Why are people teaching other the "secrets" ?

34 replies
I was just reflecting on something and tell me if I'm wrong but it seems to me that the "IM Guru's" are "Revealing" all this awesome info on how to do serious list building, or building killer affiliate sites etc. for a particular reason..

Reason is, is that those things have seen their best time and as a final squeeze selling all the techniques that have been used so that everyone can do it..

Maybe I'm wrong, and I would like you to prove me!

Why else would they sell their "serets" and not instead use it themselves silently and make all the money like that... Because once you have a great technique in place that sucks in money then why would you tell the whole world about it that is ready to pay a few bucks for it? And in that way over saturate it for everyone..

Please prove me wrong,

Zen
#people #secrets #teaching
  • Profile picture of the author kip
    I would love to prove your wrong, but I have the same feeling as you. Am leery to buy any of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnmorales
    Originally Posted by zenman108 View Post

    I was just reflecting on something and tell me if I'm wrong but it seems to me that the "IM Guru's" are "Revealing" all this awesome info on how to do serious list building, or building killer affiliate sites etc. for a particular reason..

    Reason is, is that those things have seen their best time and as a final squeeze selling all the techniques that have been used so that everyone can do it..

    Maybe I'm wrong, and I would like you to prove me!

    Why else would they sell their "serets" and not instead use it themselves silently and make all the money like that... Because once you have a great technique in place that sucks in money then why would you tell the whole world about it that is ready to pay a few bucks for it? And in that way over saturate it for everyone..

    Please prove me wrong,

    Zen
    Just because someone buys a secret a technique or an idea, it doesn't necessarily mean that he/she will put it into practice. That's why there will never be saturation.
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    • Profile picture of the author blackbarbie
      Originally Posted by johnmorales View Post

      Just because someone buys a secret a technique or an idea, it doesn't necessarily mean that he/she will put it into practice. That's why there will never be saturation.
      I agree. It's the same with any trade.
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    • Profile picture of the author dfs_dean
      Maybe if you believe wealth and prosperity is a small pie with only so many pieces to go around, and not enough for everybody, then your concern might be spot on.

      If, on the other hand, you believe that wealth and prosperity are not a zero sum game and that they can actually be expanded and increased, then why shouldn't the 'gurus' share their 'secrets' and allow others to join in.

      Do you have any proof or solid reasons to believe that any of those selling their secret methods are actually caught in a declining business and are selling the info before it goes stale? Or do you just not have faith in the ability of the market to expand and to allow others to gain more, too?

      Peace
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      Find something to enjoy about reality. It's not going to go away.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Davis
    There are some that just want to genuinely help others.

    They have already become successful, and they know how hard it was to get there.
    It is a nice feeling when people can appreciate your knowledge and look up to you.

    They can't really gain any more "happiness" from money, so they gain gratitude by helping others.


    On the other hand, I think the majority of "Gurus" are sharing their "Secrets" for their own profits.

    - To profit directly through sales/referrals.
    - To gain popularity.
    - To build trust in an audience, so that they can sell them something later.



    There are so many reasons why Gurus would share their Tips and Tricks with others.

    I also agree that most probably don't actually share their "Best".
    Most will just "reinforce" you with information you can already learn easily elsewhere.

    Or, they will tell you strategies that have already "grown old" or saturated.

    They wont tell you:
    - Exactly what team they use for their SEO
    - Who does their Article Writing
    - Exactly where their Paid Traffic comes from
    - Where they outsource all their tasks at profitable price

    etc...


    Like I said, some are genuine and give the best of their information, but I'm sure that the majority share information with their own profits at first interest.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tiffany Carter
    Well let me start by saying that I owe my life and career to not just the teachings of others, but also for creativity and energy that was needed in order to realize those goals.

    Yes, people will teach you methods but ultimately the bill starts and stops with you and your choice of applied energy to your given goals.
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidG
    I think you missed the whole point....

    The word "secret" is used simply to place a higher perceived value...

    ...unless you want to buy - "The same ole %$*& again..."




    David


    P.S. - Of course, maybe there are "secret" mediums... but marketing concepts will NEVER change.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Zen,
    Please prove me wrong,
    If you have already made up your mind, that's not going to be possible. At least not in your mind.

    There are some tactics a smart person would keep to themselves, at least if disclosing them created a risk of them being rendered less effective. Those are usually niche-specific and relate to direct competition.

    Skills are generally a different matter. Things like copywriting, web design and the like aren't usually seen as creating competition, even though they can. They're an additional income stream for the teacher, and a way to get out of the "owning your own job" game.

    Then there's the stuff people learn while doing business that gives them extra results, and wouldn't damage them to share. A great example of this was the early crop of materials on AdSense placement.

    When someone figures out a system or technique that improves their business by, say, $100 a day, that's valuable. Assuming, of course, that it's replicatable by others. Teaching someone that will be unlikely to hurt the teacher. A product that delivers that amount of extra value is certainly worth a fair price.

    Let's say you sold that for $200, and managed to sell 2 per day. That's an extra $400 a day on top of the money you're making using the technique.

