Losing Money with Social Media and Really Good Videos
August 5, 2009 by Herschyf16
Sorry it’s been a short bit since I released a new post. Scott and I have been super busy with 2 new projects and working with JV partners. I’ve come across a few REALLY good videos recently that market two completely different products well, but before I get to that I’ve seen some really interesting movements when it comes to social media and internet marketing. This topic always gets me really fired up so…
Here’s my thoughts and stand on the subject:
Facebook – Some ( not all ) Marketing Guru’s and Social Media Scam Artists, as I so kindly refer to them as, for the past 18 months, or more, have been preaching Facebook solely as a monetization platform. I completely disagreed and still do on that approach. In my opinion, Facebook is great for relationship building and some networking but I’ve always kept mine private and pretty limited to anyone other than friends.
If you own a small business or are looking for targeted relationships (local area networking) Facebook is great. Just adding hoards of friends and making fan pages isn’t the way to go though. If you are looking to monetize Facebook, monetize the relationship long term. I haven’t seen one person claiming ( or better yet showing) they make thousands off of Facebook marketing. What I have seen personally though are stronger bonds, relationships, trust, and interaction for businesses, my clients, customers, etc. which are all EASILY monetized over the long term.
If you want to make REAL MONEY on Facebook, run targeted ads, screw relationships.
There’s a link at the bottom called “advertisers” or something similar, and almost no one talks about it. Now that’s MY idea of social media marketing. Target highly qualified prospects on the cheap, in their leisurely environment, by running small ppc type ads. If you run ads on Google, MSN, or Yahoo, this should be cake walk. If you haven’t, go to Google Adwords and use their free training ( Yes, there is FREE PPC training) to learn the basics and try it on Facebook.
Remember – Start small, test your ads, and scale once you know the metrics.
More recently, like in the past 30 days, tons of other gurus and almost every honest social media “expert” have joined in on or reaffirmed my now finally popular stance on mass friending, auto following, and large numbers. The verdict – They are worthless numbers and followers. My question…Why did it take so long? Maybe it was because there was nothing new and exciting to talk about.
Twitter - There are a ton of new courses on how to make $500 a day or add 10K followers a month/ year / whatever. While I haven’t purchased all of them and can’t speak with 100% accurately, remember this…If it seems too good to be true it usually is. No one can blindly add thousands of people and make sales happen organically.
The ones that are actually doing it use their already established authority over the communication medium of Twitter and often back up the twitter message by blasting out an email to another large group of people on their list. In my opinion, while twitter is fun, nothing is yet to beat good old fashioned email. If it did, our inboxes would be empty…and they clearly aren’t. Just last month I was getting EMAILS about making money with Twitter. Further proof that you have to monetize across all mediums.
Just like getting quick video view spurts (dozens or hundreds within 10 minutes after posting) or an insanely large “empty” number of views on your videos, a large number of worthless friends and followers gets you Nothing!
To use Twitter, or Facebook, and even video marketing correctly, build an organic follower-ship over time building a relationship with your customers, potential customers, or any social media voyeurs that are asking for more information. An easy way to do that is plugging your twitter account on your blog, traffic generation postings, and emails.
I honestly have no idea how many Twitter followers I have, I just never cared. What I did care about was who I followed and who had worth while information to see daily. I talk to friends, fellow marketers, and even customers who have a question. I will unfollow close friends, marketers, and even family if they post too much, bother me, or provide no value.
You can use Twitter wisely to grow relationships, build bonds, and communicate with people that would otherwise be unreachable. You’d be surprised who will spend the time to answer you on Twitter that you’d NEVER get a response from via email or phone. The easiest way to start a conversation is to use the “@ reply” function. For me it’s Twitter.com/JeffSchwerdt or @JeffSchwerdt.
I may sound like a Twitter snob, but I’ve easily made more connections, relationships, and money through communication and partnerships then I have from ever posting a new link for an affiliate product on Twitter or Facebook.
Social Media Overall
Think about how you are using Social Media, and if you’re losing more money than potentially making by hanging out all day with Twitter and/or Facebook or have a feeder app open all day long.
When talking to private clients ( All who’ve paid me at least 20K upfront to work with them), I have been careful to educate them of the correct way to use Facebook to build relationships and how not to sound “salesy” in their message. I usually have to hold a reminder training session a month or so later (it’s easy to fall into the “salesy” trap).
Recently I’ve personally even gone so far as to delete old High School friends and other strangers that friended me and provided no communication. Family and crusty old fighter pilot friends got to stay. While I’m not the best at staying in touch, I do better on Facebook and Twitter than in the real world.
