Build a Business, Not a Product

by Michelle MacPhearson on November 19, 2008

I’m sure you heard the buzz when Ryan Deiss’ “Continuity Blueprint” went up for grabs.  The “Continuity Snowball” video where he demonstrated how a $27 product making just 3 sales per day can easily bring in yearly earnings of over $250,000 made big waves within the internet marketing community.

Then there’s the Nitro Quatto system, which is similar in that it focuses on continuity, upsells, downsells, cross sells, etc. to bring the value of each customer up.  Rather then sell folks 1 item, you sell them 5.

These systems are the difference between selling a product and actually building a business:

  1. Sell folks a product.  Put links to your other products on the “Thank You” page.  Put customers in an autoresponder sequence that tells them about your other products.  Broadcast emails to them about affiliate offers.  Hope they buy more at some point.
  2. Build a list of buyers through a “Nickelmania” or other such lower-priced sale offer.  After the purchase, give them one time offers, upsells, downsells, entrance to a continuity program.  Within the member’s area give them the option to buy the OTO, upsells, downsells they may have initially denied.

Business Models

Which model do you think makes the product owner more money?

WHY BACK END SALES WORK

When  customer hits the “Buy Now” button, they’re hot to trot on your offer.  They like you.  They like your offer.  They’re getting a little “I’m getting new stuff!” high from the whole thing.  They feel like they’ve made a good decision.

And, if it was good to buy Product A from you, it makes sense that Product B is good for them too.  Why?  Because it validates their own feelings - that your offer is good, that you are good.  If you can catch people when they’re in this mental state, they’ll buy more from you.

FULFILLMENT PROBLEMS

But, setting up the system you run into a little problem.  If you’re providing multiple products as upsells, downsells, multiple continuity programs, etc., actually fulfilling the order is a huge pain in the butt.  You can’t send everyone to the same “Thank You” page because some people purchased Product A & C but not Product B, some people only purchased Product A, some people bought EVERYTHING, etc.  It’s a logistical nightmare.

BUYERS ONLY

It’s also important that you deal with a list of BUYERS, not window shoppers.  One method to make sure your prospects have a credit card in hand is to conduct what’s known as a “Nickelmania” sale.  You offer a product with a starting price of $0.05.  Each time someone buys, the price goes up $0.05.  It provides a low barrier to entry so you can offer them more on the back-end, makes sure you’re working with paying customers AND there’s a sense of urgency as the price goes up with each sale.

ONE CLICK UPSELLS

Something else that’s VERY important if you want to max out your conversion rates on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th offers you bring to your customers: ONE CLICK UPSELLS.

This means that a customer clicks a “Yes, add this to my order button” and it’s done.  They don’t have to fill out their credit card information again, they don’t have to go through a lengthy (and often abandoned) checkout process.  One click.

One click upsells make all the difference in converting those back-end offers to actual sales.  It’s incredibly powerful - but requires custom programming.

I’m in a mastermind with some of the brightest and most innovative thinkers in the business and they’ve been using a custom script for their one click upsell process for a long time now.  EVERYONE has reported astronomical rises in the acceptance of their back end offers once they’ve implemented the one click upsell process.  It’s imperative to max out your per-customer value.

AUTOMATING THE PROCESS

My business is being redesigned to use this process.  It will run on autopilot.  Price goes up nickel by nickel.  Customers are offered additional products with a one click upsell.  Fulfillment on the “members area” side is automatic: each customer gets what they paid for without interaction from you.

Then within the member’s area you show customers the products they haven’t yet bought (on a per-person basis) and offer 1 click upsells for those as well.

My biggest roadblock to setting up this system - which I KNOW converts - is simply the technicalities of it.  The fulfillment, the one click upsells, the nickelmania, the multiple continuity programs - it’s all a huge programming headache.

Instead, I’m going to be using a set-it-and-go script that automates the entire process.  It will be publicly available tomorrow.

