How to make money the right way.
These past few days, I have been observing the ebb and flow of topics, blogs, and comments here at WA.
Suddenly, it came to me: I will I teach other members on how to make money the right way.
Then came an urgent thought: Are we here at WA to help or sell to the community?
Hmmm. Tricky question at best isn't it? To answer this I look to myself first.
I joined WA because I believe in what it stands for, a COMMUNITY primarily built to HELP internet entrepreneurs and as a support system for them.
I have read numerous times of other members in this community offering to newbies "bonuses" for a premium upgrade that are not in effect theirs to offer. We all know that the $19 premium membership offer is a regular discount from Kyle and Carson (the owners) graciously give for the first month to ALL newbies, and it is NOT from any WA member.
I just find it unethical and misleading to claim and offer a "bonus" that in reality the newbie is already entitled to. It goes CONTRARY to why we are here at WA, and that is to learn and to help.
My take on this is simple, I have been a businessman for several years now and one thing we value in any transaction is TRANSPARENCY. We all want to make money, but do it in an ETHICAL and HONEST manner.
If you would like to sell to any WA member go ahead, just let them know that you are indeed offering a product or service and explain HONESTLY all the details. No pressure. Let the person decide.
And for heaven's sake do not be "sneaky" anymore by offering "bonuses" and "discounted yearly upgrades" that are NOT yours to offer in the first place because the newbie and premium member is ALREADY ENTITLED TO IT with or without you.
We can help WA by being vigilant, whenever we see unethical practices being done we should highlight it and report the member at once.
If you want to stay long in any kind of business, INTEGRITY is the most important thing.
Let us keep WA "sneaky free" and keep it what it is:
A fun place to LEARN and HELP other members.
Recent Comments
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Someone had to say it! Great Job Joph.
I would like to add a little something to that.....
When someone has a question to a specific problem, Please do not answer unless it is THE answer to the question at hand.
I have noticed that when I read a question, I am finding answers from other members that do not even come close to the question being asked. Many of the answers I have found are seemingly trying to redirect the person asking the question, or simply way off topic.
I agree. I have noticed many times when I have asked questions the answers I get are waaay off. They have me thinking, "did this person even read my question?"
Hi Angela. There is another reason for that . Unfortunately, some are more concerned about WA ranking. They are more focused on their ranking stats -- based on the number of "helps" they have done -- but not the actual content or quality of the "help" that they have given. The good news is, as far as my research has shown, there are very few of these type of members. An achievement is useless if you know and others know as well that you do not deserve right.
Hi Heather. One of the reasons that I can see regarding such "odd" behavior is this: Some members are unfortunately more concerned about their WA ranking than the quality of the "help" that they are giving. Part of the ranking criteria is the number of people you help, the problem is there might not be (not sure about this) a way to check the quality of advice being given. That's my take on this.
Yes, I did kind of know that. As I saw my own ranking fall down. I'm actually a bit shy of mine. I don't feel I have the right to be called ambassador. I haven't been here long and I have yet to make any money. I still have soo much to learn. What I do have is a helping personality and that is how my rank fell so quickly.
I think you mean "rise" Angela. :) You do not have to feel shy about your achievement, as you said, you have a helpful personality. Therefore, you deserve the recognition.
lol, yeah I guess rise. Natural to say drop when numbers get lower. Anyway, you opened a great discussion here. I like thinkers. :)
I know that you have answered a couple of questions for me Angela. You have also offered some great information and advice. You do deserve your rank as ambassador.
Thanks for the insight. I am new to all of this, just setting up my website, but I get your drift and yes integrity is the most important thing. Good job.
Thank you Marylou. it is so heartening to know that most WAers are after the same thing: To learn and build a business in a "clean" environment. Live long and prosper! :)
This is something I am trying to handle.
Help! Lol. What advice would you give me if I may ask, I promote WA and have bonuses in my offer. I have gone back and forth, taking out the bonuses and not offering them and then offering them again. It's in the Bootcamp training to give bonuses. I think Kyle even says in a lesson to use his offer if we choose to, or create our own offers, but it's kind of strange, I don't know. The $19 off part I have in my offer and I don't think it's clear that that is from Kyle and Carson. The other bonuses I have are the private messaging and some of Jay's videos, but I say clearly that the videos are from Jay, the Live Training Coach. So I make sure to give credit and not make it seem like it is my own.
I am rewriting it now, to make clear where the bonus is coming from and who it is from.
Thanks for any thoughts from anyone. :)
Hi Jenna.
As I have always stated, there is nothing wrong offering the WA bonus or discount.
Just make it clear to the new member wanting to upgrade to premier, or, the premier member wanting to pay yearly instead of monthly that he/she is ALREADY ENTITLED to such discounts and bonuses coming from the owners of WA Kyle and Carson only. It is part of the BENEFIT of being a member of WA.
e.g.
- Do not state: "I will give you a bonus/discount ... plus I will give you my ... If you sign up with me ...", whew! What a mouthful that was. :)
- You may write it this way -- "As a new member you can avail of the first month discounted price for only $19.00. After which, you will be billed $49.00monthly." or something to that effect, it would be better if you came up with your own spiel.
Joph
It is sad that there are always those who will ruin the best of products and programs with under handed moves. It is good that you brought this to light and maybe you should make Kyle and Carson aware by sending them a PM.
Thank you James. I agree with what you stated.
