The State of The IM Industry

You may remember that I ran a bonus a short while ago that included a promo to 5000 of my subscribers.

I had arranged to promote a product and I was actually just about to mail out when the product creator got in touch with me, this is what he had to say.

Hi John,

I’m really sorry to mess you around but I’m going to have to ask you not to bother doing that mailing.

I am getting out of the ‘marketing/make money’ niche and concentrating on teaching.

Sorry and thanks for all your support.

Rob

So I responded.

Wow, I’ve never had anyone to tell me not to do a mailing :-)

No problem, keep me updated with what you have going on.

Regards,

John

The response was.

I’m not sure I’ll ever go into the marketing niche again – the whole scene sickens me to be honest but you – you will remain, along with Randy Smith, as the ONLY people I have come across online (in that niche) who I feel are  REAL, trustworthy people.

Everyone else I have met (and I have paid some of them a LOT of money are, in my mind (and sorry to be blunt) full of s**t. They are all very friendly and promise a lot until they get your money and then you never hear from them again. It just seems to be a festival of greed and I want no part of it.

You were different John, and along with Randy, the only one I would ever approach again.

Thanks very much for sticking to your word and I’m sorry I let you down.

All the best mate,

Rob

That sort of saddens me, the fact someone is so disgusted with the Internet Marketing scene that they have gotten out of it altogether.

Rob feels he has been let down by so many marketers online that he’s had enough, and can you blame him when all we get is a bunch of crap thrown at us every single day. In fact I bet if you looked at the last 100 emails you have received from marketers 99% would be hype filled pitches and most of the products getting pitched will be the usual hype filled crap.

IT HAS TO STOP! I personally believe over time it will stop as some marketers are suffering big style. I have heard reports of marketers losing their Aweber accounts because of complaints, marketers struggling to keep afloat as they can’t make sales anymore. People un-subscribing in their thousands and launches failing to make enough money to pay out the JV prize money because their last product had an 80% refund rate.

WELL THEY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT BEFORE CREATING AND SENDING CRAP TO THEIR MOST VALUABLE ASSET, THEIR SUBSCRIBERS.

Maybe if they stopped using actors on their sales pages, actually completed the product before launching it, provided support and made sure the product delivered value the IM Industry wouldn’t be in this mess right now. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking the way these guys market is the way to go because it’s not.

Promoting an ethical product.

You may recall last week I promoted the Internet Marketing Apprentice. (IMA) Guess how much I’ve earned so far?

Nothing… zip… nada….

This was because I worked with Randy and Craig to give my most valuable asset, my subscribers the best deal possible. This was an exclusive $1 trial with a very very low monthly payment if they were happy with IMA. I may earn a few dollars in recurring billing sales but that’s not why I promoted IMA. I promoted IMA because it gives real value to people that want to get started online. I also tried to educate my subscribers about the whole sales process so even if they didn’t buy they would still learn something.

I could have promoted the latest hyped up 6 click piece of garbage with some hippy, a guy in a private jet or even an ex stripper selling the product and made a ton of extra sales (although most sales would have been refunded) but I’d rather give value, it’s not about the affiliate earnings, it’s about providing value and that’s how it should be with you.

Give and you shall receive!

Guess what else I did last week? I held my first office visit as part of my Killer Content bonus. Dave Taylor drove 4 hours to visit me at my office, we discussed his business in great detail and he left my office with a plan, all free of charge.

Me selling something to him was the furthest thing from my mind. However, because I have helped him so much he wants to be part of my $5,000 1 on 1 coaching program in the near future. You can check out some pics and read Dave’s story here.

CAN YOU SEE A PATTERN HERE?

Give your most valued assets your time and help them as much as you possibly can and they will want to work (and spend money) with you.

I hope this post makes sense because if it doesn’t your business could be in serious trouble.

As always please feel free to comment and let me know what you think of the state of the IM Industry right now.

EDIT! Since writing this post ClickBank have changed the criteria for their products, check it out here. Could this be the start on the IM Revolution?

39 Comments

  • David Taylor

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    Yes, I agree there is a lot of crap flying around online but I believe that those of us who strive to be ethical will win in the end.

    It’s a great shame Rob has given up. Hope he reconsiders and joins the ethical rebellion!

