Dumb Strategy #1: Faking Social Proof

So you come to a launch blog and there’s 200, 300, even 400 comments on each post. You get thinking, “hmmm something’s up.”

Yea. It’s called faking social proof. Maybe you’ve seen it before. And it’s the #1 Dumbest Strategy you can make when launching your product.

Here’s a little story…

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Most of think, including me for a long time, that vacations cost “a lot” of money. In fact, if your traveling in the US, the hotels, food at expensive restaurants, and gifts for friends and folks back home can leave you empty handed and a big burnt hole in your pocket.

But not this time.

I just got back from a 35 day trip to Brazil with my “new” (yes new) fiance. We visited 8 different cities and took literally 7 “mini-vacations.”

We vacationed and took a…

• 5 day trip to Natal, where I learned the secret to flushing the toilets in Brazil (hint: don’t flush the paper down) and ate lobster like it was our job for $3 a piece.
• 5 days in Rio de Janiero where I proposed to Alessandra at Corcovado “the Christ Statue”
• 14 days in Goiania, Alessandra’s hometown and where I gained most of my 16 extra pounds
• 3 days in Caldas Novas, the land of a natural hot springs and the monster 1.5 ton cow beast (Dan Kennedy would be proud)
• 4 days camping in the middle of nowhere on a sandbar in the Aruaguia river, where the piranha’s are an Aphrodisac and poker goes til’ 7am.
• 3 days in Pirenopolis, where I learned that Alessandra’a uncle is the world’s biggest 80’s fan… he loves Heart.

The best part…

I made more money being on vacation than “actually” doing work back home.

Honestly, I “maybe” worked 5-8 hours throughout the entire 35 day trip and I still made a nice chunk of change *completely* on autopilot.

So what do I attribute it to?

A couple of things.

Creating Passive Websites

Ah… the beauty of affiliates and consistent, residual traffic. You can’t beat that.

This was a nice portion of the income I earned while I was away. When I create new products I first map out a plan for generating affiliates and creating that evergreen, residual traffic stream to consisntely drive new leads, prospects and sales to the new site.

When your creating your product, first off, it’s gotta be good. You can’t polish a piece of crap with pretty graphics.

Proof, proof, proof, case studies, case studies, case studies are everything.

One thing Yanik Silver mentioned before was, “do it, document it, and profit from it.”

I always kept that at the top of mind when creating new products. Because without the proof and some case studies of whether YOU have proved it first, it’s a tough sell… it’s then theory and theory doesn’t sell too well without some serious poop polishing.

Ok I’m getting off topic here, but ah yes. Passive income.

This comes from affiliates, ppc, and other jv partners. Creating this base of affiliates to drive traffic to your site is critical to creating a 5-figure passive income starting today.

Are you building a list of “just” affiliates?

Another thing and I learned this from Rich Schefren a ways ago, “Build a business, not an income.” So true. So start thinking long term, bigger larger themed businesses not one off websites that “make money.”

Keeping the Pipeline Full

I learned this when I worked for my friend Joseph Visconti’s company, Valuerich, when I was a executive salesman in which I had to sell magazine ad space to CFO, CEO’s, and Marketing Managers of small-cap public companies.

It was all about keeping the “pipeline” full.

What is that?

Simple. You stop getting prospects, marketing for potential clients, or driving traffic your pipeline becomes empty and you produce no sales. You then have to ramp back up build up your pipeline of potential clients or customers and like any numbers game, there is a conversion.

In my Product Launch Consulting company, Powerlaunch, from where I learned most all of my strategies from my indirect mentors Jeff Walker and Frank Kern, it’s always about creating a consistent flow of prospects coming into your pipeline.

Some clients can afford you but about 90% cannot. So keeping that new influx of potential prospects especially in a high ticket “hands-on” transaction like product launches is essential.

Ideally, knowing that 90% can’t take on me or you, you then create a range of products that they can purchase from you to get some of the knowledge that you provide with the consulting (duh I should do this)

Residual Results Based Marketing Campaigns

This is something I learned from Jay Abraham and one of my mentor’s Bob Serling…

“Create a marketing campaign inject it into a business. Take the same campaign and inject it into another, then another, then another. In the end you have case studies, proof, and something that is, and most importantly it’s PROVEN to work.”

It’s that simple.

You have a “proven” campaign that has worked with this Company A and produced $3,583 in 3 days, produced $14,738 in 5 days for Company B, and produced $7,873 in 7 days for Company C.

Companies today are looking for proven ways to make more money. Not a fancy ad they got from a ad agency which is new and unique and most likely will fail.

Give them stuff that works, that will make them money immediately, and you have a client and passive income for life.

Now that you have a proven campaign, results, proof, AND case studies you simply SCALE IT UP. But before you scale it up, you create your systems, your processes, find competent people to put into your system, and then promote the heck out of yourself and your company.

