Comments on: Forced Continuity

By: 21 Ways to Increase Profits : Internet Business Coaching by Terry Dean

21 Ways to Increase Profits : Internet Business Coaching by Terry Dean — Mon, 25 May 2009 10:57:25 +0000

[...] a continuity program to your offer. Just don’t keep it a secret. There is a different between forced continuity and hidden continuity. In addition, you can easily make the continuity an upsell portion of the [...]

By: Recurring Billing & Multimedia Marketing Mix : thesologazette.com

Recurring Billing & Multimedia Marketing Mix : thesologazette.com — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:33:11 +0000

[...] you jump on the forced continuity bandwagon, Terry Dean has written a thought provoking post on his blog about [...]

By: Debra Conrad

Debra Conrad — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:22:20 +0000

It really is important to emphasis that a “continuity program” is really a “paid membership” and just what the reoccurring fees will be.

I agree that the conversion will be lower… but every one of those conversions should be “happy” customers… not a rant about how devious the program is.

Wouldn’t this be a better way to do real “long term” business? Wouldn’t this build a better relationship with our members? And… wouldn’t we all be better off is we didn’t have to worry about “reading the fine print”?

So far all of my membership sites are opt-in after a free trial. It may be that I don’t have the highest conversion ever… but I have never had one complaint either.

I’m just saying….

By: CopyTraining

CopyTraining — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:20:26 +0000

I’ve definitely ran into my share of “hidden” continuity and it’s not fun! Seeing a charge that you had no idea was going to be there is a bad experience no matter who you are.

I have no problem with those that put it out plain and clear, I then have the choice to make on my own. But those that try to hide it and hope I forget lose tons of credibility in the process…even if they do receive some huge monetary gains in the front end.

The long term damage is much worse in my opinion, and I would think, like all “shady” or “black hat” type of methods, it’s not worth the quick payoff if you are really trying to build a long term business.

By: Around The Web Today...

Around The Web Today... — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:47:11 +0000

[...] superb coach, who I haven’t had a priveldge to meet yet shares insights on the latest buzz – Forced Continuity. We have seen it time and time again and I personally hate the concept even though I understand it [...]

By: Tom Gallagher

Tom Gallagher — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:17:24 +0000

Great article Terry.
A friend and myself almost got caught recently with “free CD for Government Grants”. But I was suspicious and had searched the sales pages with no sign of any other costs other than an exorbitante “S&H”.
From past experience I decided to go to their “Privacy Notice” which I believe all sites should have, and low and behold found the said continuity notice. I contacted the three sites to complain but got no reply.
How many web users even know there are Privacy Notices way at the bottom of the page, also known as the “very small print”.
So a lesson. Always check the sites “Privacy Notice”.

By: Georjina

Georjina — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:15:15 +0000

Great advice Terry. I posted a link to this post on my blog because it’s very important from both a consumer and small business owner standpoint.

It may not be illegal as we know it but it does border on unethical business practice.

This makes you think twice about doing business with someone who uses this type of tactic. Do you really want to do business with someone who deceives his/her customers…what does that say about how they’ll deal with a JV partner?

Thank you again for a great post.

By: Shel Horowitz

Shel Horowitz — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:51:56 +0000

Hi, Terry, another great article (why am I not surprised?)

I have a few times accidentally signed up for a continuity program without realizing it. To their credit, every time it has happened, the marketers have removed the charges–but why should we have to go through all that rigamarole? Failure to properly disclose is unethical and illegal, as you mention.

And I have to say I have declined some “free” offers because I could see the continuity program attached, and it didn’t feel like it would be worth the hassle if I wanted to cancel.

I plan to release a continuity program of my own in about a year (I have very strategic business reasons for delaying it), and you can rest assured that the charges will be posted clearly, upfront.

In my award-winning sixth book, Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First (http://www.principledprofit.com), I write about the importance of developing long-term relationships based on trust, and the very sound business reasons for doing so. Hidden continuity destroys trust.

One step business owners can take to help build trust is sign the Business Ethics Pledge (http://www.business-ethics-pledge.org).

By: Ethan

Ethan — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:32:45 +0000

I was a victim of this continuity program more than once from some of these so-called internet marketing gurus. I don’t remember reading any of the clauses on a monthly billing. Some of them made it even difficult to cancel this monthly subscription with no billing statements. I dont mind monthly subscription but I want to know about it upfront, not some snicky way to hide from it.

Hope those “underground” marketers get to read this posting.:)

By: Semmy

Semmy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:18:34 +0000

Hi Terry,

Thank you very much for your advice, no wonder last time when I brought a product from someone who call “guru”, he always charge me when the new product was produce. This time I must more carefully. Thank you.

Semmy
http://www.myminisitegraphic.com