Listen to me, I am an expert

58 replies
This has been stated before in many ways but it something that does bear repeating from time to time, especially as the WF grows with new members seeking fame and glory...

Not everyone is an expert. For those of you new to IM, or the WF in general, be careful, it may be hard to believe, but not everyone tells the truth.

The WF is a great place to learn, ask questions, and even build a business. To be honest, the answer to anything you pretty much could think of is already here somewhere, and with the FREE knowledge already out in posts, you can build a really nice business.

However, this is also a place where people can come cloaked by a computer screen and pretend to be someone they are not. They had one good $100 day on adsense and are suddenly an expert and can teach you to duplicate what they did for $27.95. Of course it was only one day and they can't repeat it if you paid them.

Some also come here and are very good at positioning themselves as an expert regardless of their success or lack thereof. Just because someone has a blog doesn't mean they are an expert. ****, I have 4 blogs so I should be the Master of the Universe if that were the case.

Granted, there are some that are exactly what they say, but honestly its up to you to determine who you want to emulate or follow. On the flip side, there are many here with "lots of posts" that I wouldn't trust to wash my cat, so again, do your homework before blindly following someone.

Of course you could construe this post as the same crap I am telling you about. I don't claim to be an expert on this subject, but I do have common sense, and hope that new members use theirs as well. As someone who has been here awhile, I have a BS detector that seems to go to Defcon 4 when I read certain posts, and I wonder how many people are reading the same thing ready to worship the ground that poster walks on.

Anyway, take what you want from this, and if you can, be at least a little hesitant before blindly following anyone. We all want the world to be filled with marshmallow clouds, cute fuzzy bunnies and gumdrop mountaintops, but the truth is when there is money involved there is always room for a little skeptisism, especially when its your money!!

keith
#expert #listen #llamamilk #midget blogs
  • Profile picture of the author tommen
    Good points! Very few people can claim to be an expert, there are new things coming out all the time.When it comes to internet marketing products, many people are putting out useless crap and newbies often fall for it. Research first, and then buy if you must.If you are unsure, ask around the Warrior Forum or go to a site called scam.com, it is a forum dedicated to scams.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390009].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    keith,

    You're not an expert. I am!!!

    Or is it Mark? Or James? Nevermind, it's Steve...



    This is the Internetzzzzz... Newbies and non-newbies have to learn how to distinguish who is who. It's not rocket science after all, is it?

    Fernando
    Signature
    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390010].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark McClure
      Keith,

      An expert: Someone who knows more and more about less and less ;-)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390014].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
        Originally Posted by Mark McClure View Post

        Keith,

        An expert: Someone who knows more and more about less and less ;-)
        An expert: x = the unknown quantity. spurt = a drip from a tap
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390061].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          I have always debated the definition of "expert" to begin with. I certainly
          do not consider myself an expert at anything.

          As well as I may write, or not write, compare me to Hemingway and I'm a
          poor excuse for a low grade moron.

          We throw the word expert around way too easily IMO.

          I'm just a hard working stiff who tries to do the best he can with what he
          has to work with.

          Nothing more...nothing less.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390085].message }}
          • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390104].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author graham41
            But Steven you are an expert by ANY definition and yardstick

            You have many high quality posts

            G
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390106].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
              Originally Posted by graham41 View Post

              But Steven you are an expert by ANY definition and yardstick

              You have many high quality posts

              G
              That and a buck 'll get me on the 94 crosstown to East Orange.

              So what?
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390114].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author graham41
                mmm.. got me there

                Damn just burnt my toast!!
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390126].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              I've always thought an expert was someone who knows more than I do about a certain subject or software or method. Once I learn what he/she knows, we're peers and I need a new expert...

              Lots of knowledgeable people here - and lots of fakers, too. The best point made is that its up to you to decide who to listen to.

              If you only listen to those who tell you what you want to hear, you may be missing the best advice.

              kay
              Signature
              Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
              ***
              One secret to happiness is to let every situation be
              what it is instead of what you think it should be.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390143].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
                Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


                If you only listen to those who tell you what you want to hear, you may be missing the best advice.

                kay
                This is pure gold on so many levels... Great addition to an excellent post by Keith. ;-)
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390280].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
                  Originally Posted by TinkBD View Post

                  This is pure gold on so many levels... Great addition to an excellent post by Keith. ;-)
                  That's because Kay is one smart cookie. I've learned that over the few
                  years I have been here.

