A Big Warning To Newbies About A Dangerous Trend

109 replies
I started off, PMing newbies about this as and when I saw it. Sadly, I don't have the time or motivation to keep this up.

Basically, there are a whole load of people who joined in later 2009 and particularly 2010 who come here with one or two attitudes:

The first is that they know everything and are having huge success.

Sure - some will be, but a lot of them will be sharks.

The second group is the 'please help me group'. Generally a nice bunch of people they are finding their way. The dangerous trend is that so many of them are posting their niches in signatures and even posting threads about their niches.

I'm not talking about MMO stuff. I'm talking about real niche stuff like:

fly fishing with your feet

or something.

What bothers me, and I have just seen happen (via an upset customer who just had their niche ripped off) is that there are a lot of people ripping off those who post interesting niches. Those who have success and talk about it are really risking things.

I know many newer members on here won't want to hear about this - they won't believe it is true - 'how then, do I get help?' some will ask.

The long and short of it is, that people have been stealing cash rich niches from others since IM began. It isn't going to stop now, I'm afraid.

What bothers me is that there is a whole other class of newbie (the first group) who may well be thinking about grabbing that niche Mr Naive has been shouting about.

I'm not saying all newbies are bad (as inevitably some bonehead will jump the gun reading this) - far from it. Rather, there is a sizeable and vunerable group on WF who are exposing themselves to people who will quite happily out market them.

Nothing legally wrong with that - maybe even ethically for some. The fact is though, a lot of pain can be avoided by simply not tempting others.

There might be a few who will wish to argue about this - I'm not looking for a debate. Those of us who have been on here for a few years have seen it happen time and gain.

If you have a genuinely valuable cash rich niche - think twice before asking for blanket help on copy, why isn't this working, new affiliate programs. By treating Warrior Forum as such as key trusted resource you are threatening any success you might have early on.


In short - think twice before posting your niche on here. If it is generic stuff fine - but I see people day after day posting goldmine stuff and asking for help.
#big #dangerous #newbies #trend #warning
  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Thanks for the heads-up Steve.

    We need to be reminded every now and then.

    Fernando
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  • Profile picture of the author Sara Young
    This is so true. Not only on this forum, but anywhere online that is publically accessable.

    Sad but true.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    It is really quite sad - but I just had a telephone conversation with one of my customers who is a fairly new marketer and it is fair to say that this very upsetting for them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charann Miller
    So sad but true, I've seen time and time again some extremely generous people outlining their steps to success only to have their actual PPC campaigns completely ripped off, I mean literally, copied word for word and were being outranked by these thieves so I learned earlier on in the game to keep my niches close to my chest.

    Better safe than sorry.
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    • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
      Ethical bump...

      This is an issue folks should really pay attention to if they are new on this or any other IM forum.

      There are enough people pointing guns at you already, figuratively speaking, that there is no need for you to give them the bullets, as well.

      KJ
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
        Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

        Ethical bump...

        There are enough people pointing guns at you already, figuratively speaking, that there is no need for you to give them the bullets, as well.

        KJ

        The above is solid gold. I'm swiping that!
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      • Profile picture of the author adamv
        If someone came to me asking for help and told me their niche in confidence there's no way I would steal it from them. However, if someone posts their niche in a public forum for the world to see it's fair game.

        I used to have one of my niches in my signature but I'm not too worried about the competition unless any of you guys are really good at drawing pictures. Even then, that niche doesn't pay very well.
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      • Profile picture of the author Ninja_Warrior
        Good post for the newbies update.


        Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

    fly fishing with your feet

    SWIIIIPE!

    *off to go create my fly fishing with your feet product and blog*


    ***

    I agree with you here.

    You want to advertise and get as much traffic as possible -- but targeted traffic. This isn't targeted traffic, so there's no particular benefit to "advertising" your niche here. Cause like Steve said, there are lurking sharks swimming around just looking for ideas to steal.

    And some of these sharks don't just swipe ideas. They swipe landing pages, products... everything. Absolutely everything.

    Same goes for those who ask people to help them brainstorm domain names. Lots of people have done that only to find all the good suggestions were taken -- registered soon after they appeared in the thread.

    So, if you have a domain-naming contest, have folks PM you the names (or be prepared to immediately register any good ones that strike your fancy).

    Cheers,
    Becky
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

      SWIIIIPE!

      *off to go create my fly fishing with your feet product and blog*
      Too bad for you, Becky. While you were busy typing up your post I went ahead and registered flyfishingwithyourfeet.com. You snooze, you lose! :p

      Seriously though, this remind me of another thread where someone was lamenting that after they told their friends how much money they were making in IM the friends started hitting them up for money for all kinds of things.

      The larger lesson is that sometimes you have to keep quiet about what you know. Look ahead and anticipate any problems revealing critical information will pose. Sometimes passing up the accolades in favor of confidentiality is the better course.
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      • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
        Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

        Too bad for you, Becky. While you were busy typing up your post I went ahead and registered flyfishingwithyourfeet.com. You snooze, you lose! :p
        *shakes fist in the air*

        Darn you, Dennis Gaskill! You'll pay for this!

        .
        .
        .
        .




        ***

        Yep, sometimes people forget that this isn't a tiny, close knit community. It's HUGE. At any time there are 3000 or 4000 guests and members on the forum. So any time of the day or night, you have 3000-4000 potential people looking over your shoulder. And most members only truly know a handful of others on the forum.

        Cheers,
        Becky
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        • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
          Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

          *shakes fist in the air*

          Darn you, Dennis Gaskill! You'll pay for this!
          I got a "create your own voodoo doll" WSO coming out soon, Becky. Only $97. You in? No review copies.
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          • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
            Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

            I got a "create your own voodoo doll" WSO coming out soon, Becky. Only $97. You in? No review copies.
            Yeah.

            I'm gonna buy it, do a chargeback so you get smacked with a big fee... and then bad mouth your product in your own WSO thread.

            Yeah, I'm in.
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            • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
              Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

              Yeah.

              I'm gonna buy it, do a chargeback so you get smacked with a big fee... and then bad mouth your product in your own WSO thread.

