Question of the week:
Please watch the video to understand the context of this weeks question.
Also, let me know what you think about the concept of The Grind. Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
Please leave a comment below.
Note that I don’t reply to all comments, but I do read them all. If I don’t reply to your comment, it most likely means that I agree with what you say and don’t have anything meaningful to add, myself. I appreciate and read all comments and your comments play an important part in what I write about, so keep them coming.
Spammy comments are always filtered or removed. No surprise there.
Note that I don’t reply to all comments, but I do read them all. If I don’t reply to your comment, it most likely means that I agree with what you say and don’t have anything meaningful to add, myself. I appreciate and read all comments and your comments play an important part in what I write about, so keep them coming.
Spammy comments are always filtered or removed. No surprise there.
I think it’s fine–
tho’ I’m involved in trying to develop my own projects at the same time, so I’m just not sure I’ll be able to really make use of them right away!
question about the quiz builder–I haven’t downloaded the software yet so just thought I’d post it here–can we use it on facebook?
if not–your suggestion for creating a button/app near the top that would take the visitor to a page with a link to our website?
or what would you suggest?
looking forward to your other products ;-)
Rik
Hi Rik,
Thanks for your input!
You can add a quiz to facebook using an iframe page, I presume. Although I’ll have to check that out myself. I’m not very well informed, when it comes to facebook.
As for the releases: I never aim to get everyone to buy everything. I never sell “hard” or use blind copy, for example.
The idea I have is that I offer products and if they match what you need, you can buy them.
It’s actually a bit sad that this is a rather unusual philosophy in the IM niche.
You’re awesome Shane, keep up the good attitude- we’re in dire need of more people like yourself in the IM sphere.
Great discussion about ‘the grind’ also… this is the same attitude I’ve held to for a while now, and have always got results eventually by doing so. It can be hard when you think everyone else is having success with things & it coming a lot easier/sooner for them, but you’ve explained well how this often simply isn’t and cannot be the case.
Einstein also said something like ‘Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration’.
Regarding software releases, I prob would’ve got a bit irritated if a string of products started being released that weren’t well targeted to my needs, but having heard your explanation & backstory now I’m interested to see what you develop (plus I have confidence what you release would actually be something you use and is generally somehow valuable).
Great way to get a discussion going- thanks mate.
Kieren
I like what you are doing, Shane! You could do other things and I would probably like them too, but I hear your enthusiasm and that is what makes the grind worth it.
Agree with you about long-term visions being essential, and being the juice that makes the grind worth it.
The long-term vision thing is actually something I’m not terribly good at, myself. I have one or two longer term goals, but I’m mostly focused on the present. I guess that can be a good thing, too. But a clear goal can also be a great productivity tool.
Hey Shane,
Great stuff, as always! Similar to what Malcolm Gladwell says in “Outliers” – geniuses and ‘extreme experts’ have in common a looooong “grind” that lead up to their ‘peak’.
On another note, great talking with you last week. I’d meant to let you know – we’ve opened up our “Free Resources” blog: http://100kresources.com
Nearly everything an internet marketer could ever need, free.
Michael Ullman
PS – Anything coming from you I’d consider valuable, and I’d imagine most of your readers would agree.
Thanks for your reply, Michael!
I’ll check out the forum. See what you guys have been up to… :)
I think you just did a great job of asking “permission” from your list. I predict you will get 90% + positive feedback.
Thanks for all you do
Frank
Thank you, Frank!
Let’s see how close your prediction is. :)
I just hope that no one will shy away from posting a negative response. I need to hear all sides of the story to make the best decisions.
Hi Shane
First off, congrats on your succesful launch of Viral Quiz Builder, I bought the Dev. version a couple of days ago but never got access to the members area as it kept coming back with a “acc. expired” message when trying to sign in, I have emailed you a couple of times but not sure if I have emailed a email adr. that you don’t monitor, by the way , software dev. is definitely the way forward, again congrats.
PS: How is it going in your new country??
Best Regards
Keld Frantzen
Hello Keld,
Oh, that’s not good!
If you reply to any of the emails I send out, that will come right back to my inbox.
Please contact me through this page and tell me what email address you signed up with. I’ll get the login problem sorted right away.
Afternoon Shane. You have earned my trust as someone who is very knowledgeable and doesn’t push bad products or content to get people to buy. I like what you are doing and look forward to see your new ideas.
Awesome, thank you very much for your feedback, Keith!
Hi Shane – First off I appreciate & totally relate to “The Grind Matters”. You mention a few times in the video your tipping point. Have you read Gladwell’s Outliers? The reason I mention it is because in his book he states…the “10,000-Hour Rule”, claiming that the key to success in any field is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours.
As for your question above for me I have no problem with you launching multiple products in a short period of time as long as I know they can bring value to my business. Since I’m a big fan of SECOCKPIT and a recent buyer of Viral Quiz Builder I would expect the quality of the products to be up to your standards and the bar you have set in my eyes.
I look forward to seeing what you have in-store for us.
Cheers
-Dave
sfstatman
Hi Dave,
Yes, I read Outliers and I loved it. A very interesting read!
It’s basically the source of my “that even counts for geniuses and gifted people” statement in the video.
Thanks for your feedback!
on a side note, anyone having trouble with firefox crashing lately, I mean , come on it’s getting ridiculous, like 20 times a day.
Yeah, I’m sad to report that I switched from Firefox to Chrome, recently. Firefox has become a bottomless RAM-eating hole…
I switched over to Chrome recently as well. Firefox takes too much overhead.
Great work Shane and great products Shane. I am putting together my first quiz. I will let you know when it is done.
Rick Daniel
Cool! Send me a link when it’s done. I’d love to check it out. :)
Hey Shane – truly inspiring post. You cannot know how helpful it is to me to hear your “grind” story. This may just have effected a most important shift for me at a time when I am at a crossroads deciding what direction to take next.
Re your products. You’ve built enough trust for me not to be in any way offended by your offers. However I may not be in a position to take you up on them straight away. Just don’t become like Joe Vitale and hit us with offers every single day!
** Re your webinars. As the last one was so brilliant I would love to be on the next one. But Saturday evenings are very difficult for me.
Could you make them a Monday to Thursday event? Or if Saturday then record the entire 3 hour webinar for people like me who are crazy enough to sit through the whole thing?
cheers
Leo
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your feedback!
I’ll never be nonstop-pitching. The simple reason is that I have too much I want to share and much of it is simply not for sale (like this video, for example). Too much would go lost if all I did was send product offers.
I’m aware of the webinar-timezone issue. It’s always a bad time for a significant portion of people, unfortunately.
This next one will be on Saturday evening again, but I’ll switch up the times for future webinars again.
I’ll also record more of it. Which reminds me that I want to try a new method for higher quality recordings…
… and if you are recording more I think we are all grown up enough for you to leave in your colourful language! ;-)
btw: the Saturday evening thing is not because I am out getting pissed but have to be away from home a lot at the moment [in case you thought the obvious …]
Haha! I wasn’t making any assumptions, don’t worry.
My Saturday evening is afternoon or morning for many people on the webinar, anyway.
