Perceptions and Potshots: More IM Drama
I’ve said it over and over: the Internet Marketing niche is a volatile one. It’s not the ideal space to work within, unless you have a strong position and a thick skin.
I’m still working on the latter, but the former I have nailed. I have been in business for 13 years, successfully working from home and online, and earn a very nice living from the internet.
I have never made false claims, big promises, or even shared my own income details. If anything, I’m more of a realist and help people get grounded with strategies and models that work.
Still, I get my share of negative comments and unhealthy cynicism – from complete strangers, and on an almost daily basis. Some of this comes from past negative experience with other people or companies. Some of it stems from a general disdain for anyone experiencing success.
A friendly, honest response usually turns things around and so I do my best to respond and answer questions – no matter the tone.
But every now and then you’ll run across someone online who is just in an all out campaign against you. The more you try to resolve it, the more they attack you. These types enjoy stirring the pot and ruffling feathers, and are not worth the time and energy it takes to keep up or respond.
Until they cross the line. And libel is nothing to play with.
This week’s potshot comes from none other than Rick Butts. And if you recognize that name, your memory is correct: this is not the first pot he’s stirred with my name in it.
It started on a blog post by Ryan Healy titled Internet Marketing Life Support. It’s a good blog post. Ryan makes valid points about doing your research and knowing who you’re working with. I have no qualms with the post – in fact, I encourage you to read it.
And then scroll down and read the first of 100+ comments, by Rick Butts, where he says (and I quote):
They’ve also been helped along by 2nd tier gurus like Lynn Terry who so desperately want to be gurus and relentlessly continue to preach the guru gospel and faithfully haul their junk out to flea market at each launch. This group has done as much if not more (and there are a lot of them – see ‘em at every live event) to keep the momentum and false hope alive.
If you read the rest of Rick Butts’ comment you’ll get an even bigger picture of the negative image that he paints of the group he has made up in his head where he used me as the prime example.
I am sure there is no need to defend myself here or to you. And I won’t be leaving a comment on Ryan’s blog post. I have collected both screenshots and print versions and am sending those over to my lawyer this morning.
So with that behind us, I would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts about hierarchy and perceptions in the IM space…
As humans, we tend to struggle to find our place in the world. We have this imaginary totem pole in our minds, and in order to find our place there we have to position everything around us on it first. She is above me, I am above him, we are equals, etc. In placing everyone else, you can easily place yourself.
Why this is necessary, I have no idea. I just know that I see it every single day. Unfortunately you are rarely ever comparing apples to apples, but rather using only what limited facts you have about someone to make a skewed judgment – which ultimately reflects on your judgment of yourself.
I have never called myself a 2nd Tier Guru. Or a guru even, for that matter. People who put titles on me do so only to define themselves.
Be cautious about making such judgments or conclusions about others. Or about having expectations from someone that are solely based on your perception of them. Make decisions based on facts. GET the facts if you don’t have them. Never assume.
This goes for products you might buy, coaches or mentors you hire, people you choose to respect and/or emulate. This goes for people you choose as accountability partners, peers for your personal mastermind group… or even friends.
Someone’s perception of me does not change the person I am. It only changes how they see me, or their expectations of me. And that can lead to unnecessary disappointment – for both parties.
It’s important to do your research, and work with facts. And to rely more on yourself, your common sense and your gut intuition, than to rely on anyone else for your success – or for your position on that silly, imaginary totem pole.
At the end of the day, no matter how high or low you’ve placed me, which is not going to be the same as everyone else, I am still the same person. I am your everyday 36 year old single mom. I work from home, I work hard, and make damn good money on the internet. I spend every day helping others do the same. Period.
Don’t let me, or anyone else, define you – or your goals. Success is unique to everyone, as is the road to get there. No product and no person is going to be the source of your success OR your failure. It’s on you and you alone. And mine is on me.
Ryan’s post does a good job of explaining why. It’s a reality check on where we place our focus. Are you busy following people and products, or are you busy following your own game plan?
As for the comments, I’d skip those. Read it, consider it, and then get back to work on your own online business. Don’t let the drama sidetrack you. I’m not. 
Best,
Please share "Perceptions and Potshots: More IM Drama" with your friends using the buttons below. Thanks!
I think that it was great idea from Ryan to comment here about what had happen.
Follow me @Hehkulamppu on Twitter.
drama just follows everyone literally everywhere. its a part of life and people should just try and chill out
What a joke. It’s mind-boggling that anyone would accuse Lynn of unethical marketing and playing the “selling the dream” game. I hesitated in commenting because this is exactly what Rick Butts wanted. Attention. But I can’t stand silent when one of the true people in the IM space that can/goes out of her way to help you is dissed. The Dan’s (Reinhold & Thies) nailed it on the head about those comments being nothing but link bating a-la “Jerry Springer Marketing” method (love that).
