Sabri Suby’s Sell Like Crazy Review: Sales & Marketing With Paid Ads (Strategies & Alternatives)

What are Sell Like Crazy Pros & Cons?

What is Sell Like Crazy?

Sell Like Crazy is a book written by Sabri Suby, founder of Australia’s fastest-growing King Kong agency, on digital marketing that outlines an eight-phase system designed to attract, convert, and retain customers at scale. The book introduces strategies such as the “Godfather Offer”, Conversion Asset Creation, The Dream Buyer Persona, and the “Viral Sales Funnel” method. Each is crafted to maximize lead generation and skyrocket sales performance. Suby’s framework emphasizes crafting irresistible offers, building automated funnels, and leveraging paid traffic from Google and Facebook Ads to dominate any market. It’s a playbook for entrepreneurs seeking predictable, high-converting marketing systems.

How Does Sell Like Crazy Work?

Sell Like Crazy works by implementing Sabri Suby’s 5 major concepts:

1. How to target customers
2. Overcoming their reservations or objections (The Halo Technique)
3. Build trust with real value and expertise (HVCO & The Magic Lantern)
4. Make an offer that your customer would be insane to refuse (The Godfather Offer)
5. How to close the deal (hint - it’s not about you or your product/services)

In addition, you’ll learn the exact process Sabri uses to put all this into action.

Unless you’re already overflowing with sales, there’s going to be ideas you can take from Sell Like Crazy that will improve your business.

Who is Sell Like Crazy for?

Sell Like Crazy is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and marketers who want to attract more leads, close more sales, and scale their revenue using proven digital marketing strategies. It’s ideal for anyone, from startups to established companies, seeking a practical, step-by-step system to generate predictable growth through paid traffic and conversion-focused funnels.

Sell Like Crazy pushes paid ads to get traffic and then nudge prospects along the buying cycle. Personally, I prefer using SEO for (free) traffic and a lot less hassle. Still, I can see exactly how to implement Suby’s strategy with SEO too.

Is Sell Like Crazy Really Free?

Sell Like Crazy is free, but you need to to pay for shipping and handling. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get the book. Digging into the material, you start to understand the bigger picture behind Suby’s ‘free book’ offer.

True to his own marketing advice, he’s capturing those prized email addresses and moving people along his sales funnel. Just go in with your eyes open, knowing you’ll get hijacked with emails and offers. There are complaints about this but seriously, anytime something is free – you are the product.

Then again, you can just buy your own copy (while staying off Suby’s email list). Notably, there’s lots of positive reviews from readers who get the bigger picture.

How is Sell Like Crazy Different From Other Marketing Books?

Sell Like Crazy is different from other marketing books because it delivers a proven, step-by-step system based on real-world agency results rather than theory. Sabri Suby focuses on actionable strategies like crafting irresistible offers, building automated funnels, and leveraging paid ads—helping businesses generate predictable, high-quality leads and rapid sales growth.

If you’ve seen any of Sabri’s videos, you know this guy is high energy and colorful language. However, that’s not the only thing that sets this apart from the mountains of books on marketing. Suby’s taken key concepts from the copywriting masters, combined it with a tried and tested marketing process while keeping it a fast-paced and entertaining read. Plus, he has a proven track record with his own King Kong agency.

My 7 Genius Takeaways From Sell Like Crazy

1. Evaluate How You’re Using Your Time

I know, this doesn’t sound like sales but stay with me here. The 80/20 principle might not be new to you but it’s still worth analyzing exactly how you’re spending your time. “In business, the little stuff kills the big stuff.” Suby makes the case that the #1 priority of every business owner to sell and bring money into the company.

How much time do you spend every day on revenue-generating activities?

Sabri is going to shake up most people’s thinking and probably bruise some egos in the process.

Some of the exercises he shares are going to be a huge wake up call for anyone who’s never really questioned how they are putting their time to use. Suby claims that just 4% of your activities will produce 64% of your revenue. The key is identifying those activities - make them your focus. “So what are your top 4 % revenue -producing activities?” Next, find a way to delegate or outsource the rest.