Now, whether or not you think you’re ready in your own business for this kind of sales process, you absolutely MUST know that you ARE going there one day.  Perhaps you’ve only got one product at the moment - so you’ll need a few more products to implement this kind of thing.  But you have to keep this business model in mind as you build your product portfolio so that when you’re ready, you can put it into place.

I could give a rat’s behind whether you purchase the product that automates this entire system when it becomes available tomorrow.  Because, while it’s an important product in terms of being the only drop-in system to run a business like this, I’m more interested in your understanding WHY this is so important.

You can be a onsie-twosie product owner, or you can build an entire niche product empire that operates on autopilot.  As long as you see that, you’re getting it.  Build a business, not a product.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

There’s a concept called “Continuity Stacking” that’s very important to this process as well.  Go to the opt-in page here (you can watch the video on that page if you want, but that’s not the important one).  Enter in your info, and then you’ll be given access to a second video that explains this business model as a whole as well as the idea of “Continuity Stacking”.  Continuity Stacking is where things really get crazy and it’s important you understand it so you can set your business up with it in mind.

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Slimy Internet Marketing Salesletters | Social Marketing
December 4, 2008 at 12:23 pm

{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

Jerome Barbu November 19, 2008 at 4:09 pm

very good information :)

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Steven November 19, 2008 at 4:11 pm

More brilliance, Michelle. Thanks again!
-Steven Cravis

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Michel Laliberte November 19, 2008 at 4:14 pm

Very interesting article as I’m currently going through the Nitro system.

Thanks!

~Michel

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Craig Wilson November 19, 2008 at 4:17 pm

I agree with this thinking…Right up my alley.I enjoyed reading over this information alot.

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Ray November 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Very good information, I will be following you more closely, because that is what I want to do, Is build a business,

Take Care, Ray

http://officialinternetmarketingexpert.com

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Tony Funderburk November 19, 2008 at 4:23 pm

Hey Michelle,
To the point, automation, and building a business…excellent.

I don’t know how many times I’ve seen internet “breakthroughs” where you absolutely know there’ll be no one there in a few months to back it up.

We have to remember it’s people we serve, not pocketbooks.

Thanks,
Tony

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Holly Powell November 19, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Michelle,

Always great value you give out. Looking forward to the follow up post to this.

From a faithful subscriber :-)
Holly

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Brett T. Smith November 19, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Hey Michelle,

Very good stuff…

I really like the diagram you showed..

~Brett
http://www.FreeTrafficBigProfits.com

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Christine Imamshah November 19, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Michelle,

That was a very clearly laid out and powerful post.

It makes perfect sense to offer your buyer’s your other products and I love the diagram you drew to depict how it works.

Great stuff. Thanks.
Chris
http://www.fastinternetmarketingtips.com

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adam libman November 19, 2008 at 4:34 pm

what software is going to power your site?

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WhoWantsLeads November 19, 2008 at 4:40 pm

Fantastic! I would add how easy and profitable OFFLINE newsletters work for recurring income..in the form of CD or Print.

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Xocai Healthy Chocolate November 19, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Michelle,

Thanks for posting this… some great info and lots to consider!

Warmly,

Brian McCoy
McCoy Marketing Group
http://www.XocaiMarketer.com

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Tshiananga K. November 19, 2008 at 4:50 pm

So once again you amaze me girl.

It’s not enough just to sell, lets get those pockets emptied so people wont have a spare dime to actually do any marketing. So we can sell them a product that teaches
how to market their product for free!
So after all the selling and telling you wont be around to hear the yelling of a broke marketer!
Must admit I was glued to the screen when I read this post top to bottom!

Keep ‘em coming girl

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Gregg Masters November 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Michelle, as usual you convey clearly and from a very practical and real time point of view, relevant insights and tools for those of us who choose to participate in this space!

You are the real deal… keep it up!

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Jay NaPier November 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Great info, thanks for sharing. How would that work for someone who’s company has 1 product.

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Dany November 19, 2008 at 4:54 pm

Did opt-in and was sent to a thankyou page with a non working video (it is not loading for some reason) - did anybody else had this problem?

