 |
Marketing scene then I'm sure you've at least heard about
DesktopLightning.com by now.
A lot of people are saying really good things about the site,
but are they true?
I decided to write up an honest review of the site, covering
what I believe to be its strengths and its weaknesses, just
to clear it up once and for all...
================================================================
DesktopLightning.com - Strengths and Weaknesses
================================================================
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars (* * * * 1/2)
In A Nutshell
-------------
A catchy new viral marketing tool, capable of broadcasting
messages directly to people's desktops. Easy to use, and
caters primarily to those who have something they want to
promote and are looking for a better way to do it.
(Read on for why I didn't give it 5 stars)
1. Initial Impressions
----------------------
When I was first introduced to DesktopLightning.com, I wasn't
quite sure exactly what to think. Everyone was saying it was
going to be more powerful than e-mail marketing, but this
seemed like too bold of a claim.
I signed up anyway, since I usually give things a chance --
that's how I have found the several sites I do really trust
and rely on.
The signup process did take about 60 seconds, as advertised,
and their software program downloaded and installed in about
30 seconds. No long, tedious install processes here. If you
own downloadable software, you might want to take a look at
how quick their install process is.
Right after installing the software, it ran immediately, and
I was quickly presented with a tool to invite my friends.
Within one-click's access was my Inbox, the tool to send
broadcasts, a statistics page, and my favorite, the "Build
Your Network" page.
I'll get more into why that's my favorite page later.
2. Viral Growth
---------------
This is where the site really shines, in my opinion. The
purpose of a viral marketing site is that you should be able
to invite just a few people, and then it will start growing
on its own.
Many sites claim to work like this, but few actually work as
advertised.
I'm not sure if it's because of their unique concept or the
slick implementation, but this site is REALLY viral. Here's
some of the testimonials they got, which I think sum it up
pretty well:
"I haven't ever seen a system build a downline so
fast. I joined your program just to try something
new. Four days later I had a downline of 43 people.
This is unbelievable."
~ Harry Joseph
"I invited just a handful of people only a few days
ago and I already have 48 members on 5 levels below
me. I am going to keep promoting this, but I see it
has a life of it's own now. I couldn't stop my
network from expanding if I wanted to!"
~ David Parton
"This website is so viral - I received over 100
sign-ups and my network is already 5 levels deep in
less than 48 hours."
~ Rene Keiser
Although they obviously can't guarantee results for anyone,
the general consesus is that most people who do get those
initial few people in are experiencing results similar to
these.
I give DesktopLightning.com an A+ for spreading like wildfire.
3. Direct-To-Desktop Broadcasts
-------------------------------
So, once you have the people in your network from the direct
invitations and the viral growth, then it really gets cool.
Now is when you get to broadcast whatever message you want
directly to their desktops.
Gone are the days of sending out emails and wondering if
they were received due to spam filters and crowded inboxes.
If you upgrade to their Platinum membership, then you can even
get exact statistics on the percentage of your broadcasts that
were opened, but the Platinum membership is not the subject
of this review.
Here's how it works -- the DesktopLightning.com software is
what allows the direct-to-desktop communication to be
received. Since everyone in your network will have the
DesktopLightning.com application installed, just as you do,
this is what allows such smooth and instant communication
to occur.
Within one hour of your sending the message, everyone in your
network who is online will receive a notification on their
desktop that they can click to read your message.
Anyone who isn't online at the time will receive it when they
log on next.
I'm sure you can see why this type of communication has been
more successful than email as of late, so I won't get into
it too much here. The basic point though is that there's no
way your message can be lost, overlooked, or blocked by any
filters.
If you upgrade to their Platinum service you can do things
like embed video and sound right into the broadcast, but
again, I'll save the Platinum service for another review.
4. Building Your Network
------------------------
Most sites out there nowadays don't really help you build a
network of people below you. They just throw you a URL and
tell you to run with it.
While this works for most advanced people, it's not something
that's very easy for people who are just starting out.
DesktopLightning.com went really far this time to make sure
that everyone has a way to bring people into their network,
regardless of skill level.
When you click on the "Build Your Network" link from within
their application, you'll be presented with a surprising
number of tools to help you build your downline.
Everything from banners, to popups, to text ads, to invitation
tools, to emails to send out, etc.
Then, they continue to offer something which I haven't seen on
any Internet Marketing site yet -- they have a "Starting From
Scratch" section, designed specifically for people who have
no list and no website with traffic.
If you're in that position, then you'll love this section,
since they detail specific strategies you can use to promote
DesktopLightning.com (or anything for that matter), even if
you don't have anything to start with.
Quite a valuable resource.
5. Not For Everyone
-------------------
With all that said, the only downside to DesktopLightning.com
is that it's not for everyone.
Of course, some might see that as an upside, since it's a more
targeted opportunity.
Basically, the bottom line is that DesktopLightning.com is a
promotional tool. You need to have something you want to
promote or advertise before you can really make use of the
site.
This is all due to the fact that the basic concept is that
you build a viral network of people, and then broadcast
something to it.
But, this "something" is whatever you want, so you must
already have something you'd want to send to a lot of people.
If you don't have something yet, you could start building your
network first, and then once you get something to promote
you'll be ready to launch it immediately.
If you do have something to promote, that's when the site
really shines.
6. Conclusion
-------------
I would recommend this site to anyone who has something to
promote or advertise.
It definitely works, and your downline will grow extremely
fast if you put some energy into getting it started.
The direct-to-desktop broadcasts are a killer app in today's
online climate, where emails barely even get through anymore.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it has
nothing to offer for people who don't have anything to
promote or advertise yet.
If you want to advertise or promote something to a lot of
people in a unique and poweful way, then this site is for
you.
================================================================
At any rate, my general opinion is that since it's so quick to
set up and try, if you have something you want to promote you
might as well go check it out.
You can always remove it later if you decide you don't like it.
Here's the link where you can sign up:
http://www.DesktopLightning.com/thecatinthathat
