Yea, I’m in a bit of a mood today.
I got an email from a well-known ‘internet marketer’ who said I should listen to a video from his drunk cousin and that at first he’s hiding it but then you can tell. So, ya, human nature says I click because I want to see what this drunk cousin who’s managed to make a mint looks like.
But then I find it’s just another pay-per-click video and I feel totally fooled!
I don’t know about you but again and again I’m tired of this bullshit that you can spend a few pennies and get rich. No, they didn’t say that in the video but isn’t lying by omission the same as lying?!
And so this one guy made tons of money in one niche – does that mean that I’m going to find a profitable and fullfilling business doing the same?
I mean. How much money did the guy WASTE before he became profitable in the first day? How many people like him have a crazy-rich cousin who knows every possible way to make a ton of cash online? How much help did he get from his millionaire friends before he made a profit? How much did he already have in his bank account before he started making a mint? These things get left out ALL the time.
My biggest beef with this type of hype and dreams is that as a service provider I get clients coming to me all the time with seriously unrealistic expectations.
Make no doubt about it: It takes time, skill, dedication, crazy-ass committment and a will like nothing else to run your own business! It’s not paint-by-numbers easy. There’s no simple formula and you won’t get rich overnight!!
And don’t get me wrong here: Dreams can come true, you can make a lot of money online and it does get easier. But for the 95% of us who struggle seeing these videos about how easy it can be can be a real kick in the face.
Let’s get realistic, ok?
RANT OVER!
So, yea. I’m not some big guru. I didn’t get rich overnight. In fact I’m not rich at all. I’m a single mom, makin my way in the sometimes sharky, snarky world of online business. And I know a few things that have made me a few bucks.
If you want to learn from someone who won’t get your hopes sky high only to have them dashed back to earth with a spirit-crushing crash, someone who can show you how to make a few thousand a month online (sometimes working damn hard – sometimes not so much) because that’s where she’s at then check out my stuff ok?
I’ll never send you bullshit emails just to make a fast buck selling you dreams and fairy-tales.
K?
Awesome post! I see way too many people getting sucked into guru nonsense, trying to use stupid tricks rather than time-tested principles to “get rich quick”
People spend thousands of dollars of guru products that more or less lie to them about the reality of online business. If everyone would just read this post, fortunes would be saved.
.-= Marek´s last blog ..The Winston Churchill Guide to Online Success =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Thanks for the comment Marek! Yea there is a whole lotta money wasted looking for the ‘secret’.
Gurus should be shot out of a cannon. They do this all in attempts to “help others out” but they gloss over the really important part of making it – putting in the time and doing the work!
.-= Courtney Ramirez´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
LOL Thanks for your comment Courtney! Yes, the work is important and I personally think it builds character and makes us interesting
Twitter: christinalemmey
says:
I knew this had to be a hot topic for you to curse in your title! LOL I’m sick of all the hype as well. Some of these “gurus” really border on the edge of being con artists when they send out videos and stuff like this. Glad you’re one of the honest teachers out there!
.-= Christina Lemmey´s last blog ..WordPress Theme Envy =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
LOL Christina. Yea this might be the first time I’ve sworn on my blog! It just felt THAT important. I’m the same way offline, if you hear me swear seriously you know I’m *really* mad! lol (also my newfie accent comes back when I’m mad – if you hear that look out
Twitter: teamii
says:
Amen Sister! And who is the Certified Guru Master making all of these folks Gurus anyway? I’m with you …I am over all that hype! I have unsubscribed from some many lists because of the hype but I won’t be unsubscribing from yours, thanks for keeping it real!
.-= Kirsten Womack´s last blog ..Women Who Delegate Always Work Smarter, Not Harder =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Yea this list was like the last internet marketing one I was on and I unsubbed after that email. That’s smart of you to only be on a few lists (and thanks for picking mine to stay on!).
Well the curse word got me wondering what got you so riled up as well (is that a tactic? Lol!).
It’s nice to shake things up a bit sometimes and redefine what this business is about. The more “guru” led this business becomes the less credible and sustainable it becomes and no one wants that.
Good for you for giving profile to integrity, real work, and attainable, solid expectations.
.-= Sharon McMillan´s last blog ..Three WordPress Plug-ins for Powerful SEO Results =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
LOL, no ‘guru’ tactics here – I just really felt that needed to be the title, that curse word came straight from the heart
Thank you Sharon!
Twitter: martsgirl
says:
Hey Angela,
I so totally agree with your post! I’ve seen lots of new internet marketers who ride over this get-rich schemes.. Sometimes I feel bad for them. They spend too much for this and end up not really getting rich but poorer. Based on my observation, it’s because they don’t really have a product to sell. They just use the model from these “gurus” and not innovate. I asked one of clients if she earned from it, she said no. Honestly, MLM is too overrated… my 2 cents.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Yes Chel and I think I get so mad because I’ve been one to get caught up in the bull people sling to get you to do what THEY want.
Interesting about not having a product to sell and I think you’re right. Many people ARE looking for that instant cash machine and so brings back the arguement “is it the marketer or the market?”. I kinda feel saying the marketer is off the hook is like saying a guy who beats his wife is justified because she stays. The fact that she stays doesn’t make him any less of a jerk.
