Before You BASH! Don’t miss the point!

Wow Jim!!!!

I read your comments………..now maybe you read mine……….thanks.

You do a marketing TEST by sending your list a link to this video, and you ASK for feedback, then when we get to this page, you are in effect saying “Give me your impressions – but only if they are good!!” “I only want to hear how clever this is.” What????

If people have evidently been bashing the video, THAT really is the point. A portion of the PUBLIC is telling you they were not impressed. That is part of the TEST.

I own several of Marlon’s products, and am a Milcers subscriber. I have several of your products as well. You guys are the ‘gurus’ and I’m the ‘newbie /student’. I’m also the consumer/customer/guy spending the cash, and as such my feedback on the video is this.

– NEUTRAL……it felt like a waste of time (from a product launch perspective)
– Marlon is a nice guy having a good time shooting a home video, talking very
pleasantly to people he does not know, getting them to do something he wants.
– He obviously has an idea and plan up his sleeve, but what I saw doesn’t arouse
any question or buzz for me at all.

Being ‘whacky’ or ‘zaney’ or ‘stupid’ or ‘crazy’ etc.etc. for it’s’ own sake of ‘being out of the box’ without HAVING A POINT (and if you have kids then you know that their demanding attention for its’ own sake is not attractive) or being CLEVER may appeal to the kids under 25, but it’s not going to inspire me to spend several hundred dollars on a product or service.

Is this video just one step in a process of creating buzz – probably. But do the producers REALLY anticipate adults emailing each other saying “Oh man, you really gotta see this incredible video of Marlon having people put on red shirts – dude, it’s just awesome!” Not so much.

If you had a way to re-capture some of the emails I have sent you in the past from the above address, you would see they were ALL very complementary of you, your delivery, and the quality of your products. I’m not a cheap shot artist.

I can picture what your response would be if I reacted like the ‘feel’ of the last two blog entries, if I had asked you to critique one of my mini sites.

A faithful TNR subscriber,

John

When I used to be in sales, my sales manager once said to me, in my native french Canadian: “Parles bien de moi ou parles mal de moi, mais de grace parles de moi!”

Which, translated, means: “Talk good about me or talk bad about me, but please, talk about me!” (Or “Love me or hate me, there’s no money in the middle.”)

Jim, like Marlon, is doing a fine job at creating buzz.

Jim is voicing his opinion. Since so many people (and thank goodness for that!) voiced their negative opinion, you mean that Jim can’t voice his own?

Here’s a tip:

Pay closer attention to what’s going on, here. Both with the video and Jim’s post.

It’s all a brilliant marketing lesson in itself.

Jim,

I get it now ! After sending the above comment, I read the comments connected to the earlier blog entry………so your point is well taken – the villagers were in the street with the torches and pitch forks.

So when’s the next ‘Jim Boat’ cruise?

John

the greatest viral campaign i ever witnessed was howard dean’s run for president, using the internet– he spread the word of his message strictly by email, raising huge sums of money–everyone passed along the emails–

he may not have won, but he’s currently the head of the democratic party.

it’s a grassroots thing–and marlon sanders has a grassroots feel, in his video.

results will tell–obviously the result at this point: everyone a-buzzing!!!

kate loving shenk
http://www.nursingcareertransformation.com
http://nursehealers.typepad.com

I don’t see why I should waste my time with this. I didn’t watch to end. Was there
a reason to bother? Not impressed at all. Would question anything Marlon does.

Like my Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot would say: It is all about the BUZZ!

Thanks Jim.

test

Marlon did it! – he created a buzz.
Since Mark Joyner “invented” the word buzzworthyness there has only been a few on the internet that’s done that. But Marlon did. In order to create a bigger Buzz I almost have to launch my own “Peder Andersen Morning Show” on internet TV. Marlon shows that video is a medium of the future. Now we have to think about how to give videos a good marketing “twist” so we can use video instead of our next adwords campaign. We shall all learn from Marlon. As usual he is far ahead of the rest of us.

Yours
Peder Andersen
http://www.pederandersen.com/blog

Dear Jim,

Humor is so subjective.

It seems to me that if you’re going to use humor to promote your products (or promote your promotions), it’s best to include some substantial and useful information at the same time. That way if the humor falls flat (as it did for me in this video), the viewer will still be open to sharing the video for the information it contains, or for the product that it promotes.

