Again, it’s not really with joy that I write this post. I feel like this is all I’ve been talking about lately, but at the same time, I can’t bear to NOT write this. I can’t bear to NOT let you know.
I went out to the World Internet Summit in London yesterday, an IM event that is pretty much bottom of the barrel in terms of pitchy-ness. There’s no content, it’s a high pressure sales environment that preys on people who simply don’t know better yet.
But I wanted to catch up with a friend and hopefully meet some more half decent marketers in London.
There’s 2 groups of people there: The newbies waiting to be sold their hopes and dreams on a platter for $2000 (2000 Pounds actually at this one… more like $3300 or thereabouts) a pop, and then the speakers & their friends, there to meet JVs and talk about how much money they make from ripping off those newbies.
I go to events alot, just to meet interesting people and sometimes learn. But the ones I’d been to more recently were a lot more content based and had a lot more experienced crowds. I quickly got jolted back to what these things were like in IM, and in many ways, what it’s like for someone new to online marketing to be trying to start up from scratch.
I spend most of my time at the bar, which is where the latter of the two groups of people in attendance hang out. I don’t want to listen to the pitches so that’s the only other option.
The conversations you here there are just grotesque.
(All of the following are based on ones I overheard yesterday)
“He gets up, speaks for an hour, sells the crowd a set of 7 PLR sites for $2000… walks away with $100k”
“Hahaha, you wouldn’t believe it, in Malaysia he had a guy during his pitch TRIP OVER running to the back of the room to sign up for his course, hahaha – brilliant!”
“Well we know why he launched it – they knew it wouldn’t work anymore in 3 months time. This way he can add another 100k a month to his business and be done with it”.
And much more…
I put them in the same group: The “speak from stage is all I do” marketers and the “product launches are all I do marketers”. There’s often a revolving door between the two groups. They are both equally as douchey.
Here’s the worst, scariest thing I heard.
Two guys were talking about a clickbank launch that had just happened. They were talking about how much the product sucked. The launcher was someone you’ve definitely heard of.
One guy asked the other guy to tell me how many sales the launch did.
The answer? 40 000 copies………………………………………………
Think about that number for a second.
To put it in perspective: I’ve been online for quite a while, doing both affiliate marketing and teaching. When I release a new product I’m happy if I sell 500 copies. They do 40 000! 80 times more than me.
If you’re reading this post you’re probably one of the people who are less likely to buy the overhyped clickbank launch type products…
If you’re like me, you probably think that those products are only for those unfortunate newbie souls who are just coming online and getting the inevitable fleecing before they realize how the game works…
BUT NO… no no… it’s not just a small group of newbies who buy this crap. It’s not just a minority of those getting started. It’s MOST people. It’s the MAJORITY. If you’re not in that group and you’re reading this post and you know better… you are in a TINY tiny sub sect. You’re one of the lucky ones!
The guys who do these launches and are the most unethical… make the most money. No one I mentioned on my list of “the wisest and most trustworthy marketers” do anything like the figures these guys do. That pisses me off but I guess that’s life.
Everything I’m about to write here I already knew, but the day that was yesterday just crystalized it in my mind and even took my understanding to a new level of depth regarding how dodgy and disgusting this IM world can really be.
The majority of product launches, ESPECIALLY Clickbank launches, where-ever you see extreme Clickbank screenshots, whenever you get more than 5 emails about the same product (with a rare few exceptions) the following is almost always the case:
1. The “System” they’re selling does not work.
Period. What they do is sit around mastermind meetings thinking of one question: “What would sell?” They think of ideas for things that those poor unfortunate souls would buy and they create products based on them. If there was a list of things needed for a good launch, laid out in priority order, the factor of whether a system works… whether anyone’s actually going to make money from it… would be at the bottom. Great sales copy at the top, bunch of JVs next, perfect upsell third… good product? Who gives a ####. As long as it’s good enough that we don’t get too many refunds, it’s fine.
This is the RULE, not the exception.
2. The “System” they’re selling, is not something they even use.
Doesn’t matter what the income screenshots say, they DON’T use it. They couldn’t use it even if it did work and even if they wanted to use it. Their entire lives are consumed by doing product launches and promoting other people’s junk so they’ll get more JVs when their launch comes around. They say they use it, and they show the income screenshots from their last launch. They DON’T use it.
3. The $67 product never contains the “secret”.
This is what these guys get taught (I’ve heard it being presented myself)
“You have a front end product, $67 or $77, but you don’t give away all the details in here! You don’t teach them all the secrets for $67 – don’t undervalue your products like that! Your front end product is supposed to be a teaser. Your $67 product is supposed to give them just enough so they understand the idea, but can’t apply it without further help”.
I’m not even kidding, I’ve heard those words being spoken from stage. So if you’re looking at one of those clickbank courses where the sales letter says you’re going to learn EVERYTHING… ALL THE SECRETS… for just $67… it’s NEVER true. There’s always an upsell you need in order to implement anything.
4. They work on the principle that most people who buy these products won’t use them.
Will the customer actually be able to make money? Who cares?
I told one guy yesterday that I have a customer support manager for our products (this was the 40 000 copies launch guy) and he was shocked. I told him we have a live support system and he couldn’t believe it.
These guys don’t care whether people implement their methods or not. Once the sale is made it’s “what can I launch next?”.
Ok guys, here’s the deal.
I’ve been writing about this stuff for quite some time and I can’t handle having this be ALL I do about it.
I need your help today.
We have to make some contribution to cutting down the number of people in that early part of their journey who don’t know that this is how things work yet.
This is what you can do.
1. Stop buying this stuff: Please, make a commitment right now that you will stop buying, or at least be EXTREMELY skeptical before you buy any clickbank IM product that shows clickbank screenshots and has a massive launch fanfare. You know they are all the same and there’s no point wasting your money. The above is how those products come about and you don’t need to be involved in that.
2. Tell someone you know: Do you know someone in IM who’s newer than you, just getting started maybe? Send them an email right now and tell them to be careful. Tell them to stop buying these products too.
3. Tell everyone you can: Do you have a blog? A Twitter or Facebook where you are in contact with other marketers particularly newer ones? Make one tweet or update about this. Tell people that they need to know about it.
4. I’ve never asked for something like this before, and I probably never will again, but if you have a blog or a Twitter or Facebook and you can’t do any of the above, send people the link to this blog post to read for themselves. Every person who hears this news and takes it on board is someone who saves themselves $67 or $197 dollars next time. Every person who hears this is another $67 that those bottom feeder launch guru scumbags don’t get.
We can help people here. We won’t change how this industry works, but we can do something.
Until next time, thanks for reading and…
Thanks for being my subscriber even though I’ve never shown you a clickbank screenshot. 
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Andrew,
This post might be the most valuable that you have ever posted. Your words echo what I hear Mark Mason, Lynn Terry and Nicole Dean say quite often.
In my experience I would define this as part A of the sickness in internet marketing. Part B is the inability for many marketers, both new and experienced, to block out the noise in the IM atmosphere. Many marketers (myself included) buy items like we’re saving for a rainy day. I am not sure how many products I have for ‘when I need it’. the my documents folder on my computer is filled with what I call ‘digi-dust”.
Success comes when a person takes a good system, gets the stuff needed to make it work, and work it until blood (mataphorically speaking) or money appears.
Thanks so much for the incredibly passionate plea.
JW Ginn
Bravo Andrew, I love this post so much that it brings out the passionate anger I have for all the bottom feeding IM Guru scum bags that exploit the desparate and Nieve!
I wish this post would could be the Pop-up that actually needs to explode on their screen before they hit the buy buttons!!
mitch
Exactly why I never buy from Guru’s anymore. After attending a two day FREE course with Stephen Pearce (lasted 1.5 days) and watching him make 50k in ten minutes when he finally pitched his course It really brought it home to me that newbies and semi-experienced people are still susceptible to wild promising sales pitches to get rich quickly. Takes work and understanding to earn money online. Automate as much as possible yes but you still have to put in the hours. It’s all cause and effect experimentation until you get it right.
Thanks for your commentary.
Mark
There is another thing you can add on to your prescription list to help cure this IM disease. We should vigorously and methodically unsubscribe from anyone (and I mean anybody) who send us promo emails with these kind of garbage offers. Cutting their subscriber list in half is the only language that these guys will understand.
I’ve half a mind to drop a few hundred bucks on some CPV campaigns targetting the main culprits’ sites with informational material showing people why they shouldn’t buy this rubbish.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks so much for your post. I actually cringed a bit when I recognised myself as one of the hopeful noobs and I’ve been working at internet marketing for the last 3 years. Although I make a little money with adsense and the odd afiliiate sale the amount of work I put in to achieve it is CRAZY!!! I get great rankings for my keywords and a few sites get some nice traffic but I keep feeling that I have most of the puzzle to make it all work. I just need that last final piece that will push me from a noob to a successful marketer. That’s the reason these get rich schemes are so appealing – they prey on our insecurities. Just one more course, just one more ‘secret’ and I’ll be running my business from a beach cafe somewhere warm. Yeh – right! LOL.
In my experience there’s no substitute for hard work even automating everything you can along the way.
Best wishes – Mark
Good to hear from you Mark. You know what? You already ARE a successful marketer. If as you said you’ve made some money from affiliate sites and Adsense you’ve done better than alot of the idiots who are emailing you!
You mention you work hard for your traffic and income? That’s the ONLY way. The promise that there’s some easier way you’re missing out on is the lie. There IS no easy way. It’s just a matter of automating and outsourcing what you’re doing to lower the work load and scale things up.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you Andrew, I have never made any money, but sure have spent some. Have not given up yet just keep plugging away whenever I get the chance.
Keep up the great work!!!!
Thank you so much Andrew!
I follow all your posts and hold your opinion in high regard. That’s why your kind comments mean so much to me.
Best wishes – Mark
Kudos to you Andrew for speaking the truth. Hitablog was created to call out people selling cr@p and we do brutally honest reviews. We’ve gotten a few whining, crying emails from people asking us to take our review down – but if something sucks. we don’t want people wasting their time on it. Peace!
Andrew, sadly like the majority of people with an online presence I have suffered the newbie shuffle myself.
The lessons learned have made me stronger, wiser and yes Poorer for the privilige.
I cannot agree with your assessment enough. I have posted a link to my blog, tweeted the URL of your post and i hope I save at least one poor sole from the sharks.
Kevin
Andrew, I completely concur with your post and applaud you for writing it. I have always said that Internet Marketing has a bad name in the eyes of some people and it is because of the type of activity you describe. It is such a shame that many have been ‘taken’ by these types and likely, because of the bad taste left in their mouth, have abandoned the idea of experiencing some of the incredible life changes that the legitimate side of this industry offers.
We can only hope that ‘what goes around comes around, they should be ashamed for preying on people who need a helping hand.
Great Post. Bought several CB products and I agree 100%. Now strictly return anything that does not meet all that is in Copy.
Hi Andrew,
Nice posting, and your words are very pointed to these IM scammers. Keep up the call of duty.
Love your blog and content. You are a good marketer.
Cheers Mark, means alot from you.
Mark,
Alex Goad is one such scammer and you should not be promoting his latest JV launch! As a paid member of his Auto Content Cash I can tell you he and Brian Johnson are out there to scam and rip people off.
Yes Brian’s Halloween Superaffiliate was promoted by many and ditto for every crap Alex Goad puts out.
Hi Rajiv,
I bought Auto Content Cash too! I learned some great new techniques with it and it has earned me some money but you are quite right about the lack of support. Brian and Alex were all over you for the launch but have disappeared back into marketers limbo ever since. If I were either of them I would be ashamed to read the comments on the Auto Content Cash Forum.
Best wishes – Mark
Totally agree with the Alex Goad opinion! His YouTube scam is bad, too. Had a devil of a time getting my money back, but I did!
It would be really nice to see names named more often!!!!!
BRAVO!!! This is a great post about a subject that more people getting started in IM should be aware of from the start. It is kind of a slow insidiuos brainwashing to get people to come back for more abuse. The sad thing is that people do come back and spend more money. It seem to be the place where money and common sense part company. It is a cancer in the ‘make money from home niche’ as I haven’t seen it in other niches.
Good on you Andrew – and trust an Aussie to tell it like it is! I, like almost everyone else, have come across the Magic Bullet guys and once even bought something. I asked for a refund but it took a lot of persistance to get one…
The moral here? At least if you’re going to buy cr**p, stick to the stuff sold on Clickbank which has a fairly tight refund policy.
Actually, go one better and follow your suggestion. Don’t buy this stuff. It stinks. I applaud your stance and when you’re next back in London let me buy you a drink to say well done!
