Potential for a pass guarantee Project Management Professional, PMP Certification course

8 replies
Wondering what is the earning potential for a pass guarantee program for PMP Certification(Project Management Professional).

If I were to offer this program for affiliates on sites such as Clickbank what should be the commission.

What I offer

i) PMI Mandated 35 PDUs from a PMI registered Education Provider.
ii)Access to five full length simulated exams(reserve the slot through google calendar)
iii) Personal coaching - google hangouts or skype call and forum
iv) Inputs and suggestions on weak areas and specific focus on topics to maximize your chances of scoring high marks

On your part(folks taking the certification)

i) Must commit to 100 hours or more of preparation
ii) Complete atleast three full length simulated exams
#certification #guarantee #management #pass #pmp #potential #professional #project
  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Originally Posted by nmghlpt nm View Post

    Wondering what is the earning potential for a pass guarantee program for PMP Certification(Project Management Professional).

    If I were to offer this program for affiliates on sites such as Clickbank what should be the commission.

    What I offer

    i) PMI Mandated 35 PDUs from a PMI registered Education Provider.
    ii)Access to five full length simulated exams(reserve the slot through google calendar)
    iii) Personal coaching - google hangouts or skype call and forum
    iv) Inputs and suggestions on weak areas and specific focus on topics to maximize your chances of scoring high marks

    On your part(folks taking the certification)

    i) Must commit to 100 hours or more of preparation
    ii) Complete atleast three full length simulated exams
    I would have thought most of this type of business would be done to corporates with programs run to elevate staff internally.

    Offering a program utilising CB would not have been my first thought anyway.

    Why wouldn't you target major businesses and offer training to their staff?

    Best regards,

    Ozi
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    • Profile picture of the author nmghlpt nm
      There is not much of a thriving corporate training culture here in India. Much of the yearly mandatory training is accomplished by online or elearning courses. A few softskill courses are definitely conducting by internal and in some cases external corporate trainers.

      The idea behind the post is for someone without much of an experience as a corporate trainer, however as someone who has taken the PMP certification exam a few years ago and who knows exactly what to focus on to pass the certification exam. I could offer useful tips and feedback, also I am throwing in something of tangible value, i.e simulated exams that cost few dollars.

      Best Regards,
      nmghlpt
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  • Profile picture of the author Wile E Coyote
    The problem I think is that you are misplacing your target market.

    Out of all the PMP Certs out their, how many are individuals seeking to better their career vs the individuals who are being (for lack of better words) forced to take the certification by the organization they are a part of.

    So the question isn't whether or not you're offering something of tangible value, but whether or not the medium is the correct placement. Using Clickbank as an example, it's more or less a B2C model. Most affiliate programs aren't targeting businesses. Those that are, are definitely not targeting organizations that are corporate-style and big enough to be wanting to mandate PMP Certification standards.

    So to answer your question, you'd have to offer somewhere around 50-75%, like most CB offers to be competitive and then you'll run into the problem of a small niche market and that will decrease affiliate EPC and then dry out the market (in my opinion).

    Does that make sense?
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  • Profile picture of the author nmghlpt nm
    Dear Wile,

    Many thanks for your slightly forceful or authoritative style of addressing the problem, once again thanks, its rare keep that spirit high!

    I don't care if the market for a product dries out, markets evolve and new products/services get introduced, i.e as per the demand.

    One problem I have is if I offer 50-75% for a money back guarantee(if the guy taking the PMP exam flunks) I would end up paying 150% to 175%. i.e 100% money back plus 50%-75% to the affiliate.

    In a cancelled order scenario, the credit/debit transaction is reversed. I was wondering how does the payout for affiliates work.

    Best Regards,
    nmghlpt
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    • Profile picture of the author Wile E Coyote
      Sure, I get that...

      But the issue with using the affiliate networks you suggested as well as a host of others, is that they will have their own money back guarantee.

      They can buy your course, take the test, pass with flying colors, and then call Clickbank and get a refund. Which is why the market may not be a good fit in these platforms.

      About commission value... since I think we've established that it is a niche market at it's present stage, you have to be able to A) Prove that the product converts and B) Allow the affiliate to earn a decent EPC from it. You may find out that 50% isn't enough to get affiliates to push your product and if there is enough affiliates within the current audience in general.

      rhealy29 below me is correct though. If a product is refunded, the affiliate is also refunded their commission (whether it's paid out already or pending).
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      • Profile picture of the author nmghlpt nm
        please refer to my reply to rhealy29
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  • Profile picture of the author rhealy29
    If you're selling through CB and your customer files a return, the affiliate will lose the commission. You won't be on the hook for the full return while also out the commission.

    The being said, Clickbank's standard return policy window is 60 days, and per their returns and cancellation policy, a refund can only be requested through them for up to 90 days post purchase. So unless I'm mistaken, that means if someone were to request a refund based on your guarantee post 90 days, you'd be providing it directly yourself and would be on the hook for the commission as well.

    As others have suggested, I really don't think Clickbank is the avenue for this. For one thing, as mentioned, the commission you're going to have to offer is going to eat up a huge chunk of your overall price, which for a program like you've mentioned will either force your price to an unsustainable point or make the whole thing potentially not worth your while.

    Finally, there are already a large number of PMP exam prep courses offered by a number of companies and institutions, including a large number of major universities. These courses vary in price wildly, but the key is that they're offered through some pretty reputable sources. I question the type of customer an "IM style" PMP cert course would attract, and I feel like you'd be opening yourself up to abuse of your guaranteed refund policy.

    I'm not necessarily saying it can't be done, or that it wouldn't be profitable, but I think Clickbank is definitely the wrong avenue to pursue for a comprehensive course like this, especially one that requires significant time AND guarantees a pass.

    Just my $0.02 on use of Clickbank.
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    • Profile picture of the author nmghlpt nm
      Thanks for your $.02 and also many thanks to Clickbank

      Please note we are not the ones robbing them of their precious dollars, we are infact offering a value for money proposition. Neither should we be robbed.

      There is hardly any scope for abuse of the return policy. To receive a full refund, must share a copy of failed transcript and register for re-exam within two/three months.

      There is hardly any scope for abuse of the return policy.
      PMP® Certification Exam fee with PMI Membership $405
      PMP® Certification Exam fee without PMI Membership $555
      Re-examination fee for PMI® members $275
      Re-examination fee for non-members $375

      Who would want to pay hefty exam/rexam fee just to claim a refund.
      Regarding reputation, that is precisely the reason not planning to charge a fee as high as the venerable/reputable institutions. Moreover there is hardly any pass guarantee scheme offered by these historically great institutions.

      Actually reputation plays an important role for courses when there is industry standard certification.

      If reputation were a function of history or past performance there
      would be no creation of newer reputable companies, institutions or for that matter universities.

      Without a bit of reputation it is a bit foolish to be competing with highly reputable companies or institutions. Though we can imagine we are competing just to make ourselves feel better, like when we wish to be in the fake it till you make it frequency.

      one other perspective, it is incumbent on the reputable companies, institutions and universities to strive to maintain their reputation. They may wish to do it by a clever mix of media management and advertising and some performance or really strive to consistently improve their service or product offering.
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