The types of videos I naturally share, with no added “incentive,” are those that provide unique or useful information, are examples of innovative marketing, or are inspiring and uplifting, regardless of the product.

The way that Marlon has turned his video into a viral affiliate-making machine IS brilliant. Rather than hoping that someone might discover and click a small affiliate link at the bottom of his web site, he’s actively “asking for” affiliates. HOWEVER, when I followed his links to see more fully what he was up to, I discovered that there is no knowable product yet. No sales letter. Only buzz.

His followers may be willing to become affiliates for a product that hasn’t been unveiled yet, but for someone who’s never heard of him before it totally misses the mark. He’s giving me nothing substantial to share with my friends, website visitors, and newsletter readers–no useful information, no product, only a video that’s promoting itself, and doesn’t even tell you what the product is.

There’s definitely a lot to learn from here, both what to do and what not to do.

Thanks for pointing this out to us.

Julie Isaac
http://www.WritingSpiritResources.com

Okay . . . My reaction while wathcing Marlons Video:

Boredom – Ridiculous – What’s the Point – I’m only continuing to watch this because Jim asked me to – Useless – I would never ask anyone to watch this thing – Why would ANYONE be interested in this? – Cannot WAIT for it to end – WHY am I bothering to wathc this? Oh yeah, cause Jim asked me to – Maybe something good will happen at the end (which it did not) – . . . And similar reactions.

I would not have finished the video or even have clicked on the link to his Blog except I kept thinking Jim knows there is something useful here. . . . What ever is useful is so abstract that the video in itself did not FOR ME create it.

Notice, I m NOT making ANY comments on Marlon, because I think he is a genius. HOWEVER, I was debating on whether to buy HIS Video production product versus your Web Video Secrets and if this was the deciding factor, I would not even THINK of buying his product, and would buy yours. Which I probably will anyway based on other criteria. (I need to get Virtual PC for Mac, first.)

Just because of YOUR credibility with me, I clicked on the link to his blog and read the first post and wondered what the heck he expected from people based on the less than zero content on the Red video. Although I agree with him that people were probably on his blog giving him the wrong feedback to the wrong issue. The shear boredom evoked FOR ME by the Red video does not necessarily reflect on his other skills. BUT, if this was the first exposure of Marlon to someone, I could understand why they would think he was completely clueless as to being interesting or vital or useful.

Bottom Line: It was, for me, a totally UNINSPIRING video, that I would NEVER forward to anyone, that I would have stopped watching midstream (I almost clicked off it several times, but waited only so I could give you the feedback you asked for), and, it actually made me think, why get involved with video AT ALL if this is a prime example of what you could do with it?

There;s your feedback,
David Scott Lynn

WOW!

Marlon is so ‘busy’! He has a genius mind. He’s always fascinating to watch and listen to. (I have wondered if perhaps he takes a bit too much caffeine!)

While the video left me lukewarm, I did click through on all the links to see how he has structured everything… as Jim suggested we check it out.

It is pretty amazing how he has tied so many pieces together off the original video page… brilliant. We haven’t seen anyone else do this before…. at least not that I’m aware of.

It wasn’t until I read some of the original entries on Marlon’s blog that I figured out why he’s calling the campaign the Red Factor and everything is about red ‘being back’ etc.

If I wasn’t looking at this as a case study, I’m not sure I would have clicked through on everything Marlon did. (Yet I know Jim is not about wasting any one’s time so I went for it.)

I can see some weak spots -yet perhaps, the ‘weak’ spots are so absolutely genius, that it makes you dig a bit deeper to get on board. This approach definitely weeds out the half baked, campaign skimmers as well as decreasing conversion. Therefore, those that stick, are definitely interested. I guess it’s all about what Marlon is trying to accomplish.

He must be doing something right because of the traffic surge he experienced. Love it or Hate it…. people talk…. that’s the goal of course.

It is definitely food for thought, as to how any one of us can think outside the box and put it out there. And we see that compelling video, creativity, and an enticing message is definitely very powerful.

