Mentoring for the “Flat Broke”

[TiffanyDow]

Hey Warriors!

I was talking to a friend the other day who mentors people and he noticed many people come to him for mentoring even though they have no money. Now of course, this being part of his business, it’s not feasible to mentor everyone for free. But I had a thought – let me know what yours are – pros, cons, etc. I’m trying to brainstorm a way for newbies to get help even when they’re in a desperate situation.

WHAT IF….

Flat broke newbies went to a more seasoned marketer and worked as an INTERN – getting taught the lessons they need for FREE in exchange for doing the work FOR the marketer teaching them.

Let me explain…

Let’s say Sally May wants me to teach her how to set up a squeeze page and link it to an autoresponder, etc. I could teach her how to do this BUT the example she’d be building would be on MY domain. She would have to upload the squeeze page, connect it to my autoresponder, add email messages in there, etc.

When we were done with the lesson, I would have another page out there as a net capturing leads and she’d have the knowledge she needs to do her OWN work in HER niche.

Or for instance, let’s say they wanted to learn how to do keyword research. We teach them and have THEM replicate the process in one of our own niche markets, giving US the keyword list when they were finished – all cleaned up and ready to use, etc.

What am I missing? I feel like there’s this big “BUT” that I can’t see.

Tiff

[Lisa Gergets]

REALLY interesting concept, Tiffany!

[Lou Diamond]

Hello,
I understand the concept for the flat broke theory.
This is what it comes down to,if you do not pay you will
not use it.
I had a family member that I made pay for one of my ebooks.
If I gave it to him for free he would not have given it a second glance.
Later on he he thanked me that I made him pay for it.

[Ross Bowring]

I think that's a great idea. Applying ideas from the brick 'n' mortar business world into IM can be very smart. People are already used to desiring internships.... and they know they can lead to big things. Simon Cowell started off as a tea-boy intern, for example.

Looking forward to seeing it in action.

[Roger Mayne]

Tiffany

This is something I raised a while ago. I didn't want to come across as a freeloader, but I wanted to learn some solid strategies. Like you say, once you know how to do thes tactics, you can apply them to any site.

I would be more than happy trading my time in return for knowledge.

[Zeus66]

Me likey! It's a neat twist on the 'barter' method. You're exchanging your knowledge for some needed "grunt" work. No money changes hands, but BOTH of you stand to earn more from the exchange.

Another Tiffany™ breakthrough! LOL

John

[TedMarlett]

Hi Tiffany,

Nice concept. Colleges do this all the time. They require internships in order to get the degree.

The only problem I see is giving the person you don't know the information about your processes, such as log-in information. How do you "know" you can trust the person.

Most places that require an internship have the people submit a regular application with a resume and there is a follow-up on the process for hiring into the internship. On line this information can be made up and you may never really know the person who is doing the work. I suppose that requiring address and phone number would be a particular requirement.

Sure, the people do work for free, but the person giving them the work must be able to trust them in what they want them to do.

Great idea!! I can see some very useful work going on this way and people picking up what they need to know.

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

WHAT IF….

Flat broke newbies went to a more seasoned marketer and worked as an INTERN – getting taught the lessons they need for FREE in exchange for doing the work FOR the marketer teaching them.

I think it's a promising and plausible idea.

One of the moderators of another forum, for "working at home", does this and sometimes offers "blogging internships" to forum members there. (I've never tried it so I don't know the details, but it's perhaps a very similar idea?)

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

Hey Warriors!

I was talking to a friend the other day who mentors people and he noticed many people come to him for mentoring even though they have no money. Now of course, this being part of his business, it’s not feasible to mentor everyone for free. But I had a thought – let me know what yours are – pros, cons, etc. I’m trying to brainstorm a way for newbies to get help even when they’re in a desperate situation.

WHAT IF….

Flat broke newbies went to a more seasoned marketer and worked as an INTERN – getting taught the lessons they need for FREE in exchange for doing the work FOR the marketer teaching them.

