What do you believe makes someone a GURU

32 replies
What's up Warriors!

It has always puzzled me how someone can become a GURU in the industry, I mean I understand that knowledge has a lot to do with it but surely there is more!


Name one trait you think people use to become GURUS?
#guru #makes
  • Profile picture of the author m00d
    If someone calls someone a Guru then so be it, but if someone calls themselves a Guru then I think its time to bust a gut laughing...
    Signature
    Cheap WordPress Hosting @ 3Host
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7800995].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    Yawn ... outdated, outmoded and outlandish term.

    Oh, and by the way, there are no gurus in IM.

    Will
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801020].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    Anyone that claims they are a guru is like anyone that tells you that you should respect them. Deluded.

    Respect is earned, not asked for. The label "guru", if it is to be used at all, is earned not asked for.

    A person that you see as a guru in any field might not be the same person that I would see as a guru.

    I would look for someone who has a lot of knowledge, is able and willing to pass on that knowledge and who treats others with respect.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801035].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SeanSupplee
    They call me the love guru lol jk No one uses that word in the IM industry and if they do it is actually looked down on anymore.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801037].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by rosetrees View Post

      Anyone that claims they are a guru is like anyone that tells you that you should respect them. Deluded.....
      Originally Posted by SeanSupplee View Post

      They call me the love guru lol jk ....
      QED :p:p
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801039].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    What do you believe makes someone a GURU
    Lifelong spiritual training, a white robe, and a llama.

    Everyone else is just a marketer.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801043].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JeffreyBenson
    Guru??? In marketing that doesn't exists. No one knows it all - everyone is doing this through trial and error.
    Signature
    ***BREAKING NEWS***
    Want Traffic, Leads & Sales Fast?

    Discover Our Exact Method That Generated 264,990 Laser
    Targeted Free Traffic and 41,209 Leads In 3 Months!
    Click Here To Download The Guide Now
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801063].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sabatek
    Originally Posted by Joe Crosbie View Post

    What's up Warriors!

    It has always puzzled me how someone can become a GURU in the industry, I mean I understand that knowledge has a lot to do with it but surely there is more!


    Name one trait you think people use to become GURUS?

    It's just internet slang. Lol. I wrote a blog post on this:

    Guru: A spiritual teacher - (original definition)


    Guru (Internet Slang): One who has made millions or 6 figures, internet marketing and who teaches others how to do the same.


    Here are some Top Real Internet Marketing Guru's: Dave Wood, Dave Sharpe, Russell Brunson, Frank Kern, Mike Filsane, Deagan Smith, Marie Forleo, John Chow (sorry if I forget anyone) -
    Signature
    Here's The #1 Way To Earn Money As An Author - And I'll Prove It To You!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801070].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author magiclouie
    I am a Guru.

    Seriously, what matters most is the income generated online.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801076].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe Crosbie
    Haha I never realised the term was thought of upon like that. I think it would of been better if I had worded it differently.

    When I said GURU, I was referring to the big people in the IM, the ones that all the newbies seem be drawn too. I hope that explains it better
    Signature
    I chose entrepreneurship over further education despite being laughed at by my friends and family..

    I recently hit the "RESTART" button on my life, read my personal blog to find out how I did it :)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801087].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by Joe Crosbie View Post

      .... I think it would of been better if I had worded it differently.

      When I said GURU, I was referring to the big people in the IM, the ones that all the newbies seem be drawn too. I hope that explains it better
      That changes nothing, imho. My previous answer stands.

      Remember, though, that many newbies are drawn to shiny object syndrome. As witnessed here on a daily basis - "tell me", "show me", "quickest way", "easiest way", "fastest way", "no work", "cheapest", etc, etc, etc, etc.

      Maybe the true answer to your question is that bullsh*****s have followers because their followers "want" what they say to be true - not because it is.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801150].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LexiB
    The only thing that makes someone a "Guru" or expert is positioning. People who are good at positioning themselves as an expert will be seen as the expert. Money, cars, houses, etc. really don't matter. It's all about positioning.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801169].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author coloma21
    Well... their astonishing income... and their ability to teach people how to achieve that same income.. that's pretty much a guru in my eyes lol.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801176].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author J50
    I think it's someone who's achieved a very bold feat, like I guess you could consider Warren Buffett a financial guru. But there are not many, you see Warren doesn't try to build an audience. People are naturally attracted to his investing wisdom.

    You could of considered Steve Jobs a marketing guru. But someone who can sell $5MM of software (info product) to me isn't anything special. There's plenty of unheard of software companies that do that every quater.

    That's my take on the term anyway.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801179].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author NewRiseDigital
    A better way of thinking about this is actually 'who do I pick as my mentor'. That 'G' word is just a bad slang way of describing the concept of a leader.

    True leaders, mentors and coaches in IM are focussed on inspiring your results from their own real experience so that's probably how the G word evolved.

    I think it's too 'fluffy' a term now to provide a reference point for picking mentors today though.
    Signature
    Interviews With The Top Digital Marketing Experts - Get The New Book "Essential Digital Marketing For Small Business http://newrisedigital.com/book
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801180].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thatkeywordguy
    The only think you need to be a guru is an 8 dollar domain name.
    Signature

    Get Keyword Reseacher at CleverGizmos.com.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801342].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    To me it's someone who uses cool terminology like:

    autopilot
    dirty little secrets
    Ninja strategies
    ...little or no effort...
    Done for you...
    Oh, yeah... Screenshots of really impressive earnings along with pics of bikini babes, fast cars and cash swirling around in the background. Yeah, baby. That's a guru for sure.