                  A lot of wisdom comes out of her head.
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390292].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
                    Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

                    This is the Internetzzzzz... Newbies and non-newbies have to learn how to distinguish who is who. It's not rocket science after all, is it?

                    Fernando
                    Sometimes it's a lot closer than you think.

                    After all, what is a rocket?

                    A body propelled at great speed by forcing hot gas through a small opening...
                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390314].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Harvey Segal
            Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

            compare me to Hemingway
            Steven, how about writing 'A Farewell to Articles' ?

            Harvey


            .
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390281].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author seasoned
            Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

            I have always debated the definition of "expert" to begin with. I certainly
            do not consider myself an expert at anything.

            As well as I may write, or not write, compare me to Hemingway and I'm a
            poor excuse for a low grade moron.

            We throw the word expert around way too easily IMO.

            I'm just a hard working stiff who tries to do the best he can with what he
            has to work with.

            Nothing more...nothing less.
            I thanked steven wagenheim NOT only because YEAH, he isn't an expert, etc.... Of course, I wouldn't call him a moron either. 8-)

            I'm not claiming to be an expert either, even if it may APPEAR that way at times.

            It is said that those that can do, those that can't teach. Although not ENTIRELY true, I have seen too many that spend all their time teaching without any REAL knowledge.

            And G.U.R.U. is a word that is ALSO WAY overused. In fact, if I hear the word expert or G.U.R.U., I think anything BUT.

            Hey, I researched a number of subjects and some, SURPRISE, claim to have secrets. Most are GARBAGE! REHASHES, etc... I once bought ONE book that was a reprinting of a reprint, and IT claimed to have a secret. I could sum it up in ONE short phrase. It was the SMALLEST, and CHEAPEST, book of its genre I have EVER seen. MAN was I surprised when it worked. But it IS grueling, and it said everyone hated it. Anyway, just YESTERDAY I heard about a NEW secret! They interviewed the guy! He said that phrase! He probably read or heard about that technique, created a new name, and packaged it up. He plans to sell it for about TEN times what that book cost!

            As for memory? There are about 5 techniques. That is IT! If you read 100 books, you will see almost all cover one technique, a smaller number may have as many as 3, etc...

            Steve
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390583].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mr Brightside
    Yeah, I agree.

    Especially on the number of posts = expertise. There is a lot of junk posts out there just to increase the 'perception' of expertise...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390020].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    LOL... dead on Keith.

    Then again, there are a lot of people out there who preach fake it till you make it.

    Even guys like Tim Ferriss promote the "pretend and grow rich" strategy.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390028].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author scrofford
    ezine articles said I was an "EXPERT" author lol!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390179].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JMPruitt
    I agree, everyone should use their own judgment as to what they should apply to their business.
    However, just because someone is not an expert does not mean you should ignore them.
    I have often found that the best advice comes from someone who is only knows slightly more than me.
    People need to realize that you do not know who the other person is. Listen to all the advice and use your own common sense to decide what you want to use in your business.
    Signature
    follow my relationship marketing blog for tips on building more traffic without relying on Google's whims.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390276].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    At what point does someone become and expert? I've often wondered.

    I had a roommate that went through law school and graduated with his Juris Doctor degree. He went on to pass the bar and then was a licensed attorney. Was he an expert? He would admit that no, he was not. Law school taught him how to think and research, but the day to day knowledge is still learned by doing.

    He in fact called me up one day to get advise on forming an entity for a client. Should it be an LLC, Corporation, or Partnership. I laughed at that. The client is paying big bucks for an "exepert" lawyer and he is calling his no so well educated friend to get answers.
    Signature

    Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390282].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Chris Nesmith
    Ex = Has Been

    Spert = Drip under pressure

    Expert = Has been drip under pressure

    Good thread man!

