What Really Makes A Guru?

[Steven Wagenheim]

Okay, I'm honestly getting tired of all the "guru" threads, not because I
have a problem with people being labeled, but because I wonder if we all
have the same definition of what a guru is.

I've been wrestling with this problem forever and I've finally narrowed it down
to one of three things.

1. A guru is somebody who makes a lot of money in their business.
2. A guru is somebody who is an expert in their niche.
3. A guru is both.

Think about this. A person, if they outsource smartly, can make a boat load
of money in any niche without having a clue what they're doing.

Does that make him a guru just because he's making 7 figures a year?

Would you want to take advice from this person given that all he knew
how to do was throw money at some super smart people in order to have
a business make a fortune? And don't think this isn't possible because it
is.

So it can't just be about money.

And yet, what about somebody who is one of those outsourcees? He knows
just what to do for this, now 7 figure earner, but he just does it as a job.
He doesn't really make a lot of money doing it, but he's certainly an
expert in his niche (SEO, salescopy, graphics or whatever)

Is he a guru?

Or do you have to have both qualities, the smarts and the money.

And if that's the case, does every "guru" who we label as such really fit
that label?

I mean do we know for sure that all these guys who have money also have
the smarts? What if it turns out that they're just copying other business
models and never really came out with an original thought a day in their
life?

That's why I wonder if when people talk about gurus we're even speaking
the same language.

I've been called a guru by some. Hell, sometimes I feel like an idiot, forget
a guru. I constantly have to study and bone up on my skills. I don't have
all the answers and I certainly don't make a boat load of money.

The term has been abused so much in our industry that I don't even
think the "gurus" themselves can define the term.

Anyway, I'm throwing this out there for all of you guys and gals.

Have we commercialized the word guru to the point where it no longer
has any real meaning, or is there without a doubt a clearly defined
definition for what a guru is?

I don't think so, but I'm willing to listen to what everybody else thinks.

Personally, I prefer the term successful marketer. But since success is
so relative, I realize that this term also says nothing.

Makes me wonder...Do gurus even exist?

[Li Weng]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Anyway, I'm throwing this out there for all of you guys and gals.

Have we commercialized the word guru to the point where it no longer
has any real meaning, or is there without a doubt a clearly defined
definition for what a guru is?

I don't think so, but I'm willing to listen to what everybody else thinks.

Personally, I prefer the term successful marketer. But since success is
so relative, I realize that this term also says nothing.

Makes me wonder...Do gurus even exist?

I think the word guru has this perceived notion of someone who's achieved star status or become a-list if you use analogy from the entertainment industry.

But I agree, it's a vague concept nowadays and there are so many "gurus" around it kind of cheapens the word and its meaning. However, even though a lot of people can associate negatively with the word "guru", at the same time, achieving guru status is what a lot of people still aspires to.

[kettlewell]

Another issue to consider with guruship is their ability to teach... If they can do, but they can't teach, I don't consider them a guru...

As far as "expert" status, I think that a true guru will tell you that they still have more to know and learn... an expert would already know everything, but couldn't be a guru.

Matt

[Shane Natan]

Think about this. A person, if they outsource smartly, can make a boat load
of money in any niche without having a clue what they're doing.

Does that make him a guru just because he's making 7 figures a year?

Not necessarily...but he may be a borderline "Outsourcing Guru" or even a full blown one!

Would you want to take advice from this person given that all he knew
how to do was throw money at some super smart people in order to have
a business make a fortune? And don't think this isn't possible because it
is.

Yes, I would want to take advice from someone who is running a 7 figure a year (legitimate) business.

A guru is whatever 'it' is to each individual in my opinion. Someone who helps an old lady build a website may be her guru in their own way, that's just the way it is.
However, we all know the definition of guru -- it is a leader in a particular field. Or, a religious/spiritual guide.

In any case, yes, they do exist.

[Monetize]

Yes, gurus exist, however it seems that there are
more self-proclaimed ones than really real ones.
Particularly in the IM field.

[Jared Alberghini]

Makes me wonder...Do gurus even exist?

Steven, I hate to tell you this, since it's so close to Christmas and all... There is no such thing as Gurus.

(watches Steven's whole world collapse around him...)

I'm having flashbacks of that day on the playground in 1st grade when I was told something similar... oh the horror... the horror

- Jared

[Rob Canyon]

Don't tell me Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are WalMart employees too.

If you won't steal my guru, I won't steal your tricycle... sounds like a trade...

Cheers,

Rob

[buckapple]

Interesting question Steven, I was thinking about this the other day. I think the term is so worn out and means so many different things to people that the definition would change daily on wikipedia.

I've come to a conclusion that a guru is anyone that I perceive as making more money than I do online, like my teacher for the day. Did I buy their product and learn something? If I did great, I learned from my guru for the day. If I didn't, I learned to listen, take notes but keep my money in my pocket next time.

