Just Ship It! The Journey, Episode 1

TL;DR

Michael Stelzner tackles conversion challenges for a major marketing event.

Transcript

(ENERGETIC DRUM MUSIC) - [Michael Stelzner] Welcome to The Journey. This is a story about entrepreneurship and marketing. And hopefully as you watch this show, you'll see yourself as the central character. Our crazy, audacious goal is to get 5,000 people to Social Media Marketing World this year. We had 3,100 people here last year. We wanna get t... Read More

Key Insights

• Michael Stelzner aims to increase attendance at Social Media Marketing World from 3,100 to 5,000, with a long-term goal of reaching 10,000 by 2019.
• The primary challenge is not traffic generation but converting site visitors into paying customers, prompting the need for expert assistance.
• Conversion rate optimization expert Chris Dayley is consulted to help improve the sales page's effectiveness and drive higher conversions.
• A new television show, 'The Journey,' is being launched to document the entrepreneurial and marketing journey of Social Media Examiner.
• The show will feature the staff of Social Media Examiner and will focus on real, imperfect progress rather than polished perfection.
• Michael emphasizes the importance of taking action and iterating quickly, rather than waiting for perfect conditions or exhaustive planning.
• The urgency of shipping content regularly is highlighted, despite the challenges of maintaining high production quality.
• The show aims to inspire entrepreneurs and marketers by demonstrating real-world challenges and the persistence needed to overcome them.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Michael Stelzner's primary goal for Social Media Marketing World?

Michael Stelzner's primary goal is to increase the number of attendees at Social Media Marketing World from 3,100 to 5,000 this year, with an ultimate goal of reaching 10,000 attendees by 2019. This ambitious target requires not only generating traffic but also effectively converting visitors into paying customers.

Q: What challenge does Stelzner face in achieving his goal?

The main challenge Stelzner faces is converting website visitors into customers. While traffic to the sales page is not an issue, the conversion rate is lower than desired. To address this, Stelzner plans to hire a conversion rate optimization expert, Chris Dayley, to enhance the effectiveness of the sales page.

Q: Who is Chris Dayley, and what role will he play?

Chris Dayley is a conversion rate optimization expert who will be hired by Michael Stelzner to help improve the conversion rate of the Social Media Marketing World sales page. His expertise is expected to increase the likelihood of turning site visitors into paying customers, thus supporting Stelzner's ambitious attendance goals.

Q: What is 'The Journey,' and what does it aim to achieve?

'The Journey' is a new episodic television show launched by Michael Stelzner. It aims to document the real-life entrepreneurial and marketing challenges faced by Stelzner and his team at Social Media Examiner. The show seeks to inspire other entrepreneurs by showcasing authentic progress and the importance of taking action despite imperfections.

Q: How does Stelzner view the importance of shipping content?

Stelzner believes in the importance of shipping content regularly, even if it is not perfect. He emphasizes that waiting for perfect conditions or exhaustive planning can hinder progress. Instead, he advocates for taking action and iterating quickly, which is crucial for achieving long-term success in entrepreneurship and marketing.

Q: What is the significance of the show's production quality?

The show emphasizes real, imperfect progress rather than polished perfection. While high production quality is desirable, the focus is on documenting the journey authentically. Stelzner hopes that viewers will appreciate the genuine challenges and successes depicted in the show, rather than expecting television-quality production.

Q: What lesson does Stelzner share about entrepreneurship?

Stelzner shares that entrepreneurship often requires building the bridge as you cross it, meaning that action and adaptation are crucial. He advises against getting caught up in future visions without focusing on immediate actions needed to achieve those visions. This approach underscores the importance of persistence and adaptability in business.

Q: How does Stelzner plan to engage the audience with 'The Journey'?

Stelzner plans to engage the audience by encouraging them to subscribe to 'The Journey' on YouTube and join the 'bell squad' for special appreciation. The show aims to connect with viewers by sharing authentic experiences and inviting them to witness the real challenges and triumphs of the Social Media Examiner team.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Stelzner is on a mission to significantly increase attendance at Social Media Marketing World, aiming for 5,000 attendees this year. His main challenge is converting website visitors into customers, prompting him to seek expert help from Chris Dayley.

• The launch of 'The Journey,' a new episodic television show, will document the real-life challenges faced by Stelzner and his team. The show emphasizes authentic progress over polished perfection, aiming to inspire other entrepreneurs.

• The show will feature the staff of Social Media Examiner and focus on the importance of taking action and shipping content regularly. Stelzner hopes to demonstrate that success requires persistence and adaptability in the face of challenges.