Lynn, I’m glad you’re consulting an attorney. One of the reasons people are so nasty online is because they can. No one calls them on it. One thing is to post constructive criticism but to just be nasty and make false claims to drive traffic to your own site is low.
Follow me @alanpetersen on Twitter.
I don’t really have a lot of choice. It would be negligent of me not to be proactive on this matter, given that the accusation is exactly what the FTC is attempting to crack down on.
It’s unfortunate but given the current landscape and events in our industry it is important to protect yourself, your brand and your reputation to the fullest degree.
This is not a game for me. This is my livelihood, and I have invested 13 years of my life to this business and to creating a reputable name for myself in this industry.
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Maybe you should send Rick a nice ham or bouquet of flowers for his mini-rant against you…after all, the end result was that the IM community came out and reaffirmed what we have believed for quite some time: that you are honest, ethical, professional and a classy IM’er.
Lynn 1, Rick 0
Follow me @JenKnox on Twitter.
Lynn, you are so on target. My business is only what “I” make it by my hard work or lack thereof. I slack off occassionally and that is the fault of noone but myself. If I participate fully in your webinars and take note of the great information that so many freely provide (including you), I will move forward. I get out only what I put in and that is true of anyone in this business or any other business on or offline! Anyone who blames you or anyone else for their failure or unreal expectations is only trying to find a scapegoat because they don’t take responsibility for their own actions. Period.
Follow me @judykkelly on Twitter.
Lynn,
I’m still in awe about Rick’s comment myself. It is totally baseless, and he points to no specific examples to support calling you out like that (and I know he couldn’t). I know you personally, and what he said just doesn’t make any bit of sense to me at all.
Follow me @josephratliff on Twitter.
Hi Lynn!
You allude to something I think is necessary for those of us on the Internet:
“Thick Skin – Open Heart”
It’s important to have both I think…
See you in a few days at NAMS!
Jeff
Follow me @jeffherring on Twitter.
Rick Butt’s a ButtHead, draw a line on his head and it looks like a butt, in short, he’s an ASS!
Lynn, I’m on your side.
Sounds awfully like a personal vendetta to me. For some reason he’s miffed with you!
Follow me @LoveThatBug on Twitter.
Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Shame on Rick Butts!
There is not much more to say Lynn. The support and respect for you is so obvious!
I just have to add that you are a wonderful person from what I see and I have applied a lot of your advice to my business and even my life because for me there must be integration on all levels.
I really hate for people to mess with folks who I admire and it just makes me wanna become Ma’dea without a gun again. Nonetheless I will let your lawyers handle it!
You are amazing!
Follow me @latarahamying on Twitter.
I’ve never bought your stuff. But I know you teach nuts and bolts with minimal claims. Generally, noone who teaches nuts and bolts in a guru/scammer.
I know this. So do many other people.
Strange about Mr Butts preaching. Do you remember the old BlogBurner product in 2005? If you do, you’ll wonder how he can preach thus.
The human mind is strange.
Okay, sorry this is a bit off topic but I have to ask … what’s the deal with the BlogBurner? I googled it but didn’t really come up with anything except for an old site still sitting around gathering virtual dust.
Yeah, yeah … I know what they say about curiousity and that dang old cat but I can’t help it! lol!
Follow me @anitadefrank on Twitter.
I agree with you there Lynn, people only try to take shots to make themselves look bigger and more worthy, we all get the fingers pointed at us, some we do not know, some just out to get out, jealous of our success, when you point a finger it makes you look childish, so to those pointing fingers, grow up.
Follow me @terrancecharles on Twitter.
Years ago, I came to the conclusion people generally use one of two ways to become better than another. Either better themselves or pull the other person down.
Will
Follow me @WillBontrager on Twitter.
What a joke! You are probably one of the few “guru’s” (I hate that name!) that are actually living what you preach!
Follow me @http://www.twitter.com/casualeveryday on Twitter.
I followed this discussion over from Ryan Healy forum.
Lynn, you are right. You don’t label yourself as a Guru and as you stated, People who put titles on other people do so only to define themselves.
I can not stand the marketers who sell those make money by selling a course on how to make money courses..etc..
I also can not stand the whiners who whine about people making money from blogging, product launches and such.
If I believe in a product or a service and I think it will help people, no matter if it is in the IM niche or Everyday product niche, then I am damn well going to promote it. I don’t care what whiners say about it, even if they labeled me a Guru or whatever the hell name they come up with.
I have worked with advertising people before offline and if you knew the sneaky things they got up to, OMG you would be shocked.
