Marketing “Home Automation”

Control 4 manufactures a complete line of affordable wired and wireless home automation products. In just six short years, Control 4 has become the leader in ‘affordable’ home automation.

 

I had the pleasure of speaking briefly with co-founder, Eric Smith. When I asked him what makes Control 4 different from similar companies, he said “We’re more affordable and much easier to install.” Smith went on to say, “Most home automation products that are currently on the market require extensive wiring. Because our components communicate with each other wirelessly, they are much easier to install in existing homes.”

 

With dealers in over 33 countries distributing their products and a 45% growth rate last year, Control 4 is definitely doing something right.

 

The three keys to their success are:

 

1. Creating a product that is superior (and already has a built-in differentiator).
2. Knowing how to introduce that product to the marketplace and communicate its strengths.
3. Innovating to keep up with trends and stay ahead of the market.

Control 4 focuses its marketing efforts on appealing to resellers. This includes industry tradeshows and advertising in targeted trade publications. They also have a heavy focus on PR and have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Wired Magazine and on Oprah.

 

In the coming years, Eric indicated that the company plans to begin marketing its products directly to the end consumer and “do-it-yourself” homeowners. They also have designed several modules that control a home to be more energy efficient. The trend to conserve energy and improve the environment is an expanding market that will give them even more of an edge over the competition.

 

To learn more about Control 4, visit their website at www.control4.com

How LDSWA Founder Daryll Jonnson Turned Her Dream into a Reality

Latter-Day Woman Magazine

There are not many women in this world who are more sincere and loving than Daryll Jonnson. I’ve heard Daryll’s story many times, but it always inspires me. As said in her own words:

“I had been working for many years, in the corporate world, and although I enjoyed what I was doing, I did not feel a great deal of satisfaction. I felt that I wanted to really do something that would help others and that I was very passionate about.  Coming from the United Kingdom, I also had a desire to find something that would allow me to interact with other LDS women across the oceans…

… Then, in a quiet moment, while sweeping the floor of all things and feeling desperation because I was getting no answers, a strong impression and idea permeated my whole body and left me feeling “WOW…. where did that come from?”  Again, I prayed about it and received confirmation that this was the path I was to follow – to form a women’s alliance, the LDSWA.”

LDSWA launched its new online presence in July of 2008. Shortly thereafter, it launched Latter-Day Woman, its online magazine, and Our Ladies Room, its social networking site. Within only several short months, their magazine is already being read by women in over 48 countries.

LDSWA is an amazing company with so many things it’s doing right, but the thing that really makes it such a success is Daryll’s ability to tell a story that is remarkable. And the reason it is so remarkable is not only because it is different, but mostly because it is so relevant. Her idea has spread like wild fire throughout the LDS women’s community because there are so many women who didn’t have a place to congregate online. Daryll has provided this in a sincere, humble way.

When you can tell a story about your business that comes from the heart, it makes all the difference. It’s not about a slick advertising campaign. It’s about being sincere and tapping into a need (or want) that isn’t being fulfilled.

If you are interested in learning more about LDSWA, visit www.ldswa.com.

Online Product Launch Success

“I’m going to create an online 12-week program for stock traders,” said Norman Hallett to me about eight months ago. “It’s called ‘The Disciplined Trader.’ I’ve already bought the domain name…Now I need a logo, website, some sales pages and an online membership system. What’s your schedule for the next few weeks?”

 

This is how it all began.

 

Norman has been a client of VirtualMG for over three years. And has turned into a very dear friend. We helped him design and implement his “lifestyle hypnosis” membership program a couple of years ago (www.selfhelpexpress.com) and have been working with him throughout the years to maintain his websites, shopping cart, sales pages, set up emails, and so on.

 

Although Norman has always been a visionary, I could tell that this new endeavor was going to take things to a whole new level.

 

The first milestone was the “beta” launch. This is where the program had to be 100% functional so Norman could market it to his own list and fix all the bugs before marketing it through other affiliates or to the general public. The goal was to get at least 20 sign ups and a lot of feedback. We created a brand for The Disciplined Trader, as well as a sales website and backend area where members could pay and login to view their new ‘lessons’ each week. The backend consists of a forum, videos and interactive training materials that are posted each week and some bonus content (such as trading journals, tips, and bonus recordings from famous traders).

 

The beta launch went wonderfully. Through his emails and web sales page, Norman was able to get over 20 people to sign up for the beta program at $800 a piece within only a few days (and on a holiday weekend to boot!). He meticulously paid attention to what worked and what didn’t with the marketing and we adjusted the marketing materials to optimize their success.

 

Then we had the theta launch about eight weeks later – this was another test to ensure we had everything just right. At this point we (mostly Paul Galloway) added a more robust affiliate system.

 

Finally on November 6, Norman began his first official launch with his affiliate partners.

 

By November 12, Norman had over 100 people signed up for his program paying over $900 each. Incredible!

 

If you are interested in learning more about Norman’s program, please visit www.thedisciplinedtrader.com.