Have you spent THOUSANDS of $$$ ... or just a few hundred?

by TheGMa
43 replies
Today I received a question from someone who has supposedly spent thousands of dollars on IM products and hasn't gotten anywhere. The question was, "Can you really make money online?"

I heaved a big sigh and wrote back.

Why have you spent so much money? I think the most I ever spent was $600 back in 1999 and 2000. For this go-around I've spent less than $200 so far.

Of course you can make money on line, just like off line. The only difference is that it doesn't cost as much.

Ah look, if you were going to open a trophy shop, you'd learn about every association and athletic organization in your area (forums, fb groups, etc.); you'd attend contests and award ceremonies (engage with potential buyers); you'd hand out your business card to anyone and everyone who stands still long enough (emails, AdWords, blog posts, social media); you'd paint the side of your car with your business info and put signs in your storefront (blog/web site); you'd run contests of your own to gain even more attention (interactive site).

You'd hook up with trophy makers and invest in an engraving machine (affiliate programs).

Why make it so complicated? You decide on a business or niche market and go for it with everything you've got. End of story.

And that's how you make money anywhere. Doesn't matter if you're in Tibet, Timbuktu, Philadelphia, New York, or the Internet.


As for spending a gazillion bucks - do your homework before you buy. There is so much information available for free on the 'net, freebies are frequently loaded with pieces of the puzzle, inexpensive IM products are loaded, too. Study, learn, then when you decide to spend the big bucks you'll know where to spend it.

F'rinstance, I am saving up for 2 coaching programs, 1st one then the other. I know the teachers and have used their products. I've read their material and spoken with others about them. They are just right for me to grow in the business plan I've developed and am working through. The same goes for the tools I purchase.

What? Am I missing something?

- Annie
#hundred #spend #thousands
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    supposedly spent thousands of dollars on IM products and hasn't gotten anywhere.
    I think many people buy a lot of stuff and never get around to READING it - let alone giving it a try. You don't get this stuff by osmosis....

    I also think many people exaggerate what they say they "spent"....
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      I think many people buy a lot of stuff and never get around to READING it - let alone giving it a try. You don't get this stuff by osmosis....

      I also think many people exaggerate what they say they "spent"....
      Oooh, I think so too, Kay. I would love to understand the social status benefit of saying you've thrown away thousands of dollars and (obviously) haven't put anything into real business practices.
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      • Profile picture of the author Str8poopin
        Originally Posted by TheGMa View Post

        Oooh, I think so too, Kay. I would love to understand the social status benefit of saying you've thrown away thousands of dollars and (obviously) haven't put anything into real business practices.
        Well, people look up to people who try things. Many people are too afraid.
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  • Profile picture of the author EPoltrack77
    I've spent thousands on single training's and events alone! More so on training. Actually I try to spend all 10% of my earnings on education and growing in my craft.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by EPoltrack77 View Post

      I've spent thousands on single training's and events alone! More so on training. Actually I try to spend all 10% of my earnings on education and growing in my craft.
      Ah, but see? There's the rub, EP. I'm talking of those who, unlike you, are not honing their craft, who have spent thousands of dollars and still don't even know what their craft is.

      I'm all for continuing education, which is why I've already begun targeting certain teachers with whom I'll be more than willing to spend a large investment, even get a loan if I have to.

      But not, as Daniel and Kay pointed out, spending a year's earnings merely trying to buy the gold ring. It's simply not for sale.

      I'm looking at spending about a year applying what I already know and have recently learned before spending several grand to learn from a Master. The worst thing I can think of is to make that kind of financial commitment only to discover that DANG! Oh boy. I'm in the sweats now 'cause this isn't what I want to do at all.

      - Annie
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  • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
    I would never spend money on a training product -- at least not to get started. Some advanced courses (like on sales funnels) are worth it down the road, but there's more than enough free information to get started making money.

    If it works, it's been covered on a blog.

    The problem is, people think these paid courses contain some "money making secret" that bloggers don't know about or refuse to share.

    They don't.

