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It IS Your Fault

by E. Brian Rose
51 replies
I am sooo sick of seeing the "It's not your fault" line in sales copy and email.

It's always such a negative message... i.e. "The gurus lied to you. It's not your fault."

How about saying something truthful, like, "You're too lazy to build a real business and too busy searching for a magic button that makes you rich. It IS your fault!"

#fault
  • Profile picture of the author celente
    Yup it was my fault back in the mid 2000's and Yup it was all me, until I pulled my finger out and did something.

    This is right, do not blame anyone else but yourself. Failure is not caused from someone else. It comes from THY SELF! YOU!!

    Great reminder Brian.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
    Well to be fair, it is really just marketing that plays to people who tend to feel sorry for themselves a lot... And there are a lot more of those looking at "how to make money" advertisements than there are people who have already taken control of their actions.


    People are going to use the tricks that work to make money. Always have, always will... And let the buyer beware.



    I like Stephen Covey's explanation about "responsibility" being your ability to respond. If you don't take, you don't have it.


    Great movie, and I'm a fan of both actors... But really, Matt Damon just cannot cry, LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
    rotflmao!!! I love Family Guy... I always wondered what they were mocking there and couldn't remember. HILARIOUS!
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    • Profile picture of the author Claire Koch
      maybe i should stop blaming the gurus now *-)
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    On the other side of the coin there are a load of 'guru's out there preaching crap and creating false dreams and promises. They are the people who give these beginner marketers the false idea that making money online is as simple as pushing a button. How many of the 1,2,3 step sales pages have we seen over the last few years?

    So a line like... "The gurus lied to you. It's not your fault" is probably spot on for a lot of beginners.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      On the other side of the coin there are a load of 'guru's out there preaching crap and creating false dreams and promises. They are the people who give these beginner marketers the false idea that making money online is as simple as pushing a button. How many of the 1,2,3 step sales pages have we seen over the last few years?

      So a line like... "The gurus lied to you. It's not your fault" is probably spot on for a lot of beginners.

      There is some merit to that. But I tested several headlines, and you know what?

      "If you want a real income, you need a real business"

      was absolutely CRUSHED by

      "Easy $1,000 per week"


      The news is negative, because that is what (most) people want to watch.
      Video games have violence, because that is what (most) people buy.





      As one (very successful) Warrior pointed out to me, sometimes you just have to get them on your buyer's list, and when they admit to you they are still struggling, then they are finally ready to listen to what it really takes to build a business and make money.
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    • Profile picture of the author sal64
      Have to agree with this.

      My favourite line is now: It's Not Your Fault... Well Not Entirely.

      Both parties are to blame.

      The whole premise of this tactic in sales copy is to absolve the reader of any blame. People know they are at fault, but don't admit it. So using this tactic makes them feel better about themselves and draws empathy.

      Copywriting 101. Anyone who doesn't understand this needs to get a clue. Any marketer worth their salt understands the power of this tactic and exploits it mercilessly. I mean ffs it's used every minute of the day in offline ads.

      Sal

      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      On the other side of the coin there are a load of 'guru's out there preaching crap and creating false dreams and promises. They are the people who give these beginner marketers the false idea that making money online is as simple as pushing a button. How many of the 1,2,3 step sales pages have we seen over the last few years?

      So a line like... "The gurus lied to you. It's not your fault" is probably spot on for a lot of beginners.
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      • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
        Originally Posted by xxxJamesxxx View Post

        Because your sales copy's conversion might take a nosedive.
        Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

        Any marketer worth their salt understands the power of this tactic and exploits it mercilessly.
        I respectfully disagree with both of you. If you want repeat business, I do not believe scapegoat marketing is the way to go. Scapegoat marketing is perfect for the marketer that wants to scrape the layer of newbies entering a niche, not for the marketer that wants repeat business from the same customers. There are other ways to pull the emotion strings.

        Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

        Game set and match... ziiing... owned.... snap... bingo... you name it. end of argument... case closed... the fat lady has sung.
        Lol. My mistake. I didn't see that you ended the debate with a victory.
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        • Profile picture of the author sal64
          lol... ok, you can disagree.

          Tell it to Kennedy, Carlton, Bly, and a few others. They obviously had it wrong all these years. Might explain why they are all broke and washing dishes for a living.

          Thank you Brian. We are eternally indebted to you.