Having been to an internet summit myself 13 months ago I know exactly where you are coming from. One of my wealthier friends bought a 1-2-1 coaching product from a Guru for £10k hoping to hit the IM scene hard – he is now still in his same 9-7 job having made the costliest ‘investment’ of his life – what a mistake.
Myself I’ve bought a number of crappy products and signed up with a very dodgy company and lost the worst part of £1k, I would name them and wish I could shout about it but don’t want any trouble myself.
I will however warn my friends, family and anyone else I can about these so called ‘secrets revealed launches’!!!
Great job.
If only there could be Internet marketers like you the world would have been a better place, Keep up the good work. He who doesn’t know and does not know he does not know, and does not want to know ,he is a fool.
OK….will do a tweet with a link here Andrew.
Anthony
Bravo, sir! I don’t have a blog or product or anything like that.
I just want to give sincere thanks for this post. I have been in
the shoes of a newbie and I have fallen for “the pitch”. I figured
it was part of the game. If only i had someone like Andrew to
tell me this sooner i could’ve saved literally thousands of dollars.
So THANK YOU Andrew. A million times, THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Great post Andrew.
WIS uses a ‘formula’ that is taught by a guy in Australia (I’m sure he ‘borrowed’ the idea from another ‘marketing guru’ in the US), and that is to fill a room with as many people as you can for at least 2 days preferably 4 and they are your ‘captive audience’. Engage speakers who have a product and can motivate and you get 50% of any sales. Always give the audience motivation not content. Get them in a lather, make the offer seem irresistible with incredible bonuses only available then and there.
I joined the marketing group I’m referring to above, as I’d seen that the people running several of the IM seminars I’d been to were part of it. After a while I was courted to buy in to one of their projects. While they thought I was interested they let me in on a few secrets. I remember saying to one of them that the last talk we’d heard lacked any content. The answer was that content doesn’t excite people to buy, what’s needed is to whip them in to a buying frenzy with success stories! From time to time we’d hear a brag report of how one of the members who happened to run a seminar a few weekends back made $1.6 million for the 3 days and figures similar to that.
So yes Andrew you are absolutely correct, seminars like the WIS are well orchestrated events with only one goal and that is to take as much money from unsuspecting newbies (and not so newbies!) as possible.
I know one guy who spent AUD64,000 at a WIS 4 day event!
This sort of practice won’t stop but we can try and make people aware of the agenda these crooks have.
Lewis
That’s scary stuff Lewis, thanks for sharing. I heard about people walking away from these events with 10k credit card debts and thought that was bad… but $64k… Mind boggling.
I also recall a speaker from the US during that WIS having a 30k package and asking everyone who was serious to get up on stage. I counted over 70 people who rushed up to stand behind him! It would be interesting if we could poll all the people who have bought courses at WIS and see if they are now living the ‘IM Lifestyle”. I bet there’s not many!
I have SEEN that speaker and know who that is!!! Haha just crazy.
I got scammed a bit in the beginning on infoproducts, but learned quickly to get refunds right away if things seemed like a rehash of something else, or just a bunch of trash, and now I can spot ‘em right away from just reading the pitch (and the pitch, and the pitch, and the pitch again!) and unsubscribe from those lists. There was one guy’s product that really teed me off majorly. He actually makes fun of the people who bought his product in the videos IN his product. I’ve never seen that much disrespect from anyone, though there are a couple who are likely to overtake him some day in the race to the bottom.
I’m still working on getting this whole IM thing working, and I’m beginning to realize that I’m going to have to find my own way, and just keep testing what works and what doesn’t. I’ve made some sales, but I’m not yet making an income. I do, however, have a plan, and I’m working it. Inch by inch, row by row, I’m gonna watch my marketing grow . . .
Common sense in this industry seems to be incredibly rare. Thank you for contributing a bit of it, it was a breath of fresh air.
“digidust”– I like that so much I may have to steal it, LOL! I just purged a bunch of stuff off my hard drive that was such rehashed drivel it was amazing. Funny thing was I found one “report” titled differently each time, put out by three different marketers, and with only minimal changes to the content! Whatta bunch of dreck.
If a marketer sends me anything that is proven to be garbage, I immediately delete myself from their list. No ifs ands or buts! If everyone did this, the industry would get cleaned up very quickly.
I now thoroughly investigate any product before telling my list about it. I wasn’t always this honest. Because of this new honesty, my conversions are increasing significantly.
Thanks for a another great post. It took me a while to come to your same conclusions but it’s nice to see a campaign to warn others.
Why didn’t you win the most ethical/wisest/most trustworthy? Should have.
Nice work Andrew. I will send a link to my list, as I did when Mark did similar. There are, unfortunately, a number of unethical practices that prey on peoples unrealistic dreams. They need to be exposed so please do not get too sick of writing about it! Maybe we should form The United Peoples Front For IM! Brother!
She’s a double edged sword for newbies and not-so newbies
Not only do you have to avoid the crappy and spammy products, but it is so easy to fall into the trap of becoming one of these hyped up marketers simply because the products sell for a while.
Thanks for the reality check… Not only does it stop us from wasting more time and money on stuff that we knew was crap – but it also reaffirms that we aren’t the only ones trying to do the right thing.
Finally someone is speaking up! All the recent launches all have the same look, same price, and same scammy look to then. I think because they are looking the same, people are starting to catch on. I have bought several of these products in recent months and refunded all of them, there is always something missing and as soon as your sale goes through, the upsells start and you immediately feel let down and that now the product you just paid for is inferior unless you but the next part to it. Thanks for your post.
99.98% true, and to stir it up, you might remember google sniper, George’s product…it actually worked, and people to this day are doing sniper sites…so the big question is, if you have your last $100 to invest in your future (after blowing, say $50,000, on the junk), then what is the best way to find where to put it to best use?
I still do the odd wf wso for things I should be selling for $497, but still get 100 or less buyers at the intro price of $17…it’s a bizarro world!
Trouble is – I too was impressed with and bought George’s Gsniper, moved the next few days, forgot to download it, then 6wks later asked to get it, sent copy of CB receipt, x 2, as he requested, but he never would send me the link, I tried for MONTHS to get it!
I know he’s young, and living high, but I’ve just put GMB into the fledgling scumbag category, along with the others.
My thanks, too, Andrew for straight arrow posts like these.
Rob
Hi Andrew,
I don’t know about you but I have bad feeling about IM since years ago. What I know is in the IM world if you are bashing successfully marketers or ‘gurus’ you will be certainly ‘doomed’. And when ‘nobody’ says the ‘truth’ what is going on no one will listen. Nobody listen to people with no ‘income proof’.
IMO, the worst that happen to IM is the creation of the ‘mastermind group’. A group of people who strategized things to manipulate the naive. When these ‘guys’ are already making money thru their dirty way most of them will little by little distance themselves from the ‘dirt world’ by remodeling their business model.
But there is another group of people that is making money by trying to be the champion of something. This something can be anything. You name it. When there is hate there is love. So to me IM world is just a battlefield. Either you with the A side or B.
I am not with any of them but if I am one of them I will just write an ebook that lays out all the dirty tricks and just give it away. No self gain, not even a single link. Just give it away. Give it away with no self gain.
Thank You again as usual Andrew. It is both “scary” and “mind-boggling” on the entire IM schemes that go on these days. Trust is a very difficult matter when it comes to buying any new product these days. I wish it were different but unfortunately, it comes with the territory of IM. Your name, your site and knowledge of what ever field you are doing and marketing is worth more than the weight in gold when speaking of the internet marketing of Today. I have been reading your posts for some time now and I cannot remember any of them which did not have a good, logical point. It is people like yourself that makes me believe and stay strong. There are always going to be “ups” and “downs” in IM but the important thing is to never quit. Again, thank you for yet another wonderful, informative and useful post. You have re-opened my eyes.
Dave L.
BlogTools.Biz
Thanks for another honest post Andrew.
I’ve Twitted and Facebooked it as requested.
I’m a week ahead of your suggestion to unsubscribe to all these guys.
This past week I have spent every day doing just that.
Of course, you are one of the very few still on my list.
Thanks again
Art
Andrew,
Your post just confirmed what I already suspected. I’ve already quit buying any more junk and have been getting refunds on the programs that don’t live up to their sales letters. Also, I’ve unsubscribed from all the lists that send out their hyped up emails. As a matter of fact I’m in the process of getting totally out of the IM business and switching over to offering my services to real brick and mortar businesses.
Good on you mate – I’m sure you won’t miss the insanity of IM.
Excellent and TRUE post. Exposing this lucrative industry in IM for what it is.
Selling shovels with broken handles and road maps to nowhere.
Haha, shovels with broken handles… I like it
If it sounds like a used car pitch stay away. CB products are a carnival sideshow. Illegal activities such as Bait and Switch (up sells), and grossly misleading and exaggerated advertising are routine.
There are plenty of legitimate Affiliate Marketing platforms that have good quality products and respectable business practices. Those are the ones to deal with.
It is ironic that the ones at the low end of the quality scale are the ones making the most money. I guess it’s always been the case that the unethical ones in business seem to prosper, for a while at least.
In the long run ethical business practices set us apart. Hopefully someday consumers will recognize the difference.
I know this path. The biggest challenge is that most people expect the roof to “open up and money to fall” just by purchasing the course. so thats number 1 problem, I agree that most/alot of the products make money for the seller but not the buyer.
I made a lot of mistakes online, and now am approaching a consistent $50 per day in adsense by taking action, and looking at what works- and “under” complicating it.
Its a pity the most awareds best speaker from the WIS has absoultly BS products (and thats from the inside view! – I helped a friend with them -not opinion)
Simple fact – Work out your business model, get to work- put some sweat into and keep going!
Paul
AMEN Bro, you have spoken the hole truth & nothing but the truth in this post Andrew. I get so tired of all the BS people keep sending me THE REAL DEAL for just $37,$47. I’ve only been around for a year and making a little money now. Still nothing like these boobs claim you can make in the next 72 hrs.
Hi Andrew
As a full time internet marketer (not guru…as I hate that title) I can’t agree with you more. It drives me crazy that these scammers make so much money from be un-ethical. It is deception and darn right dishonest! I get appraoched every week by these guys because they know I have a decent sized email list, and I always turn them down because I, like you refuse to get involved in this BS.
What makes me the most angry is people selling courses on stuff they have no idea how to do themselves. I mean unless you are doing it then how the heck can you be teaching it?!?
What I can’t understand is how are these guys getting so many people on their lists to buy off them, I mean surely after being scammed people would get off that list quick smart, but these guys just keep going, which annoys me!
Well said Andrew!
Matt
Good to see you chime in Matt. I think you and Andrew are two of the most honest marketers around. You both give great value with your free information and paid products.
Lewis
I was thinking just last night about the whole IM business and decided not to promote any more of these rehashed ‘systems’ as I was once a naive newbie myself and see how easy it is to fleece the unwary. I too bought into the ‘easy money’ hype and wasted so much time, energy and money folowing the dream.
Not all of it was a waste though because you do learn by your mistakes.
In consequence I will be removing all ads for these products from any sites of mine and deleting any posts that I feel give a false impression of their quality and effectiveness.
I have unsubscribed from most internet marketers lists over the last few months as it was all getting a bit out of hand, with one product launch after the other. I also got rid of my autoresponder account as I got fed up of sending ready made JV emails like all the rest of the phony marketers.
I thought the IM niche would be a goldmine but I have found that it is much easier to make money in other niches and still have a clear conscience.
Well said Andrew! This post is useful for newbies and applies to any IM’er.
Don’t buy crap programs! They just don’t work.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks so much for this post. Earlier week I decided to unsubscribe from all the unsavory “gurus” and started doing that, so your post came at a good time to reinforce my decision.
I do make some money online, but suffer from “shiny new object syndrome” and was always looking for that one last bit of help to propel me to a bigger income.
But in my heart I know that I am on the right track and just slogging along doing what I am doing will eventually give me the success I am seeking.
So – back to unsubscribing!
I will Tweet, FB and post on my blog.
Thanks,
Gail
I usually get a few of these courses a year, just to see if there is something I hadn’t thought of that could make things easier or better. Most of the time it’s stuff I already know or do. Sometimes it’s a reminder of things I had done that I needed to get another point of view from. But thanks for the post because if I think about it I’m usually wasting a good portion of a day or two going over the material and if I just went along my business the way I know already works I probably would have been that much further ahead. I’m with you about falling into these traps and will not get another cheepy course.
For the most part we all know what works and what doesn’t, let’s just concentrate on that and help it grow.
Rob
Damn it….this is what I’ve been saying all along. But, you are the first to confirm my own research and findings. This post should be reading material for all “wannabe Internet Marketers”. Andrew you are “The Man”! Thanks for confirming it with this post.
Paul
Clickbank is really obnoxious – they practically say with 10 clicks you make 5 figures blah blah….they get away with it with the fine print disclaimer on the bottom. Problem is there will always be new meat who buys into the easy money dream.