Not ALL people in any given industry are leeches. You will always have a minority group giving the majority a bad name.
Who killed all those innocent people in 9/11, Terrorists did, not muslims as a group.
If someone makes money online then good on them, as long as they do it in an honest, ethical and unselfish way..always keeping in mind that a reputation builds over years but can be lost in a moment.
Just My 2 cents.
It’s a strange world Lynn. Been following your blog for quite a while and I’ve never had you pegged as a scammer… quite the opposite in fact.
There are unfortunately a few good and honest people being tarred with the same brush as SnakeOil Inc. and you happen to be the latest victim.
I have never been a fan of the hype merchants with huge lists, (normally referred to as gurus for some reason), and a lot of the sentiments from the OP and commenters I agree with. There are also a number of true facts given if you poke through the bile and anonymity, but to class you in the same league as these people is a travesty and I had to lend my point of view here.
Ade
Lynn, you are showing great class and strength by the way in which you are handling this matter. You’ve spent only the minimum necessary amount of time to respond to the attack then delegated the rest (legal) so that you can move on. Bravo!
Follow me @thatfigureswf on Twitter.
Hi Lynn,
I just found your blog late last summer and have been THRILLED with the quality of content and integrity in the way you do business! And it’s refreshing to see a woman succeeding in this space (no offense to the guys- we’re just a bit outnumbered).
I spent a pretty big chunk of change a year or so ago on a ‘guru’s’ coaching program. Was it all I thought it would be? Not really….but I met some great people and know I took at least ONE very valuable lesson from the whole thing (note I’m not sharing his name here).
Kudos to you for sharing this with your subscribers too….fortunately I unsubscribed from Rick Butt’s list a while ago (but sent my list the link to your report that you did about your business in 2010).
All the best,
Kim
Follow me @kimdoyal on Twitter.
Lynn — A personal attack of any kind always says more about them than it says about you. Keep soldiering on. — Linda
Follow me @smartstartcoach on Twitter.
Hey Lynn,
I find you to be one of the marketers who tells it like it is. It’s so refreshing in today’s times. In fact, I place your blog in the category of “imparting wisdom and information” rather than the category of “no information and lots of affiliate links.”
Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Peggy
Follow me @pegbaron on Twitter.
Sorry Lynn, I just had to respond to that idiot. I guess I don’t have your thick skin or class “yet”. He just really TICKED me off. I’m German, Scots Irish, you know there’s a temper sitting in there somewhere.
Follow me @MaryB2010 on Twitter.
Mary – I understand an emotional response, and what Rick said wasn’t nice… but I had to edit your comment. Just wanted you to know so you’re not surprised if/when you check back later.
Ryan
Follow me @HeyHealy on Twitter.
Lynn,
Although I’m new to your blog,I really look forward to reading your posts, and realize that as I develop my online presence more and more everyday, I love that you personalize so much. As a Chef and restauranteur, I’m extremely personal in my pursuits of business, and it’s a great reminder that online is no different. It’s for these reasons that your blog stands out, it’s NOT HYPE FILLED, it’s NOT A TYPICAL SALES PITCHFEST.
Good on you for standing up for yourself, never back down, never compromise. Looks like you have quite a following. Keep up the good work!!!
Follow me @cheftony on Twitter.
Tony, I love your emphasis on the personal. The internet can be so impersonal and is often used that way that it’s a great reminder about how making a personal connection with the people in your market can make a huge difference.
And you are absolutely right. Lynn is a wonderful example of that.
Follow me @susanfuller on Twitter.
Lynn, your post made many excellent points, but this is my favorite:
“No product and no person is going to be the source of your success OR your failure.” That applies to all walks of life, not just IM.
And you’re right about needing a thick skin. When you put yourself out there, you become a target, no matter how helpful, honest and ethical you are. But as the great philosopher Dolly Parton says, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
Lynn,
You have a great site and there are bad apples in any business. Your success depends on how much you want to be successful. Don’t get caught up in a few gurus pulling a scam. I know a lot of people making great money online. So stay focused on your plan of attack that is going to get you where you want to go.
[...] Terry made a superb point on her blog when she was defending herself in the face of similar accusations that [...]
It’s a shame that people seem to take great delight in personal attacks via blog sites. Another typical coward who hides behind cyberspace to take pot-shots wihtout any thought of the pain it can bring. I think you are doing the right thing by going down the legal road. Hopefully one day this kind of behaviour will be stamped out, but I doubt it. Anyway, I’m sure a psychologist would have a field day with Rick Butts. With a name like that, he would have had a torrid time at school.
Follow me @waywardhayward on Twitter.
I agree you need to stay focused on your business & your goals for your business