David Risley
They, according to David, are the millions of people who aren’t currently online and who are flocking to Internet Marketing in droves.
The theory, is that those of us who are already actively online, blogging or involved in Social Media, etc. will be sought after by these millions to help them find their way to the path of Internet Marketing.
Disappointed…
So, I was disappointed that this concept was not developed further in yesterday’s webinar by David Risley – Blogging in 2010.
Now while David was upfront about using this webinar to promote his new product – the Blog Master’s Club – I was still expecting him to put some more meat on the bones of the concept: “They are Coming”.
I was expecting him to provide some concrete examples of how we, as bloggers, social media users, etc. can leverage this knowledge and offer something of real value to these coming millions.
But alas, the meat was never served…
Instead, in the first hour of the webinar, Risley mentioned some stats about the size of the social networks and their pace of growth (1,000,000 more Facebook accounts EVERY DAY , for example).
From there, David tended to merely repeat the idea “they are coming”. I was expecting at least a couple of specific examples about HOW Risleys’ product can uniquely meet the needs of this huge demographic.
But the discussion was mostly dry and repetitive. Risley really missed out on an opportunity to add some excitement around the concept of “I’m going to tell you something not everyone knows about and here’s how to capitalize on it”.
He’s no Yaro Starak…
Even a little more genuine enthusiasm like what you see from Yaro Starak or Gideon Shalwick would have gone a long way to convince me that David has not only a product you’d want to invest it but a personality as well.
Now, I suppose this approach was not entirely a bad thing. It seemed to prove that David does indeed have “no hype” style – and that is usually a good thing. But for a guy who has a background in marketing and who advocates the importance of selling on emotion, one would expect a little more sizzle to get people fired up about his ideas.
And then came The Pitch
Not surprisingly the second hour of the presentation was the actual pitch for David Risley’s latest product. Now to an already skeptical and jaded newbie like me, the sales pitch sounded no different that any of the 100 or so offers I get in my Email every day.
His program may be great and David Risley might be the guy that’s gonna show you the light but for me, I wasn’t moved to action.
In conclusion…
So, David, if you are reading this, I may be new to blogging and social media but I’ve been around the offline marketing block more that a few times in my 20 year career. Do yourself and your products a favor – if they are as good as you say they are, tap into your emotions!
Let others, like me, feel like they’ve found the right thing – in you!
- Don Power
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Hey Don,
Your opinion is noted. Sorry you didn’t see enough “meat” in it, but I had a lot to fit into a short timespan. You can’t satisfy everybody, and I’m not even going to try. Best of luck to you, Don. Looks like you’ve got a cool blog here. I’ll toss it in my Reader.
No offense, David, but it seems off-the-cuff rude of you to merely “toss” Don’s blog into your reader. But I’m not Don so I’ll let him respond as he sees fit.
Ari Herzog´s last blog ..Happy That Summer Camps Use Social Media
Hey Ari!
I really appreciate you mentioning this – but I take no offense at how David used the term “toss my blog in his reader”. If anyone reads something of mine, whether casually, or by searching it out, or even by happenstance on a forgotten feedreader, then my efforts have not been in vain
Cheers! Very happy that you got my back, Ari! Hopefully, I can return the favor!
- Don
- Don
Hey David!
Thanks for your comments.
First off, if you read my comment that I addressed to everyone, and my reply to Jordan, I think you’ll see that my problem was not with your sales pitch for your course.
It was simply that you didn’t provide real world examples about how we bloggers can leverage our relative expertise to help businesses who are flocking to the Internet.
Though it may seem obvious to you or others, for newbies it’s nice to actually hear some examples so that we can compare our ideas against them and confirm that we are on the right track.
And I think it’s fair to expect that without having to commit to a full on mentorship course…
Secondly, you are a proven successful blogger and you are a husband, father and provider of your young family (I am too!). For those things, I have great respect for you. I’ll be launching a new daddy blog very soon, so perhaps there’ll be an opportunity for our needs and offerings to be more in sync at some point down the road…
In the meantime, I wish you, your career and your coming new addition, nothing but happiness and Good Fortune!
- Don
So you’re a marketing guy that wants to be marketed to?
I don’t get it really. David’s course, in my opinion, is far too cheap (see Yaro’s 15k program that just launched), but that’s not what this is about I guess. You wanted more from a free webinar, but I’m not sure what that is exactly.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Don’t Mistake Traffic for Trust
I expressed my opinion to Don on Twitter already, but I kind of said the same exact thing.
David Risley is a marketer, a blogging “guru”, whatever you want to call it and is making money teaching others the skills that he has and learned in over 10+ years of blogging and business. His free webinar’s entire purpose was to be one big long sales pitch for the Blog Masters Club.
Of course, you can’t really entice people to check it out by presenting it in that fashion – so the “pitch” was done in the midst of some free “teaser” content. It’s all in the tried & tested traditional marketing playbook – and it’s exactly what 100’s of others talk about when it comes to making money with your blog – offer free content (like blog posts, eBooks, etc.) as a way to sell something later after establishing trust.
Going in to the webinar with any other mindset besides this is frankly stupid. (no offense, Don!) David’s a cool dude and all… and I think almost anything he does (free or not free) is worth a fair bit of value… but at the end of the day, he’s here to make money. He’s not going to spend time doing something just for the sake of doing it. He’s here to make money. End of story.
