Why does common sense switch off when you log on?

[Eric Graudins]

In the normal world away from the internet, most people can make good purchasing decisions.


So why does common sense switch off when you log on?


For example:


The transport driver next door buys a new truck, which allows him to increase his profits by 50%. Do we go out and buy a new truck so that we can increase OUR income? Of course not.


Or lets say the dressmaker down the road buys a new sewing machine, which works faster, and increases her productivity by 35%.
Do we go out and buy a new sewing machine too? No.


We don't buy these things because we don't follow that line of business, and buying the items would not increase our income. And all the fancy sales letters in the world would not induce us to buy.


So why do internet marketers automatically assume that every traffic generating or money making idea and technique will work for them?


If you subscribe to the mailing lists of any internet marketers, you'll probably be inundated with offers to buy some product that promises to"

• build a huge mailing list, or
• get millions of website visitors, or
• take your business to the next level with some secret technique only known to pygmy headhunters or some such nonsense.

Before punching in the magic numbers to buy the next fantastic technique that will make you $23,213 per day while sitting in your hammock sipping mint juleps, just think a little bit about

• What are you actually buying?
• Does the item on sale apply to your situation?
• Will you immediately be able to use it?
• Are you familiar with the techniques discussed, and are you able to put them to work ?
• Can you believe the person making the spiel?

Like many people, I have a hard drive of stuff that I have bought on impulse, and have never used.


I now make a practice of NEVER buying anything until I've taken at least 24 hours to "sleep on it".



During this time, I consider whether it's compatible with what I'm doing, and if so, is something that I can put to use IMMEDIATELY.
And the more hype and inducements to "BUY NOW", the less likely I am to purchase it.
These simple rules have saved me lots of money. I hope they do the same for you.


cheers,
Eric G.

[Fraggler]

Great post!

I think the problem is that a lot of people don't have a clear business model so they are always jumping between ideas trying to find new ways to make some cash. If you do have a decent business plan written down on paper or at least in your head you will be able to judge whether a product will help your desired outcome.

[Paul Schlegel]

Originally Posted by Eric Graudins

• Will you immediately be able to use it?

cheers,
Eric G.

Kind of embarrassing to admit, but this one was the big "aha" for me - when I realized it made no sense to buy most stuff if I didn't already have a team in place to implement it.