The previous post was sent to my subscribers on May 1st. One subscriber replied to me, “SOUNDS LIKE A SCAM !!!!!!”
At first I felt offended that someone would accuse me of scamming them, but when I consider all the garbage that people are subjected to these days I can’t really blame anyone for being cynical or at least skeptical.
I aim to build trust in my subscribers, but this person had only been subscribed for a week. It is hard to differentiate yourself from the crowd with a limited media such as email in such a short time.
I offered to show that person that I truly think it is a good idea to upgrade in giveaway events, but he is just one person.
So I thought about what I could do to convince more people that they should upgrade in order to get the most out of giveaway events.
Here is the plan I came up with:
I need twenty contributors to sign up to the World Cup JV Giveaway to help me with this.
This event has 3 upgrade levels (Platinum, gold and silver) and also the basic free contributor level. We will compare the results of
5 contributors in each level.
I will provide services as a bonus to the first 5 in each category (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Free) to sign up to the World Cup JV Giveaway using my affiliate link under the condition that they agree to disclose their name and the results they get from the event.
The first 5 Platinum contributors will get:
- 2 products with giveaway rights in the niche of their choice to submit to the event complete with graphics.
- Setup for those products with a squeeze page and autoresponder (contributor must have their own autoresponder account.)
- A one time offer to be displayed whenever someone opts in to receive their gift
- A log in offer that is rotated with others whenever a member logs into the event
- I will do all the necessary configuration and submit the gifts/offer to the giveaway
The first 5 Gold contributors will receive:
- 2 products with giveaway rights to submit to the event
- Setup for those products with a squeeze page and autoresponder (contributor must have their own autoresponder account.)
- I will do all the necessary configuration and submit the gifts to the giveaway
The first 5 Silver contributors will receive:
- 1 product, with squeeze page setup
- I will do all the necessary configuration and submit the gift to the giveaway
The first 5 Free contributors will get a free product with graphics in the niche of their choice.
At the end of the event each participant will disclose the number of new subscribers from their submitted gifts.
Results will be posted here on this blog.
If you want to participate in this case study (read all the steps before starting with step 1):
- Go to the World Cup JV Giveaway and sign up as a contributor using this link: World Cup JV Giveaway
- Upgrade or not ( I expect the 5 free slots will probably fill fast, please consider upgrading. Upgrades will cost double after the initial login offer.)
- Join the study group here: Giveaway Study
I will contact the 20 first people with their corresponding bonuses. Participants names will be posted here on this blog.
2. Right-Click then Copy
3. Paste the HTML code into your webpage
24 responses so far ↓
1 Colm Wynne // May 22, 2010 at 9:43 am
Hi Allen,
I completely agree with you about building trust with your subscribers, treat each and everyone like family and you are sure to succeed.
You’ve definitely put a great offer together regarding the world cup giveaway and I recommend anybody who wants to get started building their list to jump at this offer, your way over delivering here too,
Even if there are people afraid to upgrade because of fear of wasting their money, granted every giveaway I’ve taken part in I always make back my initial investment quickly + I get loads of new subscribers added together with Allens bonus, this is a complete no brainer for newbies online..
Best of luck Allen
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Allen Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 9:48 am
Thanks for the support Colm. I appreciate it. See you on the leaderboards with Ashley
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Luca Di Nicola Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hey Allen,
I’ve had similar emails from my subscribers and I take it as an opportunity to build that relationship. It’s amazing how many times they reply and thank me for getting back to them. Many marketers miss this in their email marketing. It’s a great way to gain that trust even though at first they may be sceptical.
You’ve put together a great offer here, it’s of true value as there’s a lot of work involved on your part.
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hi Luca,
I did reply to the subscriber that inspired this post and this offer. Now he replies to almost everything I mail out, but in a much nicer tone.
I originally made the offer just for him, then decided I should share it with others. Plus this way I will end up with a nice product from the results of the case study.
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2 Thomas "The Viking Internet Marketer" Haugen // May 22, 2010 at 10:27 am
This is good stuff Allen!
I’ve had a few emails from subscribers that are sceptical about an offer, I totally understand that they are sceptical of course, as there’s too much shitty stuff out there nowadays.
They come around when I take my time explaining it to them though, so all is good.
Your offer is a great way to build trust in you, and it’ll definitely build a lasting relationship with your subscribers.
Success!
Thomas
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Allen Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 11:01 am
Thanks Thomas,
Yes, building trust is a very important part of marketing that most marketers overlook. You see so many deceptive subject lines: “Notification of payment”, “Your order is complete” and people think it’s good because they get a lot of opens and clicks.
But people won’t fall for that too often before they start ignoring your emails. Then what do you do, find another way to trick them? Well, that’s not my style.
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3 Steve Lorenzo SEOVirtuoso // May 22, 2010 at 11:33 am
Hey Allen…
Giveaway events are a great way to build a list (sometimes even from scratch) – but they have been over used a bit lately, I guess…
So that is maybe why your reader was screaming “Scam!” as nowadays, more and more people got used to get everything (or so they think) for free.
These freebie seekers (don’t take me wrong, I enjoy quality freebies too) really don’t get it:
“To make money you need to invest something, usually either time OR money” right?
So they’ve been ‘trained’ to join GA events and get everything from there.
But the really good quality, new trends and techniques stuff always has a backend offer or OTO, etc… for a paid version or a complementary product.
It’s just normal to want to make money, we’re all in it here.
So should think those guys too, yet they don’t!
I believe it’s just a matter of time till they fail completely with their IM adventures. Nothing will make them successful, no matter how many free reports they read, IF they’re not ready to invest some money into their business.
