exactly, weve talked to a couple people. And i think were gonna go a different direction.
If a company doesnt want to do a performance based contact, then i dont think they believe in their own skills
Anyone ever hear of Astonish Results? (SEM Company that does insurance)
- Thread starter gdubs12345
- Start date
exactly, weve talked to a couple people. And i think were gonna go a different direction.
If a company doesnt want to do a performance based contact, then i dont think they believe in their own skills
Well, to add some treal content nolz:
I'm going to assume securityfirstinsurance dot net is your website. Even if its not yours, lets going on.
Low count backlinks with shitty anchor text ? check
Shitload of website on the same IP, all related to the same niche (insurance)? check
Link building scheme retarded + footer links all linking to the same website (astonishresults) for special'ED SEO ? check
All website on this ip (209.208.71.198) having the same template/footprint for maximum spam effect? check
I can go on, but you see the point.
Verdict: Astonish Results is full of shit, a shitty service, & even if you're not one of them, you're still a retard for endorsing this crappy agency.
Stop polluting my interweb kthx.
I'm going to assume securityfirstinsurance dot net is your website. Even if its not yours, lets going on.
Low count backlinks with shitty anchor text ? check
Shitload of website on the same IP, all related to the same niche (insurance)? check
Link building scheme retarded + footer links all linking to the same website (astonishresults) for special'ED SEO ? check
All website on this ip (209.208.71.198) having the same template/footprint for maximum spam effect? check
I can go on, but you see the point.
Verdict: Astonish Results is full of shit, a shitty service, & even if you're not one of them, you're still a retard for endorsing this crappy agency.
Stop polluting my interweb kthx.
Insurance SEO
Adam DeGraide (of Astonish) is marketing towards the insurance vets as dinosaurs because that's the stereotype they seem to find themselves in. And if you're looking at it from their perspective, this whole wave of technology-driven marketing is zooming by without them on it. I actually kinda liked that video. I can see how it almost may come across as manipulative, but that's what sales is about, isn't it? Putting a potential buyer in a perspective where they NEED your product. But the insurance agents I've met and worked with (mostly freelance tech-work around my college campus) could reap enormous benefits from any sort of tech-education, including their marketing side.
So let's assume for a moment that Nolz28 IS one of those dinosaurs, wobbling about without a clue as to reaching people through the social media channels. He's trying to hop on a wagon at least, y'know? No reason to shoot the messenger. Let's aim more towards educating.
I'm a blogger and SEO kid myself, went to college for music, and I'm striking out to see what SMM has for the average writer. I'm still learning the ropes, so the statistics of what Astonish does or doesn't deliver may still be a little over my head, regarding footprints, anchor text, etc.
Dieze: The problems you listed, how can we fix them for our own websites or blogs? Can you tell me a little more about them? I'm interested in what you have to say on optimization. You seem to have a lot to offer. And who knows, if enough insurance agents get the real information you think they need, that Astonish supposedly DOESN'T have, then they won't need Astonish anymore, right? But on the flipside, if an agent can take your advice up the ladder to the bigwigs in similar SEO marketing companies, maybe they can change their strategies and improve a bit.
So I guess I just wanna know what can be done for a blog or website to reduce the 'black hat' (am I using that right) impression it may leave on an individual such as yourself.
Adam DeGraide (of Astonish) is marketing towards the insurance vets as dinosaurs because that's the stereotype they seem to find themselves in. And if you're looking at it from their perspective, this whole wave of technology-driven marketing is zooming by without them on it. I actually kinda liked that video. I can see how it almost may come across as manipulative, but that's what sales is about, isn't it? Putting a potential buyer in a perspective where they NEED your product. But the insurance agents I've met and worked with (mostly freelance tech-work around my college campus) could reap enormous benefits from any sort of tech-education, including their marketing side.
So let's assume for a moment that Nolz28 IS one of those dinosaurs, wobbling about without a clue as to reaching people through the social media channels. He's trying to hop on a wagon at least, y'know? No reason to shoot the messenger. Let's aim more towards educating.