Let me explain…

Let’s say Sally May wants me to teach her how to set up a squeeze page and link it to an autoresponder, etc. I could teach her how to do this BUT the example she’d be building would be on MY domain. She would have to upload the squeeze page, connect it to my autoresponder, add email messages in there, etc.

When we were done with the lesson, I would have another page out there as a net capturing leads and she’d have the knowledge she needs to do her OWN work in HER niche.

Or for instance, let’s say they wanted to learn how to do keyword research. We teach them and have THEM replicate the process in one of our own niche markets, giving US the keyword list when they were finished – all cleaned up and ready to use, etc.

What am I missing? I feel like there’s this big “BUT” that I can’t see.

Tiff

Hi Tiff,

I was going to make a post about this exact subject, but never got around to it.

To be honest, I'm kind of tired of all the "I want a mentor" threads. Instead of asking, these folks need to first GIVE something. Plus, they should prove they are actually willing to do the dirty work needed before expecting help from people whose knowledge is valuable.

If they want a mentor, let them do their internships and apprenticeships first. I'm not being harsh, I'm being fair.

[Jason Moffatt]

I've done this with people who want to learn to write copy. I basically teach them, and they write salesletters for me as they learn. It's a pretty good gig for both sides.

[Lance K]

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

I feel like there’s this big “BUT” that I can’t see.

Tiff, I'm pretty sure I found it...

RIGHT HERE

And I must say, you may need to get your eyes checked!





sum timez i dont spell gude.

[thenextlevel]

I think this would be a great thing for this flat broke newb. I want a mentor, but am very prepared to do my share!

[EndGame]

I love this idea and think it has a lot of mileage in it.

The problem is, a lot of the people who seem to want mentoring want to earn money in the next month and don't want to do something as tiresome, boring and un-needed as working or learning for it.

I think the success of this offer/process will all come down to the person involved. You will have to find yourself carefully screening applicants and it may take some time to actually find some one motivated and determined enough to work on this basis.

Just my 2 cents but I love the concept, and the thinking, and I am sure you will do great with it. If you decide to pursue this, then let us all know how the results went.

[TiffanyDow]

I sure will let you know how it goes IF I do it - thanks for the input so far!

You all raised some good points - making sure I screen properly and can trust them, picking someone who isn't afraid to work, etc.

[TimCastleman]

I like the idea. I wouldn't mentor anyone for free or cheap though. I find that people's commitment to something is related to the fee they pay for it.

My mom has tired every diet known to man but is having good results with the latest one. Thing is she had to pay $400 to sign up and $200 a month to be on the program.

Just yesterday I hired a personal trainer. He offered to train me for free but free has no value to me so I knew I had to pay him. Plus it keep us both committed to the process.

Maybe a half pay/half play idea might work here for you.

Oh and for people who are "broke" ... a lot of my friends are broke but they have new cars, HDTV's, gym memberships, etc. They choose to spend their money elsewhere, their loss.

[sahi]

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

Hey Warriors!

I was talking to a friend the other day who mentors people and he noticed many people come to him for mentoring even though they have no money. Now of course, this being part of his business, it’s not feasible to mentor everyone for free. But I had a thought – let me know what yours are – pros, cons, etc. I’m trying to brainstorm a way for newbies to get help even when they’re in a desperate situation.

WHAT IF….

Flat broke newbies went to a more seasoned marketer and worked as an INTERN – getting taught the lessons they need for FREE in exchange for doing the work FOR the marketer teaching them.

Let me explain…

Let’s say Sally May wants me to teach her how to set up a squeeze page and link it to an autoresponder, etc. I could teach her how to do this BUT the example she’d be building would be on MY domain. She would have to upload the squeeze page, connect it to my autoresponder, add email messages in there, etc.