It looks like Marlon is beginning to crack the code on how to monetize viral video on a large scale…. Pre-launch buzz…. generating affiliates…..curiosity from potential buyers….building the list and send to a friend…..getting them to the Blog for the birds eye view…man… all from just one single page. So much more powerful than a static sales page…. that’s for sure. Once again, daring, bold and genius.

Jim…… do you know what ‘Evergreen” marketing concept his course will be addressing? Is it along the lines of marketing with the intent to help folks vs. making money as the primary objective, and then as you help people the $$$ naturally flows back to you? As well as perhaps…. if you have passion for the service you offer, people will feel that and respond. And even, when people see how much you care and are willing to go the extra mile for them…. they become customers for life? Or even… give something of value to qualified prospects first before you expect them to become a customer? As well as taking care of your customers as if they are the goose that lays the golden eggs?

I’m thinking this must be some of what this is about and what allowed his dad to control and dominate the TV repair market in his home town until he retired.

At any rate, thank you Jim for the ‘heads up’ on this campaign. I’ll be watching what Marlon continues to do step by step. He definitely has left his own ‘footprints in the sands of time’ in the internet marketing industry and at the very least is very innovative.

Well Coach?

Quite a day wasn’t it?! I bet it was a little like the guy who got up early to go for a nice morning stroll, took a wrong turn, and found himself in the middle of the road 30 seconds after the start of the Boston marathon – heading the wrong way!

Well it’s 1:30 Sunday a.m. and hopefully you’re asleep by now. All the hair you pulled out has been swept up, you found your blood pressure medication, your wife is talking to you again and has forgiven you for the rich and colorful expletives you were entertaining the neighbors with this afternoon, and Dinky has finally come back in the house.

All in all, a rewarding day in the IM business. Perhaps tomorrow some herbal tea, the cool, damp cloth on the forehead, soft music, and a nice foot massage might make looking back at today’s goings on feel a little less like falling backwards into a tank of piranhas while holding a cheeseburger in each hand.

Rest well big guy. Don’t forget, we’ve got another TNR conference call coming up soon !

You’re the best,

John

He did what he set out to do, everytime I see a red shirt or anything red for that matter, I’ll think of that video and The Red Factor.

I think thats called smart marketing.

Michael

The video was patently silly – old white guys trying to be “home boys” is pathetic. The only reason I watched it as long as I did was because you asked me to – the “buzz” if any is the power of your recommendation rather than anything to do with that “system.” This approach might work if his goal is to build a list of marginally literate morons.

I’ve seen Marlon’s video and read your comment, Jim, and I totally agree – it’s BRILLIANT!

Marlon is nobody’s fool. When I first saw it I thought he’s lost it and is sharing his pain with all of us. But then I realized his video is nothing more than a “transport mechanism” for a product, not a the product itself. In that sense we have to recognize it for what it is…a dang good ‘outside the box’ TOOL for getting is message out.

I would urge anyone who didn’t see it as a tool to go back and take a fresh look at it. And and you view it, ask yourself: Why did he do it?

When you answer that question you will understand the BRILLANCE of the tool.

Regards,
Ross Yingling

No bashing here.
The video was indeed strange.
The BUZZ – awesome
The marketing campaign genius, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Marlon.

All the best Jim,
Keith

Was it creative? Yes!
Did people watch? Yes!
Was there controversy? Yes!
Did people take the time to comment? Yes!
Did some folks get ticked off? Yes!
Did some folks like it? Yes!
Did viewers tell others? Yes!
Did the people in the “production” have fun? Yes!
Did it create a buzz? Yes!
Is something different a risk? Yes!

Hmmmm. It has all the elements of what is considered an outstanding marketing campaign. Me thinks it worked!

Kathleen Gage

Can’t say I was impressed.

I did watch it, but only on your recommendation. More buzz is being created in your comments blog than from the actual video. It didn’t make me curious any further than to think perhaps there was something more I missed, something more coming…. And that again, is within this comments post at your blog and that only because I respect your opinion, which is taking a shot by recommending this to begin with as an example of clever. Your Pirate Captain Jim is far more entertaining.
Maybe you could create further “buzz” by having a contest to see who can think outside the box the furthest with this sort of thing. But I don’t think this will win, or even be a close second. Sorry.