    You know, the dream makers. My heroes. :rolleyes:
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801379].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Richard Mortimer
    It seems to me that the term 'guru', in Internet Marketing, is hurled at an imaginary group of marketers who know everything, have all the money, and don't want you to succeed....! LOL

    Its a great tactic to knock them down, when in fact anyone can knock over a straw-man!

    There seems to be an aura of unapproachability about the so called gurus! Who started it? Did some top marketers (perhaps thought of as gurus) to protect what they had (knowing the Internet moves so fast, and when you become BIG its harder to respond), or was it someone who aspired to be a top marketer (but knew they were not) and decided to become the Guru Sniper?

    Richard
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801428].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JimDucharme
    Don't ask about Ninjas...people who do just disapear for no reason.

    Here's a great article on "social media gurus (etc)" stats (it's a growth industry) which pretty much shows how completely worthless that term is today.

    Regards,
    jim
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801438].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author vjboc
    Originally Posted by Joe Crosbie View Post

    What's up Warriors!

    It has always puzzled me how someone can become a GURU in the industry,
    Guru is just a term that someone gets when they are of high status in their field, financial etc. Most of the time I see the term "I'm no Guru" here on the forum. But as mentioned in a previous post, it is an outdated term and not used in IM. If someone states they are an IM guru, then run as fast as you can...lol
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801485].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Young Financier
    You calling yourself a guru and people accepting you as one. That's it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801541].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
    From what I understand a Guru is a Master "teacher"

    So, if you are a Master at teaching, then you could be called a Guru.

    But Guru's never call themselves Guru's ever, only those who recognize their ability and have great respect for them call them Guru's.
    Signature
    Need Custom Graphics Work? - Message Me For A Design Quote!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801606].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ochaim
      Perhaps we're misunderstanding the OP's intent. And he's already clarified, by guru he means someone who isvery well established in IM and looked on as a leader not just from years ago, but continuing until now using basic principles that don't antiquate.

      I think a quality I see in this kind of expert is in the ability to simplify things, getting to the kernel of the matter so everything else into place logically. And you don't get stuck, you can just "take action" once you're ready.

      I see this quality in most of the marketers I contact for advice. They may not be what others with more experience would consider an expert, but they are ahead of me in the game and are in a position I want to see myself in, so I value their advice.

      Owen
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801714].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PerformanceMan
    I only listen to anti-gurus...due to my contrarian nature....
    Signature
    Free Special Report on Mindset - Level Up with Positive Thinking
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801719].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    Originally Posted by Joe Crosbie View Post

    Name one trait you think people use to become GURUS?
    Brass Balls.

    That's one of the main traits gurus have.

    They don't wait to be anointed.

    They jump out there and boldly say that they're THE
    ONE in their subject area.

    Then they attract clients and partners who help them
    reinforce their positioning in the marketplace.

    Of course, you need to have the real expertise to back
    it up (if you want to last long-term), but brass balls is
    where it starts.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
    Signature

    .

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801743].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Raydal
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      Brass Balls.

      That's one of the main traits gurus have.

      They don't wait to be anointed.

      They jump out there and boldly say that they're THE
      ONE in their subject area.

      Then they attract clients and partners who help them
      reinforce their positioning in the marketplace.

      Of course, you need to have the real expertise to back
      it up (if you want to last long-term), but brass balls is
      where it starts.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      I second Shaun on this one. Titles are there to be taken
      and you just anoint yourself as you please. If you don't
      have the actions to back it up then the market place
      will soon find out that you are an imposter.

      Entrepreneurs don't wait for a title to be given them. They
      take one and then prove it afterwards.

      -Ray Edwards
      Signature
      The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801767].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kelvintoro
    For me, a Guru is someone who is very knowledgeable about something, yet doesn't call himself a Guru. The ones who call him that are the other people who know his work and respect him for his knowledge and contribution to whatever industry/market he is in.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801804].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Originally Posted by Joe Crosbie View Post

    What's up Warriors!

    It has always puzzled me how someone can become a GURU in the industry, I mean I understand that knowledge has a lot to do with it but surely there is more!


    Name one trait you think people use to become GURUS?
    Nothing...the term "guru" is a made up word that has different meanings to different people in the MMO IM world.

    RoD
    Signature
    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801834].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    In marketing there really is no such thing as a guru.

    Some people teach what they know and some are better
    at teaching than others.

    The whole idea that someone would be "all wise and all knowing"
    in an industry that changes constantly is laughable.


    The dictionary definitions of guru are as follows:

    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


    Almost everyone on this forum would qualify as 2c after they've
    been here a couple of weeks so I guess you could say we're all
    gurus or more realistic would be to say none of us are gurus.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7801848].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author theory expert
    Banned
    What do you believe makes someone a GURU?

    POSITIONING IN THE MARKETPLACE!

    Granted I may not agree with them, but, if someone has market placement they are perceived as an expert guru, and, is compensated handsomely from the effect most times.

    P.S. LOL, just read Shaun say the same thing. That's what happen when you post without reading comments. Like minds tend to think alike.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7802531].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author livo
      For me a Guru has always been a Indian or Hindu spiritual teacher.... or the guy the Beatles met when they were off their heads in the late sixties

      Not an Internet Marketer!
      Signature


      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7802698].message }}

Trending Topics