          As far as repeat business is concerned, I'm not sure how you draw this conclusion. Scapegoat marketing as you call it is about landing a prospect as a customer in the first instance. Getting repeat business is about providing value based solutions.

          Seldom if ever would I use that line for repeat business. It's sole purpose is to persuade the reader into jumping ship to your side.

          I am yet to see anyone say: Hey you failed with my previous product, but it's not your fault... so buy another product from me.

          Once again, it's simply one of many copy writing tactics used successfully... whether you hate it or not... it works.

          If you are arguing that people should be accountable, then perhaps you should restate your OP accordingly so that it makes sense.

          Sal

          Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

          I respectfully disagree with both of you. If you want repeat business, I do not believe scapegoat marketing is the way to go. Scapegoat marketing is perfect for the marketer that wants to scrape the layer of newbies entering a niche, not for the marketer that wants repeat business from the same customers. There are other ways to pull the emotion strings.



          Lol. My mistake. I didn't see that you ended the debate with a victory.
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          • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
            Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

            Thank you Brian. We are eternally indebted to you.
            I'm not sure why you are taking this so personally or making a debate into an argument. I am not saying that it is not effective marketing. I have stated that it is, if you are looking to grab the wave of newbies as they walk in the door. Sure, that works. I never aid it didn't. It's just not right for me, personally. Peace.
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          • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
            Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

            lol... ok, you can disagree.

            Tell it to Kennedy, Carlton, Bly, and a few others. They obviously had it wrong all these years. Might explain why they are all broke and washing dishes for a living.
            After reading that, I decided to check up on a few of them to see if they were using "It's not your fault". I checked Carlton's site. He must be washing dishes now, because the first thing I read was....

            "If you tried, really really hard, and weren't successful last year...
            ... it was probably mostly your own damn fault."

            Just sayin.
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            • Profile picture of the author sal64
              Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

              After reading that, I decided to check up on a few of them to see if they were using "It's not your fault". I checked Carlton's site. He must be washing dishes now, because the first thing I read was....

              "If you tried, really really hard, and weren't successful last year...
              ... it was probably mostly your own damn fault."

              Just sayin.
              Did you go over all of his sales pages ever written?

              Just sayin...
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        • Profile picture of the author WillR
          Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

          I respectfully disagree with both of you. If you want repeat business, I do not believe scapegoat marketing is the way to go. Scapegoat marketing is perfect for the marketer that wants to scrape the layer of newbies entering a niche, not for the marketer that wants repeat business from the same customers. There are other ways to pull the emotion strings.
          Hmmm, but how is this any different to having a dime sale where the person who arrives at a sales page 1 minute later than someone else is charged more for that same product for no other reason than they are 1 minute later?

          Are there not other/better ways to "pull the emotion strings"?

          Yet dime sale pricing seems to be one of the more popular features of the sales platforms out there that predominantly deal in products targeted at newbies

          I guess it depends where you choose to draw the moral line, right?

          You offer dimesale pricing because it works at selling more products... just like those who use lines such as "It's not your fault..."

          Personally I don't see the distinction?
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          • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
            Originally Posted by WillR View Post

            Hmmm, but how is this any different to having a dime sale where the person who arrives at a sales page 1 minute later than someone else is charged more for that same product for no other reason than they are 1 minute later?

            Are there not other/better ways to "pull the emotion strings"?

            Yet dime sale pricing seems to be one of the more popular features of the sales platforms out there that predominantly deal in products targeted at newbies

            I guess it depends where you choose to draw the moral line, right?

            You offer dimesale pricing because it works at selling more products... just like those who use lines such as "It's not your fault..."

            Personally I don't see the distinction?
            I'm not sure what supply and demand has to do with this thread. I merely stated that I am not a fan of the "it's not your fault" line. Some are. Some aren't. I'm not sure why all Australians hate me either
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    This is even less popular, but it's also true....

    Fewer people are cut out for this than think they're cut out for this. It all seems so easy - and that's partly because of the sales copy that pushes the reward and skimps on the hard work. Just like there are only a few real superstars in any job you've ever had, there are relatively few in this business. But sellers in this marketplace know that shining too bright a light on this simple fact of human nature screws up sales numbers.

    So both things are true, in reality. Yes, it is often the fault of the person trying to make it online. And it's also the fault of the general zeitgeist sellers in this marketplace perpetuate because what ultimately sells is the dream. Never mind that man behind the curtain.

