I really hate it when I sit down here to write, and nothing comes out. As a blogger or content developer yourself, you know this feeling all too well I'm sure.
I have so much that I want to share with you, but the blank screen just mocks me. It has become a staring contest, which I am determined to win...
What I want to say is so blunt, and the reason I'm having a hard time saying it... is because I would like to find more appropriate words, or a nicer way of saying it.
But that may not happen.
I don't like the Internet Marketing space anymore.
There, I said it.
I've been working online for more than a dozen years. I'm not some "overnight internet marketing consultant" that got online one day and immediately decided to teach everyone else something I couldn't even do myself.
I held weekly training classes at my shop, I offered on-site training to local merchants that wanted to integrate the internet into their business plan, I helped people start and succeed at home-based businesses.
I have made my living online. With NO other source of income, and raising two children as a single mother. I put in long hours, learned by trial & error, did not give up until I achieved my goals - and then set new goals. I single-handedly created a dream life that most people would absolutely love to have.
I did not do any of that overnight. I did not accomplish it by following a blueprint, or paying someone $97 or even $1997. In fact, I didn't buy my first "ebook" until more than five years into my business. Up to that point the only things I had paid for were hosting and other necessary services.
I have never spun content, bookmarked or "dugg" or "stumbled" my own articles, created millions of pages of crap that make no sense at all with some crap software that was sold by the latest traveling e-salesman.
I worked. I created cool websites and valuable online businesses.
Margaritas on the Beach
I was having lunch with a really nice group of people at the last event I attended. They were kind enough to invite me to join them, and I ended up really enjoying both the company and the conversation.
One of the ladies mentioned a product or a software program that I wasn't personally familiar with, and then said (I'm paraphrasing) "The sales copy made it sound so easy - you know, like I'd be sipping margaritas on the beach by now."
I smiled and said... "You do realize that the person who wrote that sales copy was not sitting on the beach sipping margaritas, right? They were sitting in a room alone somewhere, probably unbathed and unshaven and in their pajamas, slaving over creating that product for months on end - and then on writing the copy itself. Of course, they may have been drinking a margarita while doing it, who knows..."
My point is (and was) - that all is not as it seems.
(but then, I don't suppose anyone wants to buy reality...)
I'm not knocking great software. Or great sales copy - which is an awesome skill to have, by the way. I'm just deeply bothered by the lack of reality, and the overall state of Internet Marketing as we know it.
The Awesome Opportunity of WORK
Working from home and running an online business is an awesome opportunity. Just ask my two kids, who are now teenagers - and have had a full-time mother all of their lives. They'll tell you I worked hard. They'll tell you I spent many long hours for many years at my computer, even. But they'll also tell you they have it made. Our lifestyle would not have been possible without the internet - my gateway to an awesome and rewarding career, from a home where I was needed.
I have never made light of the amount of work that goes into starting a business. Ever. I do think that anyone can do it, but I know that not everyone will succeed. It takes a serious dose of personal motivation, and if you have that... you can achieve anything. Not overnight, mind you. It might take you 10 weeks, 10 months or even 10 years. Accept that, and work hard anyway, and you are well on your way to creating the successful online business that you want.
It's not in scamming people, spinning content, spamming the internet with useless crap, owning every ebook or premium wordpress theme or software program created. It's in creating a business that adds value to people - to a specific group of people. Period.
Take a look at that last hyperlink on adding value.
I wrote that 4 1/2 years ago.
My message has never changed - starting a business takes work. There is no easy overnight route or "magic button". Believe me, if there was I would have used it and saved myself many long days - and years - of work.
What makes people believe it's going to be easy, anyway?
I challenge you to go out today and start an offline business. Go start a flower shop or a bakery. Go for it! Do you think it's going to be easy? Do you think you'll earn $10,000 in 10 days? Hell no! You'll likely spend that just getting started and work your ass off trying to get out of debt and into profit.
Starting an online business IS easier, of course. It is. And the profit potential is much greater even. But you are still starting a business.
I'm rambling. You already know all these things. I've been blogging my heart out for years on this very topic... but hey, no more blank screen so I win! 😉
My real point is that the Internet Marketing space itself has become disgusting and dirty and ridiculous. There are days it makes me sick. There are moments I feel like walking away from it all and breaking any association with it.
I miss the days when the web was clean, and when people saw the opportunity there for what it really was. Oh who am I kidding really... there have been scam artists and creeps from day one. But still... now they no longer seem like the minority and they're actually harder to spot. The lines between have become so blurred.
Here's one for you...
A guy has an infomercial for a $19.95 product that promises to help you become wildly successful working from home. People buy and they are immediately offered more help for more money and even more help for even more money.