    Now please buy my ebook on identifying an expert for $17.99
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390302].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JeffLam
    Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert View Post

    However, this is also a place where people can come cloaked by a computer screen and pretend to be someone they are not. They had one good $100 day on adsense and are suddenly an expert and can teach you to duplicate what they did for $27.95. Of course it was only one day and they can't repeat it if you paid them.

    keith
    Once they manage to duplicate it for more than a few days, they are promoted to Gurus.

    And thanks Kay, your advice is really straight and solid with what I feel about this issue.

    But it is still a fact that people will look up to those that has 'been there, done that' and shown proof of success. But I think what we want is not a Guru or expert, but a good mentor - a good coach.

    Like what Art Williams preaches - Nobody wants a boss, everyone wants a coach.

    Yes, listen to all with an open mind, but when you actually follow an action - choose the best to do so!
    Signature
    *********************
    Secret Technique Effortlessly CATAPULTS YOUR Opt-In Rates By: 100%..200%..Even 400% Higher!
    >> Interested? Click to find out more.. <<
    *********************
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390303].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Keith, spot on post. I sometimes cringe at some of the advice given here, at other times I'm taking notes. Thoughly lately I've been eating a lot of popcorn and enjoying some of the more "entertaining" threads.

    According to my dictionary an expert is: 1. A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.

    I wonder if that makes me an expert at making martinis. I've been making them for a long, long time and I'd like to think I've perfected the art of mixing and/or shaking them and making different varieties. I also make a mean Chicken Kung Pao lasagna, I wonder if that makes me a fusion food expert?

    Lastly, Keith, I'd like to see a WSO on "How to Develop Your BS Detector So That Even Defcon 4 Posts Won't Escape You". Damn, it's too early for me to be thinking this hard.

    RoD
    Signature
    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390311].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Keith Boisvert
      Lastly, Keith, I'd like to see a WSO on "How to Develop Your BS Detector So That Even Defcon 4 Posts Won't Escape You". Damn, it's too early for me to be thinking this hard.
      It's in the works Rod. I need to first establish myself as an expert on BS detecting, make a blog, twit a few times about it, then interview some experts(my wife can sniff out my BS pretty good!!!) and THEN the WSO will be ready to rock!!

      ____

      But honestly, there are some really great people here to follow, and some are brand new!! There are people making money hand over fist using IM strategies that no one has ever heard of. If they joined the WF tomorrow we would all still be skeptical because we didn't know them.

      But there are still many more that are not walking the walk, and nothing irks me more than to see someone preaching in a thread about how to make money and tons of posts following it from newer members falling over themselves to "learn their secret".

      I dunno, I am not trying to preach myself here, but this is all comes around...because the same "new" followers of some "newer" legend in their own mind type of person are the same people who get disgruntled over how they either got scammed or "nothing works."

      Learn the fundamentals, apply it, then come back and ask questions. The best tool I use for IM is right HERE.


      keith
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390349].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert View Post

        It's in the works Rod. I need to first establish myself as an expert on BS detecting, make a blog, twit a few times about it, then interview some experts(my wife can sniff out my BS pretty good!!!) and THEN the WSO will be ready to rock!!

        ____

        But honestly, there are some really great people here to follow, and some are brand new!! There are people making money hand over fist using IM strategies that no one has ever heard of. If they joined the WF tomorrow we would all still be skeptical because we didn't know them.

        But there are still many more that are not walking the walk, and nothing irks me more than to see someone preaching in a thread about how to make money and tons of posts following it from newer members falling over themselves to "learn their secret".

        I dunno, I am not trying to preach myself here, but this is all comes around...because the same "new" followers of some "newer" legend in their own mind type of person are the same people who get disgruntled over how they either got scammed or "nothing works."

        Learn the fundamentals, apply it, then come back and ask questions. The best tool I use for IM is right HERE.


        keith

        Keith, part of the problem is the mindset of the people who are looking
        for the so called expert advice. Very few people want to really put in
        the time and effort to make something work. They're waiting for that
        push button solution that's going to have the money falling from the sky.

        So the so called experts give them what they want.

        I can't tell you how many people write to me and ask me 2 questions.

        1. How much money can I make doing this?
        2. How fast will I make it?

        After they get my answers (I have no way of knowing and I have no way
        of knowing) I usually don't hear from them again.

