The release of Mike’s first video has stirred up a lot of response.
Much of it has been along the lines of, “Hmm. Sounds interesting…Let’s see where this goes.”
A few people have emailed me (or posted on our Facebook group) to express deep skepticism.
With all the questions coming in, I’ve decided to conduct the first free teleseminar — an open-ended Q&A, so you can ask your questions directly — sooner than I’d planned:
Tuesday afternoon, 2PM Eastern (11AM Pacific). Everyone who has joined the “Dan Saves Radio” mailing list will receive the call-in details soon after I publish this blog piece.
In the meantime, here’s a sampling of the more skeptical queries I’ve received, along with my replies.
Tell me this isn’t a MLM initiative.
Absolutely, 100% not.
Never, no way, no how. (“MLM” = “Multi-Level Marketing.” Also referred to by many as “pyramid schemes.”)
Am I supposed to be seeing something real cheese-and-spammy when I click the link above? Cause that’s what I’m getting. WTF, DanO?
I have no problem with people being skeptical about it, at first. Actually, before I became a customer (I use another of their services) I was very skeptical. That was before I used the service, though, and before I happened to become friends with Mike.
I don’t know what you mean by “spammy.” It’s a Web page with a brief video.
The subsequent videos will be quite eye-opening; I kinda wish the introductory video was less tease and more meat. There is, however, a reason for that:
When Mike’s company launched the service I’ve been using (last year), they did it with a series of videos that were crammed with so much info that viewers took pages of notes. But those videos were something like 40 minutes long. This time around, Mike made a deliberate effort to keep each one to no longer than 15 minutes.
Even so, just watching the videos will provide a crash course in how Social Media really can be deployed.
It stinks of late night informerical product pitches. Especially when you read the fine print which left me with a “result not typical” impression.
I might throw my email address through for the hell of it, but I almost expect billy mays to… come back from the dead to do the remaining videos.
Yes, i’m skeptical, jaded and often too honest and god knows what else…and have every right to be. There are too many messages out there looking for your $$$ using the centuries old PT Barnum approach.
The Federal Trade Commission requires such a disclaimer. All they’re doing is obeying the law.
P.T. Barnum’s approach was to create a ruckus to gather a crowd, then (figuratively) pick their pockets. If you decide to watch the three additional videos, you won’t see or hear anything that in any way remotely is misleading or dishonest.
I’ve long said that “selling is educating.” I think it’s a mistake to confuse good salesmanship with dishonesty.
The videos & teleseminars to come: If you already joined the “Dan Saves Radio” mailing list, I’ll let you know when each new video is uploaded and when each new teleseminar is scheduled. During the teleseminars, I’ll be showing you “proof” that…Well, it’ll astound you.
All Voiceover Folks: I hope you’ll be able to make tomorrow’s teleseminar (check your email, if you’re on the list) for a pretty impressive example…
Comments on this entry are closed.
I’m willing to give this a try – mainly because it’s from you Dan. I’ve known you long enough to know that you always do what you say you’ll do. That can include bathroom privileges at my house. Maybe.
OK, So what is this going to cost? 100,500,1000 bucks?
@Curious: What am I bid?
No, actually….I’ve got to play by the rules, and first Mike wants to explain how this thing works and what it does.
But I can assure you it’ll be less than $100,500,100.
Ummm! I am giving it a try. Just wanna know what the teaser leads to and how that saves radio! Curious and waiting for the second one!
@Anonymous:
Although it will save the small number of radio stations smart enough to jump on it, this is to save radio people.
So, as you watch the upcoming videos, think about the radio people, not the industry overall.
I’m sure glad it will be less than $100,500,100! My radio unemployment checks aren’t going to cover an amount quite that large.
Cautious, yet looking forward to video #2. See you tomorrow.
Gregg Stepp
You have my curiosity Tell us more
My VO biz has taken a backseat to the daily grind of a morning show. Nowhere to go but up for me. Really looking forward to the next video.
@The Artist Formerly Known As Anonymous:
No worries. It’s only $99,999,997.43.
The $0.43 is for shipping & handling.
Dan I gave you my address so that you could get me to the videos for this great new idea.
When I arrive at the link you emailws me, I did not get a video, or Dan, but a request for an email sign up again. Sorry but I did not do that.
Then I come back to your regular blog page and you embed the video here on this post. So why did I need to go there or sign up for something new?
Then I don’t see or here Dan O’Day on this video, I see Mike whom you never introduce us to and, who never mentions Dan or radio or radio people. Looks like a late night infomercial. Why do I need to be sold so hard when I have already committed to coming to the program. Where is the beef?
As you have promoted for years, you produce successful spots for you target audience. Regardless of the validity or value of the content, this video fails on too many levels for you to put your name to it. You analyze radio ads here every week. You don’t promote bait and switch. This does not follow any of your philosophy or your wise advise. What gives?
There are many people that will outsource social marketing. Why this one. What is the Dan connection. What I wanted to see was the link to radio, and you, and us. I am booked for tomorrow, so I hope you will post your session for us to here your replies.
