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• 

  Steve Born June 15, 2019 at 10:34am

  June 15, Update:

  I've been so busy lately getting ready for the first art show of the season, I haven't had much time to work on the Step by Step lesson plans, my Facebook page, or posting here. Because of this, I emailed Dave and asked for advice for getting an ad up quickly to let people know about my participation in the Edina Art Fair, one of the top 50 in the country. Dave responded by telling me which lesson plans to review. In addition he put together a custom video about 26 minutes long, walking me through the steps, suggesting audience categories, and what type of ad (Reach, conversion, etc) I should use. This is not an unusual event. Dave often does custom screen capture videos helping out members with a particular problem. He also does a monthly "coaching call" where all members can view his computer screen live while he answers questions and shows how on his computer to answer the questions and solve problems.

  The ad that he helped me create, reached over 5,000 people and resulted in 13 additional followers. Total cost for a 3 day campaign on Facebook was $20.00. I don't know if this resulted in any extra attendance at my booth or additional sales. At the start, I committed my self to a two year trial to see if these strategies were effective.

  Here's a link to my FB page and the ad that ran most recently. Scroll down to the "posts" section and it's the video entitled: Edina Art Fair This Weekend

  https://www.facebook.com/BodyShapesSculpturalCreations
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  Connie Mettler April 17, 2019 at 1:04pm

  Thanks so much, Steve. So glad to have this validation. Many of us are looking forward to hear more, especially on how it impacts your business.
• 

  Nancy Falco April 16, 2019 at 8:55pm

  Thank you, I am anxious to see how you do.  This is what I have been waiting for.
• 

  Steve Born April 16, 2019 at 4:56pm

  I have decided to try Dave Emmon's Step by Step Success tutorials. I'll keep you posted on my progress and my impressions. After being very skeptical about the content of his tutorials, there were two things that convinced me to give it a try.

  First, I came across a link in one of Connie's previous posts on the same page as the most recent interview with Dave. I must have not have seen this link before because if I had, I would have changed my mind much sooner! Actually the link is not that obvious on the page. The link is a Vimeo video demonstration of Dave showing how to increase traffic to your booth right before an art show. It includes information on how to target a very specific audience etc. This video is about 20 minutes long and is packed with very valuable information. This is what I needed to see! It gave me confidence that his tutorials were more substance than fluff.

  Second, Dave was offering several different payment options including monthly installments over the course of a year. If you choose this option, you will pay a bit more for the convenience. Since I'm putting out a lot money at this time of year for jury fees and booth fees, the monthly payments help ease my cash flow situation.

  Here's the link that convinced me to go for it:

  https://player.vimeo.com/external/

  Now, for some early impressions:

  First, the Dave Emmons that you see on the Master Class Video infomercial is totally different from the person teaching you the tutorials. In the tutorials there are no over the top carnival barking videos extolling you to sign up for this, or buy that, or hurry now to get the bonus set of Ginsu knives. Every lesson is of Dave in a quiet and calm, reassuring voice, taking you through a step by step process of how to execute his strategies. Most of the lessons I have peeked at are of his computer screen as he is guiding you through the process.

  In the "Pro" package that I purchased, there are over 26 hours of tutorials. There are 3 levels that you can purchase depending on your budget. As mentioned earlier there are also several payment options.

  The first lesson covers how to set up a basic FB business page, etc. As a FB newbie I found this to be very informative and worthwhile. Other lessons I have peeked at cover subjects such as how to create an ad, how to target your ad to specific audiences, how to work with the FB pixel, setting up a Mailchimp mailing list and how to use it to your best advantage, etc as well as many more topics.

  There is also a private FB discussion group where members can share ideas, ask questions, etc. Dave is a frequent participant on these pages as well.

  In conclusion, this former skeptic is now very intrigued and excited to give this a try. Please feel free to ask questions, etc.