    It was great to meet you last week and I can confirm to all that no sales pitch was even hinted at. But I will be taking your coaching because you have proved yourself many times over with what you are willing to give.

    Thanks again, onwards and upwards!

    All the best,

    Dave

  • Rob Plevin

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    I just thought I’d leave a quick message to substantiate what you wrote there my friend. I stand by my comments – and I fully agree with yours.

    There have been a lot of very ‘lucky’ people in this industry. They got in a few years ago when product launches were easy and crap content was accepted – they deserve to suffer now.

  • Yew Heng

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Well said. There are a lot of marketers out there who want to pull a quick bucks and walk away to enjoy their time with their friends and family, forgetting the customers who pay them.

    We need more honest and sincere marketers online. Give to receive! So GIVE MORE…

    Yew Heng
    http://www.EmbraceInternetWealth.com

  • Eamon

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    How’s John

    The state of the industry right now, hmmm… it’s far from good…I’ll be straight up, anything that comes into my mail box now; I have filtered.

    There’s only a few marketers left out there…including yourself, that I’ll even bother with.

    Hope the Internet Marketing industry gets a big shake up…for it’s hurting other marketers along the way.

    Eamon.

  • Jonathan Lake

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    Great post and I am totally with Rob. I, too have turned my back on IM because of the constant barrage of BS and garbage, and have used my online knowledge to do affiliate marketing and also to sell physical products in the holistic health niche.
    I, like your good self, pride myself on giving first and then making money afterwards and it is going great. May was my best month online, which was beaten by June and already July has surpassed June – I am very happy that I moved acrosss from IM.

    I do still keep my eyes on the IM market by following a small select few, which includes you, John. You are one of the few totally honest, ethical and in my opinion, respectable marketers and for that I herald and thank you.

    I wish you EVERY success

    Cheers

    Jonathan

  • Steve Wilkins

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    I actually wrote a post about this a few months ago and I agree some of the markters in our industry completely sicken me and I feel sorry for Rob that he has felf forced to pack it in altogether.

    It’s funny you mention an ex stripper lauching a product because I saw a sales video from a guy promoting some puch-button crap with an actor who claimed to be an ex stripper. It was one of the worst and most deceitful sales videos I have even seen in all my time in this industry.

    I will have to book a visit up to your office sometime soon as part of the killer bonus you offered. I am about 5 hours drive from you but I am meeting former MC students Steve King and Rob Corrigan in Swindon in a few weeks to work on something new together so hopefully after that trip I can arrnage to see you – would be great to sit down with an ethical marketer and talk business.

    Kind regards,
    Steve Wilkins.

  • Matt Poc

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    O yeah, what you’ve just said here is so true.

    In fact, even PayPal is going away from anything related to internet marketing and make money online. This huge company so far has frozen tens or even hundreds of accounts, only because they were selling make money online or internet marketing related products. You may go to Derrick VanDyke’s blog for more information about this.

    In fact, it also affected me. I was selling a product using DigiResults and PayPal now has some doubts about it, so my account might be frozen. Luckilly, it’s only $200 bucks, but it’s still quite a lot of money for me, as I’m not making 1000s of dollars.

    And what you’ve just mentioned there about the refund rate, which is 80% – it’s just insane. I have no ideas why they don’t create a normal product – it does not take that long. And it’s far more better to get a 2% conversion rate and get only 10% refund rate instead of getting 7% conversion rate and then getting 80% refund rate. And also, if you’re product is great, more people will promote it.

    Matt Poc

  • Hi John,

    Although I’m not doing true IM any longer, I find that the same practice of treating my customers well reaps great reward, for me and them. I have built my business entirely on referrals from happy customers who have bought my websites. Not a penny spent on advertising yet, just some great word-of-mouth.

    I am becoming well know as a great person to do business with, and someone who goes the extra mile to make my customers happy after the sale. I don’t disappear. Even months later I am happy to help if a website is broken, or someone has a question or needs help.

    Even before the sale, I am up front about everything, and don’t make promises or create false expectations. Everyone is happy in the end. Customers don’t feel mislead, and I sleep well at night!

    Best Regards and keep up the great work!

    Ken Soszka
    http://www.EasyAutomatedWebsites.com

  • Tim E Rees

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John

    This is becoming a concern, the amount of shiny push button objects out there is increasing, and I’ve seen most of the sales pages you refer to in your post.