The next thing you know this guy is at an Internet Marketing seminar proudly touting his numbers and dollar figures and conversion rates from the stage. And he wows everyone in the audience (or 33.7% of them at least, which he will boast about later in an online webinar) enough to cause a rush to the back of the room to spend $2k buying his system that promises to show them how to do the same.
*puke*
Never, in all the numbers he shared, did he share the success rate of his buyers.
And never, in everything he did personally, did he sell a real product to a real person. And he in fact has absolutely no experience (or success) doing so - the very thing his "awesome product" teaches them that they should do.
All of his success is in selling the idea of success, while he sends his customers off to try to duplicate that success with a totally different system - like promoting banner ads via pay-per-click advertising or some such thing. Seriously.
This might be comical if it wasn't so sickening.
It blows my mind that there is even a market to keep some of these "entrepreneurs" in business. But there is - which is another problem altogether.
Guy above ^ is just a fictional character, by the way. An example to make a point. So don't ask me who I was referring to. I don't actually know all of their names. 😛
But enough about complete strangers. What about the over-the-top claims made by someone you know and like? What if someone you've come to trust for their honesty and integrity sends you one of those dirty emails promising to show you how they made $78,000 in 42 minutes...
Yeah right. Only because that person had *years* invested in getting to that moment, and having everything in place already to achieve those results.
You cannot duplicate those results without investing the same. And maybe not even if you do invest the exact same time, money, effort and duplicate every single little task in exactly the same way. For any number of reasons.
Look - I'm all for sharing experiences with each other. For learning from those who have figured out systems or strategies that work. The online business & new media space has evolved because of it, no doubt.
But there's a difference between sharing (and even selling) proven methods & strategies that others can apply to their own business model... and spewing useless crap that is no benefit to anyone except the person making a profit from said crap.
Want to know what else makes me sick?
"Bar Talk" from so-called professionals. Paying thousands of dollars to attend a seminar only to have the f-bomb dropped from the stage while "experts" drink beer and spew useless information that ultimately turns into a bragging war and an ego trip. I got up and walked out of the room the last time I heard the word "butt head" from the stage. I find it personally offensive. And to think that I was considering bringing my son to that event now that he is also working online... Ugh.
There you have it. That's what has been on MY mind lately.
I've put a lot of thought into this over the last year. Specifically how this applies to me, and to my business model. In other words, how I intend to respond. And by respond I don't mean I'm going to hop up on a crate somewhere and shout at the crap and expect it to listen and react.
I've simply been deciding where my place is in this crowded, dirty market.
There are some great people in the Internet Marketing space. Don't get me wrong. I know them, or know of them, and have the greatest respect for the market leaders in the industry that have maintained their integrity. That are doing truly great things. It's not an easy space to work in, or an easy market to serve.
I considered stepping out altogether, and going to back to a place in time where I was happiest: working away on my fun niche affiliate sites. There's nothing like creating a new site on a topic you enjoy, and watching it grow into something fulfilling and profitable.
While I still have niche sites, somehow the scale tipped dramatically - my 80 became my 20, and my 20 became my 80. More in terms of time than revenue.
I take personal responsibility for that. I do.
But as much as I love niche affiliate marketing (niche meaning outside of IM), I have been helping others achieve life-changing success from the very start of my online career - and I know deep inside myself that I will always want to do that.
Not because it's a profitable business for me (do you see me selling anything right here??) - though it is - but because I CAN. Because I have the experience and the expertise as much as others (and more so than most), and I know that I can make a difference for you as you work on your online business.
And so, for my own sanity, here is what I've decided...
I am going back to a heavy focus on the one thing I absolutely love - my niche affiliate sites. And I am also going to invest myself in a greater reach, with a stronger voice, in the Online Business market.
Not necessarily in the inbred space of regurgitated crap that is "Internet Marketing" as we know it today. But in the space where real people are looking for real solutions to start a home business or work online.
And yes, there is a big difference.
I'm going to put my blinders on. Ignore the thieves and scammers. And I am going to make it my life's work to be exactly where people are looking for the help & inspiration they need to get started online.
I am not here for those who want to "play" the Internet Marketing game. I am not available to waste time with people who are using the internet as a means to ignore other priorities in their life with no intention of ever running a business with pride.
My goal is to publish content in a variety of text, audio & video formats. To have a presence in Google, in iTunes, on Twitter & Facebook, and at YouTube. I'll share resources, tutorials, candid reviews, helpful tips - everything I discover and use in my own business and at my own sites.
Personal interaction and one-on-one help will be reserved for my Private Brainstorming Group, a small group of dedicated action-takers.
