Hey, what’s up?
It’s Marie Forleo and you are watching MarieTV, the place to be to create a business and a
life that you love.
And today is Q&A Tuesday and today’s question comes from Sonya and she writes:
“Hi Marie.
Thanks for all the great advice you put out there.
I love watching your show every week.”
Thank you so much.
“I’m a naturopath and promote a healthy lifestyle through raw food and juicing.
I’m working on the outline of an online course about how to get started, but as I
browse the internet I see plenty of folks sharing videos on the subject for free.
I know I have valuable information to share, but I have a hard time moving forward thinking
no one will buy if they can watch free videos on the subject on YouTube.
But on the other hand, there are a ton of free YouTube videos about every business niche.
That doesn't seem to stop them from selling.
Should I rethink my strategy or is this just some fear based brain chatter that I need
to ignore?
Thanks, Sonya.”
Sonya, this is a super common question and, I’ve gotta tell you, it is mostly fear based
brain chatter, but it is a question that’s worth asking.
I mean, after all, why would anyone pay for something when in theory they could find it
online for free?
Since you’re in the nutrition industry, I think you’ll really understand this.
I love food, I love cooking, and I love searching for recipes.
So, yes, I go online and I find free recipes all the time.
However, when I find a chef that I really relate to: I love their approach, their philosophy,
I love all of the meals they put together, I am happy to go out and buy their cookbook.
Why?
Because I want to learn everything I possibly can from them and I want to support their
work in the world.
Same thing is true in dance.
You can go on YouTube and there’s a ton of free dance tutorials, amazing teachers
and choreographers, and often times when I check out a cool one I poke around and I find
out, wow, they have a paid dance tutorial download.
And I’m happy to pay for it.
Once again, why?
Because I think they’re awesome, I want to learn everything I can from them, it usually
goes more in depth, and I want to support their artistry.
So the same thing can be true for you.
So when that mind chatter just starts going off, here are 6 things that you can offer
that free videos on YouTube just don't.
Number one is results vs random information.
So you have to understand that when people are paying for a course, what they’re paying
for is a result that you’re helping them get rather than just a hodge podge of information.
So, for example, in B-School, we don't just have, you know, this total mess like a mental
throwup of information about online business.
We have everything neatly structured to give people the best possible chance to actually
create a result.
And when you’re finding stuff online, no matter how awesome and free it is, often times
it is pretty random and it doesn't really equal up to a specific outcome.
Number two is sequence.
So remember, in any learning experience the raw information is not enough.
You have to put it in the right order.
I mean, think about phone numbers, for an example.
If I gave you all the digits to my phone number but I didn't tell you the order to dial it
in, you would have a really hard time reaching me.
And the same thing is true for your information.
What your students are actually paying you for is to take them on a journey from start
to finish in a very specific order.
Number three is convenience.
Alright, so show of hands.
Who wants to scour the internet for a bunch of random information from different people
with conflicting opinions and somewhat questionable credibility?
You guys?
Anyone?
No?
It’s free.
It’s totally free.
Enough said.
Number four is the missing pieces.
So you’re not just giving your customers things they could look up on YouTube, you’re
telling them about all the things they don't even know to look up on YouTube.
So, for example, your customer knows she doesn't know everything about healthy eating.
She wouldn’t even know the first thing potentially to look up.
So she’d look up cooking with seeds.
Is kale better than spinach?
So what you’re doing is actually educating your customers on all the things she doesn't
know, which is why she’s happy to pay you.
Number five is accountability and motivation.
Like it or not, most of us are so much more likely to use something and get value out
of the thing that we actually pay for versus something we get for free.
Plus, it feels awesome when you genuinely connect with someone and you have someone
there to support and motivate you through your journey.
Number six, you!
The free stuff online is lacking your perspective, your teaching ability, your personality, your
heart and soul.
It’s missing that special gift that only you have and all of the love and encouragement
that you’re gonna give to your customers and students.
So remember, as great as free is, it can’t compete with you.
Now, if you want to know how to add more heart and personality and soul into everything that
you offer, you’d best get your butt in B-School.
I have a particular knack for helping people do this amazingly well, and I gotta tell you,
I am way better than free.
In fact, I got so fired up about this topic that we’re gonna have our first ever Tweet
off.
So we got two to choose from.
You can pick one, you can pick the other, or you can pick both if it floats your boat.
People don't buy information, they buy results.
Or the best things in life may be free, but some of the best things online are not.
That was my A to your Q Sonya, I really hope it helps.
And now I would love to hear from you.
Have you ever bought anything online that in theory you could’ve learned for free?
What made you buy?
And what advice do you have for Sonya or for anyone who shares these same fears?
As always, the best discussions happen after the episode over at MarieForleo.com, so come
on over and leave a comment now.
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Stay on your game and keep going for your dreams, because the world needs that special
gift that only you have.
Thank you so much for watching and I’ll catch you next time on MarieTV.