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
      Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

      This is even less popular, but it's also true....

      Fewer people are cut out for this than think they're cut out for this. It all seems so easy - and that's partly because of the sales copy that pushes the reward and skimps on the hard work. Just like there are only a few real superstars in any job you've ever had, there are relatively few in this business. But sellers in this marketplace know that shining too bright a light on this simple fact of human nature screws up sales numbers.

      So both things are true, in reality. Yes, it is often the fault of the person trying to make it online. And it's also the fault of the general zeitgeist sellers in this marketplace perpetuate because what ultimately sells is the dream. Never mind that man behind the curtain.

      John
      IMHO, the best most sensible response I've seen
      so far.

      It's a cycle...

      I, like many newbies, came into this game on the
      pipe dream.

      ...I was fed the B.S. marketing claims and I gave
      into temptation for easy profit like anybody else.

      ...and then I grew up.

      I discovered it was more to it than the salespage
      claimed -- every time. No exceptions.

      There are still moments where I honestly believe,
      "Gee, I bet it IS that easy" -- it's brief naivity.

      It's near impossible to have foresight until you've
      been around the block a few times.

      Problem is most people quit BEFORE they allow
      themselves time to develop it.

      And what a shame...

      they have no idea what they're missing.

      So you're right, few people are cut out for this.
      And it's all on their own doing.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

      This is even less popular, but it's also true....

      Fewer people are cut out for this than think they're cut out for this. It all seems so easy - and that's partly because of the sales copy that pushes the reward and skimps on the hard work. Just like there are only a few real superstars in any job you've ever had, there are relatively few in this business. But sellers in this marketplace know that shining too bright a light on this simple fact of human nature screws up sales numbers.

      So both things are true, in reality. Yes, it is often the fault of the person trying to make it online. And it's also the fault of the general zeitgeist sellers in this marketplace perpetuate because what ultimately sells is the dream. Never mind that man behind the curtain.

      John
      Amen. What I get sick to death of hearing is how ANYONE can do this - as long as they take action. Ya know what? That's real easy for someone to say when they have the background, orientation knack, education, and don't forget start up funds. Those who have those seem to think that anyone who doesn't is just plain lazy if they do not succeed at it.

      Know what else? Some people could work 16 hours a day and never get it. Just like when I taught dance they promoted lessons as "anyone can learn to be a great dancer". It brought in money, but it's not the truth. Anyone can't learn to be a great rock and gem hunter or gold prospector. Some people just haven't got it. It doesn't matter what they do - they'll never make it out in the field.

      It really irks me when I hear people degrading others for not being able to make a successful online business just because they were able to do it. The truth is, there are so many different occupations because there are so many different things people are right for. Some people will never be right for anything other than flipping hamburgers or being a janitor and they should be encouraged to be the best damned janitor or hamburger maker/seller ever instead of being strung along and being shamed that there is something wrong with them if they aren't cut out to be a great business owner or marketer.

      People need to quit being intimidated into believing there is something wrong with them if they aren't cut out for this stuff. Not being a good freaking sales person doesn't make you a complete loser - it means you are in the wrong field for you. Get off the computer and go to a career counselor and figure out where your real interest and aptitudes are and get into that field. It sure beats getting the snot knocked out of your ego by people who are good at this line of work that continually spit that anyone who isn't is just lazy.

      If you are working your butt off and not getting it, it's not your fault --- but if you are working your butt off and not getting it and are not out there looking for what DOES work for you, it is. Product creation and/or sales is not the be all and end all of career paths. It is just obtuse to think that it is.

      It might help those of you truly struggling to realize that many who are deadly successful at this game were successful in this type of work offline before they hit the internet.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rashell
        Please. It's no one's fault, it's everyone's fault. The problem as I see it...
        You need to know what "product" you're buying. Not it's name but it's purpose in the puzzle.

        Gurus? What we have here is marketers trying to teach marketing as if it were the whole of business. In their myopic belief they position their syllabus as if it were the only class needed to "complete a degree".

        So many aren't upfront about the need to complete other classes. They hide these facts behind a completed transaction, refer to it as an upsell and call this strategy marketing. Which is fine. For the student, however, this can be confusing to navigate and prepare for. On one hand they're buying "a solution" but on the other hand find out "it's not a whole solution".