I am on dialup and I don’t watch videos for the simple reason that they take forever to buffer, whatever that is.
I had one recently of Alex Mandosian’s and at the rate it was going 24 hours later it would have been at least 24 to 30 more hours of ‘buffering’.
So you can probably understand why I cringe at the thought of watching a video.

Take the good with the bad……just like us ( your recipents do).

If you don’t want honest comments don’t mass email and have a blog for posting comments.

So here is mine….. I see the fun, I’m a real person like you video idea but it had no meat. (RED MEAT?)

I can sit through my families home videos if I wanted – but don’t.

Don’t be the annoying neighbor saying "come over for 2 hours and watch my vacation slides".

Too many people are just puking video onto the web for the sake of having video on the web.

I sat through what you called "hilarious" video in the hopes of getting a morsal of good knowledge at some point………..I felt betrayed.

My time is valuable, you may have the infomation and the email list but you should respect our time.

If you wanna sell us in the future do cheat us now. good luck with your red factor whatever, Tor

I’m sorry, but I have to say “yawn”

Just tell me what the red factor is, or shorten that video to 30 seconds and I’d be excited.

Good luck! And I appreciate the efforts!

Christine in Austin

Now on the “wrong” side of 50, I have had DECADES to process “red” in all its glory. At the end of Marlon’s video — and feeling “long in the tooth” because I knew there was a marketing lesson to learn and I obviously missed it — I drew up a list of all that I know of “red” beginning with the latest and back to age 8.

1) On Oct 13th Motorola began selling $17 RED cell phones in the U.S. to raise money (potentially billions) for Bono’s Product Red campaign to help treat African women and children with HIV/AIDS.

2) More than 30% of men in the U.S. are color-blind (a “red” thing), which makes RED an interesting choice for headlines (ala M. Fortin et al).

3) Carrying a RED purse means I’m in my feminist (ball-busting) mode – so beware unless you’re gorgeous or rich (and preferably both).

4) The RED light district was that part of a city that slept all day and worked all night.

5) Better dead than RED … one of those slogans that never made sense to a kid until an adult explained it – and then it made even less sense.

6) If you had a RED streak running up your leg you got a shot in the ass for an infection.

7) Boys got RED bikes and girls got blue bikes (BigJim, BTW, learned to ride a 2-wheeler on a blue bike … is there a Freudian in the house who can relate this childhood trauma to his adult preference for those adorable Hawaiian shirts?).

Yup, red rocks!

I really think the system has fallen apart. I don’t know what happens if I sign up for the newsletter, or how much he is paying for referrals. I don’t care what the product will be or how easy it would be to promote or make money. As far as I’m concerned it was a waste of time and I will never go back.

Maybe the system COULD work with a video worth watching. I think you’d have more luck posting of a popular video from youtube.

Maybe he could have posted it on youtube first and realized it was crap and tried again before attempting to market with it.

Serendipity Abounds!

(You’ve probably already heard of this, and may have even talked about it, but it’s new to me and I was blown away.)

Into the midst of this consideration of creating buzz and viral marketing, I received my online daily dose of “Publishers Weekly.” Today’s top story was about StuffOnMyCat.com. The more I read, I more I fell into awe at Mario Garza’s unintentional, yet wildly successful buzz machine.

Online, he saw that other people, like him, had taken pictures of their cats with funny objects on them. For a lark, he started a web site with his own pictures and asked for others to contribute.

* Between July 2005 and today, StuffOnMyCat.com has had 17 MILLION hits.

* He asks for non-exclusive, but unlimited rights to use the photographs that people submit to his web site.

* The book that he compiled from these photos sold 45,000 copies the first month, and has gone into a second printing of 15,000 copies.

* He’s got daily and monthly 2007 calendars coming out, as well as postcards, tee-shirts, buttons, and bumper stickers (he doesn’t have to take these photos, or pay for them, he just makes money off of them).

* He’s running a photo contest exclusively for booksellers, to get them excited about his book.

* He’s running a contest to get people to draw a cat picture that he will sell as a tee-shirt. Their prize is not royalties, but merchandise.

Even though this web site started out as fun, Mario had the foresight to see its marketing potential–and he ran with it!

http://www.stuffonmycat.com

Whether you think these pictures are funny or cruel, this natural viral buzz marketing phenomenon is something to behold!

And no—I’m not an affiliate. He doesn’t have any.

Enjoy,
Julie