Now, I’m a cheap bastard who will probably never spend much money on anything of David’s (or any “guru” for that matter) but I highly appreciate the content that *is* given out for free and any additional one-on-one support whatsoever. That’s because I’m not an ideal “customer” at all, so frankly, these “rockstars” don’t even have to give me the time of day. This is why I can’t see how I can ever complain about it.
Saying the webinar was “disappointing”, although you’re obviously entitled to your opinion, is like getting a free dinner and then bitching out the chef. Understand the exact motivation of WHY this free piece of content is being given out (such as in this case to pitch the Blog Masters Club) – you’ll find you have a more realistic outlook on things and can make a much more centered view about it.
Jordan Cooper´s last blog ..Leveraging Other People’s Audiences To Create Buzz
I’m afraid Jordan I’d have to disagree with your analogy. If someone invited me out for a meal but then gave me a slice of toast, unless I was starving, I would be very disappointed. To listen expecting to hear how to take advantage of the fact that ‘they are coming’ is not naive or stupid if that was what was offered in the run up to the event.
However, I suspect Don isn’t DR’s target audience. He’s after the program hopers. The folk who come on here chasing the dream and believing one sales pitch after another, hoping that maybe this one will earn them thousands with ten minutes work per day.
If I was starving, the free toast would be cool. If one were desperate to finally make it work, maybe this was cool too.
Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..1 Minute Motivator: Act of Random Kindness
Eleanor, I think you’re missing the primary point I made…
Yes, I’d be disappointed in your analogy as well. But that’s only because I there’s no defined motive WHY that someone was taking you out for dinner. I’d be pissed if a friend said “I’ll take you out” and then bought me some toast, sure.
I’m talking about instances where you should *obviously* know the schpiel. Like the timeshare excursions everyone is familiar with. They offer you a free 2-3 day vacation, but it’s all so they can pitch you their timeshare opportunity for a few hours each day and hopefully, make a sale. Unless you’re dumb as a door handle, you’ve taken them up on the vacation knowing very well that this is their true purpose. So to be “disappointed” because of it seems fairly illogical.
David Risley and virtually ANY blogger/marketer making money online does just this. Every blog post. Every free report. Every webcast. Every everything. It’s all a coating that wraps around a sales pitch for *something*.
Now I can understand being disillusioned if you come from a niche that is unaware of these business principles – or you’re a freewheeling blogger who has no want or care to ever make money with their blog whatsoever. But since most do want to make money (and I assume Don does as well) – it just seems hypocritical to judge someone else’s veiled sales pitch as he did, when in fact that is *exactly* what you should be doing *yourself* as the primary basis of your own blog business model. It pretty much is THE fundamental concept of internet marketing. (and quite possibly now *all* marketing)
Jordan Cooper´s last blog ..Leveraging Other People’s Audiences To Create Buzz
Jordan;
As I reading this I’m evisioning your typing get faster, you hitting the keys harder and eventually your hat blowing off your head!
Breathe…
Again – no problem at all withg the sales pitch from David Risley. I was just looking for a few real world examples to confirn that the idea si have in my head are not unique and actually conform to the ideas and examples from someone who’s clearly made a lot of money at this game.
Here’s an analogy…When you identify yourself as a newbie at a table in Vegas they usually teach you and actually show you how to win a couple of hands before thay release the hounds and take all your money! That’s all I was looking for – a few tokens…
So, I’m naive…well maybe. But that just proves my second point – that David’s stuff really is no different than anything else on the market. Just a different shell game…
Thanks for your comments and by the way, I have a degree in Philosophy so for those who may not know what that entails, suffice it to say that I enjoy debate and I respect differences of opinion (as I respect your opininion, Jordan) without any personal attachment or offense…as long as one plays by a few rules.
And reading all the comments here, everyone (including myself if I do say so) is respectfully voicing their opinions…Who could ask for anything more?
- Don
Don, you’re making a blanket statement to discredit David for some resown unbeknownst to me.
You either did it as linkbait, or you didn’t think about it, because now you’re going to come up in the SERP’s as “David Risley Disappoints.” If that’s what you want, then I’d like to know why?
The only time I see titles like this is when someone is in attack (or major defense/jealousy) mode and I think it’s uncalled for.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Protected: On Action Leading and Passing the Test [GCN-1]
LOL, and you are going to help him rank for that term by adding it into your comment (and that term must get like, um, 3 searches per year)
… but i don’t think Don is such a clever guy as to plan this out for link bait to his dot “me” blog that is not even monetized.
Get outside of the MMO niche and you’ll see tons of posts that state “YYYYYYYY product disappoints”
Are they all link bait?
ROFL
AL
Allyn´s last blog ..Targeting The Long Tails In Internet Marketing
I don’t care about the SERP’s, I’m just pointing it out. There’s a lot of posturing here, but I’m not sure there is much more than that.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Protected: On Action Leading and Passing the Test [GCN-1]
Nathan;
You don’t know me (insofar as one blogger can know another blogger) but you are here, so that’s the first step…
If you did know me a little better, you would know that I take
false accusations very seriously.
And discrediting David Risley is NOT the intention of this post. In fact, if you read my previous post, you’ll see that I actually complimented David Risley and I even promoted his webinar.
You know, I’m really not a bad guy. I hope one day you and I will share a stage at some blogger conference where we can debate these ideas in person but until that time I have the right to question and disagree with probloggers on my blog or anywhere else for that matter.
If you read Brian’s comment- that is EXACTLY the spirit in which I wrote this post.