When we were done with the lesson, I would have another page out there as a net capturing leads and she’d have the knowledge she needs to do her OWN work in HER niche.

Or for instance, let’s say they wanted to learn how to do keyword research. We teach them and have THEM replicate the process in one of our own niche markets, giving US the keyword list when they were finished – all cleaned up and ready to use, etc.

What am I missing? I feel like there’s this big “BUT” that I can’t see.

Tiff

Well, I'm already doing it along with one of my friends in my city for the past seven months.
In the beginning we started by giving an ad in the local newspaper, and got a massive response from people who wanted to learn IM, and make some decent money online and had been scammed by some people offering to make them millionaires by teaching them adsense.

We teach people on our own projects just like you have mentioned in your post, and it's mutually beneficial for both parties.

So far we have taught more than 200 people, and success rate of learning
has been 65%. Although the learning process has been slow so far but we are glad that many of them are now making some decent money online, they know the value of list building, can make minisites, squeeze pages, install scripts, and 70% of them are proficient with joomla, front page, and wordpress.

In the past 7 months, each student completed one project for us and by doing it he learned valuable skills and gained knowledge dong it.

Well all that is my personal experience, and any body can do it in his own local city, town etc.

[Michael Oksa]

This is one of the methods I have used extensively in my coaching. In theory, it sounds great; in practice, here are a few observations:

1. When the person doing the "work" doesn't see the immediate benefit, they tend to lose interest VERY quickly.

2. Some newer people feel like you are enslaving them to do your dirty work. I believe this comes from ignorance or a lack of trust in IM.

3. They have a sense of entitlement.

4. They just want the instant gratification, and once work of any type enters the picture, they mysteriously disappear.

5. Some start off very well, make bold claims of being willing to do "whatever it takes", etc. But once reality hits, they make excuses about why certain assignments weren't done.

So, there are a few big "BUTS".

That being said, I have had a few clients who continue through the process and have done oustanding work - the kind that has made THEM a lot of money.

Side note: I don't ask them to perform any tasks I can't (or won't) do myself. Nothing complicated. In fact, I usually ask for nothing more than a few articles to be writtne in exchange for continued coaching.

All the best,
Michael

[Pipinscott]

To all that blanket state that "free breeds apathy", sometimes you may be right. But thank God for people like Tiffany. I promise not to get on my soap box and start preaching, but it is refreshing to see someone who really wants to offer a "fishing" lesson to someone who really needs it.


Did I say someone and really enough?

[TiffanyDow]

Scott, you must have heard me before

Yeah I know there must be people out there who have the freebie mindset people gripe about because so many people grip about them. But the salt of the earth people I'm hearing from, I believe want to roll up their sleeves and work - just feel lost and broke (like no money for mortgage broke, not "I want a new TV" broke LOL).

My husband sometimes says, "Ignorance is bliss," and if I'm ignorant and have a rose colored glasses mentality of my customers, so be it. It keeps ME happy with humanity - it may keep me from making bigger profits but when my hand weighs more money and faith in people, there's no comparison

[Debbie Songster]

Michael said it all
I've experienced his points even with people who have paid.

I'm now doing profit sharing - building something together where we both benefit.
Keeps the other person motivated to contribute and they learn the other skills in the process.

[Kelly Verge]

Tiffany,

This is a great idea and really has me thinking.

I've been toying with the idea of trying to hire local college kids for content-writers. Using this model, it might be possible to have them write content as an intern (ideally in a ready-to-spin {sentence1|sentence2|sentence3} format) in exchange for instruction on what to do with this content.

Hmm...

[Valorie]

Originally Posted by Lance K

Tiff, I'm pretty sure I found it...

RIGHT HERE

And I must say, you may need to get your eyes checked!





sum timez i dont spell gude.

It took me a minute, yes, I'd say that is a big "butt".




