I've spent some time in the Internet marketing space for just about five years now.
Over that period of time, I've seen dozens of people who call themselves Internet marketers.
I've also seen hundreds of products.
Software, ebooks, courses, you name it... I've seen it all.
Some people in Interent marketing are worth listening to because they are bringing value to the table. They are entrepreneurs with real solutions who are able to sell their knowledge for a reasonable price.
Others are nothing more than copycats selling products that teach methods they themselves hve not found success with.
It's all smoke and mirrors for these people.
Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference, whcih is why some well-meaning people get caught up in the hype of the latest launch and are willing to spend another $2000.
The sad truth is that many who purchase products never opened the package from the last $2000 they spent.
And while that's important to recognize, I also am aware people buy what they want, not necessarily what they need.
One of the most frustrating things for me is someone who buys my product but doesn't consume it. I would rather those people never purchase in the first place.
But even more surprising than the people who will chase "the next big thing" even though they never really worked hard to succeed at the previous "next big thing" are the marketers who continue to rehash topics that have already been beaten to death.
They come in two forms.
There is "the one-trick pony" who is still riding on the successes of 2005. They continue to develop and promote products that are simply rehashed versions of their original product.
There's nothing wrong with updating your content. I've done that with my AdSense ebook for years.
But when that is all they do it makes you wonder if there is any originality or creativity to be found.
I don't know about you, but I can't just keep doing the same thing again and again. I must innovate and do new things, even if I continue some of my existing successful brands.
I also know when to stop. There are a number of products that I have pulled off the market completely. I could continue to generate revenue from them, but I don't believe they serve the customer due to changes in the web.
Then there is "the never-was". They are the opportunists that see a hot topic and attempt to glom on to the wave by creating a knockoff product of their own.
Never was this more clear to me than when my AdSense products became best-sellers. All of a sudden there were a number of copycat products developed by people who had never made a dime with AdSense.
With no credibility or originality to back them up, these so-called marketers may be the true snake-oil salesman of our time.
No, I am not going to name any names.
It's my hope that you will carefully consider the source before you purchase products or services that promise to make you money.
And realize that there is NOT a "magic bullet" that can do it for you. It doesn't exist.
If you aren't willing to learn and then work to put your knowledge into action, you don't have much of a chance of succeeding.
Don't get stuck in a rut of chasing the next big thing.
Instead, lead the way through innovation.
Dream of doing something that no one has done before.
Prove that you have a method that no one else has thought of.
Create your own success story and others will beat a path to your door.
What are your thoughts?
Please leave your comments below.
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January 13, 2010 09:05 AM
Good reminders of the unfortunately "if everyone had common sense I wouldn't have to write this" variety.
There will always be leeches on the innovators, and it'll always be hard to discern who is puffed up with marketing air and who is simply plowing new ground because it's the right thing to do - even at risk of failure. Were it ever thus.
I see nothing wrong with benefiting from one's past successes. But resting on your laurels - well, in journalism it sure doesn't work. Grizzled editor: "Great five-part series, thanks for putting in the six months of work on it. What do you have for next week?"
You can't say: "A Xerox of my six-part series." (Though in my TV news world, recycling is just as big an issue - with thin staff, etc.)
Thanks for the thoughts, Joel. Bought Twitter Power months ago and have enjoyed it quite a bit.
Barney Lerten - Bend, Oregon
January 13, 2010 09:13 AM
Hi Joel,
I think this will strike a nerve with MANY people...myself included! It's easy to become a 'collector' of products or jump on the latest thing because there's so much momentum & hype about it!
At some point though if you don't start USING what you buy - you simply end up with more purchases and NO income.
I've also learned the hard way about marketers who simply re-hash the same material they created years ago (unfortunately it was an expensive lesson). I'm much better about observing launches from the sidelines now....if I don't have time to implement something right now, I don't buy!
Looking forward to your upcoming book!
Thanks,
Kim Doyal
The WordPress Chick
January 13, 2010 09:22 AM
I was just thinking about this, Joel... and how you've done very well to stay ahead of the curve. No matter what your business, I think it's critical to stay informed and innovative within your chosen industry, and always continue to move forward. Thanks for this article as it is quite timely for me, personally.
January 13, 2010 10:25 AM
Joel,
A brilliant post.
I share the exact same thinking. Not having been in the Internet business as long as you (for me, just 5 years), but I have had some success in affiliate marketing and have recently just started innovating new services to sell on-line.
Essentially my experience with making a living on-line is this: "Hard Work"!