And if you read my reply to David, you’ll see no name calling, no discrediting – (quite the opposite actually) and certainly no linkbaiting. I am sure David himself would agree that there is no “subterfuge” subtext to this post.
I welcome opinions that differ from my own. Keep the false accusations to yourself and we’ll get along just fine, okay?
Thanks for your comment. Please feel free to continue…
- Don
I just discovered this from Nathan:
Yep, you’re right. I missed your primary point. I got too distracted by the thought of all that free dinner going begging
Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..How to Live in Peace Without Being a Doormat
Hey Jordan and Eleanor – I believe that my statement that I was disappointed is fundamentally different than complaining about it (which I don’t think I did!).
All I was looking for was a few real world examples and if that is too much to ask then yes, I think this confirms that David’s approach is really no different than anyone else’s – so yes, buyer beware!
- Don
Don, I don’t think I’ve made any false accusations, I’m just telling you what the view looks like from here.
I guess what really bothers me is that it’s become cool in this circle (there are several it seems) to bash pro bloggers. I just don’t see the point in it.
If you were really in it to help David, why didn’t you simply send an email?
I’m just not sure I’m buying the reasons.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Protected: On Action Leading and Passing the Test [GCN-1]
The answer to your question
is really quite simple:
Because I’m a BLOGGER and BLOG POSTING is what I do.
Thanks for your comment.
- Don
Hey Nathan.
Thanks for your comment.
Yes I did want something very specific from a free webinar (please see my reply to David Risley, above).
I didn’t get it. And I was disappointed.
That is it…exactly.
Cheers!
- Don
Maybe David is not excited enough that they are coming, but I certainly am and from my view, he sold the value.
Ralph´s last blog ..The Top 10 Reasons to Post Daily
I don’t think he sold the value.
I am sold on the value but I don’t think he sold the value in the webinar…
Again – no sloght on Davis’s course – I have not enrolled and I have no experience with David’s other offerings so that is not an issue here…
Yes, the hordes are coming but tell us how blogging makes us a sought after resource for these hordes (beyond the obvious – “teach us how to blog” idea!).
That’s what was missing for me…and thus my disappointment.
Thanks for your comment Ralph. Are you going to enroll in the course?
- Don
Hi Don,
As a charter member of BMC I sat in on the webinar as an observer and to be a part of the launch atmosphere.
Of course, everyone will have their own individual perceptions of the presentation and the course in general, and I am not here to defend or promote.
However, having an insider’s knowledge of the course and everything that goes on behind the scenes, I would be remiss in failing to offer my brief and humble opinion on the overall BMC experience.
In short, this is a high quality, high value blogging education that I was more than happy to add to my resume’.
Jimi Jones´s last blog ..10 Blog Launch Tips
Hey Jimi!
People tend to vilify more than they endorse so your recommendation of the BMC is a great compliment to David Risley. I hope he sees this!
As you probably read, my beef wasn’t with the course itself. It was with the webinar. I was looking for some real world examples. I thought David could have “thrown us all a few bones”, so to speak before asking us to pay for dinner!
Cheers and thanks for stopping by!
- Don
I’m glad you both had your say, it helped to alleviate my pain of falling asleep before the webinar started.
I never understood who would buy into these types of programs. Maybe I am the one who is naive but I can not imagine what information is provided that is not already out there for public consumption.
Tycoon Blogger´s last blog ..Domain Names for Bloggers
I listened/watched the replay of the webinar, and like I said prior to seeing it, he is rehashing the same stuff you can get for free on Problogger and others. He purchased “mass control” and other launch stuff from big names like Frank Kern and now he is trying out what he learned by doing a mass launch for a product/service/whatever that is nothing original whatsoever.
It is just repackaged and presented in a differing style.
Also, as far as I can tell, Risley’s only background was working at Sam’s Club which he said he hated. I never thought he claimed to have any real world marketing experience.
I think his only advantage is that he does lots of video whereas the others mostly do written. I also think Risley does come across as down to Earth which is nice, but again, him being a “middle of the road” personality isn’t gonna get you paid.
AL
Allyn´s last blog ..Targeting The Long Tails In Internet Marketing
Hey Allyn!
Thanks for your comment, man.
So here’s the thing – I just read your commentluv link Targeting The Long Tails In Internet Marketing and you PROVIDED a tangible, real world example of what you’re talking about:
And the embeded link to the other article gives even more real world examples of your topic – How to Target Long Tail Keywords…
Simple, right? Provide some tangible value at every step in your marketing – not just the “money step”.
Well done but – and I’m going back to read your whole series on that topic. I need to know more!
Thanks again for your comment!
- Don
Thanks, Don. You’ve just inspired tomorrow’s (Thursday) post for my blog. Come across to check it out. It will reference this post and I’ll give you a couple of back links too.
However, it will be disagreeing with one thing you said here and that will be the basis of my post. Don’t take it as an attack on you personally. 
Gordie´s last blog ..How To Meditate (For Beginners).
Hey Gordie!
For laughs at the Power household when I was growing up (I’m the youngest of 8 kids) we would debate an argument and then switch sides -just for the fun of it.
Outsiders would think we were going to kill each other because we could get so passionate about defending our position.
And then we’d switch sides…
The point is – I’m used to debate, I welcome difference of opinion and as long as it stays “above board” and factual, I have no problem with anyone presenting a dissenting opinion from my own.
So bring it on!!
Thanks for your comment!
- Don
Hey Gordie!