2. The Larger Market Formula

Okay, this section is a game-changer. The mistake most people make is treating every prospect like they are in that top 3% and ready to buy. We don’t have different strategies to meet the prospect where they’re at. That’s like asking someone to marry you on the first date…they’re probably going to go running for the hills. Suby breaks down how to manage each group.

Including the very steps you need to use so you’re in prime position when they’re ready to buy.

3. Get To Know Your Dream Buyer

Another common mistake is to try to ‘sell’ your product, service, company or even yourself. Sabri cuts to the chase here: The customer doesn’t give a crap about any of that. They only care about what’s in it for them and how it solves their most pressing problems.

“Enter the conversation already taking place in the customer’s mind” - Robert Collier

What’s the solution: Do your homework on the front end and really get to know your dream customer.

Start with these burning questions:

• What are their most pressing problems?
• What are their goals and dreams?
• What are their biggest pain points?
• What kind of language do they use?
• Where do they ‘hang out’?

Then you can ask specific questions that lead them to selling you on why they should become your next customer. And one of the biggest takeaways from this chapter? Ask your question and then shut up. More listening & less talking.

Start thinking of yourself as a doctor who has to figure precisely what’s wrong before you can prescribe the solution for your patient.

4. You Need a System for Capturing Leads & Nurturing Them

There is only so many hours in the day.

Trying to sell prospects one-by-one makes it impossible to build your business.

Instead, the key to scaling is having a system with as much automation as possible.

Suby walks you through every step - from capturing emails to choosing the best email marketing platform. Now, there’s a lot of work involved upfront to get this system in place but the payoff is worth it. Do it right and the outcome should be a calendar full of hungry appointments salivating to say yes to your Godfather offer.

5. The Anatomy of a High-Converting Email

Suby sees the majority of businesses get this completely wrong. Remember, the main purpose of the email is just to get the reader to take the next step - not to sell anything.

The keys to a successful email are:

• Grabbing their attention
• It’s appearance (and that’s not what you think it means)
• Your tone
• Don’t be selling
• Be direct in what action you want them to take next

If you haven’t tried email marketing or have been floundering at it, this section will be a game-changer.

6. You Need To Create Intrigue

With so much noise and the constant bombardment from advertisers and social media, you have a split-second to attract and keep someone’s attention. Sabri is the master at click-bait headlines that reel you in for more.

Much to his credit, Suby reveals some of his go-to strategies that spur his creative juices for those eye-catching headlines. There are key elements here from the copywriting geniuses that still hold as true today as they did years ago. Human’s really haven’t changed much over the years -we still have the same needs and wants.

7. The Need To Consistently Take Action

Suby is quick to point out his work ethic has been a big factor in his success. It’s all about consistent action to move your business in the right direction. When you do that, it builds momentum and things start to fall into place. But it’s not enough to just be busy:

“You have to work hard at what gets results”

I know, that’s easier said than done. Being a successful entrepreneur is like being an athlete. You have to be willing to push yourself and do what’s needed, even when you really don’t feel like doing it. Suby’s talk about his “Kill the Little Bitch Inside” hack.

Meaning, the weak voice inside that wants to hold us back and thinks it’s keeping us safe. Yet it’s essential to ignore this and do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your business growth. “Nothing in life comes without hard work. Nothing is given to you. You don’t get what you ‘deserve’. You get what you push, shove, scratch, and work your ass off for” Suby concludes the book by recommending you make a list of what you need to do within the next 30 days and attack it.

Who is Sabri Suby?

Sabri Suby is an Australian entrepreneur, author, and digital marketing expert best known as the founder and CEO of King Kong, one of Australia’s fastest-growing digital agencies. Recognized for his data-driven approach to marketing and sales, Suby has helped thousands of businesses scale through performance-based digital strategies. He is also the author of the international bestseller Sell Like Crazy, where he shares his proven eight-step system for generating leads and converting them into customers. With a reputation for results-focused marketing, Sabri Suby has become a leading authority in online advertising, business growth, and high-conversion sales funnels.

From cold-calling zero to billion-dollar sales hero. Sabri Suby has spent his time in the (sales) school of hard knocks.

But once he got this system in place, it really took off and has been expanding ever since. Admittedly, his outrageous approach will make many traditional marketers feel anxious. On the flipside, it’s worth remembering: There are a millions of marketers and they all sound the same - why should someone listen to you? With all the cookie-cutter ideas and constant noise clogging up the marketplace, you have to find a way to standout. In other words, giving people the reason to pay attention to your message.