Traffic and Conversions..that is all IM Is about. Now pay me my $1000. Either pay with advertising or pay with your time and/or outsourcing for SEO.
How many people really make the big bucks in IM from those who start out? I say very few, probably under 5%. When people find out the real deal about backlinking, SEO, Paid ads, etc they get cold feet.
Many are led down the wrong path by gurus, true. But those with business sense will take whatever info they have and spin it to their benefit.
I used to be of the opinion that if I could learn a few new things, the product was worth the price I paid for it. Not any more. I no longer hesitate to request a refund because it’s all rehashed garbage that’s been spun and paraphrased to death.
I can’t tell you how many email lists I’ve opted out of this past year and they’re all JV partners selling someone else’s crap. I call it vampire marketing because they’re nothing but blood suckers. I could name names, but I won’t. I lost a lot of respect for some very big IM names.
Hi Andrew
Its about time these type people, were taken of the web, I don’t know how they can sleep at night? I will tweet this post to help you get the word out.
There is good and bad in all walks of life, its a pitty they on the web as well.
Good job telling the truth. I think it would be totally kosher if someone decided to name names. Call the scammers out. Especially if they have “name” in the IM world. Broadcast it on warrior forum etc. I have received email pitches for these junk products from the likes of well known “gurus” such as, Russel Brunson and Anik Singal. Both have sold themselves as marketers who truly care about their list members. They have marketed trust and blew it with one email. They don’t need the commission but they’ll whore themselves out like an unfaithful spouse.
My 2 cents.
You are dead right Andrew!
In fact, my brother, based here in NZ was programming for some of these scammers. He was so pissed with the unethical behaviour, he quit.
He was telling me that one of the product launches was getting about 40% refund rate. Now, what does that tell you! Worse still, he told me, they just didn’t care.
A phrase he used which really sticks is …
” … chasing after shiny things, to scam others with”
Thanks for your post, I’ll be sharing it around.
Paul
Thanks for sharing Paul. I heard guys at this event talking about 40% refund rates too. No shame at all.
You know what would be really helpful?
Name names and products.
Anyone brave enough?
So true! I have been building sites for just about a year now, and still haven;t made any money! I am close now, but have been swindled so many times! I bought this $500 ebook selling platform called “My ClickBank Business”. They installed it all wrong and by the time I got it up an saw it the warranty had expired! I think that dudes name was Andrew X… Figures he didn’t even use his real name!
As a side note, I really appreciate all that you write! If it wasn’t for you and several others I would have been dead in the water! I really love blogging and am passionate about it! I learn something everyday!
Well said Andrew!
I am sick of the IM niche, litereally scunnered with the way things have gone over the past 12 monhs or so. I used to want to be a part of it, but not now.
I am just going to keep plugging away at affilaite marketing and some offline projects i have running.
By the way, i always like to hear what Mark Dulisse above has to say, he seems a cool guy too!
All the best
Paul
Hi Andrew. Thank you for saying it as it is. Few people are willing to expose these guys.
It’s truly disgusting. I admit that I’ve been caught by these sharks quite a few times already. No more.
If a Clickbank purchase is not good value-for-money, I now always ask for a refund immediately.
Would be interesting to know what percentage on average of buyers of such Clickbank products ask for a refund. I think it may be higher than many believe.
Even if it’s as high as 70%, that still leaves these sellers with a lot of easy money.
As you suggest, I’ll spread the word, although I’ve been ranting on about similar abuses ever since I became interested in I.M.
I couldn’t agree more Andrew.
Just today I have received a dozen emails from well known names promoting the latest ‘Next Big Thing’
Strangely enough many of the people promoting this are all featured in the testimonials on the sales page telling us how great this product is, coincidence huh!
Wander how many of them have ever used it?
I stay on their lists deliberately to see exactly what I shouldn’t be promoting…
Over the years I guess that some of these product launches sucked me in, many times leaving me with the feeling that the purchased product bore little resemblance to what was promoted.
But don’t knock Clickbank as in all cases where a refund was requested it was given without question.
So work hard, be sceptical, and be wary of those that do nothing else but JV product launches
Phil
Thanks for posting that Andrew.
I have reposted it via my FaceBook account.
I wish you could name names!
Steve.
I appreciate the warning, but it would be more effective if someone were to reveal the names of the people we are supposed to be avoiding.
A few of the posters so far seem to know who these people are, but I fear that the newbies that this warning is meant for won’t.
We could do with our own ‘inner circle’ to pass this information amongst ourselves and play them at their own game.
Steve.
Hi Andrew,
Have been following you for a while now and you do really share some great information for free.
Now coming to this post… the lure of money will win for 99% of the people. That cannot be helped and it is human nature. I would advocate unsubscribing from the whole lot and just concentrating on doing what you know to make money. The magic silver bullet does not exist and if anything keeps you from achieving success in IM.
I read a lot before I make any decisions. If you read enough, you’ll notice a pattern, that fine line between who’s being slick and who’s being straight with you. I have a list of honest, ethical marketers that I follow. I suggest readers do the same. Go to the warrior forum, hang out awhile. See who’s good and who’s not. If you like someone, subscribe to their list first. I expect to get 1 email per week. I’ll tolerate more if it’s good material. Otherwise, I’m gone. Follow them on FB or twitter. How accessible are they? (Sometimes they are really busy, be reasonable and understanding!) Research a product launch by using the site: operator in google and look for the JV blog. See how much it costs, how many upsells there are. I *hate* upsells, especially those that have 3 or more. That’s just poor. Some upsells are ok, but that’s the exception, not the rule. That’s a lot of stringent criteria, but there are people who make it through. Andrew does, as do a few others. Keep up the good work!
I lost more than $4k in the past 5 years. Most of it to Internet Guru that you familiar with. Super crap internet course. I have 2 study courses sitting in the box at my home. Never know how to use them anymore. One guy selling something similar to yours, turn my head around. I lost $1k just because he denied my refund due to their poor tracking system. I start looking to underground marketers for advice. Works better than the big name guru.
Hahahaha…I just laugh when somebody mention Alex Goad’s name here about how scam he is. Andrew, if only I meet your firepow first, Alex G will never have my $1k at all. You know what I mean. That’s the budget I have when I’m about to get serious about IM. But sadly, I lost it.
I don’t know if you have the guts to keep this message in this page.
Hi Andrew
Nicely put (If I’d of known you were in London I would have bought you a beer or 2).
There is a growing list of people like yourself who are banging the drum on this (Jason Fladlien, Shane Melaugh) which is great. However most are preaching to those who have already been stung in some way.
I have bought my fair share of c$%p products in the past but have managed to get refunds on most.
I think the real concern is how rife the IM industry is with people of very low moral standing. I used to have a list of trusted marketers but many of these have proven themselves to be far from squeaky clean.
I put it down to basic greed. Sure we all have to make a living but I prefer to sleep well at night knowing that I have helped someone start to move in the right direction.
Keep up the fight.
Rich
Am still in London Rich – got 2 years here now
Shoot me an email if the beer offer is still on the table 
Thanks Andrew,
You speak the truth.
The worst kind are the ones who email you the day after you’ve bought their product, and they’re pitching someone else’s product.
I only started making some money after I stopped buying and started working.
Funny, I had come to the same conclusion. I found the Salty Droid’s blog (just google it) and boy was that shocking. He’s even got recordings of these !$%*** doing a deal on selling crap. It’s a cartel. And these are names we all know.
I’ve shed pretty much all of my subscriptions anyhow but it’s good, I suppose, to have my suspicions confirmed.
The backlash has begun.
Cheers Andrew
Goodness… I thought you really got a CANCER….
This is a great post… appreciate the info.
Keep up the good works dude.
Great post Andrew. I couldn’t agree more. I was sent a link to listen to a video between two very top end marketers and there attitude to their customers was, to say the least, disgusting.
I have been around sales and marketing for 30 years, but IM is new to me and the “gurus” which actually is a pretty pathetic description of them, really make me sick. I also agree with one of the comments regarding Alex Goad and Brian Johnson. Yes Mark Dullisse you should stop associating yourself from these two.
It is not just product launches and the IM products themselves, but countless plugins that do not work as promised etc.
It’s time there was some kind of control put on this. Never mind the FTC trying to protect customers, they should do something to protect the industry from itself.
Brad
You tell them Andrew. Ridiculous, isn’t it? These people have no shame… luckily there are people who are decent and don’t let their emotions override their common-sense.
Who’s up for a name and shame list?
-Johnson.
Andrew,
This is discouraging one many levels. As a “newbie” in Internet marketing, I want so badly to be one of the ethical ones – I have no desires to be a gazillionaire or make $50,000 a month. I want it to be real! I just want to be able to work from home to pay my bills and do a little traveling. I wonder often if I can make it in this kind f shark-infested IM world… How do you know a seemingly-honest Internet marketer is not a shark in disguise… sure I can use my “judgment” but as a newbie how do you how to judge?
Anyhow, I think I will write a post about this a reference this? I really enjoy your blog, which is why I added you to my blogroll.
Thanks for this eye-opener!!
I always appreciate your insights, Andrew.
IM people marketing extensively or exclusively to each other is a clue in itself. Other marketers typically aren’t my clients, and only occasionally are they my mentors. I’ve been unsubscribing to a lot of lists lately, because there’s just too much noise out there.
I’m one of the newbies of which you speak. Thankfully I have kept my senses about me and never been even remotely tempted in these courses but don’t know of anyone who would benefit from reading this post. I’d actually forgotten who you were. I receive your emails, along with a load of others every now and then, I open them, scan them, and delete them. Just like all the others. Now though, after what seems a perfectly frank and honest criticism of how these things work, I am inclined to read whatever arrives in my inbox from you.
Nice post Andrew. Over the years I have spent quite a few dollars on IM products. Nowadays, whenever I am just about at that stage of getting my credit card out I see if I can find the product or the product creator mentioned on the warrior forum. If they are a known scammer you can be sure they are named as such on there! I did have the idea a while back to begin a register of online marketing people and products (indexofonlinemarketing.com) but haven’t really made the time to turn it into the valuable resource I had hoped to create and now it’s fallen between what I wanted it to be and a rather half hearted affiliate site that I “really should do more with”.
But fundamentally you are right that there are too many scammers out there and if the IM world doesn’t begin doing something about these people and their activities, it’s only a matter of time before the authorities tighten their grip and bring in a trading standards code of practice for all IM products.
Keep up your great work!
Martin
Hi
I’ve just finished reading all the posts on this topic.. And I agree with them absolutely.And, like Andrew, I am an Aussie who likes fair play. So tell it like it is.
Like another poster here I have been trying different things online for about 3 years but still thought I was newbie. Now, I know that I’m not. I probably know as much if not more than some gurus. So I am going to pass on some really good advice I was given recently.
Often you will see a sales page that includes, as “proof” of what the website owner is has earned so far this month, “copies” of supposed Clickbank accounts. Don’t believe them without doing a little check. Look whether you can see the actual URL for the Clickbank account. . You might of you put your mouse over the it. Or it may appear at the top of the “account”. If you can’t, it means that the “proof” is just a mock up where the figures have been edited by the website owner. And if a sales page shows you “links to other websites”, check if the links are “live” If you can’t click on the link and get to the other website, If not you can take ist as read that the other website may not exist.
As for me, I am now steering clear of MLM programs. I have wasted far too much money and way too much of my time on cr@p products that tell me the same things over and over again. I have seen one particular guru dynamic duo release and sell the same product as “brand new” every couple of years or so. I know. I bought a copy one time when I was just starting my search for information and advice.. It was just regurgitated BS that I had read before. So I recognised it when it re-appeared as a shiny new product about 15 months later. What I tkae from this is that these gurus have worked out that every 18 months or so there will be another bunch of newbie “seekers” in their market-place.
Andrew – Great expose. The thing that is even more amazing is that they are even using the identical sales page to promote this crap. It is amazing they can look at themselves in the mirror each day and continue with their deceptions.
On the upside, I’ve unsubscribed from numerous lists from people who promote the garbage so my inbox is finally managable.
I’ve learned to check anything out on the Warrior Forum before even considering a purchase and even then approach the possible purchase with scepticism.
I actually bought Auto Content Cash in the spring and have made consistent revenue that made it worth the purchase but found it’s not a good place to spend my time. The crap that Alex G was sending made it real easy to unsubscribe a long time ago.
I do find myself consistenly opening emails from you, Colleen, Mark D. and a few others who’ve stood the test of time.
Thanks again for this post. It’s definitely a strong reminder to pay heed to the ancient phrase “caveat emptor.”