              Yeah, I'm in.
              I was going to say I'm in too because I might need a "John" voodoo doll if Becky's "Dennis" voodoo doll works, but we all know IM is just a scam so I'm not waisting my $97. :p
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              • Profile picture of the author OdoRiffus
                I remember hearing Frank Kern saying years ago in the Underachiever course "What happens in fight club stays in fight club". As soon as he started to talk about his dog training product and niche it was instantly ripped off. You just don't talk about it EVER!
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              • Profile picture of the author Heidi White
                I guess I'm one of those fool innocent newbies, who's shared a niche site or two.

                But honestly, it's not like I've got anything worth stealing?

                I think people have already heard of the Weight Loss Niche and may even know a few keywords for it already.

                I get the main concept - however - that if we've got something really worth protecting (a site that is in a unique niche, has tons of great content, or is actually making money) then - yeah...this may not be the place to brag on it - or ask for What-Do-You-Think-of-My-New-Header help.

                I'm expecting my first few sites to be experiments in the IM game not the end-all-be-all's by themselves.

                I'm willing to take the risk that someone might 'swipe my content or ideas' in exchange for some valid and useful advice or feedback on how to improve my IM skills which I can put out into future niches - which I gather I'll have to protect.

                One comment I hadn't considered was the suggestion that we don't use our Forum Names or real names when doing back-linking as it makes it easy for someone to find out what we are into - if we ever lead them to believe we have rocking lists.
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                • Profile picture of the author jacquic
                  Good point, well made.

                  I'm one of the newbies, and it's easy to think there are just a small group of people looking at the posts (when, of course, there are hundreds)...and it's so nice to have friendly and helpful people advising you, that it's easy to let one's guard down.

                  Mixed feelings on it tho' - ideas are great to share, but plagiarism is a no-no. Personally I would name names if anyone ripped off my material.

                  On the other hand, I think there's more than enough to go round in many so-called niches (which are usually quite broad), so I tend to share what I know and what I'm doing. Yes, I've been taken advantage of before, and that rankles, but helping people seems to outweigh that. I'm a bit of a sucker that way, I guess.

                  Of course, many, many people copy stuff and then sit back and do nothing with it at all.


                  Originally Posted by ILUVCA View Post

                  Great points - people that make any real money never share anything - why would you want people stealing your nitche ?? People have to be more careful about what they put online.
                  My grandad used to run a village post office. We looked at him askance when he used to read people's post cards. He replied that if they didn't want people looking, then they shouldn't write where it would be seen. True.

                  Jacqui
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          • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
            Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

            I got a "create your own voodoo doll" WSO coming out soon, Becky. Only $97. You in? No review copies.
            I used to have a source for buying them wholesale. Could get a whole bunch for $97...
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          • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
            John,
            I got a "create your own voodoo doll" WSO coming out soon, Becky. Only $97. You in? No review copies.
            I might be interested. Is there a Thomas Belknap pattern?


            Paul
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            • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
              Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

              John,I might be interested. Is there a Thomas Belknap pattern?

              Paul
              I heard there were plans for one, but they couldn't find any chrome fabric...

              KJ
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              • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
                KJ,
                I heard there were plans for one, but they couldn't find any chrome fabric...
                Tin foil, Bill. Tin foil. Then it can double as some of the folks from offtopic.


                Paul
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            • Profile picture of the author Tom B
              Banned
              Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

              John,I might be interested. Is there a Thomas Belknap pattern?


              Paul
              Now I understand why I was getting those heat flashes. For a minute I thought it was menopause.
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        • Profile picture of the author Melodican
          Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

          *shakes fist in the air*

          Darn you, Dennis Gaskill! You'll pay for this!

          .
          .
          .
          .




          ***

          Yep, sometimes people forget that this isn't a tiny, close knit community. It's HUGE. At any time there are 3000 or 4000 guests and members on the forum. So any time of the day or night, you have 3000-4000 potential people looking over your shoulder. And most members only truly know a handful of others on the forum.

          Cheers,
          Becky


          I'm not entirely sure who said it, but the phrase "Tell the world what you've got, but show it first" rings clearly true in your example
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    • Profile picture of the author Thomaslee
      Thanks Steve for that tip, I will keep it in mind as I move forwar.
      Regards,
      Thomas Lee
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    • Profile picture of the author Sparhawke
      Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

      Same goes for those who ask people to help them brainstorm domain names. Lots of people have done that only to find all the good suggestions were taken -- registered soon after they appeared in the thread.
      This is the worst thing of all, if I have a great idea for a domain name that someone could use I will PM it them, there is little point in sharing it with all 800+ readers that could be watching a thread at the same time looking for domain ideas to steal...
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  • Profile picture of the author neodarth
    Sad but true! nice heads up, thanks in the name of all newbies
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  • Profile picture of the author ILUVCA$H
    Great points - people that make any real money never share anything - why would you want people stealing your nitche ?? People have to be more careful about what they put online.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      It is my opinion that nobody, new or otherwise, should reveal what niches
      they're in (especially if they use pen names for those niches) unless they
      simply don't care about them anymore OR are confident enough in their
      marketing abilities to fight off the competition.

      But nobody, and I mean NOBODY should ever come here and say...

      "I'm in the XYZ niche and can't make any sales. Here is my site. What am I
      doing wrong?"

      This is an open invitation for the vultures to pick you clean.

      So what do you do? I mean you STILL need help, right?

      Well, believe it or not, you can still get help WITHOUT revealing your
      niche.

      Why?

      Because marketing is marketing and the tactics that work for XYZ niche
      will most likely work for ABC niche.

      So what I would do is the following, and it will work very well for getting
      help.

      Best way to explain it is simply by showing you.

      Topic Of Thread

      "I Need Help Promoting My Site"

      Content Of Thread

      I just put up a new site. I am trying to get traffic to it. So far I am not
      having any luck.

      On my site, I have a review of a product and a few articles. In the review
      is a link to the product I am selling.

      So far, I have written about 20 articles and have submitted them to EZA
      and a few other article directories.

      I have bookmarked the articles and have pinged the site as it's a blog.