Why is Sabri Suby Giving Away All His Tactics?

Sabri Suby is giving away all his tactics because he said he was bombarded with requests for advice and killer strategies. But the majority simply can’t afford to hire his services at King Kong. The easiest and most cost-effective option was this book. TBH, once you read the book, you realize it’s also a genius HVCO method.

“The information you’re giving away on your opt-in page must be so good that it leaves your prospects saying, ‘If they’re giving away such valuable content for free, imagine what their paid products and services are like!” Especially, the free give away in return for an email address. Even so, there’s a ton of value here so you can’t knock the guy for implementing the very strategies he’s recommending.

What is HVCO?

HVCO or High-Value Conversion Offer is a marketing concept from Sell Like Crazy that focuses on creating an irresistible offer so compelling it becomes impossible for your ideal customers to ignore. The HVCO goes beyond discounts or freebies. It’s about delivering massive perceived value, solving a major pain point, and positioning your product or service as the only logical choice. By combining scarcity, social proof, and clear transformation, Suby’s HVCO strategy turns cold prospects into eager buyers, forming the foundation for profitable ad campaigns and scalable sales funnels in his eight-phase marketing system.

The tactic is giving away something of genuine value for free in exchange for their email address. “HVCOs come in multiple forms – free reports, ebooks, videos, cheat sheets – but the goal is always the same: to offer your prospects incredible value, typically in the form of the solution to a problem they’re struggling with, without asking them to purchase anything in return” It’s also a clever way to demo your expertise to prospective clients and start building a relationship.

What is the Godfather Offer?

The Godfather Offer is a marketing strategy centered on crafting an offer so irresistible that your audience “can’t refuse it.” Inspired by The Godfather film, it focuses on maximizing perceived value while minimizing risk for the customer. This offer stacks irresistible bonuses, guarantees, and urgency triggers to make saying “yes” the easiest and most logical choice. Rather than competing on price, the Godfather Offer reframes your product or service as a high-value solution that dominates the market by directly appealing to your audience’s deepest desires and motivations.

On the flip side, the pressure to deliver on it should make you sweat and force you out of your comfort zone. The logic here is to make closing the deal easy.

What’s the Halo Technique?

The Halo Technique is about getting to know the intimate details behind your prospects thinking.

• What keeps them up and night and stressing?
• What are their biggest fears?
• What’s the lingo used in their trade that makes them feel comfortable that you understand their business?

Suby admits this is a lot of work. But it’s an essential step.

What’s the Magic Lantern Strategy?

The Magic Lantern Strategy is the process of walking your prospect along the steps from being unaware (cold) to wanting your product or service and trusting you (hot).

Suby paints a great visual here with your prospect being in the dark and you’re guiding them down the path, lighting the way with your magic lantern as they follow you. You do this by providing high value free content via your funnel that moves your prospect forward in their business. Admittedly, not everyone on the path will choose to do business with you. But Suby swears this strategy will yield results when the focus is on helping people rather than on money.

How To Implement Sabri Suby’s System

To implement Sabri Suby’s system, you need:

• A means to get traffic (paid ads, SEO)
• Your HVCO
• A landing page for email sign ups
• An email platform
• To develop your funnel sequence (aka Magic Lantern)
• Your irresistible offer (aka Godfather offer)

While Suby offers guidance on how to develop these things, there is still going to be a fair amount of work required on your part to figure out the details and how it applies to your business. That said, anything worth having requires considerable effort.

Why I Stopped Doing Paid Ads

I stopped doing paid ads because of the drastic increase in PPC costs. What he doesn’t mention here is how you’re handing over control of your revenue to these organizations who have just 1 purpose. To make as much profit for themselves as possible. Fall foul of their irrational algorithm and your account is slammed shut instantly.

I used to love using paid ads on Facebook and Google! They were cheap and easy to manage. Oh, how times have changed.