And yes I know the difference between here and hear. It is late.
Disappointed. I definitely was not looking for another sales pitch, and this guy is not even a good pitch man. If a client wanted to run something like this on radio, I would refuse it.
OK Dan…I’ll cautiously move forward with this. However, if at ANY POINT I come across a website page with BS testimonials or Highlighted text on it, I’ll be pushing the BIG FAT SCAM alarm button!
I really don’t see the point what this has to do with radio. Plus why should I give out my email address TWICE? You already got it the first time! Giving out my email address multiple times for the same thing, well, the big ol’ scam-bell started to ring. Wonder when I start to get the first flood of BS mail in my mailbox….
Maybe I should give you the benefit of the doubt Dan, but I’ll be honest, this is the first time I’m not entirely sure on what you try to accomplish here. It has a certain odor to it….
What does this have to do with radio, dj’s…..?
Again, you’re just trying to sell something by teasing.
Sorry to say but it’s like your catalogue, it’s almost 2011 and i think you cannot keep selling stuff that’s over 15 years old or more. I mean cheapthrills and other libraries have been outdated for 20 years.
It’s nice listening to ‘living your dreams’ by Scott Shannon or ‘how to critique and coach radio air talent’ but then again, it’s almost 2011.
What about the future catalogue, what’s new, what’s coming up……even pd grad school has been stopped due to ‘not making a break even’….let’s say that the game is over, but then again take off the passed stuff.
Looks like your getting beat up pretty good over this, Dan. I now know why you needed an email address you already had. As mentioned, I too am dissapointed to be handed off to someone else with no connection to you (other than your endorsment) and no connection to radio.
(shaking bowed head from side to side) “Dan, Dan, Dan…”
Sorry, Dan, I’m with Mitch, Marky and Hmmm on this. I’m outta here and have unsubscribed from the “Dan Saves Radio” list.
To me this isn’t about “saving radio” – it’s just another variation on a “Get Rich Quick” scheme/scam.
I already get plenty of spam from SEOs and social media spammers – I don’t need any more and I certainly don’t want to add to it and waste other people’s bandwidth.
Sorry.
Paul
UK
PS.
I just found this reply you posted to a comment on a previous entry:
***
Well, you won’t really be getting “tons of information about radio” in terms of programming, etc.
What you’ll be getting is:
* A way for local radio stations or clusters to become much more profitable
* A way for people who’ve been forced out of radio to use their skills profitably and enjoyably
* A way for people who are working in radio but “just can’t take it anymore” re: corporatization to go out on their own (probably at first keeping their radio jobs until they realize they really can go out on their own and be independent)
* A way for one- or two-person businesses (voiceover people, ad agencies, producers) to dominate their niches
But you won’t learn any secret programming tricks. Figure I’d better make sure you know that now, so you won’t be disappointed.
***
Maybe you could have been a bit more transparent a bit earler.
@Mitch:
Then I come back to your regular blog page and you embed the video here on this post. So why did I need to go there or sign up for something new?
At the time that first video was announced, I didn’t know I’d be able to embed it here, too. I do know that won’t be the case with the ones to follow.
Then I don’t see or here Dan O’Day on this video, I see Mike whom you never introduce us to
Ouch. I had included such an intro in my original “first video is up” announcement, and I edited it out because the email had become much longer than I wanted.
There are many people that will outsource social marketing. Why this one. What is the Dan connection.
My connection is understanding how radio people are better equipped for this than almost anyone.
It’s not a service that outsources social marketing. It’s an opportunity for individuals who want a new career path to be their own boss (as well as for radio stations to seize the lead in providing social media solutions locally).
I am booked for tomorrow, so I hope you will post your session for us to here your replies.
I won’t be able to post the audio here; that’s only for people (like you) who joined the “Dan Saves Radio (People!)” list.
If possible, I’ll provide an teleseminar playback number to people on the list.
I’ve also considered doing another one tonight at 10PM Eastern, 7PM Pacific. I’ll wait to see if enough people say they would want that.
@Allergic To Highlighting:
Y’know, on some of the online sales pages for my products, I use highlighted text….
I guarantee you won’t see any BS testimonials. In fact, even that teaser video had a very good example of advertising: He didn’t say “Mike, a fireman.” He said “Fireman Mike Lamoine of Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
Same with the “woman with triplets,” whose name I don’t recall at the moment — but who was identified with her full name.
@Keith:
Looks like your getting beat up pretty good over this, Dan.
Y’think?
Re: Entering your email address to see the videos:
Y’know what? You can just make up a fake email address and you’ll be taken to the videos.
They’re asking for an address for the people who somehow stumbled onto that Web page, to notify them when additional videos are online. But if you’re on my “Dan Saves Radio (People!)” list, you’re already covered in that regard.