You can do this through direct mail, endorsed mailings (via email), space ads in newspapers, or through your warm network of friends, collegues, and joint venture partners.

The beauty about this is every time your clients run one of your proven campaign in their business… you get paid… and paid handsomely.

Just imagine having 3, 5, 15, or like a friend of mine, 250 businesses using your marketing.

Can you imagine the checks and money flowing into your bank account?

An ungodly amount.

Anyhow, I hope this helps some people to start thinking more RESIDUAL, more HAND’S OFF, more AUTOMATED, and more LONG TERM.

Cheers,

Chris Brisson

P.S. When I left Delray for Brazil I mentioned to Michael Masterson, “I bet being away for 35 days, I’ll make more money.” At around day 22 I sent him an email saying “it’s true.”

He said…

“Vacations are very good… but you won’t make any money on them unless you spend the time at the office sloggin away.”

So take his word for it. Vacations are great. Bust some arse, build your systems so you can then truly create a residual ever growing business to enjoy your vacations.

P.P.S. I must thank Brandon Fredrickson for inspiring me to write this. He gave me a case of “vacation’s over, get to work.” Thank Brandon.

P.P.P.S. Alessandra if you’re reading this… I love you baby. (Had to throw that in there guys)

At Rich Schefren’s Strategic Profis Events I had the chance to speak with Trevor Mauch about his “small momentum” launch he orchestrated a couple of months ago.

Take a listen:

[tags] product launch formula, jeff walker, plf 2, plf 2.0, frank kern, mass control, product launch formula 2[/tags]

You ever get off the phone with someone and just feel like you can rule the world?

Well, I did when I interviewed Todd Brown the other day. this guy is the master. He call’s himself a self-proclaimed “knucklehead” (that’s a technical term by the way), but I can assure you he’s far from it. In my eyes he’s someone to listen and take notes from – Todd knows his stuff.

Anyhow, I spent an hour on the phone with Todd and we talked about everything from building businesses NOT incomes, front-end & backend marketing, and the types of businesses that Todd builds for long-lasting income.

I’m a big fan of Todd and give much credit to him helping me “see the light.” So grab a pen, a pad of paper, download this call and take some serious notes.

Let me know what your biggest takeaway from the call is by leaving me a comment.

thanks,

Chris

P.S. I’m going to be offering some killer bonuses for Jeff Walkers Product Launch Formula so keep your eyes peeled for Monday!

[tags] Todd Brown, frontend marketing, Jeff Walker, product launch formula, marketing habits, plf 2, plf 2.0, product launch formula 2, incomes, online marketing[/tags]

At Rich’s Strategic Profits seminar I met some amazing people with some great product launch stories. One of those amazing product launch stories was from Ryan Wade. Ryan ending up doing a killer product launch for his website MentorMeetings.com – he pulled in over $12,000 in, and I quote Ryan, “a couple of minutes.”

Ryan is a young, smart, and very intelligent marketer. He’s a guy that’s going places.

Take a listen to Ryan product launch story…

[tags]product launch formula, jeff walker, plf 2.0, ryan wade, chris brisson, launch a product, frank kern[/tags]

At Rich’s event I had the privilege to interview Jon Walker, Jeff Walker’s brother and business partner in Product Launch Formula 2. I grilled Jon about the differences with Product Launch Formula 1 and 2. It’s pretty crazy to think but the original PLF came out in 2005.

It’s now 2008 and there have been thousands of launches all with different tactics, tricks, and persuasion techniques. I’ve used many in my launches and clients launches and have seen some crazy new techniques over the years that have helped pull in hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.

Anyhow, here’s the interview with Jon.

Oh yea, one of the workers at the hotel was taping down the floor so you can hear the “rippppping” noise. No, it’s not me or Jon farting, although it sounds like it.

Also, let me know what you thought of the interview by leaving me a super-duper killer comment below.

Product Launch Formula 2.0 – Jon Walker Interview from chris brisson on Vimeo.

[tags]product launch formula, jeff walker, john reese, jon walker, plf 2, product launches, launch a product, business launch, andy jenkins, stompernet, brad fallon, frank kern[/tags]

At the Strategic Profits Conference I got to meet some great people and one outstanding person I met was Trevor Mauch. Trevor actually won his trip to the conference by leaving a blog post for the contest on Rich’s blog. I ended up meeting two other guys who won the trip. (I’m going to enter all of them next time around)

Anyhow, I did a short quick interview with Trevor on my Flip Camera. He talks about how he implemented a quick little product launch for a client and pulled an easy $800 with like zero list. Watch the interview here:

Product Launch Formula 2.0 is coming out soon. I’m going to be giving some KILLER bonuses away to the people who order form me. I recently started a Product Launch Consulting Company and have helped many people see some dramatic results. I will be giving away some consulting time as a bonus. You’ll hear about it soon.

