It's Called Work For A Reason!
I, for one, am proud to be able to say that I work from home. That doesn't mean that I press a few buttons, send an email, and all of a sudden there's a Ferrari in the drive way... I mean, that would be great - don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't work that way!
WORKING FROM HOME
I do wonder if I'm only just noticing this now, or if it has been going on for a while and I just ignored it, but we seem to be a breed of 'new age' internet marketers that know what we actually have to do in order to create and sustain a long term online business. I think that it's mostly due to companies like Wealthy Affiliate - and I can't tell you how grateful I am.
If I was ignoring it, it's because I was sold a load of BS about just how online business actually works by 'the gurus', and I think that is sad. What it means to us as genuine internet marketers - if we are teaching people how to do internet marketing - is that the whole 'get rich quick' thing is such a crock.
Does that mean that it's a bit of an uphill battle to convince people of the legitimacy of starting an online business? I think so, but also think that there are ways around this.
WE NEED TO EDUCATE
Because of the 'BS gurus' out there, people think (and I know, because I was one of them) that it's easy to start an online business, and that in essence is quite true. That I wouldn't really have to do any work? That's a completely different story!
I found that I needed to step back and figure out what they were doing, not doing what they were saying they were doing - and then it all made sense to me.
These so-called 'gurus' actually work their butts off. They have to. To figure out a scheme that might work for somewhere around a year, film sales videos, market it with websites, get affiliates to sell it for them - MUST take hard work!! And yet here they are - trying to sell the dream of living on beaches and driving flashy cars doing practically nothing...
THE ONE THING I WISH I KNEW WHEN...
OK, this is a good one. A tactic that I've seen a lot lately and it's because I have quite a few friends asking me about the whole drop shipping thing, is this craze on YouTube where people are saying "I wish I knew this when I started drop shipping" and then they go on to bamboozle folks by 'kinda' showing them the routine, then selling software that 'does it all for you to make it REAL easy' and most folks that are into instant gratification will fall for it.
It's not such a bad idea - on the surface. Sure, if I knew nothing about building websites and sourcing suppliers and getting traffic to the site - whether it's organic or paid traffic - then I'd LOVE someone to do it for me. But the whole thing that really stinks about it is that what they are teaching you to do is NOT what they are doing. And the moment that there's any type of algorithm update, your little software thingy might not work anymore, and you just lost your entire business.
With a little bit of research, I figured out what was happening 'behind the scenes'. You may already know this or you may not, but I thought I'd share it with you in case you haven't noticed it.
THE SHOPIFY METHOD
I think this one is really cheeky. If you don't know how to build an eCommerce store and get traffic to it, then learn how to do it - but don't let someone make it look hard and then pay them a fortune to do it for you.
There are 2 levels to this 'routine' that I've spotted (and if you know more, let me know in the comments below).
- 1. They sell you a 'theory based' video or PDF that explains how to set up Shopify, find a supplier, and then teach you how to do Facebook ads in a very basic way.
The problem I see with this is that if you send ads on Facebook to someone who doesn't know who the hell you are, where you came from, and why you are sending them ads in the first place, they are either going to ignore you, or click to look at what you have and then do more research about the product - and probably find it cheaper somewhere else. You have to build a relationship with these people. The number one rule in sales, folks!
- 2. During the 'theory' part of the lesson, you are encouraged to set up a 'free 14 day trial' of a Shopify account using THEIR affiliate link - this is the real kicker...
This is where they are really making their money. The over pricing of their course (which if you spent just a little time looking around, you can find all of this info for free) and getting you to sign up to Shopify with their affiliate link. Shopify pays up to $2,000 for a referral (depending on what level the customer may purchase). They're not making it by the method that they teach you, but instead using this method to make the money that they 'show off' to you.
YOU CAN DO IT, JUST BE ETHICAL
Now I'm not saying that referring Shopify is a bad thing, but if you are leaving people high and dry without giving them the full story, then that is a scam in my opinion. Teach them how to do it and teach them right. Be thorough about it. Don't leave anything out. Then you will be establishing trust and if they purchase their Shopify account through your affiliate link, you have truly helped them and they in return will be helping you. This is the real work!
IT'S CALLED WORK FOR A REASON
Can you imagine how much time and effort goes into these types of scams? Imagine what can be achieved if they went about it in an ethical way in the first place. Then they would be doing the world a service - creating value - and receiving rewards in return. Not just a flash in the pan and losing the trust of people all over the world. You would have to at least double your work load having to win back the trust of people. Not particularly efficient.
Think about Wealthy Affiliate for a minute. Why do you think they've been around so long? Why do you think that no one has to run and hide? Because it's LEGIT, that's why!! True value is created by teaching us how to do this whole internet marketing thing properly!! And we can do this too. It just takes work!
The reality is that it's called work for a reason - because you do have to work. There's nothing wrong with that. Just bear in mind that you might have to convince people about this when you are referring them to Wealthy Affiliate. You might just have to warm them up to the fact that they will be busy. Let them know that it can be fun though. Who wouldn't want to sit there day in day out talking about what they love the most?
The 'gurus' have left us with a bit of a mess to clean up, but with some hard work, we can do it!
I know this is a bit of a rant, but let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear them.
