Elizabeth Potts Weinstein: Live Your Truth - Latest Comments in The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

ElizabethPW — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:01:06 -0000

Thanks Liz, I'm so glad you liked it all and rediscovered me! :) Yes, I'm glad this video helps people think of other way(s) to look at the business model for us information/personality businesses :)

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Liz Schneider — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:48:17 -0000

Elizabeth,
I'll admit that I lost track of you when you were on your recent hiatus and in looking at your new site design, the GREAT about page, and then seeing this post, I've fallen for you all over again. Your truths, your natural wisdom, your rule-breaking ... all fueled by your big idea of living your truth. I am so grateful that you are "back" and am very inspired by this non-funnel model, the other way has never quite worked for me.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

ElizabethPW — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:40:33 -0000

Yes, I've been there. Spent 10s of thousands on coaches and programs and didn't see anything happening. Of course learned a lot. But also learned that throwing money at people to save me is a great way to run up credit cards but not a great way to move forward to me being me and creating a business that is really me.

My gut response to you Nikole is ... why do you need a class in product creation? Why not just do it? Perhaps there is no right way. I suspect you have been in enough programs to know the basis of what works for you, and could put together something shoestring to test your ideas and see how it goes. I'd say pick your favorite program format (ebook, videos, membership site, teleclass, ecourse, whatever) and do that.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Nikole Gipps — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:27:22 -0000

Funny to stumble upon this older video just now ... I have been going through a lot of this in the last few months. I wanted to launch a product, to get away from being 100% service-based, and I found a million people wanting to coach me to reach that goal. And yet, something still feels wrong to me. I think it my own self trying to tell me that this one-size-fits-all model with the sales funnel just isn't right for me. I feel like I am spending so much time trying to figure out how to squeeze every dollar out of things, how to bundle, how to release your products in a specific order, how to increase them in value etc ... I'm so tried of all of that. I just want to make some stuff and see what happens - let it ride and see if anyone likes it, you know? Why is there not a product creation class that teaches that sort of model?? I feel like I have wasted months and mucho $$$$ ... and lost so much momentum trying so hard to do it the "right" way ... it is months later and I STILL don't have a product out!!

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Nikole Gipps — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:22:41 -0000

I agree ... if someone was scared off by you being yourself, then they were never your client in the first place.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

ElizabethPW — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 10:07:24 -0000

Part of the point of using the "sucks" headline is to entice people to
watch, not to say it's bad for everyone. In the video what I really
share about is taking the ideas of a funnel (the free sample, etc) and
turning them in a different way/purpose. This video was intended for
people who have used the funnel for years and are looking for new
ideas.

I disagree re using the f word. I *want* to disqualify people who are
offended by that. Someone who is easily offended does not make a good
customer for me. So wonderful if they find that out during the first 5
seconds of being on this site! Then less time wasted for everyone! :)

~ Elizabeth

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

nick — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 06:41:20 -0000

I watched your video a second time because the first time I watched it I was a little judgemental of you because of the negativity you expressed by saying, "the funnel model sucks" just because it wasn't suitable for your business. That's kinda lame. So I didn't get much from my first viewing.
On second viewing, however, I managed to see the benefits of what you are talking about, so thanks for sharing. The funnel model is new to me, but it seems to me that by giving this free information, in a hope to draw people into your circle of influence, you are already using it unwittingly.
And no, you probably shouldn't use the F word here at the top of your funnel. Save it for your qualified customers. They will be much more forgiving.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Joe — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:25:36 -0000

Your video is the first step in the marketing funnel

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Mike — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:35:32 -0000

This is another description of a marketing funnel. All a marketing funnel really is...

Is a process to attract prospects (can be a big idea and free community) that leads to building relationships and offering value that people eventually pay you for.

But you did an excellent job of describing a certain frame work for a marketing funnel. I'll recommend you within that context for sure.

