Are IMers about to cash in bigtime??

I really think so too. I mentioned the other day that I think the economic shake up has really given people motivation to change the way they do business, and getting online more is a big part of those changes.

Before the dot com crash, everybody saw the potential of the internet, but the technology, infrastructure and understanding wasn't there to keep pace with the potential. When that became abundantly apparent, we had the dot com crash.

The thing is though, people were never wrong about that potential. A lot of people got burned in the crash, and that original halo around online business was tarnished. Many people got the idea that the internet as an entity was not what it was cracked up to be. The truth was, it was everything it was cracked up to be, but just a little ahead of itself.

Now, with the huge uptake of broadband globally, the proliferation of technology, and the wide sharing of information, we're finally seeing that potential come back around again. The internet is now starting to live up to what everyone expected of it when we were all limping along on dial up.

The thing is, the internet is really the people net. It is the most profoundly effective method of world wide communication in recorded history. We're finally starting to see that have the impact that it should have.

I think the exact opposite. The more people there are competing in the industry the smaller the slices of pie become. If it becomes a mass craze then all but the very best are in big trouble. Look at ebay - so many people willing to do it as a hobby for a few cents at a time it's very difficult to make a reasonable return for those that do it for a living.

Andy

But the whole pie is going to getter bigger though I think, so there's going to be more slices to go around. The thing that makes the difference I think, is that it's not just what we think of as "Internet Marketing" that will expand. It's that industry and business as a whole is going to transfer more of itself online.

More physical products being sold online to supplement bricks and mortar business, more people marketing their offline business online = more niches, subniches and affiliate programs, and more opportunity for marketing consultants.

Those people who are doing offline consulting are in a stellar position right now I think. Sitting right on top of the rocket at count down time!

I don't think it matters. You will either cash in big
or you won't. It's an individual thing. Some have the
desire, skill and drive... some don't.

The fact that Robbins or anyone else jumps in won't change that.

Tsnyder

Some one posted a a link to a university certificate program here a month or so ago.

Just out of curiosity I called them and asked for Information. They still call me trying to get me to sign up to a $6k cert. program.

I agree with the OP RE: Opportunity. However I wonder if in the future the Corporations are going to want to see that "paper" before they will do business with the lil guy.

There are real estate salesmen then there are "Realtors," there are carpet cleaners then there are are iicrc Certified Carpet Cleaners.

Just thinking,

George Wright

I for one, I am never gonna go do studies to get a certificate in IM..enough with the school lol

And 2nd, I never really want to work with corporations...too much legal hassle, ive seen some guys that work with them...gotta bring your own lawyer, they bring their own lawyers and every "word you say can and will be used against you" kinda deal.

I DO want to work with other companies, but I want to work with the "leader" not the "board" if you know what I mean.

But thats just me, I just don't like the whole board meeting sht...I wanna tell 1 guy "do this and this and you will make more money/get more customers" etc..

I think things like smart phones with internet in just about evertyones pocket, laptop and notebook computers with wi-fi, flu epidemics making people avoid crowds at the stores, etc, will and is leading towards online shopping and online social interaction skyrocketing and becoming mainstream which IMHO = LEGITIMATE IMing growing as an industry and desired skillset.

I think a lot depends on your niche. IM'ers selling to other IM'ers may feel a pinch if a lot of big players start moving in. This is still very "wild west." If serious money moves in to play, tighten your belts and get serious. Or perish.

But if you've carved out a non-IM niche or two, I don't see much impact.

It's interesting. Good thread to start, I think. The only constant is change. No truer words have ever been uttered.

John