I’m not sure what your Thursday post is going to be but if you read through some more of the comments, you should get enough fodder for some supporting quotes – haha!
- Don
Hey Don,
It’s not even on the main point of this post. Just something you mentioned triggered a pretty unrelated post.
Gordie´s last blog ..How To Meditate (For Beginners).
Hey folks!
Thank you all for coming by and leaving your comments. I’m going to reply to everyone individually but so as not to repeat myself too much this overall comment aplies to everyone, I think…
I was not at all surprised, disappointed or upset that David’s webinar had a sales pitch in it. Like I mentioned in this post, David was upfront about that – no harm no foul. I am also not disappointed or upset with David’s course he was pitching. I can’t say anything good or bad about it – I have not enrolled.
But it does sound very much like every other mentoring course I’ve seen over the last couple of months of blogging. But again – no harm no foul.
Although I knew a sales pitch was coming in the webinar that is not why I joined in.
I was disappointed that David did not provide specific examples of how bloggers can use their know how to help offline businesses who are migrating to the web. Obviously I have my own ideas about how to go about this but it would have been nice to hear it from “an expert” or at least hear how David’s tools address this SPECIFIC NEED – (as opposed to yet another blog course about how to blog successfully). It was a missed opportunity, as far as I’m concerned, for David NOT to shoot us newbies a few bones with at least a little meat on them before unleashing “the pitch”.
Naive? Maybe…but I’m stickin’ to it. More real world examples, gurus! Less vaguery!!!
And now to reply to each of you…
Cheers!
- Don
Thanks for your views, Don. Even though you were disappointed, I appreciate the viewpoint.
Keep in mind, though, that (as I said in your other post, I think) that the webinar was more or less a culmination after a long prelaunch, with a lot of content and plenty of “bones”. If you only viewed the webinar expecting me to do a full education for people, I can see why you were disappointed.
David,
You just should have sold it more man. I dunno how many signups you got, but a little more selling on “features and benefits not readily available” would have gone further to convince rather than mentioning guest posting and blog consulting. Your “bones” were nothing spectacular.
I was hoping that in the webinar, you would have told me what I would get for my $397 that I just have to have that I can’t get elsewhere.
Afterall, you are the expert so you must have tons of info that no one else has right? I am sure that you do, but you didn’t sell me on that point.
Your guy up there defending you in the comments (the comedic guy) even said he won’t fork over the money to learn, and you even gave him a shoutout in the webinar.
I think you could benefit from some good old fashioned “pitch training”
AL
Allyn´s last blog ..Targeting The Long Tails In Internet Marketing
Arguing marketing styles is like trying to argue about which book is the most entertaining. No matter what you do, there will be those who don’t like it. And that’s fine with me. I do it the way I do it and I keep it real. I’m not going to artificially hype things up nor train for a pitch. I think the rules are a little different now online. When people buy my course, they are, in a way, buying me. Same for any other similar thing. Now, if I did anything fake, or tried to over-emotionalize it when it wasn’t natural, that’d be a problem and people would see right through it.
What I see here is two different approaches to marketing. Neither are wrong. But, while I’ve got a few people on this post saying I didn’t do it right, I’ve been getting an endless stream of emails telling me exactly the opposite. So, in the end, it is what it is.
And yes, I’ve been seeing plenty of signups. Far more than I expected so quickly. I more than doubled the membership in the Club in the first 24 hours.
The proof is in the pudding. Your approach is obviously working for a lot of folks…
Firstly, great post Don! I like it when bloggers voice out their opinions. And secondly, I wasn’t there to watch the webinar (it started maybe 1AM my time), so I don’t know what was presented and what wasn’t. And this was very interesting read and great debate/discussion on the comments, so thank you very much
With that said – I’m not sure where did the expectation to get info, examples and more meat on “they are coming” came from? I’ve read the free reports, David’s posts and got the invitation to the webinar and it was pretty clear what the webinar was about (= giving information on what the Blog Masters Club is about).
And weren’t the participants able to ask questions during the webinar or something, so you could’ve asked if David could share some insights on the subject that was obviously on your mind?
Anyway, I personally like the “non-enthusiastic” and not-so-hype style od David. Not everyone have fire in their eyes and thunder in their voice when they present something, but that doesn’t mean they’re not passionate or enthusiastic. My style is probably quite similar to David’s (not done many videos yet, but anyway), so that might explain why I like the non-salesly style
Antti Kokkonen´s last blog ..Free Google AdSense Secrets eBook
Hey Antti!
Thanks for your comment.
In reply: No there wasn’t an opportunity for questions until the end of the webinar (2 hrs). By that time I had to go look after my kids – so no time to ask specific questions for me.
Regarding your last paragraph – Gordie wrote a whole post about this (related to this post). Check it out and you can see what I have to say about the medium IS the message.
UPDATE: Just went to Gordie’s post to get the permalink and saw that you commented right under mine – Good stuff.
Gordie – here’s a DOFOLLOW link for you anyway: How Passionate Speaking can be Deceiving
Thanks again for sharing your perspective!
- Don
My pleasure. Thanks for inspiring my post.
Gordie´s last blog ..How To Meditate (For Beginners).
Hey Don,
I sat in on the webinar myself, and hung out for over an hour afterwords while David did a Q&A.
I went to the webinar with no intentions of buying his course (no offense David, I am just cheap), but rather to learn. I have a new launch I am working on and any information I can gather to see how others market and launch their products is all part of my research.