Cheers,
Peter
Recent Comments
31
WHA??? We have to work?!?!?!? What kind of scam is this!!!
OK...I'll get serious for a minute (a quick minute): It's really quite unfortunate that many have no conscious of deceiving others just to earn a buck. In a society where people are looking for the "quick fix" it's no wonder those "gurus" are able to make a living.
It's sad, I know - but I reckon it gives us an opportunity to educate people. The more I think about it, the more it's like objection handling. Like that great post that Andrew wrote: How To Respond To Negative Comments On Your Blog - Introduction One step further, we gotta answer all those questions before we even get asked!
How's clutterfreewithvee.com coming along?
As soon as I see money being flashed at me in great quantities I tend not to believe what they are telling me .
I followed "One More Cup of Coffee"for more than 12 months to be sure as I could be that WA was legit, GURU SHY you bet
Something reassuring when you believe you made a good decision. Thanks for the blog Peter
I'm with you, Geoff! The images of piles of money, mansions, and fancy cars has me running in the opposite direction!
The cash flash is always dodgy... but there are some really subtle ones you gotta watch out for too!
I remember when I started looking into the online thing a few years ago, I came across quite a few sites like One More Cup. I didn't believe it and most probably because I wanted the quick fix too. They were telling the truth back then, but because the gurus had put it in my mind that it can happen fast, I stupidly believed them!
Time wasted, I know, but at least we're on the right track now!
Great info here Pete.
I agree wholeheartedly. I think these "gurus" spend tons of money on deceiving people because of this simple fact: There will always be sheep to fleece. So they don't mind the initial investment upfront.
One thing that I am really disappointed in is the real gurus who use their success to mislead (in my humble opinion). Don't get me wrong. I respect the real gurus such as ........ however, luring people by saying "I made 12,000.68 last night" or $80,000 last month" or showing pics of large houses and beaches for a backyard. That may be true, but it trivializes the industry in my opinion.
I prefer when someone says, "Hey, I make tons of money and you can do it too, with some hard work and proper training."
I think that's the positive model we have here at WA.
David
You're so right David. I think the only 'gurus' that I know that are legit are Eben Pagan and Frank Kern. There might be others, but those two are actually stunningly real. If you know of any others, I'd love to hear about it.
Eben is incredibly thorough. If you've ever checked out any of his stuff, you'll know what I mean.
Frank Kern is just insane. I saw a talk he did at an internet marketing seminar (on YouTube) where he talked about how he used to use BS and how it went wrong for him, and then he learned to be genuine. It's the one about 'core influence' if you want to look it up (if you haven't seen it already). Even if you haven't checked out any of his stuff, it's worth just reading his 'about' page on his website. He says what he's doing and he tells you that he's going to give you a ton of free stuff, and if you like it and it works for you, you might by something from him. Pretty endearing, and Eben is more or less the same.
Thanks for dropping by man, I really appreciate it.
Well said, David. But they know that to say anything that would hint at doing work may not appeal to those who are looking to make that instant cash.
I believe that anything worth having is worth investing time into.....
Great article Peter! Love the breakdown of it all on the people we were chatting about a little while ago. They market it well and get one all pumped up but after the initial outlay, there is the opposite of pumped up - perhaps deflation would be applicable, luckily I am here and will stay here, I love the connectivity here and the help and motivational input too - super Peter!
I'm certain we're in the right place now Rob. Where else can you hang out with fellow marketers and not feel like someone is trying to sell you something?
Glad you dig!
In niches where there is a prominence of such "hype", as a legitimate company or voice you often have to work a little bit harder than usual to drive your message (which is the reality home).
This is something that we have become very used to over the years as people are being conditioned to think "success can be instant in nature".
You and I and most people here know the reality of what it takes to achieve success online, and hopefully with time we can continue to penetrate the niche, introduce the reality, and as a results save people A LOT of money and actually get them creating real businesses online.
Great post.
Hopefully with the new age of honest internet marketers that are being created here, the job might get a little easier! ;)
Having said that, I don't mind working hard. When you love what you do, it's really not that bad at all!
Thanks for dropping by Kyle, I really appreciate it!
lol, looking good on that soap box Peter!
it's great to see someone blow the lid off scams, and it's so true about the mess the gurus make and how people sort of expect to succeed just for showing up these days...
... and got to admire your work ethic, you realize the fact you watch two webinars a day has stuck in my mind and the voice of my conscience keeps telling me [when I feel like slacking off] 'do you realize Peter has watched two of these already, get off your ass!' :D
Thanks Mary!! The soap box did make me laugh...!
It's kinda funny when you step back to try and figure out what the hell is actually going on with these gurus. I know I used to fall for the all the BS. I knew they were making money somehow, because I was the one handing over my cash... I just always had the feeling that there was more to it - and thanks to WA, it's helped me figure out what was actually going on. I couldn't do that to people. It just feels so wrong...
I'm not sure what to say about the last bit... I hope that's a good thing! It's all about the immersion!
yeah, it's all good, it means you are a great role model here and I appreciate it, a good work ethic is contagious on the dashboard ;)
You're an inspiration as well. Whenever I see someone that needs help, I often see you've already stepped in and given great advice. Thanks for that!
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Merci beaucoup pour ce rappel
Plaisir absolu Franck. Merci d'être passé et de lire mon article!