I guess it's shorter to say "guru" than to say "really successful online marketer that makes boatloads of money while sitting around a swimming pool staring at a laptop with a dead battery"

Cheers,
Gary

[kazakhan]

I'm honestly getting tired...

This seems to be a theme with a lot of your posts, maybe you need a good nights sleep

[BIG Mike]

As far as I know, "What makes a Guru?" is the Guru's mother and father <groan>

[Hesaidblissfully]

Originally Posted by BIG Mike

As far as I know, "What makes a Guru?" is the Guru's mother and father <groan>

hahahahahahaha

A "guru" to me is just someone who's popular within their field and perceived to be an expert, or one of the best, and teaches others. I remember Bob Bly writing that Donald Trump and Martha Stewart aren't necessarily the best in their field, but because they're so popular and they're seen as experts, they're considered gurus. Of course, you could do a lot worse than getting business advice from Donald Trump or home decor advice from Martha Stewart, but their guru label doesn't mean that there might not be better people out there for you to learn from.

[Richelo Killian]

Today's Internet Marketing world is all about rock star status. The ones who is in your face the most, and gets the most exposure, quickly becomes the guru.

I am always amazed at how many people out there make WAY more money that the "gurus" we know. These people just prefer to fly under the radar.

I know 2 guys here in the UK, who USES Internet Marketing in a VERY small, but VERY targeted niche, and makes around £20 Million a year! That's close to $40 Million. How many gurus do you know making that?!

Here's another GREAT example.... I knew Howie Swartz (Sorry for messing up your surname Howie, always get it wrong!) LONG before he became well known in the IM niche. He was ALWAY doing exactly what he was doing now, but, just doing it under the radar. He told me one day that he is now stepping into the spotlight, and that was just over a year ago. Today, if you do anything serious in IM, you have at least heard of Howie. This is purely because he decided to start living IN the spotlight where he would gain the recognition he has today.

[Shaun OReilly]

By definition, a guru is someone who lights your way and
dispels darkness on your path.

Guru is a word that is wildly misused in Internet Marketing.

Here's a link to a video by Sadhguru Jaggi Vassudev who
says that if you meet just ONE guru in your life you're very
fortunate:

YouTube - Sadhguru, How do I recognize my Guru?

He also says that most so-called gurus are solace peddlers
and there to stroke your ego rather than to transform it.

Although he's talking about spiritual gurus a lot of what he
has to say can be related to the IM 'gurus' too.

For example, he mentions that anyone who has read one
chapter of the Bhagavad Gita claims to be a guru.

This is similar to people in IM who've read a few ebooks
and think that they're a guru.

Dedicated to your success,

Shaun

[Musika]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Have we commercialized the word guru to the point where it no longer
has any real meaning, or is there without a doubt a clearly defined
definition for what a guru is?

I don't think so, but I'm willing to listen to what everybody else thinks.

Personally, I prefer the term successful marketer. But since success is
so relative, I realize that this term also says nothing.

Makes me wonder...Do gurus even exist?

Anyone who says doesn't know, and anyone who knows won't say.

[Li Weng]

ok I've changed my view.

Guru =

1. someone who makes a 7 digit + income online per year
2. someone who is a good teacher

[Andyhenry]

I wouldn't associate the word Guru with Internet Marketing at all, regardless of revenue or 'status'.

I tend to associate the word Guru with someone who has become enlightened to the core truths about life and happiness and spends their time practising and sharing their knowledge.

If someones focus revolves around making money - they obviously haven't evolved past an association with material things and therefore wouldn't fall into my impression of a guru.

Not that there's anything wrong with making money, I do it myself, just that in my book it is not something that infers guru status.

Andy

[JazzOscar]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

-----
If someones focus revolves around making money - they obviously haven't evolved past an association with material things and therefore wouldn't fall into my impression of a guru.

Not that there's anything wrong with making money, I do it myself, just that in my book it is not something that infers guru status.

Andy

Very good point.

Being a guru isn't just about being excellent at something.

[MaskedMarketer]

www.merriam-webster.com

1: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

2 a: a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern b: one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent c: a person with knowledge or expertise

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Okay, I'm honestly getting tired of all the "guru" threads

Yep, me too.

There's an antidote.. don't start new ones.

John

[Kay King]

Have we commercialized the word guru to the point where it no longer has any real meaning, or is there without a doubt a clearly defined
definition for what a guru is?

I think "bastardized" fits better than commercialized. If you weren't in IM, it's doubtful anyone here would use the word in daily conversation. It's used by those claiming to be "higher than others" and interpreted as "money maker" - and discussed to death - and it's only a word!

I think AndyHenry nailed it. One reason that word is so overused is because it's one of those topics people can debate and discuss again and again...especially in IM. But, hey, it's always gets attention in a subject line!

kay