        And I understand it, because when I first started almost 7 years ago, I
        asked the same questions. I was out of work and desperate. So I do
        get where these people are coming from.

        But I'm glad I had one person tell me the truth so that I didn't get my
        hopes up on a pipe dream.

        So I did what I was told...I worked hard and didn't expect miracles.

        But nobody wants to hear that.

        What they want to hear and read at this forum is the usual crap we get.

        "How I Made $23,874.62 In Just 24 Hours With Twitter"

        And then the herd flocks to the poster like flies to honey.

        And you wonder why there are so many frustrated and disgruntled people.

        But in most cases, sorry to have to say it, they bring it on themselves.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390377].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JeffLam
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          Keith, part of the problem is the mindset of the people who are looking
          for the so called expert advice. Very few people want to really put in
          the time and effort to make something work. They're waiting for that
          push button solution that's going to have the money falling from the sky.

          So the so called experts give them what they want.

          I can't tell you how many people write to me and ask me 2 questions.

          1. How much money can I make doing this?
          2. How fast will I make it?

          After they get my answers (I have no way of knowing and I have no way
          of knowing) I usually don't hear from them again.

          And I understand it, because when I first started almost 7 years ago, I
          asked the same questions. I was out of work and desperate. So I do
          get where these people are coming from.

          But I'm glad I had one person tell me the truth so that I didn't get my
          hopes up on a pipe dream.

          So I did what I was told...I worked hard and didn't expect miracles.

          But nobody wants to hear that.

          What they want to hear and read at this forum is the usual crap we get.

          "How I Made $23,874.62 In Just 24 Hours With Twitter"

          And then the herd flocks to the poster like flies to honey.

          And you wonder why there are so many frustrated and disgruntled people.

          But in most cases, sorry to have to say it, they bring it on themselves.
          Steven,

          Though what you say is no doubt true, humans still seek the shortest and least resistance pathway to success or anything that achieves their aims.

          I remembered the 'fish' video from Jeff Walker's Product Launch Manager promo:

          "People don't want to learn how to fish. They want you to catch the fish for them. In fact, they simply want you to give them the fish sandwich."

          Something along those lines.

          People harbour the dreams of being given the success.
          Signature
          *********************
          Secret Technique Effortlessly CATAPULTS YOUR Opt-In Rates By: 100%..200%..Even 400% Higher!
          >> Interested? Click to find out more.. <<
          *********************
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390443].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
            Originally Posted by JeffLam View Post

            "People don't want to learn how to fish. They want you to catch the fish for them. In fact, they simply want you to give them the fish sandwich."
            My version has always been:

            "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll bitch at you for not giving him the fish."
            Signature
            "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390510].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert View Post

        It's in the works Rod. I need to first establish myself as an expert on BS detecting, make a blog, twit a few times about it, then interview some experts(my wife can sniff out my BS pretty good!!!) and THEN the WSO will be ready to rock!!
        I'll be your first customer!

        But honestly, there are some really great people here to follow, and some are brand new!! There are people making money hand over fist using IM strategies that no one has ever heard of. If they joined the WF tomorrow we would all still be skeptical because we didn't know them.

        But there are still many more that are not walking the walk, and nothing irks me more than to see someone preaching in a thread about how to make money and tons of posts following it from newer members falling over themselves to "learn their secret".

        I dunno, I am not trying to preach myself here, but this is all comes around...because the same "new" followers of some "newer" legend in their own mind type of person are the same people who get disgruntled over how they either got scammed or "nothing works."

        Learn the fundamentals, apply it, then come back and ask questions. The best tool I use for IM is right HERE.


        keith
        If people followed what you wrote (that I bolded in red) in principle, they would amaze themselves at what they could accomplish in 6 to 12 months. Sometimes the best advice is the simplest. I learned that lesson the hard way (while making martinis).....

        RoD
        Signature
        "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
        - Jim Rohn
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390650].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      According to my dictionary an expert is: 1. A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.

