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Here's How the REAL Gurus Sell

by Mark Singletary
14 replies
McRib's Come Back | Fox News

The basics of marketing work online and off. We see things the "gurus" do and complain about their sneaky tactics. We can't understand why they do what they do so we threaten to leave their list or whatever.

But when we see real examples of the principles practiced by real companies with real stores and real employees, maybe it will help us better understand. McDonald's uses the scaricity tactic with the McRib.

Sometimes you have to look between the lines too. For example lots of people complain about testimonials because they are fake or the author's buddy or promoting something together or had the same 3rd grade teacher. Real companies don't use "scam" tactics such as that some say.

Ever considered what Amazon reviews are? They are testimonials.

The list is dead and email marketing is only used to scam people out of thier money when a guru does it. But when Microsoft or Paypal or the local bank or Barnes & Noble or Domino's Pizza does it, it's on the up and up.

It's not fair if a guru lowers a price as part of a promotion. Some even have the audacity to get a refund or do a chargeback so they can buy at the lower price. We cry "foul" when this happens. Why not try that the next time the BK Whopper or Diet Cokes or toilet paper is on sale and then goes back to its original price?

There's more to online marketing and business than you see here in this forum. Open your eyes and you can learn a lot about how it all really works.

Mark
#gurus #real #sell
  • Profile picture of the author Chris Webb
    I find the "guru" word only ends up appearing with the very marketers of the type you talk about.

    I'm on plenty of bloggers' email lists that make a good living from their list and the word guru never comes up.

    They do what they do, do it consistently and earn trust, and get compensated by offering things people actually need/want.

    Maccas lost trust decades ago. They simply excel at marketing to a great human weakness
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    Actually there is more in this forum than most see. You have it backwards and you really cannot compare marketing on the internet to someone's favorite sandwich. If someone really wanted a McRib they could make it at home. Trust me it is not that hard to do.

    EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL ONLINE CAN BE FOUND IN THIS FORUM!!!!

    The problem is most people are too lazy to use what is right in front of them. They are so busy looking for a so called SECRET that they miss what is on their computer screen.

    Benjamin Ehinger
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      I'm not comparing marketing on the Internet with a McRib nor am I saying you need something besides this forum.

      I'm saying that all the people complaining and whining about how guru x is a scam artist because he sends out emails or uses scarcity tactics or has tons of testimonials or whatever, needs to look outside this forum and see that well respected companies such as McDonald's, Amazon, Microsoft, and Domino's Pizza do the exact same kinds of things.

      If they do take a minute to look outside the window, then perhaps they can better understand the marketing principles involved, stop whining, and figure out how to use the principles for themselves.

      Mark

      Originally Posted by Benjamin Ehinger View Post

      Actually there is more in this forum than most see. You have it backwards and you really cannot compare marketing on the internet to someone's favorite sandwich. If someone really wanted a McRib they could make it at home. Trust me it is not that hard to do.

      EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL ONLINE CAN BE FOUND IN THIS FORUM!!!!
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      • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
        Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

        I'm not comparing marketing on the Internet with a McRib nor am I saying you need something besides this forum.

        I'm saying that all the people complaining and whining about how guru x is a scam artist because he sends out emails or uses scarcity tactics or has tons of testimonials or whatever, needs to look outside this forum and see that well respected companies such as McDonald's, Amazon, Microsoft, and Domino's Pizza do the exact same kinds of things.

        If they do take a minute to look outside the window, then perhaps they can better understand the marketing principles involved, stop whining, and figure out how to use the principles for themselves.

        Mark
        Look some of those so called "whining" people may not be whining, but may simply be new. It is the fault of these so-called scam artists you talk of that we have them in our forum SEEKING any help or advice they can find.

        Of course these large companies use similar marketing methods, but they don't take advantage of their customers. Take a closer look at Domino's Pizza and what they had to do to keep from going through bankruptcy. They lost quite a bit of respect from their customers using the same marketing strategies, but forgetting to go ahead and deliver a quality product. This is what they had to change.

        IT is not the methods that make a scam artist, but the product delivered. Furthermore the only reason that these new marketers don't look outside your "so called: window is because of the marketing done by these scam artists.

