Buying Internet Marketing Products – Don’t Make These Mistakes

make-money

I am an evangelist for this fact: The TRUE professional blogger needs to know how to market things – and do so – in order to make money.

As I’ve said before, it is one thing to write quality blog posts and hit the Publish button. That is the core of blogging, of course. But, you’re simply not going to make very much money at that. MARKETING is the key. You have to not only know how to market your own blog so as to get traffic to it, but you need to know how to market products in order to turn that blog into a full time income.

Good marketing requires real knowledge. You’ve got to learn that knowledge somewhere. As you’ll quickly find, there are TONS of people out there selling information about internet marketing and making money on the Internet. All claiming to be “gurus”, but few really are.

The market of “making money online” has huge price ranges, ranging from the $27 e-book to $2997 full information and coaching products. Stompernet charges a whopping $800/month as a membership program if I’m not mistaken. I am personally involved in a $97/month membership program.

So, it is easy to throw tons of money around in this space in an effort to learn how to do it. How do you know you really need what they’re offering you?

Mistake #1 – Buying From a Fake

Anytime you have a market which is huge and rabid, you’re going to have a LOT of people trying to do it. When it comes to “making money online” products, you have a lot of fakes. You’ve got people who will more or less copy what others are doing, re-word a few things, then sell the product as their own. You’ve got people who will buy private label rights content and re-sell it.

Now, I’m not going to say these people are doing anything unethical. PLR is all perfectly legit. There are a LOT of shortcuts in this market, and these people took them. But, as a consumer, wouldn’t you want to spend your money with a person who actually knows what they’re talking about?

It depends on the price point. If we’re talking about a $27 e-book, perhaps who wrote it doesn’t matter. It’s only $27. But, for some of the higher ticket items, it matters.

My rule is to do business with people who can actually prove they’ve done what they teach. And I like to look for evidence that they’ve done it in markets OTHER THAN “make money online”. Frank Kern, for example, has made good money selling information products about dog training. John Reese has made money in a LOT of different markets. Eben Pagan got his start in the dating market. So, they’ve proved they can market in a niche where increasing income is not the primary motivation to buy the product.

That, to me, is evidence of a solid reputation and I’m much more likely to consider spending money with them to learn what they have to say.

Mistake #2 – Becoming a Product Collector

I’ve seen people who want to make money online and always seem to be building up to it – BUT NEVER ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING. These people become product collectors.

No doubt, the product collector results in a lot of revenue for the internet marketing “gurus”. They’ll buy the product, perhaps hoping that that product contains some “magic bullet” which will send their online income into the stratosphere.

The problem is that their bookshelf is probably littered with a bunch of other similar internet marketing products that they haven’t fully consumed and, more importantly, haven’t acted on.

My advice: Don’t become a product collector.

Look, this business comes down to ACTION. There are a LOT of tactics and strategies out there, but they all lead up to the same thing only in different ways. The one common denominator is that all of them require getting up off your ass and DOING IT.

If you buy an internet marketing product, plan on consuming it and then plan on applying it. Otherwise, it is a waste of your money.

Your Thoughts?

Have you spent money on “make money online” products? Which ones? And have you made any of these mistakes?

Blog Transformation Challenge

Like what you read?

... then take the next step. Register for the 30 Day Blog Transformation Challenge. TRANSFORM your blog by perfecting your writing, optimizing your design, and learning how to optimize the marketing funnel.
Click to Learn More ... or...

  • http://wrapmail.wordpress.com/ Rolv Heggenhougen

    Companies seem to ignore the single largest online branding/advertising venue available: their own regular external emails. Why not use these emails to market the senders company?

    You have a website.
    You send emails.

    Why not multiply your sales-staff by “wrapping” the regular email in an interactive letterhead?

    No other marketing or advertising medium is as targeted as an email between people that know each other (as opposed to mass emails). These emails are always read and typically kept.

  • http://wrapmail.wordpress.com/ Rolv Heggenhougen

    Companies seem to ignore the single largest online branding/advertising venue available: their own regular external emails. Why not use these emails to market the senders company?

    You have a website.
    You send emails.

    Why not multiply your sales-staff by “wrapping” the regular email in an interactive letterhead?

    No other marketing or advertising medium is as targeted as an email between people that know each other (as opposed to mass emails). These emails are always read and typically kept.