Seriously, though, I LOVE this idea. That's why when a warrior I really respect contacted me about writing, I jumped up and down and ran to my husband all excited. I wasn't all worked up for writing a penny per word, necessarily, even though money coming in is always a good thing. I was hoping I would be able to figure out what he was doing with his business by doing his writing. Frankly, I never thought about asking about an internship. That would be fall-over awesome.

Tiffany,
If you seriously decide to offer this, I'm up to send a resume. I think this is way different than giving stuff away. This would be my time, and my effort in exchange for knowledge. I think it would weed out the people who aren't willing to put in the time pretty quickly.

This is a really exciting idea.

-Valorie


P.S. I do like to think of myself as a "Writer" and I could keep a nice journal about my progress, etc. If in fact someone might like to turn the whole experiment into a product of some kind.

Just thinking out loud, here...

[Darrel Hawes]

Terry Dean has a "free intern" program:

Interns : Internet Business Coaching by Terry Dean

I'm not sure how much feedback you get, but you do learn how to do actual tasks that he uses to promote his business. Presumably, you could then take what you've learned and apply it to your own business.

[Andyhenry]

Hi Tiff,

John Taylor and I have been around this concept a few times.

I've even tested it a couple in the past and I'm sorry to say that Michael's comments are bang-on the money.

IM is an easy business to make money in and 'most' simple strategies work with only a little common sense and a lot of action.

Most people struggle with the action part - that's why they go looking for a 'mentor'.

Now, I'm not suggesting that there are zero people who follow through, but in my experience - most of the people that say they will do anything - are looking for an easy solution to having to do any thinking or action.

They say they will do anything and perhaps they even start out well, but pretty soon - the excuses start. They get bored, or they're wondering why you won't share your best niche or website with them yet and they start questioning things and wanting to do them differently - or not at all.

It's easy for someone to promise to work 10 hours a week, but when it comes to actually doing it, the same things that stopped them doing it alone are the same things that stop them doing it with or for you.

Now, this isn't just in this context - I've been let down by more programmers than have ever actually seen projects through fully.

With a person with no money looking at starting in IM - their whole mindset is about the lack of money they perceive. That's the main thing they're focused on and once they start 'learning' from you, they quickly start wanting money to be coming in - they're not willing to finish the learning before they expect a full-time income.

In theory - it's a great idea and I have made it work a couple of times, but for 'most' people - they think their lack of money is due to outside factors and the reason they think they even need a mentor is because they haven't taken responsibility for their own results.

They're hoping they can tap into your contacts, tools, ideas, experience and not do the job properly themselves. They want money and they want it now. They're not in a position to take advice without trying to jump ahead a few steps - and that's why they're struggling to begin with.

In reality - you don't need money to make money online, so not having money is not an excuse for lack of success.

I love that you're also considering this and depending on how much time and emotion you've got to give it, you may be able to help a few people, but don't blindly expect that people will actually do what they say because it's often just not the case.

Andy

[Kelly Verge]

Originally Posted by Ross Bowring

Simon Cowell started off as a tea-boy intern, for example.

You just had to bring up HIM.

[Vikuna2009+]

Tiffany,

is this what they call "social internet entrepreneuring"? It is wonderful to read that you are actually considering this, kudos to ya' . If that is the case, I do drive a 1996 Volvo station wagon, have not had a vacation the last 5 years, do not own any expensive toys (or in-expensive) and I do not expect miracles.

Piece feed me, let me do the work, evaluate me after each assignment and I'll be a happy learner, no doubt about it .

PM for my first assignment, strongly looking forward to it (you mentioned squeeze page, right ).

tiffbroke.com is AVAILABLE, lol.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

This is one of the methods I have used extensively in my coaching. In theory, it sounds great; in practice, here are a few observations:

1. When the person doing the "work" doesn't see the immediate benefit, they tend to lose interest VERY quickly.

2. Some newer people feel like you are enslaving them to do your dirty work. I believe this comes from ignorance or a lack of trust in IM.