Shane,
I have been following you for about two years. You have proven yourself to be a valuable and trusted marketer and advisor. I jumped on Viral Quiz Builder as soon as you announced the pre-release, and I’ll probably buy all your other software as well.
So, as far as I’m concerned, don’t hesitate to offer your list a pre-launch special for every single product you’ve got. I think I’ll probably need them as much as you do (since you are developing them to “scratch your own itch”, as they say in the software world).
Best wishes,
Pat
Hello Pat,
Thank you for your feedback!
“Scratch my own itch” is exactly right. Too often, I buy a piece of software, but it ends up just not doing what I really want it to do. I’m glad that now I’m in a position where I can realistically create a better alternative for myself. :)
Hi Shane, like the idea of pre-release on products. Always feel that you offer great value and never pushy. Purchased the Viral Quiz Builder and playing around with it on test site – looks great. Looking forward to more ‘Gems’ over the coming months.
Thanks, Richard! It’s good to know that offers like the one last week are welcome. :)
Your idea to pre release software products for initial feedback makes perfect sense.
Thanks for your reply, Mel!
It really does make perfect sense. I’m reminded of this by the awesome feedback I got for Viral Quiz Builder. Thanks to that, it will turn into a better product than I could have come up with, on my own.
Good pep talk. Trial and Error is the ONLY way to not just succeed in business but to live a fully human life! Persistent empirical experimentation. If you haven’t read it go out and buy The Black Swan – Nassim Taleb.
Hi Bob,
The Black Swan is a really eye-opening book, isn’t it?
Ever since I read it, I am frequently reminded of the “mediocristan” vs. “extremistan” principles. That, and bell-curves. :D
I like the idea of pre-launch but with video. Thanks
Thank you for your feedback, Shahrukh!
Hi Shane,
I’m really glad you’ve got your software development process finally where you want it.
As to your question, I believe… like I believe most of your followers would, that you have been so forthright and honest in the past, that whatever you sent out to us, would be a program to help us and not to spam us.
So, go for it!
I read a great quote by Jim Rohn the other day and here it is:
“Don’t say, I wish things were easier… instead say, I wish I knew more!”
In other words, stop looking for the easy way and work harder and learn.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your input!
That’s a great quote! This is why I always focus on building skills. I could have gotten PLR or resell rights on other people’s software, instead of creating my own. But what would I have gained, apart from a few dollars in my bank account?
While grinding it out takes a lot longer, I now have a real and valuable skillset, in that I know how to manage and oversee software development.
Hi Shane – I thing the pre-release idea is excellent. What I would also really like is a course on how to develop software from your 2 year experience.
Hello Sam,
Thank you for your feedback!
I am thinking of doing another Product Bootcamp, this year. And it would make sense to include everything I know about software development, this time around. :)
Hi Shane,
I love everything you do :) and I love watching your videos. You seem to be very ‘genuine’ person and I trust you, so I would not at all be offended by the numerous releases. Not sure if I would get them all, but I would love to see them.
About the ‘grind’, totally agree with you. I’m almost 65 and years ago I thought myself how to build websites (using tables then yerk!) and then decided I wanted to learn css and did it all on my own, with the help of a book and lots of searching online. But I’m very happy I never gave up and now can enjoy designing websites that people like and I get paid for that!
Hi Lise,
Thank you very much.
That second paragraph put a smile on my face! I just love a good self-taught-hard-way-to-success story! :D
Hi Shane –
Looks like I had it in my head that the offer on your quiz-builder expired tonight.. but got that wrong, maybe you might extend the pre-launch phase?
It is so easy to give up, but much harder to stick with it and be determined and in it for ‘the grind’. I am bit like you then and don’t give up so easy!
Wouldn’t really feel too ‘sold’ to either.. if you have a few more products coming down the line, but hope the discounts are good!
Can I ask you what in particular ‘sold’ you on using Wistia’ for your video-hosting.. I think you said in another post they buffer them quickly?
John
Hi John,
Sorry about that. I have to keep the offer closed for the sake of fairness, though.
Concerning Wistia: a big point for me was how quickly videos appear and load on page. After I did some research on the impact of site loading times on conversion rates, I knew I couldn’t keep using EVP2, which can take quite some time to load.
That’s the “instant money” factor: by replacing slow loading with fast loading videos on my sales-pages, I effectively increased my income.
The other factor is that I just love the platform. They have a great user-interface, all the features you could wish for, a fantastic support team… just an overall kick-ass company. :)
Great post and great reminder to “grind it out”.
I DO like the pre-launch approach, I like to get better pricing whenever I can.
As far as getting 4-5 product recommendations from you over a few months…welllll, here’s my challenge. I DO love your stuff and I love your approach, but I do follow a “handful” of IM SmartGuys (can’t remember if you are one of the one’s that hates the guru label..LOL) SO, 4-5 from you, plus 4-5 from the other 3-4 that I follow, and the next thing you know I am sorting through all sorts of plug-ins, offers, and emails with the subject line: “You know I only contact you when it’s reallllly good…”
This kind of trips me up sometimes, especially when some of the offers are similar (don’t all IM folks kinda want and need the same things, thus go out and have tools created?)
I find it hard to focus when at any given time, I am evaluating 4-5 reallllly good offers.
Having said that…You ARE a marketer and you do deserve to put your stuff out there. It really is more of a time management issue on my part I guess. Just hate to click away from a great deal from someone I believe has good info for me.
As far as the webinar goes…last one was awesome…all 3 hours of it. I agree with Leo, if you are going to do it…record it all and have it all up for replay.
Thanks for all you do, Shane.
Cathy
Hello Cathy,
Thank you for your detailed input!
What you mention is very important to me. I don’t want to be distracting anyone with my offers.
I like to make a really good offer to my subscribers, but even so, you should only ever get something if it really helps you with what you need, right now.
That’s the scalpel you can always use to evaluate offers. If it’s something that will help you right now, go for it.
If it’s something that might help you later, then get it later.
I will never put ridiculous price tags on my products. Sure it’s nice to get a special, but if you need something later and get it at full price, I promise it still won’t break your bank account.
Hi Shane,
I gotta say I have had my own challenges developing software as well, so I feel your pain.
I don’t see that your offering us an “opportunity” to get your software at a pre-launch price is a problem. You offer tons of free value and if you want to market something …hey…that is how you make money. Go for it. It should require no apology.
Besides … no one MAKES us buy anything. However, WE should make sure it fits in with our vision of where we are going before we buy. I can say this as a fully vested member of the shiny object club! :)
Rex
Hi Rex,
You’ll get there, mate! Better believe that I had some pretty desperate moments during those two years. But it pays off, eventually. :)
“However, WE should make sure it fits in with our vision of where we are going before we buy. I can say this as a fully vested member of the shiny object club!”
This is exactly, perfectly right. To me, selling a product is not a “BUY MY STUFF!! DO IT NOW!!!” kind of affair. I see it more as “hey, I’ve got something useful here. If it’s useful to you too, you can buy it.”
Hi Shane,
How much different is your viral quiz builder from the free WordPress plugins “WP Survey And Quiz Tool” and “WordPress Simple Survey”?
