Last year, I wrote a post on giving away ideas to proactively educate and attract future customers. I was surprised that it generated such a lively discussion.
Michael Stelzner wrote the following comment on my post back then, “I have been giving away my trade secrets for years (against the advice of advisors). The results have been amazing. The fact is that folks look to you as a thought leader when you share your secrets. In addition, the discussion that comes from sharing results is a better idea.”
Today, Michael just launched a series of videos on how he is leveraging educational techniques to pull in inquiries and generate leads. Michael told me he’s got a bunch of videos he plans to release over the next few days telling how he generated over 60,000 inquiries and leads for his business by giving away his ideas.
Watch his first video, "How To Generate Mass Interest in Your Business During Tough Times." (No need to do anything special, it will just start playing.)
Update: I just did a teleseminar on generating leads via white papers Michael Stelzner and you listen to the recording here.
As an independent direct marketing consultant, I cringe at the idea of giving away specific strategies to prospective clients.
But again, isn’t some of that necessary to build credibility in presentations and first encounters? Maybe yes, maybe no.
I had a successful business associate who always liked to remind me. “Ted. Remember. Less is more.” I think she had a point.
Thanks for a thought provoking blog.
Ted
the one of best examples of such way lead generation are project called stom***net. (especially not putting here full name, who knows them, they will understand, i just do not want any unauthorized advertising on Brian’s blog (thanks the host allows us comment & share), i am also not related to them). Just can not imagine better example indeed. BECAUSE. Their last video is 54 min long, I watched non stop. Have you ever dreamed about someone watch your advertising for 1 hour? Oh, yes. It’s about SEM, SEO & related topics – hot of course as itself.
They make nice quality videos, and send them out, thus saying between words “can you imagine, what we can give in paid area, if we give away such a info for free?”.
Well, yeah. This is a great topic indeed.
Thank you for sharing these videos. I just watched the first [excellent] and have signed up for more.
I like giving away knowledge to help the industry. It is critical to building my own business when I have to educate a client.
I think it’s just the supreme level of confidence it gives off. While many consultants are hoarding their good ideas because it’s the only 5 they have, the consultant that gives ideas away is telling me, “I have an unlimited supply. Enjoy.”