3. They have a sense of entitlement.

4. They just want the instant gratification, and once work of any type enters the picture, they mysteriously disappear.

5. Some start off very well, make bold claims of being willing to do "whatever it takes", etc. But once reality hits, they make excuses about why certain assignments weren't done.

So, there are a few big "BUTS".

That being said, I have had a few clients who continue through the process and have done oustanding work - the kind that has made THEM a lot of money.

Side note: I don't ask them to perform any tasks I can't (or won't) do myself. Nothing complicated. In fact, I usually ask for nothing more than a few articles to be writtne in exchange for continued coaching.

All the best,
Michael

And this is the point of my first post: If they aren't willing to do the grunt work, they don't deserve a mentor.

One year of HS basketball, we had 45 kids try out for the team that would only have 13 players. Our coach hated cutting kids...So the first two practices, all we did was run. Those that quit running, "cut" themselves, leaving less than half of the original 45. Instead of cutting 30+ kids, he only had to cut about 10. The others cut themselves.

If someone is broke and wants private coaching, I say make them "run" and see who cuts themselves, as long as what they are doing is part of the profit-making process. Those that last will be strong players.

If you aren't willing to trade unskilled hours for skilled training, you don't deserve a mentor.

[Bev Clement]

We have a couple of interns for writing now. They learn and they get paid a % of anything they have written which has been sold.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Michael beat me to it. Great post.

Not only that, but many people who pay for mentoring don't follow through.

My last mentoring class (and the last one I'll ever do) of 20 people...only 2
people actually finished the course.

TWO.

And they paid for it.

Most people hate, and I do mean hate to do any work whatsoever.

This has been my experience for years now, which is why there is such a
high failure rate in this business.

And no, even those that say that they will do the work, many do not.

Why?

Because they find out 2 things once starting.

1. The work is hard.

or

2. The work is boring.

You can take that to the bank.

[Teresa Coppes]

Michael brought up some great "but" to the scenario and I'd like to add one more as well.

When someone is flat broke and is truly wanting a mentor to guide them, willing to put in the time and effort to make it work, to learn new things under an internship - it still means they're flat broke though.

For example:

I have no money. You're willing to teach me and guide me in learning how to setup a squeeze page, a followup email list, etc. I learn a multitude of things that I otherwise didn't know and now have the tools and knowledge to go forth and put my own plan into action.

But wait, I'm still broke. I can't even afford a domain or hosting let alone the cost of aweber or getresponse for a list and let's not even go into any money to promote via PPC.

While I think it's a wonderful idea and really do hope that you go forward, chances are there will be people who won't be able to get past the "no money in their pocket" blinders. Through this forum alone there have been post after post of how to get started for free, even free responder programs, free hosting, etc - but reading through the previous posts you can see that the majority feel if they pay they'll take it more seriously. It's a bit of a catch 22.

I'll be watching your videos and posts here on WF to see where you go with this.

All the best -
Teresa

[Vikuna2009+]

If someone is broke and wants private coaching, I say make them "run" and see who cuts themselves, as long as what they are doing is part of the profit-making process. Those that last will be strong players.

If you aren't willing to trade unskilled hours for skilled training, you don't deserve a mentor.



I am, Tiffany, still waiting for your PM, lol ... running though might be a little hard since I had knee surgery a few years back. I can walk for hours though, just point me in the right direction .

Take care, Eva

[jasonl70]

Originally Posted by Teresa_C

Michael brought up some great "but" to the scenario and I'd like to add one more as well.

When someone is flat broke and is truly wanting a mentor to guide them, willing to put in the time and effort to make it work, to learn new things under an internship - it still means they're flat broke though.

For example:

I have no money. You're willing to teach me and guide me in learning how to setup a squeeze page, a followup email list, etc. I learn a multitude of things that I otherwise didn't know and now have the tools and knowledge to go forth and put my own plan into action.