At the end of the day, it’s just way too risky to rely on these greedy companies as your main source of generating income and traffic. That’s why I knew local lead generation was a game-changer. I was able to pivot to free traffic via SEO – and it’s not hard to rank #1 on Google if you know the secret strategies. My income keeps growing and no one can shut me down or stamp out my traffic. If you’re relying on paid ads, you’d better have a plan B lined up because it’s only a matter of time before you’re priced out or something goes horribly wrong.

What are Some Sales & Marketing Courses That Use Paid Ads?

• Local Marketing Vault by James Bonadies & Jason McKim teaches students how to generate leads for local businesses using Facebook and Google Ads. It provides ready-to-use ad templates, automation systems, and client acquisition strategies. Students learn how to set up, manage, and scale ad campaigns to deliver high-quality leads to local clients, making it ideal for anyone looking to build a digital marketing agency or side business around paid traffic.
• Paid Traffic Mastery by Kasim Aslam dives deep into Google Ads, YouTube Ads, and meta advertising systems. It emphasizes data-driven campaign optimization, helping marketers understand audience targeting, budget allocation, and performance tracking. The course is designed for marketers who already understand the basics and want to scale campaigns profitably through advanced strategies and conversion optimization.
• FB Ads Course by Rudy Mawer focuses on mastering Facebook and Instagram Ads to boost sales and brand growth. It covers everything from creative ad design and audience segmentation to retargeting campaigns and analytics. Rudy also integrates insights on funnel building and scaling, making it a practical guide for eCommerce owners and personal brands looking to maximize ROI from paid social ads.

Final Verdict: Is Buying Sell Like Crazy Worth the Money?

Buying Sell Like Crazy is worth the money for entrepreneurs and marketers who already have experience running ad campaigns and want to scale using paid traffic systems. Sabri Suby’s eight-phase framework, including the “Godfather Offer” and “Magic Lantern” strategy, gives clear, actionable steps for generating leads and closing sales. The book excels at simplifying complex marketing ideas, making it a solid guide for those with sales funnels, ad budgets, and operational structures already in place.

If you’re currently spending $2,000–$5,000/month on ads and can actively test creatives, manage leads, and optimize funnels, then yes, this system can work well for you. However, for beginners or those seeking low-maintenance income models, the need for ongoing ad spend, testing, and funnel maintenance makes it labor-intensive and less scalable over time.

If you’re new to online business or want a long-term, lower-risk model, local lead generation is the better choice. Unlike paid ads, which require constant spending and adjustment, local lead gen builds digital assets that rank organically and deliver leads passively month after month. There are no ad budgets, no algorithm dependency, and offers up to 95% profit margins.

Is Local Lead Generation More Sustainable Than Using Paid Ads?

In my experience, local lead generation is more sustainable than using paid ads because once you rank, clicks are essentially free, much like stocking your bakery window. Once your Snickerdoodles, Baked Alaska, and Whoopie Pies are arranged and looking irresistible, people stop by on their own. Unlike the hassle of creating content regularly in paid ads, local lead gen can continue to attract leads for months or even years with minimal updates. Service pages and map listings don’t “burn out.” They keep bringing traffic. New photos and reviews are enough. Plus, you own the websites, phone numbers, and leads. One ad policy change can’t shut you off.

In paid ads, cash flow is difficult because pay even for spammy or incidental user clicks. With local lead generation, you don’t prepay for clicks. You get paid per lead or on a monthly retainer basis. Costs stay low while assets work. Each site brings in $500 to $2,000+ monthly. You get 80%-95% profit margins.

Why Pick Local Lead Gen for Driving High Profit Margins

Local lead generation drives higher profit margins because it builds long-term, organic visibility and recurring inbound leads without the ongoing costs of ad spend or bidding wars. I’ve been making lead gen sites for over 10 years. My site, El Monte Elite Concrete Solutions 10640 Lower Azusa Road El Monte, California 91731 626-606-2133 https://elmonteeliteconcrete.com/ drove $28,470 worth of additional revenue to my client for generating 9 leads just this month. Since I get a 10% commission for the leads I send, I earned $2,847 in passive income.

The reason it’s hands-down the best business model for creating real and scalable income is because once you have your website ranked and rented, it’s pretty much on autopilot from there. I make over $50,000 monthly through this business model. You can focus on building more local lead gen sites, knowing you already have steady profits coming in.