Great job.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

David Kraus — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:37:44 -0000

Robert Allen calls them the MOO-BAA. If the herd of cows or flock of sheep are all going one way, you better be going the other. And then when they finally figure it out and start going the way you are, they're too late, you have already turned into another direction.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Ceil DeYoung — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:26:06 -0000

I like the no secerts idea. Where do I sign up

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Melissa Dinwiddie — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:54:34 -0000

I love this model! The traditional funnel certainly has its place, but I don't want people to sign up on my mailing list just for some little freebie; I want people to sign up because they resonate with my Big Idea! Yes!

Also, I love that you included your bloopers. Very fun! :-)

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

kailiamaru — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:48:34 -0000

Excellent! I am just getting my business up and running and haven't got my site done yet; now I know why. You put your finger on what has been hanging me up... I do not like the funnel business model I had been planning to use. Once I have "my people" I'd like them to BE my people, not just ships passing in the night on the way to the bank. Loved the video, the message, and the outtakes. :) Thanks!

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Laurie Lam'x — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:22:11 -0000

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm coming very late to this post, enjoyed it very much. Question though. I get that we need to share information, but I'm really struggling with the level of sharing as we get ready to launch our blog.

Example: recently I saw a company who makes lovely soaps who teaches classes and gives away recipes and how-to's on how to make soap. I get that the DIY folks are not necessarily the same folks who buy from her store/site (or maybe some are), but at what point is she training her competition to do what she does? And if several "copy cats" spring up making and selling soap, how does she catch the attention of new people searching the market who find the copy cats? (Because, I'm just thinking *I* would rather buy from the creative person who spent all the time developing this great info for us.)

Appreciate your insights re this question, thanks!
Laurie

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

kaitrece — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:48:42 -0000

Hey Kimmoy & Elizabeth,

I'm Gina-Come-Lately (Johnny's sister) to this discussion, but glad I found it. I agree completely with you guys. I think people struggle so much because the 'rules' don't fit everybody. The even bigger problem is they don't 'feel right', even if you create a fit. Its exhilarating to hear people speak your internal debate with yourself! Glad I'm not so crazy or overly idealistic afterall! :-)

So how did your test go after 1 month Kimmoy? Did it go a) as expected, b) better than expected, c) not what you expected? Either way, I hope you're still inspired by your vision . I've accepted that its going to be an imperfect start. I need to just START and then tweek as I go and allow myself to be led the journey in practical matters. I'm thinking any results you get puts you closer to the target right!? The most important part is to be moving in the Right direction that feels True for you.

The Live Your Truth series has been AWESOME for crystallizing that for me! Thanks Elizabeth! :-)

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

kaitrece — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:29:58 -0000

"LOVE!" button for sure!

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Taylor Marek — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:09:32 -0000

Huh, never thought of it that way before. I had the idea, seems like you went and actually wrote down how it works on paper. Perfect :)

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

ElizabethPW — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:27:59 -0000

And that's really the secret Clare - find a model that's *right* for
you, the solutions your provide, and your target market!

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Clare Appleyard — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:32:37 -0000

Yay for Elizabeth! I LOVE this video (especially the F-word, so glad we're all human!). I've been listening to all this business info (teleseminars etc) from the USA and hearing about the funnel and the info products and the bigger products and and and.....

My struggle with this has been that a) South Africa (which is my preferred client base) is not as internet adept as the US and the UK, b) my product/service doesn't lend itself to the funnel model and the constant upselling and c) frankly I'm getting a little annoyed with the constant flood of internet marketing trying to get me to sign up for the free product and then buy the cheapie product. The novelty has worn off!

So hallelujah, all hail Elizabeth for recognising this and being honest about it! I'm not sure my model fits the model you've illustrated, but it does start guiding me towards a viable alternative :-)

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Shaktipaj — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:35:27 -0000

Elizabeth - I come late to this post, but it was sooooo worth the wait! This makes so much sense, it is scary good advice! I've seen things that approached it, but they forgot the crucial part near the end of the vid - true transparency. That is the uncomfortable place we need to acknowledge and move past - it is also the thing that many more conventional coaches just don't want to embrace. Thanks for being you!
Also, an F-bomb is not the end of the world as we know it - hey, I'm married to a sailor, what do you think it sounds like around my place?