      I wonder if that makes me an expert at making martinis.
      I'll be the judge of that.
      Signature
      "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
      ~ Zig Ziglar
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392909].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        Originally Posted by blur View Post

        ....... I come from almost 20 years of being a nightclub dj. It's a very trendy thing to be and people make outrageous claims about their skills all the time. It took me years to learn how to perfect skills that included everything from mixing to reading crowds. You can't always be on the edge of a trend! Yet I see guys who buy a laptop and the right software who think that they are 'all that.' ......
        Blur, as someone who practically lives in night clubs all over North America, I love the analogy. The subtleties one learns over the years of doing something can be pretty amazing. Your "reading crowds" comment was dead on. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a DJ get so into his mixing and song choices that he / she totally misses the "vibe" of the crowd.

        Originally Posted by Lance K View Post

        I'll be the judge of that.
        Lance, I'm sending you a batch.......

        RoD
        Signature
        "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
        - Jim Rohn
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1394759].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    That's funny Chris.


    ----


    Seriously - I've been thinking the same thing. Every time somebody
    starts a thread titled with a specific claim about making a specific
    (impressive) amount of money in a specific (relatively short in relation
    to the amount of income claimed) time-frame a bunch of folks jump
    on these threads excitedly, peppering the OP with questions.

    Let me put it to you this way: when a person brags about their
    income what does that tell you?

    I'll answer:

    It tells you they have a reason to brag about their income - ie.
    there is something in it for them. They might be lying, they might
    not be. They might be leaving out key information, they might
    not be. They might have an agenda to win admiration, sell
    a WSO, get coaching or mentoring clients. When people start
    a thread, no matter who it is, they want some form of attention -
    and bragging about income is a sure way to get it on the WF.

    The bottom line is there are a lot of people here who DO walk
    the walk and have a lot of valuable insight to share. There
    are also people here who are not who they seem. So buyer
    beware.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390324].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    Originally Posted by Mr. Goof Off View Post

    Is it possible to be an expert even though you don't walk the walk? There are people who make millions telling others what to do and not doing it themselves. Some of those customers says that they were helped at seminars and phone consultations.

    Is it also possible to express words in a book about success, and, yet you're not successful, though, you have an excellent grasp of the english vocabulary? I suppose writers do this all the time! It really does boils down to who you want to learn from. I prefer to learn from walkers, but, I will say sometimes talkers can express methods and emotions better then some doers. AMAZING! Hard to define what an expert is huh.

    Two people can know the same thing, one in theory and one in practice, but, what really only matters to you is if the person can express it. Michael Jordan cannot express in words his greatness. He once said when he gets up to dunk it is like he has wings. On the other hand, there are writers who can sum up who MJ is as beautifully as a canvas painting. Some writers can let you inside the mind of Jordan better than Jordan can.

    Does this make the writer(s) experts of basketball? It makes him/her experts of the mechanics of Michael Jordan. Does this mean Michael Jordan is not a basketball expert?Good question, anyone have an answer?

    Your analogy needs a little clarification.

    One can be an expert in basketball knowledge. They can know every fact, statistic, player, game, trivia tidbit, and general knowledge since the game began.

    But if they're a paraplegic in a wheelchair, they aren't an expert PLAYER.

    That's a degree of specialization that they are incapable of having.

    And it's that degree of specialization that indicates the actual advancement of the "expert".

    Generalized vs. specialized.

    A true "expert" has very specialized knowledge and abilities. The more "expert" they are in their status, the more specialized the person. Generalists in a topic are not considered "experts". Just knowledgeable.

    Michael Jordan is an expert in the execution of the mechanics of all the intrinsic aspects of playing basketball.

    Ben Howland (UCLA) is an expert in executing the strategy of combining and coaching players, who are individual experts in the mechanics of playing the game of basketball.

    Both are extremely knowledgable in the fundamental knowledge of the game, which is a prerequisite to entering true expert status - but each demonstrate their true expertise through their advancement in their specialization.

    Back to marketing... sort of like a Unique Selling Proposition, or master of a niche.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390511].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Cabral
    I just found out that I am an expert at not being an expert. Does that make sense.... :-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390514].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Opinions are like AXXholes, everybody has one. (For some reason, I seem to have more than one... hmmm better see a doc about that) I rarely pip up unless I have tested it or know some one very well that has. In spite of that, I have been known to be wrong!

    ("I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.")

    Even when I get information from a lawyer, I double check it. Seems they are wrong more than most! Lol.