        At least in universities you know upsells are part of the equation. You have to register for the class. And in another transaction you have to get books for the class. You know this is going to happen. So, you can prepare yourself, your mindset & your lifestyle for the changes you'll need to make to succeed.

        In a university setting you're given the information and tools you'll need to make the right decision long before you enroll. You have time to think it through. You aren't pressured with an ever increasing price adjusting whenever another student enrolls.

        And most importantly you have teachers who've thought through your entire curriculum to ensure you get the basic information you'll need to complete a successful venture. (Does this guarantee your success? No, but at least it's prepared you well.)

        I see the university type of responsibility displayed most often in the offline consulting model. Offline consultants take their clients seriously. They think up overall game plans and coordinating products to improve the client's bottom line. They ask ?s about business models & goals. And they charge accordingly.

        Most IM/MMO product sellers don't bother. And they charge accordingly. Instead it's all very DIY and buffet style. No counseling/consultations. No customization or personalization.

        They're interested in selling the idea. If it works for you great. Send the testimonials. If not that's not their problem. Ask for a refund.

        They're not interested in developing a successful business or business person. That's not the product they're selling.

        What all of us need to know is whether we're trying to build a
        • marketing career
        • an entrepreneurial business
        • a hobby
        • etc.
        Once we've identified for ourselves what we're trying to create we'll begin to know what "products" to buy and how they fit into our big picture. A seller pitching something outside of our identified goal simply won't be able to close the deal.

        SO...

        It IS Your Fault if you haven't identified your life's "big picture".

        It IS NOT Your Fault because sometimes you only realize what it is after some trial and error.

        It IS the Guru's Fault for claiming the product is for everyone but not explaining how it fits each individual.

        It IS Not the Guru's Fault because they're not selling a counseling session on your life's purpose.

        If you want to succeed stop trying to make things/relationships do what they weren't designed/purposed to do, get over the fault finding and start "purpose finding".

        Find the purpose of the product. Find the purpose of the guru/student relationship. Find the purpose of your money making model in correlation with your life purpose. But whatever you do... don't waste your time trying to find fault.

        Rashell
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        • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
          Originally Posted by Rashell View Post

          Please. ...it's everyone's fault. The problem as I see it... You need to know what "product" you're buying. Not it's name but it's purpose in the puzzle.
          Not everybody needs to buy an IM product to succeed. I did my own research and was successful long before I bought anything.
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          • Profile picture of the author Rashell
            Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

            Not everybody needs to buy an IM product to succeed. I did my own research and was successful long before I bought anything.
            The word "product" is in quotes because I meant it to be more metaphorical than literal. It could mean IM product, college education, your own research. Whatever ideal you feel you must "buy into" before success (however you may define that) will be attainable.

            Rashell
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesMcCaferty
    Hello all, I'm a few months down the rabbit hole.

    I think it's absolutely true - there are SO MANY products out there promoting "easy" "fast" "copy and paste" methods.

    I've picked up a few of these myself. and they got me nowhere. Yes, perhaps they gave me a better understanding of how marketing works, they didn't push me to make my first money online.....I had to do that myself.

    I love the quote at the start of this thread: Stop looking for a magic button.

    I have currently made a total of less than 500 bucks in the past few months, but I hope to scale up and improve my effort (yes, effort) in 2012 to hopefully make 2k/month through marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chad Heffelfinger
    I love this thread. It's a touchy subject, but it's true. Way too often people in this business jump from shiny object to shiny object and never take action always looking for that magic bullet.

    It kind of reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

    "It doesn't matter if you Know what to do, it only matters if you Do what you know."

    Most people have enough knowledge to at least be taking action and having some success, instead they keep spending more and more looking for the next "Easier" thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Shane Roe
    Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

    I am sooo sick of seeing the "It's not your fault" line in sales copy and email.

    It's always such a negative message... i.e. "The gurus lied to you. It's not your fault."

    How about saying something truthful, like, "You're too lazy to build a real business and too busy searching for a magic button that makes you rich. It IS your fault!"

    YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

    Are you going to have it on YOUR next salespage

    Seriouslly though, I see what you mean and it's actually something I've been kind of curious about myself.

    The only issue is, most people don't want to HEAR it's there fault, even if it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
    I think that I have abused my "Thanks" button because it keeps disappearing. Maybe because I have "Thanked" more than I have posted?