    One that seems to be going around at the moment is secret software, promising commissions overnight, it doesn’t work.

    These marketers are just preying on the very people that need their help to succeed, and instead of giving them good basic IM skills (probably too boring for them to bother with) they sell “hype”.

    Thank God for marketers such as yourself, Dave, Randy & Omar. and a few others out there that do care about the products they promote and the value they give to their subscribers.

    Ethical values need to be a part of the IM learning curve, and as as children we learn important lessons from our parents. We need to carefully choose the mentor we invest in, not only our money but also our time and values.

    Learn to be successful by following in the footsteps of someone you admire not only for their financial success, but also for the way in which they have achieved it, that way you should avoid the “SBM” = Scum Bag Marketer :-).

    Take care all – apologies for the rant.

    Tim

  • Doug Prentice

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John
    I am 100% in agreement with your analysis of the current market conditions in IM. Funnily enough I don’t see it as something to really worry about.
    Much of what we are seeing is typical of new markets where there is always an early glut of “get rich quick” rip off merchants – in another age referred to as “snake oil salsemen”. Markets have a way of self regulating which will see many of these disappear off to the next gold rush whatever it turns out to be. The main difference that IM has its ability to scale up rip off schemes very quickly.
    There will always be a place for good products and perhaps more importantly good people in IM. Yes, it will probably get a bit of a bad name for a while but as long as there remains the prospect of being able to make an honest ethical living, there will always be new entrants wanting to be taught how it all works.
    As long as there are teachers like yourself, Randy Smith and Lee McIntyre about the industry will have its high ground.
    As for buying products I generally try to get a feel for the people I’m buying from by reading their blogs or making direct contact where possible. My acid test is would I like to spend a couple of hours over a few beers with this person? If the answer is no – then move on. I know it’s a cliche but life is too short to waste time on blackguards and ne’erdowells.
    John, keep up the good work – and I do love it when you have a good rant! Brightens up my day.
    Best regards
    Doug Prentice

  • Wow – i don’t think I’ve seen my name mentioned so many times in one post and reply….
    Thanks to everyone who has named me alongside John, Dave, Omar & Lee – as a decent guy.

    I have to say I owe it to You John (along with my parents) for bringing me up with a conscience, you for showing me many years ago that relationship marketing was the way forward for the long term – rather than the churn & burn of short term wealth!

    As an added note – great rant! … Here’s hoping lots of people see it and start thinking before jumping in to those hyped up salespages :)

    Randy

  • Make-Easy-Money

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi:John
    Thanks for sharing with us thispost.
    Just want to reiterrate that your, teachings ans strategies really work. as one of the student on your 1 month mentor program, I can attest to the fact that providing quality original content really work.Even though I am not making some hugeeasy money yet>/a>,I started my new blog after following your teachings, and it is not even 6 months old but already , I have got very happy subscribers
    and my website is already have a PR1 on google.
    Thank you for been such a great teacher and someone who is not afraid to tell it as it is.

  • Dave Whitworth

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John
    Great point well put, but come on guys give those busy marketers a break.
    It is only a small handfull of them that has had the good fortune to bump into a secret Eastern European computer wiz who gladly handed over the reigns to his Empire.

    If you don’t believe them, then you won’t believe my ‘true’ story about being abducted by aliens recently. Given an anal probe and now I have my own cash funnel.

    Where will it all end? No doubt in tears for some and quite rightly so. I just hope there is not a ‘tarred with same brush’ mentality and not only with people like paypal but more importantly with the people who are prepared to buy a genuine product.

    I have bought a couple of the recent big launches and I don’t mind doing that because I won’t promote something I haven’t tried and liked.
    One such product had one of the best sales videos I have seen but when I got to the product, after around 8 or 10 upsells I was hugely disappointed.
    As Matt said 80% refund rate is madness and what is the point?

    Best Regards
    Dave Whitworth

  • Carol Smith

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Thanks for the great piece. I couldn’t agree more. I too have my favorite trusted marketers. In fact, I have a special place on my hard drive where I save all their communications. Amazing what you can learn by studying them.

    If I get on someone’s mailing list I automatically unsubscribe if the first thing I see is hype, sexy girls, big cars, etc. etc. Who cares! Most of them are probably skirting the truth. The norm is usually if you have it you don’t have to brag about it.