Andrew this is really distressing. I know I personally have be ripped by these fast talking sales artists. Now to hear that someone is out there selling Mondo PLR packaged sites. I’ve spent the last month working on my own fresh PLR site and to have this out there spreading bad press for PLR is a true downer. Thanks for the heads up. Kater
Hey Andrew,
This great post can’t come at a better time. Last month, attended a $2,000 seminar by a local guy, only to realize that it was a hook to get us participants to be his affiliate and getting us to promote his lackluster products through e-mail marketing.
Along the way, he introduced his ‘friend’ who had made millions (of course) to give his secrets. Yes, the secrets are not free and come with a price tag of $10,000. This other guy told participants that his teaching would catapult their biz. that if they don’t sign up then it’s a BIG mistake.
Now, the sad thing was the guy also suggested that participants borrow money if they have difficulty in paying.
I remained at my seat then but the participant next to me was saying that this coaching must be good, if not the guy wouldn’t have suggested participants to ‘borrow’ money. That participant had fallen for the crap!
When I checked with a participant who had gone for the $10K training, she said it was about including Adsense in websites but that she has difficulty in having her website approved for Adsense. Say what?
Oh yes, on the last day of the seminar, we were made to believe that if we want something to happen, all we need is focus and it will happen.
So we were all given a metal table spoon right …to bend into whatever form we envisioned. Don’t laugh but I managed to bend that silver. I left feeling ecstatic cos I thought I’d achieve whatever I set my mind to do.
But guess what, when I returned home, I placed that bent spoon on my table. Curious, my 14-year-old daughter took it and managed to un-bend it effortlessly. The metal spoon was straight again.
I know what you all are probably going to say. But please save it – cos I know I’ve been had. I vowed never to fall for such scams again.
And recently I got a $1,997 product pitch – kind like plug and play. Don’t worry Andrew, I was wiser this time. I did my checks and had stayed away.
I guess when you tried so hard and see dismal results, you kind of hope there’s something that’ll give you that break. Unfortunately, those much awaited breaks are usually in scams! in disguise!
Finally someone has had the courage to publicly expose this group of guys who have been ripping off people for several years! Naming them would be wonderful but probably could result in a libel suit. I would love to see Andrew’s post put up on the Warrior forum.
Yes, Name and Shame.. I’m guilty as charged and I still do this.. Not so much clickbank products.. but I listened to a replay of a webinar the other day… and went bang that is exactly what I’m looking for right now…. Well I have received one Training video..and a whole hgeap of bonus stuff that i don’t want.. BY THE WAY LOOK OUT FOR MY NEW MEMBERSHIP SITE… F@#K Me.. Now this dude has sent me all these new WSO, warrior forum specials, great new products and I’m thinking FINISH the product you’ve just sold everyone..I’m not a sucker my background is in the Music Industry as an Agent, so I can pick most smoking mirrors, I’m skeptical but I can certainly get mileage and leave a smoking gun….
Oh yes, Andrew,
I forgot to mention this but it’s about support that you also brought up.
Allow me the opportunity to commend on your product support. Although I get different people who reply to my Qs, it didn’t matter cos I got the answers that I needed.
That’s certainly much more than those other ‘gurus’ whose support, I believe are not even mend by any humans!
Your are absolutely correct. They recycle people over and over like IM BS dealers. Dealing their “crack” to addicts looking for a quick fix. But like you said, these products are not meant for people to get results with, its meant just to keep these people coming back for more of the buying high they get when they read the BS adcopy. Thanks for taking a stand.
G’day Andrew ,
Thanks for the post — how true it is.
I hope you don’t think this is too “off topic” but I really would appreciate your input if you have the time and anyone else’s for that matter.
I very recently purchased a “Blueprint” product through Clickbank- the “advertised” price was $67.00 but as soon as I decided not to bother by clicking away the price suddenly became $57.00.
A went ahead and purchased at $57.00 and before I could get to the download I received a “upsell” advising that if I really wanted the “best” offer which would “accelerate” my results I could obtain it at a additional cost of $67.00 “per month” – this was what they termed the “Platinum” level. When I clicked away from that offer yet another “upsell” offer for an additional $17.00 “per month” – this is what they termed their “Gold” level.
I sent them an email indicating my concern that what I had purchased appeared to be their “Third best product” and to obtain their “Best product” was going to cost me an additional $67.00 per month — their reply
“Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate it. It’s the users feedback that makes our services better.
We hope you will really give the Basic Blueprint membership the “workout” and find that it is not the “Third Best Version”, but the Best version for that price”
That really pissed me off and I am considering requesting a refund — what do you think mate.
Cheers ,
Norman H
How was the product you ended up with? Did you learn something from it? Was it worth to you the money you paid?
Really you could request a refund just because you were upset with the dishonest nature of the sales process and you’d be correct in doing so in my opinion. If people are going to make deceptive sales funnels like that, they should expect some people not to like it.
Up to you mate.
No question buddy. Get your money back – and before it’s too late. Go straight through Clickbank, as the vendor may delay or offer an (useless) incentive for you to hang on. I have some post on my blog for rookies, particularly related to cautious buying, spotting crap and getting refunds. There’s other stuff there too, mostly for the absolute newbie, and no selling!
Thanks for the prompt response Andrew.
Actually I have some time to try out the product so I will probably let my “emotions” settle down a bit. I have only given it a cursory overview but it does appear to be well presented. I guess it was the “sales” process which caused me to consider getting to hell out of there.
Thanks again and best regards ,
Norman H
Yea, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from a seminar I went to and some of the products I have bought.
You can learn as much or more by your mistakes, as you can by your successes most of the time.
But I wonder if any of these “guru’s (usually self proclaimed)” get it that you actually, look at them and tell people to do the opposite of what they do!
Good post Andrew.
Yes it’s sickening stuff especially when, just to add to your IM event experiences, you hear these 100K+ dorks referring to newbies as “shooting fish in a barrel”.
I wrote a 2 part post on this topic back in 2009 and the state of Internet marketing has become far worse since then.
It’s scheming, dirty and deceitful and most of the time you cannot call this marketing. It’s as far removed from sincere professional marketing as a cesspit is from a swimming pool. I fully concur with your statements on product quality.
The stories of people spending just a hundred bucks for crap makes my blood boil and to see these desperate people being ripped off for thousands is just plain criminal.
Enjoyed your post,
Ade
The IM niche is deluged with hype, falsehoods, and almost worthless products.
Another very disturbing trend is the deceptive subject lines many marketers are using to induce their lists to open their emails. Here are a few from the last few days:
DELIVERY NOTIFICATION
VERIFICATION NOTICE
Your Order Is Complete
Shipment Status
Of course, these are product pitches, but one is tempted to open them just to be sure.
The other really aggravating tactic is the series of pop-ups that occur after you hit the delete button. Some go on for 5 or 6 .
I didn’t read every post above, but someone should “out” the scumbags by name. Would a product review format be subject to legal prosecution?
Have spent thousands looking for the magic bullet. It never comes so I put that down to my procrastination but at least I have stopped buying. You are right…there are no secrets ….just hard work.
My biggest mistake was buying something on the say so of very trusted marketer (Australian) and losing $3.3k for a highly advertised Arbitrage CPA course. I noticed how conspicuously quiet all the gurus were after the course was finished. Yes it was the biggest pile of crap I had ever seen. Seems they all liked their commissions too much to be fair to those who had trusted their judgement. When I complained on a forum I was called negative and a naysayer. You have to tell it as you see it.
Then I went with an underground marketer to register for a warfare promise. Most of the time this guy was missing in action !
So never again for the big ticket items.
The CB annual club where the marketers bring out a rehash of last years product for hgis years newbies never seems to cease. I’ll bet the the CB product from the guy you were first talking about has the initials RB. Yep…..bought his very first product and was I mad.
There are so few out there that you can trust .
BTW I bought Brian Johnsons Auto Cash Content and that is one that I actually thought was good value for money. It did what it said it would do.
It seems greed is good as all and sundry don’t just sell you a product now. They bleed you a monthly fee. Not all are the same and two I know of are well and truly
worth it…Kim Roach and Michael Campbell. There are probably others but these two have a conscience and class.
Thanks Andrew
Bonnie
Thanks Andrew,
I hope all newbies take note.
All these new products have so many upsells, downsells and cross-sells and one time offers that it can take you 10 to 15 minutes to collect the basic product that you paid for.
When you try to use it you find you need all the extras to make it work!!!!
It is a shame that all these marketers have become blinded by the money, rather than trying to really help people.
I guess when you own a mansion with 5 or more high priced cars it takes a lot of money to support that lifestyle and they lose their integrity.
If I see one more add for a goatherd or street sweeper who finds a glitch or a loophole in Google I will be sick.
Thank you for your post. Great stuff!!
Sue
Congrats Andrew for speaking out on this.
So many people are being taken for a ride, I WAS one of them for a long time.
The lesson my parents taught me is “There Is No Free Lunch, someone always pays and it’s probably you.”
I’ll let everyone I know about your post so they might “See The Light!”
Have an excellent day.
Ian
Thanks for not showing a fake screenshot of Clickbank. I always think anyone could fake it anyway so I just don’t buy it. It is a little insulting that I would believe that they made thousands in a week but are so kind they are only selling it to me for $37.00! Is $37.00 the magic number? I really am curious.
Thanks for writing it down Andrew.
The IM niche is a bit like the religion niche. Wild statements, no proof, but kind of entertaining if you have nothing better to do.
But to be honest, just as I fail to understand how people fall for these religious ‘gangsters’, I don’t understand people forking out these amounts of money. As soon as I see a pricetag of $1997 I switch off. I understand the people selling the stuff, and I don’t believe they are all crooks, but I just don’t want it.
Not when you can buy genuine products for lesser money.
But hey…the world is full of predators, and of crowds wanting to listen to some ‘authority’ especially if they are fake
So what can I say? Only buy products with a troublefree immediate moneyback guarantee [ Clickbank ] and don’t hesitate to ask for a refund when appropriate.
Hey Andrew,
I totally agree with what you say. You should also post this on the Warrior Forum.
Speaking of which, anybody tempted to purchase any IM product should first check up the Product Review section of the Warrior Forum as has been suggested by a few people already. This in most cases will change your mind. It has saved me from making countless stupid purchases over the last year.
Been following you now for years Andrew. Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Donal.
couldn’t agree more but unfortunately it’s not just online, it has always been done this way – snakeoil salesmen,etc, the Internet is just another way they can con people. I always look at the affiliate section and see how many upsells there are, and when I get more than 3 emails for the latest must have I unsubscribe from all of the IMers who send the emails.
Thanks for confirming my impression of internet marketing. They send you so much mail and phony information that you don’t know which end is up, let alone how to do this business. That is all we want to know. How to ethically earn money and impart information. B
Good stuff Andrew, I had the misfortune to attend one of the WIS events and you’re right all fluff and all sales hype. I don’t buy any products anymore I only bought one and thought what rubbish. It’s hard to discern the good from the horrendous. Keep it up.
Cheers
So how do we publish their names without being sued for defamation of character or something like that. We should have a site called IMScamsters.com listing all of them buggers…
Goodonya Andrew!
It’s good to hear the rumblings of a revolution about these people that are legends in their own minds. There are quite a lot of us that have had enough of the ‘greed is good’ brigade and would like to educate their unsuspecting victims.
You have a post on my blog for what it’s worth and my full support.
Cheers,
John
Thanks alot John, it’s worth alot. We need all the support we can get
Andrew as usual a great and very truthful post. We seem to be breeding our own set of scussy, low life British Internet marketers who prey on newbies and those who believe the hype.
I am sure one or two of the main culprits were there planning their next launch, JV and what they believe is a honest business practice.
Over the last 12 months I have unsubscribe from so many lists,stopped listening to the “Guru” crap and business has never been better.
The real shame is that these UK based (when they are not swanning around the globe with no customer support) really hang onto the coat tails of the American marketers taking in everything they are told and believing they are Gods in the making.
Sorry you had a bad experience in London but at least you had the knowledge and the insight to smell the c**p when its around you.
Rob Benwell and his associates are clickbank scumbags. Don’t buy anything from him.
I’d like a lot more naming and shaming please.
Bravo on this article. Newbies are being burned right left and centre.
Totally agree about Benwell. He and so many others. They lie, they use the same sales formula and their support is hopeless. I’ve done a mass of research and there are some honest guys. The 95% of people who fail online are the ones who keep buying these crappy programs. Unfortunately it’s very hard to prove, as they throw it back on the buyer, with a disclaimer “results cannot be guaranteed”. That way, they comply with FTC regulations. There should be a better way of regulating this stuff.
Okay, it is very noble to want to see an end to the marketing ripoffs.
Some of these ‘syndicates’ are being exposed. Those that have built the “I’ll promote you, you promote me, we are all the best, most caring, most concerned and have the most secrets” brouhaha.