My ¢2…
Steve Lorenzo SEOVirtuoso
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Allen Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Yes, unfortunately too many people don’t look at internet marketing as a real business and they think they should be handed everything on a platter.
On the other hand there are a lot of people that will take advantage of people if they are not cautious.
I don’t remember who said “Trust, but verify” but it seems like sound advice to me.
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4 Alvin Huang // May 23, 2010 at 2:35 am
Here’s my take on it. It’s a tad different though.
The bigger you get, you’ll going to get all types of people on your list. It’s inevitable. And it’d result in more people calling you out to say you’re a scam or your product is a scam. Regardless of whether it’s legit and useful.
You just cannot please everyone. There…assuming you’re doing everything as per normal. The more scam/hate emails you get just really means your list is growing. Growth is painful.
So everyone, make sure you get an increasing rate of spam/hate email replies. The more the merrier…;)
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Allen Reply:
May 23rd, 2010 at 7:53 am
Thanks Alvin,
That puts things in a bit different perspective.
I know you can’t please 100% of the people 100% of the time, but I consider myself as an ethical marketer and hope others see me that way too.
In any case, it can’t hurt to try to improve the relationship I have with my subscribers.
I hope to prove you wrong and grow my business without increasing the hate mail
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5 Sylvia Rehman // May 26, 2010 at 1:49 am
Hey Allen,
I must say what a wonderful offer you have put together.
As we all know, Your list is your lifeblood – so to speak!
Providing you gain their trust and earn your credibility.
What you are offering contributes to both Trust and Credibility.
It’s a shame that a lot of people who want to make it into IM only see the Flashing Lights and Dancing Pink Elephants before they realise
the three important basics of IM.
1. Build your list
2. Gain their trust
3. Earn your credibility
Im is Not a Joke, it is Real!
Im is Not a hobby, it is Your Business!
Allen, what you are offering is a No Brainer for those who are serious about starting an online business!
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 2:04 am
Thanks, Sylvia.
Dancing pink elephants? I must have missed those!
I think they would liven up my blog.
But would they make sales? I doubt it.
Yes, my offer is particularly targeted for those who don’t know where to start building a list.
If you have considered starting a list or contributing to a giveaway but just don’t know what step to take first… here it is. You can follow me down the path that I will blaze for you and that first tentative step can become a walk in the park.
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6 don // May 26, 2010 at 10:28 am
I have known allen for some time now and he is as straight a shooter as there is! Yes, giveaway events are a great way to build lists. Allen always goes above and beyond to add value and build trust in his subscribers, so working with him is a win win for everyone. What have you got to lose? join him! don
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Hi Don,
Thanks for the support. I appreciate the kind words.
I really want to help some people get their lists started with this giveaway event. This one is going to be BIG.
I will go into how to tell the best giveaways to enter in a separate post, but here are some clues:
big name marketers and cash referral contests.
See you in the giveaway
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7 Simon Warner // May 27, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Hi , Simon Warner from the orginal World Cup JV, just passing by to say that is an exellent way to promote a giveaway event!
Great blog by the way
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 12:56 am
Thanks Simon
I see you are calling your event “the original World Cup JV”. That David Walker guy stole your name, huh?
Well, the giveaway i am using in my study is Simon Warner’s Original World Cup Giveaway.
Simon has agreed to do an interview with me to discuss the giveaway details (time and date to be determined). I will provide a recording of the interview to everyone who signs up at http://forinternetnewbies.com/giveawaystudy.
If you sign up at the other World Cup Giveaway you are not eligible for my offer. I’ll give the link anyways in case you want to participate in both. I see Simon and I are both signed up as contributors in Paul Wilson/David Walker’s World Cup Giveaway too. http://forinternetnewbies.com/theotherworldcup
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8 Peter Beckenham // Jun 4, 2010 at 5:19 am
Hi Allen,
I hope you get my application to be in your study group.
I live in a remote Thai village and we have been without power for 2 days – hence the slight delay in applying.
I have upgraded to Platinum for the World Cup Giveaway event and this is my very first venture into list building.
So being part of your study group will be of huge benefit to me as I have no list or free gifts and limited web page building skills.
I look forward to your reply to my application and it was encouraging to see in some of the reader’s comments that you really are a genuine guy.
Thanks for the exciting offer – very important to me
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
June 4th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Hi Peter,
I see you signed up, but haven’t clicked the link in the confirmation email yet. Thanks for joining us. I look forward to working with you.
If you don’t find the confirmation email please check your spam of junk mail folder.
I usually work with people through Skype. You can contact me on Skype at http://short9.com/skypeme
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9 Andre Arnett // Jun 5, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I am just starting to understand the true value of giveaways and I think this is a great way to not only get people to trust you but to show them how this can be a big benefit to them as well. great idea.
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10 Andrea Smith // Jun 5, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Hello Allen,
I love your blog! Thank you so much for stopping by! Since your into giveaways Have you seen Brad Smith’s Web Cash Giveaway? http://bit.ly/as8Xrl This one is going to mammoth! I also have got a lovely gift that I have worked up that is over 50 items for the internet newbie. My Free Startup Kit! http://bit.ly/bRNYDh I look forward to seeing you around and good luck with the world cup!!
Andrea
http://buildmylists.com
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Thanks Drea,
It’s always a pleasure when I come to my blog to find your lovely face in the mybloglog widget. Stop by anytime you like.
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Andrea Smith Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:38 am
Awww your too sweet!!
I will be back to visit often
Talk to you later,
Andrea
[Reply]
Allen Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 2:43 am
There it is again
11 Mark Terrell *Coaching Newbies* // Aug 15, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Hi Allen,
Great idea, I was just blog hopping and i saw this post….
Can you post the results ?
It would be great to see even if many did not get to many subscribers.:)
Mark
[Reply]
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