We're starting our 5th year together as of this month. This is the only place I will do site reviews, brainstorm domain names & creative ideas, help with marketing strategies and technical issues. It is not an open "membership site" and not something I have actively promoted in the 4 years since I started this group.
In fact, the doors are closed to new members more often than not. It is the most expensive (currently costing me ~$15,000/year to manage) and most time-consuming thing that I do, and definitely not one of my primary sources of revenue. It's a "labor of love", and it's my space to actually do good work with people that appreciate it.
All that to make the point that I have never offered coaching or consulting, and don't intend to go that route. In my opinion, if all you do is coaching then all you are qualified to teach is... coaching.
You may be scratching your head, wondering how in the world anything I just said is any different than what I already do. But it is. And you'll see changes unfold over the next few weeks, and over the next 12-18 months.
An evolution is in progress here. And I'll share everything with you every step of the way - without ever putting you through a hell'ish funnel that ends at a $2,000 doorway where you are made to feel ignorant and that you deserve to be poor and miserable if you don't pay up - now or never. I promise.
Goodbye blank screen - 2500 words later! lol
Thank you for the coffee and the conversation. I look forward to continuing this discussion with you in the comments section below...
*cheers*
And now you know why I decline most speaking (ie stage pitching) requests and do not create high-ticket info products. 😉
About Lynn Terry
Hmm... sounds like you're becoming an Internet marketing PHILOSOPHER, Lynn
See http://www.moneypowerwisdom.com/internet-marketing-influence
🙂
We all reach this point, some sooner, some later. Welcome to the "toughest decision you'll ever make" as an Internet entrepreneur! (I'm sure you'll make the right one!)
All success
Dr.Mani
Lynn - well done and thank you for your openness and honesty, and your good content and total lack of bombarding us with said rubbish!
It seems lately that even the names I have come to trust seem happy to promote rubbish and even with all of the emails I still don't understand what it is supposed to do (and I won't hand over money to find out - I'm not THAT curious).
Can't wait to see where this path will lead...
Another great post Lynn. And it comes at a great time as well. I have bought several of the $77 eBooks with little to no success. Basically, your formula of work your tail off and refuse to lose is still the best model for success. Thank you for the spoken work Lynn. People too often expect to make a million dollars a year by pushing a few buttons and creating one website. That is rarely the case. Here’s the model I’m following to the end.
Build a website up until it makes on average $20 a day. Then…build another website up till it makes $20 a day. Then…build another website up till it makes $20 a day.
My goal is to have 20 websites making $20 a day in 20 different niches. I had this epiphany while I was at the gym the other day. I’ll keep you posted on my results. You’re a big inspiration to me Lynn. Thanks for your help.
Peace,
Shane
Lynn, brilliant rant.
When I first looked at some top IMers and tried to work out what they were selling, I concluded that it was mainly another form of Pyramid Selling which is, incidentally illegal in the UK where I live. And which is described by this wikipedia page as "a form of fraud":
http :// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme
I also found that those big IMers seemed to be in a cabal
http :// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabal
I hope your blog post goes viral Lynn.
This must be a very exciting time for you, leading you to where your heart truly lives. Go Lynn!
So well said Lynn. I've had the same feeling for some time. But isn't that why we are here with you? Those of us that have been doing this for a while KNOW that it is hard work and are looking for some honest advice. Look forward to learning more from you.
Thanks for this! I can personally identify with following someone for years, coming to respect them, and them watching them start to promote every little thing under the sun it seems. I am saddened by this. Personally, I think that the Internet would be a better place with less people promoting this crap.
It this day and age, it's nice to find genuine people who are passionate about providing an authentic service.
I am going to make it my life’s work to be exactly where people are looking for the help & inspiration they need to get started online. >>> A great 'moving toward' goal. There are 'moving away from' reasons in this rant, but the most positive goals are 'moving toward' goals. That is what makes you such a good role model, Lynn. People need to know what the REAL business in on the 'net.
This post really resonated with me because I feel so similar. I'm so sick of endless product launches with the same people patting the same backs and using the same rather condescending sales copy. I just teach people the basics of how to set up an affiliate marketing web site. That's it. I would like to do a JV with someone who has been selling info products for a while to compensate for the fact that I haven't, but it's hard to find someone I feel has integrity and is not in the above group. It's tough!
Anyway, best wishes to you in your endeavors. You're one of the good guys (gals)! 🙂
I am trying to put something together on the internet as well. I kind of have been in involved in this area for several years. The only thing that I have actually made money with is Internet surveys. It seems that I just don't go far enough or don't know how to succeed in it. The reason that I don't go far enough is always money. Sometimes though it is the actual computer literacy thing. I don't know enough about computers. Anyway I'm trying a couple of different things out and your article really inspires me. To be honest I'm not a big reader though I did pick up on interesting points that you mentioned. I know that i'll never succeed if I don't try and that if I fail at least i tried. Thanks,
Lynn,
I came to this page looking for something different. Glad I found this site.