Thx,
John
Hello John,
I hadn’t heard of either of those before, so thanks for the tip!
I had a go with both of the tools and here’s what I found:
The “Survey and Quiz Tool” is an incredibly comprehensive teaching tool. It’s also rather complicated (try figuring out how to display a quiz on your site…).
It seems to be geared very much towards education, since you define possible answers and then which is the correct answer. You can also define a “passing” score.
The Simple Survey tool creates much more simple quizzes. The main difference between it and Viral Quiz Builder is that it lacks any kind of viral sharing aspect and it doesn’t have the frictionless “flow” of Viral Quiz Builder.
In both cases, the above plugins create functional but unappealing quizzes and surveys.
Viral Quiz Builder was built primarily as an engagement and traffic generation tool. It’s very easy to create a quiz and on the front end you have two aspects that are very important:
1) The quizzes have minimal friction.
They only display the first question in the series. As soon as an answer is clicked, it transitions smoothly to the next question. It keeps this nice flow going, until the results page is reached.
2) Viral aspect:
On the results page, the visitor gets a “reward” in the form of a badge and there are very simple sharing options where the visitor can share his individual result.
I think these two factors contribute in a big way to how high the engagement rate on the quizzes is.
Thanks Shane.
And to answer your question in this thread; please keep your new products coming as long as they bring innovation, quality and good value.
Hi Shane,
Great Idea .I’ve been following you for a while now and trust that your products will be very good. Just leave enough time foe us to dijest each one before sending something new. One a month or every six weeks would be good for me.
Looking for more,
Amos
Hi Amos,
Thanks for your input!
It will probably be a bit more than one a month, until the currently new products are all out. But after that, I agree: one a month is a reasonable maximum.
Keep pushing pre-launch products to us plz!
Okay, if you say so. :)
Thanks for your input!
I appreciate that you have developed these products to solve problems for your
own self and then make them available to the rest of us.
If they solve problems for you, then they most certainly will be a benefit to us.
Thanks
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your input!
Shane!
You have to be kidding…
You’re really stooping to becoming one of THOSE marketers?
Tsk, tsk, tsk…
Seriously dude, you give us a 5 minute motivational oration about what it really takes to succeed in this (or any for that matter) business. Then we’re supposed to respect you and the fact you’re going to be bombarding us once every few weeks (as opposed to multiple times per week or day) with new offers after you’ve warned us it’s coming??
Well I never! … ;)
Sorry, couldn’t resist
(I must be trying to get in the quiz writing mode)…
Permission granted, bring them on (just not all at once (LOL))…
On another note…
Once quick question re: viral quiz builder…
Once you set-up the FB app, I assume we can use the same App # on all sites and not create an individual app for each new site?
Thanks in advance…
Jim
Hi Jim,
Haha, well put. That is my fear, though: I’m genuinely worried about being seen as “like the other guys”, if I send out too many promotional mails.
With the FB app, you unfortunately do have to create a separate one for each domain you use the plugin on. Luckily, the apps are very quick to create.
hi Shane,
I think it is a great idea. I would have purchased the plug-in but funds are short at present and adsense income has died. I have a couple of new things I’m trying and I am creating attempts at a few new streams of income. I actually feel I now have a “niche” where I can interact with “customers” and add something of value to the conversation.
One of these streams may pay off pretty quickly and in that case I will definitely buy what you are offering.
Can’t wait for the webinar, your webinars are the best!!! Keep going with all you do.
Hi Tom,
I feel for you. Although I never had a big AdSense income, the two sites I had have also been smacked into oblivion. It was sure nicer to have that little bit of extra income, than to not have it.
But with a niche where you can get more involved, you are definitely on the right track.
Plus, I’m glad to see you did not violate rule #1, concerning my offer (rule #1 being: never spend money you don’t have).
Shane,
If you had not explained the situation, I probably would have felt that you were pushing too many products at once. I did purchase the pre-launch of the survey plugin and love it. I would welcome getting early access to these as they become “ready”.
When you release these to the public at large, you may want to space them out. Those of us who look forward to the Sunday updates know your motives. Those that don’t you may need to handle differently. But then again, you have much more experience than I and should take my thoughts as just that, thoughts.
Thanks for the updates and training.
Thanks for your input, Phil!
You’re probably right about the “timing” of the releases to the public.
Right now, I don’t really have a plan for all that, but I think I’ll take the public launches one at a time. My goal is to get each product to the point where they get a regular stream of traffic and daily sales.
Imagine that I’d do several pre launch specials like the Viral Quiz Builder one, in the next two months. Will you feel like I’m making you a good deal and that you’re getting value? Or will you feel like I’m pushing products on you?
If it was anyone else I wouldnt bother saying this, but Id be interested to participate. I wouldnt feel like your pushing products. The Quiz builder was an important process in “morphing” the product into potentially something better (but i was interested to buy) by having a feedback process in place.
Thank you very much!
And the feedback -> improvement process really is amazing. It’s a huge benefit for me when I can do a pre release special like that. And at the same time, it’s a benefit for all the customers as well, since everybody gets the updated version as well. :)
Shane,
I believe its ok to offer successive products which have value to those which follow you.
Sometimes I just think if the products are related they should be developed together to make one tool rather then several.
Asking permissions and getting feedback is important and you have done a stellar job of confirming people are ok with your marketing efforts.
Chris
Thank you, Chris!
I see what you mean about combining products.
From a marketing perspective, it’s a risky proposition, though. I’d never artificially split a product in half so I have two things to sell, of course. But at the same time, keep in mind that it’s easier to sell and communicate the value of a “narrow” product.
It’s better to have a product that’s really good at one specific thing than a product trying to be a bit of everything.
I needed this today. The reminder. The push. The grind. THANK YOU. I am with you. The pitfalls of self employment is noone to talk WITH, for today’s kick in the butt… it’s lonely until I get your weekly communication, and encouragement as you share your journey…
Shane, I LOVE your brand, and YES, bring on the software. No danger here from “pushing” too much. ALL of your offerings are great, if not for me today, then in the near future. So PLEASE don’t hesitate.
Now, I want an app that will go thru my inbox and delete and unsubscribe to useless crap that wastes my time. Any ideas? Maybe search for the term “check this out” and words less than 25 in the email.
Scott – the WineBoxGuy
Hi Scott,
Thanks for your feedback!
Go find some entrepreneurs you can hang out with. I can’t say I’m any good at the socializing thing, but even skype contact with a few like-minded people is really helpful to me.
As for the inbox-cleaning app: I’d be your first customer, if you make it. Email is the bane of my existence.
Inspiring and welcome insights as always. One thought I might share. I have mentally deleted the word “grind” and replaced it with “deep practice” a notion from “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle.
I find it difficult when good people like yourself frame their journey in self-critical terms – whether the final results are stellar or not. I know you’re trying to encourage everyone reading your work to persevere … but here’s a re-frame:
Everything you said about “taking a long time” “making lots of mistakes” etc., although wonderfully self-effacing, can now be understood in terms of the latest neuroscience that demonstrates how the willingness to take deliberate time, and pay close attention to fixing errors, are in fact the most powerful way of stepping from talent into genius – at the level of brain neuro-circuitry.