    So, I have to make this post to "Thank" E Brian Rose for starting yet another good thread, and "Thank" the last 6 posts which were all great points as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richy Burns
    I think there is some grey area in that statement in that when starting out you have no choice really but to follow what other more experienced marketers are selling you because you dont know any better. You get led down a path because the marketer managed to excite your emotional side and get you believing that its easier than it actually is. However, if after getting burned you come back and learn from your mistake then you have overcome what 90% of other marketer fail to do (thats where the its no your fault line comes in).

    In the end its in your hands, no matter what. That attitude change, taking responsibility for your outcomes in life, is ultimately what is going to get you a breakthough

    Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author blalock61
    The gurus need to be like Steve Spurrier and take the blame for there mistakes and shortcomings. :rolleyes:

    ----------
    Gator QB Doug Johnson threw 5 TD's one game (in a blowout) and then he threw an interception in the 3rd Quarter. The game wasn't in doubt, so we all thought, no bid deal. However, when he came off the field Spurrier grabbed Doug and said apologetically. "I'm sorry Doug, it's my fault.... I recruited you."
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    • Profile picture of the author PerfectSolution
      Good point. The only way to get what you want is to assume responsibility and that is to acknowledge that it is YOUR fault. Do not choose to give away the power to someone else and say its their fault. It is our faut and there is something we can do that can change the outcome.
      BTW Brian, love your products!
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  • Profile picture of the author SamuelUherek
    It's not your fault... :-D

    It's all about marketing. And the big gurus know what works for the people new to the online world. It is not their fault to buy the product. This is why marketing is so powerful. It triggers in our subconsciousness something that forces us to buy the products. But it is our fault that we don't work as hard as we should to break it through. It's our fault that we are can't understand that we first have to act and only than see results. And it's our fault that we don't make the money we want to.
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  • Profile picture of the author Henry White
    Come one, Brian! We all know there are tens of millions who ALWAYS and ONLY adopt the easy way out, even if that means sacrificing ego and self-respect to assume the role of a victim if that means they'll be able to attach SOME distinction to their miserable existence.

    The one I concern myself about are the relative minority for whom this is a temporary condition - they're new, they're naive, and they're being encouraged constantly to "just take action!"
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    Originally Posted by Michael Milken View Post

    It's all about making the sale. Considering that majority of people hate the thought of taking responsibility for their lack of success, the "it's not your fault" approach appeals to that crowd.
    Of course it appeals to that crowd, as does a rock appeal to an addict. Does that mean you should start slinging crack?

    I could sell a hell of a lot more people if I went the "it's not your fault" route, but I will stick to telling it like it is, solving problems for people, and having my smaller crowd buy product after product from me for many years to come.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      Of course it appeals to that crowd, as does a rock appeal to an addict. Does that mean you should start slinging crack?

      I could sell a hell of a lot more people if I went the "it's not your fault" route, but I will stick to telling it like it is, solving problems for people, and having my smaller crowd buy product after product from me for many years to come.

      You know what? That is brilliant. And I'm not saying that in a sarcastic Stewie voice, Brian, I'm serious. Thank you for this point, I have been at a crossroads for about three weeks now and you have just reminded me of my values and my priorities. You rock.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

        This is even less popular, but it's also true....

        Fewer people are cut out for this than think they're cut out for this. It all seems so easy - and that's partly because of the sales copy that pushes the reward and skimps on the hard work. Just like there are only a few real superstars in any job you've ever had, there are relatively few in this business. But sellers in this marketplace know that shining too bright a light on this simple fact of human nature screws up sales numbers.

        John
        This business is no different than any other in this regard. Any field with the illusion of "overnight success" gathers its share of people with delusions of adequacy.

        Look at "American Idol" auditions. Talent aside, simple math tells you that you have a roughly 12/24 out of 100,000 of making the show and 1/100,000 of winning.

        Add in the talent factor, and you still get "singers" proclaiming themselves as the 'next American Idol'. Yet, when they do audition, any correct note they hit is a drive-by on the way to the next sour one. Even after being smacked upside the head with brutal honesty ("Dawg, never sing again..."), they furiously proclaim the judges wrong.

        It's the same in our business. So when the next "it's not your fault" pitch comes along, it aligns perfectly with what they already believe. And we all know what an easy sale that can be...
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  • Profile picture of the author AfteraDream
    The point is to tell them what they want, but to slip in what they need as Frank Kern said..

