Webinar bait & switch: new trend?

by Joel Young

Posted: 10 years ago 10 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

For the second time in one week, from two different programs, I've been a "victim" of some sort of bait & switch tactic. I register for a webinar, and shortly before it begins, I get a reminder email as usual, but this time it says "There has been a change to this Webinar" in the email.

The first time this happened, I didn't notice, and instead of an actual 1-hour webinar where I'd learn about the product I already purchased, I was treated to a 30-minute so-callled webinar that actually lasted only 15 minutes, and was basically an advert for another product,

Tonight, for a different product and vendor than the first one, I saw the notice of change, and how the 1-hour webinar is now shortened to 30 minutes. I cancelled the registration.

Is this a new low-handed grab to sell products? I haven't put myself out there in nearly a year (being busy with my own business), and now I come back to find this sort of thing? That's sad!

#bait #switch #trend #webinar

Luke Dennison 10 years ago

Yep. people are getting more and more underhanded, but it's up to people like us to actually deliver on our promises, and build a reputable business.

I always laugh when I see these kinds of techniques. What do they think is going to happen? The customer/lead is going to be happy that they were lied to?

Lol. So much under-delivery these days.

I'm not saying that over delivering is always a good thing, but your main focus is to please your customer and keep him coming back.
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Raydal 10 years ago

I haven't experienced this my self. The last webinar I attended
was for the launch of a new product and it had meat--I learned
a few things. Of course there was the sales pitch at the end but
there was value as well.

But a webinar that is advertised as support for a product you
already bought should not be switched to a sales pitch.

-Ray Edwards
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Sarevok 10 years ago

Did you notice a common service provider among these type of webinars?

Or any other similarities?

Just wondering...

Maybe there's some new "Trick Webinar Method" or some script that's prompting this phenomenon.
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- Joel Young 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Sarevok
  
  Did you notice a common service provider among these type of webinars?
  
  Or any other similarities?
  
  Two different providers. Nothing else stands out.
  
  Thanks
  
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Jennifer Hutson 10 years ago

I've seen Anik Singal and a bunch of other "Gurus" do this a ton. Don't know how they continue to sell to people, but the suckers seem to eat it up.
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ChrisBa 10 years ago

I haven't seen this myself, I've seen webinars which lead into a promotion for a new product but not this..
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Brent Stangel 10 years ago

but the suckers seem to eat it up.

We affectionately refer to them as reality-challenged.

They see "guru" and they are like little girls at a Bieber concert.
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- Jennifer Hutson 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Brent Stangel
  
  We affectionately refer to them as reality-challenged.
  
  They see "guru" and they are like little girls at a Bieber concert.
  
  That they are.
  
  I only ever use the term "guru" mockingly. I have no idea how people can take it seriously anymore. It's such an over-hyped industry term. Totally cringe-worthy IMO.
  
  And the ones that people call gurus usually end up being the biggest crooks of them all. They will put their names on the worst products and market absolutely anything to their list, even if it's total sh*t.
  
  They are shameless.
  
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NK 10 years ago

Never faced this myself, but I tend to shy away from webinars.

Did you email them to ask for an explanation? Especially if it was supposed to be something they promised as a follow up to a purchase.

If they give some BS response I would just get a refund and stay away from them.
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kencalhn 10 years ago

i see webinars all the time in my industry that are what I call "powerpoint pitchfests" with poor content quality and overhyped selling for overpriced bs that doesn't work.... that's easy to compete against; as usual deliver solid valuable content and people can tell the difference
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