Instead we short-circuit the process because we’ve been trained to too quickly judge ourselves by some vague and merciless standards of “shoulda worked faster, not made so many mistakes……” Compared to what??? Well – a smarter person, a cleverer person, a luckier-in-the-brains-department-person. A genius-sorta-person. In short: A person not like me.
Untrue. Every product and article you have produced breathes genius. The hallmarks of genius? Simplicity and functional elegance. NOTE: I didn’t say simplistic!
In Leonardo da Vinci’s words, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. Only a genius would get that.
And the world’s full of genius. I think there’s a lot more genius in all of us reading this blog that is waiting to be discovered through a journey of “deep practice” – or in your terms, “sticking with the ‘grind'”. :)
If you haven’t read the book, maybe try it. Solid neuroscience and amazing stories.
My view: It ain’t no grind. And you didn’t make no mistakes! :)
Hi Kim,
Thank you for that!
What an eye-opening comment. You know, I used to suffer from very harsh self-criticism and even self-loathing. I thought I had that pretty much wiped out (possibly the greatest triumph in my life so far), but your comment made me recognize that there’s still some of that going on, apparently.
I want to add that I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being self-critical – as long as it’s constructive and realistic.
But yeah… the “making lots of mistakes – compared to what?” thought really hits home, for me.
Thank you for the book recommendation! Kindle’d it right away.
Hi Shane
Agree. That’s why “taking deliberate time” and “paying close attention to fixing errors” are two keys. It’s not about mistake-free or perfect, but about negative self-judgement.
And both are challenging particularly in a IM world that tells us “money loves speed” and “if you don’t know how to do something just outsource it” and would scare us all to death that if we don’t cookie-cutter out some success real fast, we’re doomed.
Watching you succeed in the manner you have, holding to your principles and methods, encourages me daily.
And once you understand something you do work fast – in fact you’ll probably set records now for sure-footed amazing product development, all of it successfully outsourced!
Ooooooo…great post Kim!!
Excellent reminder for sure. In reading your words I became very aware of how far I have strayed from “watching my language”.
Thank you for the insight and book recommendation.
Cathy
Hey Shane,
that’s awesome that this particular ‘grind’ phase as you call it is bearing fruit – i agree with your stated ‘epiphany’ of sorts which sounds so simple but for many people really isn’t, of the absolute necessity for an almost bull-headed perseverance. I’ve posted on your blog in the past on the same topic, but i think its the single most important factor to success in just about anything… the trick is to look at the entire experience as valuable, even those ouch type stumbling blocks as integral learning and thus as valuable even if they dont earn you money unto themselves (i know i’ve been there too with some software ideas, i’ve spent a few grand myself on custom web app concepts that were never completed properly)…
but its also where so much of the satisfaction comes from finally having those breakthroughs and reaching a new level of confidence and capacity – so cograts on your getting there with your 2 years of effort behind you!
I missed out on the early opportunity for the quiz app unfortunately – though it sounds really cool, i’m sure i’ll still pick it up when you have it ready.
And as for me, email away – i cant see myself feeling overly pushed at from you ;) compared to 90% of marketers you come off pretty well – ie. i am happy to spend the time checking out what you have come up with as I know i wont be wasting my time!
all the best
Hello James,
Thank you for your reply!
Yep, bull-headed perseverance describes it pretty well.
There’s just one niggling worry that I have about it: will I ever know when to quit?
It took me such a long time from the moment I started on my entrepreneurial journey to the moment I finally could pay a bill or two, from the results. Everyone around me was telling me to give up and get a job. And they were basically right. I was keeping at it beyond reason.
What if it had never worked out?
On the one hand, I’m relating my story of how it took me two years to get to the point where I can release a plugin. On the other hand: should I recommend to someone to keep going if they’ve been failing at something for two years? I’m not so sure about that one.
Sorry, rambling on a bit. Your comment set off a train of thought. :)
You’ve never been a “product pusher” – particularly not a pusher of valueless products.
None have us have any reason to suppose you’ll change now.
It’s clear from the comments on your site that you are well-regarded.
Guess what – an ethical approach does pay off.
More strength to your elbow.
Thank you, Bruce!
It really is good to see that no one seems to be about to jump to any conclusions, if I launch a few more products than usual. :)
Shane
I bought your product because I loved the idea – especially the motivation behind why people will pass there results around.
Another excellent read on this subject is Bounce by Matthew Syed – The Myth of Talent and the Power Of Practice. Why does Beckham, Tiger, Federer make it look so easy – not talent – just hours upon hours (over years) of practice, applying their craft, each and everyday, until it becomes programmed in their brain.
This is hard for most people today because they want instant results. When they realise its hard work they run down the next rabbit hole.
The book is full of interesting case studies – one example revealed the difference between those who become an international soloist touring with the worlds leading orchestras and those who end up as second rate violinists was 6000 extra hours of practice. Fascinating stuff.
You just gotta keep plugin away.
Great video Shane!
Thank you for your reply, Sean!
And thanks for the book recommendation! Another I’ll have to check out. :)
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell also features some studies that show the difference between “gifted” and mediocre people to be that the gifted ones generally spend a lot more time practicing.
Look forward to seeing your new products.
Regards
Stanley
Awesome, thanks for your input, Stanley!
Hey Shane
I appreciate what you say about the grind. I have been doing IM for 18 months solid with 16 hour work days to learn this new craft. But, like anything I have done in my life, there is always the learning curve and what I call “the price of admittance”.
With all the Google changes and so much ‘learning wrong’ through outdated ‘Gurus” it has been the most frustrating and tormenting path I have ever been on. But, like you, I’m stubborn and will not be beaten! :)
Regarding new product launches – in radio we had a saying – ‘you’re only as good as your last gig’. Don’t be afraid of releasing products – if they have value and can really help someone then I cannot imagine anyone having issues with it. Point is…your credibility is on the line each time (Hence the last gig saying). We follow you because we trust you. You could release one everyday but that would have to be on par or better than the last. Volume is fine as long as quality keeps your established integrity in check.
Ok, long post…just my 2 cents worth!
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your input!
That’s a good point you make. I will keep doing what I do and keep my standards high. I’ll never release a product just for the sake of releasing a product. If it’s not so good that I want to use it on a regular basis myself, I’m not releasing it.
I can’t see anything wrong with you plans to do pre-releases of several products in succession. In your place, I would probably do exactly the same thing.
BTW, I am a programmer, and while most of my experience has to do with embedded systems, I am getting very much interested in tools to support internet marketing. Maybe someday I could do a project for you.
Off-topic: I found your Backlink Battleplan to be quite useful, and I’m a bit sad to see it discontinued. Although I can appreciate why — keeping a product like that updated is like painting the wheels on a moving train. I have recently seen another similar product with a very similar name being offered as a freebie.
Thanks for your reply, Howard!
Excuse my ignorance, but what are “embedded systems”? :)
I’m working on developing a newer and better system like Backlink Battleplan. Traffic Generation is such a vital piece of the puzzle, it’s something I definitely want to have covered and it’s something that’s missing since I discontinued BBP.
