Are You Buying or Using Outdated Information?

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With the shelf life of information shrinking, the internet marketing industry is no different. Unfortunately multitudes of people are trying to make money online using outdated tactics, techniques and even software.

I haven't seen any stats but I'm sure millions of dollars are lost each year from people using outdated internet marketing information.

Because of the tight economy, people are less likely to update their knowledge and information. Software manufacturers have always offered updates, but now I'm seeing more top gun publishers offering ebook updates.

So a word of caution, most ebooks, software and other marketing products were created years ago. Are you buying or using outdated information that no longer works as effectively ... or at all?
#buying #information #outdated
  • Profile picture of the author M Thompson
    Thats not always true,

    There is a trend where people create new systems just for the sake of it. For example Keyword research really hasn't changed in a long time, the basics are still the same.

    new tools come along to make things easier but the basics are pretty much the same all the time.

    Stick to the basics and it has longevity (using the latest method of gaming google isn't the basics!)
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    • Profile picture of the author Adrian Int
      Originally Posted by M Thompson View Post

      Stick to the basics and it has longevity (using the latest method of gaming google isn't the basics!)
      Amen.

      Fundamentals are "fundamentals" for a reason.. They're the foundation of your business venture. Buying the latest well packaged gizmo isn't going to get you the success you're looking for.

      Listen to any of our beloved gurus (har har) and you can learn a lot. Not usually so much from what they're saying... but more so from what they're doing. They're not so bad as teachers if you watch them without pulling out your wallet.. haha.

      Those Oldies but Goodies will be with us for a long while yet.

      I've build prospect and client lists both offline and online.. and honestly it's virtually the same thing.

      Well.. save for the part where you can get subscribers while you're in your underwear drinking a beer and watching the game in only one of those scenarios... lol

      Business fundamentals don't disappear because you started the business online - hell, it might even be more complex. The barrier to entry is lower though... so you can guess what that means for word of mouth responses and products created by the inexperienced..


      Cheers,
      -Adrian

      PS: To any who may have taken offence.. I mean none. We're all here to help, don't worry.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by M Thompson View Post

      Thats not always true,

      There is a trend where people create new systems just for the sake of it. For example Keyword research really hasn't changed in a long time, the basics are still the same.

      new tools come along to make things easier but the basics are pretty much the same all the time.

      Stick to the basics and it has longevity (using the latest method of gaming google isn't the basics!)
      I agree with your basic premise. All Information is not always outdated. But much of it is, especially when it comes to internet marketing. Many marketers are still using horse and buggy methods when jet age techniques are available.

      And many people, especially newbies and the cash strapped tend to use outdated facts, information or other data. You're right the basics don't change but the landscape does ... constantly.

      If a person buys an information product and it doesn't work. They may not have been scammed, it may just be outdated now. That's why products, including ebooks that offer free updates always get my attention.
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        One example is most of the marketing techniques I use were developed centuries ago, and considerably "outdated", but they just keep getting sliced, rehashed, then sold as unrecognizeably twisted chunks of nonsense posing as new or "jet age techniques". :rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      Originally Posted by M Thompson View Post

      Thats not always true,

      There is a trend where people create new systems just for the sake of it. For example Keyword research really hasn't changed in a long time, the basics are still the same.

      new tools come along to make things easier but the basics are pretty much the same all the time.

      Stick to the basics and it has longevity (using the latest method of gaming google isn't the basics!)
      I agree totally with Mark.

      What, for example, has changed in the world of sending an offer to a list whether it's online or off? Treat them right, educate them, help them buy.

      What has changed about the basics of even SEO? Good content, emphasize the important content with things like H1 tags, because of your good content people want to link to you, etc.

      What has changed about copywriting? Some of the best copywriting information is VERY old but it works today just as well as it did 60 years ago.

      Social media are basically glorified forums/discussion boards with the ability to add your newborn's pictures and play games. Forums have been around since the first days of the Internet.

      What has changed about affiliate or JV marketing? You convince people you have a good product or service and get them to help you sell it. That's as old as they come.

      As far as jet age techniques most of them are NOT the way that the gazillions were made by the people selling the techniques. For example the hot new Facebook/Wordpress timeline superduper email catching content dripping pour your coffee whizz bang doodad did NOT exist in most cases when the guru made his or her millions. They did it manually THEN built the software. And in many cases they aren't using it today.

      My contention is that you could take a good collection of ebooks from 10-12 years ago such as the old Free To Sell package and if you diligently, consistently, and persistently followed the great majority of the advice in that "outdated, old, junk" package you'd be the next rising "guru" and more importantly well on your way to financial freedom.

      Real truth and real principles don't change with time - just like the 400 year old Bible that I use.

      URLs or companies may change.

