I have this idea I'm debating trying.. ...ADVICE NEEDED???

22 replies
I have this idea I've been tinkering with. I'm debating trying it. Not sure if I'm way off base or not. But it's like this....

For some strange reason I've been dealing with or chatting with a lot of professionals over the last few years. Many are making huge money. The ones that aren't doing well, are usually earning like 100k annually.

So my thought was to create for them a course on how to improve their professional practice. It would be basically your standard home study course that they would get in the mail. It would provide ideas and consulting, etc etc.

I'd sell it for a minimum of 1000. But ideally I was thinking maybe try and sell it for 5000. With some kind of backend on top of that for at least another 5k.

Then what I'd do is I'd just basically try and find affiliates. I'd just go gangbusters with trying to find affiliates to market it. The high price would add incentive to them to get out there and drive traffic.

I guess the only challenge is trying to create a powerful enough sales pitch. I'm not a professional in terms of a career. So I don't have very good social proof. So that's one problem. Another is because I've never worked in those industries I can only speculate or learn about how they generally work. But I have some sources I found for doing that.

So that's basically the idea I've been pondering over the last week or so. Is it stupid? or is it a good idea??? What would you change about it? or advise? :rolleyes:
#advice #debating #idea #needed
  • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
    Banned
    You've no experience but think you can teach successful people how to be even more successful.

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  • Profile picture of the author domainarama
    If you're a d*mned good writer, go for it! The world is full of sham 'internet experts' who learned everything they know from a 30 minute search on the internet, you being one more example of that species would be just fine. And when you're all finished, write a book about how you fooled all your students.
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    • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
      Originally Posted by domainarama View Post

      If you're a d*mned good writer, go for it! The world is full of sham 'internet experts' who learned everything they know from a 30 minute search on the internet, you being one more example of that species would be just fine. And when you're all finished, write a book about how you fooled all your students.
      LOL well ain't that the truth! Well...truth be told I have a fair bit of business experience. I'm not saying they'd be buying Jay Abraham, but they certainly wouldn't be buying some kid fresh out of highschool. They'd be buying from someone who knows reasonably well how to curate information to give them what they need without making they're business even worse off. I don't know I could be wrong but I'm not sure I see a huge disconnect. Like this isn't major league sports. This is just information marketing. LOL
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      • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
        Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

        LOL well ain't that the truth! Well...truth be told I have a fair bit of business experience. I'm not saying they'd be buying Jay Abraham, but they certainly wouldn't be buying some kid fresh out of highschool. They'd be buying from someone who knows reasonably well how to curate information to give them what they need without making they're business even worse off. I don't know I could be wrong but I'm not sure I see a huge disconnect. Like this isn't major league sports. This is just information marketing. LOL
        Well, since you mentioned Jay Abraham, try to imagine what he might advise you to do. The first thing that popped into my head was to find someone to JV with; they supply the main ideas for the product, and perhaps become the more visible partner if they have more impressive credentials, and you do most of the grunt work (make a website, get the physical parts of it manufactured etc), and market it.

        It isn't surprising that you got some negative responses, given your first post didn't make any mention of how you would produce such a high end product, but said your main challenge was producing a good enough sales pitch to sell an info product for $5k or more.

        You said nothing about the challenge of not only producing the product, but making sure it benefits the buyers some multiple of it's cost. That is somewhat disturbing. If I were buying it, I'd prefer to do so from someone who put at least as much thought and effort into making a great product as making a great pitch to sell it.

        So you need to produce a product yourself, or with someone else, that you know will bring in at least $10k in increased revenue in the first year, or better yet, the first few months, for the buyers. It seems to me the pitch would be much less of a challenge if you could first address that challenge.

        If you're really serious about helping them rather than just making money for yourself, why not do a beta version, test it with 10 or 20 people, and then you'll have incredible testimonials (if it's good enough), and can make improvements, and even kick start your marketing with referrals from the testers. You don't have to test for free, but charge little enough that if it needs a lot of improvement, they won't feel burned; in other words, even your beta testers need to get more value than they paid for.

        If you plan to produce it yourself, you need an angle you haven't yet mentioned (unless I missed something). You say you haven't got experience in the fields of those you want to sell to; that is okay, as long as you can really produce results for them. But if you have only some vague idea of "helping them improve their practice", without a real plan, then you need a whole business model before concerning yourself with the pitch.