The systemsare well understood and certainly provide a “system” rather than a sale alone. If I understand correctly than this offer is about adding the “one click order” factor - which is great and was offered in one of Mike Filsaime’s offers several months ago.
As I cannot see the second video, I steel do not understand the offer.
Cheers.
Dany

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Jeff November 19, 2008 at 5:01 pm

duh talk about the light bulb turning on its always the simple things

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Ken Muys November 19, 2008 at 5:06 pm

Michelle,

Very good and cutting edge info.
But I have to ask you a simple question, did you take one of Eds napkins ? Just trying to make your day a little brighter. Take Care, Ken

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Steve@Solar Energy for Homes November 19, 2008 at 5:21 pm

That was a very interesting article. I have heard of the nitro marketing and others. I thought there was one called a rap script too, that kind of did what you are talking about. Anyways thanks for the info, very good,
Steve

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Jonathan November 19, 2008 at 5:59 pm

Thanks Michelle - that’s great info. I heard Ryan talk about his model back in September and it really is powerful.

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George Manlangit November 19, 2008 at 6:03 pm

I think the diagram should include the folks that did not buy but eventually landed on your salespage. There should be a flow that account for relationship building so that the ‘window shopper’ will eventually [buy].

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Jim Gaudet November 19, 2008 at 6:28 pm

Thanks for the info!

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Dagmar November 19, 2008 at 6:48 pm

Well, I guess the Hardest part for me is to Learn to think like - obviously - the majority of the people in North America. Because when “I” buy something I am Never ‘Excited’ about my purchase - opposite, I am more less disgusted with me and scared that I am spending money again; and I am Definitely NOT in the mood to buy something else at the same time. So all those OTO’s, upsells/downsells and whateversells just annoy me, and if you start sending me emails with more offers Just because I bought something from you I most likely even return your product.

But hey, I admit - this is probably the reason I am not the millionaire yet like those other ‘wise’guys ;-)

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Spike November 19, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Quote: “I don’t want this (product) to get into too many people’s hands and dilute the effectiveness of it”…

C’mon Michelle, get real! Been on your list since TDC’07, so I’ll cut you some slack.

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Paul Forcey November 19, 2008 at 7:22 pm

This post pretty much sums up why some of us product owners make nice money while others make millions.
I spent so much time trying to work out how to put upsells/downsells/cross sells and anything else i could think of together that my head started to explode and I gave up and went the easy route shown in Model A.

Not sure I agree about the nickelmania path to start with but it is definitely something to look at.

Looking forward to hearing more about the software.

Paul

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Jayen November 19, 2008 at 7:29 pm

Thanks for that Michelle.

I must say i more or less new the idea behind this already, but you certainly have a way of putting things across in a very clear manor, it definitely helped to farther clear things up in my mind.

Thank you

Jayen

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ArtByLetters November 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm

HIT +

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Lori November 19, 2008 at 8:54 pm

Hi Michelle, thanks, I completely agree with what you shared and think more people need to start talking about building a business rather then just simply a product and what all goes into building a business.

Blessings,
Lori

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Jane November 19, 2008 at 9:03 pm

Michelle,

I don’t remember how I got on your list, but I do know that everything I have received from you has shown you to be a reliable, trustworthy and insightful marketer.

I like your point of view. I did listen to you last week on Ed Dale’s show and enjoyed your points of view on marketing.

Your post is very interesting. I had previously received something on the Continuity Stacking system but either ignored it or didn’t watch it. Automation is something I’m looking for so I’m going to check it out now.

Thanks,
Jane

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J.D. November 19, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Automating a website is great. And once a buyer “pulls out their credit card”, you’ve got to try to sell them whatever you can.
I’m just not sure about the nickelmania technique.

http://www.obama-posters.com

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Martin Mölsted November 20, 2008 at 1:22 am

Thanks for another fantastic article Michelle.

These are things I’ve always put “last in line” when it comes to the things I need to apply to my business simply because its so “techy”.Looking forward to the new software… :)

Best
Martin Mölsted

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Michel Sherriff November 20, 2008 at 2:04 am

This is a wonderfully powerful artilce in that it really does break it down in to simpleunderstanding that if you follow route “A” then you will earn x amount but if you folow route “B” then you will earn more than route “A”.