The real problem with teaching all this ‘social media’ stuff is that it doesn’t teach the fundamentals of what brings in the REAL money – Sales…
You have to remember all this social media marketing stuff is based in MARKETING. And it’s derived from good old fashioned Direct Response. And before you go out trying to build these so-called ‘relationships’ using the above web 2 properties, you *need* to learn the fundamentals of being able to (ethically) persuade people to give you money.
My good friend Luke is a MASTER of this…Here’s some amazing examples I came across recently and wanted to make you aware of. While I may be losing money by not posting an affiliate link to either or even informing Luke or Rich I am doing this ahead of time, I think you can learn a lot from their videos.
HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE SALES VIDEO
My good friend Luke Jaten from www.PostCardProfits.com is amazing when it comes to direct sales strategy and post cards. His Post Card Profits course is one of only 3 courses I have ever gone completely through more than once.
Recently he showed me his newest video and I told him this. “Luke, That was the best cold traffic sales video I have seen to date, here’s why…”
I’d rip the video right off of his page at www.PostCardProfits.com and post it here but I don’t think it’d be fair to YOU if you didn’t experience how he and Matt Trainer tied the site together when you watch the entire video. Pure Genius.
I’ll leave it at that. Bring a note pad and paper.
GREAT TESTIMONIAL VIDEO
Changing Gears. I met with another good friend of mine, Rich Cook, (www.RichCook.com) for brunch last Sunday and we were goofing off talking about how we should start a funny blog making videos for our own entertainment.
As we were talking videos he brought up a story of this testimonial video he has on his Facebook page that a buddy basically did for him without him knowing for his business.
What basically happened was his friend wanted to make an advertisement/testimonial video of his work and use it for promotional purposes.
I finally got to watch the video last night on Facebook and wanted to share it with you. It’s put together extremely well and I can’t wait to see it on his main site.
This is a great example of social proof in a video, how to structure a sales video with good testimonials, and do it without being pitchy. Enjoy and take notes on the story blending, testimonials, and I know you’ll be blown away by the amazing photos.
Again, there’s a lot on this page to learn and comment about. I’d love to hear your thoughts below regarding how you use Social Media and your thoughts the Videos – I look forward to hearing from you.
Simply click the Comment link on the top or bottom of this blog.
Talk Soon,
Jeff “Herschy” Schwerdt
Jeff,
I think you’re pretty much right on point about Social Media, the misconceptions, and the false beliefs and perceptions. I talked about false numbers on Twitter and Relationship building back in April – http://imconnections.com/twitter-marketing-relationship-marketing-122
And I want to Twack (Twitter smack) the next person who sends me something about making $500/day on Twitter or getting 1k worthless followers a day!
I’m SO over people who complain a few months in about not seeing the results they want and coming to find out they want to see some MASSIVE sales from their short few months in the social networks and don’t want to run a real campaign (or even take the time to target who they’re involved with; they add every person they can, they join every single group that sends a request and every single page that sends a request and wonder why it’s all so useless). There’s a lot of confusion about the purpose and use of Social Networks; and a lot of confusion about how long it actually takes to build on that, it’s no overnight venture but certainly a valuable venture done properly and with time.
I’m also SO over people who think that just because they understand a bit about social media/social networking, they’re all of the sudden experts. There are a lot of other relative things I’m SO over but I’ll leave it at that.
Didn’t watch the first video but I watched the second…fan-freakin’-tastic! I want him for an event and I don’t even have an event right now!
Thanks Jeff
~K
@areaK on Twitter
IM and Social Media Connections´s last blog ..Does your blog/website suffer from Information Overload?
Hi Jeff!, thanks for showing this.I agree it doesn’t come across as sales-y.Very natural, more like an interesting documentary about a great photographer.I felt like I wanted to book him myself.The music was just right too, not too loud as in some videos.
cheers
Alan
GREAT comments Herschy! Agree with your analysis, and have been preaching this message for some time. Would love to post your comments in my blog – okay?
Keep it up –
- Chip
*Edit*Go for it Chip. Feel free to link back to the post as well
-Herschy
Good post, Jeff. I think the idea of building relationships escapes most people, as they’ve been conditioned for instant gratification. If you build an actual value-based community on Facebook, you may actually get people to pay attention to what you have to say, hence be more likely to do business with you in the long term like you suggested.
I’d be interested to see how many “experts” are actually converting these virtual friends into opt-ins. The same goes with Twitter. There are so many spam accounts with RSS feeds that I think it’s desensitizing people further from building trust.
I’ve had much better success with Adwords than Facebook Ads. I’m sure I just need to test more on Facebook, though. Any suggestions you would give for killin-it with Facebook ads?