I like the idea of the “pre-launch” testing. I also like that you’re selling the product to your “final beta” testers. This probably ensures that a user/tester is someone who would actually pay for the finished product and therefore should get you the best feedback.
The only drawback I can see is you won’t know if the people who buy the pre-launch will actually be in a position to do sufficient testing and offer meaningful feedback prior to your actual launch since they’re (we’re) not working to your schedule.
Still a great way to test the market though!
You deliver great content and have built sufficient trust in me that I look forward to your email and don’t mind getting your offers. You might even consider increasing your email frequency as a way of keeping your audience engaged and you at the top of their mind (daily isn’t out of the question). Speaking as a direct marketer with over 30 years experience… more contact is always better.
Hello Eric,
Thank you for your reply!
I have to say that I’d be a bit scared of sending messages daily. Via email, anyway (twitter/fb are a different story).
But it’s good to know that there would be attention-capacity for it, by your estimation.
One big reason why my email and blogging schedules are irregular is because I don’t want to send anything unless I have something really worth saying. I don’t think I’d have something worthy of your attention on a daily basis.
Hi Shane,
I heard a phrase many years ago that is part of my DNA and it sounds like it is apart of yours…”Persistence wears down resistance”. I have bought many of your products and they are each high quality…any product you roll out, I will review for my business. It doesn’t matter if it’s one per month or 1 per week..Art
Hi Art,
Thanks, mate!
That’s a very cool quote. That’s exactly what The Grind is all about.
Hi Shane.
As a person with programming skills, I can identify with your long journey of software development.
I’ve tried on a number of occasions to hire a programmer/web designer to develop some products I had ideas for but not the time/skills to develop myself.
Each time, the process went nowhere and for some of my ideas, I just rolled my sleeves up and did it myself (probably not a good as what a highly skilled person would have created).
I think the biggest issue with software development is:
1. Technical support
2. Software updates – bug fixes & enhancements
There are a lot of marketers that get their software written by a third party and then run into issues when the programmer disappears and the product can no longer be supported.
How are you going to address these issues?
Cheers
Peter
Hi Peter,
Yes, I’ve had many of the same problems as well.
Quite simply, it’s difficult to find good, reliable developers.
There are three things that have increased my success rate significantly:
1. I always have developers complete smaller “test projects” before getting them to work on any larger commitments.
2. VERY clear and detailed documentation and discussing things like testing, bug fixing and future development.
3. Hiring agencies instead of lone contractors. I look for agencies with extremely high ratings on oDesk. There are two advantages to that. First, with an agency there’s “backup”. If a programmer doesn’t deliver or bails, he’ll be replaced by someone else.
Second, they have a lot to lose. With the top agencies in a marketplace like oDesk, even a single non-5-star rating could be devastating to their position among the top agencies. So the pressure for everyone on the team to perform to the max is really high, for them.
I also only hire people from marketplaces like oDesk, these days. The fact that you leave reviews and ratings after jobs are completed gives you a little bit of leverage.
The last freelance programmer I hired outside of a marketplace finished about half a project and then disappeared. And that’s not the first time I’ve had that happen, either.
Hello Shane,
Funny, my comments always seem to follow Peter’s. I don’t know why that is.
First, push products on me any time you want to. There are exactly two guru mails (Yours and Andy’s) that I welcome in my inbox. The others, unfortunately, go straight to Pluto. Most of those are pushing stuff they have never even used. Yuck!
Secondly, I have been working with my extremely bright friend Alex for a couple of years now on an interesting concept. I think he needs a little inspiration push right about now, so I’m sending him a link to this page. Your vid is spot on!
Lastly, I wish I knew what you knew! I have been savoring every moment of getting my probably ever only WSO product ready, but the process of delivery is kinda scary. How easy it must be after you have done it a few times! Gosh! And the failure fear factor sucks too. I don’t mind the money and work so much as the specter of nobody liking the darn thing. I console myself knowing that they ought to. Ha! I believe in it.
After that comes the next big experiment in SEO. Ol Google really has knocked a lot of my sites into far orbits lately. I feel like I’m starting over again. Beyond the necessity of understanding the basics of SEO, I see the writing on the wall. We really do have to think up new things! (And you helped me to see the light!)
Norm
“How easy it must be after you have done it a few times!”
Only if you do it the same as last time, unfortunately.
I’d never done software before, so it was tricky again, this time. In fact, I had to deactivate the software licensing feature, because that was taking too long to implement…
But in general: yes, this stuff does get easier, the more you do it.
Hey Shane,
I wouldn’t mind if you offered these products at all! I’ve been interested in the software you’ve shown us so far, and the ratio of your free training to paid products is so high that it would be hard to begrudge you selling us a bit more.
I also like your approach to going through the product creation and sales process with us, so that we can learn along with you. Very useful.
One instance of where I’m getting annoyed with sales offers is on Leo Babauta’s Zen Habits blog. Recently, I’ve noticed he uses almost every other post to promote some course/product of his, and while Leo’s provided tons of value over the years, it seems like his focus has shifted in the past few months. His content seems to be dictated by what he wants to sell, giving you just a taster, etc. He doesn’t seem to give as much as he used to.
I might be unfairly overstating it a bit, but I think as long as you provide enough value, don’t make your products your focal point and show that your heart’s still in the right place, you’ll be fine!
Thank you for your input, Benedict!
Can we make a deal? If you ever get the same feeling from my stuff as you did with Zenhabits, please let me know!
I don’t think it will happen, but if it does, I want to know there’s someone who’ll give me a whack on the head and let me know. :)
Sure thing! I’m glad you asked
Thanks! Let’s hope it will never be necessary.
I think that would be great! Not only do I follow you because your a pro but I follow you because your a go getting like myself. I think that a lot of us are doing things and making plug-ins but its great for any to continue learning thing that just are not taught out there. Like whats involved doing it as you share in your videos. The challenges your going through so others know its not as easy as others make it to be. To learn how to launch a product. I could go on and on about the positives of what your doing so YES!!!!! Bring is on and every one else should embrace it so they too speed up their learning curve!
Hi David,
Thanks for your reply! Glad to hear that more products will be welcome, on your end. :)
Hi Shane,
Just my $.02… You are one of the FEW IM people out there that TRULY provides value with your work. I would be very open to more, better tools – especially knowing that they have your “stamp of approval”. Keep up the great work!! (and congrats on your breakthrough!!)
Thank you very much, Mark!
Hye Shane,
I don’t mind at all with all the products. There are only a few people that I trust and you’re definitely one of them. Been a loyal customer of your SEOcockpit and I love it!
But do you still develop software SEO related or IM in general?
Hello Hazli,
Thank you for your reply!
On the SEO front, we’re still developing SECockpit and it will continue to grow.
For the IM Impact products to be released, the focus is not SEO. These products all go in the New Traffic Paradigm direction.
I might create a new SEO course. Or it might turn into a more general traffic generation course. That still needs to develop.