    The secret is hard work combined with legitimate education. Read about scalable link-building tactics. Practice writing content that will go viral. Perfect your keyword research process. Read books on marketing psychology.

    If you read to educate yourself, work your ass off, and accept that you will fail many times before you succeed, you have all you need.

    No course or system will give you what those three habits will yield.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    I think Annie is spot on ...you really do not have to invest that much in the beginning to lay down a good foundation of knowledge in this game.

    Of course if you have plenty off seed money to dispose of you could get a quality Coach and shorten your learning curve that much more but it is not necessary.

    When I started out I spent a lot of time in here reading and learning from the Masters

    And there are some really inexpensive Courses you can get hold off and learn a bucket full as well


    Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author danieldesai
    Nice share, Annie.

    Too many people buy too many products and they never even decide what they want to build a business around, far less for even starting one.

    These days the only thing I'm spending significant money on is food.

    Of course, there are the occasional things that are worth investing in... such as paying for high quality sales copy.

    Regards,
    Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author emzi
    QUOTEWhy make it so complicated? You decide on a business or niche market and go for it with everything you've got. End of story.
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  • Profile picture of the author emzi
    Why make it so complicated? You decide on a business or niche market and go for it with everything you've got. End of story.
    - - - I agree. A lot of people in IM - chase way too many things at the same time and end up no where. The trick as you said is -pick up just one - and go after it with everything you'e got. (sorry for the post earlier - i hit enter by mistake , wanted to go on the next line)
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    I love solving problems and creating solutions.
    I build WordPress Websites (Click this to go to offers for Warriors).
    I also provide White Label Services for WordPress.
    Resources I use: For Email Marketing,
    For Building Websites. My Warrior Profile.

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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by TheGMa View Post

    The question was, "Can you really make money online?"
    Annie i'm surprised you actually responded back to this idiot LOL .
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      Annie i'm surprised you actually responded back to this idiot LOL .
      GRIN - hey Randall!

      It was so I could post this thread?

      - Annie
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    I remember when we had access the War Room years ago and the great stuff you could download and I like anyone did back then filled up a dive full of product and most never watched or read 500gb

    I think the whole idea of making money is up to the persons mindset at the time and the biggest myth was the magic bullet and you could make money.

    Jason
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  • Profile picture of the author jaysolution
    I have spent between $1000 and $1250 on Adwords advertising for one of my ecommerce sites, and it made about $2500 in that period.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by jaysolution View Post

      I have spent between $1000 and $1250 on Adwords advertising for one of my ecommerce sites, and it made about $2500 in that period.
      Well done!!! Bravo Jay!!

      No it's time to up your game, yeah?

      - Annie
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      • Profile picture of the author jaysolution
        Why should I continue to spend on Adwords. I got 300 customers in that period, and connected with them through emails and social media. Adwords is a good ignition, but at some point you should be able to influence your customers to help you. They receive incentatives and you receive more customers who in turn tell their friends about you. If you have a game changing product you should not have to keep igniting the engine, at some point the car is going to have run.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sempeneh
    pareto bro

    20/80

    that 20 spent will produce 80 output
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  • Profile picture of the author paknil
    i wish i could spend $10 and make $100 in any given day
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  • Profile picture of the author Curtis2011
    Spent thousands. Made thousands.

    The world goes on...
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  • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
    Banned
    It's those damn professional copywriters!

    Oh the irony.

    Someone spent thousands?

    That means a marketer made thousands.

    Great way to make a living but if you are delivering garbage it makes us all look bad.

    If you go all out to create the best product/service you can it will pay off for you much much more than that initial sale.

    -Art
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    Annie, you receive the Best Post of the Year award. Simply put: if every newcomer to IM followed your advice, we'd have a great many more success stories. Fantastic post.

    - Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author rgrimes
    I've spent thousands of dollars to learn what I know today starting back all the way to 2001! If you don't invest in yourself you will never be able to learn! Investing in yourself is probably the best invesment that you could make! On the flip side I have also made thousands of dollars in real actual commissions online learning how to sell products online! It's pretty simple! Learn what you need to get ahead by investing in products that will actually help you to achieve results! Any questions?
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  • Profile picture of the author MiaFromHome
    I've definitely spent some money - mostly on wholesale products to sell - but as far as informational products, I've bought a few - probably spent over a thousand plus I am a member of a great group and even Warrior Forum has premium membership. I think of course you want to make back what you are spending at the very least - and then some. Right now I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to get PPC campaigns to deliver more than the ad spend, so every process requires some investment. I also think of time as money. Your time is certainly valuable as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Fox
    I never spent a dime on marketing "education" except software, domains and hosting.

    The formula is simple, supply and demand, what we've been taught in school.

    So easy to siphon intelligence just by being observant.

    Plus I don't want to become a copy-cat. Not my style per se.
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  • Profile picture of the author pamogatrw
    spent thousands also bro

    thats the way the game is played
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Ironically I've seen people spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on training products and other stuff like this, but when they spend $100 on a traffic source and don't make money, they think it's the end of the world
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    • Profile picture of the author Devilfish168
      Originally Posted by ChrisBa View Post

      Ironically I've seen people spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on training products and other stuff like this, but when they spend $100 on a traffic source and don't make money, they think it's the end of the world
      The most frustrated part i believe is Time you spend after months and months you don''t see the results come in , and you see some IM within first month can earn a decent amount

      thus they feel " like giving up " IF they really " trust " these IM comments.

      No doubt some is Real some just trying to boast their image so that fellow IM will trust him/her.


      next is patience, You keep doing and doing , yet no results , you keep reading others how they do..spend a lot one courses , etc still no results.

      Because every one will say , hey be patience OR , check again where and how you do wrong
      again this will frustrated you ...

      It also depend who provide these e books , training etc. Some do provided good strategy teach you how to success in IM ( of course not over night thing while hey look within one day I earn 3k ) !!!

      well that is " possible " if you happen to sell your own product..
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  • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
    Banned
    I love keeping up with current events and news but I do not even think I would be paying for internet if not for love of Internet Marketing.

    Over the years...past bump fees, domain purchases, auction fees etc., I never actually tallied all that stuff up.

    Probably missing some tax deductions.
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  • Profile picture of the author LouisMcknight
    I buy things that I need and training on advanced subjects that the free information just does not do the trick or no real free information out on the subject. This is just a common problem. The fact is the reason why this person has spent all this money is because they are thinking like a buyer and not like a seller. A buyer is always a buyer same thing goes with a seller. I do use paid advertisement with a few of my blogs.
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  • Profile picture of the author jaysolution
    I guess my question is, ho in their right mind would pay for most IM products. Nobody spills their most successful secrets anyways. Why would I empower my competition? Most people create I no packets after the jig is up. When the jig is working everyone is quiet and making money.

    Anyone with average reading comprehension skills can digest the free information and be productive. Masters can study various channels and combine practices and make a unique solution. Masters.

    My education consists of watching and listening to YouTube videos on ways to make money, reading blogs , and off books.
    The goal is to be saturated with information, and then when things get quiet a couple of concepts collide and boom a new business is born.

    You WILL NEVER be successful copying another persons plan verbatim.
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    • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
      Banned
      Originally Posted by jaysolution View Post

      I guess my question is, ho in their right mind would pay for most IM products. Nobody spills their most successful secrets anyways. Why would I empower my competition? Most people create I no packets after the jig is up. When the jig is working everyone is quiet and making money.

      Anyone with average reading comprehension skills can digest the free information and be productive. Masters can study various channels and combine practices and make a unique solution. Masters.

      My education consists of watching and listening to YouTube videos on ways to make money, reading blogs , and off books.
      The goal is to be saturated with information, and then when things get quiet a couple of concepts collide and boom a new business is born.

      You WILL NEVER be successful copying another persons plan verbatim.

      OK jay you had a great point that you can find a ton of quality info absolutely free. But what if you want to save time and someone put together an excellent resource you could leverage to get started right away?

