Increase your Twitter followers by eleventy-billion in seconds

April 19, 2010 by +Marj Wyatt
Filed under Business Basics, Featured

I didn’t create the page that I’m writing about today but I’ve been wanting to do someting similar for more than two years! Because my site is G-Rated, I can’t put a link to it but if you don’t mind a little free expression, colorful language, and want a good laugh, I encourage you to search for the site using the title of this post to find it.

Increase your Twitter followers by eleventy-billion in seconds uses all the tactics that experienced internet marketers have ever used, so far as I am aware. There is an animated roll down script on the corner of the page, a bodacious lead in claim, multiple rave reviews, and a purchase option. It even employs a tactic that I’ve noticed rising in trends and don’t much like. There is no price given on the landing page. But they admit they aren’t selling anything, which is part of the fun.

From an educational point of view, this is a great example of what NOT to do on your sales pages. From a social media perspective, it touches upon another source of my dismay, which is the automation of friend finding on social networks. I mean, if you have to automate relationships, what is the point to them?

Oh yeah … selling something!

Recently, Michael Fortin had a much more politically correct post on the same idea. Even a respected professional who has gained from product launch tactics sounds nauseated by them.

The internet product launch formula needs a tune-up, I believe. Maybe more internet marketers could try more honesty with a smidge of reality next time around. Why not leave out the “hot spices” from the recipe so everyone can digest the cuisine without getting heartburn?

I dislike citing problems without imagining possible solutions. While I can’t say that I’ve been party to a huge product launch … yet … I certainly hope to see a trending upwards of these things.

Forget the Bonuses

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine that the worth of the bonuses is overstated if they are willing to give them away or sell them at 1/1000 of their supposed value. A brief time spent on the internet will tell you that these products are approaching obsolescence. Very few internet marketers have been up-front about the fact that they are clearing old product.

Stand Behind Your Product

This week, I listened to a webinar hosted by Frank Kern, who is working with Brendon Bouchard on a program called the Experts Academy. While I decided against opting into their membership, I found their offer to refund all purchases, regardless of how far in the future the request was made, quite fascinating.

This demonstrates two important things.

They truly believe in their product
They are genuinely concerned about customer satisfaction

Guarantees like that are the exception among internet marketers. Clickbank products abide by the 56-day refund rule. Sellers of software, that was misrepresented or has proven to be buggy or not working at all, have refused my requests for refunds less that 30-days after my purchase. Although it is irritating, it isn’t worth the dispute and negativity it would create in my life to pursue it any further.

Even with my desire to see product promoters offer extended refund policies, I do understand that the buyer of anything can’t just change their mind and claim something didn’t work for them. If they’ve never tried the product, there is no flaw and no basis for requesting a refund. If there is accountability coupled with lifetime guarantees, then it is fair for all parties involved.

Don’t Promote … Campaign

Something that Brendon Bouchard said during the webinar really made sense. Even though the idea of a new product is exciting to the developers and they want as many sales possible in the least amount of time, the persistent promotion emails are tedious.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. People don’t like being sold. They prefer to use their best judgment and make a decision on their own. Promotions are like putting the giant inflatable gorilla on the roof of a building. They attract attention but they look silly.

Build interest through a series of explanations about what the product overcomes or improves. Leave out the links in the notes once in a while. Request email inquiries and avail a mailbox that will be read and responded to. People like to ask questions and to get answers.

Real Testimonials Only, Please…

The FCC has endeavored to clamp down on false testimonials and paid reviews in the USA but who knows how that ruling is policed? Do they prey on known offenders or randomly pick them out? Either way, this ruling has as much “beef” in it as the anti-spam laws, based on the bulk email that I receive every day.

When I see a plethora of testimonials on a page with no dates or full names, I cannot help but wonder about the vintage and credibility of the testimonial. Since I am fully aware that many internet marketers give away copies of their products to their inner circle for trials before they are made available to the public at large, I feel that full disclosure would clear up any confusion. Therefore, segregating raves given by people who got a trial version at no cost seems like a good idea. It also would be wonderful if that round of reviews were updated within 3 – 6 months of the product launch.

Say Thank You!

Would it be too much to ask that the product owner take a little personal time to write a thank you email? We are human beings, doing business with human beings, and someone has believed that our product was worth spending some money on. Courtesy should not be automated.

While we’re at it, is it to much to ask that follow up emails inquire as to how we are doing rather than continuing to promote more products for sale?