  Finally, I am posting this on my own in order to inform my fellow artists. Dave has not asked me to do this. I am not receiving any kind of monetary or other kind of compensation whatsoever.
• 

  Larry Sohn February 25, 2019 at 10:56pm

  Many times I've posted on this site, comments such as: "I don't sell anything. I merely offer you an opportunity to acquire it, through me at great prices"... Why do I state such? Because a good salesperson does not sound like they are selling. There is a lot more to sales than many understand. The exact words (all of them) serve a purpose. Sales / marketing is necessary to this business. However sounding pushy, or using techniques that don't employ great psychology, and are obvious, are not very effective. Many have made comments on here. Whether or not other's agree with those comments is not important. What is important is the message those comments convey... people have not found this to be good marketing. If the person selling the marketing program is deemed to come off as a poor marketer, then how can the trust in his program be seen in any other light? When the salesperson comes off as appearing to do a hard sell, for the customer, resistance builds.
• 

  david emmons February 25, 2019 at 9:55pm

  Hello Mckenna,

  Wow! You have plenty of fine advice. I appreciate it all. My desire is to teach artists, craftsmen, and specialty small business owners how to succeed selling their work online. To think I am turning off anyone is certainly troublesome. I have many students enrolled in my course, and I expect to work with many more, as my love for Marketing and teaching grows more each day.

  I will be contacting you to take you up on your offer of working with me on my sales page. I appreciate your sincerity.

  As for other comments in this thread, I am hopeful Connie will find the time to do a follow-up Podcast. I have so much information to share. If you have been on my masterclass you will have noticed that I share a lot of information and it runs for more than 90 minutes. 

  If you are a student of my course, then you know that the course materials are detailed and expansive. There are over 40 hours of video (screen-flow) lessons and additional hours of bonus materials. So, can Connie and I cover 40 hours of teaching in a 50 minute Podcast....I don’t think so........however I’d love to get into some solid substance. I could talk on this topic for hours, (in fact my monthly coaching calls with my students go for a minimum of 2 hours).

  If Connie would like to dig deeper an the topic of why I believe there really is one clear path to online success, and how I have been able to use the tools and power of the Facebook platform to have fantastic online success, then I’m all in! I’ll talk for hours and reveal all that is possible in the time I’m allowed. I will also answer any questions. My cell phone number is listed on all of my emails. If you have any questions email me at dave7vt@gmail.com and in my reply will be my cell number.

  It has been my experience in life that people too often mistake passion for hype. Very few people go through life FULL-OUT. I am one of those people. 

  My students will tell you I’m extremely passionate about my course and coaching getting results in their business. I put a tremendous amount of time and effort into my teaching.

  Here are a few of their words:

  Vincent said, and I quote..."I was so close to not joining your course and I would have regretted that decision for the rest of my life, I want others to know what this course is doing for me"

   

  If you wish to see the video in Vincent's own words.

  https://player.vimeo.com/external/317265168.hd.mp4?s=c4722b5a13d5c6...

  Additional Course Testimonials; 

   

  “HI David, 

   I hope your day is off to a good start. The conference call yesterday was great. I feel really connected to the program, and it becomes real when you can actually talk to your mentor, and peers. 

  In the beginning, when I signed on, I was such a skeptic. There are a lot of false products out there, pretending to be something real. But as soon as I started implementing your strategies, the results were there.

   Right away. Amazing! I have nothing but good things to say about the program.

  It is easy to follow, you can pause, implement, and learn some more at your own pace.  I still am only 20% in, but all the things I implemented are working as promised. 

  I like the pace of the course and the information in invaluable!!! There are so many little things, that make me more adapt to the fast pace of Facebook. 

  I have been on Facebook for a good long while now, but learned about as much about it in the last 2 weeks, as I did in the last 8 or so years. 

  This is a super exciting time for me, and my husband is equally excited.

  Have a great day.” 

   ~Gea Hines

   Jeweler - Greenlawn, NY

   

   

  "I can't thank you enough. Being able to count on regular daily sales on my website has literally changed my life. I no longer worry about having to have a full schedule of shows. 

  I am now more relaxed and enjoy spending more time in my studio creating. I am so glad I invested in this course. The positive change to my business is priceless."

  - Glenda Jennings, 

  Artist, Seattle, WA

   

  “Good morning David! Just a quick note to let you know how much I appreciate your work with “step by Step” So far I’ve had a few hours to spend with it and its GREAT! worth every penny!