It is refreshing to hear of someone in the IM world not be caught up in the "bar talk" from the "professionals." It seems like it happens more and more all the time. Nowadays I can't read an ebook, scan a blog, watch a video or listen to an audio without hearing just about every 4-letter word there is. I just deleted several audios today because the guy couldn't go more than a minute without saying "batsh**" (seems to be popular lately). And this from people who we are supposed to trust!
(To all you trash-talking gurus out there... how about mixing it up a little, will ya? Instead of "batsh**" why not try "iguanash**" or "monkeysh**" or some other animal? You give bats a bad name!)
I don't want to "hang out" with the guys in a bar. I don't want to schmooze it up with people who think they have to pander to us "little people" to get us to trust them. But maybe they talk like that because that's who they are. I don't like it. I won't buy their products and I unsubscribe from their lists. If all of them talk trash, I'll have nothing to do with any of them. I'll go it alone if I have to and plod along the best I can. At least my integrity is intact, whether my bank account is or not.
I am just a nurse who wants to find a real way to make a living online, working hard, offering something of real value to real people who need it. I just need some direction instead of these people pushing their "best" and "greatest" and "fastest" and "fool proof" stuff that contradicts what the other "experts" are saying. Too much noise and definitely not chicken soup for the soul.
I just want to know what's practical, what's possible. NOT what's possible in terms of how much money I can earn, but what's possible as far as a viable business online goes.
Lynne, this is a breath of fresh air and a bit bizarre. I am halfway through a post for my site basically saying the same thing. I paused to fire up my RSS reader and saw your post.
The amount of my members who believe the "push button" systems work is scary. I thought people were more internet savvy in 2010.
So three cheers for your stand. I'm right beside you.
Wow Lynn! Thanks for always being authentic and honest about the IM space and what it really takes to start a business with integrity. I for one have decided to go on hiatus because I felt like I was spinning my wheels and tired of consuming information even if it was provided by someone great.
I'm glad you're putting the blinders on and will focus more on what you love doing. That is the path that I'm on as well and if it leads me back to starting an online business then I know I have all the info. I need already.
Keep doing great work!
Ding! I'm in love... 😉
Eloquently ranted, Lynn. Been having these thoughts swirling over the last year and wondering how the heck to move ahead. Now at least that's confirmed, I think I know where to proceed.
Thanks for the reminder. Much appreciated!
A few weeks ago I wrote this blogpost:
http://henrikflensborg.com/175/another-fucking-beta-testers-wanted-promo-scam
I'm in the same boat as you Lynn - I'm getting more and more sick of the regurgitated crap being spewed out by self-proclaimed (or guru-proclaimed) IM gurus.
I'm sick of seeing most launches never really tell prospective buyers what exactly they are buying - except that it's a "secret loophole discovered by accident by a complete internet newbie - a former mechanic/farmer/waiter who is now making thousands of dollars on auto-pilot every single day"
And it bugs me that sometimes I even give in to the temptation of promoting some of these products. And it usually never turns out very profitable.
Actually, the most profitable products I've promoted was way back when I used to do some brutally honest reviews of keyword research software.
The IM world has indeed been getting uglier and uglier and I've found that my primary focus is on my non-IM niche sites more now than ever before.
We've known each other for quite some time now Lynn, and it warms my heart every time you make one of your life-changing decisions.
Good luck with your new direction in your life - and let me know if there's anything I can do to help you.
My goodness. I wondered how long it would take you to get that out.
Congratulations.
Every once in a while I read something like this... Not very often. But, I do. I don't get inspired by $97 products anymore like I used to. It's articles and posts like these that inspire me. I've been doing this over a year and a half now and all I've seen is hard work to get where I'm at. I don't like hearing that some "Joe Shmoe" earned $38,000 overnight! I love reality. The reality is.... This is hard work. However, it's fun!
Another great post Lynn! Thanks 🙂
Hi Lynn,
That was the best human statement I have ever read on the Internet.
I intend to send my list the URL to this page, I am no sloutch when it comes to speaking my mind and I concur with everything you said.
Good girl, hope you and your family are well.
Norman
As I read the last sentence of this post, I imagined a second of silence followed by rousing standing ovation from millions of people. THANKS LYNN!! I feel this way about a lot of spaces - from full time ministry where I came from, to the speaking industry, to coaching and info-marketing. Part of me likes to laugh and say, "Yay!! It's not just preachers that are full of crap!" (And most ministers and churches are good and genuine.)
I'm happy to be surrounded by a handful of people that I love and trust and hopefully some more that I can serve with passion.