    It's true they are at fault but if you ever tried to help anyone you will know that coming out like that at them will make their minds shut down on you. Only few people are ready for such honesty...
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
    Brian,
    Maybe because in todays blame culture their is always someone else to blame!

    Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    It's called accountability.

    No-one who's struggling wants to hear that it's their fault.

    They're just missing the massive point that when they realise and accept it is their fault - that also take control of their future.
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    nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author PPC-Coach
    I love this thread.

    I 100% agree with it.

    It IS your fault.

    If you bought the sales pitch the guru sold you once, shame on them.

    If you bought the sales pitch the guru sold you TWICE, shame on YOU.

    People need to learn from their mistakes, but they don't want to. I can't even count how many times I've heard, "I don't want to make a landing page it's too much work." WTF? Too much work? It's too much work to put in a tiny bit of effort to actually make money at something?

    Too many want everything handed to them on silver platter yesterday. They don't want to fail at all, they want to hit it big from day one. It doesn't work like that. The guys who succeed fail big time and multiple times before they hit a big one.

    I love watching people join programs for $1 trial, then quit 2 days later because they "didn't realize it would be so much work". SERIOUSLY.

    Gurus sell you what you want, they know your hot buttons and they push them all day long. Newbies want to see a dollar amount and a short timeline to buy anything offered to them. If you don't have that, you're not going to make as many sales, but you will have more loyal and I think smarter customers.

    Great thread.

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    • Profile picture of the author Royce Space
      Originally Posted by PPC-Coach View Post

      I love this thread.

      I 100% agree with it.

      It IS your fault.

      If you bought the sales pitch the guru sold you once, shame on them.

      If you bought the sales pitch the guru sold you TWICE, shame on YOU.

      People need to learn from their mistakes, but they don't want to. I can't even count how many times I've heard, "I don't want to make a landing page it's too much work." WTF? Too much work? It's too much work to put in a tiny bit of effort to actually make money at something?

      Too many want everything handed to them on silver platter yesterday. They don't want to fail at all, they want to hit it big from day one. It doesn't work like that. The guys who succeed fail big time and multiple times before they hit a big one.

      I love watching people join programs for $1 trial, then quit 2 days later because they "didn't realize it would be so much work". SERIOUSLY.

      Gurus sell you what you want, they know your hot buttons and they push them all day long. Newbies want to see a dollar amount and a short timeline to buy anything offered to them. If you don't have that, you're not going to make as many sales, but you will have more loyal and I think smarter customers.

      Great thread.
      The brutal truth!
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      $725 a Week in Your Paypal Account - The Fastest Way To Make Money Online?
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  • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
    Funny how the thread directly below this one read:
    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...me-online.html

    It's not his fault, someone told him it was easy!
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    [B]

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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Patrick
    Nothing is more detrimental to your chances of success than refusing to take responsibility for your own failures. Sure, there are times when external circumstances or dishonest gurus might set you back - but being responsible means fighting to overcome these obstacles, instead of resigning yourself to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I think a lot of people are waking up to the fact it's not all that easy. How people can expect be successful in sales while missing the fact that people selling to them are SALES people kinda eludes me.

    Selling techniques is big business. It's also a very limited results venue. Selling education about areas of business you have to know is much more solid but just isn't as catchy. Still - would you rather learn all the aspects of SEO so you can develop the right methods for your own business or a few quick methods that you can use "today"? The first will build you the knowledge you need to modify your business as the Internet evolves. The second will bring you some traffic until google slaps the snot of you, but fills the perceived immediate need.

    The fact is that the people that would buy the later over the first product just shows how completely unprepared people are to be business owners. They have interest, and many are willing to work - but they have no clue of the difference between solid education that will allow them to always make good decisions and techniques that they can use right now, but will be useless or even destructive down the road. There's your failure rate percentages right there. It's not laziness - it's failure to understand the nature of the beast they are trying to tame.

    Is it their fault or the people who lead them in the wrong direct through deceptive advertising? I'd say it is a combination of both. It's kind of hard to swallow people believing you need no business knowledge to build a business. It's also very easy to see how marketers are misleading to make the sales. It's not a new phenomenon. A marketers whole world revolves around selling stuff. Someone actually suited to be a business owner needs to take care of getting an education about running a business - techniques will do the clueless no service. They don't have the knowledge necessary to judge the difference between solid fundamental understanding of a subject and flash in the pan scheming.