While you (Don) may have been disappointed with the webinar, I believe his pitch worked for those that were looking for this type of course, and I am sure he banked on it.
What I hope not to see, is a bunch of David Risley hatch-lings trying to regurgitate exactly what he is doing, especially if they have never actually made any money online but are trying to teach others.
I wasn’t disappointed at all, I appreciate that David sat around answering questions, he is very approachable, and while his pitch may have seemed bland, they were begging for the link to buy his program….. mission accomplished.
As I said, my motivation may have been different for being there, as I am seeking information and researching…..
Keith´s last blog ..It’s Easy To Make Money Online
Thanks Keith!
I think it is intersting that I probably represent David’s target audience a lot more than you and many of the other bloggers who have commented here.
So Brian’s comment, from http://www.blogengage.com, is a really good one. My point of view is particularly relevant for David to pay attention to.
And to his credit, David admits that he is paying attention. Again, what more could I ask for from this post? I luv blogging!
Thanks for your comment!
- Don
Well I just have to add into the thread it’s so exciting! Truly if anything should be taken from Don’s article here is the feedback and advice. Don’ has been in the marketing industry for 20 years and if he takes the time to provide quality feedback you should probably listen and implement his ideas.
If you think about this feedback it’s actually very positive. Don’s giving examples on where David could improve and if taken into consideration perhaps his next webinar will be more productive and beneficial for his viewers.
Constructive criticism of this kind cannot even be purchased so I would suggest reading the article over and taking notes. Even the most negative comments and feedback have positive aspects to them somewhere you just have to find out where.
Great article Don very well written!
bbrian017´s last blog ..Why everyone goes blogging?
Very true. It is the only reason I came back here to reply a few times. It is an interesting conversation.
Thanks Brian! With your BlogEngage website and your committment to building and fortifying your blogger community – I take your comment as quite a compliment. And David’s reply here – that he is taking something away from this discussion – is also a really big compliment.
So, thanks!
And, by the way – all done without name calling or swearing (I’m proud of you Allyn
- Don
yeah, you know, the sun shines, flowers grow, and I can be nice sometimes.
But if people think this post is “bashing” a problogger, they need to get a dose of the real world and learn what true “bashing” is all about, sheesh.
AL
Allyn´s last blog ..Targeting The Long Tails In Internet Marketing
Hahah – a certain video comes to mind…
Thanks for your support man!
- Don
Yeah Man,
Like the kind I got when i was a Bank Marketing executive who narrowly missed his target and it was in the presence of Junior colleaagues
I felt bad for a whole day but soon got over it.
The result ? No bashing online or off can shake me ever. I guess what does not kill you does make you stonger.
It’s kind of ironic that I read something of yours for the first time ten minutes ago on Infopreneur. The gist of your post was that bloggers should stop wasting their time “bashing” other bloggers.
These are your words: “Come on! Let the Probloggers do whatever they want. If theres an audience for their stuff, theyll find it. Just concentrate on providing valuable information to the folks who are coming up behind you.”
And then I arrive here to find this post.
Hi Mike!
Thanks for coming here via my guest post on TheInfoPreneur. I replied to your comment there too- by the way.
Since you are just joining me and you may not want to read the 35 comments that preceeded yours, I am not bashing David Risley or his course.
I am simply stating that I was disappointed with HIS WEBINAR because he did not provide specific examples of HOW we bloggers can capitalize on the coming hordes.
There is a clear distinction. (I am also a philosopher so I am quite used to making distinctions between one thing and another…)
And, in fact, my guest post on TheInfopreneur is COMPLETELY applicable to this situation too.
I am a newbie blogger. I AM the target market for David Risley’s course. And using THAT premise, Brian commented that my perspective is completely valid and pertinent in this case.
In fact, here’s what David Risley himself says of this post:
I have been debating this very point with your colleague Nathan in the comments section here – so if you really are interested in finding out my motivation for this post, you can simply read my replies to him (but then, of course, you’d be missing out on the excellent comments of all my other blogging colleagues as well!).
In any event, I value your comment, your perspective and your visit.
Please feel free to return!
- Don
More than a little patronising Don – I guess it’s my turn to be disappointed.
And I’m delighted to hear that you’re a philosopher. It was important that we knew that.
You’re right, though. You are the target market for David’s course. You should buy it, you would benefit greatly. Not to do so because he didn’t give you enough free information on a specific topic about the course on the webinar would be a mistake.
If you really want some help or advice about working with offline businesses as a blogger, and this isn’t just another link bait post using a well known blogger’s name to attract traffic, then feel free to email me. I have contracts with some quite large companies here in Europe to advise them on just this subject. And no, I won’t charge you for some simple pointers.
Mike CJ´s last blog ..Why I unsubscribed from your blog
Mike, I resemble that remark! (sorry).
Plus it’s easier to say I’m a philosopher than “I have a university degree in Philosophy…”
But more important than all that, is your offer of advice on working with offline businesses as a blogger…I just sent you an Email. Let’s get to work! hahah!
Thanks Mike!
- Don
Don 36 comments, dude a real discussion over here!
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Are All These Products Too Expensive?
Hey James!
Yes, a healthy and fair debate in the comments section is one of the best compliments a blogger can get!
Thanks!
- Don
I stay away from the “politics of plugins.” I can’t believe with all the problems in the world, people spend so much energy on nothing. I left the “blogging” community partly because everyone wants free. I, Me, Mine, Now…
If you don’t spend every day cranking out free video after free video, and free article after free article- most “blogging bloggers” go down the road, never ever hitting the tip jar with even one buck. They suck it up and never give.