      I don't have money to spend on PPC. So what else can I do that's zero
      or no cost to help get traffic to my site?

      Also, what else can I put on my site to help improve it?

      ---------------------------------------------------------

      Yes, of course it would be much better if the members could see your
      content to see how good it is, but guess what?

      You can pretty much tell by the way somebody posts in forums how good
      a write they are, so for example, if they're non English speaking or EASL,
      it will show in their posts and thus, you can probably assume that the
      articles aren't very good either. Plus, having been told that they person
      has no money, it's doubtful they outsourced the articles.

      Point is, by giving a generic description of what you've done, without
      mentioning any niche names, you can get some excellent advice on how
      to improve your site and marketing efforts.
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      • Profile picture of the author adamv
        Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

        I got a "create your own voodoo doll" WSO coming out soon, Becky. Only $97. You in? No review copies.
        You're going to get this thread deleted by pimping your up coming WSO.
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      • Profile picture of the author DamianK
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        It is my opinion that nobody, new or otherwise, should reveal what niches
        they're in (especially if they use pen names for those niches) unless they
        simply don't care about them anymore OR are confident enough in their
        marketing abilities to fight off the competition.

        But nobody, and I mean NOBODY should ever come here and say...

        "I'm in the XYZ niche and can't make any sales. Here is my site. What am I
        doing wrong?"

        This is an open invitation for the vultures to pick you clean.

        So what do you do? I mean you STILL need help, right?

        Well, believe it or not, you can still get help WITHOUT revealing your
        niche.

        Why?

        Because marketing is marketing and the tactics that work for XYZ niche
        will most likely work for ABC niche.

        So what I would do is the following, and it will work very well for getting
        help.

        Best way to explain it is simply by showing you.

        Topic Of Thread

        "I Need Help Promoting My Site"

        Content Of Thread

        I just put up a new site. I am trying to get traffic to it. So far I am not
        having any luck.

        On my site, I have a review of a product and a few articles. In the review
        is a link to the product I am selling.

        So far, I have written about 20 articles and have submitted them to EZA
        and a few other article directories.

        I have bookmarked the articles and have pinged the site as it's a blog.

        I don't have money to spend on PPC. So what else can I do that's zero
        or no cost to help get traffic to my site?

        Also, what else can I put on my site to help improve it?

        ---------------------------------------------------------

        Yes, of course it would be much better if the members could see your
        content to see how good it is, but guess what?

        You can pretty much tell by the way somebody posts in forums how good
        a write they are, so for example, if they're non English speaking or EASL,
        it will show in their posts and thus, you can probably assume that the
        articles aren't very good either. Plus, having been told that they person
        has no money, it's doubtful they outsourced the articles.

        Point is, by giving a generic description of what you've done, without
        mentioning any niche names, you can get some excellent advice on how
        to improve your site and marketing efforts.
        Hahahahha. I think you just typed that question straight from out of my brain.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Brock
    Steve, I agree with you totally!

    One other tip to avoid this is not to post in any IM forums with the same username you use to bookmark your websites.

    I did this when I first started and ended up getting my niche swiped. Cost me around $1k/m in income...an upsetting mistake for sure.

    My new thing is to make my niche sites so powerful that it won't even matter if I expose my niche because I will be so ahead of everyone else that it won't matter.

    A lot of work involved with that though....

    Newbies, take note of this thread for sure! You will save yourself A LOT of money.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
      Ouch! Dan! Ouch!

      Originally Posted by Daniel Brock View Post

      Steve, I agree with you totally!

      One other tip to avoid this is not to post in any IM forums with the same username you use to bookmark your websites.

      I did this when I first started and ended up getting my niche swiped. Cost me around $1k/m in income...an upsetting mistake for sure.

      My new thing is to make my niche sites so powerful that it won't even matter if I expose my niche because I will be so ahead of everyone else that it won't matter.

      A lot of work involved with that though....

      Newbies, take note of this thread for sure! You will save yourself A LOT of money.
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  • Profile picture of the author l23bc
    Thats why i love this warrior forum there is always someone who speaks the truth on what everyone is thinking.

    thank you for your post
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  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    One more note...

    On the flip side, you can't go to the other extreme and be totally paranoid.

    For example, I've had people want me to write their products or write their copy, but they were too scared to reveal their niche to me. Yeah, kind of makes it tough to do either when you can't get someone to even reveal the topic.

    Common sense, here -- just do your due diligence if you need to reveal what you consider sensitive information to someone. That means seek out with professionals with good reputations.

    Cheers,
    Becky
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    I can't believe anyone would try to swipe my flying octopus niche.

    (Holy heck... I just made that up, but it's a real niche!)
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  • Profile picture of the author MisterMunch
    Is it wrong of me to hang out in the latest forum recommended in a backlink package and watch what the new users are linking to?

    If you make your information available you must understand that some people will investigate the idea. We do it on the new articles on ezinearticles, in forum signatures etc.

    I do not think it is evil, but rather savvy. It is not stealing. If it was we would have to invent a new product AND niche for our website.
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  • Profile picture of the author kswr123
    NEWBIES:

    If you just found a really hot niche, and are not profiting on it, take it off of your sig nature. Compile a list of 20 super-targerted niches, and sell them as a WSO for $5. Heck, I'd buy it!
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      The dangerous trend is that so many of them are posting their niches in signatures and even posting threads about their niches.
      Though most marketers aren't going to reveal their good niches - there are some here who are here only to establish anchor links to their sites. If you start toclick on some of the signature links you think are 'giving away' a good niche you'll find many lead to rather unrelated sites.

      And if the niche is a broad one like "travel" or "dating", etc - they aren't giving anything away.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I've seen newbies being advised over and over again not to post a profitable niche. I disagree completely with the terms you used ... stealing, ripping off.

    No one owns a niche and if they divulge the niche they are in and it appears that it might be profitable to people, they will give it a go.

    This is a marketing forum so you should consider everyone potential competition and you don't give away your secrets to the competition. There is nothing unethical about being on the lookout for profitable niches to get into.
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    • Profile picture of the author kswr123
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      I've seen newbies being advised over and over again not to post a profitable niche. I disagree completely with the terms you used ... stealing, ripping off.

