An Unreasonable Burden Of Proof?
Last Update: Dec 6, 2013
There's not many weeks in WA when someone doesn't ask for proof in one way or another.
- The first day newcomer wants proof that they can make money here..
- A starter member wants proof that they can make money without becoming a premium member,
- A starter member wants proof that 'WA works' before they will invest in becoming a premium member
- Some members (starter or premium) want proof that members actually make money (usually by way of a declaration of their monthly earnings)
- Some members choose to leave because they haven't made any or enough money, saying that they haven't had 'proof' that WA works
Okay - it's not unreasonable to expect some proof before you invest your time and money in some training is it?
Well .....
I decided to think about some of the times besides WA I have forked out for training without having any proof before I started that I would get the end result I wanted.
Driving lessons, British Sign Language lessons, bokwa lessons, salsa lessons, fashion degree, two masters degrees, two types of teaching training, becoming an NLP practioner and coach and piano lessons (to name just a few)
In each case I had an end in mind. I wanted to learn something new, I wanted to become proficient, and in some cases I wanted to gain a qualification and increase my earnings.
What proof did I ask for?
Well in most cases nothing at all. Occasionally someone made me a recommendation - but I never saw any tangible proof that the training I was going to do actually worked. What could they have shown me? Nothing that would have satisfied me.
Is that unusual?
Not really. With most training - you may get a recommendation before you start, you may even see some figures about how many people have succeeded but the only way you can find out whether it will work for you is to give it a go.
What I've always known is that there are no quick fixes. I've had to work really hard, apply myself, take lots of action and keep practising. And sometimes I've had to make some sacrifices to get what I wanted. There were highs and lows with all of them and the majority of them cost me a great deal of money. Was I successful at all of them? Not all - but I won't tell you which ones I wasn't! But the one thing they all had in common was that I had little or no 'proof' before I started.
So what proof do you want from WA?
Well, you have some proof right in front of your noses. Kyle and Carson. They don't just tell other people how to be a success - they are the 'proof in the pudding'. They set up WA - 8 years ago and it's a huge success. it's evolved so much. They've developed it, changed it, improved it. They've had things that worked and things that haven't. They continue to innovate and demonstrate daily what people need to do to be a success at an online business and thousands have taken the opportunities on offer.
Not enough?
Okay you want to know if anyone apart from them actually makes any money. Well they do. You can read some of the success stories here.
Still not enough?
You want to know how much money people are actually making. Well here's just the sales from one affiliate program.
Satisfied?
Of course not. By the way I didn't say that was my statement. I have no idea whose it is - but it's certainly not mine and it's not real.
Most members prefer to keep their financial business private, but even if they do tell you, what does it mean? You have no proof. The only proof worth having is the money that will come into your bank account, first at a trickle and then hopefully at a steady pace, when you have taken the time to grab the training here, set up your website and are running your online business.
So instead of wanting proof - shift your focus
Instead of worrying about whether it works - MAKE IT WORK.
No it's not easy and you won't achieve instant success but you'll have a lot of fun getting there.
And if you find yourself moaning that you're yet to achieve the success you want - take a look at my reality checklist. If at any time you could answer YES to the questions in the red boxes - shake yourself down, refocus and get back to work!
Don't waste time trying to apply an unfair burden of proof on WA!
View the full-sized infographic here
Recent Comments
184
Gotta love the fake sales graph, it always make me laugh when someone wants proof that this works. You've offered "fake" proof and it baffles me how some would prefer that than the real picture. I don't know that I would "trust" seeing a graph like that anyway, as you stated, most people who earn a full-time income won't be displaying it. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing that with the world unless I was trying to "sell" them something....LOL.
Another great graphic to help people understand that this is a real business that takes real work and time to succeed.
Thanks Beverley.
Patty :)
Thanks Patty. I have seen quite a lot of these on those $37 plugins - which then lead to an upsell to $497 or more. They are awful -but the fact is an awful lot of people do fall for them.
WOW! I like that you tell it like it is, BIS! Each person at WA will make as much money as he is willing to work for. We can't sit back and rest on the laurels of others. We have to get in there and do the work ourselves. Thank you for the thorough analysis!
Pat
Haha Pat. It's one of my worst failings I'm afraid. Glad you like it. Yes we do have to get stuck in and do it ourselves.
Awesome post! The materials here are amazing - I have learned a ton of things in just a few weeks. It's all about the learning and applying the knowledge. And that reality checklist is made of awesome.
Thanks Jess. Glad you like it. You're right. It's so important to actually apply the learning. There are times when it's easy to forget!
Thanks Beverly for this post! This is a great reality checklist! Just like with any business it takes time to build and master the concepts necessary to see results.
Thanks Tina. I don't think it's a checklist you're in need of. You have motivation and drive and commitment in spades.
To quote one of my favorite movies "Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist"
Hi Beverly I think most of us who end a here have been burned one way or another we get here so you are a little gun shy. I was probably a little more fortunate than others because I got to this site very early in IM career which has yet to blossom. Success is all about how you do things
Yes Bert you're right. I was one of those people who was 'burned' badly and it is difficult to trust again - but you have to. Fortunately I have been able to see that Kyle and Carson absolutely don't make false promises.
True words of wisdom.. Thank you Beverly..
I never could grasp the fact that when it comes to building a personal business people don't allow themselves any time to see results. On the other hand they have no issues getting a 9-5 , work like a slave for up to three weeks at times without seeing a dollar when they first start ..lol
Human beings are funny.. SMH
Thank you. Yes it' sad that some won't take that time. And you're right - human beings are funny which is what makes us all so wonderful.
I think one of the main causes of what you described is because most people have been employees for the vast majority of their life and are used to a "guaranteed" paycheck for working a certain number of hours.
When people get involved with internet marketing they don't realize that self-employment/entrepreneurship comes with an inherent risk of loss of money and time and that because of the risks involved that is why there is the potential for earning more than you would at a day job.
I'm sure you're absolutely right. I don't think some people are thinking it through and that's why the attach an unfair burden of 'proof' .
What proof does one have that if you go to college for four years or more and get some degree, that you will get a high paying job that you will like? There is no proof, yet millions of people are doing this right now.
Exactly. There was no proof for mine and much of the training was mediocre to say the least.