They say JVs don't work - can you prove them wrong?

[Ralf Skirr]

Hi Dan,

thanks for sharing your story. I feel I have to add my 2 cents to what you wrote, although it may be discouraging for you.

But lately I ... got talking with the office of one rather well known marketer, and they invited me to America for a JV :o but for me to afford a trip to America would cost me selling almost everything I have, just to afford it, and they gave me a short time frame to decide, because they invited 15 other newbies, so we can all do a JV with them...
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... Because it seemed an opportunity was given to me that few people get, and even though there are 15 other newbies, this should be a trip worth remembering.

Before you decide make sure you compare your options and also evaluate how sure you can be that you'll not only make your money back but also make profit. Otherwise you will be in a very bad position when you come back since it is a financial strain for you.

A Joint Venture that is based on doing something with a group of 15 newbies is not something that is likely to be huge money maker on first glance. Of course I can't give a founded evaluation since I don't know the concept of this offer. But at first thought it just doesn't sound promising to me and if I were you I would not spend my last bucks on it I guess.

It may be one of those many occasions where gurus cash in on hopes of newbies. To me it just doesn't have the feel of a JV when a well known marketer invites 15 newbies.

I've seen programs with the promise of 'hundreds of thousands, even millions will see your website' and none of the people who participated saw more than a few dozen visitors on their site.

It may lead a bit off-topic, but I'm curious: Would your cost only be the trip, or would you have to pay for a program or seminar to participate?

Best,
Ralf

[Chris Vendilli]

I recall once getting very irritated with Mr. Merz and his lack of response to one of my JV requests a long time ago on another forum (WF). I sent Mike some PM's and expected him to come right back and be eager to promote my offer to his partners that help him launch sites.

I didn't know Mike very well then and I still don't know him (you Mike!) very well now. But I have learned a lot since then and now I finally understand why I got the response (or lack thereof) that I got!

Mike didn't know me, we didn't have a relationship, I hadn't given ANYTHING back to HIS community. I'm still a total newbie here and wouldn't expect any of my offers to be promoted until I've at least contributed some value and made a difference in this online community.

That was a big thing that I just didn't get back then when I was 100% green behind the ears. Now I understand thanks to Mike, Reed (who I have had the chance to work with a bit), and the other members here at JV Notify Pro and other online forums I participate in that even in an online business sometimes you have to give before you get.

Just because you "heard" that someone is talented and skilled at launching websites does not mean you are entitled to their services, and in many cases, it doesn't even mean that you can pay for their services.

Every experienced business owner knows and appreciates that they have the right to refuse business to anyone, and if you have a weak offer or a bad rep, or a lack of rep, why should someone get behind you and your offer and try to make it work?

I mean seriously? Why SHOULD they?

Would Mike Merz be willing to risk his entire online reputation by promoting someone he is not familiar with and has no rapport with?

What if the product is a total B-U-S-T? What if the people start asking for refunds and the new guy that begged Mike to promote has run for the hills?

Who would look bad in that situation... surely Mike's business and reputation would suffer just as bad as the guy who took the money and ran!

I know if I was Mike I'd only be interested in dealing with people who have ALREADY established themselves as knowledgeabe, reputable, and willing to stand behind their own product. I think Mike's hard work and experience has earned him the right to only participate in launches that are put on by what he believes to be high quality marketers with high quality products.

I know my misconceptions as to how "launches" work and how to get a lot of affiliates behind you were common ones for a person new to the internet marketing niche especially. I always saw notification emails from Mike about the scheduled launch of the next big product and never realized to get my offer out to Mike's list it would take a little bit more than simply sending him a private message on a discussion forum.

Everyone wants that instant gratification. No one wants to put in a little elbow grease and take the time and effort to come socialize and share ideas a bit. Heck, open up a little and let people get to know Y-O-U and next thing you know people will be hunting YOU down asking how they can help promote your offers!

[charleskirkland]

Why is the barrier to entry so high and hard when you are looking for big time JV’s for your product launch?

The reason the wall is so high, is not to keep you out but to keep out the people who really are not dedicated to making it work and just give up after the first try.

Even if you get turned down so what, now you know what doesn’t work so you can find something that will work.


Will Haimerl

Building relationships is the big key to getting JV. We do business with people we know like and trust.

Also because there are plenty of solid product out there to chose from. If I have 2 solid products that I can promote, I would promote the one that I already have a relationship with the owner.


Like Chris Vendilli & Luke Parker both talk about. They did there first site and both of them are much better for it. Now they are moving on to bigger and better JV deals in the future.