I'm a blogger and SEO kid myself, went to college for music, and I'm striking out to see what SMM has for the average writer. I'm still learning the ropes, so the statistics of what Astonish does or doesn't deliver may still be a little over my head, regarding footprints, anchor text, etc.
Dieze: The problems you listed, how can we fix them for our own websites or blogs? Can you tell me a little more about them? I'm interested in what you have to say on optimization. You seem to have a lot to offer. And who knows, if enough insurance agents get the real information you think they need, that Astonish supposedly DOESN'T have, then they won't need Astonish anymore, right? But on the flipside, if an agent can take your advice up the ladder to the bigwigs in similar SEO marketing companies, maybe they can change their strategies and improve a bit.
So I guess I just wanna know what can be done for a blog or website to reduce the 'black hat' (am I using that right) impression it may leave on an individual such as yourself.
First, I never heard of Astonish Results before this thread, but after 10 mins of research about them, you can find that Astonish Results scam :
All the websites about insurance they are selling/SEO'ing are almost 100% the same, only the color scheme & some GFX change.
ex:
milestonepromise dot com
choice-insurance dot com
securityfirstinsurance dot net
nadlerinsurance dot com
Basically, they are selling the same 'package' over & over again.
The onsite SEO is terrible, I don't have time to explain more, but it seems its done by a retard.
The offsite SEO is terrible too, anchor text for backlinks crappy, put on links farm, or on some of their list directory, near all their other client backlinks (rofl).
They are hosting a TON of website on a single server, but I bet Astonish Results scammer are charging full price per website for 'dedicated hosting'. Even if they don't, it still crappy for maintenance, traffic & SEO.
There is many more flaws to point, but it's not my job to out them.
& @Black hat impression, no. The only impression Astonish Results is giving is 'Wow, what a crappy job, this company must be funded by some digitalpoint users'.
I have to give them a benefit, they sure seem to know how to sell their shitty services, I have to admit that, seeing all the customers they have.
Anyway, this was my Astonish Results review.
Holla at p.nis for more SEO consulting, who review like this ?
ps: I'm not English native, so fuck yall for typo/spelling.
All the websites about insurance they are selling/SEO'ing are almost 100% the same, only the color scheme & some GFX change.
ex:
milestonepromise dot com
choice-insurance dot com
securityfirstinsurance dot net
nadlerinsurance dot com
Basically, they are selling the same 'package' over & over again.
The onsite SEO is terrible, I don't have time to explain more, but it seems its done by a retard.
The offsite SEO is terrible too, anchor text for backlinks crappy, put on links farm, or on some of their list directory, near all their other client backlinks (rofl).
They are hosting a TON of website on a single server, but I bet Astonish Results scammer are charging full price per website for 'dedicated hosting'. Even if they don't, it still crappy for maintenance, traffic & SEO.
There is many more flaws to point, but it's not my job to out them.
& @Black hat impression, no. The only impression Astonish Results is giving is 'Wow, what a crappy job, this company must be funded by some digitalpoint users'.
I have to give them a benefit, they sure seem to know how to sell their shitty services, I have to admit that, seeing all the customers they have.
Anyway, this was my Astonish Results review.
Holla at p.nis for more SEO consulting, who review like this ?
ps: I'm not English native, so fuck yall for typo/spelling.
BINGO.
Why do you think all hotshot TV-interviews-n-shit SEO firms always have an incredible slew of real estate/insurance/healthcare clients on their front page?
Marketing to those dinosaurs is huge money, fairly low stress and you can kill them in contracts (resembling rebills(!)) because there's probably 3 management layers between the person wiring your fee and the person that's supposed to figure out your contract.
They have the same shit in my country and it's ridiculous. These 20somethings with archaic lastnames come with slick hairdos and 1-2 prestige degrees. Present themselves as Jesus reincarnated as a digital marketer and for sure; 'your company will collapse next week if you don't sign us right now!'