    Another major way to get on my “unsubscribe” list is to send me dozens of emails a week with “free” links. Don’t they know that nothing is free – they are wanting my email address.

    After recording your One Month Mentor program, I decided that I really did need to do it. So I have gone back to being a beginner and am listening to every word of the videos. Off to a great start. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

    Carol Smith

  • Steve King

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John

    Well said…and the very reason I work in the Golf Niche!

    Sad to hear that Rob has chucked it in – I hope he finds what he was looking for elsewhere.

    Having met you & Randy in both the online & offline world I can say without any hesitation you are a couple of silver linings to a very dark cloud.

    There are many excellent, reputable marketers out there…it’s such a shame that a few put money before people…sadly it’s a human disease called greed.

    I think I’ll stick to the Golf and watch more great work from the New Open Champion Darren Clarke :)

    Cheers
    Steve

  • Paul

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Totally agree with your analysis of the IM market.
    My inbox is full of junk. I’m totally sick of all the “you’ve made a sale” subject headlines I’m getting. I know its not true when i match the headline with the marketer who sends it.I would never promote their product. They lie to persuade you to open the email- don’t they realise they lose trust instantly.

    My tip -Always search the WF reviews before you buy the latest over hyped launch.

    All the best John,
    Paul

  • Steve

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    I must admit that this sort of thing was getting me really frustrated. As a relative newbie, my inbox was always full of “Push button” products. I’m now learning to sort the wheat from the chaff and hopefully learning from people like yourself and possibly only a couple of others. (Lee McIntyre, Robert Evans) I’ve just signed up for your Affiliate Promo Formula as I believe that your way John, is the right way.

    Keep up the good work.

    Regards,

    Steve.

  • Ken

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Wow thanks for a great post John.

    It hit the spot nicely.

    I to left this game before I even got started few years ago as all I ever received was scam offers which left me with 2 choices premote the same rubbish or leave, I left.

    So I had enough and unsubscribed from every list I had all but one that was and what a relief it was No more junk in my inbox.

    You where the only one of about 50 lists I had subscribed to that I kept on.

    I did not take you off my mailing list like I did with lots of the other marketers because I had been following you for a hell of a long time way back in your eBay days and could tell that you was honest.

    This also shows as you do not promote hype that I have also learnt.

    I received your offer for your coaching program I did not even read all the sales page at the time I saw your name John Thornhill .. I saw the price $19.00 and clicked buy it now.

    I am not at the stage where I can fro money away just yet and $19.00 or $1.00 it would have made no difference had it of been sent from any one from my old list as I would of seen it as hype.

    I know that if you say I can make money on line then I can make money on line. I know that you will not sell hype which means I will not have to quite due to only being able to sell junk.

    When you said all them years ago watch me reach Power Seller in 90 days you did it I know because I added you to my eBay favourites to see if you could pull it off.

    When you tried to sell x amount of ebooks in a single listing I can’t remember the amount again you did it.

    I even got to chat to Randy Smith on the phone when he phoned me regarding your advanced course, I trusted him as I knew you would not of had him contact me otherwise.

    Although I could not afford the up sell well not yet anyway as I have only just started you course, Randy stayed on the phone a good hour after that chatting in general about all things including internet marketing.

    It was not a case of your not interested so I’m off to the next customer.

    Yes I was disapointed at first that you did not phone yourself as you have become some one I have grown to respect but am more than glad of the out come as randy truly is by all accounts a great guy who I would not of hurd of had he not phoned.

    I would rather never make one dollar online than a make million dollars dishonestly.

    so I shall be following the like’s of yourself and randy to see how it should be done.

    Ken

  • Phil Rogers

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    I don’t think the IM Industry has got better or worse during the 5 or 6 years I’ve had anything to do with it. It has changed, certainly, but there were always rogues out there selling trash, there still are, ansd there will be in future. As long as there are people out there looking for that magic bullet, there will be people prepared to sell it to them (and we know that the magic bullet doesn’t exist).

    The thing that has changed the most is that the sell has become harder. The copywriters have learned all the psychological tricks to get people to buy.

    Unfortunately, most of the unsuspecting buyers who can’t get these schemes to work blame themselves, thinking that they must be doing something wrong or that they don’t properly understand it. Consequently, they don’t claim their money back, so the vendors clean up. If more people would claim a refund and told other people about their bad experiences, these vendors would be exposed for the rogues that they are.