  • John Hall

    Well said, David. Sadly, I was a bit of a “product collector” early on, and true to form, I was searching for the magic bullet. I became an expert on gurus, talked a good line, but didn’t really go out and get the work. It’s like trying to learn to drive by reading a book. There is no substitute for “seat time.” If airline pilots in training only read “how to” books, and never actually got the plane in the air, we’d all be taking Greyhound! Most of my purchases have been good ones, and the information invaluable. I’m not selling on the internet directly, however whatever the endeavor, one must quit gathering information and take action! The time to begin is now. You have to ask yourself the question; “What’s stopping me?” Thanks for drilling that into my head one more time. Happy Holidays!

  • John Hall

    Well said, David. Sadly, I was a bit of a “product collector” early on, and true to form, I was searching for the magic bullet. I became an expert on gurus, talked a good line, but didn’t really go out and get the work. It’s like trying to learn to drive by reading a book. There is no substitute for “seat time.” If airline pilots in training only read “how to” books, and never actually got the plane in the air, we’d all be taking Greyhound! Most of my purchases have been good ones, and the information invaluable. I’m not selling on the internet directly, however whatever the endeavor, one must quit gathering information and take action! The time to begin is now. You have to ask yourself the question; “What’s stopping me?” Thanks for drilling that into my head one more time. Happy Holidays!

  • Pingback: Tips On How To Edit Your PLR Content | n2plr.com

  • http://tedshomebusiness.mobi/ Internet marketingk

    Hi..thanks for the information Many business persons generally making concentration on the profits not on the procedure.so with this article it will be great use for them

  • http://tedshomebusiness.mobi/ Internet marketingk

    Hi..thanks for the information Many business persons generally making concentration on the profits not on the procedure.so with this article it will be great use for them

  • http://www.ChrisBlackerby.com/ Chris Blackerby

    Hey David,

    Thanks for this timely post.

    I was about to buy this product called 3 Day Money (or something like that) but then I thought to myself, “Do I REALLY need another make money online course?”

    Of course I don’t.

    You’re a good man Mr.Risley, a good man.

  • http://www.ChrisBlackerby.com Chris Blackerby

    Hey David,

    Thanks for this timely post.

    I was about to buy this product called 3 Day Money (or something like that) but then I thought to myself, “Do I REALLY need another make money online course?”

    Of course I don’t.

    You’re a good man Mr.Risley, a good man.

  • http://www.google.com/ Carol

    “Collecting” IM products is a habit I have. One of the best things to do is a couple of times a year, instead of buying more products, go through your hard drive and read and use the stuff you already bought.

    It it’s any good, use it. It not, delete it.

    And just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy it. You may be better off paying full price for the stuff you will actually use, when you’re ready to really use it.

  • http://www.google.com Carol

    “Collecting” IM products is a habit I have. One of the best things to do is a couple of times a year, instead of buying more products, go through your hard drive and read and use the stuff you already bought.

    It it’s any good, use it. It not, delete it.

    And just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy it. You may be better off paying full price for the stuff you will actually use, when you’re ready to really use it.

  • http://www.dog.surfingsolutions.org/ Carol

    Most people like I did, though that by reading ebooks they would soon stumble across their millions online. This Is simply not true. All the methods I have read have already been done, and the market Is flooding. The only way to make money online is by working hard and thinking outside of the box. Great stuff David. I hope other that are new to online marketing take heed.

  • http://www.dog.surfingsolutions.org Carol

    Most people like I did, though that by reading ebooks they would soon stumble across their millions online. This Is simply not true. All the methods I have read have already been done, and the market Is flooding. The only way to make money online is by working hard and thinking outside of the box. Great stuff David. I hope other that are new to online marketing take heed.

  • http://trusted-surveys.com/ dadeon

    I think we were/are all product collectors at one stage. You mentioned Frank Kern and in Mass Contrl he mentions something interesting. He says that the mere act of buying information marketing products gives us that “hit” or that feeling of “making it” and that’s why people buy the latest and greatest thing over and over gain. It’s just a bad habit

  • http://trusted-surveys.com/ dadeon

    I think we were/are all product collectors at one stage. You mentioned Frank Kern and in Mass Contrl he mentions something interesting. He says that the mere act of buying information marketing products gives us that “hit” or that feeling of “making it” and that’s why people buy the latest and greatest thing over and over gain. It’s just a bad habit

  • http://www.halrichgoldenretrievers.ca/ Bill

    It is great to see an item written about ebooks. I first saw them a few years ago and I wasn’t about to get cheated. Since I have done a lot of research on the subject and now I am selling them. But the key to getting people to trust you is to explain how they can download their ebooks.