    It is also kind of nice NOT being an expert! Pressure is off. If you take advice from this (or any forum or person) without double & triple checking it yourself, shame.

    No one is perfect and if it THAT important to you, accepting the take on your question from a guy named Ðog§cout at face value means you are not all that bright to begin with! May as well ask Bubba. (I hope no one here is nicknamed 'Bubba')

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390542].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Aha . . . I see many of us haven't read the book yet . . .

    "How to Become an Expert on Anything in Two Hours"
    -a bestseller by Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch (Paperback - Jul 23, 2008)

    Love this thread. I want to add my favorite definition of "expert":

    "An ordinary fellow, a safe distance from home!"
    Signature

    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390544].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Generally speaking, people who are real experts are less inclined
    to admit that they are than people who are not.

    Gifted people often underestimate their talents while less gifted
    people over-estimate theirs.

    And this is a human trait that will not change soon.

    ... that's my expert opinion!

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390550].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author John Cabral
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Gifted people often underestimate their talents while less gifted
      people over-estimate theirs. -Ray Edwards
      That settles it than I am definitely an expert since I always underestimate my talents and hate praise.... :-) Guess I am a silent expert.

      This is my expert opinion... LOL
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390590].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Generally speaking, people who are real experts are less inclined
      to admit that they are than people who are not.

      Gifted people often underestimate their talents while less gifted
      people over-estimate theirs.

      And this is a human trait that will not change soon.

      ... that's my expert opinion!

      -Ray Edwards

      There's a reason someone like Perry Marshall has a very simple blog-type website, with very basic "ads" for his products.

      On some pages, tiny and at the very bottom with little to no polish, pizzazz or even graphic "BUY IT NOW" buttons blinking like a sign on the Vegas Strip.

      He's a bonafide expert in his field. He knows it. The market knows it. He has no need to act like a carnival barker. He makes a buttload of money, and I am watching how a whole bunch of "gurus" are starting to run away from their infomercial sales pages, and emulating his straight-up blog style.

      The cream will always rise to the top - even if you read a best-selling book about a guy that teaches how to ask the right questions that sound like you share a depth of knowledge that you don't really have.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390593].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ctutt
    Great advice! Just remember the definition of an Expert: Ex-Spurt "a drip that was once under pressure". :-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390558].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keith Boisvert
    Originally Posted by Razer Rage View Post

    Wait a minute...the title of your thread says "Listen to me, I am an expert", yet your post says "don't listen to people who claim to be experts."

    Are you saying we shouldn't listen to you?

    Lol, just kidding.

    It's actually pretty easy to tell an expert from a fake here on the WF. At a glance, you can see how many times their posts have been thanked (this at least shows that they're helpful).

    If you dig a little deeper, you can easily see all the posts they have made and the reaction other people have had to them.

    It really isn't that hard. You just need a little common sense.

    Good post.
    LOL. Don't listen to a damn thing that comes out of my mouth.

    And you did hit the nail on the head in-so-far as doing some "due diligence" on determining who to trust and who not to. Although I fear that some newer members(I know at one point I did) are desperate and willing to follow anyone, which just prods along others to follow suit.

    Oh well, can't save the world.

    keith
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390577].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gail Sober
    Check a box in the "jack of all trades, master of none" column for me please.

    When I was in my teens I was an expert at EVERYTHING!

    In my twenties I realized that I had been naive as a teen because only now was I an expert on EVERYTHING.

    In my thirties, I realized that I will never be an expert at ANYTHING.

    There's always more to learn.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390621].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ctutt
    [QUOTE=Keith Boisvert;1389993]

    Granted, there are some that are exactly what they say, but honestly its up to you to determine who you want to emulate or follow. On the flip side, there are many here with "lots of posts" that I wouldn't trust to wash my cat, so again, do your homework before blindly following someone.

    Is there really an effective way, better than risking time and money, to separate the wheat from the chaf?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390653].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Keith Boisvert
      Originally Posted by ctutt View Post

      Is there really an effective way, better than risking time and money, to separate the wheat from the chaf?
      I wouldn't think that investing "time" is as important as "money" as when you first start out you are spending time educating yourself. Actually you probably will want to educate yourself constantly, just you spend a hell of a lot more time at first!!