Meanwhile their strategies comes about as close as you'd get paying Rajinder $500/month on DP.
In F500 corporate life, I understand these kind of people present several additional values which makes them attractive.... but as one of those whizzkid marketers myself, it's class-a comedy ^^
Cookie Cutter Pages
Alright, I've been reading me some articles on Astonish in Rough Notes mag.
From what I can tell, Astonish has a couple 'golden child' -slash- 'poster boy' agents that they use as examples of their product. I've been in quick contact with some of their other clients, and I think the cookie cutter front page of most of these sites is a result of an agent's "Hey, his looks awesome, I want mine just like that" mentality. In Rough Notes, two or three agents in particular seem to come up with the most unique sitemap, and the rest have very similar sites.
Astonish is also taking an active role in pushing an insurance agent to have their own blogger and whatnot, something I'm looking into with interest.
Take, for instance, our securityfirstinsurance dot net. Their blog, securityfirstinsuranceblog dot com, is an in-house job. Astonish Results seems to be pushing not for stand-offish SEO work, but working with the agent to change the way the agent does his business, too. Maybe that's where the hefty contract fee comes in?
Thoughts?
Alright, I've been reading me some articles on Astonish in Rough Notes mag.
From what I can tell, Astonish has a couple 'golden child' -slash- 'poster boy' agents that they use as examples of their product. I've been in quick contact with some of their other clients, and I think the cookie cutter front page of most of these sites is a result of an agent's "Hey, his looks awesome, I want mine just like that" mentality. In Rough Notes, two or three agents in particular seem to come up with the most unique sitemap, and the rest have very similar sites.
Astonish is also taking an active role in pushing an insurance agent to have their own blogger and whatnot, something I'm looking into with interest.
Take, for instance, our securityfirstinsurance dot net. Their blog, securityfirstinsuranceblog dot com, is an in-house job. Astonish Results seems to be pushing not for stand-offish SEO work, but working with the agent to change the way the agent does his business, too. Maybe that's where the hefty contract fee comes in?
Thoughts?
Can you elaborate on anchor text, links farms, etc? I don't understand what you're discussing here.
Someone could do this much cheaper, much better and compete with them.
That is my thought.
Dieze, nice to see you seem to know something about this topic. For all the negative comments about shitty backlinks, etc...you can't argue with success. Maybe they could be better. I will leave that for all of you to argue. I have very minimal experience and knowledge with SEO. All I know is something you have no retort for and that is, what they have done has worked very well for me.
I have noticed at least down here in Miami business are VERY money hungry during these bad economy. I guess since business sis slow, once they get a customer through the door they want to make sure they are bone dried.
THis happened to me last week. My wife calls me that there is a warning light in the Audi and she is going to the mechanic. She said it was the coolant warning light. I said fine, we dont want the engine to blow up.
10 minutes later I get a phone call from the mechanic dude telling me it was the water pump and that it needs to be replaced right now! Price? $998.
That number was a red flag for me.... too close to 1000 but not it...marketing tactic.
I tell him to not do anything . I am taking to another place. He says fine. 5 minutes later he calls me back telling me he wants my business, that he understands the recession is affecting people blahblab... ok, he offers now $750. More red flags go in my mind. IF he is going that low that means only one thing. He is making a huge profit at that number as well.
I check with another mechanic and he quotes me $400 for the water pump. I call the ahole and tell him. He says he will match it! lol.. ah ha!.. I think something is not right.
I agree but tell him not to start until I get there. When I show up the guy was shaking like a leaf...explaining some BS about how Audis A4s have bad water pumps.... hmm ok.
At that point, on a hunch I call the wife and asked her to describe IN DETAIL the light she saw. She said it was a little boat on the ocean. lol.... Checking the car manual
I finally see what the real problem was... low oil level.
and that's the freaking light the fucker saw from the beginning. I tell him to get the car down and that he is a fing idiot.