   I’m so excited!!! I have to do another 700 mile trip today, can’t wait to get it behind me so I can get back to your course. Make it a great day! Thanks again!”

  ~Bruce Kaiser

  Franksville,  WI

   

   "David, I could not wait another minute to send this email. As you know I'm a pet portrait painter and I do a lot of commission work, and I'm not cheap. I never thought it would be possible to land a commission job with your strategies, but I told my husband that I would give it a try anyway. Boy was I wrong! I launched one of your simpler strategies the other day and within 24 hours I have landed an $11,000 commission job and the over-nighted, cashier's check arrived in the mail today!! Woo Hoo! I will never doubt the power of what you teach again.

  Thank you for changing my future!"

  Gretchen S.

  Fort Meyers, FL

   

  "I was surprised to see how easy it was to follow the strategies you teach in this course. The very first week, I implemented just one strategy and I doubled the investment I made in this course. 

  I'm looking forward to executing them all. David, your course is changing my business. Thank you for showing me how this is done."

  - Peter Lennar, 

  Artist, Alexandria, VA

   

   Step by Step Success is a totally comprehensive Art Marketing program. All you'll ever need to promote your Art and way more than you ever realized was available!

  Zanobia Shalks

  Watercolor Artist,

  Steamboat Springs, CO

   

  "David I had to send you an email to tell you; your Facebook marketing strategies are outstanding! Lesson after lesson there are several actionable and profitable techniques to put into practice immediately. 

  I am amazed by the tons of new traffic going to my website already and I can clearly see the sky is the limit!"

  Allen Tennyson, 

  Craftsmen, Venice, FL

   

   

  “I had been struggling with Social Media Marketing for a few years. David, your course has totally changed that for me and has breathed new life into my business. I can't thank you enough."

  - Lori Bonce., 

  Artist, Charlotte, NC

   

   

  "Implementing just a few tips from the first 2 modules has transformed the way I look at social media marketing and has resulted in a 120% increase in my online sales last month alone. I'm excited about my business again. 

  I can't wait to devour this whole course. I’m looking forward to making more money with online sales than I do trudging to shows year after year. 

  This course is not a fairytale; it is a straightforward, detailed method of how to make money online with your art or craft—like it was in "the good old days" for those of you old enough to remember the heyday of craft shows. 

  Thanks, Dave. This is a life-changing adventure that I am truly excited about!"

  -Dave Wallace.

  Artisan, 

  Shelburne, Mass

   

   

  “The first thing I'd like to say at this point: I've learned a lot more about FB and the back end of a business page than I ever knew existed, and it would have taken a lot of time to gather the info on my own which may have ended up haphazard. 

  I've gained knowledge, tips, and tools in many other FB marketing facets from the course as well. It is also done in an organized way, something hard to do with so much info to convey...so, good job! 

  The course so far has been money well spent and I've recommended it to a few other vendors at my last recent shows.”

  ~Andrew Dierks

  Photographer

  Altoona, PA

   

  “HI David, 

  This is great; I really appreciate your personal involvement with the program. I am making huge strides on my FB page. I'm actually selling stuff on my website, still a little scared it will get out of hand, since all pieces are one of a kind, and once they're sold, I'm out. The amazing thing is I can't believe how well it works. I am super excited. When I launched my website on 10/15 I got 2k organic within 24 hours, so I boosted that for 7 days and wound up with 5.5k reach. Shocking does not even describe my feelings; I only had 424 fans at the time. Thank you for your time and input”. 

  ~Gea Hines

  Jeweler - Greenlawn, NY

   

   

  "I was skeptical, but I took the leap of faith and signed up at the end of October. It was the best investment in my business I could make! I have about 8 more hours left and I can review the course over and over. So much useful information! David is doing what he is teaching which reinforces this is the real deal"!

  ~Anne Gilbertson

  San Diego, CA

   

  "This amazing course is worth every penny. I started in the beginning of October, and it already made its money back and paid dividends. David is a true trailblazer and with us every step of the way"!