    The first list I ever signed up to was John’s and I’m still a subscriber. Hundreds of other lists have come and gone. Every so often I just go through my emails and unsubscribe from everybody except a very few trusted ones. It’s a great feeling to unload them and stop that barrage of sales letters.

    Try it!

  • Andrew Stark

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John

    I think that the payment processors allowing such “snake oil” to be sold getting visits from IRS / fraud squad will result in the clear out that this market needs. Something like a google slap where it gets rid of all the rubbish effecting core business.

    I now have a great BS radar and haven’t promoted a clickbank product in a long time because of this. The best place to find products now is digiresults and WSO Pro as like you and others are now starting to sell in the warrior forum and get real marketers on your list rather than the newbies who want instant income.

    Great to see that you’ve started the bonus events, but I’m afraid that you’re going to have to a word with Socrates about your standards as I’ve stayed subscribed to his list and he’s really blasting it hard with some pretty poor cut & paste emails.

    Andrew

  • Simon Phillips

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    All I can say, John, is it is about time someone stood up and said exactly what you have just posted! Well done that man!

    To lose someone, who is obviously an honest person, from Internet Marketing is a travesty! I really hope Rob will reconsider and come back to the industry.

    When I first started out in IM I too was in a similar position and got fed up of all of the BS that plagued Internet Marketing. That was until I met your good self, Dave and Randy.

    It is true to say that what the unethical Internet Marketers do (and teach) WILL make money – BUT, only in the short term! People cotton on to them eventually and it is not a sustainable framework for longevity in this business.

    For people like us it is not tenable to operate a business in an unethical manner – There is just as much success to be had in Internet Marketing by operating in an honest and ethical manner and genuinely helping people. Sure, operating honestly will mean that the business will build a tiny bit slower but it will certainly last an awful lot longer!

    The choice is simple:

    A. Make a little money fast and then burn out because your customers realise you are peddling snake oil – In the meantime, possibly destroy the confidence and bank balances of the people you swindle.

    or

    B. Build your Internet Marketing business in an honest, open and genuine way. Help EVERYBODY you come across wherever you can. Make a good, steady living from a business that goes from strength to strength and be here many years down the line with a solid, profitable and ethical business.

    I know which one I would choose!

    Simon.

  • Simon Phillips

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Just an addition to my previous post – I also bought Killer Content simply for you bonuses John and would love to arrange a visit to your office soon – Expect a call from Manchester :)

  • Mark Sherman

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    This is a great post John! I have got to commend Rob for escaping from internet marketing and focusing on the noble cause of teaching. Your post is “right on” as far as how we should conduct any business we are a part of. It really boils down to what kind of person we are and want to continue being. I have always tried to live by the phrase “treat other people as you would like to be treated”. That has worked for me.

    Keep up the great work!

    Mark

  • Zora

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    Its to bad that it came to this but I beleave with every body starting to talk more about it and opting out of there emails and not buying from them the internet marketing world will self clean itself.
    In the end Rob is right if it’s not your cup of tea and your not happy in what your doing go on to what makes you happy and your life will be a lot better.

    To your success

    Zora

  • Donald

    Reply Reply July 18, 2011

    Hi John,

    An excellent post. Everything you said is true. I came home from work tonight and had over 200 plus e mails, most of which were deleted. I think I should spend one day un subscribing from a lot of them.

    Like some mentioned in their posts there are only a number of marketers and most of them were your students. Dave, Randy, Dan Sumner, Paula, Dan T, to name but a few.

    I guess I’ll be someone else booking to come and see and I’ll be bringing something stronger than Tunnocks although a yummy cake.

    Keep up the good work.

    Regards

    Donald

  • Mike Johnson

    Reply Reply July 19, 2011

    Hi John,

    I’ve been working at getting it right for about 1.5 years. Yes, I’ve been among those other newbies that have been taken to the cleaners and have spent well over $15K on the latest BS. I must tell you that I have purchased several of your products and have not been disappointed nor have I felt you were misleading in any way. Thanks!

    You have always been honest about your products and that is extremely important to me. There was a time when I must have been on just about everyone’s list receiving one BS get rich quick scam email after another on a daily basis.