    Alot of baby boomers are afraid to download anything unless you help them.

    Keep up the great work

  • http://www.halrichgoldenretrievers.ca Bill

    It is great to see an item written about ebooks. I first saw them a few years ago and I wasn’t about to get cheated. Since I have done a lot of research on the subject and now I am selling them. But the key to getting people to trust you is to explain how they can download their ebooks.

    Alot of baby boomers are afraid to download anything unless you help them.

    Keep up the great work

  • http://www.gooddogadvice.co.uk/ herb

    Excellent topic! Thanks for that, I really enjoyed reading. Anyway, I for one have had enough experience in buying “make money online” products to know a thing or two about how to figure out if the product is any good. All points above are definitely ones to consider but I’ll also add a couple more… If it doesn’t have a FULL money back guarantee, forget about it! I have bought a couple $1997 products only to return them for various reasons. Not because they weren’t who they said they were but because the products weren’t doing what they promised to do – so many holes in the information they give. You usually get your money back without a hassle (though I have had one hassle that turned out fine in the end)
    Also, when you are watching a product launch and watching the videos they email you about their new product, just observe the ‘guru’ – how they act, how they talk, are they pushy, are they natural, are they nice, do they smile? Become a people observer and see if there personality clicks with you because if you buy their product, you’re gonna have to hear a lot more from them in the future. Also, before you buy, get on their email subscribe list and read their emails, you’ll soon learn what kind of a marketer and person they are..
    Just a couple of tips from my own experience – hope it’s useful :)

  • http://www.gooddogadvice.co.uk herb

    Excellent topic! Thanks for that, I really enjoyed reading. Anyway, I for one have had enough experience in buying “make money online” products to know a thing or two about how to figure out if the product is any good. All points above are definitely ones to consider but I’ll also add a couple more… If it doesn’t have a FULL money back guarantee, forget about it! I have bought a couple $1997 products only to return them for various reasons. Not because they weren’t who they said they were but because the products weren’t doing what they promised to do – so many holes in the information they give. You usually get your money back without a hassle (though I have had one hassle that turned out fine in the end)
    Also, when you are watching a product launch and watching the videos they email you about their new product, just observe the ‘guru’ – how they act, how they talk, are they pushy, are they natural, are they nice, do they smile? Become a people observer and see if there personality clicks with you because if you buy their product, you’re gonna have to hear a lot more from them in the future. Also, before you buy, get on their email subscribe list and read their emails, you’ll soon learn what kind of a marketer and person they are..
    Just a couple of tips from my own experience – hope it’s useful :)

  • http://www.gooddogadvice.co.uk/ herb

    Oh ya, about letting those products collect dust on the shelf, I personally haven’t done that with any of the GOOD products I bought. But I think as long as you have just 1 of those product you bought in good use RIGHT NOW then there is no harm in putting some projects on the back burner – so long as you pick them up later and put to good use. There is a LOT of good information out there and chances are, if you’ve placed it on the shelf, it’ll be there when you get to it. I have several projects on the go right now, and even though I may be spreading myself a little thin right now, as I dissect the products I do have slowly but surely, I get loads of value and I’m learning TONS. So don’t worry if you haven’t gotten to it yet, just make the commitment to yourself to get to when you can – and DO NOT buy to many more in the meantime unless you KNOW it’s a good one (like Mark Ling’s Affiloblueprint product – this is gold – I’m not an affiliate but I should be…hmmm (…time elapse… I just went and got an affiliate link, I don’t mind but if you’re feeling kind and this product speaks to you, you can purchase through my link http://www.affilorama.com/?aff=dogbus)
    cheers guys and gals – thanks for readin’!