Too many years in radio has made us too jaded. We’ve seen one video. Yes, elements of it reeked of infomercial cheese, but this could be the greatest thing to ever happen to many jaded old radio farts. Lots of us media types are old and comfortable. We’ve reached our comfort level and seem afraid to succeed. So we look for excuses…like the cheesy production values or the huckster pitching us his crazy scheme.
I’m not a big wheel in radio by any means…but without Dan O’Day, I’d be even less. He’s earned the benefit of the doubt.
I appreciate your taking the time to hold your free Q &A discussing the video. I found the examples you used to illustrate the results of the service to be enlightening and I look forward to seeing the rest of the videos. For those of you that couldn’t call in Tuesday, I might have been a little cynical but now I’m geniunely intrigued and can’t wait to hear the meat and potatoes. I think Dan is correct in stating if there was a problem with the first video it was that it was a little too much ‘tease’. Hey, it doesn’t cost anything to watch the vids so hear it out.
Well, he’s a likable guy and what he says makes sense. I’ll watch the
forthcoming videos and see what’s up. Perhaps there’s a way I can twist it
to work for what I ‘ve been doing. Maybe I’ll have to learn new tricks.
Still reserving judgment, even after the call, and hoping I don’t get sticker-shocked out the door when that shoe finally falls, even if this is legit.
Dan, take heart… I’m open to hearing about it. I know it isn’t about radio… it’s about radio people. I think you’ve been totally up front about it all along…
Waiting for the next video…
I enjoyed today’s phone call, picked up a couple of tips already. I do have to say the “proof” you gave us was very impressive and the kind of proof we could confirm for ourselves (and did). Looking forward to the next calls where you tell us HOW you achieved those search engine rankings.
I agree with Rick. Some people always assume the worst about everybody. I appreciated Dan’s candor in this afternoon’s call, and I’m looking forward to learning more. For anyone reading this who wasn’t on that call, you missed some amazing proof…even for skeptics.
DANNO! If you can show me how to get those results for my VO biz, I’m in!
Dan knows about brand (in fact he taught us all how to build it, keep it and succeed promoting it) and he knows by endorsing this, he puts that brand in jeopardy. Up to this point, all of this has cost all of us absolutley nothing. I gave up two hours of my time to be part of the call Tuesday and I will tell you, I am sold. Unless the “sticker shock” is too much, I’m in. ALL IN. And if you’re not (I’m sorry Dan) that’s great. Less loafers to get in the way of those those going along on the new adventure. Dan has never led me off course and I feel his teachings have helped to give me a great career. I may be following him into a river, but I’m not scared. I’m excited. If Dan had found a guy decades ago named “Bill Gates” or “Steve Jobs” and they pitched us on something cheesy decades ago, who would be laughing now?
@Tyler:
Wow.
I don’t know what to say. But thank you for those kind words.
Re: “sticker shock”: I promise it’s considerably less than the $100,500,100 cited in an earlier posting. In fact, it’s not even HALF that…
But really, thank you.
The comments above after the QnA sound prety interesting as well as intriguinging! Is there any way one can hear the recordings somewhere else, may be on your blog, if one cant call. Can that happen? I can share my email again, if need be ………..ahem! do I see a way out there?
@Anonymous: Everyone who is on the “Dave Saves Radio (People)” email list was sent a phone number to call to hear the replay.
If you’re on the list, please check your inbox.
If you’re not on the list…Put yourself on it:
https://danoday.com/Dan-Saves-Radio
I like the word someone used “intriguing”. I’m certainly willing to learn more and look forward to the balance of the videos.
Perhaps the problem is that we’re polished hucksters and pitchmen. And so we watch with a jaundiced eye, suspicious of anyone with a whiff of cheese. (Anyone remember pitching Fen-phen, or other weight-loss “miracles?”)
Dan has done measurably successful business with Koenigs for over a year, and stakes decades of sterling reputation vouching for him. Without that, most of us wouldn’t give this system a second glance. We’ve seen this script before, and so there’s (healthy) skepticism.
Incidentally, I watched Video #1 again, this time with my wife. I noticed some changes (particularly in the “lay on your couch and earn” area). He’s adapting the pitch to our concerns, just as he recommends. So there’s consistency in his message and his method.
Video #2 seems to gloss the details. All we need to know, apparently, is it’s (Voila!) automatic. I’m hoping Video #3 doesn’t merely show us “satisfied customers” behind the wheel of their new sports cars. I, for one, would like to see rubber-meets-the-road practical application of this system.
@Andy: But he made some pretty good, valuable points in Video #2, wouldn’t you say?
I was excited when Dan started the group “I’m a Radio Pro…” And then when he said he had this great idea to save radio, I was really excited. And while I realize how effective SMM and SEO are, I don’t see how they really apply to saving radio (wouldn’t that require an FCC rule-reversal?). This effort is very contrived and sadly has nothing to do with saving radio or using my radio skills (at least the ones I care about) profitably. The come-on and barrage of emails is annoying.
@BigDave: All along I’ve stressed that I wasn’t talking about “saving” the radio industry; I was talking about radio people.
To stop the emails, please click on the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of each one. Thanks.