Joint-Venture Evaluation

For me to recommend something, it has to pass through a very strict 14-point checklist. The list makes sure that all the products I promote are of the highest value and a total fit for my audience. If I will promote content that it is not mine, I’ll make sure that it is of the highest quality.

If you care to take a look, here it is:

1. Product - Is the product of outstanding quality? Is it best in class? Is there another product on the same topic I’d feel better about recommending?

2. Author/Publisher – Honest? Has integrity? Has reputation for quality? Does the name carry weight? What does a Google search on “author-name scam” turn up? Would it help/hurt Inspiration Palace to be associated with this author/publisher?

3. The Four H’s – Does the product touch the head (logic, intelligence)? Does it touch to the heart (emotional appeal)? Is it hard hitting (strong and impactful)? Is it heavy duty (significant and meaningful)?

4. Personal Results – If I used the product, did it benefit me? Are those benefits temporary or permanent? Will I remember this product a year from now? Will the benefits of this product still be with me a year from now?

5. Content – Is the material original, compelling, and profound? Does it provide serious value? Does it cause you to say “Wow”?

6. Presentation – How good is the production quality? For books is the content well organized and free of errors? For audio/video is the delivery interesting, varied, and even humorous, or will it put people to sleep?

7. Offer - Special discount or bonus for my visitors? Will they be getting an irresistible deal? Is the pricing reasonable for them?

8. Audience fit – Will this product have strong appeal to an audience that’s mostly under age 30 and very Internet savvy? Does it appeal to a global audience?

9. Longevity – How long can we do this promotion? Is this a one-shot, short-term deal? Is there a potential for a long-term relationship?

10. Branding - Does this product fit Inspiration Palace’s branding? Or is this a “for Dummies” product?

11. Purpose - Does this product align with Inspiration Palace’s purpose (to inspire you to live the life you want to)? Is this product making a positive contribution to people’s lives?

12. Risk/Reward – How much effort will it take to make this deal happen? Does the profit margin allow all parties to make this a financial win? Has the product been selling well? Does the publisher require a lot of hand-holding? Have they done JV deals before? If so, how did those work out?

13. Intuition – Does this promotion feel intuitively right?

14. Competition – What’s the competition for this product? Are free or low-cost substitutes readily available? Does the product provide enough value to make it a strong choice among the alternatives?

At least 90% of the stuff I evaluate doesn’t pass my checklist. Those are the products you never hear me mention.

In addition to this, I filter stuff before even talking a look at them if they don’t follow criterions which include questions like, “Do they offer an unconditional money-back guarantee?” and “Do they pay on time?” and “What kind of customer service do they provide?” This is why I promote so few products. If I didn’t care about quality, I could easily promote something new every week.