2 things I am in seeing in response.
One, those that are now marketing themselves as the ‘saviors of the poor, desperate souls being ripped-off.’ A whole new plethora of “honest marketers” saying basically, buy from me because I am fair and I care. (I DO NOT include you in this new mess.)
Two: when assurances in those things we have come to trust in our lives are challenged (the current world economy crisis) fear, greed and self-preservation kick into high gear. A Hungry (Starving) Market is ready to feed. Those in place to take advantage of those basic human responses are always there to profit – the Internet has profoundly expanded their target market.
The message is quite simple to me: if one has a few thousand to invest, this IM thingy may not be one of the more practical investments one can make.
Quite frankly, I found I could learn (rather steep learning curve) most of what I needed for free, or with some very good ,relatively inexpensive, ebooks. The tools to become more effective could always be added via any profits. That has been my mode of operation.
A little due diligence will also quickly expose most schemes and schemers with the power of the Internet. “Trust, and verify” is how I believe Mr. Reagan regarded the Soviets in the end to the Cold War.
We can warn, rant and rave to no end, however, greed, easy money and fear about our financial security will always be the motivators that compel people to blindly break out their plastic with a head full of dreams and swooned by expensive sales copy.
History continues to repeat itself.
Thanks for the post, Andrew. Long overdue expose…
Btw, now the garbage mongers are even making it impossible to unsubscribe – tried today to unsubs from the email of somebody called Jeff Johnson, but the Aweber link kept redirecting to his product page before I could hit the Unsubscribe button.
Talk about unethical! Have marked him as Spam for now.
There’s nothing new about the ‘sales funnel’ strategy you mention. It’s been around with direct (mailshot) marketing for many years.
How to spot a ‘dodgy’ product launch? – Here are some of my favourite clues – I’m not saying everyone who uses these are dodgy – just that they seem to flash a red flag in my mind:
- Unrealistic sounding earnings potential – if it sounds too good – it probably is.
- sales page exit pop-ups that take ages to get away from (you can almost hear the guy thinking: I’m going wear that sucker down until he gives in….)
- Earnings screenshots – don’t prove a thing – could relate to anything or even be fake
- Use of the word ‘Easy’ – parts of I.M .may be simple, but not easy, esp. if you’re new
- Going on about JV this and that on their affiliate resources page – we’ve got Mr X and X Super affiliates signed up already…, X upsells will earn you X. JV competitions, prizes etc. This stuff is a real giveaway as to their priorities!
Probably quote a few more besides!
Hi Andrew:
Thanks for posting this. You know me well enough to know how I feel about this issue… Having been in IM full-time for the past 14 years, the behavior of many of the big “gurus” makes me want to puke.
It feels like a dirty business anymore – back when I was getting started, people like Terry Dean, Marlon Sanders, Yanik Silver, etc wouldn’t dream of selling anything that wasn’t 110% worth the money. And they all still do sell great material.
However, it seems any fool with enough money to hire a half-decent copywriter can cobble together a pile of crap and launch it as the next best thing.
I’ve been on stage enough times – have done 10 of my own live events in London alone – and spoken at at least 10-12 other events – to know that this kind of predatory behavior goes on all day, every day.
But you know what? People still think there’s a “shortcut” to success. They still think that buying from Mister Guru Man is going to make them rich – even though they know deep down that the guy in stage is BS’ing them.
The people that MAKE it in IM work for it – they make mistakes, they pay attention and they don’t expect to get rich overnight. Part of the reason these “product launch of the week” types get away with selling crap is because there’s always somebody out there who’s willing to buy it.
I used to be proud to be in IM, and I always treated my customers like I’d want to be treated. It’s just a dirty, nasty business in the main these days, and it’s a damn shame.
Thanks for having the stones to post this one!
Cheers,
Frank
Hi Andrew-
Like always I read your blog and emails and was saddened but not surprised by the content. I have been more than a little disappointed by some of the pitches I have seen but consumers of this stuff (and all stuff really) never seem to learn the phrase “caveat emptor” – buyer beware. I hope my first (and thus far only) product delivers better value than the uber-hyped promises of “6 figures in 60 days” I get continuously via email.
Best to you as always,
Barry
Very timely and important message. With my customers and workshop participants I tell them that social media and technology are in what I call, the “Great Clash of the 21st Century”. that is: Sales Driven Social Media versus Community Driven Social Media.
In sales driven social media, profit is first… relationships not really important! It’s really the latest form of spam and if they can send out a tweet to a million or two followers and one sucker signs up, then they feel good.
In community driven social media this is what the Chris Brogan’s, Seth Godin’s and others talk about… Building community is first priority. Relationships are build, trust established.
Will be interesting to see how this clash turns out over the next few years and whether people will and can turn off the ever present sales pitches.
Interesting insight Kevin – thanks for sharing. It will be interesting to see the clash unfold. Though based on this blog post and many others like it, one wonders if the winner is already decided?
Hi Andrew,
Everything you wrote is true- and worse! Unfortunately, Every marketer’s credibility
went in the dumper the day the affiliate “link” was invented.
Including your own.
Take this thread for example. You “seem” like a well intentioned, good ole
Aussie, trying to be an iconoclast.
Perhaps you are. But then again…
It is a very effective way of branding yourself and creating followers(buyers someday?)
Granted, your last launch had less hype than most, and you did not have an
army of carnivorous affiliates spamming mail boxes.
However, your claim that diligent implementation of the product could
yield 100,000.00 a year(or, was it 500,000.00?), was a DEFINITE stretch.
I know, I bought it. (your customer support WAS excellent, though!)
The bottom line is not to trust anybody.
ANYBODY
Just perform as much due diligence as you can,
and keep your credit card in your wallet 99.99% of the time.
What a brilliant article, deep down it is everything we suspected but at times the hype was too strong and we were sucked in.
I made a resolve a few months back that I would not be duped again, thanks for this it certainly strengthens my resolve.
Thanks for this post, Andrew. One thing I always encourage people to do to help them wade through the mess of IM info out there is tell them to focus on acquiring SKILLS, not “systems.” It all comes down to learning how to design a site or modify an existing template, throw a minimum of graphics on it like a header, etc, write content or outsource it, come up with an income generating strategy for that site or pages within that site, and get traffic. Systems are almost always outdated by the time someone publishes an Ebook about them. Skill sets can always be refined and improved.
I always try to support teachers and writers who teach skills instead of systems. Those don’t get outdated so much.
I like it Jennifer – a skill not a system. Great advice!
Everything Andrew says is TRUE and then some.
One of the last IM events I went to was right here in Las Vegas where I live. Can’t remember how long it’s been..maybe 4 years but the reason it was one of the last was because I witnessed nearly the exact same conversations as Andres did and it “turned my stomach.”
At that time one of the major players had released and launched an actual book that sold very well. After his “pitch” and shortly before the next break I witnessed he, and all those gathered around him, talk as if those in attending were nothing but meat to be eating alive.
As Mr Guru talked about the “dead beat” crowd to the other Guru’s I asked him about his book and if he thought it would have a negative or poor affect on those having success with the methods or render it less effective. He said “WHAT DO I CARE!”
So YES Andrew you struck a nerve today as I read your post. Unfortunately this stuff’s been going on since Biz Opps and sales pages were printed in black and white on paper.
The problem is it’s become more difficult now to tell who really cares about helping others to become successful from those who don’t.
Andrew, superb post I have to say. I have been burnt in the early days of my Affiliate marketing career as we all have. I still buy products now but I am also a serial ‘refunder’! If its crap, it goes back!
Our own business does not sell in the ‘IM’ niche, we concentrate on selling ‘real products to ‘real’ people and most of the stuff we buy is higher end SEO and traffic course, and we still get burned from time to time.
The challenge is, if we don’t start somewhere we never learn anything. My rule when in a seminar is always never buy on the day unless I know the guy and have used his stuff before AND it is applicable to what I am doing right now.
Pretty much works because the good guys will always sell to you later and the bad guys stuff seems to smell a bit 24 hours later!
Cheers, Ian
Truly eye opening stuff and it’s great to see someone tell it like it is! I don’t twit, book, linkin, etc., but I feel sooo strongly about this topic that my new mission for this week is to Digg, Stumble, Reddit, Mr. Wong, Ping this site, add the link to this post to my Google profile and anything else I can think of to help you get this information in front of those that really need it!
My hats off to you sir,
Felicia
That would be so helpful, thank you!
Hi Andrew,
I have followed you for quite a while, since Niche Marketing On Crack (in spite of the name). I share your disgust, and I imagine sadness, at the state of IM, and personally I would like to do something about it. But what?
I propose a solution – go to war with the sharks and hit them where it hurts, in the wallet. Put up a Forum blog that names names, times, and list all the scams they have run and the crap products they have sold.
Start with ChrisX (aka Chris McNeeley), since he is the mastermind behind the sytematic set of lies and deception tactics known as AffiliateX. Then move on to Alex Goad and his other disciples.
I got so mad at Alex once (Google Conquest) that I was headed to Canada to look him up – but he decided to refund my money. I know you were part of that, but I choose to think you did not understand what Alex was really about at that point.
Then expand the list of main scammers, and start including their life support, the big shot JV Gurus like Casey, Beckker, and all the other JV bloodsuckers that sustain the product scammers, knowing how much the product really sucks.
How are you with Alex Goad these days? Are you afraid to cross these guys?
If you are really into actually doing something about this sorry mess – I’m in. If not, keep writing and I’ll keep reading – for a while.
Cordially,
Jim
I’m just about to undertake some training with some UK marketers and reading the above I don’t know if the comments are referring to them or not. Can anyone please tell me if Alex Jeffreys, Dean Holland and Lee McIntyre some of the good guys?
Steve.
Interesting, I’ve been following Andrew since I bought into Niche Empire Generator. I wasn’t impressed and would have added him to the list. I’m still not completely convinced, so he’s on my maybe list.
@ Rajiv & Mark
I charge about $150 per hour for personal support. I am unfamiliar with the support issues of Auto Content Cash. However, being a product owner myself, I some times get frustrated that people want “personal coaching” or “more advice” than what is offered in a $77 video tutorial course. I was thinking of putting disclaimers on my salespages about it. I understand resolving customers technical issues (they can’t watch the videos, or a download problem, etc), but paying $77 and then wanting personal coaching with it is bizarre to me.
This is another blog topic. Perhaps I will write about that.
ps. This has nothing to do with the Auto Content situation (it may apply), but a take on one of my own frustrations. Thought I’d throw that out there.
Andrew, I want to thank you for this post and say that I am going to tell everyone I know and hopefully those I don’t know yet. About a month after I began looking for a way to make money online I came across an eBook that opened my eyes to the very things you have pointed out here. Your post though goes into greater detail than the eBook I found.
This is actually my first time visiting your blog but I must say it is by far the best read I have had in a long time. I hope you keep it up and I look forward to reading more.
DonV-
Bravo!!! Thanks so much for this post.
Andrew
Matt Garrett directed me over here and I must say I’m glad he did!
Keep up the great work!
Phil
I hope this comment makes it way through because I have a totally different view on this from what I’ve read. Let me begin by saying that the marketers in which Andrew refers to did not create the opportunity but they did seize it. Hopefully this will become abundantly clear by the time I finish.
Let me say that I’ve read Andrew’s blog post and many of the comments. I didn’t read them all because I got tired of hearing all of the whining. After you’ve gotten enough bruises you will eventually learn what you are supposed to learn. It’s good to pay the cost with your wallet as this is one of the quickest ways to learn. I’ve paid by investing in a lot of worthless products but I don’t whine, I just learn and go on. Cream always rises to the top.
I’m on quite a few email lists and most of marketers are constantly pitching new products or courses for me to buy. Of all the marketers who’s email list I am on there is only one who has not pitched me to buy new products.
In fact, one of Andrew’s courses that I bought says “What you have access to here is the potential to create a business that will set you free for life; a business that will change not only your financial world but the way you perceive and operate in the rest of your life as well. What’s at stake here is your level of fulfillment, achievement and happiness forever.”
Now if the following were true why would I ever need to buy another one of Andrew’s courses? Why would he ever need to market another course to me? Is he really interested in me taking and implementing the course that he sold me? Is he more concerned in getting sales regardless of whether his customers implement the actions suggested in the last course he sold them?
Well, since I haven’t talked to Andrew personally I don’t know the answers to those questions but he does. I do not that I have received many more offers from him to buy more products.
So don’t get upset with other marketers who beat you at your own game. You may say that you are different but I don’t see that as the case you are just playing on a much smaller game.
Andrew, how do I know that your motives are sincere? I don’t and I can never know for sure. What if everyone retweets or publishes this content on their blog. You get more backlinks to your site, newbies see you as a credible and trustworthy marketer and you at some time will be able to promote some of your stuff to them of which they probably won’t do anything with.
