Is It Really Worth $1997?
by BobTheTeacher · Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing · Bob The Teacher Training · Business Building · Business Mentoring · Getting Started · Internet Marketing Seminars · Mindset
The most popular price point for “big ticket” programs online seems to be $1997, and if you’re like me, you probably wonder if they’re really worth it, or is that just a number settled on inside the secret back room of internet marketing.
The answer is yes, no, maybe, sometimes, and “it depends.”
In reality, the answer relies much less on the product itself, but in the results you get from taking action on what you purchase.
Let’s take a couple of examples that are hot right now: Affiliate Dot Com and my own SIMPLE 2 event.
Although you haven’t been hearing me talk about it, Mike Filsaime and Chris Farrell released AffiliateDotCom this week, and it’s priced at $1997 (with payment plans of course). I’d love to tell you it’s the greatest coaching course on affiliate marketing ever, but how can I say that when it is going to be taught live starting next week?
What I can tell you is that Mike played an instrumental role in my own success – he was my first mentor in business, and I continue to learn a lot from him. I’ve taught his Butterfly Marketing Workshop, and I’m frequently a trainer on the IM Success Cruise that he hosts. And I can also tell you that I’m on the faculty for the extra modules of the Affiliate Dot Com course. I’ll be teaching a couple of modules later on in the program about how I use my own product development cycle to increase my affiliate income.
So is the course worth $1997?
- Well, based on the hourly rate of Mike and Chris, as well as myself, yes.
- Based on the amount of experience that the faculty are bringing to the course, yes.
- Based on the fact that you get a ticket to a major live event in Las Vegas with other ADC members PLUS 200 of the top internet marketers to network with, yes.
But for you, it still may not be worth $1997.
I’ll tell you why in a second, but first another example…
I’m teaching the SIMPLE 2 Business Acceleration Bootcamp next month in Baltimore, and it’s also priced at $1997 (including a ticket for your guest). During that 3 day workshop, I’ll be teaching my complete business system that you can implement over the next 1-2 years to add $10,000/month or more in revenue.
Is SIMPLE 2 worth $1997?
- Based on the feedback I get from those that attended SIMPLE 1, yes.
- Based on the fact that you get me to teach you over 20 hours, and I’m normally a $1000/hour coach, yes.
- Based on me investing over $25,000 in my own business education, plus countless hours of TARLing (take action, revise later) to learn what works and what doesn’t – yes.
- Based on you getting another $5000 worth of bonuses, yes.
But for you, it still may not be worth $1997.
Huh?
Don’t worry – I haven’t been smoking crack or anything but I’m trying to make a larger point.
If you’re trying to equate value of a product based on the stuff that we put into the products, you’re making a huge mistake.
It’s not about the input we add to courses, workshops, and coaching programs.
It’s all about the output – the results – that you get out of taking action on what you learn.
- Do nothing – and the course is worthless.
- Follow the steps, and focus to the end of your projects, and it will truly be priceless.
I learned this important lesson a long time ago when I “forked over” $500/month for 18 months (that’s $9000 in case you want the easy math). At the time, I wondered if the mentoring I was receiving was really that valuable. But instead of focusing on how much money I was spending, I focused on how high could I get a return on my investment.
During that 18 month period, I took action on what I was learning, followed the steps being taught, while adding in my own creativity. The first 5 months, I didn’t make a dime, but I was committed to succeed. I didn’t quit and claim the training was worthless. I didn’t whine and ask for a refund that it was all a scam. I stuck to it, and at the end of those 18 months, I was earning $10,000/month at a minimum, and was able to leave a job I was increasingly resenting.
Just from a purely dollar-cents perspective, of course it was worth it. And of course, don’t get me started on all the connections that mentoring program made for me.
At the same time, I purchased other products and programs ranging from $10 – $3000, and many of those proved NOT to be “worth it”, because I didn’t actually use them. Who knows how many PLR and Master Resale Rights products I have on my computer that are “worthless” to me because I didn’t put them to use.
So when you’re staring down the Add To Cart button on a sales page, and your mind is wondering if the product is truly worth $1997, consider instead this important set of questions:
- Are you ready to do what ever it takes to maximize your own return on the investment you’re going to make?
- Can you commit the focus you need to have to resist the other shiny objects that will fly your way?
- Are you willing to hold yourself to such a high standard that nothing will keep you from being successful?
If so, then…
What you’re really realizing is this:
It’s not the product, event, or program that’s worth $1997…
It’s really you – your potential, your ideas, your products and services, your impact you can have on the world – that are worth so much more than the price you see.
Keep this in mind whenever you’re presented with big ticket programs, or even the smaller ones that actually tend to be the “expensive” ones.
Bob Jenkins
p.s. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – post a comment below and reply to the others as well.
p.p.s. And be sure to check out AffiliateDotCom and SIMPLE 2 to see which is most in alignment with what you need to learn right now.