    How would it not make sense to do that?

    One of the things that often gets brought up is the "Why so cheap if it works?" question. We see a lot of stuff sold for $5 and $7 here. Some of it is garbage, to be sure. But not all, and you can't always tell based on the price.

    Consider what plain old physical books cost in a bookstore. Anywhere from $5 to $40 is typical for a business book. That's the price range a lot of people think in, because it's what they see real experts selling their information for in the real world.

    Fact: Most people overvalue the expertise of others, and undervalue their own.

    Given that, why would anyone be surprised at the lower prices in this market? It seems more logical they'd be surprised at the higher ones.


    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author entrepreneurjay
    Most people are lazy and will not do what it takes to succeed anyways. I could have a million dollar secret to share and 9/10 people will probably not apply the method.

    It takes work to make money online and most people hate work! They want everything handed to them with limited effort ( It does not work that way )

    ( Case Closed )
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    They are not secrets. Anything that is considered a so-called secret in the IM game is not a secret. Most of the strategies for marketing have been around much longer than the internet and just adapted for the internet.

    The word "secrets" has been over used by gurus to sell their products. The sad part is most of their products reveal information you could have learned on your own for free. However, you gain one major benefit from these types of guides. They save you time.

    Benjamin
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  • Profile picture of the author David Sneen
    "Secrets" sell...why would I buy what everyone else knows about?
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    David Sneen
    It's what you do when no one is watching
    that determines what you will be able to
    do when everyone is watching.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenwerd
    I'd love to prove you wrong...but I can't

    I think that stuff sells well, so they sell it and make tons of money. Sure maybe some of it works pretty well, I think there are absolutely many honest people out there in the world of IM, but for the most part, they make their money selling secrets, not using the secrets.
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  • Profile picture of the author Saucy
    some people like to appear like they're helping others.
    some people like helping others and want to share the wealth and abundance that im can offer.
    the hard part is figuring out who is who
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  • Profile picture of the author zenman108
    some really good point here, personally for me I realized that all this is not for me, it's a nice game but it just doesn't feel right to me.. All the best everyone.

    Zen
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    "Everything is revealed in a still mind"
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    • Profile picture of the author thailanddave
      I am a serial buyer of WSO's. I think they are great. I tried figuring this IM stuff out on my own and just got frustrated.

      there are literally thousands and thousands of people just like me. We don't know what we are doing but are willing to pay someone to teach us. Even if its $40 at a time.

      If you follow the Gurus, the message you will get is it is easier to sell a satisfied customer than to find a new customer. So building an email list is the smartest way to go about building an Internet business. How do you build a list? You give people something useful either free or at a good price.

      What may be common knowledge for you may be a secret to me. Teach me something I can use or something I don't know and I will buy from you again and again. Disappoint me once and I'll never be back. I've bought a couple hundred WSO's over the last few years. I have only asked for a refund twice.

      Thats the reason why they give away their "secrets". This site is ripe with prospects if your product is Internet Marketing training.
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    Originally Posted by zenman108 View Post

    I was just reflecting on something and tell me if I'm wrong but it seems to me that the "IM Guru's" are "Revealing" all this awesome info on how to do serious list building, or building killer affiliate sites etc. for a particular reason..

    Reason is, is that those things have seen their best time and as a final squeeze selling all the techniques that have been used so that everyone can do it..

    Maybe I'm wrong, and I would like you to prove me!

    Why else would they sell their "serets" and not instead use it themselves silently and make all the money like that... Because once you have a great technique in place that sucks in money then why would you tell the whole world about it that is ready to pay a few bucks for it? And in that way over saturate it for everyone..

    Please prove me wrong,

    Zen
    Yes but this is not an absolute by any means.

    I'd say a great deal of "secrets" or wsos are exactly like you say. However there is a smaller percentage that absolutely work.

    The first WSO (and last) that I ever bought worked better than I would have ever expected. It was a practical legitimate business idea that noone was talking about. Nor have I ever seen anyone talk about it before.

    Thats why I bought it. It worked well for me.

    So some guys absolutely are selling effective "secrets" or "systems" or "wsos" or w/e you want to call them. Most I'd say do no work well or work at all (however I'm still assuming this). But some absolutely are quality like the one I bought, there is no doubt about that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Exel
    In my opinion there are a few reasons.

    1. For me, the biggest reason is that of all the people who buy the product and learn
    those secrets 99% will not use them, since, as we all know, taking action is the hardest
    thing there is, therefore posing no threat to the guru.

    2. Another reason is that the word "Secrets" is a known power word used to increase
    perceived value of the product. This information is not secret at all but is presented as such.