Matthew Loop´s last blog ..Facebook Marketing for Chiropractors
Hey Jeff,
Great post.
Totally agree with you about facebook…. great for building relationships…like you said stick with paid ad placement to make money.
Now Twitter is a different story in my book. I’ve done tests on my followers and find that I give some good content mixed in with some promotions every once in a while I get decent conversions. Using these auto-follow tools to get 10K followers in a month…. these followers will not buy… BUT… as you build a “Real” online following it does look impressive to “Real” followers but a little sneaky.
I think in the end twitter will have a short life-span… kind of what we are seeing with MySpace. But for now I am happy to take advantage of these tools to continue to build my list… which is a longer term business model IMHO.
Love the wedding infomercial. Everyone knows that video has always been and will always be the #1 advertising model with marketing. With all the cool tools out there… creating good looking vids is getting easier and easier.
Joel Peterson
It is like anything else. Social Media is a part of the puzzle. If it is a strength to threive on those sites, you’ll do better than someone who is stronger on forums or blogs or PPC.
But it is still a part of the puzzle. I am always leary of absolutes when it comes to talking about what works or doesn’t work on line. Damn. I just used an absolute. Oh well.
Like the author said it still comes down to having people interested in the value you are giving. If that is the case, you will have the opportunity to make a pitch to them many times. So whatever helps you build that list is a great tool. Whatever doesn’t is a waste of time.
Good read.
Nate
Nate Volk´s last blog ..
The postcards profits video didnt finish-where can I buy that, or see a sales page?
*Edit* Try reloading the page at PostCardProfits.com and letting the entire video play
I’m not a JV for it so don’t have a direct order link -Herschy
Well, finally..
The smackdown that Social Media deserves in terms of it’s relative effectiveness to get people to pull out the old credit card and buy your product or service.
Agreed – if you have a local business, or an established customer base, then “twittering” might make sense. You can tell them about your latest products or services.
Other wise – I just don’t get it. Isn’t that what we have blogs, text messenging, cell phones, and IM’s for?
Some people – when they turn to the Internet – have already made up their mind that they want to buy a specific product – or solve a particular problem.
This – to me – is one of the central – and most important ways that make money on the Internet. Natural search engine traffic, with good niche specific keyword research and finding the “money words”
And like you said, if you want to use social media, use Facebook so you can “Target highly qualified prospects on the cheap, in their leisurely environment, by running small ppc type ads.”
Target people, customers, whatever who are actively looking for your product – or interested in a niche – no matter what the media. Getting people to follow your “twitter account” or hanging around on Facebook -for the most part – is just a time sink..
I’m just say’in…(LOL!)
Great post..
Robert C – The Wholesale Products Guy
Jeff…. This post hit home to the way I have been feeling for the last 6 months or so….
Web 2.0 Social Media Marketing in the beginning was the hottest thing around since it was the latest buzz word and nobody knew anything about it, BUT used its self will not get you anywhere toward making money.
Use Social Media Marketing as a piece of the puzzle, but not 100% of the puzzle or you will not make any money.
Thanks for the post!
Devin
Devin Hunter´s last blog ..A haunted tale about the Whaley House Museum
Herschey,
Killer post man way to hit home, And that postcard profit vid and site are killer thanks for sharing
Ryan
Clear words. Adding friends or followers blindly is nothing more than spam. The rule that works is adding and following people that are interested in your stuff and vice versa.
Gunter
Quote Robert C. “Agreed – if you have a local business, or an established customer base, then “twittering” might make sense. You can tell them about your latest products or services. Other wise – I just don’t get it. Isn’t that what we have blogs, text messenging, cell phones, and IM’s for? ”
Well, Robert, if you think that that’s the only type of person who can benefit from Twitter or the only purpose for Twitter, then you really DON’T get it. Sorry.
~K
@areaK on TWITTER (and I don’t have a local business ha)
IM and Social Media Connections´s last blog ..Does your blog/website suffer from Information Overload?
I have to say, BOTH videos were the BEST I’ve ever seen for their market and style. I want to hire Rich, and I’m not even getting married!
I want to try Luke’s course out and I don’t have enough hours in the day to add something new to my plate. I LOVE the way the order form is hidden until he mentions it. I’ve never seen that before. Wow!
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Jeff,
I, too, thought the photography video was awesome! Lot’s to learn in technique and marketing style.
Thanks
Hey Herschy
Great post, some very down to earth opinions, Your totally spot on about twitter and facebook, I use them the same way you do, even if I know someone from childhood, and there were no reason share value conversations then what’s the point you know.
Your overall opinion on social media hits home as well. people get told to do this and that in the latest courses out there, but at the end of the day, it’s about building relationships and communicating with REAL LIFE people.