Chuck´s last blog ..Daiwa Light and Tough Bass Rods – Trigger
That’s why it is important to fire customers and spending more time with those that buy and support you than the rest. More people won’t buy than will, but it’s important to spend time with the minority in this case.
The reasons you cited are the same reasons I’ve changed my blogging philosophy.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Protected: On Action Leading and Passing the Test [GCN-1]
Hey Chuck!
I guess you’re right – many of the “intermediate bloggers” here said they’d never pay for a course like Risley’s and of course, I was expecting to get a little bit more from the free portion of David’s webinar myself.
There’s been many a book written on the business model of free – I don’t see it going away anytime soon.
Although, now with corporate interests being given the green light to buy off politicians without the inconvenience of having to launder guns and money through enemy countries first, perhaps there will be a legislated levy on our internet connections (like we have now with CDs and DVDs) to subside all those 3 figure bloggers out there making their free daily videos…
Thanks for your comment!
- Don
Not only will they not buy, they will write critical articles when they don’t get their free. James for example, wrote a nasty post about professional bloggers. Not enough free for him I guess.
If you are a Neo-Marxist, as I suspect that you are, you don’t like any rich and successful people, and will politically move to strong-arm them out of their stuff to give away for free to others.
It’s all a part of the narcissism that is so popular today.
I, Me, Mine, Now! If not, complain about it.
Chuck´s last blog ..Chicago Crime Report 1/27/2010
Don,
I personally feel that maybe David did leave some things out but over all he did good. I’m hopefully going to try out his club later this year as I’m interested in what he’s offering and want to see what I could take away from it and start to do myself.
A lot of discussion here and I think he did a rather well job. I haven’t seen much online like this as I got smart a bit faster than some did and quit following the get rich quick crap and instead actually found Yaro first, which lead me to others.
What do you think?
Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other
Hey Eric!
I don’t know if David’s BMC is good, bad or ugly…I have nio experience with it or any of his previous stuff. As you can probably tell, the point of this post was simply the underdevelopment and lack of examples provided for the “they are coming” theme that I was particularly interested in.
I mentioned Yaro and Gideon Shalwick in this post because those guys just have a natural enthusiasm and charisma that resonates better with me. But to his credit – right here in these comments – David Risley himself states that he’s not that kind of guy. He’s not intersted in faking emotion – and I certainly respect that – I don’t want anyone to fake any-thing!
Just wanted a little more tangible info on the front end and didn’t get it – that’s all – no harm no foul!
BTW – do you have a monetization strategy for http://www.bluepop13.com yet?
Thanks for your comment!
Cheers!
- Don
Hey Don,
Yes I feel that some information will always be left to discover and that goes with any project or product you buy. That’s a way to get people interested and coming back for more. I don’t see it as a bad thing as long as the product actually delivers the results it says it will deliver.
As for my plans for monetisation I actually am “launching” a new blog here very soon that I’m going to share with everyone and have to quickly figure out some things with that.
The story behind that, you will find on my blog on Friday and talks in more detail about Social Media Training Lab.
How about you, Don, anything you’re doing for donpower.me?
Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other
Hey Chuck!
From one philosopher to another (apologies again to MikeCJ
), you should know better than to state a premise like “you don’t like any rich and successful people”. What support do you have for such a subjective statement?
But no odds, this post is about a disappointment over the content of a free webinar. A political discussion is a topic for another post, perhaps.
Cheers!
- Don
Oh the power of debate and the voices it creates. I got more out of the thread of comments than what the post gave me. Maybe that’s because I tend to think like you Don. As a newbie so to speak in the ‘They’re coming” world of blogging I am a hard sell. Seemingly taking the long road according to some, to get where I am going. This however gives me more satisfaction in the outcome. All of these guys didn’t get to be the “Capo di tutti capi or capo dei capi ” of bloggers by buying into every pitch they heard. So if you want to sell me something you have to give me something and that doesn’t mean something like a program, video or ebook etc. You have to give me proof it works and that they truly are coming. For as many that are coming, there’s just as many dropping off because they don’t want to put in the work it takes to succeed. Every where I’ve landed as a newbie it all comes back to consistency, commenting, content, social media, networking, and taking the ups with the downs but not giving up. My inspiration is Jimmy V. “Don’t give up, Don’t ever give up” and “How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it.”
Jim Valvano
Oh and I don’t mind bashing pro bloggers if they are trying to deceive me instead of trying to help me. And you can insert any title in that, not just bloggers or probloggers. I’ve gained from many viable ones lately without purchasing anything.
Hey Lee!
Thanks for your comment. Often times a good post has even more to say in the commenst and I glad you added your perspective here as well!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to use Facebook to Conduct a Blogger Interview
Hi Don,
I made reference to the same thing inside one of my recent posts! It may be that we who do this for a living may very well “live long and prosper”.
However, I’m not so sure that if the sun rises, the papers come out, the flowers bloom and the site traffic improves, that all will be well for those who desire to earn a living with their blogging.
Jeffrey´s last blog ..Whats Wrong. With Dah Postt ?
Jeff,
I just left a comment on your post. Do you comment often? I understand your comment here easy enough but your post referenced is …….well were you drunk when you wrote it..or is it just me…I get nothing from it and get lost trying to read it…jus sayin
Hey not a problem, I’ve been known to have a few and post thereafter but not a good idea……heh heh heh
Hi Lee,
There was no post referenced in my comment above, just the fact that I had written a post on David Risley’s comment about all the people to join the internet in the future.