19 Responses to “Is It Really Worth $1997?”
Leave a Reply
| Bob Jenkins is an internet business marketing teacher, with ten years experience teaching teenagers and teachers. He is the creator of several online training courses that teach you how to get better customers and increase your profits. Specializing in social networking strategies for business and creating information products from teleseminars, Bob can help you use internet marketing tools and strategies to promote your business online. |
|
|
Another aspect to “expensive” training is the way it’s delivered. I’ve spent big bucks on all kinds of video, eBook, DVD and other “virtual” types of training and either got distracted or lost track or couldn’t keep up or just plain lost interest.
In person, live, flesh and blood training seems to work best for me. If I miss something, I can ask a question and not have to worry about posting to a forum or waiting for the “live” Q&A video scheduled for next week, tomorrow or whenever.
That said, just like any classroom, it may take a few times (God, I hope not!).
Hi Bob
Totally agree that if you take action on products from Mike then you will make money, but leave them on the shelf and they never will. I’ve purposefully ignored almost all of the emails about it as I know that spending $2k on a course is not an option for me at the moment – it would just end up sitting under my desk like many other courses.
Good luck teaching the extra modules, and look forward to seeing you turn that content into a stand alone product that you can add to your product range.
Andrew
This of course is mike filsaime the same guy that created affiliate jump. The only program on the Internet that convinced IM nubies to pay for crappy web sites and pay to join free affiliate networks. Worth every penny, right. Consider that the commissions are at least 50% what’s the material really worth???
Some EXCELLENT points, Bob!
IF one doesn’t at least try and use what they bought, then one can’t really make a valid (and honest) assessment about whether it has value or not. And even then, that value will be mainly valid to that one person. Different people will probably have similar OR vastly different opinions.
I certainly have a bunch of stuff on my hard drives (like many IMers) that I’ve bought and haven’t used (yet). LOL
But this all still boils down to having “personal responsibility” for what one buys and HOW they then use it.
Thanx for the “rundown”!
Rick Wilson aka CorpRebel
Ahoy Bob,
Isn’t there a pill I can take instead? ;-)
You make a great point with it being “you” and not the “money” spent. Be it weight loss, business planning, whatever, buying the book or taking a course does no good if you don’t put it in to practice.
“I have read 3 books on weight loss and I’m still fat!”
Sail on…..Arrrrrrrr.
CaptRob
You’re absolutely right, as usual, my friend.
I’ve flat out told my coaching clients not to buy another item until they’ve completed their action lists. And, I ask them to run anything they’re tempted to purchase through me, first, at which time I don’t give them my affiliate link, I normally say “No. You do not need it at this time.”
BUT, the thing is they are already at the level where they’re focused and have a plan. Most people aren’t. And, SIMPLE is a great investment for those people who are not at that stage.
I, of course, attended SIMPLE 1 as a VIP/Panelist and I enjoyed watching the ah-ha moments on the faces of the attendees throughout the weekend. Had those same people purchased the course in a DVD set, it may, unfortunately still be sitting on their shelves, unopened. That is the beauty of live events — the total immersion into the teaching and the commitment of the participants to their own success.
Is SIMPLE right for someone who can’t pay their mortgage this month? Of course not.
Is it right for those who want to have their business magically happen with no work on their part? Nope.
But, for those who are ready and can afford to invest in their education and plan to take action on what they learn, it could be a turning point for them – as your investment was for you, Bob, and mine was for me.
Bob you kind of hit a nerve here as what is really beginning to piss me off is the fact that just about every product comes out at this price often being promoted by people that spend plenty of time bragging about how much money they make or how much their last product made. One big difference is the typical lack of real support where you are on webinars with hundreds or thousands of others. That can hardly be described as support.
Obviously none of these compare with what you are doing but those of us that have been following this are getting rather jaded to put it mildly. For one I would appreciate the promoters spending a whole lot more time talking about how many of their past students have been successful and a whole lot less time on their bank accounts. A final issue is if their products work so well in their own business why is it the price needs to be at this level considering the real economic times surrounding their students???
HI Bob,
Your post is great! It really makes you stop and think. I wuold love to have a dollar for all of the stuff that I have on my hard drive and have never used! If you do not implement what you purchase you are very foolish! Have I ever done that! You bet I have. Iam one of those foolish people that has spent way tooo much for programs that I have not taken advantage of.
The best training money that I have ever spent is working with you personally and going to your 2 workshops. That training has been extremely valuable. Your training has cost me several thousand dollars in total, but I have gained every bit of it back and then some. The value is priceless! Thank you so much for all you have done for me and for having patience with me!
Joyce Jagger
The Embroidery Coach
Greetings!
I am stoked to head down to Baltimore next month for SIMPLE. I have been signed up for about a month now! Based on all the great content you provide (I am a Platinum member) I know that being there live will be fantastic!