I believe your energy is directed along the wrong path. Why? Because what you resist persists. You’re time would be better spent educating people why there is no easy path to success. As long a people are conditioned to look for the quick fix, the easy path and approach Internet marketing with desperation there will always be marketers to serve it up just like they want it
Why do you think we’ve had a war on drugs for so long now? Because it’s ineffective. Why to you think we have a national diabetes day? Because people are unwilling to change their habits. Why do you think that so many of the so-called unscrupulous marketers pop up all over the place? Because there are people out there hoping that they can change what has taken them a lifetime to create – overnight.
Now let me go through some of the comments made by others….
JW Ginn said….”there’s sickness in Internet Marketing” – There’s no sickness in IM. Internet Marketing is just that IM. It’s the people in IM that give it a bad name and cause people to be suspect. Rarely do IM (any of them) tell you the truth and nothing but the truth. They tell you half truths.
Self Defence Products said..”IM Guru scum bags exploit the desperate and Newbie” – No the desperate newbies exploit themselves but thinking they can push a button and money will come rolling into their bank account.
Kevin Baker said…”The lessons learned have made me stronger, wiser and yes Poorer for the privilege” To me this is what its all about. You get stronger and you don’t give up. No one system is going to work for everyone. All most marketers ever talk about is making a lot of money because they know this is what pushes those emotional buttons. When’s the last time you received an promotion encouraging you to create tons of value for others? It’s all about making lots of money which very few people who get into IM ever do.
Jayne says “ We can only hope that what goes around comes around. You don’t have to hope because it will. What you do to another you are doing to yourself. The Universe is the ultimate equalizer.
Rajiv said, Alex Goad is one such scammer and you should not be promoting his latest JV launch! As a paid member of his Auto Content Cash I can tell you he and Brian Johnson are out there to scam and rip people off.
Yes Brian’s Halloween Superaffiliate was promoted by many and ditto for every crap Alex Goad puts out. I couldn’t agree more and I bought both of those courses. As I’ve stated before most marketers do it but rarely do people call them out.
I could go on an on and this would be a 3,000 word comment but I’m sure the ones that his message was intended for will get what I’m trying to say. Let he who doesn’t live in a glass house cast the first stone.
Hey Rick,
I think for the most part we’re in agreement.
How can you trust me? How do you know my motives are genuine? You don’t. You can’t.
All I can hope for is that when I sell my products, people will get the value out of them that I say they will. That I will deliver what I promise for a price that’s reasonable. That I will tell the truth in my marketing material. All I can do is try to sell my products with some level of respect for the people buying them, and maybe just a little care for their individual outcome. Of course as you note, I’m not (nor is any seller) “responsible” for my customers outcomes – there will be no success on any method without the user’s basic personal responsibility – but you don’t have to be “responsible” to be “aware”.
Because, as I think you imply, it’s not IM that is the problem. It’s not selling “how to make money” products that’s the problem. It’s not that one guy does a launch and sells 40 000 copies that’s the problem.
It’s HOW he sells them that’s what matters. What matters to me anyway. It’s the HOW that separates the good guys from the bad in my view.
There’s no rule that says you can’t do an enormous launch and sell a tonne of product WHILE treating your customers with respect, WHILE providing them real value, WITHOUT lying in your sales copy, WHILE showing people a method that IS actually proven to work. Is there?
I know what you’re saying Rick, and I respect your courage in leaving a comment that goes against the grain, at least the grain of the other commenters. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Andrew
Andrew,
I appreciate your response to my message and even for allowing it to get through. I believe the things we notice in life are the things that we ourselves most need to improve on. Perhaps you were privy to those conversations because it would help you to more closely evaluate how you market and promote products online.
I must think highly of you or else I would unsubscribe to your list. I know what it feels like to be one of those individuals who feel like they’ve been taken advantage of. However, even though it has happen to me I do not feel like a victim and I take full responsibility for the part that I played in the entire transaction. I’m bigger and better for having had those experiences. Did I lose money? Yes I did. Did I lose time? Yes I did. However, I know that being successful on line is very possible because I’ve witnessed those who are not as intelligent as I am wildly succeed.
What you talk about is much bigger than IM or IM marketers. People are so desperate these days to make money. People are so desperate to earn a quick buck without putting in the work. If anyone has ever read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell you will know what I’m talking about. Until I have invested a minimum of 10,000 hours I don’t expect to be a super affiliate. It may happen but I’m not depending on it because I haven’t paid my dues. I’ve only been in the game so to speak for about a year.
When individuals resolve to look inside of themselves and to understand that it takes work to be successful both online and offline. You can run around if that is your desire trying to warn people be there will be more to pop up somewhere else? Are you going to be there to save them when they have in their minds made up to look for something fast and easy? It’s an impossible task. Perhaps your thinking is if I am able to save one person then it will be worth it. However, you miss the most important thing in teaching people how to think for themselves, which is something people who work on job typically relinquish to someone else.
Until the desires of people change the marketers that you mentioned in your post will continue to exist. When the desires of people change these types of marketers will cease to exist overnight.
I started not to write this post because I felt that it would be unpopular but It something kept gnawing at me so I know I needed to write it.
Thanks for allowing me the space to write this.
Rick
Your Message
I find your comments really interesting, you seem like a very intelligent person, but I have to disagree, you can greatly reduce the time it takes to succeed at anything my modeling success. That’s what this is all about, creating value, and passing on information that is useful. I agree that the main product here is making money, that’s what you type into the search engine. How to make money online? The problem is people fail to realize marketing is a skill. It’s a skill, that you learn over time. Unfortunately in the search for the overnight riches pill, we get lost. You are learning marketing the whole time it’s just in reverse. Let me explain, you see the squeeze page, you see the sales page, you see the emails, what you don’t see is the avenue that got their offer in front of you. ie, what they did to get their offer in front of you. As I stated before, there is a formula if you follow you will succeed. At the end of the day, whether a person succeeds is up to them. Are you committed to your success? Are you willing to liberate yourself from the self defeating beliefs we all have? Are you willing to grow as a person? You see as you grow your income will grow. Start looking at ways to create value, for other people. What is your dream? I’m not talking about the money, it’s what you want the money for, too many times people fail, because they don’t get to the real desire. They let other people create it for them or project their dreams on them. What would I do with a Lamborghini, nothing it looks good, but, that same money would be better spent on helping one of my nieces get through college. Now I can really get fired up to help someone else. I think that we are beginning to see a change, because I have been online for sometime, and this is the first time I’ve seen this type of forum. Each person that made a post here can start creating a new reality for newbies. Before you promote any product, ask yourself what value are you giving? Did you get anything from the product? Did you achieve the results, the product advertises? These are things that can be measured.
Hi. I really enjoyed reading your article. I support what you’re saying
Ben Lowrey
Right now, I feel blessed that I end up hanging around people like Grizzly Brears, Ben Settle and Marlon Sanders. These people do not promote the next best thing – just the proven ‘old school’ methods…
And I am all ‘old school’ now…
ahh,.. but the wise man would learn and observe how the “Scammers” sell 40k copies. I mean quality of whats in the box aside, they can sell 40k copies and you only 500. There must be something to learn here? no?
So it goes that the smart man would combine the sales tactics that gets people in the door and then actually deliver on the promises of a quality product?
this would put you HEAD and HEELS above both the “Scammers” and the “do-gooders” who still are paying off a mortgage into the realm of superhero….
The man who sees clearly through smoke is rare.
The man who speaks out against injustice is respected.
Thanks for showing others “They can To”!
Hello Andrew
GOOD post! I have often wondered about these things – it took me 3 months to pluck up “courage” to click a link I had found, thinking it was “just another one”!! Luckily this guy, Chris Farrell, has turned out to be an excellent tutor / mentor, one of the best I would suggest!!
But your warning IS so timely when more and more people are going to be looking into the Internet to build an income in trying times that could be ahead.
GREAT post!
Thanks Andrew
Mike
Thanks Andrew. Good to read from guys like you. I thought I was missing something but now I pretty sure.
These “Launch Gurus” hardly give any support of link to get in touch with them for more details on their products or those they promote. All one get are “Go Now ==>” links to pages that say nothing about the product but just “PROOF” of income and how they spend it.
Just beginning to think that newbies (me included) are doomed. I Haven’t been a victim yet and will be more careful where where I place my last coins. IM is vast, but I just want something that works. Any suggestion on where to start?
Thanks again for sharing.
Hi Andrew
The worst thing is that they all follow the same formula, a blind sales letter that tells with the same persuaive copy, and then a confusing miriad of upsells that you think will help you, but actually suck more cash and confuse you.
The worst example for the autotrafficavalance, it was a complete misnomer, nothing automated! All it did was teach you how to cheat the facebook system and get your adverts onto the network. It opened my eyes to how these guys do their marketing, and how easy it is for them to make such massive numbers.
It’s like when adwords first came out and every search term at $0.01 per click turned up an advert for some scam. What we need is a good facebook slap and the other networks to stop allowing anything that sells with blind salescopy or uses screenshots in the salespage.
Overall I think the tide is turning and more marketers with lists are realising that shit sticks, and if you refer someone to a scumbag that you are in turn called a scumbag.
Anyway glad I found this blog, following you twitter now, so hopefully I’ll find your content before having to read through > 100 comments to tell you I agree.
Andrew
Hi Everybody, I need your help. On my hard drive is a little text file called ‘Those Not to Trust’. Could you folk tell me if I am doing anybody an injustice?
Here’s the list.
Alex Goad
Amish Shah
Andy Jenkins
Anik Singal
Armand Morin
Bill Mcrea
Brendon Burchard
Brian Horn
Chris Freville
Chris Zavadowski
Eben Pagan
Ed Dale
Eric Graham
Emil Paz
Ewen Chia
Frank Kern
Gary Ambrose
Gauher Chaundry
Jeff Johnson
Jeff Schwerdt
Jeff Vacek
Jeffrey Wyrick
Joe Cooper
Joel Peterson
John Reese
Jonathan Mizel
Jonathan Van Clute
Jordan Belfort
Jose Rivera
Josh Schoenly
Kate Buck
Keith Baxter
Leslie Rhode
Lewis Howes
Luke Jaten
Marc Hardgrove
Michael Rasmussen
Mike Filsaime
Mike Long
Murtaza Yousuf
Perry Belcher
Perry Lawrence
Ross Goldberg
Ryan Ringold
Sean Malarkey
Skip McGrath
Stephen Pierce
Sweah Tieng Tan
Tim Castleman
Trey Smith
Yanik Silver
Zach Booker
Hey mate,
That’s a pretty comprehensive list!
I think a better idea is a “who you CAN trust list” – you might want to check out the “honest marketers” post I made a few days ago where many commenters discussed who it is that they personally trust in IM.
Andrew
There IS such a list. And you’re on it.
As I was reading down the comments it began to occur to me that what was required was not necessarily a libelous and potentially hazardous list of alleged scammers, but simply a list of recommended people and products. There are so many marketers out there and they aren’t all crooks. Simply list the recommended ones. Any potential victim of the scammers can pretty soon work out that if the person promoting the latest greatest product is not on the recommended list, or is not being promoted by people on the recommended list, then chances are there is a reason why they aren’t there!
And then I got to here and saw that you had already had the same thought!!
So why not have a moderated list of people and products, maybe even allowing a poll against both so that a quick glance could maybe establish that a given marketer has plenty of great “feedback” whilst another may not have as much. Just like the ebay feedback system for satsified customers?
So – no potentially libelous comments just a deafening silence!
What do you say?
Martin
Your Message
It’s the same thing a MLM, these people play on the desire that some people have to better their lives. Somehow we think that creating wealth is some magic trick. There is no magic course that will transform your life in 30 days. About 1 month ago, I met a gentlemen named Terry, we had a brief conversation about this same subject. I told him I was new to IM, and didn’t where to start. He recommended that I join Chris Farrell’s membership site, to learn how to build website’s and drive traffic, He then recommended Dan Brock, I can say without a doubt what I have learn is the absolute truth, and the results speak for themselves. Dan in turn recommended Andrew Hansen. It all started with one honest guy recommending another honest guy. They all tell you upfront this is not get rich quick. There is a process involved. 1. Education 2. Understanding 3. Implementation, These people are making a difference and helping people succeed. Oh I forgot Jan Roos, straight forward honest guy. Class acts, all of them.
Add Adam ginsberg to your list
Wow, you must have spent some time putting that list together. Was it really worth it?
Seems to me you’d be better off just removing yourself from their lists so you don’t have to reference a text file to remind yourself who to trust
I cannot vouch for the entire list, however one name stood out as a shining light of deceit, Anik Singal.
A free conference that you have to pay for, thanks but no thanks.