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Rex Williams — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:22:25 -0000

Great stuff! Loved the outtakes. I don't know if you know him, but John Furst referred to your link in a comment he made on some other blog post. It's great how things get spread.

You have a new follower.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

Guest — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:17:09 -0000

Brilliant video, Elizabeth.

Love how it's both simple, intuitive, yet goes against the typical internet marketing grain.

Then again, your whole focus on authenticity and transparency (integrity) makes you so unique!

Feel like you and I could be kindred spirits. Two of my key values in business are "integrity & heart". Also: you were an attorney and financial planner. I finished first year of law school (then switched to MBA) and was very briefly a financial coach, before doing what I'm doing now -- helping solopreneurs and small business owners with online marketing.

Other synchronicities: on Facebook we currently have this many mutual friends: 66 (I know, weird number right?)
And today I visited Allison Nazarian's blog (she's hosting me on a webinar on Sept. 22: http://georgekao.com/922a
...and saw your comment in her blog.

My focus is "how to efficiently use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter in 15 minutes a day" and would love to explore a win-win-win partnership with you, when the time's right!

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

ypadgett — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:48:49 -0000

Your style with the videos is perfect and very refreshing. I totally agree with your premise becuase it seems like someone came up with an internet business model - squeeze page, 1 free give away, adsense, selling advertising space, everything else behind pricy memberships or expensive "programs" and then others just ran with it. What I seem to be attracted to are the people who are offing as much as they possibly can for free, then choosing a couple of particular ways to make money without making EVERYTHING about money which to me is a turn off.

Some people cannot send an email without asking you to join their latest high priced thing, or advertise with them or something costing money. I'm a low cost, no cost kind of girl until I know enough about someone to spend more money. That's why I LOVE your LiveYourTruthProject! I'm still listening to those calls and loving them all and was so thankful they are free. They are amazing.

I'm working on launching my website now I definately plan to link to those and other free telecalls for people, plus give lots and lots of access to my website all for free because I think that is where the value is. I guess we all have to do what's right for ourselves and not just follow the herd. I've had people tell me that I'm not charging enough and giving too much for free, but that's what I love about having my own business, I can make those choices myself. At the same time I found your LiveYourTruthProject there was another website that I was drawn to, but she was offering the same kind of telesummit for $300 or $400 and that was just ridiculous to me. The people that your telecalls have connected me with have been amazing and I have you to thank. I might not have spent any money with you as of yet, but meanwhile I'll definately be an evangelist for your site and your videos!

Keep up pulling back the veil because it gives people the okay to do what they think is right, not what others are telling them to do!

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

ElizabethPW — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:56:43 -0000

It's so funny how many people say "there's no money in free" when so many companies are built this way (look at google!!) where everything is free in the beginning, and then the money is made down the road. But, it means a longer start up time (but more money in the end, I believe).

I also have philanthropic causes in mind, some which I already support (via kiva.org, for example), and some independent not-yet-done projects. Yes, they totally go together. Mine are very much based upon the idea that some people cannot (yet) afford the implementation tools, so let's give them ways to implement to save themselves -- kind of like Habitat for Humanity, which requires a work component & paying for a mortgage, I believe.

Re: The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

drmolliemarti — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:33:07 -0000

Great video, Elizabeth! A lot of head nodding :-)

Last year, I started Best Life Design around the big idea of helping others to consciously design their best life with advice and tools from trusted resources and a supportive community available to help every step of the way. My key focus is on the community and growing relationships - and I've been told by some big (cattle herding LOL) marketers that there's no money in it.

Yes, we'll use some traditional marketing tools (as a means to leverage our limited time) - but it's the mindset that distinguishes the model you present. As we say, our core community is free - and always will be - because no one "owns" the right to live their best life. We believe it's a right - and a responsibility - shared by all who walk this earth. Our community knows best what resources they need as they walk this journey...and we're listening.

Another piece of this model I see popping up (it's core to my mission) is including a philanthropic cause within the core business model. Have you observed this?

To your success!
Mollie