You were my first Internet Marketing teacher at Mike’s Butterfly Marketing Seminar out in Vegas last year! Talk about starting at the wrong end! LOL! I have learned a lot this past year and my website, http://www.AllAboutGratitude.com has broken into Alexa’s top 300,000 websites in the world!
Thanks Bob!
Paul.
I was tempted to “read and ride”, as what you say, Bob, really covers it quite nicely. However, the closing statement by commenter Trevor Chilton gave me pause, enough to add my 2 cents to the conversation.
How much time and expense have those offering these “high ticket” programs invested into the programs themselves, and, more importantly, into themselves? This knowledge didn’t just leap into the boat, or fall from the sky. It had to be sought out, had to bought, had to be put into action. Therein, as you said Bob, is the BIG THING… Put into ACTION.
I do NOT find fault with those charging fees for their expertise, no more than I do for paying a doctor for his or her knowledge, or the repair-person, who for five minutes “actual” work charges me for their knowledge. They are using their knowledge to provide something I want, or need, and deserve to be paid for it. Even the lawyers… ;)
My point being, that for our “convenience”, getting what we want, we pay for the efforts of someone else who has the knowledge to provide what we want. We either pay the price, or try to “do it ourself”, with our limited (or complete lack of) knowledge. You get what you pay for, eh?
Be Well!
ECS Dave
Well said, Bob. Any of the dozens of “latest and greatest” IM ideas that are being hyped like crazy is only as good as (1) it’s relevance to a person where they are right NOW (or soon after) and (2) the willingness/ability of the person to use the ideas.
I’m just starting to implement some ideas, like FreeMind, that I got from you close to a year ago because it has taken me that long with work etc. to find the “right” idea/passion and get under way.
I also agree with Trevor that the multiple-times-a-day emails about some of these things, along with the hype, can make a person quite jaded.
I find that the more money I spend on a training program, the more focused and dedicated I am to showing up and utilizing all the resources in that training program towards the success of my business. If a product is $1997, odd as it sounds, I find I hold myself more accountable to finishing it than if the product was only $27 ;) I have tons of cheap ebooks sitting on my computer that I’ve still not read but any programs I’ve spent $1000+ for are all completed. I admit it, I’m cheap and I don’t like to waste my money! Paying bigger bucks for a program is a sure way for me to challenge myself to git er done ;)
I’ll be pleasantly surprised if this post makes it past “editing”, but here goes.
You gotta be kidding! $1997? Gimme a break! You’re vested interested shines in red neon! I can’t believe people buy into this!
I belong to the two best sites on the internet. They are Wealthy Affiliate University and Dr. Ken Evoy’s SiteBuildIt. Honest, incredibly informative, supportive in every way, no b.s. OTO’s, no farcical upsells. I am an affiliate for both. I absolutely will not leave my affiliate links here. No long-winded, ill-hidden marketing attempts here. Just the good old truth. What a concept!
Oh, yeah. The cost of those two sites combined doesn’t even approach $1997!!!
I am not sure if you looked at the sales page for the event, but if you are not please with how it is going, you can get your money back! Granted, it is a lot of money, but not only do you get the content and the learning experience, you get the opportunity to network and meet others. Sure you can do this anywhere, but the people at the event will be doing the same thing that you are doing.
To me college was expensive. I could have simply read the text books at a fraction of the price. But in addition to the educational process, I took advantage of all the other opportunities that were available. That certainly has made my college tuition much more ‘affordable’ when I look at the benefits of attending.
is SIMPLE expensive? You bet it is! Is it worth it? I do not know (yet!) If it isn’t I am sure that I can get a refund. Of course, I am going with the mindset that I will get tremendous value out of the weekend. If i look for it, I am sure I will find it.
Be Well.
Paul.
Great post, Bob!
What I have learned so far is that for me personally, getting one on one or group coaching is much more valuable than any of the big ticket online courses out there. While these courses can present the overall view of the business there are times when I need coaching on my exact business and the questions I have can only be answered by a real live person. Attending NAMS this past weekend just re-enforced the fact that for me, one on one is the way to go. I am looking forward to Simple2 next month and charging ahead in my business!
Certainly puts a new perspctive on the value of courses etc. which is being bought and sold nowadays. There are, however, many courses/ebooks etc. which is just rehashed rubbish and these will never be worth a fraction of what their owners charge for them.
Dear Bob,
you are a good teacher.
I have watched only 2 videos from Mike and Chris and the way they present their stuff is highly professional. However, I have the impression that some old terms got a new polish or a new name and are sold as something brand new. And sentences like give without waiting for return and be polite with your customers are many thousand years old – a question of socialization and culture.
For this reason I am not sure that this part of it is worth $1997.
The question whether you use something or not has nothing to do with the prize. It’s a habit of uncertain or disappointed people.
In addition to the training, the best reason to go to an event is the people you meet. Sometimes, just 1 connection you make can be worth the price of admission. There are so different types of relationships that evolve from events and they can enrich your life in so many ways in addition to your bank account.
So think beyond the training before you decide.