Comments on: Should I Buy This?

By: The right thing at the right time. — Third Hand Works

The right thing at the right time. — Third Hand Works — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:58:05 +0000

[...] could make this a lot shorter by just pointing you to Naomi’s and Jen Louden’s wise words about this, but let’s see if I can add something useful to [...]

By: Iain Gray

Iain Gray — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:25:27 +0000

@sonia – oh, I’m planning on getting Mass Control, as well, of course. And John Carlton’s stuff too while I think about it. Told you I need to get out more!

Man, I’m so glad my (non-marketer) wife and I keep separate finances. I can just imagine her reaction to seeing a 2K bill for “Mass Control” show up on her bank statement. I’m not sure the “but it’s an investment” line would wash.

Actually – I’ve heard that line before. Isn’t it the same thing people say to themselves after they’ve bought a sports car, which promptly halves in value? :-P

By: Sonia Simone

Sonia Simone — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:41:44 +0000

Ha, Iain! (If you’re going to get a $2K info product for the entertainment, though, you might want to consider Mass Control instead. Of course Jeff will strangle me if he sees this.)

By: Iain Gray

Iain Gray — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:22:51 +0000

Thanks for this… I came to the realisation a couple of weeks ago that I actually enjoy information products for their own sake, and I was in danger of using their utility to justify what was in effect a luxury purchase.

I’m not sure at what point I started watching marketing seminar videos for fun, but I’m sure I’ll get over it in a decade or two. Hey, they say acceptance is the first step to recovery :)

The “will I use this” is the most important test. At least half of the business owners I speak to know what to do, they are just having a problem doing it. That’s why, if you’re selling stuff like coaching & training to people, I think it’s vital to ensure they have the time, energy and commitment to follow through with the stuff – otherwise you’re just filling up their head with more things to feel guilty about not doing.

I very, very nearly bought PLF 2.2+ last week because I think it looks amazing, but I’m overloaded enough with other stuff as it is, and deep down, I know I’m better off making the most of the stuff I know already first. So I’ve marked on my calendar for PLF’s next release and made a promise to myself to clear my workload down so I can enjoy it and use it then.

I really need to get out more.

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:09:23 +0000

Good post. I need Havi’s testimonial product, but wasn’t sure about spending the money. You helped me see that I couldn’t afford not to get it. Since, I need it NOW. Thanks. :)

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:49:50 +0000

There’s something odd about asking “Should I buy this?” to the person who wants to sell it to you. It’s great they trust you, but sheesh, what are you supposed to say? “No, I really don’t need to eat this week”?

I totally agree with Jamie. Most people aren’t out to get you, they’re just too stupid to know any better.

By: Amy Crook

Amy Crook — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:49:10 +0000

I have totally noticed the “buy it and not use it” phenomenon — even with free downloads, where all I “paid” was my email address.

I think another good way to think about it is: Am I buying this info product as another thing to read/do before I do the really important thing, or do I really think this info will help me get off my ass?

By: Naomi Dunford

Naomi Dunford — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:45:33 +0000

@ Writer Dad — “Some kind of problem solving ambrosia from Olympus.” That is awesome. There’s a tagline in there somewhere. Not mine, sure. But someone’s. :)

Great job on the new site, btw. I was looking forward to seeing it, and supercool.

By: Writer Dad

Writer Dad — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:26:42 +0000

I think this is the most important piece:

“Info products are about INFO. Info that you should probably, you know, use. I’ve never bought an info product that didn’t have SOME useful information. But you gotta do it.”

People expect a digital download to be some kind of problem solving ambrosia from Olympus. They aren’t. At best, they are roadmaps that will help you get from point A to B. You’re still responsible for the mileage.