      No one owns a niche and if they divulge the niche they are in and it appears that it might be profitable to people, they will give it a go.

      This is a marketing forum so you should consider everyone potential competition and you don't give away your secrets to the competition. There is nothing unethical about being on the lookout for profitable niches to get into.
      Perhaps - but then again most newbies want help with how they can maximise their income using their keyword. They want to know how they can mkae $5/day with it, not how you can make $200/day with it
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    • Profile picture of the author Russ Emrick
      Wow, this is a fascinating thread. The OP gave some good advice and then we went all moral and high brow, throwing around terms like stealing, unethical and so forth. Interesting psychology.

      Every retailer shops at their competitors. Sam Walton was famous for flying his plane around observing the cars in competitors parking lots. If they were doing better than the local Walmart he landed and investigated.

      I could give you legions of examples - from every IM guru telling you to mine the forums for niches (30 Day Challenge for example) to the CIA agents recently found freelancing for industrial secrets. This is a dog eat dog business money at stake survival activity, not a hobby or a game.

      Quick story. When I was first in the Navy I witnessed a fight. After the guy lost he was almost kicked to death. I had just graduated high school where we simply fought until one person gave up. When I asked a friend about the beating we had just seen (and in an upty how could that guy do that) he simply said, "kid you're not in Kansas anymore."

      I learned that I could live in my false world of what I thought was right, or the real one. Robert Ringer wrote several books about this and wasn't liked very much for being honest. Truth is you don't bring a knife to a gun fight. Or to quote a great leader "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

      I liked the following comment for the brutal honesty of it. We're all adults in the jungle called business. If you can't take the heat best to get out of the kitchen. Jim Camp wrote a great book "Start with No" where he says there are only two kinds of animals: prey and food. This thread started by helpining newbies understand that. I hope they do.

      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      I've seen newbies being advised over and over again not to post a profitable niche. I disagree completely with the terms you used ... stealing, ripping off.

      No one owns a niche and if they divulge the niche they are in and it appears that it might be profitable to people, they will give it a go.

      This is a marketing forum so you should consider everyone potential competition and you don't give away your secrets to the competition. There is nothing unethical about being on the lookout for profitable niches to get into.
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Poor Thomas you guys should watch out or he will develop a software that automatically "pings back"
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Poor Thomas you guys should watch out or he will develop a software that automatically "pings back"
      Ooops....

      Neeverrr miiind...



      Paul "Emily Latella was here" Myers
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    Great post Steve ... Don't forget about the lurkers in the shadows either and great ideas being shared. If you have a great idea and need advice be generic as possible. Many lurk in the shadows waiting on those million dollar ideas that you may not have the capital to get started just yet but those in the shadows will be able to get jv's and ect and get the idea going.

    James
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
      Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post

      Great post Steve ... Don't forget about the lurkers in the shadows either and great ideas being shared. If you have a great idea and need advice be generic as possible. Many lurk in the shadows waiting on those million dollar ideas that you may not have the capital to get started just yet but those in the shadows will be able to get jv's and ect and get the idea going.

      James
      James - this once happened to me, almost. A Mr Bigshot tried to become an angel investor in an old business. He really tried to push hard, and he pulled a few behind the scenes strings.

      In the end though, whilst he had started a FTSE 100 company I came to the conclusion that he had a fluke - he was really rubbish.

      Having said that, I never forget how there are people always waiting in the wings to jump in.
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      • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
        Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

        James - this once happened to me, almost. A Mr Bigshot tried to become an angel investor in an old business. He really tried to push hard, and he pulled a few behind the scenes strings.

        In the end though, whilst he had started a FTSE 100 company I came to the conclusion that he had a fluke - he was really rubbish.

        Having said that, I never forget how there are people always waiting in the wings to jump in.
        Yeah I learned early on not to do such things in public .. When SixFigureIncome was still just a baby about 12 years or so ago. I had contacts with some of the top dogs and we was discussing about how to market SFI..

        Well, I came up with a plan and a detailed proposal for SFI and sent it into the main office (remember I am a website developer) The plan included a full marketing and training center which at that time SFI did not have. They had training and such but not a real marketing center.

        My plan was ignored and I think I quoted them like $5,000 to build the scripts and such to run the marketing center. After about 6 months SFI announced their new Marketing Center which was done detailed down to every single point I made in the proposal.

        I learned a great deal from that and trust me I never made that mistake again...

        James
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
          Ouch James! Ouch!


          Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post

          Yeah I learned early on not to do such things in public .. When SixFigureIncome was still just a baby about 12 years or so ago. I had contacts with some of the top dogs and we was discussing about how to market SFI..

          Well, I came up with a plan and a detailed proposal for SFI and sent it into the main office (remember I am a website developer) The plan included a full marketing and training center which at that time SFI did not have. They had training and such but not a real marketing center.

          My plan was ignored and I think I quoted them like $5,000 to build the scripts and such to run the marketing center. After about 6 months SFI announced their new Marketing Center which was done detailed down to every single point I made in the proposal.

          I learned a great deal from that and trust me I never made that mistake again...

          James
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        • Profile picture of the author Tony6597
          This happens in the business world all the time; you start a hair salon or pet boutique and low and behold someone opens the same type of business down the street.

          This stuff really gets bad in lawn car and home cleaning services.

          Provide a better service or product and care about the customer and you will do fine. There will always be someone who is lower in price no matter what; this type of stuff has been going on for hundreds of years.

          Just do what you like or love to do and the money will flow.
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Well I don't know about the niche thing I mean it doesn't happen just in IM or online business.