        IT is not the methods that the gurus that give them the sales they rack up. It is the products. If McDonalds skimped on the McRib or Burger King did on the Whopper they would lose sales like crazy. Where I live Taco Bell is never packed because the competition is the same price and tastes a thousand times better.

        AGAIN, it is not the method these companies or that internet marketing gurus use, but the PRODUCT they deliver.

        Benjamin Ehinger
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  • Profile picture of the author sirtiman
    Good to hear this "Guru" things. Yes they some just sucking our money in the pocket, but some have good attitude.
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    • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
      Originally Posted by sirtiman View Post

      Good to hear this "Guru" things. Yes they some just sucking our money in the pocket, but some have good attitude.

      Gurus don't suck the money out of your pocket if you really know what a guru is. What most don't do is actually research the person selling the product. Find out what else they have actually done, ask about them in this forum, and really know who you are buying your products from will make a HUGE difference.

      Benjamin Ehinger
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      • Profile picture of the author sal64
        I think you missed the point of the OP.

        Consumers accept tactics used off line but complain when they are used online.

        Mike Filsaime's principle of oto and upsell was a direct swipe from McD's concept of up sizing.

        Amazon does it as well.

        I get where the OP is coming from.


        Originally Posted by Benjamin Ehinger View Post

        Gurus don't suck the money out of your pocket if you really know what a guru is. What most don't do is actually research the person selling the product. Find out what else they have actually done, ask about them in this forum, and really know who you are buying your products from will make a HUGE difference.

        Benjamin Ehinger
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        • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
          Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

          I think you missed the point of the OP.

          Consumers accept tactics used off line but complain when they are used online.

          Mike Filsaime's principle of oto and upsell was a direct swipe from McD's concept of up sizing.

          Amazon does it as well.

          I get where the OP is coming from.
          I didn't miss the point at all....instead I made my own point about the loosely used term "guru".

          Consumers accept the same tactics online as offline and it has been going on for years. I can remember my mother returning products before the internet was a medium for marketing to get a sale price.

          I made my point and maybe you simply did not read everything I had to say.

          Benjamin Ehinger
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          • Profile picture of the author sal64
            Actually I did your response... it just didn't make sense. Whereas the OP did.

            Also, the Op saw fit to hit the thanks button for my reply... so maybe he agrees.

            Originally Posted by Benjamin Ehinger View Post

            I didn't miss the point at all....instead I made my own point about the loosely used term "guru".

            Consumers accept the same tactics online as offline and it has been going on for years. I can remember my mother returning products before the internet was a medium for marketing to get a sale price.

            I made my point and maybe you simply did not read everything I had to say.

            Benjamin Ehinger
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            Internet Marketing: 20% Internet - 80% Marketing!
            You Won't See The Light Until You Open Your Eyes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kecia
    I totally get what you are saying Mark, and I think you are right. I have noticed that people (inside and outside this forum) complain when an ebook or IM product goes on sale two days after they buy it. However, you don't see people complaining about restaurants offering deals the day after someone ate there or grocery stores running sales two days after someone bought food.

    What McDonald's has done with the McRib is no different than a salesletter saying, "This product will not be sold after X days" (Unless, of course, the product owner doesn't follow through with his claim).

    The marketing tactics are the same.
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  • Profile picture of the author Virtual Force
    There are too much fake things about gurus and I think we should move our step with utmost care.
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  • Profile picture of the author stvbarb89
    I hear exactly what you're saying its all marketing and all the big companies do it! If it ain't broke don't break it! Why wouldn't you follow the business models of these successful companies? It's all of a sudden a scam when the gurus do it though? Nope!
    People don't realize that just because its the internet the rules don't change marketing is marketing period.
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  • Profile picture of the author busybusinessman
    If you are in marketing, and I assume everyone in this forum IS in marketing otherwise they wouldn't be here, then you simply use what works. Only fools try to do something else. Most of us need a proper plan that we can use to market every day. If you find something that works better than anything else then simply rinse and repeat. BUT there are many marketing tactics that do work. It is a question of following the plan and putting in the time and effort.
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  • Profile picture of the author footbag_man
    what you have to do is make different plans i hope single of them will work.
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