Moral of the story. Don't sign shit. Businesses are trying to scam people everywhere and that contract is BS
THis happened to me last week. My wife calls me that there is a warning light in the Audi and she is going to the mechanic. She said it was the coolant warning light. I said fine, we dont want the engine to blow up.
10 minutes later I get a phone call from the mechanic dude telling me it was the water pump and that it needs to be replaced right now! Price? $998.
That number was a red flag for me.... too close to 1000 but not it...marketing tactic.
I tell him to not do anything . I am taking to another place. He says fine. 5 minutes later he calls me back telling me he wants my business, that he understands the recession is affecting people blahblab... ok, he offers now $750. More red flags go in my mind. IF he is going that low that means only one thing. He is making a huge profit at that number as well.
I check with another mechanic and he quotes me $400 for the water pump. I call the ahole and tell him. He says he will match it! lol.. ah ha!.. I think something is not right.
I agree but tell him not to start until I get there. When I show up the guy was shaking like a leaf...explaining some BS about how Audis A4s have bad water pumps.... hmm ok.
At that point, on a hunch I call the wife and asked her to describe IN DETAIL the light she saw. She said it was a little boat on the ocean. lol.... Checking the car manual
I finally see what the real problem was... low oil level.
and that's the freaking light the fucker saw from the beginning. I tell him to get the car down and that he is a fing idiot.
Moral of the story. Don't sign shit. Businesses are trying to scam people everywhere and that contract is BS
Haha, owned.
Same thing happened to me a few months ago. My jet-ski was in getting fixed and I told the guy just to winterize it too since it was nearing September - he quotes me $300 to fucking winterize it.
I winterized it last year and all you do is remove the battery, spray fogging oil, etc. Not rocket science. He tells me there's a new technique he uses to "ensure" that nothing goes wrong over "our long, and hard Canadian winters".
I'm storing it in my fucking heated garage not out on top of a mountain.
Anyway I just decided to fill up the gas tank with some acai berries. Should do the trick.
Obviously 100K quote is pure BS. I don't know what calculations they used to come up with this price. Maybe it was like, yeah insurance is so hot, you sir have to pay minimum of 6 figs.
There are hundreds of ways to better spend this money. Throwing it out is the easy part, evaluating the options is essential.
There are hundreds of ways to better spend this money. Throwing it out is the easy part, evaluating the options is essential.
Astonish users beware
I bought this system on 11/18/08. As of today we cannot count the number of real leads the system. More of our own customers seem to be using it than real NEW leads brought in. To date the count is 2. It is extremely over priced, we think it also has resulted in our agency being placed on a SPAM list.
The costs involved are huge. If you were to replicate the whole system you could probably do it for half a penny on the dollar.
My advice is stay away.
I bought this system on 11/18/08. As of today we cannot count the number of real leads the system. More of our own customers seem to be using it than real NEW leads brought in. To date the count is 2. It is extremely over priced, we think it also has resulted in our agency being placed on a SPAM list.
The costs involved are huge. If you were to replicate the whole system you could probably do it for half a penny on the dollar.
My advice is stay away.
100K could be easily broken down and used to pay a good number of folks on here for anything between web development, design, SEM/SEO, and optimization. And it would most likely return far more than Astonish.
Eh, more than SEO
Admittedly, after talking to some cats that DO use Astonish, they seem to handle much more than just SEO and web development. Right now I'm sitting a webinar they're running discussing their quasi-client management system, which seems to be a pretty enormous marketing tool to be used. Their lead generation is fairly dependent on the amount of effort that one puts into it, but I guess any relationship is like that?
Admittedly, after talking to some cats that DO use Astonish, they seem to handle much more than just SEO and web development. Right now I'm sitting a webinar they're running discussing their quasi-client management system, which seems to be a pretty enormous marketing tool to be used. Their lead generation is fairly dependent on the amount of effort that one puts into it, but I guess any relationship is like that?