As far as my “commnet luv” link, the article is about bloggers who might struggle with good spelling and grammer.
Always a challenge to relate to everyone!
Jeffrey´s last blog ..Whats Wrong. With Dah Postt ?
Thanks for your comment Jeff!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Ruin Your Reputation in One Easy Step
yeah Jeffery and nobody likes a challenge more than me.. as for comment luv..does anyone know if it is available to insert in blogger so commenters on my site can easily provide a commentluv link..? I’d like to be able to insert it into my template for easier comments. .. I dislike what’s available now, and I know I should transfer to WP but I’m hard headed…….
Hey Lee!
Not sure if commentluv is available for blogger. Checkout commentluv.com for more info.
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Then They Came For Me – a Cautionary Tale
I did not hear the webinar (nor have I read all the comments here), but if a session is promoted on a particular topic and then the presentation itself doesn’t really address the promoted topic, I’d call that nothing but “hype.”
Alison Moore Smith´s last blog ..DoFollow On Your WordPress Blog
Hi Alison!
In fairness to David Risley, I knew the webinar would be a pitch for his latest product – he was upfront about that. And he never purpirted tha tthe webinater would be soley about the topic “they are coming” – but it was mentioned enough in his promo material that I was truly disappointed when he did not offer and real examples of how to capitalize on this trend.
Thanks a lot for your comment!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Ruin Your Reputation in One Easy Step
This is the very reason why I have stated on my blog that I will never start a list in order to pitch a product to my readers. That’s exactly what all these marketing gurus do. Whether it’s from a squeeze page, a free webinar or offering a free book, it’s all aimed towards garnering a huge list from which they can then use an autorespomder, the most common one they try to market being aweber, to offer items that will help others to reach a 6 figure income. And why would others not believe them when they constantly flash their checks, flashy cars or stats at them.
Sorry, not for me. If I buy into something I want the full product, I don’t want morsels dropped on the cosmic highway for me to follow in the hope that by the time I’ve eaten the last one I will have obtained the ultimate knowledge to a six figure income. That knowledge being that I have to do as they do and so the wheel turns. Not bloody likely.
Sire´s last blog ..If Women Controlled The Earth
Yah – the MMO niche it’s all a bit too regimented and rote for me to have any real buy in. Which is why a lot of the folks who commented here were not surprised that there weren’t more real world examples provided i nthe webinar – it’s all by design so you’ll havce to buy in to get more.
No surprise for me either – just a disappointment – which is exactly the point of this post!
Thanks for your comment, Sire!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Make Fire from a Block of Ice
No worries Don. Always willing to put my 2cents in. It’s actually given me an idea for a post.
Sire´s last blog ..The Morning Glory Cloud And Anna Creek Station
Ironic that I am a part time blogger and I didn’t even know there is a webcast or anything like this that went on. I am kind of like on my own private blogging island, really I should try to find more time to be involved in these type of events.
I went to the Bloggers Club, and thought the product has potential, I would consider buying it for myself just to see how I could get idea’s and information I haven’t found already or though of to streamline my monetization process for my own blogs.
Dragon Blogger´s last blog ..SanYo Incognito: Great Mobile Phone and a Great Unlimited Plan
Hey Justin!
From what I’ve seen of your various blogs, their readership and the number and variety of monetizers you already have in place, I don’t think you need any courses my friend.
You could probably design and sell a course yourself!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your comment Dragonblogger!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..The Secret to a Successful Blog? Write and Promote. Repeat. [Guest Post]
Nice post Don.I always admire when someone shares what they really think.
LOL
That’s about all I’d like to say for now
The Jury is still out
John Sullivan´s last blog ..By: Do Follow Wordpress Plugin vs Lucias Linky Luv Plugin
Hey John!
I think the loudest detractors here are the most avid affiliates of Risley’s program.
(And the irony is that my dispoointement was in the webinar – not the actual program at all!!).
Cheers and thanks, man!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..“THEY are Coming”, says David Risley
You know Don it’s always fun to come back to a post like this a day later and see how much the comments exploded. Regardless of the post topic, the post itself worked out to be a great one.
I don’t personally visits David’s blog and I have never watched a web cast, icast or any of the other things that fit in those areas so I really can’t judge.
As for you approaching it and sharing your thoughts, they are your thoughts. Period. Doesn’t matter who likes it or who doesn’t, there is a lot to be said of someone that speaks their mind.
Extreme John´s last blog ..Extreme Tan and Smoothies 2009 Recap
Hey John!
Since you know about a REAL linkbaiter who tried to capitalize on FALSLEY accusing you, I imagine you find these disparaging comments aimed at me to be laughable (I do – see my commentluv link !).
Like I told the detractors here and I’m so glad your mentioned this too – I have a right to state my opinions publicly – that’s what blogging is about. I’m not taking cheapshots at anyone – I’m just saying that I was disappointed.
Jeeez – get over yourselves already – blogging police!
Thanks John! Respect!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Ruin Your Reputation in One Easy Step
I did not see that webinar so i do not have any opinion about it. But, i have opinion about this article. I learn many from this article and the comments. Great jobs Don.
Dana @ Blogging Update´s last blog ..Effective Way to Learn From Favorite Blogs
Thanks Dana!