As an example, it's taken a year of working 15 hour days to get to launch for a product that serves a function / use and is of direct benefit to anyone with a large email list. We've been out there a week now and are beginning to see some traction with take up (which is great!). I can tell you that there have been some very hairy moments in budget over-runs and really not knowing whether we were developing something that was needed. (You will know these feeling I suspect).
On the "marketers" front, you don't need to name names. The "suspects" (marketing gurus) that you refer to are well known. Have you seen the YouTube videos taking the "Michael" out of certain individuals (classic viewing!)?
On the "marketers", what annoys me is the constant cycle of buying & selling of marketing courses re-hashed from the same old stuff. It seems that the "fortunes" are being made by the few people selling the courses. When you probe deeper into their backgrounds, it seems that the only experience they have in business is in selling marketing courses. How does this benefit anyone other than the obvious?
I remember years ago being taught the fundamental principle needed to succeed in business:
"Find a need & fill it"
What "need" do these marketing "courses" serve other than perhaps offering false hope and expectation to those who can least afford the $2,000 fees?
The reality is that there is no shortcut to making money on-line. It's not easy, it takes hard work & perseverance. At least that's been my experience.
If you need to learn "marketing" or selling, there are countless good books to buy from people with credibility (I'm sure Donald Trump has one out, but others such as Og Mandino etc). Spend 5 bucks instead of 2,000 and learn from someone who's delivered some business value IMHO!
Take care and thanks again for the insightful post.
p.s.
Your posts have been an inspiration to us in the office here when times got tough over the last year. Keep up the good work.
January 13, 2010 10:30 AM
Hi, Joel,
Thanks for sharing your experiences and story. I have been scammed a few times by those so-called IM experts. You mentioned "to innovate" and "dream of something that no one has done before". They will be my goals from now onwards.
BTW, I think a good mentor is also very important. They can help to answer your problems and clear your mind. Without them, it is like finding a needle in a haysack.
I am grateful to have a few mentors to guide me and with your wise words and honest opinion on the IM scene, I am even more determine now.
BTW, you are one of them. Your Adsense 4.0 really helped me a lot on understanding Adsense. Plus, thanks for putting my little blog (techielobang.com/blog) on your Twitter Power book.
Looking forward to seeing you in person. :)
Regards,
Joe
January 13, 2010 10:36 AM
Hey Joel,
Your knack for hitting the heart of the matter on so many things most everyone online needs to know is always right on.
Thanks for sharing what many secretly feel in their heart, but in the "heat of the moment", or product launch, get the feeling that they just need this one more thing to get them out of their "hole"!
Best to keep the emotions in check, do some research, and truly see if what someone is offering matches your true needs, not just your wants, or even the impulse reaction to "Click Here To Order"! (Ooooops! that is not meant as anything derogatory to your wonderful book!)
Best always,
Paul Klein
January 13, 2010 10:40 AM
You could say the same thing for most businesses online or offline. With retail the saying goes, "location, location, location"... and online getting traffic is like that, too. Most businesses do sell "copycat" products. So what? Find a need and fill it! (without ripping people off)
January 13, 2010 11:04 AM
I believe that being copied is the highest form of flattery. However, as we are seeing today, the people with the original idea and the wherewithal to come up with innovative solutions to todays new business problems are the ones that are still in business.
I'm one of the guilty followers who has purchased a product because it was the "next BIG thing". Never again. Repeating that action would be the mistake, now I choose to forge my own path.
Thanks for this wonderful post.
January 13, 2010 11:04 AM
Joe- Thanks for sharing... I like this post because "Prove that you have a method that no one else has thought of." (the word PROVE meant something to me/should to us!)
Best, Brian-
January 13, 2010 11:08 AM
Hi Joel,
I am sure many people can relate to your article Joel, I recently purchased a product that said;
"Are you suffering from the "How to ..." information overload? What about all the useless, space-wasting digital e-books you have piling up in your "My Documents" folder?"
I being one of the above, in the past!
Thank you for your article, it is so important to concentrate on one thing at a time and stay focused and patient.
January 13, 2010 11:31 AM
Hi Joel,
Great article mate! This is so true what you said. Unfortunately to many people are looking for Magic Bullets now day because they are not willing to put the hard work required to achieve there goals. And like the lemming they keep on coming and coming, and the snake oil salesman as you so well put it will gladly take there money and give them another useless product to gather digital dust on there hard drive. This final phrase in your article "Create your own success story and others will beat a path to your door" is very inspiring, I think it is something worth keeping in mind if one want to be successful online today. You made my day Joel, Thanks.