Watch the scammers in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGAK5LvO-SA&feature=player_embedded
Hi Andrew,
Your comments are timely and your opinions are undoubtedly shared by many.
Interesting to see how many sales letters today start off by saying “Are you sick of being ripped off……etc”
The cancer, knows it’s a cancer….
Andrew
Hi Andrew
A fantastic post you have here and real eye-opener for me – I am a fellow newbie who have been around the I.M Circuit running for the past few years trying to make it from newbie to full time Internet Marketer. I have never been to a Live event and it’s great to actually hear what really goes on at these event of which I have always been skeptical off.
With regards to selling how many copies per launch – I personally don’t think that it really top priority. Sure you want to sell some copies to cover you launch, pay overheads, to actually make some profit, something to show for the crazy amount of hours you spent creating, developing and marketing it etc…
However nothing will beat the satisfaction of seeing a smiling face, knowing that you have helped someone take action and acheive their dreams, or helping them achieve financial independence, freedom, and them thanking you for helping them. I think that what really matters.
More importantly, don’t these unethical rip-off prey on newbie marketers have any humane conscience at all? How do they sleep at night, or are they vultures in disguise and prey on newbies during the night and sleep in the morning?
I just hope they don’t ruin the industry for the rest of us i.e. honest marketers who are trying to genuinely help others and offer genuine products/services.
Anyway, thank you for your post again – will spread the message out
Best Regards
Nigel
Your post is spot on.
There are so many hyped product launches weekly that do nothing but rip people off. Couple of weeks of frantic advertising and then they disappear.
Glen
You’ve all made some insightful posts! And some of you just don’t get it…
It’s nice to see a few people make comments that don’t have “innocent victim syndrome.” No one can force you to buy
anything. You can however, be nudged and influenced, and copywriters like me count on that. So here’s a commentary from
someone that wields Thor’s hammer… and is very proud of it.
At your discretion, any of you can opt-out of any email list or ezine you like- any time you want. However, to point your finger
at a copywriter or marketer is misplaced aggression. Many of you need to be looking in a mirror when you point your fingers.
That is the time when you are staring-down the real culprit. If you don’t have the funds to spend… don’t. Your money is not
needed and there will be many people that really do make money, solve problems, or get well with what is being offered.
Study your buying habits and, when looking at any offers, analyze them with pad and pen. Write down what is actually being
offered to you and, on the facing page… what you’re going to do about it. Eliminate the “White Noise” that causes you to “act
to buy” when you know you won’t “act to use” the product. Tragically, some won’t even open it. You know who you are.
If you can’t write your expectations down for the product or service offered, sift through the hypnotic, convincing, titillating
copy or quantify a result, then…
DON’T buy it.
This isn’t like we’re splitting atoms, but all of the victims would like to make it seem that way. As for serial refunders, that is a
mindset that is in “pre-determined failure” mode- please don’t buy anything from my clients- or me. Some of the same
products on your shelf, whether virtual or actual, are on mine. The whining stopped for me years ago. It’s a part of doing
business on Planet Earth.
Here’s a revelation… NOTHING in life is guaranteed you. Some of the readers of this may make a major breakthrough
tomorrow- others may go to bed and awaken to live out another day- in drudgery.
This is so stupidly simple- all you have to is: ignore me and what is written. If you read my client’s offer, you’re consenting to
read my pitch. If you do that, the chances are you will want whatever is being offered. My skills and the results historically
achieved tell me that this is a battle that will be won often by yours truly- you can count on me doing everything possible to
separate you from your money.
My clients are owed this commitment from me and it’s not personal, but they’ve paid me extremely well to do it.
You aren’t sheep… or are you?
Sales funnels have existed since people developed a way to filter everyone in- or out of- the sales process. Multiple opt-ins
and pop-ups are part of life as we understand on the Internet now. The truth is something many of you won’t admit to… you
envy many of the marketers that have… “Made it.”
No, they aren’t lily white and innocent… but then all of you know that already. Some will also baffle you with screenshots and
not have two nickels. Deep down… YOU KNOW ALL OF THIS ALREADY.
Saying we don’t want to be sold to is like saying we’re going to disconnect from civilization. We will all turn in our PCs, cellular
phones and other data devices because… there are people trying to sell us things.
Gee, really…
Come on… let’s get real. We actually would need to get off the web, turn our TVs off, not drive our cars or read any
magazines and newspapers. After all, there are people trying to sell us stuff in/on there- on our way to the office- on TV, etc.
Danger Will Robinson… Danger!
Before we move on, let get the two words straight:
Internet + Marketing
What is Internet Marketing?
This is important, so let’s make sure we all understand this… Is it a job, career, business, occupation, or Final Jeopardy
category?
…NONE of the above.
My use of it is often incorrect. It is a process- a component used in our businesses… and that’s all it is.
It is my submission that you cannot be in the Internet Marketing business. You can be in the business of using Internet
marketing to sell your products. Internet Marketing is the process used by individuals and businesses in the activity of
producing…
SALES
Internet is the venue and marketing is an activity also, but it’s not a career. We are all part of some kind of sales business. It
matters little whether our offers are services or products. Our Internet marketing is a process used by all of our businesses to
produce revenue as the result of generating sales of services or products.
It is also not an entitlement… the fact is, that unless you are prepared to work your tail off, you probably won’t make much
money. In fact, you’ll languish in obscure failure and poverty when you think this business doesn’t take more work than many
other businesses do. No apologies- if that’s too… real.
But, before we jump on all of the Internet salespeople we deal with, let’s make sure we all understand what it is that we really
do. Let’s also not get holier than thou and think that sales is beneath us. We all do this and am thankful to have these powerful
skills. Few people can provide any legitimacy to calling themselves sales professionals.
Anyway, enough of this part of my ramblings- let’s switch channels now…
Andrew has always had my admiration and many of you may not realize what he’s doing here. He has used a well-known
technique and you’ve all been exposed to a tactic called: “inciting a riot.” It’s harmless to you, but has been implemented quite
well by Andrew. The strategy is to write a provocative commentary about an inflammatory issue or condition- encourage or
prod you to discuss it- then watch as you work for him through your posts.
When done well, as Andrew has done it here, it’s a powerful tool and he’s smiling right now when looking at his site stats.
He’s also giving everyone the appropriate elbow to the ribs to keep us going.
It’ fiendishly effective, isn’t it?
This is being brought into focus because of some of the remarks a few of you posted. You see, when you make reference to
copywriters, your comments are addressing my vocation. It is humorous to see terms like: “expensive copywriter.” This is an
oxymoron closely akin to you saying: “bad publicity.”
When you refer to me as “expensive,” you patently don’t understand the how my work can profoundly impact your offers or
outcomes. Any client of mine would tell you that they hardly consider me expensive. Their ROI from the work they receive can
only be measured in light-years. They know that the arena is spectacularly slanted in their favor when they make me their
“salesperson-in-print.”
There rarely is any such thing as “bad publicity” either. Those of you that truly understand the meaning of publicity should
inform the others that “bad publicity” is often a “good” thing.
Nonetheless, in actuality, the person some of you are really annoyed at is someone like me. None of my work is used in the IM
world- yet all of you have been exposed to good copy written for many admittedly less-than-ethical marketers.
My copy is used in other niches and you will find some less than squeaky-clean marketers there too. When you consider there
is no “barrier-to-entry” for Internet businesses, you should expect this.
But you need to know something…
In the span of something that took me minutes to write- if you’ve read this far- you’ve been taken precisely where “I” wanted
“you” to go. I didn’t use the word “I” once- until the preceding paragraph. I did use the most powerful word in any language-
“You.” In this small space, I made this “personal” for you. This wasn’t about me; it was about “you.”
“You” has been used in some variation 93-times and makes up slightly less than 6% of all the words. “I” was purposely unused
until I chose to utilize it. If I were to continue, I could exacerbate your pain, cure your problem, boost your ego or solve your
issue- or all of the above.
I could induce you to click links, reach for your wallet or type your Paypal information. But, I’m on your side here- this isn’t
adversarial- I’m just having fun. It is about you though- and, by reading this, “you” have allowed me to get- “personal.”
This is what “I” do best… I sell stuff for people that don’t want to spend decades learning my skills or be a perpetual student.
You can get the same edge using a copywriter of your choice.
At a time when many have been adversely affected by an enormous global economic shift, my sales and revenue are up 206%
over this time one-year ago. I am booked through the 27 weeks of 2011 and only have scant openings for any work for the
balance of the year.
Checks for prepayment of copy I haven’t even written yet have already begun landing in my mail box. No one wants me
working for a competitor, which is a great feeling.
Feel free to ridicule me and my work… others love me and can’t get enough. Gotta go- I’m at the bank… they love me here
too.
With great expectations for your success,
Joseph
Good article.
It is quite clear that virtually everyone involved in affiliate and internet marketing uses the guise of “friend and mentor” to suck you in with the premise that they have your best interest at heart. Once they have softened you up sufficiently they pounce to sell their products. One does not mind if it is a win, win situation and the product is indeed what you need to succeed, but that will be wishful tinking.
Anyway, who can really expect some stranger who you meet online to really have your interest at heart. Everyone is trying to make a living. One can only hope that those who genuinely do try and help will reap the benefits in the long term.
Here’s to the honest marketers out there !!!!
Great post Andrew!
Although I’m a veteran marketer myself, but I still learned a lot from this post. My subscribers always asked me to write something about those scam artists and now I don’t need to! I’m broadcasting all of my subscribers for this post and I will also add it to my autoresponder follow up segments.
Every newbie marketer should read this.
Thank you!
Henry
Andrew, you’re on your way to becoming an I.M. Philosopher, too!
See this blog post from 2008
Good to see you take a stand. You’ve always lived that position yourself, and no one’s better qualified to send out such a passionate plea. Hopefully, your appeal will fall on more ears and invoke some change in thinking than have earlier attempts by many, myself included!
Good on ya, mate!
All success
Dr.Mani
P.S. – @Red – you said, “I am not with any of them but if I am one of them I will just write an ebook that lays out all the dirty tricks and just give it away.”
I did – a few years back. It’s a report called “Dr.Mani and Mr.Snyde” – download pdf
Hey, Andrew,
CONGRATULATION, this your topic is really the best of the best in your blog!
Here is my two cents:
Now, as far as I know you, Andrew, are not alone talking very seriously about, just look at warriorforum or so on… Rumor is growing may be a bit too discretly but it can become a great tzunami!!!
There even an amazing contest has been launched but folks seems too hesitant or may thinking that the big sharks with dogs will eat them alive, isn’t? LOL
PLEASE never forget that the dogs barking, crows caw, but the caravan is still going !
Excuse me for my engrish anyway…LOL+ get read some amazing books by Charles Handy from the Elefant with his Flea series – you will instantly feel yourself almost impeccable! SERIOUSLY! Just think about WHY you want(? or need?) to be the marionnettes?
Why not to be be a simply “Flea” which can jump out easily ~300m away onto other big dog or whatever? LOL
*NOTA BENE*:You do not need anyone’s permission to be successful !
Personally I have never ever been a purchaser via CB or some other dotcom-ics e-product’s providers and I am extremelly cautious as an affiliate/publisher, too. I work (as an Flea, of course! LOL) with very few great experimented marketing maestros who I respect and the info provided can be applied instantly in any area of business…
Here is really nothing to do with these so called “twelve emotionally disturbed big dogs” –
I just launched a strictly limited 2011-2012 calendar with their portraits – with only twelve cartoons for our member-only, where our member has been the authors of… as well!
It was most funny launch ever I participate personally! LOL
Hey, Folks, just create your own funny “perpetuum mobile”in other dimension and level (just differenciate a bit yourself from these damn guys!) and you will find complet satisfaction which is not based at all on “green stufs” …;-)
BTW, any online & offline business are the sames as they are complementary to each other cause a different media. Here is not any miraculous way to earn your life, just be passionate and curious action taker and you will get all you want.
Finally, what are worth your “abandoned” kids and your family in general, and ask you mirror who is that unhappy *…* appearing there…
CHEERS ans big Hugs!
LOL
Very well put-together post!
It’s pretty horrid what’s going on behind the scenes of many, many IM “businesses” (read: scam-factories) and the more people are spreading the word about it, the better.
Andrew we need more marketers like you. This is such a good and informative post. Unfortunately, this is the same thing that happens in other niches as well like real estate. It really comes down to using common sense which we all know is not common.
One tactic I use when looking at any product is is to ask myself a couple of questions. Is this something I’m going to use right now to take me to the next level? Have I taken action on the last product I brought? Is there a particular section or area of interest they are speaking about that interests me. I make a note and research it later. I also Google most products before I buy it, while it’s hard to find an unbiased information, sometimes reading several things you can form your own intelligent confusion.