But wait, I'm still broke. I can't even afford a domain or hosting let alone the cost of aweber or getresponse for a list and let's not even go into any money to promote via PPC.

While I think it's a wonderful idea and really do hope that you go forward, chances are there will be people who won't be able to get past the "no money in their pocket" blinders. Through this forum alone there have been post after post of how to get started for free, even free responder programs, free hosting, etc - but reading through the previous posts you can see that the majority feel if they pay they'll take it more seriously. It's a bit of a catch 22.

I'll be watching your videos and posts here on WF to see where you go with this.

All the best -
Teresa

Domains: 99 cents for a .info, under $10 for .com. And thats for a year.

Hosting: what, $5 for a month? and that's hosting for unlimited domains.

$6 and you're in business.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by jasonl70

Domains: 99 cents for a .info, under $10 for .com. And thats for a year.

Hosting: what, $5 for a month? and that's hosting for unlimited domains.

$6 and you're in business.

Yep, and Blogger, Hubpages, Squidoo are free.

And after an intern proves themselves, pay them an apprentice/journeymen wage and give them some free hosting.

[sebber]

I really like your idea, TiffanyDow and thanks for opening up this discussion...

I don't quite fall into the "flat broke" category, but I'm a chronic overspender. I have spent a fortune on my education (academic and personbal development)...

I have never been a freeloader, but I could do with someone showing me the way...

There are SO MANY products out there. So many concepts, gimmicks, products, launches can lead to jadedness...

I don't know where to start, to be honest!

My dream would be for one of the gurus to take me by the hand (metaphorically!) and show me EXACTLY how they make their fortunes, setting some dependable income streams up for me in the long run...

I think money makes money and all I would need would be that little start...

I'd also be willing to give residuals and such...I don't believe in taking without giving something back in return...

I think an *awesome* product would be a guru/IMer doing this (or setting up a product like this), literally taking someone from broke to millionaire. It could be "real-time". It would be like Mr Miyagi and Daniel San!

Seriously, imagine the tremendous PR in a marketer doing that very thing (initially) for free, and later getting 25% of the protege's future incomes...

Talk about Paying It Forward!

Or am I just off my head?!

[Daniel Molano]

Hey Tiffany,

I've been doing this for about 8 months now.

My first intern, who had no idea about anything Internet Marketing related, is now an SEO Expert and my Executive Vice President.

But he did work really hard for it.

The bad part is that since I do high ticket coaching/mentoring now a days, and we're fully sold out for the rest of this year, we just don't have the time to handle more interns (or clients for that matter).

But it's a brilliant win-win concept and it works extremely well with certain people.

Sometimes leverage or other types of non-monetary input can be far more valuable than cash.

- Dan Molano

[David Mcalorum]

Oh wow, it's a very interesting theory. Obviously, as with any new innovative ideas there will be some flaws. (A couple for me would be giving a stranger in need of money access to your website, having people flake out on you, having them duplicate anythign they make and completely upstage you) But I think it may be extremely worth it to those trustworthy people that would honestly learn from you and give you the work you deserve as payment.

I'd love to help you get the idea rolling if you ever need anything!

~Grae

[Teresa Coppes]

Originally Posted by jasonl70

Domains: 99 cents for a .info, under $10 for .com. And thats for a year.

Hosting: what, $5 for a month? and that's hosting for unlimited domains.

$6 and you're in business.

For someone that is flat broke $6 could mean getting a gallon of milk and bread for their kids or hoping that they can make money online.

It may not be a lot of money but I'm trying to play devils advocate here and give an explanation as to my post. Unfortunately I have seen a great number of many posts on other forums or gotten emails from people who wonder how they're going to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads or keep the electric/water on.

Maybe as someone else mentioned, offer the mentoring but also a small percentage of pay as well. If you'd normally pay an outsource company/person $100 to write 25 articles offer $25 or something.

Just throwing out an alternative "but" to Tiffs original question.