Anteek
PS; It is also said that "Innovation is the mother of all inventions".
January 13, 2010 12:21 PM
Hey Joel,
Not to take anything away from your great products but to let people know, I took all of the free information I could find online about AdSense and make a nice 5 figure second income with it. It can be done without the latest guru if you take the time to read, learn and put into practice. It by no means happened overnight and without long hours of creating good content and testing and retesting. I'm sure with your information I could have done it much faster but at the time I didn't even know there were AdSense guru's!
With that said, it is time to move on from AdSense. Any recommendations on finding new revenues of income? New niches, forms of media, anything?
Much success to everyone!
January 13, 2010 12:36 PM
Great perspective Joel,
It is all too often that another "success program" gets introduced to the the marketplace with lot's of hype and fan-fair... only to realize the author is a 22 year old boy that has NO real world experience. If there were only a way to monitor these people.
However... the Big (self-proclaimed) Guru's out there all teach people that anyone can create product fast (doesn't matter the quality), and as long as you can create a compelling sales letter... people will buy.
And guess what? They do! Only to receive the product and are able to apply none of the information in it. How frustrating!
In 1987 I started 3 companies, and had success with two of them. In 1991 I sought out a mentor named Jay Abraham... and I became a Protege! I implemented what I learned, to the point of massive success.
Other business took notice of my success and asked me if I'd help them out. I did this and produced great wealth for myself and my clients.
In 2001 I wanted to learn from Tony Robbins so I became his National Trainer. After this stint, I synthesized all my experience that I empirically learned into a program. That program is now on DVD and ready to be introduced to the world.
Who should people be learning from? The answer to that question can do one of two things: produce confusion, frustration and lack... or, it can produce Clarity, Confidence & Focus. Choose wisely.
I admire your style Joel. Keep moving forward with your mission.
Bill Covert
The Accelerator for Success using the Dream Bar Cafe Principles
January 13, 2010 02:26 PM
Hi Joel
Creativity is the stuff dreams and the imagination are made of.
Often people are not encouraged to try something "new" - to stick with the what is already known as it is safer.
This is not true as every innovation comes from someone who takes a "risk".
If you look at risk it is everywhere we are - at all times. TO live is to risk.
Whether you live in a thriving city, a small country town or village or in a underdeveloped country, there are risks in living.
There is only three certainties as I see it :)
We are born, we die and there is change.
Everyday the planet spins around, time changes and people do as well. It is what makes living exciting, confusing, frustrating and so much more.
As kids we are creative and our imaginations run riot - creating worlds, plays out of everyday things we don't see. They do and they have a wonderful time exploring new possibilities and opportunities.
Somehow as we go through our life, often these creative ideas and imagination are lost in the doldrums of existence.
We get "caught" up in life and cannot find a way out. Not that we don't look or try, sometimes things, ideas, people or products work and sometimes they don't.
To risk, creative is to live.
Often people will spend as you suggested $2000 or more without opening a product. Or they don't want to wait, to learn and try new ideas - grabbing the "next best thing" that comes this way.
Look at a situation with a school. There are all types of kids - the popolar, the geeks, the untidies, the punks and more. Every society has its own stereotypes. To be able to break out of those molds that we cast and are cast at us, takes guts and grit.
The ability to see change is needed. As much as the air we breathe.
Without change more possible would die, new products to improve our lives wouldn't be created - a dull and lonely world it would be.
A quote I like about creativity -
"Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins." - Jim Rohn
Step up and be counted.
Thanks for a great post Joel,
January 13, 2010 02:52 PM
I have spent a lot of money on products. There is a lot of junk out there. Very few marketers add value to their products. Rest all are just making money.
January 13, 2010 03:06 PM
You've nailed it! I used to be subscribed to so many internet marketing guru newsletters that it was an overwhelming task just sifting through the information. Last year, I stopped reading and started assessing their information for content that would help me to be more effective in my internet marketing endeavors. As a result, I now have the time to be more innovative. The really great part is that the few small successes I've experienced have encouraged me to try even harder.
January 13, 2010 05:07 PM
Right on Joel. In my estimation all of it needs to end. It doesn't serve anyone when people are out of integrity in their business practices, or in any other part of life for that matter. It does considerable harm when we manipulate others and lie, and especially when we do not have others' best interest at heart when we sell them products or services.