Awesome post, it doesn’t get much more real than this : )
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Thanks for the comment Neil!
Angela,
Your email came at a good time for me. I was just thinking the same thing yesterday as I unsubscribed from the 12 th list for the month. I don’t know why people feel that they have to write and promote emails that say “my friend” or “my cousin” has this that and the other trick to get you making money instantly tomorrow.
When I see those emails, I scroll on down and delete. Cause you know the only way these guys are bringing in the big bucks is through the one product they are trying to sell you now and all of the new affiliate marketers who are desperately trying to make a buck themselves. Not sure why one feels they have to look like they know someone successful, when all it shows me is that they have not honestly tried the product themselves or they would be sending me an email worth reading with their own review.
I am glad there are honest people out there like you(and me) who are not afraid to say that they work hard, and make a living but are not pretending they are rich. I would rather trust someone who is hard working and truthful than someone who wants to look important.
So thanks for the post. A good ranting helps purge the soul and gets you focused on the right track. A post like yours reminds me of why I work hard rather than “pretending” that I am something I am not. People do need to be more aware of these types of people and stop getting sucked in. It is up to us to be out there helping them out before they waste their money on the next “pie in the sky” idea.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..Safelist Usage: Is it worth your time? =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Oh Melanie thanks so much for this replay and thank you for not pretending!
I tell ya it makes me sick when I get to working for a new client only to find out behind the scenes their business is a mess but up front they portray this huge success story. That’s when I start running the other direction, fast.
I mean this is the only industry where someone can put out a video that tells people they can spend just pennies on advertising – while people eat it up like crazy.
There really are two types of online business owners:
1 – internet marketers: those who don’t care about a real business model, just about making cash
2 – internet business owners: those who care about the business and building a long-term future and reputation
I’m sure you and the people I’ve attracted fall into #2 because that’s where I am.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
You know what else is funny? I don’t even really consider ‘bullshit’ to be a swear word because it has ‘bull’ in front of it, lol!
But apparently it is
Keep it real girl! Keep it real!
When I saw that curse word I knew I had to click because I knew you had something to say!
I am with you all the way and yes that hypy mess is so OLD!!!
.-= LaTara´s last blog ..How to Use Article Directories to Promote Free =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Yea see, I don’t cry wolf. When I have a topic that makes you click – I deliver!
Glad you liked it LaTara
I have your Affiliate Manager Mojo product, Angela, and it’s the most succinct, clear course of its kind. No crap about leaving a bit out so one has to upgrade to the next product, etc. As far as I’m concerned, you always speak your truth and I trust that. Which is why I clicked through and read this post even though I usually delete emails that look like rants.
You’re all about the service – I can attest to that.
.-= Marya´s last blog ..Mysteries of the Blogosphere =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Oh thank you so much Marya!! I’m actually going to update and re-release that product so I really appreciate hearing the feedback on it.
Aww – you guys are all so great
You hit a nerve!
There is a lot of false hope being pedaled and a lot of it has a high price tag.
I agree that online success takes hard work – there isn’t an easy way…though you can shorten the process by finding someone who has gone before and is willing to show you the way.
I too have unsubscribed from many email lists – though I’m still on yours
.-= Lynne Lee´s last blog ..Google Update On Rankings For Long Tail Keyword Searches =-.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Oh yes completely agree with you there that learning from someone with experience can be extremely valuable to your business.
I’m not saying we should have big dreams here at all!
Thanks so much for your comment and for staying on my list
O I know of whom you speak. Its the sign that the ‘gurus’ are getting very very desperate. Its as vulgar as it is sad. I unsubscribed to said guru after that, and like others posting here I unsubscribed from about 10 others for the very same reason- they all endorse each other’s smarm and aren’t producing any real value. No discussion. No ideas. No new anything. Its like expensive smelly garbage. Ew. Who wants that delivered daily? I loved your post today. The gurus aren’t authentic anymore, if they ever were at all. Now they peddle their story and even the story seems hollow. I look forward to your emails in my inbox. You make the work that I need to do seem worthy and valuable. Don’t be afraid of more rants as you seem fit. You just have the courage to say what we are thinking! Keep up the great work you do. We all appreciate someone who points out the smoke and mirrors. More importantly, we all appreciate you.
Twitter: AngelaWills
says:
Thanks for your comment Bee! It makes all the hard work I do so worth it when I hear your replies and thanks for what I do. You guys are awesome!
[...] don’t invest the time in proper preparation, Angela makes short shrift of them today on her Marketer’s Mojo [...]
Twitter: Alanashwood
says:
Thank you thank you.
I’ve wanted to use a few expletives in my posts but thought I may be shut down, delisted, whatever. Thanks for this new found freedom!
However – did I notice a little cynicism in there? Surely not.
I’ll bet you don’t believe the guys who was living in a cardboard box, totally bankrupt, eating small children etc., who went on to make $3 grillion dollars by Thursday. You really should have some sympathy for this poor mortal.
Maybe some charitable person gave them a computer, and paid for domains, hosting, autoreponders etc., etc.
Would that person please contact me?
Any way – now I’ve found your blog – you’re a keeper!
Cheers
Alan
From the Magic Forest, England
Alan´s last [type] ..Yay! Then There Were 40! Now for the next 40