Does Your Product or Service Pass the "Happy Anniversary" Test?

by Hasan Barbary

Posted: 14 years ago 13 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

So today marks my one-year anniversary as a registered member of this great forum.

Like many folks, I was a lurker for a long time prior, but now it's obvious to me that participating brings 1000 times more benefit.

(And before you ask, yes, I know I haven't joined the War Room yet. It's on the To-Do List; but honestly, I've got a plan & I'm working it, so all's well for now).

I DO have a major concern; however. Anyone who has been exposed to IM for more than a minute must recognize the very ephemeral nature of the "next hottest thing." The so-called "Gurus" are especially guilty:

"Launch this, Launch that, JV product of a lifetime, blah blah blah..."

And so that got me thinking: What, if anything, have I purchased in the past year that I'm still using? (IM-related, of course.)

If I myself create a new product, wouldn't I want to give value by making it as "Evergreen" as possible?

Do you want or expect your customers to still be using the WSO they buy today in 366 days?

How important is that to you?

All Poll Votes and comments appreciated.

#happy anniversary #pass #product #service

George Wright 14 years ago

Nice Conversation. I voted #1. Let's see what develops here.

George Wright
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"The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
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Brenden Clerget 14 years ago

I agree, I voted. I'm looking forward to seeing what people say.
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- papapanda Banned 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DrivenForMillions
  
  I agree, I voted. I'm looking forward to seeing what people say.
  
  I agree.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Hasan Barbary 14 years ago
  
  Allright! Two votes for Choice #3 ~ "Most People are too lazy for it to matter". I was waiting for that...
  
  Right now the True Cynic Ratio stands at 20% :rolleyes:
  
  Keep your votes & comments comin'...
  
  Thanks
  
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mywebwork 14 years ago

I just voted and it looks like I'm with everyone else!

Building a product that passes the 1 year test is a far better use of your time and resources, IMHO. If you put a lot of effort into something it's nice to know that you can leverage it a year (or 5 years) from now.

Bill

P.s. Happy Anniversary!
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Dennis Gaskill

14 years ago

I'm just an echo in the night according to my vote.

Whether someone is using my products a year from now is up to them. I try to create products that have lasting value. I sold my first information product for 7 years with only one update needed in that whole time. I'm in the process of rewriting it now, but not because it's outdated, but because I have a lot more to add because of experience gained.

Interesting question, thanks for asking.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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Hasan Barbary

14 years ago

Hmm... six votes so far, and everybody's in agreement.

It's nice to see that we're all such good-intentioned product creators, but I wonder ~ are we also maybe guilty of excessive optimism?

This reminds me of a poll one of the major news networks did years ago. It was a poll about the afterlife, something to the effect of:

1) Are most people going to Heaven or Hell?
(a majority responded "Hell")

2) Do you believe that YOU PERSONALLY are going to Heaven or Hell?
(a majority responded "Heaven")

See how the math doesn't add up? :p

I hope I'm not doing the same thing: "Of course, my stuff is timeless, but most other peoples'... CRAP!"

Anyways, thanks for all the answers so far... let's keep the votes & comments coming!

Thanks
3 replies

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George Wright

14 years ago

No, not excessive optimism at all.

If anything I'm guilty of not sticking with a method or technique.

I've come up with a few very evergreen things and moved on to the next and the next.

Others have taken these ideas to much higher paying levels then me and prospered with them.

In the mean time my products are just as valid today as they were when I created them. It's me that fizzles not the product.

I guess I like adrenaline more than money.

George Wright

Originally Posted by Hasan Barbary

Thanks

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"The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane

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Dennis Gaskill 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Hasan Barbary

...I hope I'm not doing the same thing: "Of course, my stuff is timeless, but most other peoples'... CRAP!"

I would say, if you ask yourself that kind of question, there's a very good chance you're on the right track. People who produce crap generally don't ask themselves those kind of questions.
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CDarklock

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Hasan Barbary

1) Are most people going to Heaven or Hell?
(a majority responded "Hell")

2) Do you believe that YOU PERSONALLY are going to Heaven or Hell?
(a majority responded "Heaven")

See how the math doesn't add up? :p

Let's rephrase that, and see if you might be able to understand the mystery.

1. Are most people right or wrong about this issue?

2. Are you personally right or wrong about this issue?

Regardless of the details, your answers are almost certainly "wrong" and "right" because there is no true majority opinion - most people really don't agree with you, no matter what you think - and whatever YOUR opinion is, you have it because you believe it is right. What sane person would believe he was wrong about anything? If he was wrong, he would change either his belief or his behaviour.

Thanks
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"The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers

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Hasan Barbary 14 years ago

The current score:

#1 ~ YES = 15 votes
#2 ~ NO = 0 votes
#3 ~ Who Cares? = 2 votes

I'm actually kinda surprised at the null result for #2. I would have thought there would be at least a few "Window of Opportunity" WSOs.

For example: this would have been HUGE in July 2004:

"DOMAIN FLIPPING FOR STOCK TRADERS! 30-DAYS TO FAST CASH FOR THE NEXT NASDAQ IPO ~ LIMITED TIME ONLY!!"

P.S. Google went public on Aug. 19, 2004. I remember having a little cash in CD's, and not wanting to withdraw early because of the penalty. I asked my one rich Uncle ~ now deceased ~ to lend me $5k. He said no... he called the Internet a "flash in the pan"... D'oh!!!
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dsmpublishing 14 years ago

Hi guys

i have many products that are doing well three years down the line not just one. When you set up a product you have to think about the long term prospects not just an overnight hit with lucrative jvs.

kind regards

sam
X
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CDarklock 14 years ago

Just in case some people honestly don't care what happens to their customers after the money hits their account... and no matter what you might think of that mindset, it's a perfectly valid one on which many successful businesses are built... think of it this way.

Do you want or expect new customers to still be buying the WSO you sell today in 366 days?

How important is that to you?

EDIT: Yes, Hasan, I expect these people are probably voting #3.
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Signature

"The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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Does Your Product or Service Pass the "Happy Anniversary" Test?

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