[TheDebtEliminator]

Hello Tiff,

Yours is a very good idea

I would add to the student’s requirement to Google things that you need information about and make up a report in Word for you to read or turn in to a eBook.

They could write articles, one for you and one for them or use 2 and 1 for the split
Using the internet to research each assigned topic

If you are teaching something else, then the articles could be bartered for your time spent with them?



All the Best

[probizzone]

Well, I think the concept is great. If an exchange/barter program is made, it should work, providing the person is morally decent. Also, if this person learns from you, you can bet they would buy any product from you down the road and give you great testimonials. I am a newbie to all of this and only my second post to the forum. Plus I am broke and morally very decent. I volunteer off the bat because I really need to make some money as quickly as possible and learn true and tried methods to make it happen.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Vikuna2009+

If someone is broke and wants private coaching, I say make them "run" and see who cuts themselves, as long as what they are doing is part of the profit-making process. Those that last will be strong players.

If you aren't willing to trade unskilled hours for skilled training, you don't deserve a mentor.

This statement sums up mentoring a broke person in a nutshell. I've seen people walk away from some sweet mentoring scenarios all because they felt like they were being taken advantage of; they didn't comprehend the trade off!

[sebber]

Originally Posted by Teresa_C

For someone that is flat broke $6 could mean getting a gallon of milk and bread for their kids or hoping that they can make money online.

It may not be a lot of money but I'm trying to play devils advocate here and give an explanation as to my post. Unfortunately I have seen a great number of many posts on other forums or gotten emails from people who wonder how they're going to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads or keep the electric/water on.

Maybe as someone else mentioned, offer the mentoring but also a small percentage of pay as well. If you'd normally pay an outsource company/person $100 to write 25 articles offer $25 or something.

Just throwing out an alternative "but" to Tiffs original question.

Well, I'll start the ball rolling...

I'd be happy to register a domain, help you set up a site and Host it for you FREE of charge...

No catch...other than maybe we could learn something in the process or share it here.

I do this for a few of my friends. It would be nice to make a difference...

[Peggy Baron]

Hi Tiff,
I think it's a great idea and I know you have a lot of people who have expressed interest. Give it a shot and tweak it after the first one or two.

Lee McIntylre has done this so you could talk to him. Or if you'd like to talk to one of his interns I know a couple of them.

Peggy

[jasonl70]

Originally Posted by Teresa_C

For someone that is flat broke $6 could mean getting a gallon of milk and bread for their kids or hoping that they can make money online.

It may not be a lot of money but I'm trying to play devils advocate here and give an explanation as to my post. Unfortunately I have seen a great number of many posts on other forums or gotten emails from people who wonder how they're going to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads or keep the electric/water on.

Maybe as someone else mentioned, offer the mentoring but also a small percentage of pay as well. If you'd normally pay an outsource company/person $100 to write 25 articles offer $25 or something.

Just throwing out an alternative "but" to Tiffs original question.

We're talking $6. Wash the neighbors car.. or rake somebodies yard. One person could skip dinner and save $6. If they're eating on the cheap, skip 2 during the month. Or write an article for someone on the WF. Assuming you've had some training via the internship, I bet one could find a buyer if they were to charge $6 to build a website

Seriously - if someone can not scrape together $6, then maybe they shouldn't be trying to start a business yet. I just don't believe anyone who's serious about starting an online business can not come up with $6 if they really wanted to (outside of 3rd world countries).

This is just my opinion, but someone who can't come up with $6 isn't going to be an 'action taker', since a little action-taking could generate that $6.

[jasonl70]

lol - how many times can I type '$6" in on post!!!

[WritingMadwoman]

Teresa, I hear you, for some people $6 may as well be a million!