  ~Carla Morrow

  Madison, WI

   

   

  "All I can say is, just do it! It’s totally worth it. I was the biggest skeptic, and now I’m a total fan. David is really great, inspiration and a true mentor."

  ~Darrel Jacobs

  St. Petersburg, FL

   

  "I can't believe all this is happening so fast. But I wanted to thank David for his course and the time he has spent with me and coaching all of us. Just think 4 weeks ago I never created one video and now I'm going live on Facebook where I will be photographing a family and doing a giveaway portrait session. Ready or not it's going down. THANKS DAVID!!!"

  ~Vincent Pearson

  Cleveland, OH

   

  Well, what more can I say? 

  I will I’ll attempt to get my sales message more inline with the real life results that my course and coaching are getting.

  Peace,

  ~David Emmons

  P.S. It’s impossible to Google my name and my work or the state I live in (Vermont) without coming up with my website and Facebook page on the first page of Google.

  www.vermontnaturecreations.com

  Facebook page hangingwatergardens
• 

  Mckenna Hallett February 25, 2019 at 6:49pm

  Thanks for the nod, Connie! I just want to serve this community. Meanwhile, I think that there is some middle ground here that Dave is missing.

  Here's a breakdown: Dave has knowledge that he gathered over time and was able to make it work for him, and he now wants others to give him money in order for him to share what he worked out and has put to good use. Every artist here knows that feeling.

  Some teach workshops about their technique but don't always share their specific techniques. Others guard their methods in a lead-lined box so even Superman can't learn the secrets. And you couldn't give them enough money to open that box.

  However, when someone decides to share (and especially sell) their knowledge, it's expected that they are trustworthy and really do have something to share that is worth buying. Dave never hit that mark on his website (I couldn't find one so not sure if he has a website which is another BIG RED FLAG) He never created trust. He used a formula - I have seen it used hundreds of times online. His sales page was a very gimmicky formula that was not backed up with credible evidence. 

  In the world of FB, there is a plethora of hype and fantasy that permeates the internet. Just like the magic pill that will cure hiccups, cancer, baldness (and even make you better in the bedroom) and "wait...there's more!"

  If anyone googles "how to make sales on Facebook" millions of pages are returned and most are attached to websites that are full of bold promises. Unfortunately, Dave just mimicked the majority of them with his over-extended promises coupled with no credible testimonials.

  This approach was developed in the early days on the internet when people were more gullible (or trusting), but Dave's pitch needs deep refining. DEEP refining. 

  Connie, you likely remember when we did the podcast together? I gave away a ton of "secrets". I even shared the guts of my core system, the Five E's. I also have blog posts devoted to the subject of how to sell at art fairs that are based on my "E's of Selling Art System". I also have a bunch of REAL testimonials on the sales page for that product. I have FAQ's, I have quick tips and hints. I have a money back guarantee. And those terrific testimonials with links to real people.

  Giving away precious information is needed to gain trust. It's counter-intuitive but true. The more I give away, the more people trust that I am all about serving their needs. And, I do all of that because I know my system works and I want people to buy it. Dave "knows his system works", but because he isn't sharing any business/marketing tips at all, it feels like he's just in it for himself. 

  Further: he never really does any show and tell. An example:

  Learn the exact step-by-step process I use to generate over 4,000 new Facebook fans with a single post. (This simple process will also drive new traffic to your website every day.)

  Why not show us a screenshot from your FB page that demonstrates that having happened? Show us screenshots of campaigns that really rang the school bell! 

  I am guessing that Dave got some really bad advice somewhere. I would even venture to guess that someone was paid to help put that sales page together. That person should be fired. That page is now in marketing limbo/hell. (Again... Dave... if you're listening, I can help. icanhelp@mygoldenwords.com)

  I truly believe that you believe that you have something worthwhile, Dave. Now you just need to pull back the reins, get off that bucking bronco and re-think your strategies. I would be honored to you tame this wild horse.

  WRAP-UP: I am not saying that Dave is not trustworthy. But I am saying that Dave has not created an atmosphere that elicits trust. That ends up being tantamount to being untrustworthy.

