The Extreme Ezine

Sire  on February 17th, 2009

Tell me something new Brian. It’s like the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. I irks me how these guys make it sound like they are doing you a favor, when all they are really doing is priming you for a sale.

Sires last blog post..Woopra Analytics Providing Real Time Stats

Brian  on February 17th, 2009

It’s true Sire, but a whole lot of people buy into it. The next time someone asks me about such and such product I’ll refer them back to this post.

Sire  on February 18th, 2009

Now THAT is what I call self promotion

Sires last blog post..Woopra Analytics Providing Real Time Stats

Brad West  on February 18th, 2009

Ok Here we go now you got me all riled up.

I bought my first get rich e-book I believe it was for $27.00 or $49.00, it’s been that long ago I can’t remember the money isn’t the point.

What I can remember vividly is reading, re reading and taking the time to do every little thing that this big guru said to do. Because I wasn’t going to let anything slip by, I was going to be rich.

Well after quite a spell of doing everything to a T, I wasn’t seeing the promised results. So I when and contacted the Joe Guru with an extensive letter, probably more in depth than his e-book. A couple days went by and I get a response back. Better than you get from 85% of the big guys today (just tested this one 4 times, so I’m not kidding0. The response simply read I didn’t do everything by the letter and that is why my results were so poor. I needed to by this more expensive product this is where the meat is. I in turn wrote him back and simply told him, I bought the real story the first time, You sold me the meat that would make me rich remember and posted the copy from his splash page.

Three days later I resent the message. wondering if he got it. I have never heard from him again. But beware this Joe Guru is still out there and active today. I’m on his list.

I have been saying this for years. and it still needs to be done today. I tried to get a site going just for rating e-products and on-line training. Where can you go to find out the stats of how many people had results from a product or training. There is no place you can’t. How many of these big guys market by revealing how many people they have helped become rich, or even make a dime. None that only can boast about how much they make, and here is part of how I did it.

I do understand that there are the halfhearted hobby type people that would have to be honest not only with themselves but but others and just say I really didn’t try. But then again there are people like us who work a full time job and put the rest of our waking hours fighting the good fight.

Just a for instance since this is what I got my head around right now. Our Blog Co-Op system I can’t get anyone to spit on. Now here is a real proven product that is working better than we even expected to get blog sites deep-linked, bookmarked, and on massive feeds. besides the site we are paying good money every month for a tool to help manage the content, no content. But I’m not Joe Guru So I must not know what I’m doing.

Are there that many stupid people that just keep buying stuff just to say they bought the Joe Guru products or what. Makes me wonder if actually having a product with value is a good thing or not.

I do know that working in teams is the only way to make things really work. There are tons of people that just don’t get that.

Brad West ~ onomoney

Brad Wests last blog post..Tweet Ups – Meet Ups

Brian  on February 18th, 2009

Hi Brad, that sounds very familiar. I bet a lot of us have had very similar experiences.

You’re right about there not being a site to rate online products by how many actually deliver on the promises. It would be pretty tough to get enough real data to be accurate.

I’m dieing to know who Joe Guru is. If you get a minute PM me and let me know if it’s ok. I have a few in mind and wouldn’t be surprised if it were one of them.

Brad West  on February 18th, 2009

Hi Brian,

You know I was going to run right over and tell you who it was in a pm. But then I thought about it for now I am going to let it lie the way it is. Reason being is a name gives a face and direction. There are so many Joe Gurus out there keeping this general even in thought for now could stimulate some response.

I am tweeting that I am on a rant thing today, don’t know why it is rare I get in a mood like this. Must be getting fed up with everything from Government to dumb asses at work.

We will comparing of experiences at some point I’m sure.

Brad West ~ onomoney

Brad Wests last blog post..The Truth Hurts!

Brian  on February 18th, 2009

You’re a wise man Brad. That’s the best way to handle it.

Funny, your Link Luv is showing my last post on the Blog Co-op. Comment Luv must think you are me.

Brad West  on February 18th, 2009

Link Love will pick up the last post on the forum.

If you look at the ticker on the top of the site, the lead post will be the one that shows

There is no predigest here who ever has the last post gets the seat.

Brad West ~ onomoney

Brad Wests last blog post..The Truth Hurts!

Mike Collins  on February 19th, 2009

Hey Brian, I have to agree with you. Too many people are looking for the magic potion that will give them tons of cash without any work. It doesn’t exist. And they spend so much time searching for it that they never actually take any action or work towards their goals. They’re just wasting their time and making the gurus richer.

Steve | Trade Show Guru  on February 19th, 2009

Hi Brian,
My only problem is that this guru (me) isn’t getting a piece of all this supposed guru action. I agree with your post completely, but I don’t think it’s what most people what to hear.
They want to hear, “Give me $100 and I’ll tell you how to make $1000.” There’s a reason this still works, and always will. Human nature.
~ Steve, the ever skeptical trade show guru
By the way, the way it works is you give me $100. Then go and tell 10 people to each give you $200, and then split it with me.

Steve | Trade Show Gurus last blog post..Do Trade Show Giveaway Pens Work?