    What's the culprit? Internet. It's a push button environment so people believe that business online is also just another push button matter. Until they start to understand that business online is the same as business offline minus the overhead, they will continue to be duped, continue to appear lazy to the successful, and continue to bang their heads against their screen until they finally become frustrated and quit.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Diice
    Maybe we should make this thread sticky, might stop a few of the newbies making threads asking how they can make $5000 in 24 hours with no work!

    At the end of the day, this forum is here for advice and support, its up to you to put the work in, no-one else here is responsible for how much money you make.

    Pull your finger out.
    Thanks,
    -Michael

    Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

    I am sooo sick of seeing the "It's not your fault" line in sales copy and email.

    It's always such a negative message... i.e. "The gurus lied to you. It's not your fault."

    How about saying something truthful, like, "You're too lazy to build a real business and too busy searching for a magic button that makes you rich. It IS your fault!"

    YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
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  • Profile picture of the author xxxJamesxxx
    How about saying something truthful, like, "You're too lazy to build a real business and too busy searching for a magic button that makes you rich. It IS your fault!"
    Because your sales copy's conversion might take a nosedive.

    James Scholes
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    • Profile picture of the author sal64
      I'm sorry for the double post, but my bald headed brother has hit the nail on the head. Truly.

      Game set and match... ziiing... owned.... snap... bingo... you name it. end of argument... case closed... the defence rests... the fat lady has sung.

      Originally Posted by xxxJamesxxx View Post

      Because your sales copy's conversion might take a nosedive.

      James Scholes
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      Internet Marketing: 20% Internet - 80% Marketing!
      You Won't See The Light Until You Open Your Eyes.
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  • Profile picture of the author jaypoole
    Much as I hate that expression, I think I switch off to over used phrases such as "it's not your fault" just as I do with "works like gang busters", "sky rocket your earnings", "your own ATM machine spitting out money" and all the other well trodden clichés.
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  • Profile picture of the author sodette1
    The Issue is not black and white... and neither is life.

    "It's not your fault..."     if you were manipulated, scammed, hacked, mislead, lied to, cheated, tricked, misrepresented, only given part of the truth, suckered, gave Bernie Maddoff all of your money when he was riding high and by all accounts THE man to invest with, believed the weatherman (ok, maybe it is your fault for that one) - etc.

    "It is not your fault..." if time and unforeseen occurrences happen in your life like serious illness, death, accidents, somebody runs into your car, rapes or robs you or a stray bullet hits you from a robbery or... well, life happens, right?

    Sometimes, it is not your fault... directly.

    "It is your fault..." if you fall for all of the crooks, if you aren't vigilant and educated regarding scams, if you put yourself in places where the likelihood of bad things happening is obvious, if you believe everything you hear, if you are gullible, if you are guilty of blind faith in anyone or anything, if you fail to do your own due diligence, if you expect anyone else to do it for you, if you are willing to settle for what you get instead of fighting for what you want, etc.

    Nothing in life is black and white and sometimes - it isn't your fault, directly.

    As a marketing headline - is it true? Maybe. Does it work? Sometimes. Is it the fault of the person using the headline if people believe it? Well...
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  • Profile picture of the author DougBarger
    Don't let the secret out. One of my most successful internet marketing sub-niches banks big on the "It's not your fault" schtick. One of the products that does really well is dartboards with the pictures of "the guru" they blame the most.

    Another is a matching voodoo doll of the guru.

    If they started taking responsibility instead of throwing darts at gurus
    and sticking them with pins, they may wake up, take accountability and
    not buy those anymore! So shhhhh! It's not your fault.
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  • Profile picture of the author marcuslim
    'It's not your fault' works so well because everyone needs a scapegoat, something else to blame other than themselves. Now of course, it'd be far more effective for people to start taking responsibility and actually make a change, however marketers know for most people, finding the scapegoat is the one that appeals most.
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    Please read the forum rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
    Correct, there's a handful of people that have purchased from me and then decided they want a refund because they're too lazy and "just want a refund". I mean, really? There's over 25 A++ reviews from people that have made hundreds of dollars off it and you just don't want to try. Some people really don't want to make money I guess. Can't make it any clearer. Nothing will come easy.
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