Lynn - I am sitting here with the BIGGEST smile on my face. You are just AMAZING!! Thank you - thank you for always being who you set out to be and for your honestly. That is why we all love you so!
Lynn,
It's refreshing to see someone in this space speak out. I think a lot of us feel like we're swimming with the sharks sometimes with internet marketers. When I first started out, I was shocked that at the tactics used to sell to people. Luckily, I haven't been had and I've found some good people to follow. But, it speaks poorly of the industry that the spinsters are not called out by the good guys.
Good luck with your change. And, if you ever feel the need to take a career break, let me know! I'll be happy to serve as a resource for you.
All the best.
Jeff
Struck a chord with me! I am just someone passionate about a subject, I am building oodles of trust that I WILL NEVER ABUSE it is good to know there is someone very knowledgeable who is not a get rich quick scam artist. One day I will have a big enough network to need the consultancy of an expert, and I hope LT will point me in the right direction!
Lynn,
As everyone here has said, it is refreshing to hear such words from someone most of us have the greatest respect for. I agree with you completely. It is sad that often now, the scams are harder to distinguish which means more and more newbies are getting sucked in.
I too am disappointed by people who I have been a satisfied email subscriber from for years, only to have them turn around and send an email promoting something that I already know is a scam. That just nullifies what they have been trying to share with me for all the other time they have invested. So what does that mean? Do they honestly have nothing solid themselves after all these years and it has all just been a bunch of lies and affiliate promotions one after the other.
I have always wanted to stay in the niches I love. I learned within the first year or so I was online that I make a better service provider than I do a salesperson. While I still long to find a way to make most of my income from residuals, I have not given up yet.
Because of people like you, there is hope for those people who are coming online and are willing to work hard and give it all they have to build a business and not just look for an overnight miracle.
Keep up the good work. And feel free to rant to us anything you choose. We are always listening.
I love you Lynn!! Really great article and I feel the same. I've been working from home for about 5 years mainly doing client work (web design, seo) but have always been passionate about my affiliate site. I recently decided to start scaling back client work and focus completely on what I love and make that a success rather than be so scattered - because it wasn't just those two things, ugh, it's the polymath in me 🙂
I've been to one of those $2K internet marketing seminars and felt a little dirty after talking to some "heavy hitters" and how much crap they talked. Not just about business, but everything including how f***ed up they got the week before. It was disappointing to say the least.
Regarding the scams out there, here's an idea for someone that wants to tackle it - a Snopes like site for internet marketing programs. 🙂
Lynn,
You are a breath of fresh air in the internet marketing world, if only there where more people like you in this industry and less of the hype marketers the industry would have a much better name and we would all benefit! until that day keep up the great work!
Darren
It's a rant that many of us agree with and mindset we share, Lynn. I truly appreciate your candor & integrity, and the integrity of a select few other marketers (like Paul Evans and Carrie Wilkerson, for example)... Hang tough -- the coal will eventually drop off and the diamonds will prevail.
This rant needed to be said, by someone people will listen to. I spent thousands chasing that proverbial carrot promised by so called gurus promising me internet riches. And I know I'm just one little drop in the bucket.
I only started to make money when I did what you said, that is: put on the blinders, work it hard, and focus.
Thank you for speaking out on behalf of all people with integrity.
Hi Lynn,
I have been having this severe lack of faith. I've been trying to do things the right way good content etc. and nothing I'm working my you know what off and nothing.
Then I look around at all the garbage online and I'm beginning to think I am just wasting my time. This is my last ditch effort not looking for thousands a day I'm not that naive. But virtually nothing.
Oh well guess I'm just fooling myself. Listened to too much of the hype your talking about.
Sign me disgusted, disappointed and dead flat broke. Joe
Lynn, once again you are truly inspiring. And there are scoundrals in just about every business, just as there are good and honest people.
Dreams become reality by taking the dream, planning, setting goals and doing the work. Not by buying a magic "Business in a Box" or magic script/software.
Once again, thanks for your thoughts, Lynn! 😀
Lynn I want to stand up and cheer for you right now! I think you did a wonderful job in explaining how you feel and want you to know (as you can tell from the comments left already) that you are definitely not alone.
Personally I have been SHOCKED to say the least to learn what some of these "guru's" are really like.
I have learned that some of these people participate in certain "activities" that I find reprehensible. And it makes me so mad to think that these people doing these things have gained the notoriety that they have. Where have real morals and values gone?
Online it seems that as long as you can hide behind a persona or have some "big" name backing you up, then it's ok to drop the f-bomb, drink on stage or (insert non-professional name of activity here).