        So maybe it's crazy, or maybe a great idea. We don't know because we haven't heard much about the idea other than it will cost a lot and help professionals improve their practice. That's just way too vague to give me confidence that you have something good. You might or you might not, but it sounds like you have a lot of work to do before any of us can be expected to give you a thumbs up that means anything.
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        • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
          The product would be easy to make. I've written 2 different books that were over 1000 pages. It's not that hard. It's just creating a convincing enough sales pitch with limited creditials and social proof to justify the very high cost. Unless I just went for something like 1000.
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          • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
            Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

            The product would be easy to make. I've written 2 different books that were over 1000 pages. It's not that hard. It's just creating a convincing enough sales pitch with limited creditials and social proof to justify the very high cost. Unless I just went for something like 1000.
            It bodes well that you're so confident in your ability to create the product. But the number of pages you're capable of writing certainly doesn't speak to the value you bring to the table. Lots of pages doesn't necessarily mean high value. Perhaps that isn't an issue for you because in your mind it's already written, and you know it will bring them a great return; if so kudos.

            But you're asking for our thoughts on it, and you have done nothing to address the question of value to this skeptical audience that just reads how you don't have the experience or credentials to make a good pitch, and naturally wonders if you have what it takes to make your audience a return that is far higher than the price.

            So the question in my mind remains: can you be sure that your product will bring them a good ROI on their $5k or whatever price you settle on, and if so, how will they make that return?
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            • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
              Originally Posted by Greg guitar View Post

              It bodes well that you're so confident in your ability to create the product. But the number of pages you're capable of writing certainly doesn't speak to the value you bring to the table. Lots of pages doesn't necessarily mean high value. Perhaps that isn't an issue for you because in your mind it's already written, and you know it will bring them a great return; if so kudos.

              But you're asking for our thoughts on it, and you have done nothing to address the question of value to this skeptical audience that just reads how you don't have the experience or credentials to make a good pitch, and naturally wonders if you have what it takes to make your audience a return that is far higher than the price.

              So the question in my mind remains: can you be sure that your product will bring them a good ROI on their $5k or whatever price you settle on, and if so, how will they make that return?
              What I'm saying to you is there's not that much new out there that needs to be learned or taught. If you can curate the information well you can create almost any info product.
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              • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
                Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

                What I'm saying to you is there's not that much new out there that needs to be learned or taught. If you can curate the information well you can create almost any info product.
                My advice is to put yourself in the shoes of those you hope to sell to. If you were making "huge money" as a professional, would you buy a slapped together ("curated"), $5k "standard home study course" on "how to improve your professional practice" from someone who describes themselves as "not a professional", and admits they "can only speculate or learn about how [the industry you are in] generally works"?

                Would you buy a $5k course from someone, after learning that the person who admitted having zero knowledge of your industry, was undecided as to whether to "speculate or learn about" it?

                Would you buy the $5K course after reading that the person with no knowledge or experience "guessed" that "the only challenge is trying to create a powerful enough sales pitch", and when asked for specifics about how they would bring enough value to the table, replied that "If you can curate the information well you can create almost any info product"?

                Do you think if your market ever read this thread before you pitched them, your pitch would have a snowball's chance? Or would they simply think "this guy doesn't seem to have any interest in even discussing how to help me, but thinks he can bamboozle me into buying $5k worth of slapped together info that he's not even qualified to judge the quality of"?

                I know that's what I'd be thinking. Your days of "dealing with or chatting with" me, which from the tone of your posts, it is indeed "strange" that I ever gave you the chance to do in the first place, would come to an abrupt halt.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Let me see.

    Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

    I'm not a professional in terms of a career.
    and...

    Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

    I've never worked in those industries I can only speculate or learn about how they generally work.
    Would you want to learn how to ride a bike from someone who does not know how to ride a bike?

    There is your answer.

    What have YOU got to teach other people who are already more successful than you? Why would people want to take advice from someone who is less successful than they are. Sounds silly.

    Why not instead find something you are actually good at and teach that information to people who do not already know it. I think you will sleep much better at night as opposed to feeding baloney to business owners.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Monroe
    It's your idea and you sound pretty enthusiastic about it... so, why not give it a try?

    I don't say it will be a success, but you might earn something from the experts you said you chatted with - why not try talking to them and asking opinions - where they think their business fails or which is the weak spot? Write something about that. Build you ebook with real life examples (their examples, if they allow it) and solutions.

    You must be original in order to succeed on any market. Don't just write a "How To" ebook.
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    • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
      Originally Posted by Adam Monroe View Post

      It's your idea and you sound pretty enthusiastic about it... so, why not give it a try?

      I don't say it will be a success, but you might earn something from the experts you said you chatted with - why not try talking to them and asking opinions - where they think their business fails or which is the weak spot? Write something about that. Build you ebook with real life examples (their examples, if they allow it) and solutions.

      You must be original in order to succeed on any market. Don't just write a "How To" ebook.
      Ya I was thinking about that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
    Talk is cheap and ideas are free....

    Go talk to the professionals and get 3 pre-orders... if you have that, then work day and night to build the product.

    Market research baby... it's what success is built on.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    It's really no wonder our industry has the reputation it has when a person who has clearly said he has no business teaching people something is being encouraged by others to go out and teach it.

    Fake it till you make it huh guys?