  There are so many lessons to be learned from this whole situation. So many. But mostly, I will repeat that "he profits most, who serves best." Connie - you are a shining example of that. You just keep bringing it... we all trust your motives. We all believe you are to be trusted. We (I am pretty sure I am speaking for most everyone on this site) want you to be sustained financially for the work you do in this community. We want you to thrive and keep serving us, educating us, keeping us up to date on the goings-on.

  But - heed this - all of us, can lose our audience's trust in a flick of a poorly executed sentence or action. When anyone "SEEMS" to be in it to gain instead of to give, they become "less than" credible. Everyone should be careful about "affiliations" for money. That has poisoned a lot of "truth-saying" on the internet. An endorsement fueled by money will never "feel" real to the reader. If you aren't on board (really believe in the product or service) let the ship leave the dock and land at another port. 
• 

  Connie Mettler February 25, 2019 at 4:45pm

  Thanks for all these good comments. A few points:

  I was the moderator. I am in business here and so was my guest Dave Emmons. We are all working on earning a living. Dave should not be expected to give away all his secrets. Right? I know many of you get this. He gave many good tips and in many places he, I, and others in the comments said it was work to make this happen. He told you where else to go for you to get more information beyond his site. He listed places he used to teach himself.

  For free you can go to the FB forums, google "Facebook for Business", "how to sell on facebook" or any other search terms that will help you learn. The people making money with FB, websites, Instagram and at the art fairs well know that creating the art is only half the work. The other 50% is the marketing. We are fortunate that these social media tools are available. The deal here for me is do I want to do the work of starting from scratch or can I shortcut it by buying some mentoring? 

  I thank those who have chimed in and shared their info. Richard Sherer has great tips, McKenna Hallett does also. Cheryl Hewitt shared the Facebook link. 
• 

  Nancy Falco February 24, 2019 at 6:55am

  I am starting to think the only one making money are the people selling these courses. It's a lot of money to invest. I would like more proof.
• 

  Richard L. Sherer February 23, 2019 at 9:18pm

  I didn’t listen to the pod cast as it sounded like a sales pitch and I needed my time elsewhere in the studio. For requests about testimonials, here is how Facebook works for me. My business is divided into three sectors: new trick saddles for clients worldwide, restoration of antique saddles and gear, and leather art work (belts, gun leathers, cases, etc.). I have a Facebook business page but most of my contacts and sales come from my personal page.  Facebook messenger allows me to quote work and post pictures. Transactions are by phone or by PayPal. I have a web page, www.sherersaddlesinc.com, but I don't do sales there, just provide information for custom work.

        I post items for sale on three trick riding pages in the US and Canada. These are visited by trick riders in North America, Australia and Europe. I share pictures of trick riders using my gear and that of my competitors.  I have analyzed gear failures with new safety recommendations, and I dissected two saddles being sold online at cheap prices which were unsafe for the sport.  This established me as a source of information and a builder of safe equipment.

        Most of my work is custom. I post the status of studio work for clients and stock several times a week with photos of what is being made. A fancy fringed breast collar for a gal in NC can generate another sale from Alberta; "Can you do turquoise feathers and fringe?” Most of the trick riders are female and colors are important, so I do all sorts of colored straps: electric purple, mango orange, besides the normal earth tones, black and white. I repair and rebuild old trick saddles, some of which are antiques.  The Facebook posts about rebuilding generates more business. Whenever I see one of my gals post pictures of their performance or a clinic they are giving, I share that on Facebook. If their photo shows my work, I comment “that’s the Barb Wire and Stars saddle built for Liza Jane, and I post a picture of the saddle when it was new. New clients see the work I have done for professionals, and they have the confidence to order saddles from me for their kids who are learning. It also helps when professionals give me kudos on Facebook.

        I do the same posting of work in progress in the studio for restorations and new stuff made for clients and art shows. I post comments about “getting ready for Estes Park art show with these billfolds” etc.

        If you want to see first hand how I use Facebook, follow my page and develop you own ideas for your medium. I am “Richard L. Sherer” and my business page is “Sherer Custom Saddles, Inc.”.  From my experience, it is the personal page that generates the business for me.