Stomping The Search Engines (StomperNet) Review - Part 2
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In a hurry? Go to www.thenettle.com/-/Stomping_The_Search_Engines to see a preview (or to see the whole thing if you’re reading this after 3rd September 2008).
Usually Stompernet pre-launches are epic and laden with videos and downloads, etc. But with about 24 hours to go before the launch, things are a little muted compared to previous Stompernet events.
This is NOT an accident.
This is a CAREFULLY constructed marketing strategy.
The exact nature of the product, the price, the thing that happens after the…
OK - I’m going to tread really carefully here because Stompernet are taking the NDA, way seriously, and they don’t want too much information leaked early. The reason is because their marketing strategy, this time around, is built on the element of surprise.
They know that people have certain expectations about a Stompernet launch and tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd September ‘08, they’re hoping to pull the rug out from underneath everyone.
Putting on my often unreliable, but Jamiroquai-cool, hat of IM prediction, this is what I expect to happen:
- Those who has been seriously tempted by StomperNet in the past, but has always found the price out of reach are going to pinch themselves to check they’re not dreaming.
- Those who have, even a vague interest in StomperNet are going to find this VERY hard to resist.
- Those who have been around the block a few times and know the difference between quality IM products, and those that are all style and no substance, are going to snap this offer up with barely a second thought.
- Those who are jaded and cynical about any significant product launch will either, quietly jump onboard and hope that no-one catches them crossing over to the “dark side”,
- or they’ll stubbornly stick to the party line that all the gurus are lying, fraudulent scumbags with no sense of honour and nothing worthwhile to offer.
Ironically, the only ones who will be negatively affected by this launch, are the ones in the last category who are going to miss out on, quite possibly, the best chance they’ll ever have to learn SEO and IM from the experts on the Stompernet faculty.
OK. Hypey bit over. What can I tell you of any substance?
Well (still treading carefully) there are two parts to this package. The first is a set of two DVD-ROMs.
The first DVD-ROM contains a large archive of SEO training videos that I’m very familiar with. I know these videos well because I’ve owned a set for a long time, I paid a LOT of money for them, and I made a lot more money back as a result of applying the content.
This would be a great product to purchase by itself, but that’s just the beginning.
The second DVD-ROM contains the video series - “Stomping The Search Engines 2“.
Approximately 8-9 hours of content in StomperNet’s latest generation of video and audio quality. This means tidy, easy to follow slides, along with well written, and well delivered content. The original videos featured Brad Fallon and Andy Jenkins throughout. They return in STES2, along with an impressive team of SEO experts who each present their own specialist section.
The videos sound a lot more scripted than most IM info-products, and I mean this as a complement. Casual, conversational, video tutorials can be enjoyable and are perfectly fine, but well-scripted videos make it easier to follow the material, and it ensures that each video is DENSE with information. A video that lasts 10 minutes on STES2, would probably last 20 minutes from a teacher that uses a extemporaneous delivery.
And just because they are scripted, doesn’t mean the audio is dry and uninteresting to listen to. These speakers are passionate about their subjects, and it shows.
The videos are broken up into a series of modules that each last between 10-25 minutes. This is great for an intensive study as it provides natural breaks to pause and take stock in between lessons.
It also allows for dipping in and out of the material.
At some point over the next week, I’ve got to move a large number of URLs from one of my domains. After watching a 12 minute video by Leslie Rohde, I had learned the best way to approach this task, as well as how to avoid two key problems that could do serious damage to my SEO work.
I’m going to get a lot of enjoyment and, no doubt, a lot of valuable knowledge from taking in this new video series.
Simply put, if this was the whole deal, I would say that if you can afford the price tag when this launches tomorrow, then this is one of the best IM lessons you’ll ever have.
But that isn’t even the whole deal.
Along with DVD-ROMs is the StomperNet Journal (I’m not 100% sure if I’m allowed to give the actual name away, so I won’t just in case), containing no less than 16 in-depth articles about, not just SEO, but also various aspects of Internet Marketing.
It’s in full colour, printed on strong, glossy paper and, once again, the material is all contributed by the many members of the StomperNet faculty.
I meant to skim through the journal today, but I got stuck on the second article because it was just too flippin’ good.
I’m talking about 3000-4000 words from Dan Thies on the subject of keyword research. Normally, this is the area of SEO I find the least interesting, but it’s just a great article.
What also impressed me is that, after explaining technique and strategy in-depth, the article provides a four step guide on how to carry this strategy out - along with an accompanying screen-shot of a website so everything is made crystal clear.
And that’s just the second article… out of 16.
I have to say that I’m very appreciative to Andy Jenkins and Brad Fallon for providing me with a review copy - not just because it makes the affiliate process easier, but because it’s afforded me a quality package of videos and articles.
In all seriousness, if StomperNet contacted me tomorrow and said there had been a mistake and I had to send the package back or pay up for it - then I would pay for it. No question.
Look, you know I’m not generally one for sycophancy and that, when I write a review, I like to point out some of the negative aspects of a product to maintain some balance and objectivity.
But on this occasion it’s just incredibly hard to do.
If I really stretch myself, then I suppose I could point out that the journal has a slight crease in one of the corners from it’s transit to the UK.
And… erm… the DVD-ROMs needed some .js thingy for my browser that my PC was missing (although I tested it on two other PCs and it worked instantly).
And that’s about it.
If I’m going to comment on value for money, I have to be cautious (pesky NDA again), but without revealing what the price is going to be, I can confidently say this is superb value for money.
Stompernet have set the new benchmark for the of quality IM info-products. Again.
Click below to see the preview (or to see the whole thing if you’re reading this after 3rd September 2008).