Hello Shane,
To answer your question, I believe there is always room in the world for good products. From a practical point-of-view, too many launches too quickly could overwhelm your audience (information overload) to the point where they may not listen to your offerings. However if the specific question is “are 3 product launches in 2 months too much,” I would say, “no.” And for myself, I am always happy to hear what you have got. I did not buy Viral Builder just yet, because I did not feel it fits with what I am doing right now, but I have filed it away in the back of mind as a possible resource I may have a use for in the future. Keep up the good work.
Hi Matia,
Thanks for your comment! 3 new products in the next two months is, I think, what we can realistically expect. :)
Gutted, I was hoping to get in on the pre-launch for the quiz plug-in, but I’ve been away :-((
Sorry, mate. I’ll keep the next special open for a bit longer.
Experience is a wonderful mentor Shane.
Marketing more WP Plugins “in your way” is good from my perspective.
Like the fact you are developing them for your own personal use as well. If you can use them, then there is a good chance we can as well.
Picked up Viral Quiz B and can see many uses for it on my sites.
Thanks for your input, Peter!
On the subject of mailing about items I think its ok as long as you dont go over a certain threshold. For me two emails a week would be ok and three pushing it. If you set up a certain day a week that was your “New Apps” day though that could actually work in your favor and actually could get people looking forward to what tool you present.
As to the grind I am on the beginning phases of this path so I think I’m learning. A suggestion is to have pt2 “The Grind for beginners”. I think that would help alot of beginners such as myself.
Take care.
Hi Mitchel,
Having the new apps thing as a regularly scheduled feature would probably work very well, yes. I probably couldn’t come up with a good one every week, even if I included ones that aren’t my own, though.
Still, I really like the idea. Writing it down, to see what I can do with it. :)
As for “the Grind for Beginners”, could you elaborate on that idea? I don’t quite see how the Grind would be different for beginners, compared to more seasoned marketers. But I’m sure there’s a core to your idea that I just don’t see yet.
Shane,
Continue to send long videos and multiple offers. Your enthusiasm and honesty keeps my attention. That being said, I am a bit jaded from reading way too many WSO’s, so I almost thought you were about to roll out a How to Outsource Course on WP plugin programmers. Shane, your approach is refreshing and appreciated.
Many Thanks, Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your reply!
I know how it is: being on too many marketing mailing lists is bad for one’s health, I believe. :)
Hi Shane,
Thanks for mentioning “The Grind”. It’s so true…just that I’m in patient :)
About your product launches. I like the idea. It will just be great if products were available for a much longer period.
For example, I liked the idea of Viral Quiz Builder. But I held back from buying it at this particular point in time, as I could not use it right away. And I did not want o just have it gathering dust – so to speak. And if it was available longer, I would setup something to use it and pick it up when I’m ready.
Anyway, keep up the good work :)
Ye
Hello Ye,
That’s exactly the right decision to make. No point in buying something that isn’t immediately useful.
Also: I’m not a particularly patient person myself. It’s not like I enjoyed waiting so long for things to work out. :D
But just wanted to say: lack of patience is not necessarily an obstacle to what we do.
Shane,
Here’s an idea…
Why don’t you create a members marketplace, where you put out your “pre-public launch” products for us to buy whenever we are ready?
I know “deadline selling” forces people to make decisions and enhances sales. But I will really like to see someone change this IM force selling approach – and it could just be you :)
Ye
It’s more of a management issue than a selling issue.
The approach I’m using here makes it easy to manage, because it’s step by step. 1) release at a low price 2) close again and gather feedback from customers 3) update and test (with existing customers) 4) update the product, the sales-pages and the prices.
It’s a lot easier than having an ongoing special offer and at the same time developing a new version and then having two offers in parallel (public and members).
I know it may seem like a trivial difference, but when you’re managing hundreds or thousands of customers and orders, small things like that can blow up into big time-consumers. Things like having to check which customer got which version from where, for every support ticket, having to make sure that the correct versions are present in the correct download areas for testing vs public offers and so on.
Hey Shane,
It’s valuable because you’ve designed the software for yourself and to make money to continue doing what you love to do… so it’s cool with me.
Giving us information along the way leading up to each software launch would be awesome too!
I purchased the DV for viralquiz and excited include in my blog posts!
“Devlopment license for Viral Quiz”
Thank you for your feedback, Giuseppe!
What kind of information would you like to see, leading up to or relating to a product launch?
Shane;
I had to pass on the last program, but I really like the fact that you take the time to let your readership know what is going on. I put up with a lot of junk in my inbox, for “learning purposes”, I keep the stuff around. You and perhaps three others are absolute must reads, for every one that hits the inbox. Why?
My first encounter with your site was for “free” products that had much more value than many products that I had paid for. You communicate clearly, obviously strive to provide value in everything you release, and you are willing to come on in front of a camera on a regular basis and publicly state your intentions! No other marketer I have encountered does that. Thanks.
As to the “grind”, I heard a webinar the other day, the guy says “So Google rained on your parade, get over it, if you don’t have the stomach to be a marketer, then quit!” I rather appreciate that you at least say that there is light at the end of the tunnel for those of us who are struggling to make this thing pay the bills one day. Keep doing what you are doing, I am sure that each product will add value to our efforts. That is a good thing!
By the way Kim your re-phrasing is excellent!
Michael Brown
Thanks, Michael!
Google really has been making things rather difficult recently. Which is why I think it’s important to not rely on Google too much.
In any case, it’s those who don’t let the setbacks stop them, that will end up coming out on top. It can be a tough journey, but it’s one worth taking.
I think you are a very honest person. By giving your readers first kick at the can so to speak, I think is very good of you. Also I’m a member of a online marketing training company who also creates their own programs for their own use and also it’s members. Sounds like a great deal all around.
Awesome, thanks for your input, Joaquin!
More than anything today we need cooperation and not competing.
Your work is totally on this stream and I admired and think it has a great potential to produce an important change in marketing and the way of producing things which really help to easy the very complex work of marketing and technology of marketing.
I honour your openness and courage to be correct.
I am looking forward to this work.
Alex
Thank you very much, Alex!
Hi Shane. I got your quiz plugin because I thought that it’s an innovative way to drive more targeted traffic to my site. haven’t started using it. I haven’t come across anything quite like this plugin.
I’m cool with you asking us to buy products because I think you give us quite a good discount for it (them)! I should add that I wouldn’t purchase it without the discount because it seems a little steep for a rather simplistic software. Maybe if there were more functions aside from creating the quiz and having the badge made, I would pay $67 for it.
I’m new on your list and I’m enjoying my stay here. I like what you say in this video because I totally identify- this phenomenon has recently happened to me with regards to designing wordpress blogs, understanding SEO and guitar playing. (three at a time!) You’re right, sometimes you just have to persist and force the information into your head.
It’s unpleasant in the beginning but when you get it, it’s a great “aha!” moment. :)
Hi Clara,
Thank you for your reply!
Concerning Viral Quiz Builder: by the time I re-release and raise the price, it will have quite a few more features to it. :)
Of course, as an early adopter, you’ll get all those new features without having to pay extra. That’s part of what makes the special offer so much worth getting. Or that’s the intention, anyway.
You have to always offer products to people because we are all on different levels of the learning curve.
