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Originally Posted by Chris Correia
While you're at it, ask Charles why he suddenly and completely stopped sending/supporting his promised EDT test program to the five (I think) guys who he solicited on the MH board a year or so back. I was one of them. He made the offer in an online discussion to provide programming to a test group. We volunteered. We sent him the backgound info he requested (measurements, etc). We got an initial program, and then a step two, and then we were left completely hanging in the breeze with no further communication and no reply to our emails. It's as if he intentionally avoided us. The five of us sent each other some follow up emails. We had actually been excited, and were following the program. To say I was left with a bad taste in my mouth is an understatement.
Sorry to drop that bomb in here, but JP's fawning just hit me between the eyes. It's as if we only want to pump up the good, without addressing the shortcomings. That's potentially deceptive.
John (Berardi) and any other trainers-marketers reading this: The free info is all good and interesting, and appreciated. It hopefull/probably really helps people. It contibutes to overall greater knowledge within the fitness arena. However, here is the rub, in my opinion: you do that as part of your marketing. No one demands that you do it. You choose to do it. It's part of your marketing strategy. If it works for you, you subsequently sell products and services. If not, if it's not worth your time and effort, then you need a different business model.
What rubs me the wrong way, as it does others I know, is this: Just do it. You don't have to keep telling us how great you are and how wonderful a deal we are getting. Just do it, and promote your products and services otherwise. People will either buy or they won't. When you pat yourself on the back and point out to us what great things we are receiving, it gets tiresome, if not borderline demeaning. It is also trying to force us to admit you are giving us something great and that we are now under obligation to buy from you, or are somehow idebted to you. Gifts are given freely. We get back because we give. We don't necessarily get back because we give and then try to convince people to give back to us.
I do free radio interviews and free seminars throughout my community. I can't ever recall pointing out to someone that I am doing this for free and then chastising them for not signing up for class. I do it because it is a service to the community. Of course, I do hope to get something out of it, to generate interest in the marital arts which will hopefully result in continuing growth for my school and programs. But that's up to people. They get to hear an interview or learn at the seminar. If that's where they stop, fine. If they inquire, I give them info and invite them to the next step. But I never shove in their face the fact that they are getting something for free. It is my gift and service. If they like what they get and appreciate the gesture, they might just pursue it further.
I signed up for Craig Ballantyne's all access pass because he made some free programs available, and he willing and graciously, it seemed, answered some inquiries of mine with some real concern/attention, seeming to never care if I purchased anything. The result: I did purchase, twice. Now some of his emails are getting a bit too huckster-like at times (like a whole bunch of the rest of the stuff out there). I forgive that transgression, because of my initial trust. That initital experience and trust counts for a lot. But if it's never there, or is lost, it's damn hard to get it back.
Alwyn has gotten my trust, and I don't think I've ever gotten anything free from him. I've purchased several of his products. They work, I like them, and he has graciously, with no sense of pushing or marketing, replied to a handful of emails over the course of two or three years. I suppose that is giving me something of value for free. But I recognized and appreciated it. It wasn't pointed out to me. He has my trust and appreciation. I will buy more, and encourage others to do so, as I do with Craig B.
Charles Staley's mistake: if his program worked for me, I probably would have purchased a program, if not put out some money for personal consultation or an online coaching group. But he blew it. A simple message of apology, saying he can't follow through, would have solved that problem.
John (Berardi), you blew it with how you handled the S2B stuff. Way too much attitude and self-congratulations over how wonderful you were being. It's great that you are now offering some freebies, but you walk a fine line in being a gracious giver and pushing people to recognize your graciousness and the value they are getting. We're not idiots. We can recognize and appreciate what we get. If the free info, interviews, whatever are good, they will lead to interest, generate buzz, and get you business. But be careful not to slap the cheeks of they whose hands you are seeking to open and whose trust you desire. Hopefully, you desire their trust, their true, earned trust, and not just their wallets. Othewise, you will be pursing the wrong thing, and ultimately get nowhere.
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