Brian  on February 19th, 2009

@Mike Well said Mike. We work 40, 50 or even 60 hours a week year end year out for someone else yet so many people expect instant success with an online business.

@Steve Exactly right Steve, human nature. Too bad common sense isn’t human nature.

Hey, if you get some professional graphics and a fancy smancy title we can wrap that last 2 lines into an ebook. With my testimonial we can sell it for $27 a copy. $47 if they want MRR lol

Steve | Trade Show Guru  on February 19th, 2009

Hey Brian,
I like your thinking! We could call it, “Get Rich Easy” maybe? Or “Free Easy Money.” hmmm… I think I’m going to start looking for a new GulfStream. ~ Steve, the trade show guru

Steve | Trade Show Gurus last blog post..Do Trade Show Giveaway Pens Work?

Brian  on February 20th, 2009

Sounds good Steve. I’ll have my people get with your people

Dennis Edell  on February 20th, 2009

@Brad – I’m very curious as to why you’re still on his list?

Dennis Edells last blog post..Guest Bloggers Wanted/Needed Right Here

Brad West  on February 20th, 2009

@Dennis Edell,

Ever here the old adage keep your friends close and your enemies closer?

Not that anyone is actually my enemy, But here is the way I look at it. Joe Guru actually got me motivated enough to act on something that by looking back, if I had thought I may not have acted the way I did.

Now think about this. The people that are selling half the truths and mediocre products in hopes that they can sell you another, by leading you to believe that they have the golden key. These people are actually giving you the golden key for no charge.

Ever hear the story about the maintenance guy in the prison that everyday after work would wheel a wheelbarrow of sand through the gate of the prison. The guards would go through the sand everyday and check to see what he was sneaking out the gate. They knew he was up to something they just couldn’t put a finger on it. The maintenance guy was stealing the wheelbarrow not the sand.

Well if you watch how these guys are pushing their stuff. If you pay attention to the techniques and tactics they are using to get the masses to buy their stuff. That is worth more than their product most times. They are giving their stuff away for free and most people don’t even know it.

I look at it this way, the people that bitch about getting all this crap from lists they have opted into and possibly opt out are missing the lesson.

I just have a folder I filter it all into when I have time to learn something that is where I go.

One thing I did learn about this last Frank Kern thing is that if you were not the money making elite you had no chance what so ever to even talk to any of these guys.

During that launch I sent messages to 12 of the top guys pushing it. I simply sent a couple questions to them 4 times over a period of time. I actually got an answer from 2 of them, nether one of them answered my response and second question.

I totally understand the time factor, and they can all say they just don’t have time, that’s cool. But if you don’t have time for me before I buy, or to get me to buy what kind of service do you have after I buy? If they are all making that kind of money one would think they would at least hire someone to do a little customer service.

I may have got a little of topic here. I am very passionate about what I do. I put endless hours in as you all do. I keep trying to convey the message of teamwork, anyone actually getting anything accomplished is working with a team in some form or another. Just look at the Kern launch for instance.

Brad West ~ onomoney

Brad Wests last blog post..Where do I get Site Banners

Charles McCorquodale  on February 20th, 2009

Excellent Advice! This just keeps getting better ‘n better.

The point here is clear, like you said (above), without pointing fingers because we have all seen it or heard about it before. Even if it seems difficult to stop the masses from moving in that direction, it helps to focus on our own group objective as a team, make it work, & see it happen the way we want. What we see will happen.
It is better that our group is small enought for us to stay focused and ultimately attract to our network or team people who are on the same path as us (via teamwork, niche, passion, objectives, commitments, or anything else that fits our team). Even having our own individual differences or qualities, we still make a team and will attract others who are interested to us!
You know the 80/20 rule? Tell me from where you have your best results (when you spend your time doing what?) Thus, I refuse to waste any time attempting to force someone to be like me/us/a part of the team if they have not decided it on their own. We can offer as much honey as we want to attract and then welcome anyone else, and I mean anyone, who chooses to join us. It is their own choice! Unnecessary for me to waste a breathe on words attempting to change anyone else’s mind if they have not independently chosen to join us or otherwise make excuses such as “I’ll think about it” or “I have other plans right now.” So be it — good for them. We have our own plans, too. I like to persuade people, true; yet I will not waste time or energy to argue or change someone’s mind. We are who we are; like attracts like (even with some differences). People will join us, trust me.

Charles McCorquodale  on February 20th, 2009

Our Numbers Will Grow Beyond Belief!

Sheryl Loch  on February 21st, 2009

I just wanted to let you know that I have a couple of favorite guys that I have been ‘following’ that have really been great for me. They do not push the Get Rich Quick.

In fact one of my fav SEO guys sent out a news letter that did have an affiliate link to a new product. He did however also give us the link to another person promoting the same product because the other guy had more and better bonuses if you bought through his link. How often would you see a guy sending along someone elses aff link to help you instead of just thinking of themselves & the commissions they could make?

There are lots of greedy people but, there are some people that truly want to help you.