Michael Copeland said it best “start thinking like the CEO of your business and treat others with honor and respect!”

WOW, this is one of the first steps to success.


Tony Germana is right about his post. It is about developing relationships with others.

He is a great example from “Think & Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
The first chapter is about a how Edwin C Barnes wanted to do a JV with Thomas Edison and how long it took him to do that. That is what inspired me to do my first JV

This is the first time I have ever told this story about my first offline JV that I had. It was one of my goals to be a syndicated home designer, so I sent a large collection for my plans to all the books and magazines and I waited for them to send me a contract.

I knew my plans were better then most of the ones they had so I was sure they would rush me a signed contract.

Instead I got a bunch of Dear John letters about not being right for the target market. I was crushed but I was not going to take NO as my answer.

So I took my 10 best selling plans and had my attorney sign over the US copyright to the largest house plan publisher in the world. I then sent them10 of the best plans, artwork, graphic, and the signed over copyright to the VP of sales.

My letter was simply, I was given them the plans and copyrights so they could sell all the plans and keep 100% of it. I only asked them to call me when they start selling so I can sign a contract for syndication and send them about 84 other plan that I have.

I got a call from the VP the next day to see if I was crazy or insane. We talked about 2 hours and hit it off, the next day FedEx dropped of my contract. I worked hard at building the first relationship and it payed off.

I never gave up.

Alex Goad’s post is worth it’s weight in GOLD. That was a great post and one that I know I will print out and post next to my computer.

Thanks
Charles Kirkland

[Garland Coulson]

My approach with JVs has been to focus on win-win-win.

1. The project must be a win for my JV partner.
2. The products offered must be of great value (a win) for any of our respective subscribers who purchase.
3. The project must be a win for me.

Too many people want me to promote their new ebook which as no track record and is no different from the 1,000s of other ebooks out there.

Instead, I work only with JV partners who have a list of their own and who are willing to promote my Free Traffic Bar to their members if I provide them with advertising access to my 20,130+ members. I provide them with strong bonuses to offer and I have spent extra money developing a coupon system that automates the bonus system so our partners and ourselves don't have to tie up extra time dealing with the bonuses.

This approach has been VERY successful and I pay out $1,000s of dollars each month to happy affiliate/JV partners.

I also focus on ongoing promotions rather than short term. I prefer to work with partners where we will be providing bonuses on an ongoing basis for their various sites/projects rather than a one shot deal.

My pet peeve? Parters who give me a couple of days notice and expect me to be able to get a broadcast out to my list. No time to review the products or to build it into our downline builder and internal offer system, so I usually just pass on the short term ones.

[Mike Merz]

... which is just another reason why you should work on your product/self brand, and your business, overall ... first, and then start with serious Online Business folk at your level to co promote with for leverage. As you grow, your circle will expand and rise.

In regards to getting partners on board for a launch, you need at 4 - 6 weeks advanced notice to beta test your product, sales copy, and systems, introduce yourself to your partners and get feedback, allow plenty of time for large list owners to schedule mailings, and fine tune everything so your product and marketing system is ready for launch day ... IMHO.

Thanks for the follow up, Dan, Ralf, Chris, Charles, and Garland.

Best,

Mike

[Fidens Felix]

... which is just another reason why you should work on your product/self brand, and your business, overall ... first, and then start with serious Online Business folk at your level to co promote with for leverage. As you grow, your circle will expand and rise.

This reminds me of a book by Stephen Covey: 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People.

You must start from yourself before you can give effect to other people.

Thus, as Mike said, you have to brand yourself, your product and your business
before you can start influence others.

Well said!

Fidens Felix

[Chris Lockwood]

Live events are a good way to meet people who could be potential partners or affiliates, and I don't mean just the speakers, but regular attendees, too.


> It burns me sometimes to see that people will quickly JV with someone simply because they have a name dispite the fact that the product stinks or is not all that, and will thumb their nose at someone else simply because they don't have a name, but they have a great product.

Are they really thumbing their noses, or just not replying to the person? A lack of a reply can often just mean the person never got your message or didn't have time to get to it or it doesn't fit their schedule or whatever. And although I feel your pain on this, you can't really blame people for promoting things from people they already know, have worked with, and/or are well known, vs. something from someone they haven't heard of.


I've been thinking lately that unless you already have a bunch of people lined up to promote your new product, it might be best to avoid using the word "launch" - I think people see that and assume they are expected to promote on a certain day or week, so if they can't fit it in their schedule then, they just pass on it, when they might have been willing to promote it a few weeks later.