  • http://www.gooddogadvice.co.uk herb

    Oh ya, about letting those products collect dust on the shelf, I personally haven’t done that with any of the GOOD products I bought. But I think as long as you have just 1 of those product you bought in good use RIGHT NOW then there is no harm in putting some projects on the back burner – so long as you pick them up later and put to good use. There is a LOT of good information out there and chances are, if you’ve placed it on the shelf, it’ll be there when you get to it. I have several projects on the go right now, and even though I may be spreading myself a little thin right now, as I dissect the products I do have slowly but surely, I get loads of value and I’m learning TONS. So don’t worry if you haven’t gotten to it yet, just make the commitment to yourself to get to when you can – and DO NOT buy to many more in the meantime unless you KNOW it’s a good one (like Mark Ling’s Affiloblueprint product – this is gold – I’m not an affiliate but I should be…hmmm (…time elapse… I just went and got an affiliate link, I don’t mind but if you’re feeling kind and this product speaks to you, you can purchase through my link http://www.affilorama.com/?aff=dogbus)
    cheers guys and gals – thanks for readin’!

  • http://your-business.comxa.com/1_2_Business-Opportunity.html Dave Sweet

    Great article and as true now, over a year later, as it was when you wrote it!
    I have been ‘guilty’ of most of the mistakes you mention, but as others have said in their comments, if you can glean just a few bits of information from the different things you buy or subscribe to, it may be worth it. I have certainly used bits of information from each of the things I have bought and the whole lot has added up to a wealth of knowledge that is completely different from any one else’s in the world!
    it is sometimes quite surprising that I’m working on a project and come across a problem. Then a little ‘ping’ goes off in my brain and a suggestion from something quite unrelated shows a way to solve the problem.
    So, you see, all the so called ‘wasted money’ may not have such a waste after all.
    What I’m trying to say is that you must take something of value from everything you see.

  • http://your-business.comxa.com/1_2_Business-Opportunity.html Dave Sweet

    Great article and as true now, over a year later, as it was when you wrote it!
    I have been ‘guilty’ of most of the mistakes you mention, but as others have said in their comments, if you can glean just a few bits of information from the different things you buy or subscribe to, it may be worth it. I have certainly used bits of information from each of the things I have bought and the whole lot has added up to a wealth of knowledge that is completely different from any one else’s in the world!
    it is sometimes quite surprising that I’m working on a project and come across a problem. Then a little ‘ping’ goes off in my brain and a suggestion from something quite unrelated shows a way to solve the problem.
    So, you see, all the so called ‘wasted money’ may not have such a waste after all.
    What I’m trying to say is that you must take something of value from everything you see.

  • http://SoundsAndGear.com saintjoe

    I agree man! I spent a large portion of my first year online as a “product collector” lol…it sucks! You just gotta do it and also realize you can't use EVERYTHING at the same time. It's almost like a diet, you need a little bit of self control lol.

  • dee_from_PurpleRoseCashware

    I have to admit, I am a “Product Collector” myself, but I finally got to the stage of “doing it” – I finally launch my own site two days ago, and I believe I actually have quality products. I still collect emails about products but I put them aside in a special folder and resist the temptation.

  • tim gladfelter

    what I hate about a lot off gurus is there always asking for your email to spam to you.They call it email marketing I call it spamming.When I purchase something I only want that I don`t want to have to sign up for some news letter or membership and have some one email me everyday about something else they have.

  • tim gladfelter

    what I hate about a lot off gurus is there always asking for your email to spam to you.They call it email marketing I call it spamming.When I purchase something I only want that I don`t want to have to sign up for some news letter or membership and have some one email me everyday about something else they have.

  • http://DCincome.com/blog chiropractic marketing

    test

  • http://myinternetmarketingtools.org Honest_Man

    Book collectors! I am one of them :( Trying hard to establish a website now after 6 full years of being a book collector.

  • loverevolver4

    I always stick to using websites with people I can trust like outrank.com over any programs or marketing tools. My results in the past with these tools has been mixed and only average at best.

  • manyvisitor

    I am right with you, I have a web site for gluten free dog treats and noticed a star under my search for gluten free dog treats. It does feel good that google is seeing the good in some of the upcoming trend in business.
    seo

  • http://automatedsocialnetworking.com Robert Portman

    Nowadays it is hard to recover if you made a very big mistake in your business so as possible we should avoid making mistakes in order to reach your goal. Anyway thanks for giving some warning.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QSIRQV5XDZI4YUL6G5T6G3V6I4 Mark

    OMG it’s me this whole article is me. Does not matter who I ‘m but I will tell you it’s me. Thanks for the insight your so right “I buy everything, I collect it and sit on my ass”. I wanted to do a membership site, I want to do this and that and never get it done. I will just do what I do best. Make my own product on my passion MUSIC and let others collect it and sit on their asses.

    Great Article!