Again Thank Danny
Daniel Howard´s last blog ..New Video Squeeze Pages
Of course you have to keep a realistic perspective about Twitter/Facebook etc – but it’s clear from your own words that you don’t really use these tools as effectively as some people do. And that’s fine, but to dismiss the networking potential and 6 Degrees of Separation side of social media tooks is to leave out a giant dimension.
Too many Internet marketers are focused on the old traffic + conversions = a real business – and this is a way to do it – but ignores a whole other world out there of people who actually create original material and provide services like speakers, authors, consultants etc.
I’m not saying you are wrong – just that I feel there is another angle.
The Luke Jaten video/offer is hands down one of the most saliva-inducing gotta-have-it landing pages I’ve ever seen.
The scarcity of info about Luke is worrisome – so I Googled his name and all I can say is this guy – if he IS real – needs some serious reputation management. The Luke Jaten Go-Daddy holding page, if he owns it – could use some info to fight back the “ripoff” posts.
Since no one is running ads for his name – he could for a nickel and probably reinforce his conversions.
There will always be people who will hit the buy buttons on these tempting offers – but with no mention of the obvious costs involved in implementation (printing and postage and back end) not everyone will be happy with the box of info.
As time goes by – reliable, consistent, ethical, and accessible people will grow a real business. (Even if that means you pay someone to read the highly visible email contact form you put up). While hard forced offer only page creation models will have to constantly seek the gullible.
IMHBAO
Rick Butts
Rick Butts´s last blog ..Dr Letitia Wright Video Rick Butts
Hello. Thank you for this great info! Keep up the good job!
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Margaret
http://grantfoundation.net
Great post… I definitely agree. Doing social media marketing right involves building real relationships with people and getting a bit personal, and like you said, this even applies to online video. You don’t just leave your small business’ video up on YouTube and AdWido; you need to respond to feedback and see what the response is like, for example.
Arrived here after getting mail re Postcards for Profit promo… so did my usual investigation ( incl. http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/471/RipOff0471048.htm )
Well, great to read your views and share your skepticism of Facebook and Twitter hype (tho’ we cannot deny LOADS of folks really going places with these ‘streams’ )
JUST BLOWN AWAY with the Rich Cook video, being a newbie (?wanabee!!!) freelance photographer. LOVED IT!
Thanks so much.
Best wishes from UK… enjoy my Flickr !
Tony S.´s last blog ..Glorious Nature (4)
IM and Social Media Connections says:
August 5, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Quote: Robert C. “Agreed – if you have a local business, or an established customer base, then “twittering” might make sense. You can tell them about your latest products or services. Other wise – I just don’t get it. Isn’t that what we have blogs, text messenging, cell phones, and IM’s for? ”
Well, Robert, if you think that that’s the only type of person who can benefit from Twitter or the only purpose for Twitter, then you really DON’T get it. Sorry.
End Quote..
What I don’t get is how you can use Twitter to make money if you sell
products or certain services. I write specialized niche ebooks. If I had to depend on Twitter to market them, I would sell very little – or none at all..
Affiliate and Internet marketers, for the most part, do not Twitter. They are not involved in link bait schemes. The don’t hang around forums or leave blog comments. They are not looking for server crushing “Digg” hits. They are busy finding keywords for their niche that convert and building links to help rank for said keywords.
And that, basically, was the point of my post. While there is a place for social media like Twitter, (as mentioned for communication purposes, or keeping your customer base informed, or telling the world about your cat’s giant furball collection) from a pure marketing, or MMO (Making Money Online) perspective Twitter is a waste of time.
However, maybe you could share your blueprint for financial success with Twitter – if you have one? You might be able to change my “luddite” ways in terms of how I view this particular venue. Help me to understand how I can sell products through Twitter and I am like Dumbo the elephant – all ears (LOL!)..
Thanking you for your critical point of view..
I am..
Robert C – The Wholesale Products Guy
Stumbled upon this post while checking out your Sales Funnel video from today.
The one thing that Twitter does for you is provide high PR backlinks to your sites and articles. Now if you’re a spammy sort of Tweeter and your account gets dropped from their searches… well… try again.
To avoid the Twitter slap, be sure to retweet for others and also tweet messages that do not have links. If all you do is tweet links, then you will be dropped from the searches. I know a couple of marketers with huge (60K+) followings who no longer show up in the Twitter search.
I usually receive a few clicks to my blogs from my targeted list when I tweet a link. But even my links are rarely to sell something. Mainly just for good content and/or to move them to my opt-in lists, where I sell to them, later.
Gary Calvert´s last blog ..Taking Time Out
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