      Someone who knows wtf they are talking about will be able to provide some really great content here to the WF. They will be acknowledged by other warriors for a great contribution(thanks button), and if you go back and read the persons previous posts, you can get a real good feel for them.

      Follow their links. Look at their websites to see what they are doing. Sign up for their mailing lists etc. "Time" can be subjective, but necessary to a degree in my opinion.

      I am not trying to bash anyone here, because there are tons of people here making tons of money regularily and are super people.

      I guess I see some "Shady" posts and then people following them with glazed puppy dog eyes and it kinda pisses me off. I probably shouldn't care, as everyone is responsible for their own actions.

      Maybe I should hold myself more accountable as well, and when I see these posts maybe say something and call people out. But then it becomes a pissing contest and ruins the spirit of the forum and then it appears like your bullying people.

      In the end...only YOU can prevent forest fires.

      ~keith
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390699].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

        My version has always been:

        "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll bitch at you for not giving him the fish."
        The actual, working version is:

        "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll sit in the sun drinking beer all day, then buy a fish on the way home."

        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        It is said that those that can do, those that can't teach. Although not ENTIRELY true, I have seen too many that spend all their time teaching without any REAL knowledge.

        Steve
        One of my chef friends used to say "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach become restaurant critics."

        I'd say that applies to many fields... :rolleyes:

        Originally Posted by Gail Sober View Post

        Check a box in the "jack of all trades, master of none" column for me please.

        When I was in my teens I was an expert at EVERYTHING!

        In my twenties I realized that I had been naive as a teen because only now was I an expert on EVERYTHING.

        In my thirties, I realized that I will never be an expert at ANYTHING.

        There's always more to learn.
        Wait until your fifties, when you realize you know more than most, but you can't always remember it when you need to...:confused:
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1390945].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          One of my chef friends used to say "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach become restaurant critics."
          Well, the statement I REALLY generally use is...

          Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. And those who can't do it CAN'T teach!

          Steve
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1391030].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
            Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

            Well, the statement I REALLY generally use is...

            Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. And those who can't do it CAN'T teach!

            Steve
            I'd agree with that, up to a point.

            Look at the ranks of the top athletic coaches. You won't find a lot of Hall of Famers among the ranks. What you will find are the students of the game, the guys who had to really learn their craft, rather than relying on pure talent and ability.

            Yet they can impart their knowledge and insight to the player in a way that allows the player to maximize their potential. Who do you think has more raw talent - Kobe Bryant or Phil Jackson? Yet, without Jackson or someone like him, Kobe would not be Kobe.

            So, I'd rephrase yours to say:

            "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, shouldn't..."
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1391071].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author seasoned
              Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

              I'd agree with that, up to a point.

              Look at the ranks of the top athletic coaches. You won't find a lot of Hall of Famers among the ranks. What you will find are the students of the game, the guys who had to really learn their craft, rather than relying on pure talent and ability.

              Yet they can impart their knowledge and insight to the player in a way that allows the player to maximize their potential. Who do you think has more raw talent - Kobe Bryant or Phil Jackson? Yet, without Jackson or someone like him, Kobe would not be Kobe.

              So, I'd rephrase yours to say:

              "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, shouldn't..."
              Yeah, I remember when I was about 7 years old. The "coach" showed us how to do(make that NOT do) a standing broad jump! Next thing you know, he was being carted off to the hospital. As I recall, he snapped a tendon. Maybe that was one reason I wasn't crazy about sports. Actually, I wasn't even then, but his folly didn't help.

              BTW he was NOT overweight, looked kind of fit, and I bet he was under 40, and maybe even under 30.

              Steve
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1391454].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gail Sober
    Wait until your fifties, when you realize you know more than most, but you can't always remember it when you need to...
    LOL, I'm in my forties and am already starting to experience that. Fortunately, I have teens in the house that know EVERYTHING.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1391029].message }}
  • Everyone is an expert at something. That's what makes this place so great -- we're all learning and teaching. I guess some are teaching more than learning and vice versa.