    I must say that I’m current on about 3 marketer’s lists and I’m sure I’ll remain on yours. Keep up the great work.

    Best Regards,
    Mike

  • Ron

    Reply Reply July 19, 2011

    Hi John
    I totally agree with your post.
    I was ripped off to the tune of 23K when I first started, not to mention all the other small amount BS offers. I subscribe to about 5 lists, yours and the ones close to you. With most of the others I unsubscribe as soon as they hammer me with more offers.
    I have noticed that most offers now are aimed at beginners, that to me is really sus. The big guys must be getting desperate.

    I notice that as soon as you buy one moneymaking offer you get hammered straight away with more offers, like the first one was not complete.

    Same as Andrews post above re. Socrates. I deleted him.

    I’ll stick with you John, Randy, Dave and Jim Cockrum.

    All the Best
    Ron

  • Greg Chirinian

    Reply Reply July 19, 2011

    I agree that there is a lot of junk out there and a lot of
    marketers out for quick bucks with no ethics The problem is that
    these people use the same methods as everyone else ie squeeze page
    lists etc. I think that the market has been so inundated with garbage that people no longer pay attention to squeeze pages
    or lists.This presents a problem to people who are genuine and really do stand by their products and are starting out.

    How many marketers do you trust. My count is less than 10 including John Thornhill, How many marketers are out there. That’s my point.
    Every one of the marketers I trust follows a certain code of ethics
    These marketers worked hard to build a level of trust and respect to gain a following They are not going to jeopardize their efforts promoting junk
    The real problem is people want instant money. Who doesn’t It doesn’t work that way. John Thornhill suggests buying a domain with your own name. This is smart advice,after that comment on blogs, comment on forums tweet useful tweets make yourself known by providing useful information and tips
    The more you do the more people see your name and associate it with useful content. This takes time but guys like John Thornhill, Jim Cockrum, etc did not become a success overnight.

  • The wild west was full of shysters selling everything from magic water to land they didn’t own.

    I see the internet the same way. You showed me Where and How.

    It’s up to me to invent the what.

    A town filled with Barber Shops ain’t much of a town but thanks to you, I’m operating the circus.

    I am forever indebted to you sir John.

    Have a grand day, mister.

    Barry Ab Normal

  • Dee

    Reply Reply July 21, 2011

    Hi John
    I totally agree with everything you have said and think it is a shame people have to give up what they are doing online.
    I have been burned many tines in the past but have hopefully learnt my lesson.
    Ethics and honesty just don’t exist for some people.
    Regards
    Dee

  • Barry Wells

    Reply Reply July 21, 2011

    Hi John, I think it’s a shame when people throw the towel after being ripped off, if this kind of thing happened in the street it would be classed as fraud and we could get the so and so’s locked up.

    It really rattles my cage to see honest hard working people give up on their dreams and I’ve seen quite a few throw the towel in over the time i’ve been online.

    I do agree that their days are numbered, especially with posts like this highlighting the R Sole ways.

    I have been on lists that carry out this kind of crap and have unsubscribed from nearly everyone of them. I’ve stayed on the odd one or two, just in case they ever send me anything relating to the reason I subscribed in the first place. But I’m really thinking about the odd one’s that’re left as well now.

    One good thing to come out of all this John…… I know what not to do in order to build successfully. I’m just sorry that it’s at people like Rob’s expence.

    Another great post John,

    Barry

  • Carol

    Reply Reply July 22, 2011

    I agree entirely John and don’t consider this as a rant. I have been observing closely over the last few months to guage where this industry is at, (to dertermine where I will fit) and yes, there are definitely two distinct ‘camps’.

    I also observe a grey area in the middle where marketers who I had assumed fell into the ‘ethical’ camp, are actually promoting the questionable products that would fall into the ‘high refund category’. Obviously everyone can choose what they promote – but I am no longer on the list of this particular marketer.

    So I guess my point is that the ‘grey area’ is just as much an issue in the grand scheme of things and that reputable marketers who wish to remain so, should choose carefully who they work with.