That’s an interesting way to look at it, yeah. Thanks for your input, Bruce!
I think it depends on how long we’ve known you. :) There’s problem many good list I get in and then bail out of due to spammy offer after spammy offer. Now you don’t do that.
Some of those products I delete without every reading from those type of list builders might be great. If I think the person has any potential, I don’t unsubscribe but most of the time I just unsubscribe. I’m willing to guess that I’m not alone in this.
With you, you’ve gained my trust. I try to buy anything you put out. So now I need to learn how to do what you do. :)
Hi Rusty,
Good point. One thing I’ve done with some success is create a “welcome sequence” for new subscribers. It’s a series of messages that introduces me to people who recently signed up and they only start getting the regular emails after that.
I haven’t set this up with my latest autoresponder yet, but I will, because it’s something that has worked very well in the past.
Shane,
It seems to me that asking us in your list your ‘question of the week’ is a natural evolution of the trusting relationship you’ve established! It’s an enviable position for you to be in and you’ve earned it!
Yes, I’ll be happy to consider anything your offer.
Fran
Thank you for your reply, Fran!
My thoughts on the grind…
My eight year old authority site that had several keyword on page 1 has
totally disappeared. This site provided nearly all my income.
It has several thousand links of all different kinds and was updated every
week.
No, I’m not going to give up, but I really want to know WHY????
There doesn’t seem to be any logic in these updates.
Hello Wendy,
I’m very sorry to hear that about your site.
This latest Penguin update by Google has wreaked all kinds of havoc and most people I talked to about it agree that Google results have gotten worse, not better.
Don’t give up, keep going and you’ll find a way. A thing like Google can’t stop a person like you.
Great grind story from the heart! lots to learn , appreciate and want more of in your genuine marketing, personable way . Look forward to more of what you have to offer. develop on and upward !
Thank you for your input, Rheed!
Hi Shane
Reviewing (more testing really) is something I do, (actually too much of) and usually for free. The truth is though, that this usually ends up costing me more than the final price of the released product which is why I did not take you up on your quiz plug-in offer.
To me it is not viable. Does that make sense?
You see if I look at a product, I put time into it, serious time because I don’t do such things casually (so finding obvious bugs and making basic suggestions are a poor use of time) and the idea of testing a new product even as ,a freebie let alone a low entry cost for that very reason does not appeal and is why I tend to do such things infrequently and usually for friends in the main.
And in that sense the age old phrase ‘time is money’ does I suppose answer the question.
Wishing you continued success
Miles
Hi Miles,
Thank you for your input!
It seems to me that there must be some missed potential, in there.
If there’s demand for what you do and the current way you do it is not profitable… have you ever tried charging for it/raising your prices? The worst that can happen is that you no longer do the work that was previously costing you time and money. And the best case is that you start turning a profit.
What are your thoughts on that?
Hi Shane
Thanks for the video update and it’s message.
I have over the past week or so unsubscribed from a lot of lists mostly because I was getting bombarded by offers… all of whom were so good that if I didn’t buy them I was going to expire on the spot or something like that.
I’m pretty fed up with the idea that some marketers see me as some sort of cash cow. The money is in the list or so we are taught but we get so many messages of the “buy this now” type that I filter them out of my mind and delete most emails without even looking at them.
You have always struck me as someone with integrity so until the point where you become like “THEM OTHERS” I will keep reading your emails, watching your videos and possible buying your software or courses.
IMO, Just keep sailing the integrity course and you will end up with more sales and happy clients than others out there that just pound the same old buy this shit message.
Yes, I do agree with the grind and persistence ethic. We can all be geniuses with the right practice.
Regards
Steve
Thank you for your feedback, Steve!
I deeply dislike the “your customers are your money machines” approach. And I suspect that people who think like that will find it increasingly difficult to do business online. Unless you can see and understand that your prospects and customers are people, with individual needs and goals, I don’t think you can sustainable reach them and serve them. And if you can’t reach or serve them, there’s no one to sell anything to.
Steve, in the words of Morpheus to Neo, “I know what you mean.”
I just learned recently how it works. (I’m a slow learner.) I don’t know if all of it is this way, but I do know that for regular guys, if you decide to market a product, you hook up with a middleman to handle the payments. The middlemen also place your product in their hopper so that other folks can become an affiliate and hawk your stuff on their sites. And yes, on their mailing lists.
So what’s happening is that a fellow who you have done biz with in the past cruises these places, finds something they like or think they can sell, and the next thing you know, the drop dead must have product mail is in your box. (Sometimes four different drop dead must have products in a single day.) And unsubscribing is no guarantee of success. I’m getting mails every day with my name on it from people I have never heard of. So obviously my contact info has been sold time and again.
Now, what Shane does is not to go milk that ol cow too often. He’s beyond reasonable in frequency, and uses that milk only for his own table. It’s fair, and we reward him with trust and business.
Norm
Hello Shane,
I am very late (to the party as you say) but yesterday I was too sleepy when I received your email.
As long as you don’t lose the spirit that makes you unique…
I personally prefer not too many products because I get easily overwhelmed, but that’s me. You should have to change your ways a lot so that i see you in a very different (not positive) light.
As long as the products you launch continue to be available for purchase at a reasonable cost, it’s fine with me. I can’t stand the approach: “Buy this very second because we will take it off the market forever in five minutes”.
If I have a complaint is that you don’t send enough reminders. I almost miss your Viral Quiz Plugin prelaunch offer because I thought it was until Sunday midnight. I had already decided to buy it, and if you hadn’t send the second email I would’ve missed it. A third reminder would’ve been even better.
I don’t like being active in social media very much, but with Big G having such a good time laughing at so many of us, it’s obvious they are not reliable or reasonable any more, at least I can’t find any logic any more in their actions. So I am seriously triyng to change my approach, which I find very difficult, I must say.
When you announced your viralquiz I saw that this was something that I could do and that could help me get started in the way of social this and social that…
Thank you for your reply, Núria!
I also dislike it when products are taken off the market just for the sake of it. I’m a long-term approach guy. I want my products to keep bringing in sales continually. And in terms of pricing, I also have no plans to charge silly inflated rates for my products.
I’m the same way with social media. Somehow, it never quite appeals to me. That’s why I need something like VQB, so that I can have a tool to use, for social engagement.
I think it’s great that you’ve even asked for people’s opinions on this before launching. If I had a penny for every list I’d unsubscribed from where a marketer abused that list, I’d have £26.52! :-)
The lists that really get me are those where you buy a product and subscribe to the list thinking it’s just for product updates only for the list owner to be sick all over with with 3rd party offers.
In terms of your own products, I assume all will be of high quality and useful. In which case, there won’t be any problem and best of luck for the various launches.
Thanks, Adrian!
This kind of promo-flooding in our inboxes is something that I think we’ve all suffered from. Sometimes, I end up on a list that makes me wonder how the sender can ever keep a single subscriber, they send out so much junk, so frequently…
I’m definitely not going to do anything like that.
That’s good to hear! :-)
Hi Shane,
you surely are not the typical IMer!! I guess they would not contact their audience and explain/ask but simply push out those products and pitch them hard.
