model and ethical marketer your first time out, it's hard to figure these things out.

Joey

I agree with jamescanz and discrat. Because it does not always have to be that way. The way to market products are not equal. I am still learning how to promote shareasale products (Delaying it after getting lots of login attempts). However selling physical products online (the original ones) without giving something away for free does still work. Even review sites, although not spectacular, still give results.

Effective Pre-selling ------ is what Amazon, Apple, Ebay, PayPal, and Google have already done to the extent that you have little shot to compete until you can Pre-Sell as effectively.

You only need to get 100 million and a 1998 start to get that done. Internet Marketing for small local business is fairly snuffed out. Go local, on the street.

I totally agree with the Golden Rule principal.

Coming from a retail background of over 35 years customers in a brick and mortar store are no different from customers on the internet.

They are people who are looking for something and they will always return to the sales person who takes care of them the best.

In retail it was called clienteling or developing a long term relationship with your customers which is very important especially if you work on commission.

Take this same concept with your email subscribers and build a business instead of burning out your list.

I agree with camnettcontent ad BrandyW that finding a mentor is absolutely crucial. Especially with all the many, many courses about making money online that is out there.

I spent thousands on courses trying to understand IM. I totaled all the purchases I made since October 2014 and it came out to a whopping $17,000!! Yep, bought all the shiny objects when I got stuck with one course, thinking this next course could be it.

There had to be a simpler way to get from Point A to Point B. To learning IM and making money online.

At the end of June, I was led, that's right, led to my current mentor. I made sure I checked this guy out three ways to sundown. I did my due diligence and I am not sorry that I hired him as my mentor. I needed to learn the IM business to serve and he does a wonderful job to make me understand the fundamentals.

See, it's so easy to get caught up in the learning and the jargon of IM.
Forget that we are dealing with people and offering solutions to their problems.

We need to be mindful that as IMers we are to give more use value than we receive in cash value.

That we have the great opportunity to enrich people's lives, first and have the confidence that the money will be there when we do good work.

Thank you for allowing me to share.

Leilani

Give first and take second is one way of looking at it. If people realise though that you do not "make" money online or anywhere else this may provoke a different approach. What we actually do is "exchange" something of value to our potential customer, such as information, solutions to a problem and so on. In "exchange" we receive something that is of value to us, as in money. If we can provide something that is valuable enough to our potential customers, they will be willing to exchange what is valuable to us in return for that. It is possible to have this exchange happen immediately but we need to put ourselves into the "minds" of our customers. They will be asking themselves "what is in it for me?" Give them what it is that they want and the exchange will seem fair to them. Give them more than they want, and the exchange is inevitable. Remember, we do not "make" money, we exchange value.

What I learn to create a good business is:
=> deliver great content => let people know you as a big expert => make tons of SALES

Give, give, give before to ask (before to pitch)

I always feel obliged to buy if the saleman is super-helpful and knowledgeable, whether it is a car saleman, electronics store guy or someone on the internet. Show them you are a real person, demonstrate you know your stuff better than anyone else on their radar, and give them enough free education or products until they feel obliged to buy somehting from you just as a thank you, if nothing else - human nature.

Thanks camnettcontent for starting this thread, I've gained some real good advice and insights reading all the replies.
As a relative newcomer I've been lucky and not been scammed, there are so many shiny objects out there! I found a couple of mentors early on and have been progressing "slow and steady".

I hear a lot about the money being in the list, but I know myself, if I get an email every day shouting at me to buy this or that, I soon unsubscribe. I respond best to perhaps 4 or 5 plain newsletters (well written) spaced out, then an offer. I'm much more likely to look at what is on offer if I've been given something of value first.
So I guess its the way you use your list that's more important than the list itself.

Thanks for the thread. I'm also a newbie and been attracted by the glitters of "earn $500 per day easily in 30 days" but so far I haven't fallen for it, but it's tempting especially when you need it. But after a year, i realised it's a long process and I need to be more focused.

Question: which blog, resources would you honestly recommend to help out with IM?

Last question to Camnettcontent, would you accept to be my mentor and teach me some ropes?

As a relative 'newbie' this is one of the things I was taught from day 1. Be yourself, give before you try to sell. Your visitors have to know, like and trust you first and foremost.
It takes time to build up a rapport with people, either through your blog or website.
Loof after your cistomers and they will reward you.
Just follow the 'golden rule'. No 'if's' or 'but's'.

First things first. Need to have a great product. Not average. Not just as good as the rest. But great. Far and above the competition. This is where you need to start. Otherwise crickets is all you will hear.

I absolutely agree with you camnettcontent . "Give first , Take second" . You must give your customers reasons to keep coming back to you . Adding value to their quest of searching for tools to "get rid of a problem " that they are in - will ensure your long term success.

Great post.
I think most newbies have a problem with critical prep before starting marketing campaigns. Sure, the delivery system is important, but beginners fail to 'know' their ideal customer. If I'm your target tell me what I need to know to make an informed buying decision. Do not simply push at me what you have to say. I guess that is what you were saying in the original post. I like the well-defined avatar approach.

Hi,

As you can see, I am new here but am very glad to be here now. I've been reading through these posts and have learned a lot in just this small amount of time.

I used to think that advertising was the best way to get clients, but in the business I am in - Hosting, that is not always true.

The OP's point of give first is really spot on. I've wasted a lot of money on advertising without much to show for it. I've now started posting in a couple different forums, not "Hey Look At Me!" type posts, but helpful posts about hosting and how it works and how my company can help you get online etc.

As I said before, I am glad to be here and look forward to learning as much as possible.

What can I say?

Awesome and Inspiring...I'm really learning.. For the same reason I have stepped back...start getting the proper training to lay the foundation. You are absolutely correct...cause if its me on the buying end I would be running...I heard what you said and its the same thing I'm learnig... you must be correct. Thanks again...

Most people in the IM space, don't want to build a REAL business they just want to make the quick buck to quit their day-job...

That's also the reason why most fail in making any decent income online in the long run.

There are no golden rules..Just thinking out of the box and be innovative

I absolutely agree you should stick to the golden rule of marketing and give before you take,but remember this,you aren't required to give away the farm! There is such thing as giving away too much value/content for free. Your best tips,tricks,and strategies should be sold in the form of info products,courses.etc...

We are in business to make money,always remember that!

Don't be afraid to sell. Embrace selling and fall in love with it. We sell people on stuff everyday without even knowing it.

~TR

Hmm, your right when you say people are expecting to get get get before giving giving giving. Yes, always provide value first BUT some newbies take this to the far side and only give out free stuff and when they pitch they wonder why no one buys.

Giving value is good, but you gotta promote aswell.