    I developed a product 5 yrs ago I called the ultimate battery tester I sent it to a patent place and never heard back from them suddenly a yr or so later what do ya know my product is available.
    Another product I developed told the nativity story lighting up different sections of it as the story progressed last year I bought it for 19.99 boy was I po'd but that is life man sometimes people post to get traffic some post to try and get backlinks other post out of ignorance but this is business and as in any business there are cut throats who will capitalize on something you can not fault them for that if your going to post something on a public forum guess what it is now public knowledge anyone can take that knowledge and do what your not or want to. so whether they should or shouldn't is not the issue whether they want to keep it secret or not is.
    -WD
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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  • Profile picture of the author kswr123
    I think, newbies, if you need help, try an PM someone. I am happy to help, but Steve is there also, and I am sure the plethora of helpful warriors (bev clement, waggsy, paul myers AND TOOOOOOO MANY MORE TO LIST) will also be happy to help you. This forum gets views in the 10K plus range per day. Your 'no-competition niche' will saturate faster than [insert simile here]
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  • Profile picture of the author Heidi White
    Do you actually think someone is going to bookmark a made for adsense site ? Do you think that you will have repeat visitors ?
    Uh, no - even I know made for adsense sites aren't built on repeat visitors....
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    I am getting ready to take over the niche of being Murbarak. Shouldn't have revealed your name! lol
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  • Profile picture of the author Heidi White
    I love this forum and it has helped me through the years, I am just tired of seeing 16 year olds and housewife's who have lost there job and have become internet millionaires in a year from there WSO they are toting.
    Thanks for this... I'm now inspired to become an internet millionaire in a year. Isn't free enterprise GRAND?

    Not to make light of your post - I understand where you are coming from, but I'm learning there is value in the way Allen has set this up. It's not perfect, and it's not pretty, but it is free enterprise - and there are enough 'warnings to newbies' to watch their backsides, I don't think anyone is getting hurt.

    Griping about paying $30 again . . . sorry - no sympathy for you there.
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    • Profile picture of the author carpunky
      MostlyHarmless,

      You are a perfect example, I don't expect you to comprehend or even comment !


      Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
        Originally Posted by carpunky View Post

        MostlyHarmless,

        You are a perfect example, I don't expect you to comprehend or even comment !


        Thanks
        Maybe it is you that shouldn't comment why pick on someone who is new here you being here since 2004 should be all the more willing to help not be a dork
        -WD
        Signature

        "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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        • Profile picture of the author carpunky
          You are exactly right, I stand corrected !

          Thank You
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        • Profile picture of the author Heidi White
          Originally Posted by WD Mino View Post

          Maybe it is you that shouldn't comment why pick on someone who is new here you being here since 2004 should be all the more willing to help not be a dork
          -WD
          I noticed the guy who insulted me was banned. At first my I imagined he was banned for picking on new members like me, but then I realized that his original post was removed, but my insult remains...

          LOL
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          • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
            Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless View Post

            I noticed the guy who insulted me was banned. At first my I imagined he was banned for picking on new members like me, but then I realized that his original post was removed, but my insult remains...

            LOL
            He also Pm'd me the post as a message. I'm not sure what he or she was actually trying to say...
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  • Profile picture of the author kswr123
    Perhaps, James, it was that story that made you what you are?

    Undeniably horrible and heart-breaking events define us, possibly moreso than times of joy.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
      Originally Posted by Mubarak Waseem View Post

      Perhaps, James, it was that story that made you what you are?

      Undeniably horrible and heart-breaking events define us, possibly moreso than times of joy.
      Yep .. you could be right .. I learned a great deal that day. Course I also went on and created a MLM script that was even more powerful than the one 1stepsystem uses and they pay $7k a year to use their script (unless they changed)...

      I sold mine for $5,000+ per copy one time fee ..

      James
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  • Profile picture of the author VaultBoss
    There is always the school of small fish surrounded by the lurking shark in the dark.

    Just make up your minds, guys: be a shark or a golden fish? :p

    Steve Lorenzo SEOVirtuoso
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    Steve Lorenzo's eMail Tips Daily «« Strange, Controversial, Crazy Stuff even, BUT - The Bleeding Edge 'Unfair' Advantage Over Your eMail Marketing Competition
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  • Profile picture of the author Forest_Parks
    One of the reasons I stayed away from Warrior for so long was because of the bad seeds and liars floating around... I am careful about what I post but it's sad to see newbies getting stuff stolen .

    Great thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoobie
    Thanks for the heads up. I actually don't do this kind of thing but it is also human nature when they see something is potential to be a market... so my dear newbie friends don't post your niches here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
    I have list members sending me their new niche ideas every day . They know I will not take it and run.

    I send them ides on how to monetize .

    I have actually told them that if they decide not to pursue to let me know and I would . Most go for it when they see I would .

    Most that would not post their niche in a post have no second thoughts about their actual sig file .

    They have read the ebook that touts getting search engine love from anchor text and reveal all to anyone in the know .

    Use your sig file to build your list . The list members will help a lot more in the long run than what link juice you could get .
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author teamtexas
    So true what you say. I see people all the time on various paid for mastermind groups disclosing their inner business secrets to the group. Survival is human and people are opportunist. People need to discuss marketing or internet tactics and go stealth with their niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author applemedic
    Thanks man, ill keep your tip in mind. That's unfortunate that people get there idea's stolen while asking for help.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      We should use this thread as the answer to all future posters who want to know why every IM product uses "dog training" or "golf" as the example niche when making a point.

      fly fishing with your feet
      Becky, Dennis, I have a potential JV partner for you. Came up with the idea of looping the line around your toe so you could take a nap and still feel a bite on your bait. Worked great for him fishing for little freshwater fish - in the salt, not so good. Let me know, and I'll set you up with ol' Nine-Toes...
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        We should use this thread as the answer to all future posters who want to know why every IM product uses "dog training" or "golf" as the example niche when making a point.

        Becky, Dennis, I have a potential JV partner for you. Came up with the idea of looping the line around your toe so you could take a nap and still feel a bite on your bait. Worked great for him fishing for little freshwater fish - in the salt, not so good. Let me know, and I'll set you up with ol' Nine-Toes...
        Funniest thing I've read all day, John. Thanks for the chuckle.
        Signature

        Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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        • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Morgan
          Good post, thank you for bringing this up.

          Part of me things that it is simple IM darwinism, only the strong will survive, and that's the way it is. But I can appreciate giving food for thought for newbies, because it's hard enough starting out without losing your great ideas.