It is a real compliment for a blogger when folks can continue to learn something from a debatre sparked in the comments of a good post!
Please feel free to come back and comment on other posts here as well!
Cheers!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..The Secret to a Successful Blog? Write and Promote. Repeat. [Guest Post]
It’s funny to see a marketing newbie trying to advise a marketing pro on his marketing style.
Too bad David didn’t reply with his conversion rate, that would have shut up all his critics here.
Sam;
In point of fact, I may be a newbie blogger but I’m not a newbie marketer – there is a big difference.
And I must admit, in my marketing career I’ve never felt so perfect as to ignore or dismiss constructive crticism from my target audience.
That just wouldn’t be good marketing OR business strategy.
But since you have not listed a blog, I’m not sure you get this distinction between blogger and marketer.
Thanks for your comment though!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Where were you on Y2K?
Wow, some heated responses here. I honestly didn’t see your post as bashing David at all. To me, it was legitimate criticism over a single aspect of what the guy is doing. Thank you for sharing that – not because I agree or disagree, but because I think it’s crucial for bloggers to be able to share their views in a respectful manner (as you have).
Anne Moss´s last blog ..Web News & Views #6
Thank you Anne!
You clearly understood the motivation for this post and I thank you for that.
I amnot interested in taking cheap shots at anyone but I will never back down from calling things as I see them!
Thanks for your comment – I”ve seen you aroundf the posts so I’m glad you made a stop here!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Where were you on Y2K?
Hey Don, great post. I think you highlight one of the dangers of video blogging. Although it’s important to be yourself you have to be living and demonstrating the dream that the people who buy your product aspire.
matthew needham´s last blog ..Become a Fan
Video! Gotta do more of those!!
I kind of like the way this one turned out – what do you think?
Thanks Matt!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Then They Came For Me – a Cautionary Tale
Hey Don, I’ve been coming and going from this post soon after you uploaded it, and like John, wanted to see how the comments evolved as the days went on.
It’s great to see that having an ‘opinion’ is supported by the majority of your readers.
Karl
Karl Foxley´s last blog ..Brand Your Wordpress Admin Area (Ideal For Multi-Author Sites)
Hey Karl!
Thanks for the repeat visits!
I am pleased that there has been a debate – I have no problem with opinions that differ from my own – as long as all opinions (my own included) and non judgemental and based on facts.
I’m also pleased, as you are, to see that the majority opinion here favors speaking one’s mind. As I mentioned to ExtremeJohn – who was the target of actual declared linkbaiter, I found it funny that my loudest detractor here on these comments offered the advice on his own blog to call A listers out and “tell them they’re full of shit” if that’s the way you feel…
I do that and then he’s accusing me of low blow, linkbaiting…
The difference between his advice on his own blog vs. his opinion here?
My guess is that I had negative things to say about an A lister he’s affiliated with and he’s got his $ to think of…
In any event, quite a post and buoyed on by great comments and participation by both supporters and detractors! The sign of a good blog post – if I do say so myself!
Thanks again Karl!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Keep X in Christmas
Don,
I know which post you are talking about, and it’s true…I did say to call out A-Listers if you don’t agree with them…but your post was different. You were complaining because you went to a free webinar and didn’t get what you wanted. That’s different then disagreeing on a topic or theory.
Has nothing to do with money…at all. It has to do with people complaining about something they get for free.
I also think the post reeked of overconfidence…as do your comments. By hell, keep patting yourself on the back.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Saturday Project Update: Hard Times, Projects, and Becoming a Hero
I would worry about false accusations Don, some people just don’t have the capacity to formulate a proper argument and so that go for the jugular not realizing that this hurts their case more than anything. I’ve even noticed David having to say sorry on several posts because of the way he replies to certain comments.
At least the guy knows when to say sorry, but it would be better if he took a breath or two before commenting.
Sire´s last blog ..My Spin On The Squeeze Page And Email Lists
Hey Sire!
Actually, David Risley’s comments here were quite reasonable!
But your point remains – it’s easy to discover someone’s history on the web. If you say something contradictory – it’s pretty easy to find out – and thus render your arguments invalid – on that subject at least!
By the way, I was referring to Nathan, for the record!
Thanks for your repeat visits too Sire!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Keep X in Christmas
He was actually very reasonable on this post, perhaps not so much so on a couple of others, but I don’t hold that or anything else against him. He obviously knows what he’s doing and if he can make some money out of that knowledge then I think that’s great.
Sire´s last blog ..My Spin On The Squeeze Page And Email Lists
Yah – I pretty much told hin the same thing – that I respect his success – you can’t rally argue with that.
So if the detractors REALLY thought I was bashing, good LORD – have they seen some of the bashers out there – hahah!
- Don
Hi Don,
it’s my first post here. Great blog but even more than that, candid opinion.
I think Dave wanted to keep people anticipating by not really divulging what they will be taught.
Maybe it is a tactic to keep competitors that might be listening at bay.
But whatever, I appreciate your candid review or expression of your true feeling of disappointment about an A-Lister.
The truth is these guys show help people find their own ways not aim at creating clones of themselves.
A Yaro Starak and David Risley is what the blogosphere need and not more.
The should teach the basics but let people express their own creativity and get results and if they fail, it only means they need to find a better way.
Cheers,
Olusegun
Thanks Olusegan for your first visit and comment here.
Please feel free to look around and comment on other posts too!
Cheers!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Make Fire from a Block of Ice