    The only thing anyone really needs to know about IM, though, is that it comes down to working hard. If you apply yourself to it, you will make money. You pick a path, and you walk down it until it starts paying. That might happen three steps into the journey or it might happen a thousand steps in, but it won't happen if you don't take the steps.

    A lot of IM products are pure crap, but some are pure gold. None of them contain anything that you can't find on this forum, but the good ones condense it down so that you save a lot of time. That's what I've found.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392019].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author graham41
      I once had a Financial Accounting lecturer for my professional exams that knew literally everything about the subject ... every little detail... but too much detail and an extremely poor communicator... result - not good

      Then I had another who was not a knowledge expert but communicated within a simple framework but with bite size chunks - blew the exam away and qualified.

      It isn't always the depth of knowlege that makes the difference it is how the ideas are communicated... like sales copy

      G
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392041].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author blur
    hmmm...

    I think anyone who has progressed in any industry can see the fakes when they present themselves.

    I come from almost 20 years of being a nightclub dj. It's a very trendy thing to be and people make outrageous claims about their skills all the time. It took me years to learn how to perfect skills that included everything from mixing to reading crowds. You can't always be on the edge of a trend! Yet I see guys who buy a laptop and the right software who think that they are 'all that.'

    My point it that no one 'makes it' overnight. No one can put up a website on thursday and make $32,394 by friday. Outrageous claims usually are outrageous or untrue. But the sad thing is that people will fall for it all day long.

    Here is a TRUE STORY and I can give you company name and website to prove it: I worked as an SEO 'expert' for a company that sold pharmaceutical websites to people via telemarketing. They would buy lists and distribute them to their telemarketers. The telemarketers would bait the people into the promise of making 'thousands' in a few months. Then the person on the other end of the phone would get transferred to a 'closer' who closed the deal. The closer had no idea what the website was. He didn't even have a computer in his office. He was THAT good. These poor people would put $10,000 dollars on their credit cards (no $**#) to get their own website, domain, hosting, etc for the year. They would choose up to 10 keywords and it was my job to 'optimize' the website for said words.

    I knew damn well that a cookie cutter affiliate website with no backlinks would never rank in google for things like 'natural viagra.' I wasn't with the company very long as I couldn't bare to be a part of a company promising the world when I knew they couldn't deliver - and they were ripping off people.

    My point is that anyone can promise anything and they can charge $7 or $10,000. But when it comes down to it you have to go on your intuition. If someone claims to be an expert, they need to back it up and NOT with photoshopped screenshots of sales records. I can photoshop too...

    Experts, to me, are people who have proven themselves in my eyes.

    But I often think that the true 'experts' never post here. They don't do WSOs or anything of the sort. They lay low, develop themselves, and keep moving. We will probably never know of them...
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392109].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author selma
    I read somewhere that an expert is someone with 10,000 hours of experience or something like that.... so maybe we can call someone an expert IM'er if they continually peform $x amount+ for 416 days straight without faulting.

    That sounds like a good definition to me.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392849].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheWealthSquad
    I love this thread. What is an expert? Who is an expert? What can I learn?

    Maybe instead of looking for experts we can look for teachers or become full time students of the game. I took martial arts for several years off and on. Never consistently and never got into good enough shape to really be "good" at it. Our coach was a world class athlete. A champion fighter. He was also a pretty decent coach but somethings he just couldn't explain. Some moves were so natural for him that he had difficultly breaking it down into smaller steps. Since I had no natural ability, I had to learn it step by step (usually fall by fall). Since I had learned it piece by piece and still had to work at it just to be decent, I was able to help many students get past sticking points.

    Was I an expert? By no means. I wouldn't even put myself in the same category as someone who was even remotely good. Did I help people? They thought so as they told me so.

    We can learn from everyone. Not everyone's system will work for us because we may not feel comfortable doing it. If it doesn't fit into our core values, we will never succeed at it.

    No system will ever replace effort. I won't call it work because if you enjoy it, it rarely is work. Become an expert at LATAR. Learning, Acting, Testing, Analyzing, Repeat

    Once you learn to do that, any skill can be learned, any business can be created, any success can be reached.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392860].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    Just because Steven is not an expert at writing novels does not mean he isn't an expert at article marketing or internet marketing!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1392862].message }}

Trending Topics