          There is a lot of equity in ideas, and should be treated with care. Someone bigger and better will steal it if its good enough, and could put you out of business for good.

          Share what you want, but keep the really good stuff to yourself.
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          Jeremy Morgan, Software Developer / SEO
          Check out my Programming Blog for news, tips, and tutorials
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      • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        We should use this thread as the answer to all future posters who want to know why every IM product uses "dog training" or "golf" as the example niche when making a point.



        Becky, Dennis, I have a potential JV partner for you. Came up with the idea of looping the line around your toe so you could take a nap and still feel a bite on your bait. Worked great for him fishing for little freshwater fish - in the salt, not so good. Let me know, and I'll set you up with ol' Nine-Toes...
        Would never work for Dennis, there would be no way possible to get the fly off of his toes .
        Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author RMC
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        We should use this thread as the answer to all future posters who want to know why every IM product uses "dog training" or "golf" as the example niche when making a point.
        Hah, so true. I always go straight for golf when teaching niche stuff.

        People ask me all the time, oh what niche(s) are you in. I have to go mmmmm, nope sorry. Sometimes they look at me funny, but better safe than sorry.
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  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    1900's golden rule:

    Never wash your laundry in public.


    2000's golden rule:

    Never discuss your niche in public.


    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author juliemorris
    I think you WF veterans are a hoot! I should have joined this forum 2 years ago when I got into IM...I just didn't know how much valuable information I would learn or the "interesting" people that occupy it.

    Seriously, I do appreciate the heads up on being careful what information I give out in regards to my profitable niches. It's pretty much common sense but some people might just forget this is a very BIG family and sometimes that nasty uncle comes over to visit. (if ya know what I'm saying)
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Darn it guys - STOP RIPPING ME off. I've been doing quite nicely in the fly fishing by foot market. I only gave it as an example and you guys took it. My membership of four toe based fishermen is doomed to failure.

    Now what do I have? Hand based fly fishing? Like that is gonna catch on...
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    I've sat back and chuckled at seeing WSOs and all kinds of "secrets" being sold.

    If something is genuinely a "secret" as in a business trade "secret" people don't actually package and sell it in a WSO for $7.

    True secrets of business remain just that - secret.

    The real secret to Internet Marketing, MMO and the WF is that there is no secret and people hawking some ebook under the auspices of containing said secrets - well they're full of it.
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    • Profile picture of the author coconutisa
      Well said Steve Peters. Thank you. this will immensely help me and to MichaelHiles...good post. Thank you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      The real secret to Internet Marketing, MMO and the WF is that there is no secret and people hawking some ebook under the auspices of containing said secrets - well they're full of it.
      Not necessarily true, Michael.

      I'm planning on coming out with an ebook on Retrospection Marketing where I'll expose ALL my secrets.

      You'll have to read it backwards to find them, but they'll be there...

      KJ
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

        Darn it guys - STOP RIPPING ME off. I've been doing quite nicely in the fly fishing by foot market. I only gave it as an example and you guys took it. My membership of four toe based fishermen is doomed to failure.

        Now what do I have? Hand based fly fishing? Like that is gonna catch on...
        Not trying to rip you off, my friend.

        You set it up, and me and old Nine-Toes will promote the heck out of it. We'll even put the right links in the emails...
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        • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
          Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips View Post

          Would never work for Dennis, there would be no way possible to get the fly off of his toes .
          Hey now, be nice! :p

          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          Not trying to rip you off, my friend.

          You set it up, and me and old Nine-Toes will promote the heck out of it. We'll even put the right links in the emails...
          Clam up, you old codger. You offered that to Becky and I, now you wanna deal with someone else? Holy mackerel, that a crappie thing to do. How shellfish can you be? I hope your plan flounders. We outta kick your bass, then you'd be singing a different tuna.
          Signature

          Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Hey Michael,

    Perhaps common knowledge is a better term that secrets. I don't think you need any secrets to get started. However, sometimes I have found them here going for a song.

    About four years ago - I bought a PPC WSO on here that contained information (not loop holes), that I have never seen elsewhere. I can state this information has really added to both mine and my clients income.

    Same with importing stuff from China - but I won't be selling that stuff for $7 - probably never - like you say a lot of stuff remains secret.
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    • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
      Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

      Hey Michael,

      Perhaps common knowledge is a better term that secrets. I don't think you need any secrets to get started. However, sometimes I have found them here going for a song.

      About four years ago - I bought a PPC WSO on here that contained information (not loop holes), that I have never seen elsewhere. I can state this information has really added to both mine and my clients income.

      Same with importing stuff from China - but I won't be selling that stuff for $7 - probably never - like you say a lot of stuff remains secret.
      Well like all generalizations, there's always an exception.

      But yeah, people tend to not line up in a rush to sell their real tricks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnno Walker
    Definitely something to remember.
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

    there are a lot of people ripping off those who post interesting niches.
    There's no such thing as "ripping off" a niche. Who the hell "owns" a niche? Anyone can pursue any niche at any time. Even if you don't tell anyone your niche, remember how you found it? Other people can find it the same way. Stop griping that someone "stole" your niche. It's not yours in the first place.

    And on the other side of the fence? Dude, they're newbies. You're just Vince Vaughn in The Ringer, pretending to be retarded so you can win the Special Olympics. You might make a few bucks, and you might outrun a few newbies, but you're sure as hell not going to earn my respect that way. You could lose it that way, though.
    Signature
    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      There's no such thing as "ripping off" a niche. Who the hell "owns" a niche? Anyone can pursue any niche at any time. Even if you don't tell anyone your niche, remember how you found it? Other people can find it the same way. Stop griping that someone "stole" your niche. It's not yours in the first place.

      And on the other side of the fence? Dude, they're newbies. You're just Vince Vaughn in The Ringer, pretending to be retarded so you can win the Special Olympics. You might make a few bucks, and you might outrun a few newbies, but you're sure as hell not going to earn my respect that way. You could lose it that way, though.
      Nice to see you back, CDarklock.

      Take a look around ... IE Explorer vs Firefox, PCs vs Mac, Google vs Everybody in the world. It's called competition and it's all a part of being in business.

