The Charlie Hebdo Major Mistake

The biggest news story in the world over the past week has been the Islamic Terrorist attacks and mass murders in Paris, France, in response to a cartoon published by the satirical French newspaper, Charlie Hebdo.

The magazine’s publisher and staff made a courageous decision to public this week’s edition, despite the tragedy that struck their business last week.

It was also a very smart business decision, because awareness of the magazine has never been anywhere near as universal as it is right now, and the demand is expected to be the strongest they will ever experience.

The publishers made another very smart decision to tie the publication of this issue to a charitable cause, announcing that the proceeds from this issue’s sales would go to support the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks.

Demand was also greatly increased because it is believed that people in France – and all around the world – will feel compelled to show their support for the magazine and their commitment to fighting the War On Islamic Terror by purchasing this week’s issue.

To meet this increased demand, the usual print run of 60,000 was increased to a reported 5,000,000 copies.

However, the publishers missed a HUGE opportunity by making one critical mistake that almost all business owners make:

They failed to increase the price of this week’s issue.

Of course, we’ll never know what would have happened had this week’s edition of Charlie Hebdo been made available at two, three, four or even more times its normal price.

But my educated guess, based on over 30 years of building multi-million dollar business of my own and helping hundreds of business owners do the same, is that they would easily have multiplied their gross sales and net revenue by several times – without having to print a single extra copy.

In other words, I predict that all 5 million copies will sell out almost instantly, wherever they are sold, likely with millions of would-be buyers left frustrated by missing out on purchasing their own copies.

I also believe that all 5 million copies would have sold for at least five times the regular price of the magazine – or at least half that many copies would have sold for that increased price, which of course would have meant much higher sales despite much lower printing and distribution costs – for a tremendously increased net profit.

Even without making the smart decision to increase this issue’s price, Charlie Hebdo will undoubtedly experience by far its largest sales – in terms of both the sheer number of copies and in gross revenue.

And again, they are to be commended for their focus, courage and dedication to publish an issue in the wake of last week’s shocking terrorist murders of some of their key staff members.

However: Their failure to implement a smart pricing strategy will end up costing them untold tens of millions of dollars in lost potential revenue.

My prediction is that, similar to “scalpers” of sporting event and concert tickets, some enterprising purchasers of this week’s record-breaking issue will seek to re-sell their issues – possibly on internet auction websites – for many times the regular price that they paid.

What a shame that the publishers themselves – and the families of the Islamic Terror attacks – will miss out on all of that potential revenue.

What about YOUR business?

Are YOU using the right pricing strategies to maximize YOUR revenue and profits?

Or are you leaving a ton of potential money on the table that should be in your bank account, if you just knew the right way to price your products or services?

If you want help figuring out this complex issue of the ideal pricing structure for your products or services, I want to make you this offer for help:

For reading to the end of this post, I want to offer you the opportunity for a free 1-on-1 Strategy Session with me.

You can use it for us to discuss your pricing strategy, or any other advertising, marketing or sales issue you want help with in your business.

It’s completely free, and there’s no obligation, no catch or no silliness with it. And no, it’s certainly not a sales call in disguise.

It’s the opportunity for us to discuss where you’re at, and whether we ever choose to work together or not, I know you’ll get tremendous value from us talking.

Much of the feedback I’ve gotten from people who I have these conversations with is it’s probably the most insightful hour they’ve had in their business in a long time. And no doubt it’s going to be the same for you.

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Just go to www.HelpFromSteve.com and let me know some details. Give me as much information as you can.

I’ll take a look at that and then either myself or my assistant Cherie will reach out to you with a time that works for us to have a conversation. We’ll speak on the phone for about 45 to 60 minutes, and I’ll help you map out your precise plan to profit.

We can even have you set up on this Strategy Session and ready to go by the end of this week, so you can start off 2015 on the right track and be on your way to having a fantastic year as soon as possible.

I highly recommend you go to www.HelpFromSteve.com now and give me some details.

We’ll get in contact, and we’ll have one of the best hours you spend on your business that you’ve had, maybe even since you started your business.

I’m looking forward to helping you out, and helping you figure out how to take full advantage of every opportunity you have to maximize your revenue and profits – and to do it without you ever having to go through a major international tragedy to get attention and increase demand for your product or service.