      Also the way you present your point is that lawyers, Doctors, dentist, astronauts all just watch youtube and they are good to go!

      Is IM that easy? Just Google your way to riches?

      I have read some awesome educational IM related content that was not free. Maybe you just do not know what you are missing my friend.

      Maybe they do not give away their most successful secrets but they do give you enough value to change your life for a much deserved purchase price.

      When I first heard of 4 Hour Work Week I giggled at that title but do you know how many marketers I know that are making a great living and each one of them say that corny sounding book changed their lives?

      Any way again I see your point but you have to ask yourself could YOU create a resource others would pay you and thank you for and if not why not?
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      • Profile picture of the author jaysolution
        Originally Posted by Profit Traveler View Post

        OK jay you had a great point that you can find a ton of quality info absolutely free. But what if you want to save time and someone put together an excellent resource you could leverage to get started right away?

        Also the way you present your point is that lawyers, Doctors, dentist, astronauts all just watch youtube and they are good to go!

        Is IM that easy? Just Google your way to riches?

        I have read some awesome educational IM related content that was not free. Maybe you just do not know what you are missing my friend.

        Maybe they do not give away their most successful secrets but they do give you enough value to change your life for a much deserved purchase price.

        When I first heard of 4 Hour Work Week I giggled at that title but do you know how many marketers I know that are making a great living and each one of them say that corny sounding book changed their lives?

        Any way again I see your point but you have to ask yourself could YOU create a resource others would pay you and thank you for and if not why not?
        Why copy a strategy that is on the decline? It's not like you are the exclusive owner of the information. Everyone else who buys that information is now your competitor. The more he sales, the more competition you have. You need marketing concepts, not a step by step manual that will never allow you to duplicate the original success. IM packages don't mention the essential 5% of my no that made the author rich. You can get marketing concepts from textbooks, which I have done for years.

        No one suggested Googling to riches. Even though I person who have invested a ton of hours in searching and reading his craft is in much butter shape than a newbie who buys a package.
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        • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
          Banned
          Originally Posted by jaysolution View Post

          Why copy a strategy that is on the decline? It's not like you are the exclusive owner of the information. Everyone else who buys that information is now your competitor. The more he sales, the more competition you have. You need marketing concepts, not a step by step manual that will never allow you to duplicate the original success. IM packages don't mention the essential 5% of my no that made the author rich. You can get marketing concepts from textbooks, which I have done for years.

          No one suggested Googling to riches. Even though I person who have invested a ton of hours in searching and reading his craft is in much butter shape than a newbie who buys a package.

          You know years ago one section in particular was exactly like you describe. CPA.

          People would go find hit it and quit it methods somewhere online and then sell them.

          And of course exactly like you mention it saturates and dies.

          But if you are a fantastic researcher and it seems like you are then that tells me you have information in your head that others would be willing to pay you for to save them time and frustration.

          I say package it up my friend!!
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  • Profile picture of the author cariman
    Spent Thousands and I made almost nothing back.Uhuuuu

    Spent In special in Bing PPC , Solo Ads and Facebook
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Crimes
    Good post Annie.

    I've spent in the low thousands on my Internet Marketing business but I really do see this as a long term investment!

    Started off affiliate marketing amazon products on niche websites (which did ok) but really wanted to start releasing my own products and as I saw it, take things to the next level.

    So I invested in a popular coaching program and I've finished the training now but still get help from my mentor and others in the program.

    For me this has been the right way to go but I realise it's not for everyone and where I consider the money I've spent to be worthwhile, It's not hard to see how someone could waste their cash on multiple shiny objects where a lot of the information is available for free.

    Controversy Alert!

    I hate to say it but it might be an age thing as well...

    A few years ago I was wizzing around the internet finding all sorts of good gen (and filtering the rubbish out quite quickly) but I'm starting to find that this is getting slightly more difficult as I head towards 50!

    Might just be me but being in a mentoring program really has helped to get that focus back.

    Controversy Over...

    Cheers
    Jon
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  • Profile picture of the author Ramyashree
    I understand the query""Can you really make money online?"