    Dear god...
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    • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      It's really no wonder our industry has the reputation it has when a person who has clearly said he has no business teaching people something is being encouraged by others to go out and teach it.

      Fake it till you make it huh guys?

      Dear god...
      You not exactly correct. What I'm saying is I've been around the block. Truth be told I already made well over 1 million dollars online in info marketing, running a successful site for 10 years. I've been doing copywriting since 93. I've studied all the gurus. I can't even count the number of books I've read from all of then thousands probably. So like I said I'm not some 18 yr old kid out of high school who has no experience and honestly should not be tackling such a project. What I'm saying is I'm sort of at that point where I"m thinking that these stupid $47 dollar info products are kinda like childs play and I don't see them amounting to much. So all I'm saying is I'm kinda looking at trying to break into that "next level". Yes I've never worked as a dentist or a lawyer or anything like that, but honestly you don't necessarily have to have known how to pull a tooth in order to show the same professionals ways to drive more traffic to there site, sales funnel, mailing list, and into there office. Like come on. Look at Jay Abraham. He's never worked on the front lines of the people he coaches. He knows "marketing". That's what I know. I'm not saying I'm a bonnified expert at it either. I'm just saying that I think I'm ready for the next step.
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  • Profile picture of the author deborahdawui
    Don't create a product that no one wants. First, find out if they will buy the product. Then, if you are not an expert, you can outsource the product creation. But make sure FIRST there is existing demand for the product/solution.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stefan Shields
    I'm stealing your idea.

    Only joking.

    I agree with what some others above are saying, you can't teach people things you don't understand yourself.
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    • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
      Originally Posted by Stefan Shields View Post

      I'm stealing your idea.

      Only joking.

      I agree with what some others above are saying, you can't teach people things you don't understand yourself.
      I disagree. If the world were like that we'd still think the world is flat.
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      • Profile picture of the author Stefan Shields
        Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

        I disagree. If the world were like that we'd still think the world is flat.
        So what you're saying is that teaching people your theories is better than teaching people what you actually know?

        This is true in the world of science but it doesn't always work online.
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  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    Judging by you older posts you can't focus on one project and see it through.
    It looks like you are jumping from one idea to the next without actually completing anything.
    Also if you have an idea try it out, you don't have to ask the Forum's advice every time you get an idea.

    PS. How did you go from millionaire to broke, wanting to live out of a van?

    Originally Posted by WillR View Post

    It's really no wonder our industry has the reputation it has when a person who has clearly said he has no business teaching people something is being encouraged by others to go out and teach it.

    Fake it till you make it huh guys?

    Dear god...
    Will
    You only seeing that now
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Anton
    You are ready for the "next level" but your value proposition is not. Just because others have money in your social circles and are successful does not entitle you to their success, by convincing them to buy something with "limited credentials".

    You can no doubt help teach others, but would you want to listen to someone ramble on about how to throw a spiral if they couldn't, or how to work out if they are overweight? Most things in life require the teacher to actually perform the tasks, or at least know them intimately. It's called credibility, and it means everything.

    If your specialty is driving website traffic than you are an Online Marketer, and your value will be a direct result of the actionable results and consult you can give them, not a fluff sales guide. Starting out isn't an issue if you don't have credentials. You simply do a case study and show its repeatable.

    You have clearly had success in the past with marketing, so you know to be a success you must bring it directly to others. This sounds like you read a book on thinking big and equated it to overcharging and hyping up something (some things are only worth $47 even if you "want" to make $1000).
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    • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
      Originally Posted by Matthew Anton View Post

      You are ready for the "next level" but your value proposition is not. Just because others have money in your social circles and are successful does not entitle you to their success, by convincing them to buy something with "limited credentials".

      You can no doubt help teach others, but would you want to listen to someone ramble on about how to throw a spiral if they couldn't, or how to work out if they are overweight? Most things in life require the teacher to actually perform the tasks, or at least know them intimately. It's called credibility, and it means everything.

      If your specialty is driving website traffic than you are an Online Marketer, and your value will be a direct result of the actionable results and consult you can give them, not a fluff sales guide. Starting out isn't an issue if you don't have credentials. You simply do a case study and show its repeatable.

      You have clearly had success in the past with marketing, so you know to be a success you must bring it directly to others. This sounds like you read a book on thinking big and equated it to overcharging and hyping up something (some things are only worth $47 even if you "want" to make $1000).
      Well it's just an idea for now. But what I was trying to explain earlier is that a captain of a ship doesn't necessarily know 100% how it's built, nor does the engineer who built it necessarily know how to sail it, especially threw high seas. Doesn't that make sense?
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  • Profile picture of the author brettb
    Go and research your idea in a bookstore. There are vast numbers of "improve your business/income/life" books. But if you have a novel idea then you can still make it in this niche - witness the comparatively recent success of books like The Secret and The Answer.
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