I find this particularly true when hype and emotional hot buttons are used to sell products, no matter whether they are good or bad. Either way a person doesn't buy out of rational thought or need, they buy out of fear, and they end up spending money for a product they will likely never use, and lining someone's pockets simply because they were manipulated into doing so.
And, selling knock off products is the same thing. No matter how you look at it, people are manipulating and preying on each other for their own gain, which is an animalistic behavior and it needs to stop immediately.
If we are going to survive on this planet we need to realize that we are one family and that we need to help and look out for each other, not use and con each other.. or worse case scenario.. kill one another as our government is so fond of doing.
The best,
John
January 13, 2010 05:17 PM
Hi Joel, as someone new to all of this, I take your comments seriously. I have "signed on" to a book launch campaign but I think that relying on my core values - I don't look for things that are "easy" - it's simply not in my nature. That doesn't make the opposite true in that I don't purposefully try to do things the hard way! But by taking the time to assess opportunities and to be willing to share with others helps to grow relationships and at the end of the day, for me, that's what it's all about.Your note reminds me to be aware, and small "s" skeptical.There's some crazy stuff out there!
January 13, 2010 08:41 PM
"The sad truth is that many who purchase products never opened the package from the last $2000 they spent."
Somebody said that the "make money online" niche is the easiest group to sell to. It's because the majority are consumers, not marketers. Employees, not entrepreneurs. Followers, not innovators.
But among them are also those who seriously would like to learn entrepreneurship. And it's sad if they don't find the right internet marketing mentor for them right away.
Thank God for honest marketers like you Joel.
Jose
January 13, 2010 11:48 PM
It takes quite a bit self confidence to stick with the own path, if ervery week there is a new big one thing, chance of a lifetime, but olny available Monday at noon. This Monday noon things might be excellent, or not. But everybody needs to ignore about 99% of them to follow his learning curve and attain mastery in his field. Self confidence and stubbornness is a prerequisite for that.
And, by the way, I believe the hardest part is not learning marketing or getting the right tools or products to sell. The hardest part is to overcome the own habits in thaught and behaviour. Many people need a situation absolute to defeat to be able to change these habits.
January 14, 2010 12:56 AM
Hi joe,
thanks for your post...the sincerity in delivering correct information and good product is needed...but when you have branded your name, people will know you are and what they can get from you instead.
January 14, 2010 07:14 AM
Joel,
Why won't you name names?
Isn't it because you're afraid of turning off the sprocket to the shamsters with billion-name lists who make any of your launches fantastically successful.
I've heard this same "I won't name names" tune from many big-name marketers, and when push comes to shove they always choose to circle the wagons and protect the mostly white men inside.
Let's clean up the slime and save sincere would-be marketers billions' of dollars on redundant or fluff products proliferating the cyber marketplace.
Joel, do you stand for what is right or only pontificate about right-thinking and action?
Remember Camus' words as you go to sleep tonight: "Those who lack the courage will always find a philosophy to justify it."
January 14, 2010 07:38 AM
Hi Joel, you are sure. Few do something new in internet. I will not give names but there are really many people in internet sending us e-mails and do exactily what you sayed.
January 14, 2010 09:34 AM
Joel,
Its good to hear that you are willing to pull some of your products of the market simply because its the right thing to do. I appreciate your integrity.
I really like what you said, "Create your own success story and others will beat a path to your door." We all have a story and we all have had success. We just need to create something of value from our success that can make a difference in others' lives.
January 14, 2010 09:54 AM
THIS IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I HAVE RECEIVED CONCERNING INTERNET MARKETTING.NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.I SIMPLY LOVE THE WAY YOU LAID IT ON THE TABLE FOR ME.I AM VERY INTERESTED IN STARTING MY OWN ONLINE BUSINESS IN ADSENSE,EBOOKS AND WRITING ARTICLES.I LIVE IN LAGOS,NIGERIA AND I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR.I BELIEVE I WILL BE AN ONLINE SUCCESS VERY SOON AND I BELIEVE IN WORKING REALLY HARD AND MAKING FEWER MISTAKES. THANK GOD I FOUND YOU.I HOPE TO LEARN FROM YOU ALL THE WAY BECAUSE I AM ENCOUNTERING SOME DIFFICULTIES RIGHT NOW WHICH I WILL OVERCOME.
THANKS
NN.
January 15, 2010 12:56 AM
Hi Joel!
I must say that your article very much talks about whats happening nowadays. Its very relevant and very timely.
Joel, it is always good to read what on your mind.
Thanks and God Bless
Aftab
www.theITvideos.com/