As a newbie to the world of Internet marketing, it can be an overwhelming and even scary place. Who can you trust with all the gurus trying to make the next big sale from fresh meat? As the sharks lure the waters looking for their next innocent victim, it is hard for newbies to know which parts of the waters to avoid.
Just as in any profit-making business, money is to be made. This is capitalism at it’s best and as an entrepreneur myself, I support others who follow their dreams to start their own business. What I have a huge problem with is accomplishing this in an unethical manner.
Internet marketing is not exempt from this wrong way of doing business.
Fortunately, there are ethical Internet marketers out there and I’m starting to figure out some of the people I should be listening to. I am a newbie to IM, but not to the world of online business. I have seen these sharks before. Most of the time you can see the protruding fin as it approaches you. This makes it easy to avoid.
But, when it becomes scary is when you can be fooled by the ones that are not so obvious. You may even swim right up next to them. (Little Red Riding Hood and “Grandma” wolf comes to mind as well.)
Yesterday, I read a post by Andrew Hansen (who does not swim with the sharks) about some unethical comments he overheard at a IM conference. Let’s just say he was not very happy! This post was an eye-opener for me.
The comments and methods discussed at this conference were discouraging on many levels. As a “newbie” in Internet marketing, I want so badly to be one of the ethical ones – I have no desires to be a gazillionaire or make $50,000 a month. I want it to be real! I just want to be able to work from home to pay my bills and do a little traveling. I wonder if I can make it in this shark-infested IM world.
Another concern over the sneaky gurus is how do you know if a seemingly honest Internet marketer is not a shark in disguise? Sure, I can use my “judgment” but as a newbie how do you know how to judge?
This is why I am a firm believer in education. Learn your business on every level. If you educate yourself, you will be less likely to fall prey to the Internet sharks (overt and covert). Pay attention and learn how to pick up on clues.
The sad thing is that unethical business practices are all around us – NOT just in Internet Marketing. But, what I think makes us especially vulnerable in the world of IM is all the promises that sound so real. The promises that can be so easily disguised in a get rich tempting format.
The truth is with an online business of any sort, people have no qualms about being unethical because they never look you face to face. They never have to lie to you in person. You are just another e-mail address they add to their list of unsuspecting victims. The products may be crap or ridiculously overpriced and filled with promises they can’t keep.
They don’t care.
They are simple waiting for their next victim to take the bait.
Take Andrew’s advice and take mine – don’t fall for these tactics.
View all posts by Julie
Follow Julie on Twitter
Thanks for spreading the message Julie. The more people who hear this the better.
Thanks for the mention too
Absolutely!!!
Hi. I like what you wrote.
Ben
Thanks and thanks for stopping why!
Hey Julie
Thank you for sharing this fascinating post of which I’m sure will be helpful and a real eye-opener to those who have yet to discover the sharks who are hiding behind butterfly fish disguises. It is a shame that such unethical marketers exists – let hope this trend will be reversed soon so that the true, genuine, helpful ethical marketers can lead the way and guide us all to genuine success.
Keep up the great post and work
Nigel
Hi Julie,
A great post, a real warning to anyone starting out, it is hard to identify the IM Sharks (I hate that these people get compared to Sharks, they are such great creatures), but you are starting on the right path, being truly transparent.
Great Job
Regards
Rob
Thanks! Sometimes it is hard, but I am started to learn who I should listen to and who I should let go feast on the chum. Appreciate you stopping by to visit a newbie!
Hi Julie,
I must admit that, until recently, I have been a victim of the Internet Marketing sharks you mention.
The promise of instant and unstoppable income without any effort on my part as soon as I purchased their $7 eBook. But thanks to the coaching of Alex Jeffrey’s I am discovering that becoming financially independent requires dedication and hard work.
It is inspiring that experienced marketers like yourself are offering advice and guidance to protect newbies as we find our feet.
Wishing you continued success,
Ian.
Thanks! I am a newbie, too! LOL I have been trying to make it “big and rich” for a couple years now. The sad thing is I wasted a lot of time chasing the dream. I am hoping through Alex’s course that I will stop chasing it and living it with hard work and focus! I like your post! I was just reading it! Thanks for stopping by!