      That being said, I can honestly say that I have yet to see a newbie divulge a profitable niche to date. They come here all shiny and clean with their Make Money Online and Dog Training and Diet links in the sigs and think they've found a profitable niche, but they haven't really done any niche and keyword research to drill down an enormous niche to what could be a profitable niche. They have, in fact, just copied someone else's niche ... in fact thousands of other people's niches ... and think they there might be a chance that they will be the next Chow or ProBlogger.

      What I do see newbies doing is constantly asking for a niche, begging for a niche from the more experienced members. They want the niches handed to them.

      I try to explain in some of those threads that you DO NOT divulge a profitable niche, so it is unlikely that they will be handed to you in this forum, but niche research and keyword research are the skills that you will need to have to find your own profitable niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Hey CD,

    And on the other side of the fence? Dude, they're newbies. You're just Vince Vaughn in The Ringer, pretending to be retarded so you can win the Special Olympics. You might make a few bucks, and you might outrun a few newbies, but you're sure as hell not going to earn my respect that way. You could lose it that way, though.
    Never seen that film before - I take it that isn't a good thing though.


    Well, you'll not get my Secrets Of Foot Based Fly fishing, as I wrote it under the name J. R. Hartley - so there is no way you can link it back to me and nab it.

    Oooops.
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

      This is just plain offensive and doesn't make any sense.
      Let me try to clarify.

      EDIT:

      A niche cannot be "stolen" or "taken." When another person enters the niche you are in, they become your competitor. You are now BOTH in the niche. You cannot be forcibly ejected from the niche. You can only leave voluntarily. If you leave voluntarily every time a stronger competitor enters your niche, you are not cut out for this kind of work and should probably just go get a "real" job like everyone else - because there will ALWAYS be a stronger competitor. From an economic incentive standpoint, no player in a niche market should at any time have more than 40% market share, nor should that player have any less than TWO competitors with similar skill and ability. More than two is fine.

      Now, THAT SAID, nobody should be using the innovative ideas of newbies to piggyback into niches. It's rude and unethical. It's not unfair, necessarily, but it's like stealing candy from children. They aren't defending themselves because they are too happy about having some candy, and dammit they deserve to stay happy for a while. Pick on someone your own size. It is HARD ENOUGH learning to make a living in this business without some jackhole swooping down and stealing your candy every time you save up a nickel to buy some, because nickels are hard to come by in those early days.
      Signature
      "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Your right about the taken thing - but some people don't see it that way. Easy solution, don't shout about your niche I guess. Yeah, sorry for the misunderstanding dude! No respect lost at all. I miss your funny posts though!
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

      I miss your funny posts though!
      Signature
      "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
    Funny I just warned a newbie about two days ago about doing that. Told him to remove his niche (pretty decent searches per month)and he said thanks but no thanks he was fine with it. I've almost given up about warning people of things. You do and you see even more people doing it.. It seems like if you warn them they will come.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Mike,
      It seems like if you warn them they will come.
      That's reality. If someone has an idea, no matter how little they have to base it on, challenging it will often make them hold on even harder.

      I've seen more people than I could count set themselves up for hassles by insisting that they're the one who can make a bad idea work. The few who come up with twists to turn it into a good idea are experienced in business, or really understand the net. The rest just make the same mistakes 10's of 1000's have made before them.

      Then they come in here and gripe that it's all a con, and we're all out to steal their money and their dreams...

      Bleh.


      Paul
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • That's low. Unfortunately, these few bad seeds we meet in real life made their way onto the internet.
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  • Profile picture of the author robinter
    Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

    I started off, PMing newbies about this as and when I saw it. Sadly, I don't have the time or motivation to keep this up.

    Basically, there are a whole load of people who joined in later 2009 and particularly 2010 who come here with one or two attitudes:

    The first is that they know everything and are having huge success.

    Sure - some will be, but a lot of them will be sharks.

    The second group is the 'please help me group'. Generally a nice bunch of people they are finding their way. The dangerous trend is that so many of them are posting their niches in signatures and even posting threads about their niches.

    I'm not talking about MMO stuff. I'm talking about real niche stuff like:

    fly fishing with your feet

    or something.

    What bothers me, and I have just seen happen (via an upset customer who just had their niche ripped off) is that there are a lot of people ripping off those who post interesting niches. Those who have success and talk about it are really risking things.

    I know many newer members on here won't want to hear about this - they won't believe it is true - 'how then, do I get help?' some will ask.

    The long and short of it is, that people have been stealing cash rich niches from others since IM began. It isn't going to stop now, I'm afraid.

    What bothers me is that there is a whole other class of newbie (the first group) who may well be thinking about grabbing that niche Mr Naive has been shouting about.

    I'm not saying all newbies are bad (as inevitably some bonehead will jump the gun reading this) - far from it. Rather, there is a sizeable and vunerable group on WF who are exposing themselves to people who will quite happily out market them.

    Nothing legally wrong with that - maybe even ethically for some. The fact is though, a lot of pain can be avoided by simply not tempting others.

    There might be a few who will wish to argue about this - I'm not looking for a debate. Those of us who have been on here for a few years have seen it happen time and gain.

    If you have a genuinely valuable cash rich niche - think twice before asking for blanket help on copy, why isn't this working, new affiliate programs. By treating Warrior Forum as such as key trusted resource you are threatening any success you might have early on.


    In short - think twice before posting your niche on here. If it is generic stuff fine - but I see people day after day posting goldmine stuff and asking for help.
    Hey Steve,

    People that know how to steel a niche are in no way Newbies!!!! That's fore sure. In my opinion you should always try to help a Newbie out, but you dont have to give him the keys to you wife
    Help help help karma karma karma.

    have a nice one.
    Signature
    Article Marketing and Link Building, NINJA STYLE. www.ArticleMarketingNinja.com

    My IM Course Will Get You Up And Running.www.InternetMarketingSaint.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Sparhawke
    Thanks for the reminder Steve, it is important to remember that helping people is one thing but something I have learnt over the years is very rarely do people reciprocate...even if there is something you cannot use yourself people tend to keep it to themselves jealously when it could so obviously benefit someone else...