    3. The "secrets" may be of such nature that revealing them doesn't pose a threat or doesn't
    create competition.

    4. Many want to genuinely help other people, as much as it sounds improbable, and share
    their "secrets" with them.

    5. Last but not least - you are underestimating the market. Most people tend to think
    that if they say something aloud everyone would jump on it and they will lose their exclusivity
    and it will be the end of the world. The world is so vast that the possibility of such thing
    happening is miniscule.
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  • Profile picture of the author Intimidator
    Because I'm not telling you a secret for free. Pay me and you'll have " what I suppose a secret"
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  • Profile picture of the author Dresden14
    if your referring to wso's, if those dudes really made that much they wouldnt be trying to make 5-10 bux selling their ****
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  • Profile picture of the author Randohm
    You don't have to worry about anyone using what you tell them to run you out of business. The vast majority of people buy the products and never use them. On the off chance that one of your customers actually uses what you share with them and becomes your competition you then refer to him as your student, not your customer and use him as a marketing tool to sell more "secrets".
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  • Profile picture of the author Kal Sallam
    They can never tell you enough never.

    Lets say I am making X amount per month doing so and so, Now I can increase that by Telling others "selling" them how to do it. I could actually Triple or even more what I Currently make just by selling a "Money Making Secret Method"

    Think, Back-ends, Coaching, Buyers list your Building, the relationships with other Marketers, Priceless!

    KaL.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketing madman
    Secrets are only secrets to those of us who have not been educated or introduced to a method or resource up until the point of discovering this new "Secret Source Of Information Right?

    Most of the real big and successful few who do offer their most treasured methods and resources understand that the majority are struggling and will grab at almost anything.

    When the Secret "Stuff" turns out to be true content then they have gained another follower possibly a new sign up in their primary business. The masses just want someone who is sincere and trustworthy to follow even if it means dropping their own pursuits and signing on with the Guru. Win, Win.

    My approach is research as much as possible before any purchase and try to read the eyes, body movement, voice influx and of course read between the lines for the true motive of the seller.
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  • Profile picture of the author marcuslim
    Well, even if a guru reveals everything, the fact is that less than 5% will take any action. The truth is that they're selling the 'dream' more than anything. That's not to say what they're teaching does not work, just that what people buy is often the 'positive expectation' that the product will change their lives, even though they don't take action. Gurus know this for a fact.
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    you just hit on a big thing. Frank kern talks about this and since incorporating the whole RESULTS in advance our sales have increase several fold.

    What is this, you should them a few secrets, and how they work, and give them live results. IF you can do this, people will have their credit card half hanging out ready to order.

    If you have 7 secrets give 2 of them away, even on your sales page. But prove they actually work, and get people going FFFWWOOOOARRR COOOOL!!!

    Results, and proof speak louder than the best copywriter putting words on a page. We know and have tested this.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    Why does a maths teacher teach maths?

    Because more people knowing maths doesn't devalue the original person's knowledge of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author acs111
    Giving free info is a great way of getting yourself more searches. Link building and SEO fundamentals are built on the idea of a good reputation brings you better rewards
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  • Profile picture of the author zahedi117
    Normally they tell you the secret because the whole business is so big that a single person won't be able to cover it all, so they just sell the idea and take a profit from it, a win-win situation
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  • Profile picture of the author phil.wheatley
    I've been doing Internet Marketing for 6 years now, and I have done Kung Fu for 16 years. Both have something in common, there are practitioners in both who talking about showing the "secrets". In both cases it took me a few years to learn, but the answer to "the secret" was the same and that is....there are NO secrets, just hard work and dedication.

    However, a secret (if you like) is if you want to achieve success without feeling like you are doing realy hard work, is to do a small bit each day, but do it consistently. For example. Say you want to write a 20 page report, for some people that seems a tall order, that's normally about 10,000 words. Well, the answer is not to think of it as writing a 20 page report, but instead think of it as writing just one page a day for 20 days.

    Thanks
    Phil
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  • Profile picture of the author Nixgan
    Internet Marketer gurus are unloading their so called secrets for reasons none other than to sell their system and branding. When they seem like a pro giving away great contents, it automatically increases their reputation !

    Ironically, anyone giving out good tips on this warrior forum, wouldn't the way you say it sound like all of them are tricksters? ( I seriously am thinking why write something like that on an internet forum for internet marketers with ton of pros and gurus in it ?)
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  • Profile picture of the author elexmedia
    Some people (not everyone) make money by SELLING the "secret", not from implementing the "secret"....
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  • Profile picture of the author alexgold87
    There are always will be opportunity seekers who will only buy products even without opening and looking what did they buy. That kind of people are hungry for opportunities but they will never apply any of software/program they bought. And IM's sell products to those kind of people to make some extra cash.
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  • Profile picture of the author TishaZaphirise
    "Secret" make people curious and want to buy it to know it That's just one part of marketing strategy
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Barrs
    (1) There are no secrets. Just things you don't know yet.

    (2) There are no secrets, only people selling them


    You pick whichever one works best for you.

    Paul
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    It's Simple... I don't "sell" IM anymore, but still do lots of YouTube Videos
    **********
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  • Profile picture of the author Theresa Perez
    The generous people who tell their 'secrets' have executed their idea very well, which made it very successful. So the keyword is execution, not necessarily just the idea

    As for WSO, you have to decide whether the sales page description of their product fits with your current strategy.

    Most of them offer a refund period anyway so see if you can make it work
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