But when you think about it, you don't even HAVE to spend any money to get started making money online. If you teach them how to get: a list of profitable keywords, a squidoo lens or hub or even a free blogger blog, and a few good clickbank or paydotcom products that go along with the keyword list, and give them an assignment to write 5 or 10 articles a week and submit them to every free directory they can find - they could be making sales quickly.

That depends on many factors of course, but hopefully the mentor would be able to guide them on writing good content, other avenues to market and drive traffic, etc.

Then when the person does start receiving payments or clickbank checks, they could invest some of their money into better tools, software, autoresponder, etc.

Just pointing out that even if they don't have a dime to their name, they can still find plenty of ways to at least get the ball rolling!

I do like your idea of paying the intern a small fee though! I think that would probably motivate many of them more because they would see an immediate benefit to doing the work, plus give them some money to invest in domains, AR, hosting and the like.

Wendy

Originally Posted by Teresa_C

For someone that is flat broke $6 could mean getting a gallon of milk and bread for their kids or hoping that they can make money online.

[Teresa Coppes]

Originally Posted by sebber

Well, I'll start the ball rolling...

I'd be happy to register a domain, help you set up a site and Host it for you FREE of charge...

No catch...other than maybe we could learn something in the process or share it here.

I do this for a few of my friends. It would be nice to make a difference...

I'm sorry I should've been a bit more general in my original post instead of using myself as an example. I meant "I" in a general way as to the mentality of some people, not myself personally, that $6 could be a lot of money when they're flat broke. Thank you for your offer though.

Jason - here's another for you, $6

[sebber]

Originally Posted by Teresa_C

I'm sorry I should've been a bit more general in my original post instead of using myself as an example. I meant "I" in a general way as to the mentality of some people, not myself personally, that $6 could be a lot of money when they're flat broke. Thank you for your offer though.

Jason - here's another for you, $6

Oops, sorry!

I TOTALLY got the wrong end of the stick :-)

[Jason_V]

Tiffany,

This was actually already done by a former adult webmaster turned internet marketer by the name of Woody Maxim:

Why you need my intern program now

[Steve Wells]

FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE

***NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE***

I think this will work, as long as this is tit for tat, in other words as long as the person training doesn't try and take advantage of the newbie, like me for example.

I am perfectly willing to learn and do work in exchange for training, please PM me anyone interested in trying this out.

I would specifically like to have some kind of layout or direction as to what I am going to learn, such as squeeze page building, sales funnel, ect.... I would love to see what is involved on marketing a product and how to get it off the ground, so again please PM me, I will work for food. LOL!

***NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE******NEWBIE***

-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-FLATBROKE-

[Craig Desorcy]

I've tried this many times. I'm not saying it can't be done,
I've yet to find a way to make it work and not sure I want to at
this point.

Too much therapy, cohersing, convincing, etc... A whole lot of time
is wasted just dealing with their head issues while what really needs
to be done is not getting done.

Too many of the people came back with,
My dog got sick, can't do this.
Oh this is sooo boring.
Sorry, not into submitting articles, etc...

Where's the leverage to get the commitment needed from them
to succeed?

Make they pay? But if it's with their labor, it's too easy to give up.

Working with people that are hard up, dead broke, no business sense,
holds the entitlement believe, victim mentality, etc...
depresses me to the point of wanting to take meds.

Now not ALL people new to IM are like this. I understand that and also
know I'm stylizing, but for the most part, this is my personal experience.

Interestingly, I found a new distinction that motivates the crap out of
clients.

Project completion date is xxx. If you do not meet that date because of
a story (Excuse) the 200 dollars in escrow goes to a golf
party I'll have and you're not welcome to join. This WORKS!!!! So good
I'm sharing it here.

Getting myself or others to take action is all about leverage.

Where's the leverage for the intern?

I'm sure there are people here that can add to this thread and you
may come up with a real good model as a result to test but...

I don't know Tiff, I've not been very successful at it... Besides helping you
but you were not Flat broke and you work like a farm horse (At least at
the time :P)


Craig