Sheryl Lochs last blog post..Link Building Search Query

Brian  on February 21st, 2009

@Charles: Hi Charles, Welcome to the Extreme Ezine. You are right, there’s no point in trying to change strong opinions of one another.

Brad make a great point on teamwork. A group of like-minded people with the same goals is very powerful. The key is everyone involved wanting similar results and willing to work together to achieve them.

At the same time I love differing opinions. That’s why I’ll probably always have a personal blog. I love debate and strong willed people. We can have opposite opinions and still be friends as long as we stay respectful and courteous.

I know this is off topic but you got me thinking

Even in marketing we don’t go after others against our products. I know you aren’t saying it is but marketing isn’t really about changing anyone else’s mind but it is trying to convince a buyer to make a purchase or stay with your brand. That’s why we want targeted traffic. We don’t want to convince or even oversell someone in the market for cheap hosting to buy a dedicated server. If we were able to ‘change’ opinion it would only be temporary and we would be flooded with refund requests and customer complaints.

Brian  on February 21st, 2009

@Sheryl: That’s a great point Sheryl. We/I shouldn’t paint everyone with a broad brush. There are a ton of honest and ethical marketers and bloggers our there. I didn’t mean to insinuate they are all corrupt or anything. Then that would include me lol

Brian  on February 21st, 2009

I love marketing and the whole point in marketing is to expose, convince and keep potential and current customers. I’m not anti-marketing at all. I just wanted to clear that up while on the subject. I just don’t care for shady tactics and deceit.

Gennaro  on February 22nd, 2009

There is so much great free information about any topic in those pay-for products. There are so many great, great bloggers who give it away for free. Many also charge for products. They have the right to make an income. More power to them. Though I prefer is the marketing is genuine.

Gennaros last blog post..8 Great Movies For Paris Travelers

Brian  on February 22nd, 2009

I’m with you Gennaro, not a thing wrong with selling products honestly.

Brad West  on February 22nd, 2009

A friend of ours has a great post renting about Guru crap. Karen Kramer is real cool and a great writer. The title of her post is “10 Really Crappy internet marketing ploys”

We should interlink all the Guru rant posts that we can find. More is Better, and what was that Bigger is Gooder.

Brad West ~ onomoney

Brad Wests last blog post..RoSPA Attacks Duffy’s Diet Coke Commercial

Brian  on February 22nd, 2009

You’re way ahead of me Brad. Karen’s post is great. It’s going in next issue’s Great Reads section.

Kikolani | Blogging, Poetry, Photography  on February 25th, 2009

Just like I like going to the bookstore and perusing a book before I buy it, or doing the look inside on Amazon, I try to find the pdf’s for the eBooks that you have to buy and get a sample of them before purchasing. If the book has useful content (like the ones on Zen Habits) I’ll buy them. But there was one I downloaded, and all it contained was a bunch of links to sites that would help you with marketing, all sites that I could have found on my own though Google.

~ Kristi

Kikolani | Blogging, Poetry, Photographys last blog post..9 Ways to Use Social Networking for Blog Promotion

Brian  on February 25th, 2009

Hi Kristi, I do the same thing when I can. It’s real nice to see what you are buying before you make purchase, just like in a brick and mortar book store.

It’s also a pretty good marketing tactic for online resellers to consider, if there’s nothing to hide that is. Great point.

Marketing Business Review  on March 2nd, 2009

Hi Brian,

I havent read this one. But you are so damn right. I would buy anything from that guys when I were a newbie, nobody saved me. I just have been lucky enough not to have the money to spend or the credit to use for their expensive products.

Seems been poor sometimes it helps, lol.

But do not rant too much on them you may endup wanting to make millions like them nd will need to do the same, tell people to buy your “Fantastic and All Mighty Product to Have Unlimited Access to Wealth”, lol.

I am also a marketer and know people buy based on his excitement, so lets give them what they want, lol.

Luis

Marketing Business Reviews last blog post..Top Commentator Link Love – February 2009

Brian  on March 2nd, 2009

Hi Luis, It’s like me saying, “I make money in the stock market so buy this ebook on how to make a fortune at pawn shops and flea markets”. You’re right, the marketer sells the product with energy and excitement. The product almost doesn’t matter. There’s the real lesson and we can get that free.

Vic - BusinessAccent  on March 7th, 2009

Hi Brian,

It’s true. Most online sellers are hard to trust. What we can trust is a reputation that was built for a period of time. And this period of time passes for lot of sacrifices. Though online money making can be swift, it still needed to face some labor of hard works.

Brian  on March 7th, 2009

Well said Vic, and most don’t make it through that time period of sacrifices and hard work.

Suf from Leadership  on July 10th, 2009

I guess the problem is the whole ‘affilliate’ way of selling. In this world – its often peoples hobby, or their way to quit their job. They have alot riding on the success of their affiliate sales, and thus are prepared to do anything to sell it, including lieing. This basically undermines all good ebooks.
Suf@Leadership´s last blog ..Leadership Development Training

Brian  on July 13th, 2009

Hi Suf, not all affiliate marketers are willing to sell anything. The good ones still test and review the product before pushing it. It’s easy to see that time quickly gets in the way of that and then hard choices come into play.