The only thing standing in many peoples way is the technical side of things and it looks like you may have the solution to that problem for us Michelle?

I for one very much hope so.

Michael Sherriff
http://googledin60minutes.com

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Randy November 20, 2008 at 2:13 am

Hey Michelle! How did you get my likeness in your drawing? Did you copy it from one of the dating sites? Even though you didn’t get me mus-cles big enough, at least you captured my charming smile.

btw - your suggestions are amazing!

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Luca - Profit Lance November 20, 2008 at 6:05 am

Hey Michelle,
Great info. I think you’re right ythis is a business and we need to plan ang grow as a businwss. I’m in the research stage and playing around at the same time to see waht works best. Your post will be usefull in the not to distant future

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Alex Newell November 20, 2008 at 6:26 am

Automation is the name of the game and there’s lots of ways of doing that - the original butterfly marketing did it, launch formula marketing , does it, RAP does it - others too.

alex

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Yo SEO November 20, 2008 at 11:53 am

I’ve seen one click upsells a few times recently on various products and it does make selling more stuff super simple.

But the main attraction for me in what you said was “build an entire niche product empire that operates on autopilot”. Now that would be awesome!

Cute diagram by the way!

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alexander -social media guy November 20, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Michelle,

I like this new model and the “build a business” mantra which gets away from the get rich quick artists out there. A welcome change in the internet marketing community.

It’s been proven a customer who just bought from you is more likely to buy and the easier you make for them to buy more from you instantly the more money you make. Infomercials have proven this for 30 years because they give you 5 or more upsells and then sell you magazines, travel and other unrelated junk.

Alexander

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Carol November 20, 2008 at 4:39 pm

Good data, as always, Michelle.

Maybe we should train the Big 3 Auto Companies in Continuity Stacking before we bail them out!

Carol

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Margaret MacGillivray November 21, 2008 at 2:15 am

Hi, Michelle - how come you managed to encapsulate all that information into one great blog post? It’s inspirational. I’m working on creating a product at the moment and will bookmark your script so that I can check it out.

M

http://www.keepingsnakes.com

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Learn cPanel Videos November 21, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Michelle,

I have been a reader for some time and I always get great insights and nuggets of quality form you.

Keep it up… You Rock!

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Natural Health Remedies November 23, 2008 at 4:17 am

Terrific info as usual Michelle,

been following you for a while and you never disappoint.

Look forward to your continued support.

Kind regards
David

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Doug November 23, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Hi Michelle,
You continue to provide great value. I really enjoy your style (very down to earth).

Thanks, and keep it coming
Panic Attack Cure

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Smart Fitness Tips November 24, 2008 at 2:58 am

Michelle,

Michelle you provide a voice that is refreshing and real. Many of your topics have helped me to generate a good living online providing value to others.

As an Internet Marketer you have established yourself as an expert Internet Marketer.

I feel that having a coffee or a tea with you would really be a good experience.

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Michelle MacPhearson November 24, 2008 at 11:08 am

@Smart Fitness Tips: I’m having a cup o’ tea right now! Thanks so much!

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Profitable Skills November 25, 2008 at 6:08 pm

Hi Michelle,

Your diagram is perfect. When I find myself in ‘Model B’ I am always amazed at how clever the marketer is.

Not only am I buying the next great offer, but find myself in their membership or ‘business’ by the end of the sale.

Building a business is far more profitable and long lasting, than selling a product. You’ve explained it brilliantly, as you always do!

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Link Building January 27, 2009 at 10:00 am

Only just come accross this but another good article Michelle. I like your approach to IM and you have helped me lots, thanks!

Any ideas of updating your Social Media ebook?

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Michelle MacPhearson January 27, 2009 at 2:10 pm

@Link Building: Social Media Daily was updated at the beginning of this month, and a new one “The Social Media Myth” at http://www.socialmediamyth.com came out yesterday!

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