It's so unfortunate. And common sense voices like yours are too often kept quiet. Can you imagine someone like Jim Rohn for example, participating in one of those panels? He would have walked off stage disgusted; must like you walked out of the seminar.
I have felt the same way as you for many years (I've been working online for 14 years now) although not entirely within the Internet Marketing industry.
But like you, sometimes what I read and hear makes me sick.
I just wanted you to know that your opinion is highly-respected and I only wish that there were more people online who felt the same way you do instead of trying to plan their next scam.
Thanks Lynn.
- Kristine
So is this what's been brewing over the last year? I'm glad you've nailed it now.
Just being who you are and doing what you can is ENOUGH.
There's a growing core of people with similar simple honest views...just keep walking out and sometimes calling them out... and not taking the muttered, "This is business" to be any kind of valid excuse for dishonesty and BS.
There's tons of peeps cheering you on with this Lynn...I'm one of them and Kathy is too!
🙂
Lynn,
As someone who was scammed when I first started looking at ways to make a living online I really appreciate this post.
I get so many e-mails from the so-called "gurus" selling some new product or other that I don't even open their e-mails anymore. Yours is one of the few that I pay attention to anymore because I know you always tell it like it is.
Great post, Lynn -- so on the same page, and apparently many others share your thoughts, as well...
Thank you for being the inspiring marketing leader you are, in this industry. As a longtime entrepreneur, I fully support the concept of engaging in the work you love. Celebrating your decision to offer a stronger voice in Online Business Market -- you are a recognized expert and have well-earned this position as an advocate for integrity. Congrats on your Private Brainstorming Group 5th year!
By the way, would love to know about those "beer-spewing" (being polite) sessions, so I can be sure to miss them lol Thanks! 😀
Lynn - you have no idea how much you and all I've learned from you means. And you may never fully realize how much you are my hero. I'm just tickled that you continually 'out-hero' yourself and surprise me even more! Love you lady!!!!
Hi Lynn,
well, i understand you.
In my 45, i´m total newbie in IM, but i am highly experienced in very different area of offline busines.
And do you know what? I am facing exactly same situation in my "niche", i see so many "guru´s", selling services and writing any kind of *******. And what is scary: they have fans, which believe in every word.
You are absolutely right in your decision; i make similar step some years ago.
BTW, in your posts, i feel several times this year, that you are ... little bit unsatisfied, if not frustrated .. so wish you that this is way which make you happy 🙂
Appreciate your work.
your "silent reader from Europe" Kamil
Sorry for my English
Thanks for the insightful post Lynn. Found it through a RT on Twitter and you're honesty if very refreshing. Thanks for the honesty and for putting it like it is.
-Mike
You said what many of us have been thinking! Thanks, Lynn, for saying what needed to be said and for the validation I feel. I've felt strongly about so many programs being nothing more than the next snake oil and from your post, I guess I was on-target with my thoughts and feelings.
I've been unsubscribing a lot recently to people I've noticed have over-marketed me and I'm tired of it. I've bought programs, and from the well-known; I've attended lots of live seminars, conferences, workshops, only to find I leave feeling ripped off. And, I now follow those people whom I love their products, live workshops and messages, and don't always tout the next new thing but stick with the basics of today's market.
Thanks, Lynn, and to all of us practicing truthful, conscious and more for all mentality.
I don't like the Internet marketing space either.
Unfortunately, I've discovered that in attempting to provide Internet marketing humor, it was NOT funny stuff so often as...pathetic.
I've recently seen glimpses of some I respected acting in disrespectful ways. The ones I don't respect hardly ever disappoint.
Maybe it's just me being too nice about THEM. Hmmmm...
I haven't reached your point of declaration as I wish, but things with me ha ve got to change.
Dan
P.S. Still appreciate the heck outta you. 🙂
I am glad that someone I respect for their honesty and follow in the internet marketing arena has spoken out about this. As I am on several well known internet marketers lists I see virtually the same pitch now from all of them in a week's time when a new "tool or service" is released. Then two weeks later another email campaign for another product or service.
Frankly it is exhausting, and like a few others mentioned in their comments, I don't open their emails anymore because I need the time to work on my business.
Thank you for your honesty,
Linda
Thanks, Lynn, for another honest, candid post. Those of us who have followed you for some time know and appreciate the fact that you give us all you've got! You have been dedicated to helping us succeed you have put your money where your mouth is (especially when it comes to the time you devote to answering questions on the SSWT forum)!
It is refreshing to know that you don't plan to follow suit with masses -- selling your soul for a couple of quick bucks. I think a great majority of IMers are sick and tired of being bombarded 24/7 with the constant pitches and JVs promoting everything under the sun. Half of them have never even used the products they are promoting. As a matter of fact, I recently came across a live thread where one well-known IMer was being slaughtered for his promotion of a crap product to his list. His subscribers bought it because he recommended it and they hate the product and feel scammed. The product creator has not responded to their questions and will not refund their money. His reputation is suffering as a result of his actions ... and, rightfully so!
