What’s In a Name: the Sequel
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post on the importance of knowing who you’re dealing with, when looking for health/fitness information online. I used a site I’d been directed to, www.TheBestWayToExercise.com as an example. At the time of writing, the author was not only anonymous, but actually made it a part of his sales pitch, so that “the messenger doesn’t get in the way of the message”.
Now, I’ve spent the last five years exploring wiiild-a** claims on the internet, and this site – with its grandiose-sounding and unverifiable claims – looked like a poster child for the point I was making about anonymity and credibility.
However, it’s only fair to provide an update: the author of the site, Doug Jones, has redesigned it, so that it now provides full biographical information. You can read about Doug’s background, education and experience here: http://thebestwaytoexercise-onlinepersonaltraining.com/IntroDougtion.html
Personally, I think he could use the services of a good web designer, but his credentials do, in fact, match the claims he was made on the previous version of the site. So mea maxima culpa – even I get surprised, once in a while. Kudos to Doug for deciding that transparency is the way to go, when it comes to marketing online products/services.
June 28, 2009
Hi Elissa,
While I appreciate the kudos, please realize that my “anonymous” site is still alive and well. It hasn’t been redesigned; my name and photo just aren’t posted on that specific campaign. I have found that too many people are so quick to judge and it’s sometimes best for me to stay behind the scenes, so to speak.
But as far as being transparent, I do that as well through other campaigns. I have well over a million people per week watching my fitness videos online and, trust me, I know what it’s like to be a wide-open target. I’ve heard it all… the good, bad, and the ugly (yes, all about me)… but, like it or not, what you see is what you get. 🙂
Anyway, thanks for looking out for people. Though we may have different methods, as long as we’re both helping people learn the truths about fitness and nutrition, it’s all good. I appreciate your kind words and wish you the best in all of your endeavors!!
Doug
P.S. Since your focus is so much on fat burning, perhaps your readers might find this free offer of mine interesting:
http://www.BestWayToExercise.com/burnfat
and if they have have a skeleton, how about this one:
http://www.BestWayToExercise.com/osteoporosis
June 28, 2009
Doug:
Initially, I was directed by a forum member to the URL, http://www.thebestwaytoexercise.com, and saw the anonymous pages (as did Paul). Then, two days ago, I visited the same URL and saw different pages that contained your name and biographical information.
If the original site I viewed is alive and well, then the pages are at a different URL now.
I have not changed my opinion or attitude about anonymity: all too often, it’s a dodge that individuals lacking in credibility resort to…someone who’s presumably honest shouldn’t be using techniques employed by those who aren’t. If you are still making use of this gimmick in your marketing, I’d advise you to drop it. If you are already well-known enough to command an audience, “stealth” tactics aren’t needed. Certainly the individuals I mentioned in my previous (and more lengthy) comment do not, yet are all extremely successful.
June 28, 2009
Doug,
No credible person doing business online operates under a mask of anonymity. A large part of doing business successfully online involves building a bond of trust with your audience, and that’s not something you can do when you don’t reveal who you are.
In 10 years of doing business online, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a web site like yours that was not run by complete charlatan who has absolutely no credentials to speak of. It’s your business I understand, but you’re making a mistake.
June 28, 2009
Hi (again) 🙂
I have lots of different landing pages and subdomains and split test on a regular basis. The infamous “anonymous” page is a subdomain of the above URL.
In Health,
Doug 🙂
June 29, 2009
Thanks for your concern. 🙂