See how one guy went from Food Stamps to Six Figures using Jeff’s Product Launch Formula.

[tags]jeff walker, product launch formula, plf 2.0, john reese, frank kern, mass control, product launches, launch a product[/tags]

Hey everyone,

I’m writing this from Orlando at Rich Schefren’s Strategic Profits event and good lord is this a killer conference. Back in July 2007, I went to Rich’s event here in Delray and that rocked my world, but this is by far one of the best conference that I’ve ever been to.

I left Sunday morning pretty early in the morning, like 5:30am, and arrived in Orlando at around 7am. you know, everytime I come to Orlando I get lost and end up paying an extra $10 in tolls because of all of the wrong turns.

Anyhow, I got to the hotel and instantly felt the energy from the people in the room. I began to meet entrepreneurs and business owners from all over. Some people who I’ve heard before or knew from seeing them on the web. (“on the web” sounds like were’re in 1996)

So the day started out going right to Frank Kerns’ presentation for his Mass Control students. It was funny, since I was so early I struck up a conversation with a cool guy Mick from the UK and Chris from Canada. After that conversation, I knew the weekend was going to rock.

Frank Kern’s Mass Control Presentation

So I took a seat and 5 minutes later, Frank “the dude” Kern walks in with a surf t-shirt, jeans, and sandals. He said, “All right, all-right, all-right.” that’s the line Matthew McConaghey said in the movie, Dazed and Confused. I knew I was in the right place.

I can’t go into the presentation but I’ll give you one tidbit…

“Find the CORE of your market.”

After Frank’s presentation, he was instantly bombarded by the huge crowd in the room. So instead of talking to Frank, Jeff Walker, the creator of Product Launch Formula 2.0 was standing alone, so I decided to chat with Jeff. We chatted for a couple of minutes and exchanged cards.

What a cool dude. (nice meeting you Jeff)

Here’s the speech from Frank’s Speech (not his Mass Control speech)

Rich Schefrens’ Presentation

Man, Rich truly knows how to build a business. Everytime I hear him speek I’m always blown away with his thoroughness in each marketing piece he puts together.

Rich went over his entire business and how he went from ZERO to an 8-Figure business in less than 18 months. He talked about each marketing piece he gave away over this time: Internet Marketing Manifest, The Missing Chapter, The Final Chapter, Startup To Freedom, and the many other FREE info he gave away.

I’m laughing right now.

Not because of the craziness that’s happening across America as people from all walks of life flood the local Circuit City, Best Buy, Target, and the glutinous Wal-Mart, to take advantage of the Black Friday deals. (Whatever they are… Apple doesn’t really care, they give you a whopping $51 off a Macbook. WOW! No discount on the Macbook Pro though. errrrrrrgghhhh.)

I’m laughing because at 11:32 last night my girlfriend and I decided to make a trip to our local Best Buy in Boynton Beach, FL to see this so-called Black Friday madness in action.

Here’s how it went down…

So we take a left on Old Boynton Beach BLVD to turn into the parking lot. To our amazement we saw at least 600 kids, momma’s, momma’s babies momma’s, daddy’s, either playing cards, playing basketball, drinking booze, and sleeping. Most of the kids were trying to find chicks.

At that moment, Alex and I said in unison, “What a hell of a product launch!” (She knows this stuff because I talk about it non-stop.) Thanks to Jeff Walker for introducing us to the Product Launch Formula.

The laws of persuasion appeared in front of us…

Social Proof

What’s this? “Well, if everyone else is doing it, then it must be good.” It’s just like when you go to a club and see no-one at the front door. You say, “It’s dead, let’s check out somewhere else.” You then find a club that has a huge line because, “it must be good.”

I used to work at the front door of a club here in West Palm. My job was to help “control the door.” Controlling the door meant that I had to keep the line slammed with people and have it wrap around the building.

Why?

Social Proof. How can you do this on the internet? Blogs. Forums. A place where people can leave comments and add a social aspect (dynamic) to your webpage.

You see it in every big product launch.

The next law we saw in action double B was…

Scarcity

There were only a limited quantity of their “door busters” items so you have to get there early. This is another social influencer to get people to take action. For example, “We have 15,000 people on our list and selling only 300 copies. You better get in fast before they are all gone.”

This works wonders when you do it right when launching your product on the internet. You can base your scarcity on quantity and time. I use both when launching a new product or service.

Those were some of the most apparent laws of Influence. If I ever do it… I’ll get there at 5am when they open and run through the door.

Here’s a vid of the madness…
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=HZJVZ2p223o[/youtube]

Here’s to your Black Friday,

Chris