As far as I can tell you never did that and with what you said in the video I will not feel “pushed”.
BTW: I very much agree with Adrian: I am unsubscribing from many of those lists, even if I may lose update notifications. (I think they follow a strategy: Put out an inexpensive (software) product, have buyers sign up for update notifications, and pitch affiliate offers en masse to that list)
Yes, the grind is very true for most everything we do. While I didn’t read every comment I’ve seen Outliers mentioned more than once – so I just want to add something I read somewhere:
**The successful people are those that, after falling down, get up at least once more often than the “losers”.**
You mentioned the webinar – I hope for a recording since I will be away from the computer on Saturday.
Thanks
Thanks for your reply, Detlev!
Yep, the strategy you mention is widely “recommended” as a good way to do marketing, sadly…
It is a shame. AWeber and the like make it very easy to have multiple lists. To me, if someone bought your product and were on an update list, it would be straightforward to invite them to sign-up for a ‘hints and tips’ newsletter should they wish.
As you are doing Shane, if people are made aware beforehand, I suspect there is very rarely a problem.
Hi Shane,
I’ve just started watching you about 3 months ago. In that time I purchase Backlink Battleplan. In that time you also discontinued one product and then you mentioned the following week that you will be discontinuing Backlink Battleplan. Of course, I found out you’ve had this product for a couple of years but someone just buying that 2 1/2 months prior does not want to hear that.
So now, I see your plugin and I want to get it BUT what if you decide to discontinue that too? It’s great you’re coming out with all these products but I’m a little gun shy at this point. Just being honest here.
I’m going to put the pause button on all of this for now and just watch to see what happens.
That’s how I see it.
That’s completely understandable.
I want to emphasize that I do everything for a reason. That reason is almost always to create a better product or service.
I removed Backlink Battleplan from the market, because it was slowly becoming less and less relevant. Although I was still getting daily sales from it, I did not want to keep it open, because I feel something better needs to take it’s place.
This whole pre-launch strategy is also one that has the purpose of creating better products that better match the users’ needs, in a systematic way.
But I can understand if it looks a bit strange, if you haven’t known me for long. Give me a chance and I will earn your trust. :)
hi shane
i love your products. your a first class act
what I hate are sending affiliate promos..
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for your reply!
Well, I can’t say I never promote an affiliate product… although I can say that I almost never promote and affiliate product. Too difficult to find anything really outstanding.
Hey Shane,
Thanks for sharing your experiences — they certainly match mine of the grind!!
As for your question, I have no problem with you making more/more frequent pitches for software, if this is software you have created. You have proven yourself to me. What makes me crazy is when someone pitches their own product to me, I am impressed with that product and decide to pay attention to that person, and then what follows is 3 product recommendations per day from them for products their friends are offering. In general, I unsubscribe from that list within a week or so.
What happens when that person has something good they’ve developed themselves in the future? They’ve already lost me as a customer, and I imagine many more.
Best of luck with your software development. Having worked for a software developer in the past, I’ve seen that frustrating process from the inside, and also the “tipping points,” so I do see how you could all of a sudden have several offerings to make. Glad I’m on your list for the pre-launches!
Hello Jocelyn,
Ah yes, the old “churn-and-burn” email strategy.
That’s one thing I dislike about the Warrior Forum and the WSO section. As I mentioned somewhere in a previous rant, the way people run their business there, giving away 100% commissions on very low-priced products, makes it necessary for them to then pitch a lot of other products to their list! It’s the only way they can earn!
And because all the prices are so low, everyone produces tiny, crappy products (well, almost everyone). It’s just such a self defeating business model. I won’t join in with anything like that, trust me. :)
Yes, I bought your quiz plugin and I would be happy to get a first run copy of anything your putting out. No I wouldn’t fell like your pushing products at me.
James
Hello James,
Glad to hear it! Thank you for your input!
Hi Shane,
I loved your update so much this week that I’m actually going to download the video and use it as a “pick me up” anytime I feel like quitting. Unlike you, I’m actually terrible at getting through the grind and I need to keep reminding myself again and again not to quit, since my natural tendency is to quit once things get tough. So thank you! Your message really resonated with me today.
As for your product launches, because of the rapport that you’ve built with your list I don’t think anyone would mind receiving product launches from you since we know you are honest and not the typical IM guru. :)
Thanks again, you rock!
Hi Nisheth,
Wow, that’s great to hear! I’m glad my video is so motivating to you.
It’s very important to me to mention things like the Grind and also the failing forward story. It’s very easy to make oneself appear untouchable and god-like, online. Just share success stories only and never talk about any setbacks. In fact (as many in the IM niche do), just make up the success stories and fake some “earnings proof”…
That creates a completely unrealistic image of what online business is like.
Also, you might want to take a look at Seth Godin’s book called “The Dip”. I have not read it myself (yet), but it’s been recommended to me several times, whenever I’ve brought up the concept of what I call The Grind.
Maybe it would be a helpful read.
Greetings Shane,
You’re approach is taking permission marketing to a whole new level and since you asked, I love to see more stuff from you…especially at you’re introduction prices. Keep doing it Shane.
Mike
Hello Mike,
Thanks for your input!
Yes, permission marketing is what it’s all about. In fact, Seth Godin’s book on this topic may have been the first marketing book I ever read, quite a long time ago. :)
I’m all for new and innovating products and services. A lot of the stuff being marketed today are “Encore” products of shop worn concepts that don’t provide much of anything to help you build your business.
I am looking forward to your new product announcements.
Regards;
Allen
Hello Allen,
Thanks for your input!
I hope that you’ll find my products to be far more than just cheap knock-offs of stuff already available. :)
Hi Shane,
Just to let you know I bought your products whenever you have a special launch. I may not be active on your blog or webinar (because of the location that I am at) but whenever I have question regarding SEO or I need someone to tell me the truth, I jump right to your blog and videos to look for answer.
I am glad to buy any of your special launch that is complement to my “next action step” and within my budget. Thanks for your great share all the time!
Hello Hazel,
Thank you for your reply! I appreciate that you took the time to leave this comment, even if it’s not a customary thing for you to do. :)
Boy what excitement, That’s what I felt was coming through, you accomplished what you set out to do, and now you are celebrating. That increased my curiosity to find out what you have been working on.
I have known you for about two weeks, and I think I told you I like hanging around your site. I may not be able afford all you have to offer, but I’ll be glad to give you my two cents on anything you introduce me to, and it won’t make feel like you are pushing anything on me.
Thanks for the pep talk.
Shlomo Krudo
Thank you very much for your input! :)
Hello Shane
You can sell me as much as you want mate. I bought Backlinl Battleplan and handed over to an outsourcer and they were able to follow it no problem to help my sites rak.
I recently bought the quiz thingy and will be looking at how I’m going to use it this week. I think the first one will be a new site for the choir I sing with – so that’ll be fun.
Shane, are you able to pass me the details of your web designer? I very much like the look of your site.
Best wishes
Ian
Thanks, Ian!
The design here is a redesign, made by modifying an existing theme. I’ll send you an email with the contact details for the guy who did it. :)