      Tools may come along that make the basics easier such as Wordpress for quickly setting up a site vs. HTML and a text editor - but you could still use the text editor and get the same core result because the end purpose is the same - have an online presence where people can buy from you, interact with you, or whatever.

      New teachers arise.

      But the basic principles, techniques, and strategies don't change.

      My two cents.

      Mark
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      • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
        Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

        I agree totally with Mark.

        What, for example, has changed in the world of sending an offer to a list whether it's online or off? Treat them right, educate them, help them buy.

        What has changed about the basics of even SEO? Good content, emphasize the important content with things like H1 tags, because of your good content people want to link to you, etc.

        What has changed about copywriting? Some of the best copywriting information is VERY old but it works today just as well as it did 60 years ago.

        Social media are basically glorified forums/discussion boards with the ability to add your newborn's pictures and play games. Forums have been around since the first days of the Internet.

        What has changed about affiliate or JV marketing? You convince people you have a good product or service and get them to help you sell it. That's as old as they come.

        As far as jet age techniques most of them are NOT the way that the gazillions were made by the people selling the techniques. For example the hot new Facebook/Wordpress timeline superduper email catching content dripping pour your coffee whizz bang doodad did NOT exist in most cases when the guru made his or her millions. They did it manually THEN built the software. And in many cases they aren't using it today.

        My contention is that you could take a good collection of ebooks from 10-12 years ago such as the old Free To Sell package and if you diligently, consistently, and persistently followed the great majority of the advice in that "outdated, old, junk" package you'd be the next rising "guru" and more importantly well on your way to financial freedom.

        Real truth and real principles don't change with time - just like the 400 year old Bible that I use.

        URLs or companies may change.

        Tools may come along that make the basics easier such as Wordpress for quickly setting up a site vs. HTML and a text editor - but you could still use the text editor and get the same core result because the end purpose is the same - have an online presence where people can buy from you, interact with you, or whatever.

        New teachers arise.

        But the basic principles, techniques, and strategies don't change.

        My two cents.

        Mark
        I agree principles don't change. But methods, tools, resources and challenges do. Cars, airplanes and even homes haven't changed basically. But they sure have in other ways. I love old cars, but they're not practical for everyday use compared to an updated version.
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      • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
        Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post


        New teachers arise.

        But the basic principles, techniques, and strategies don't change.

        My two cents.

        Mark
        I agree principles don't change. But techniques and strategies can and do. If not what would be the need for continuing education. New challenges often demand new or creative strategies.

        I'm not against the old or totally for the new. I believe we need both.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
          Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

          I agree principles don't change. But techniques and strategies can and do. If not what would be the need for continuing education. New challenges often demand new or creative strategies.

          I'm not against the old or totally for the new. I believe we need both.
          Good point. However, when we equate the newest thing with the best thing, a lot of people get held back because they can't afford the new stuff or they are afraid they are using outdated info or whatever.

          This is one reason we so threads nearly every day that say something like "Can Clickbank still be used?", "Is email dead?", "What's the newest way to get rich?". We have the idea that anything older than 3 weeks is worthless.

          This thinking leads us to buying too many new things that we don't need. And we don't need them because we haven't fully utilized the old stuff on our hard drive. So we buy a lot but do too little.

          So let me ask you, using Aweber 7 years ago to email your list and using it today has what difference? What new techniques? Yes you can hook it into your WP blog or FB now but how has the basic stuff changed? It hasn't.

          Doing forum marketing 7 years ago compared to today is different how? Let's don't discuss blackhat auto poster type stuff - I mean the basics. It hasn't.

          Writing a good ebook, creating a good audio, or doing a good teleseminar 7 years ago compared to today has changed how? It hasn't.

          Basic SEO is the same. Basic copywriting is the same. It's all basically the same.

          The only ones wanting you to believe it's new are the ones trying to sell you new stuff. But I GUARANTEE you that the newest, sexiest, hottest, list building ebook, for example, will have these years old elements: good content, build a relationship, give them a reason to subscribe, send out regularly etc.

          And no offense but your 3 links didn't help your argument at all in my opinion. Affiliate programs are dead, aye? Banner ads are dead, right? Pop up ads don't work anymore, yes? E-commerce stores are a waste, for sure?

          I get your point but I think it's more "hot" sounding than useful in many, many cases. I know you want to help people but it's kind of like the used car salesman who wants to help you. The new model is ALWAYS bigger and better and more powerful and more sexy and...

          Mark
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          • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
            Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

            Good point. However, when we equate the newest thing with the best thing, a lot of people get held back because they can't afford the new stuff or they are afraid they are using outdated info or whatever.

            This is one reason we so threads nearly every day that say something like "Can Clickbank still be used?", "Is email dead?", "What's the newest way to get rich?". We have the idea that anything older than 3 weeks is worthless.