    If I cannot do something with a niche or an idea I have no problem networking with others by the simple expedient of letting them know of an opportunity, who knows...maybe in the future they will let me know of something in return
    Signature
    “Thinking is easy, Acting is difficult
    And to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world ~ Goethe”
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  • Profile picture of the author entrepreneurjay
    Well said sometimes you really have too choose wisely the words you use, and how you say it you do not want to give away your most valuable asset your business. Sometimes too much info is not good at all, great post something everyone needs to think about!
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  • Profile picture of the author seriousmny
    OH SNAP!!! I had to make some adjustments to my sig. Thanks to the person who started this thread. I have always been guilty of thinking the best of folks. This is business and it is cut-throat. I've been here a bit, but was surely guilty. Oh well....lesson learned. I have lots of other niches I'm working on any way, but I do feel a bit sheepish right now... I'll get over it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mnair
    Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

    I started off, PMing newbies about this as and when I saw it. Sadly, I don't have the time or motivation to keep this up.

    Basically, there are a whole load of people who joined in later 2009 and particularly 2010 who come here with one or two attitudes:

    The first is that they know everything and are having huge success.

    Sure - some will be, but a lot of them will be sharks.

    The second group is the 'please help me group'. Generally a nice bunch of people they are finding their way. The dangerous trend is that so many of them are posting their niches in signatures and even posting threads about their niches.

    I'm not talking about MMO stuff. I'm talking about real niche stuff like:

    fly fishing with your feet

    or something.

    What bothers me, and I have just seen happen (via an upset customer who just had their niche ripped off) is that there are a lot of people ripping off those who post interesting niches. Those who have success and talk about it are really risking things.

    I know many newer members on here won't want to hear about this - they won't believe it is true - 'how then, do I get help?' some will ask.

    The long and short of it is, that people have been stealing cash rich niches from others since IM began. It isn't going to stop now, I'm afraid.

    What bothers me is that there is a whole other class of newbie (the first group) who may well be thinking about grabbing that niche Mr Naive has been shouting about.

    I'm not saying all newbies are bad (as inevitably some bonehead will jump the gun reading this) - far from it. Rather, there is a sizeable and vunerable group on WF who are exposing themselves to people who will quite happily out market them.

    Nothing legally wrong with that - maybe even ethically for some. The fact is though, a lot of pain can be avoided by simply not tempting others.

    There might be a few who will wish to argue about this - I'm not looking for a debate. Those of us who have been on here for a few years have seen it happen time and gain.

    If you have a genuinely valuable cash rich niche - think twice before asking for blanket help on copy, why isn't this working, new affiliate programs. By treating Warrior Forum as such as key trusted resource you are threatening any success you might have early on.


    In short - think twice before posting your niche on here. If it is generic stuff fine - but I see people day after day posting goldmine stuff and asking for help.
    There's a song by Metallica that goes... "Sad But Trueuuu!"

    Just as there are sharks out there, there are also people like you who make a difference. Thanks for the post!
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Looking4Mentor
    Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

    I started off, PMing newbies about this as and when I saw it. Sadly, I don't have the time or motivation to keep this up.

    Basically, there are a whole load of people who joined in later 2009 and particularly 2010 who come here with one or two attitudes:

    The first is that they know everything and are having huge success.

    Sure - some will be, but a lot of them will be sharks.

    The second group is the 'please help me group'. Generally a nice bunch of people they are finding their way. The dangerous trend is that so many of them are posting their niches in signatures and even posting threads about their niches.

    ....

    In short - think twice before posting your niche on here. If it is generic stuff fine - but I see people day after day posting goldmine stuff and asking for help.
    Thank you for the head's up and educating me on what may seem to be the "darkside" to what I am learning to be a forum full people with real success and truly wanting to help this new(er) and naive guy find his way around this IM world.

    Peace.
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    • Profile picture of the author rbarnhart1
      I guess if information is your only product or business, then this is probably a serious issue. But honestly, everyone in IM has access to the Google tools, simple research, trends, etc. If there is a profitable niche, I seriously believe it will be discovered whether anyone mentions it here in a sig file.

      On the other hand, I don't think people should be handing out their work either (don't make it easy on the competition). If it's the idea that is swiped, then you've got a competitor. But, if they swipe your adwords campaign and your content, that sounds more like copyright infringement. Not sure how much can be done about it -- it probably takes a lot of time and resources to pursue.

      Here's the real "secret" in business.

      "Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else." -- Leonardo da Vinci
      So, you always want to have more than one thing going and be ready to move on once your successful niche is taken over. You'll always be ahead of the competition (I think someone else said: "Innovate or die.").
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  • Profile picture of the author shaunjamie2005
    When I was a newbie and started posting in the forums (not this one) I was guilty of that. I soon learned NOT to post my domain name, keywords, or anything else in any thread anywhere in a MMO forum unless it was in my signature and it was related to MMO.

    For my first niche (which wasn't related to MMO, but it was competitive) I was posting my link in Yahoo answers and Answer bag. I had this one guy or girl that would "fstalk" me wherever I would post a link and would post their own comment telling people not to go to my site because they would get a virus.

    They did a really good job of sabotaging me. Some people will do ANYTHING to ruin their competition. It is sad I know. However, if this person would have spent their time focusing on their own site instead of "stalking" me, they probably would have gotten farther.
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  • Profile picture of the author tweetzon
    is my signature breaking the rules? its about my blog! lol
    Signature

    Selling the cheapest real youtube views,subscribers, comments and likes! pm me for more

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  • Profile picture of the author hommi_16
    Steve,

    This is exactly why I don't promote any of my sites via sigs or on my profile.
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  • Profile picture of the author Barry Cross
    Great post Steve.....always good to see people speaking honestly & from the heart on here.

    Cheers

    Barry Cross
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Unfortunately, this is one of those things that will just go on an on, like the duplicate content thing... Hopefully, the thread will have made a few people think twice.
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  • Profile picture of the author macchiavelli
    Great heads up for the newbies.
    The WF is groing at a rapid rate which is cool but watch out...people copy stuff and steal stuff!
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