    Problem is, many or at least half of them out there wants to make quick money.

    Okay, on an average with a very minimal investment of money, if I tell you that you can start making money 3 months from the start of your online business, would you be fine? Is the time frame okay?

    Now, what is that you need to give to make money.

    1. Do not expect before GIVING. Give more value. Know the pain points, make others life easy. For this, the person who makes money should have found a solution. Give more value in your content. Don't know how to write well? Learn!

    2. Go STEP by STEP. There are many ways to make money online but choose only 1 or max 2 initially else you end up going no where

    3. Choose a niche of your passion and please be intelligent enough for that niche to be commercial.

    4. Go to google's keyword planner, know what people are looking for, provide a solution for that. I know, it's easier to be said than done. This is why, we should be ready to learn and this need more time investment.

    5. Go to similar forums, blogs in your niche. See what people are responding for. You will get an idea on which you need to concentrate. More specific you are, more benefir.

    6. There are many blogs out there which says "HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE".......Thousands of free information are available. Then why should people come to your website? Only when you give great value, VISITORS -> SUBSCRIBERS -> FOLLOWERS -> CUSTOMERS.

    GIVE MORE VALUE!!

    FINALLY, DO NOT EXPECT A SINGLE CENT BEFORE GIVING VALUE. Share everything you know. Learn well. Do more research. Implement. Invest at least 2-3 hours on a daily basis for your online business.

    If you believe in GOD, in each step, PRAY, keep doing, PRAY, keep doing.

    COMPETITION ALWAYS EXISTS!! Don't complain! Find a way.......This is the motto which keeps me going
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  • Profile picture of the author eholmlund
    I've spent hundreds of thousands and made millions. I agree with those who said you can learn a lot just by observing, but I disagree that everyone should do it that way.

    You can save yourself a lot of time (in some cases years of trial and error) by following a proven blueprint that may be nearly impossible for the average person to cobble together from free info on the Internet.

    Back in 2004 I bought an ebook called Google Cash for about $27. At that TIME, it was not being taught for free anywhere. It taught me affiliate marketing and I made hundreds of thousands of dollars directly from the method in that ebook. Was it a good buy? Yeah.

    I have several personal friends who recently spent about $5k on an Amazon training course, and using those methods are now making five figures a month within a matter of months. Could they have found all that info for free? MAYBE, but it would have taken a LOT more time, and they likely wouldn't have quickly reached that level of success without the step by step training program they invested in.

    The problem so many newbies and bizop seekers run into is they buy a lot of stuff that they simply do not need, and they get overwhelmed. In many cases they are chasing a fantasy of easy money, and not focusing on building an actual business.

    I think most products in the IM apace fall into the categories of training and tools.

    TRAINING- As I mentioned, it can be worth it even if the info can be found for free. BUT don't buy it unless you're actually going to follow it. If you're in the process of following another training, don't buy more unless you really understand why you're buying it. This is where information overload can quickly happen if you start chasing multiple opportunities at the same time! I think Annie is right on by looking to invest in coaching. I think most newbies would be much better off investing in coaching than in tools and other stuff.

    TOOLS- Certain tools and services are a necessity and should be the first thing you invest in, like web hosting and email list hosting. Other tools can be a great investment if you USE them and they save you time. But MOST of the tools being pitched in this market are NOT necessary. This is where the shiny object syndrome comes into play. Soon you have more tools than you know what to do with, and a bunch of stuff sitting on your hard drive. Don't buy a tool unless you KNOW you are going to use it in the near future.

    In conclusion - Investing in training and tools can be well worth it, but don't buy something unless you know why you're buying it and you're really going to use it in the near future. Focus your time on building the business, not seeking out new tools and opportunities.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by eholmlund View Post

      I've spent hundreds of thousands and made millions. I agree with those who said you can learn a lot just by observing, but I disagree that everyone should do it that way.

      You can save yourself a lot of time (in some cases years of trial and error) by following a proven blueprint that may be nearly impossible for the average person to cobble together from free info on the Internet.
      ....
      GREAT POST eholmlund! Thank you for adding that to the thread.