I'm quite sure that Kyle and Carson are aware of this already and may have started formulating a plan for it.
Joph
I think it's a good point. The person who recruited me did that too. Said he was offering the discount. :)
Hi Angela.
I'm saddened that you have to go through such a thing.
That's the reason why I entitled my blog "How to make money the right way", with an emphasis on THE RIGHT WAY.
What is the difference between a businessman and a crook?
Answer: A businessman makes you an honest offer. A crook sees you as "the offer". :) Got it?
Have a nice weekend!
I agree there is some thing which need to be shared through private PM. This could easily transition into something that you yourself is asking not to happen
Hi Robert.
PM or Private Messaging is a great tool, as long as it is not abused and used for unsolicited offers.
"This could easily transition into something that you yourself is asking not to happen."
- The only thing I see that will "transition" here is that WA members will be aware that: although WA is a fun and clean (scam and spam free) place to learn and build a business, we should be vigilant and not tolerate such behavior.
Have a nice weekend.
That is only my opinion, and I am sure we see things differently. Perhaps you have found some unethical practices and so exposing.I suppose I allow my value system get it the way "go to thee and to thee alone". Hope the best for you!
I am sure there is a reason for your comments here, but one of the rules with blogging is no soliciting. If someone you know of is doing this, or PMing people with offers, you should let Kyle know.
Hi Sandra.
Interesting word "solicit" - meaning, "To ask for or try to OBTAIN (something) from someone".
Well said, it is not just in blogging and PMing. They use comments and reply sections now.
I see this as a collective effort by all of us. Let us help each other keep WA clean.
Have a great weekend!
Joph
Hi Joph
I think you have addressed a concern which needed to be raised. Going by all the comments of how people are so ecstatic at finding themselves here in this (so far) ethical and scam free platform, as more and more people join, it would be very unusual if there wasn't, on occasion, a person who saw it as an opportunity to take advantage of a trusting and inexperienced person, so yes, to keep it as the community envisaged by Kyle and Carson, and a scam free and ethical means to make a living online, and I agree that the way to do this is by way of a collective effort by all of us to help keep WA clean.
Having said that, it is possible that some people need educating as to what is scam and unethical, as they may not have had that grounding, but be willing to be pointed in the right direction (I'm a Mum, and it breaks my heart to think of how some young people have to grow up without the mentors to help them off to a good start), so yes, lets be vigilant against that sort of thing, Maybe an introductory workshop to highlight unethical practises to keep the topic at the forefront is the way to go (as well as members being vigilant and reporting to Kyle as and when the situation arises).
I suppose if we have services other members can avail themselves of, they would be displayed on our websites, and if members seek them out to avail themselves, it would be up to them. In the meantime, if we see someone struggling, it would be up to us to offer to help them out pro bono. Lets keep WA great.
I do want to say that I believe we are already self monitoring, as since I joined in August one or two people, not intentionally, created blogs that were basically selling their product. Sometimes blogs get removed, so someone is watching.
In terms of offering the discount, that's probably a blurry line. I can't recall who told me about that, but I do know that I got an email from Kyle when I first joined. If people are hearing from their sponsors that they are offering the discount it may not have been clearly communicated as to how the discount should be presented. Hopefully this discussion will bring it to light and the matter will be addressed with everyone.
Hi Kathy,
What a great post, truly spot on!
I agree that some may not be aware that they are engaged in an unethical practice. What better way to deal with this than through the WA community itself.
More power to you and your family!
Hi Sandra,
Offering a discount or a bonus is not wrong by itself.
It becomes unethical when some members say for example: "I will give you a bonus" or "I have a discount for you",it is misrepresenting the offer.
The person is trying to imply that the discount or bonus is from him/her, whereas in reality there is no bonus or discount to give -- it is already given -- the new member wanting to upgrade or premium member wanting to go yearly is ALREADY ENTITLED to it with or without such offers/promises.
The only persons who can state that they can give you a bonus or discount is Kyle and Carson since they are the owners of WA.
Again, as Kathy said, and I agree we just have to educate other member on the Do's and Don'ts here at WA.
In business, you are only as good as your word, and integrity is what differentiates those who are successful from failures.
Joph
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Successful businessman usually do not have ethics, let alone integrity.
Because of such two words, I didn't make it to the top of the corporate ladder. I am glad I can see one here. I am please to follow you.
Hi Terence.
Thank you for being part of my network and on your candid thoughts about businessmen.
Indeed, there are businessmen that are wantonly unscrupulous and could only be characterized as vagabonds.
The good news is that, they are more of a minority, the sad thing is that they are highlighted by the media and people start to believe all the unfair characterization about businessmen.
Businessmen are generalized as "villains" by left-leaning liberal pundits we've grown to be accustomed to and their usual anti-capitalist ranting and tirades.
Fortunately, the vast majority of people in business are hardworking, honest, and ethical. They are there to create businesses, help provide jobs, and, derive income from it.
As the Romans say: "HOMO SUM HUMANI A ME NIHIL ALIENUM PUTO." Basically, it means respect for people and other cultures and opinions.
Live long and prosper!
Joph
I am so glad to know but saddened that I was so unfortunate to work with all the bad apples; businessman. Anyway, I am moving forward to a better future hopefully. Thanks, bro!
You can do it Terence. I can see that you are person that values integrity. More success to you and your loved ones.