            This thinking leads us to buying too many new things that we don't need. And we don't need them because we haven't fully utilized the old stuff on our hard drive. So we buy a lot but do too little.

            So let me ask you, using Aweber 7 years ago to email your list and using it today has what difference? What new techniques? Yes you can hook it into your WP blog or FB now but how has the basic stuff changed? It hasn't.

            Doing forum marketing 7 years ago compared to today is different how? Let's don't discuss blackhat auto poster type stuff - I mean the basics. It hasn't.

            Writing a good ebook, creating a good audio, or doing a good teleseminar 7 years ago compared to today has changed how? It hasn't.

            Basic SEO is the same. Basic copywriting is the same. It's all basically the same.

            The only ones wanting you to believe it's new are the ones trying to sell you new stuff. But I GUARANTEE you that the newest, sexiest, hottest, list building ebook, for example, will have these years old elements: good content, build a relationship, give them a reason to subscribe, send out regularly etc.

            And no offense but your 3 links didn't help your argument at all in my opinion. Affiliate programs are dead, aye? Banner ads are dead, right? Pop up ads don't work anymore, yes? E-commerce stores are a waste, for sure?

            I get your point but I think it's more "hot" sounding than useful in many, many cases. I know you want to help people but it's kind of like the used car salesman who wants to help you. The new model is ALWAYS bigger and better and more powerful and more sexy and...

            Mark
            I'm not saying the newest thing is the best thing. I'm talking about updates. That's the key word here. Not new is always better.
            And to answer your question about has Aweber, ebooks, audio, teleseminars and forum marketing changed. Yes, they've gotten easier to do, afford, find resources and learn about to name a few. Aweber offers a lot more options than they did 7 years ago. Etc.

            I'm not saying old is bad and new is good. You have to check both to make sure the information is still relevant for your present situation. Their may be changes taking place and you're still using 2003 strategies (banner marketing) and wondering why it doesn't work in 2012 like the outdated ebook you read said it should.
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  • Profile picture of the author JOSourcing
    Banned
    Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

    So a word of caution, most ebooks, software and other marketing products were created years ago. Are you buying or using outdated information that no longer works as effectively ... or at all?
    Good point you're making. I've also seen a concerning number of people who not only buy outdated information, they unnecessarily spend money on outdated (sometimes, even outright banned) techniques.

    It pays to stay informed of new trends.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Nah i dont buy the outdated stuff. I know longer buy courses due to the fact that i know how to get lots of traffic to my site for free, and know how to pick profitable niches that make money instantly. Plus... alot of courses and ebooks leave alot of stuff out - that just leaves you stuck at the end of the book.
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  • Profile picture of the author angela99
    Re "millions of dollars are lost each year from people using outdated internet marketing information."

    What evidence do you have for that?

    The basics of marketing haven't changed in decades. The 4 Ps of marketing still apply: Product, Price, Promotion and Place.

    The problem is, people forget the fundamentals, and try to take shortcuts. So, millions are lost, yes, but through people forgetting the basics, nothing else. :-)

    Marketing is marketing: it's PEOPLE. Human nature hasn't changed.

    Social media is just Word Of Mouth Marketing, which has been around for decades...

    Internet marketing is direct marketing, which has been around for even more decades.

    And the fundamentals of copywriting haven't changed in a century.

    The biggest danger in IM is NOT that marketing information is outdated, it's that marketers chase BSOs (Bright Shiny Objects.)

    David Ogilvy is my hero -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ogilvy_(businessman). His book Confessions of an Advertising Man is an old book (1963), but the information is CLASSIC. Outdated? No! :-)

    Cheers

    Angela
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by angela99 View Post

      Re "millions of dollars are lost each year from people using outdated internet marketing information."

      What evidence do you have for that?

      The basics of marketing haven't changed in decades. The 4 Ps of marketing still apply: Product, Price, Promotion and Place.

      The problem is, people forget the fundamentals, and try to take shortcuts. So, millions are lost, yes, but through people forgetting the basics, nothing else. :-)

      Marketing is marketing: it's PEOPLE. Human nature hasn't changed.

      Social media is just Word Of Mouth Marketing, which has been around for decades...

      Internet marketing is direct marketing, which has been around for even more decades.

      And the fundamentals of copywriting haven't changed in a century.

      The biggest danger in IM is NOT that marketing information is outdated, it's that marketers chase BSOs (Bright Shiny Objects.)

      David Ogilvy is my hero -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ogilvy_(businessman). His book Confessions of an Advertising Man is an old book (1963), but the information is CLASSIC. Outdated? No! :-)

      Cheers

      Angela
      Here's examples to help clarify my point.
      Outdated Marketing Tactics
      Outdated Marketing Myths
      Is Your Marketing Strategy Outdated
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