    Cheers
    Carol

    http://www.CarolClifford.com

  • Mary

    Reply Reply July 23, 2011

    Hi John

    I have always felt you were different than the rest of the hype out there. I am trying to make it on ethics and hope to see a sale someday. Being unemployed off and on, I cannot afford to keep throwing my money out the window on all these get rich quick promises. I get information overload sometimes, but still honestly believe that as my page ranks improve, eventually I will be seen. Little by little I see visitors, of course not what I had hoped for. Writing for Ezine Articles and then finding my articles stolen has turned me off a bit. I was raised to be honest and am amazed at how many people are so dishonest out there. I guess it really comes out for the whole world to see. I have 5 sites and enjoy working on them. I do know there is a lot that needs to be done to make them successful. The honest people admit it all takes time to have a success. I believe this is the road I need to travel for now. It feels right. Thanks for the confirmation of what I have felt for sometime.

    Mary

  • Simon Newcombe

    Reply Reply July 24, 2011

    Hello John,

    my name is Simon and I’ve been doing internet marketing for about 7 month now, when I started I was taken into a couple bad training programs which I lost money with and had no return or offered any real value.

    Your post has good infomation for the state of IM. As there are so many scamy products and scamy people out there within the internet.

    I think it makes it harder for people to want to get involved in this business, because they do not know who or what to trust.

    Puting your name and emails into websites out there has got to have trust to it as they are trusting the owner of such website with these details, and hoping it’s not just another FAKE where you may be taken for a ride. There should be some where these scamer’s could be reported and locked up for stealing.

    This is making it so real people working online have found very little success and give up fast.

    As no vulue is offered then people will not want to know and stay well away from the FAKE one’s out there trying to cashing in ON YOUR MONEY.

    All should be careful and research what you are doing first and looking to get into, there is always more information before we purchase something just make sure you look first…

    thanks for your article..

    Regards,

    simon newcombe…

  • Tom Hayes

    Reply Reply July 25, 2011

    Hi there John,

    Just goes to show what an impact shonky marketers can have on a genuine person. There’s no doubt that people are fed up with recycled crap that are full of hype sales pages with absolutely no substance whatsoever inside the covers. The industry suffers because unfortunately most other marketers who are sincere lose business being tared with the same brush as the dodgy marketers.

    John, its a breath of fresh air to see that you are quite prepared to come out publicly and warn the gullible marketer to tread carefully and research before buying.

    Kindest regards
    Tom Hayes

  • Mike

    Reply Reply July 26, 2011

    Hi John

    I’m sad that a promising marketer has decided to leave the industry-I hope he changes his mind and returns soon- he’s just the sort of guy who should stay IN the industry!

    As always you lead by word and by example. Let’s hope that the IM industry wakes up to the fact that people wo are treated well will trust people with their hard earned cash.

    Mike

  • Jonathan Lake

    Reply Reply August 15, 2011

    Hi John,

    Definitely not a rant, more a letting off of steam!! I think its got to us all – those of us like you that have a conscience and integrity as our main drivers.

    Keep up the fantastic work John.

    Jon

  • Alan Ashwood

    Reply Reply September 13, 2011

    The sad fact is, that in the current economy, there are always new people desperately looking to earn from the internet. I won’t call them gullible, but they are simply easy targets for the Get Rich Quick vilains. Many of them become overwhelmed form buying too many ‘products’, and don’t even have the opportunity to try them before the 60 guarantee runs out.
    I think that, bewildered by all the jargon, they quickly jump to another ‘opportunity’ before they’ve learned to master the one they already have.
    Because they are being pumped up with ‘quick easy promises’, they can’t understand that the very thing that should be helping them simply doesn’t work.
    How on Earth can we direct them to the honest people in the business, if they don’t even know if they can trust us?
    Once you’ve been around for a few months you start to wise up to the BS, but many give up before the penny drops, leaving their money in the crooks’ bank accounts.

    Alan

  • Paul Smith

    Reply Reply October 1, 2011

    Hi John
    I recently had a call from Randy Smith to discuss your mentoring programs, and i could see from the conversation that you and everyone you recommend with regards to I.M is ethical and trustworthy.

    i totally agree with the guy Rob in the earlier post about all the so called Guru’s who just sell you a product, get your cash then P*** off
    never to be seen again.

    I can honestly say that if it was not for these B*******S i could have registered for the masterclass program this week instead of having to wait till i have re couped my losses.

    By the way the Planetsms blog is great and i have tried to model my blog along the same lines, keep up the good work

    Kindest Regards
    Paul Smith

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