      Yes, it's true that if you have the serious business mindset, and have the money (or credit rating to get the money) to invest, and apply what has been learned with vigor and determination, you can be on your way in far less time than most.

      Problem is, the vast majority of newbies in this forum aren't sure if IM is for them, and if they are, they have no idea where to find their comfort zone. So their wallet jumps around like a kangaroo on speed.

      Hell, I know IM is for me because I've done it before and yet it took me nearly a year to find a method that feels just right, like an old pair of slippers. Ergo, even had I the money to spend, I would not have known where to profitably spend it.

      What I'm recommending is to keep it cheap and free until you are totally confident about your direction. THEN go make a profitable investment. Or, as with folks like me, learn to make enough money to afford the big investment.

      - Annie
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    • Profile picture of the author Profit Traveler
      Banned
      Originally Posted by eholmlund View Post

      I've spent hundreds of thousands and made millions. I agree with those who said you can learn a lot just by observing, but I disagree that everyone should do it that way.

      You can save yourself a lot of time (in some cases years of trial and error) by following a proven blueprint that may be nearly impossible for the average person to cobble together from free info on the Internet.

      Back in 2004 I bought an ebook called Google Cash for about $27. At that TIME, it was not being taught for free anywhere. It taught me affiliate marketing and I made hundreds of thousands of dollars directly from the method in that ebook. Was it a good buy? Yeah.

      I have several personal friends who recently spent about $5k on an Amazon training course, and using those methods are now making five figures a month within a matter of months. Could they have found all that info for free? MAYBE, but it would have taken a LOT more time, and they likely wouldn't have quickly reached that level of success without the step by step training program they invested in.

      The problem so many newbies and bizop seekers run into is they buy a lot of stuff that they simply do not need, and they get overwhelmed. In many cases they are chasing a fantasy of easy money, and not focusing on building an actual business.

      I think most products in the IM apace fall into the categories of training and tools.

      TRAINING- As I mentioned, it can be worth it even if the info can be found for free. BUT don't buy it unless you're actually going to follow it. If you're in the process of following another training, don't buy more unless you really understand why you're buying it. This is where information overload can quickly happen if you start chasing multiple opportunities at the same time! I think Annie is right on by looking to invest in coaching. I think most newbies would be much better off investing in coaching than in tools and other stuff.

      TOOLS- Certain tools and services are a necessity and should be the first thing you invest in, like web hosting and email list hosting. Other tools can be a great investment if you USE them and they save you time. But MOST of the tools being pitched in this market are NOT necessary. This is where the shiny object syndrome comes into play. Soon you have more tools than you know what to do with, and a bunch of stuff sitting on your hard drive. Don't buy a tool unless you KNOW you are going to use it in the near future.

      In conclusion - Investing in training and tools can be well worth it, but don't buy something unless you know why you're buying it and you're really going to use it in the near future. Focus your time on building the business, not seeking out new tools and opportunities.


      I really do hope the people that need to hear all this the most are taking notes.

      Not many of the legit millionaire marketers contributing these days here and when they do I eat it up.

      Been following and recommending "Erics Tips" for Years Eric. Keep up the great work.

      -Art
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  • Profile picture of the author abdullah osama
    i have spent sth like $700 to start i took
    courses

    trainings

    and 1on1 trainings

    and now im a traffic expert
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  • Profile picture of the author jaysolution
    I would never say courses are useless, but I believe they work best to INCREASE your momentum on a project you have already started and saw results. A course is great to refine your current process and make it better. I would not cold start a business from a IM package, because that would be more like franchising than actually starting your own business.
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  • Profile picture of the author MValmont
    I started with $0, but I wished I started with a good Step By step program actually because it would have been faster
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Bely
    My advice would be to spend zero in the beginning. And after some time when you already can distinguish sparking from gold buy the gold.

    The point is that so many IM products is not worth buying because either this info can be easily found online for free or it's just outdated stuff.

    Anyway, the point is in practice. After some practice you can see what is what.
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