I just say, keep your head up and keep it moving! You have accomplished so much in this market and you have helped a countless number of people realize their dreams. Those of us who see the whole picture know that it takes hard work and dedication. Some see it and realize it sooner than others. Just know that you are appreciated.
Lynn, I find it inspiring to see you evolve and move into more areas. As you find your comfort zone in IM, you will have to make hard decisions. Just know that you are appreciated and those of us who have been fortunate enough to have you as a coach, mentor, friend and inspiration are better as a result of your contributions. We are your biggest supporters -- your continued success and happiness in IM/AM gives us the motivation and inspiration to keep plugging away, too.
So, onward and upward my friend!
Thanks for putting these thoughts "out there." The proliferation of these get rich quick systems / let ME show you how to make $ online is mainly because the biggest market are newbies. Entrepreneurs look to capitalize on that fact and, unfortunately, the quality of the majority of these products is not very good. There are actually very few products that cater to advanced marketers...the market is just too small; it's not the low hanging fruit. So, to advanced marketers all of these newbie-centric IM products are really frustrating...mainly because they are not built for the advanced marketer.
Our human instinct is to improve our lives and the lives of others around us, in ever widening circles. I get frustrated and confused when I forget this is what really brings it all into harmony.
I think that's what makes owning a business a challenge because the first order of any business is to make a profit...or you're going out of business and can't help anybody.
Unfortunately as long as there is the prospect of gold there will be shovel sellers. And darn them, they make a lot of money!
Lynn, I follow your blog because you actually sell products and aren't in the market just to sell IM stuff. You provide good value (although I wish more often 🙂 and your honesty is refreshing. You sell shovels but it's to those who can and will use them. That's the difference between you and the bad IMers.
Ditto to what everyone said above. In the past few months, I have found myself moving away from the online world for exactly the reasons you all mention. In fact, I have been contemplating shutting down my Twitter and Facebook accounts because the people I need to know, I already have.
In the one newsletter I create, I have NEVER tried to sell a product of my own to my subscribers. In addition, I have only held one program by myself. For the price of $89-$129 for an 8-week program of calls, information, videos, etc., these ladies (all 25 of them) will tell you they got far more than they paid. Of that I am proud. (FYI: These attendees were NOT found via the internet, rather though an organization for which I am the Editor of the newsletter.)
Then there was a program in which I was involved that crashed and burned. I partnered with someone very prominent on a highly expensive program (several thousand dollars). I got left with a bunch of angry participants. Why? Because NONE of them could make the information work and profitable for them. I felt HORRIBLE and, to this day, I have spent countless hours - working for free - trying to make this right (with no help, I might had, from the partner).
My latest project, my Amazon book, will be marketed both online and offline. In fact, I'm having a static cling sign customized for the back window of my teal PT Cruiser. I plan to have 50% of my sales come from this "traditional" marketing approach (along with press releases, free talks to groups, etc.). A successful business friend will tell you that I have agonized over this project because I'm so worried about the buyers and their ability to achieve success.
I have unsubscribed from 99.9% of all the newsletters I receive, and have only purchased two things in the past 6 months. Plus, I have been writing/sending emails to everyone who solicits me to buy something asking what they will do to help me to be SUCCESSFUL. (Can you hear the crickets?)
Finally, the only two gauges I now use to validate a business are 1) personal knowledge of someone, and/or 2) their Better Business Bureau rating. If you don’t have those, you don’t get my business.
Thank you again, Lynn, for just confirming what I was already feeling: that life outside of the internet (for me) continues to have more redeeming values.
Hi Lynn,
When I met you at NAMS I found you to be just an upfront person who told it like it is. I love that! and here is another example of that. What annoys me is even when you buy some advice, course from someone who you believe to be honest you then continue to receive e-mails from them that tell you about this other great method Or the famous one "You might want to take a look at this" What's a matter with the information they just provided for you?????? The shiny objects don't get me anymore thank God. But I feel the same way about the space. It makes me wonder anymore what to offer and how I can stand out. I think it is like meeting people in person though, smart honest people can read between the lines, appreciate good customer service, and continue to do business with people that treat them with respect and not like some dumb, starved, consumer. My faith has waned as of late and I feel like quitting, honestly... But it's messages like yours and anticipation of what you are coming around to that make me want to stay and make it happen.
Hey Lynn, This ONE statement you made:
"I am not available to waste time with people who are using the internet as a means to ignore other priorities in their life with no intention of ever running a business with pride."