I try to use us logic not emotion when buying things and like a lot of people it’s hard. But the more you practice it, the better you get it at. I also spend less time reading emails from people who only push products and don’t provide any content or anything useful. I think we have to remember we’re a valuable commodity to these people and once you stop buying their inferior products and unsubscribing from their lists we might actually start getting what we pay for.
JL – you write an interesting comment and I agree with some of your points in particular that no one is forcing people to part with their money. However, what I think the general consensus is that we’d like the pitch to match the product. Is that to much to ask for? It’s just like buying a car, everything looks good and the pitch sounds great, but when you get it home it’s a lemon. I think you’d agreed eventually this will catch up to a person and can be permanently damaging to their business.
I’m with you Andrew, and support a stand – I’ve been unsubbing like crazy for a couple of months, but I’ve still got a long-long list to go through!! It took me 7 years to build – haha!
I’ve only had a quick look through your list though and was surprised to see Ed Dale and Keith Baxter on there. I have found both to provide very useful material over the past couple of years – but I’ve not bought much from them so maybe I missed a classic example of your rant material!!
Glad to see Shane Melaugh agrees, I really thought he must be a scammer when I first saw his name, but quickly changed my mind once i’d tried his material – thanks Shane, you really do make me smile!
John O’York
Hi
So, what’s the answer???
Anna
and i thought we all live in a perfect world !
Hi Andrew, I just came over from Randy Smiths blog as he included the link to this in his last post.
My blog, The Newbies Guide, is all about helping people get started so this kind of post is very educating and one which i will share with my readers. Thank you very very much for being an honest stand up guy and showing us some of the true thoughts of these so called leaders.
The list by Mr Grey is also an eye opener, more so as i’m on the lists of some of those mentioned. I am learning new things from some of them as in what not to do to my mailing list. I must say though that some of the names shocked me, but i’m very gratefull to Mr Grey for letting us know his thoughts.
Great post Andrew, i’ll be sending my readers over to it very soon.
Respect and Regards, Barry
Hi Andrew, unfortunately my views are this cancer has been around a long time and will always be around, even with marketing before the Internet- GREED is here to stay. Like you said we can’t change it- BUT WE CAN DO SOMETHING.
All I got to say is if you (us) as a marketer follow sound marketing principles you will stand out in a good way from the rest of the bad. Good or bad you will stand out. You will be noticed.
I ask any Marketer reading this- For the long term how do you want to stand out? For the long term how do you want to be noticed? In the end if you stink you will smell bad. In the end if you are honest you will have a good odor. What kind of odor do you want to give off?
Terry Conti
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for this post I am very skeptical of this kind of trickery a few years ago I asked a question to the author about his product and without a reply from him I thought yeah right I’m otta here and this guy is one of those big name gurus also so yes I am very skeptical and after reading this post maybe more so now.
Mike
Hi,
When I first landed on the post [and never been to your site before] I though this was just some IM marketing bull, kudos for a great post and one that I hope makes people, for one time, do NOT take action on this gooroo nonsense that is promoted online.
WOW!
Andrew, I wrote a similar blog post the other day and my comments went ballistic too. John Thornhill did the same. So did Randy Smith and a few others.
I’m just putting the finishing touches to a new no opt-in pdf report entitled: “How NOT to Be an Internet Marketing ZOMBIE.” That is sure to p155 off a LOT of the scammers out there. However, after seeing that you and so many others are “on the same page” with all of this I might edit it a little bit to reference your blog post here.
Gary Simpson
TEMPLE
Hey Gary,
I actually read your post and was about to leave a comment – nice work mate. We are the counter-current! Keep flying that flag!
Andrew
Oh, hi Andrew.
I just came back to grab a few details and saw you had replied to me. I have now updated my pdf with a few snippets from here (with attribution, of course).
Of all the excellent comments above (minus 1 – there always has to be a dissenter) Bet’s comment stuck out for me because it is so symptomatic of so many people just wanting to move ahead ethically and honestly with out all the hoop-la. Here it is:
Well said Bet! I have included that comment in my pdf.
Andrew, if you shoot me an email I will send you the pdf. You will laugh your OO’s off at what I say about these ZOMBIES.
Regards
Gary
Hey Andrew,
Great post! I was also at WIS the other week and was one of the bar proper uppers…. There were some very interesting conversations floating around all weekend! I’m surprised we didn’t bump into each other, unless we did and the alcohol had kicked in sufficiently for me not to remember anything!
I was sent here from Gary Simpson’s latest post on this topic! It’s good to see that those of us that want to do things ethically are starting to make a stand, maybe someday soon we can get rid of all these ‘blackhat’ zombie marketers!
Thanks again
Simon
Haha, we sat talking for numerous minutes at the bar big guy! I was sittin right next to you – strapping Aussie gentleman?
Shocking that I’m so forgettable haha!
Good to see ya here and thanks for the comment!
Excellently thought out post. I too have witnessed ‘sucker’ conversations between these people, usually in the bar during the ‘conference’. I was too new to know who they were, but I’ve noticed one consistent problem. I see hundreds of blogs complaining about garbage products, but very very few actually name names. Even in your own post, you refer to an overheard conversation. Well – Who Were They?
If I were in their shoes, I’d find these continued whinges laughable, because if there are no names, they have no teeth.
I’m building my new review site as we speak. These are started with garbage products I’ve personally experienced plus some contributors, all of which name the product or villain behind it.
To keep things in balance, I will also be recommending people I can trust, and would be morally confident to pass on to my newbie readers.
One can only hope.
Oh yeah, great blog. This Pom will be back.
Cheers
Great post, this is the fourth post I have read today on this subject, Barry Wells, Randolf Smith, Gary Simpson all join you in this passion for truth and honesty.
I was mentored for a brief period by a networking marketer who got me to find my why, which was to stop others from being lost online for 4 years as I have been, the networking marketer dropped me like a stone once he realised I was not going to join his downline!
Having read yours and the other posts, I am now a bit more confident that I can make a difference by being me and following my why. I don’t trust people who lie to me, so why should I expect those that follow me to put up with this, time to burn some more guru guides.
As a fairly recent newbie I have purchased a few of these products and agree with you.through my little bit of experience. You get the peel when you purchase, but you pay dearly for the meat that you need.and even then there is still the main ingredient missing. I also have a problem. On Dec7/10 I purchased Elite Niche Research and the Firepow Program. I believe you have a great product, but cannot seem to get the help I need from your help or support dept. I do not see a phone number or a fax number where I can contact a real humane being. Check the Company records and maybe you or someone can get back to me and help solve my problem.
Thank you: John
Hey Andrew,
I am not sure now, but didn’t you do something with Alex Goad? The guy who is only responsible for the biggest launches in clickbank history, etc?
The reason I’m asking is this:
Did you get burned by Alex? Since you are pretty much telling people here not to trust him, along with guys like Rob Benwell and some others. That is what I clearly read in between the lines.
Anyway… cool post.
Hi Andrew
Totally have to agree with you, like others I’ve bought expensive rubbish products before “seeing the light”
These days I search for reviews then go to the Warrior Forum to do more research, this has saved me ££££’s.
It’s good to see hard working and honest marketeers like Randy Smith and Gary Simpson echoing and endorsing your words – hopefully with more guys like you, Gary and Randy more and more people will see the “crap for the trees”
I also love to read the Saltydroid, his rants are very eye opening, although why he hasn’t yet been sued I’ll never know.
Anyway, I’ll be more than happy to refer this post on my own blog.
You certainly have my support, anything I can do to help, just ask.
Thank you for this important message. Its a shame that these guru’s don’t care about how badly they are messing with people’s lives. It’s not just the money spent on their product, but its the time invested by people who have purchased them who are pinning their hopes and financial futures on this information. I’ve seen the same thing happen in MLM and in real estate investing so I guess you could find this in most industries once you know enough to understand what is truly going on.
Fantastic post…but as a first time reader, I was immediately skeptical given that your report (albeit free) is titled “Learn The One Magic Tweak”…really? I know that probably sounds more alluring than “Learn one of the top tweaks” but I guess we all have to make a buck …. more subscribers = more money = more time to post great content
That’s great Earl. I’d be skeptical too. If you’re a first time reader, I wouldn’t make any judgment until you’ve read my material, bought my products, gotten to know me. I hope you’ll get a chance to do that
After spending a fortune with these leeches, I’ve learned that if I want an honest opinion of a newly launched product, the Warrior forum is the place to ask.
The members here have a, no holds barred mentality and if they don’t like something or, feel that the public are being ripped off, have no hesitation in saying so. You want the truth, ask the Warriors.
Hi Andrew,
I hope you don’t mind me linking to your post. I’m just starting with a blog platform and I hope I can point newbies to the right direction. First step, save their asses from these IM SHARKS.
-Jeedo
First off all excuse me for my bad English!
I fully agree with you Andrew! I am in IM since one year and for this time I have read a lot of crappy CB products and WSO’s but I never spend money for them because I know from where to download them for free! I have read books for everithing you can think of – IM , SEO, FB marketing, youtube marketing… etc and 99% of them are shit! If you find product that promise that will make you 20 000 in one week or that say “Even newbie can do it , you don’t need even website” or thing like this don’t buy – this is 100% scam! The best books that I have ever read are about seo and keyword research and they don’t talk how much money you can make, they don’t say that is easy! There is no easy money if you want to succeed then learn seo and keyword research and stop looking for easy money making system that “will make you millionaire overnight” There is no such thing!
There is only one thing worse than evil men.. the indifference of GOOD men.
Excellent post Andrew, I’m glad to see that alot more of the good guys are beginning to take a stand.
I’m looking forward to you being one of the IMtrustworthy charter members.
Regards,
Omar Martin
http://OmarMartin.com
We need more honest and trustworthy people online helping each other, not someone that only have their own interest in mind.
I am a firm believer of; “The more you help others get what they want the more you will get want you want.”
RobertWms
Online Business Marketer/Coach
First time when i read this article title i was surprised, after i read it i feel more surprised.
wow! outstanding story. $2000 went to $100k site selling. Amazing.
Hi Andrew,
When it comes to internet marketing, you are certainly one of the guys that I would trust apart from all those so-called gurus who just keep selling products that are rinsed and repeated with a new way of presenting it. I would definitely not get those products as it is a waste of tme.
Christine
This is probably one of the best blog post I ve eve read just that, thank you for be sincere with us Andrew, you have the oportunity to be like these guys, but you are honest, and I hope god to bless you for that, even more! Thank you!!
Thanks for writing this post Andrew. I’m from Malaysia, to be honest there are too many so called “guru” in my country who makes a living conducting workshop instead of making make real money from the internet. What worst is that this sh*t not only happened in the IM niche, it happens in other niche too.
Really tired of seeing all the ads running on the media that sell the poverty dreams.
Andrew,
A bit belated comment. Even though this pre-dates your Unstoppable Affiliates Coaching it confirms your continued consistency and integrity.
Just prior to starting your course I was ‘sucked’ in to the tune of $900 through a webinar that promised something different and novel. Only to find that the software did not work and the support did not really materialize.
Fortunately the marketing site the vendor used (WWW.SWREG.ORG) had some integrity and refunded the my payment along with about 50 other people who all got stung.
Thank you for your honesty and support
This is right on the mark.
It’s something that has worried in for a long time! It’s also something that I think we all seem to go through in our early IM careers!
I know I did
I lost quite a lot of money before it all started dawning on me what was going on!
I got VERY strict about refunding stuff.
I will definately put this on our blog,Facebook and Twitter etc.
Qudos to you for putting all so well
Lynne
Great post Andrew! It’s nice to finally read some honesty from an experienced Internet Marketer. Thank you
I am completely new to IM, less than two weeks, and I’ve entered my email on many sites to receive information. I will admit when I was sent a link to one of these guru sites for the first time, I got excited. After watching a few minutes though, my excitement quickly dissipated. I knew it was B.S. I cringe when I read about these evil marketing guru’s targeting newbies as if we’re all just a bunch of idiots. Before there was Internet in home’s this kind of evil marketing was happening in Newspapers and Magazines. Whether it was “Envelope Stuffing” or “Assembling Products.”
As a young teen I actually fell for one. But, that one time taught me that the old saying “If it’s too good too be true, it probably is” is in fact true. I have not purchased one thing I’ve been sent in my email these past two weeks, yet I have found marketing information that people are charging for, for free.
Suffice it to say, I’ve learned that you have to research, find a product that you believe really will help others, have an Interest in your product, research some more, and take action.
I’ve got a long way to go, but because of people like you, my journey will be a lot less difficult. Again thank you Andrew.
Christina
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.
You made me proude to be an Aussie. I love that you had the guts to speak about this.
Tell ya mum I said she did a good job raisning you
cheers
rosie