Posts Tagged ‘articles’

In recent months, there has been a notable increase in marketers talking about “moving the free line”, and generally instructing new marketers to give away valuable content to build their lists, in order to create customers in the future.

On the surface, there seemed to be some value in this advice. After all, there are giveaways popping up daily, free reports everywhere… all with the intention of obtaining that all-important email address on a double opt-in form.

I decided to test this theory. (This is a simplified version)

I am creating a product for a niche I have been active in for some time. (Sorry, I am not going to reveal the niche; suffice it to say that it’s as competitive as the IM niche). The product I am developing contains useful software, a detailed info product on pdf, an audio version of the info product and a video showing how to use the software along with the info product.

I will create one other product of similar value and structure, and two reports with additional, related advice and tips.

I’ll purchase two very similar domain names, created two websites. One website to give away the product for free, just for opting in to my list.

The other will be a basic sales page using similar language, but charging $67 for the product. Upon successful payment, the customer will be directed to the download page which includes an opt-in form for the same newsletter.

I will employ the exact same marketing strategies to each site. I’ll drive traffic, use PPC, post in related forums, create articles – all the usual things.

The opt-in will enroll each subscriber in to a seven part email series as follows:

1. (immediate delivery) A thank you for downloading the product, along with their download link in case they weren’t redirected after payment/signup.
2. (two days later) A repeat of the benefits of the product, and encouragement to take action with it. I’ll also include a link to download one of the two reports I am creating as an additional bonus.
3. (three days later) Pure content, highly related to the product and includes several valuable resources for more information.
4. (three days later) Again, pure, actionable content.
5. (three days later) Give away the second bonus report. This bonus report is a lead-in to the second product, and in fact has links inside taking them to the product sales page.
6. (three days later) Again content, leaving off with a teaser at the end about how a specific problem talked about would be solved in the next email and to watch for it.
7. (sent out two days later) Purely promotional, sending subscribers to the sales page for my second product. This product will be priced at $47.

Can you predict what my results will be?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!!