Makes me LOVE you so much more than ever. lol. Seriously! I have done the same in the last year or so. I sold my biz and I'm working on projects that I feel God wants me to pursue and use my life to help others and actually make a difference in this world.
If you go to my site you'll notice it's blank, it's been like that for about a year now. I'm very busy working in niches that actually hold my HEART -- and you know I've been told by my subscribers not only that they love me but how I'm actually making a REAL difference in their lives. I WILL develop my veraraposo.com site, I opened my very first retail store in 1997 -- I sold chocolate bars door to door when I was 12, I've always been an entrepreneur. It's part of ME and who I am, but for now, I'm using my skill and ability to make CHANGE and I've never been happier in my life.
I also took on a client who is a huge inspiration to me and I'm also so blessed to have her and my online friends like you.
Also add to the mix that my daughter fought cancer TWICE -- ending with a complete stem cell transplant, that in itself changed my life FOREVER.
I'm around Lynn, I read your blog all the time and will come back to your Elite group soon, I'm just keeping my head down and eyes forward.
For anyone reading this, Lynn was one of the first IM teachers I found online and how lucky I was that she along with Alice Seba, Kelly McCausey & Lynette Chandler were my first experience in doing things RIGHT!
Love ya! Vera.
Lynn,
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your heart & spirit!
Peace,
Paul
Hi Lynn!
THANK GOODNESS for your post!!! Total kudos to you for your HONESTY and INTEGRITY which I've always known you to have...
BUT, to have someone like YOU come out so openly and honestly, it gives us some hope, that it may start to make a difference, at least to make a dent to get this IM world on the right track, at least for US who want to do it the right way.
That maybe this focus and debate, might just make some difference. Because, it really needs to BE and BECOME Different - this Internet Space we work in, for us who want to do it the right way, with integrity.
To focus on coming from integrity, and providing information from a space of genuinely wanting to help people solve their problems, value adding.
Rather than a recent eg. I witnessed again past couple days - running 1 yr old teleseminar yet again, with all the BS paraphernalia, quoting old countdown purchase figures, plus BS email follow-ups quoting more 1 yr old countdown purchase figures - please no more!!! Don't do this to good, intelligent people, please!
Enough said!!!...
PLEASE lets focus on HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AUTHENTICITY, and just being GENUINE in INTENT in our delivery and our desire to HELP OTHERS LIVE BETTER LIVES.
My very Best Wishes to you Lynn.
Kathy
Hi Lynn,
I've been an internet marketing consultant for almost 10 years and I too have seen the rise of the "guru" whose only skill is spinning a useless info product. About once a month I get an inquiry from one of these gurus who's read "The Four Hour Work Week" and thinks they're going to build their internet empire on my back. I had to get burned a few times before I wised up now I only work with "real" businesses.
I know that you and several others have made your living on niche/affiliate marketing but it never appealed to me so I stick with people who are building a business based on their education, experience and expertise. That's not to say there isn't plenty that can be learned from the affiliate marketers. I feel like my job is to translate the principles of affiliate marketing into tactics real businesses can use. And I often recommend that folks read/follow you because I trust your ethics.
In 2008, I did Stompernet for 8 months and learned a ton! After that I was part of mastermind group where I realized the internet marketing space is largely populated by people who know all the gurus, buy every info product and system out there and then promptly do nothing with the information! They’re like armchair quarterbacks who watch all the games, memorize all the statistics and never get their butts off the couch! After that, I realized I know enough to successfully market online and it was time to just do it. You can either study internet marketing or you can do it.
Since then, I’ve only bought 2 info products and haven’t attended any webinars or tele-summits. I spend my time working, not collecting ebooks or listening on the phone. The 2 info products I bought? Paul Colligan’s YouTube Secret weapon and your link build product. I bought both those products because they contained actionable information not promises of overnight success.
Thanks for standing up for ethical internet marketing and shining a light on the scam-artists giving it a bad name.
Elge
I couldn't agree more! I also noticed a ton of marketers show money figures they made like 3 years ago and not recent. I came to the conclusion 80% of the so called "GooRoos" are full of it anyway.
I agree with this, Shane. That's one of the first things I look at when someone provides stats: what are the dates of the sales? If it's more than a year ago, I discount it. I think so many Internet Marketers don't think that those of us "in the know" look at stuff like this.
Lynn, you nailed it. There is no shortcut to success on the internet or in a brick and mortar business. Integrity and authenticity really differentiates people in the IM space.
And while I am not convinced the IM space is worse now (it has always been full of sleazy tactics and lies), many people are so desperate that purveyors of IM sleaze have a larger target market to prey on. I hope your post prevents some people from falling for an empty promise packaged with slick copy.