Ferrari, BlackCard, 70" LED TVs...and IM

11 years ago

Once Im there Kenster, I'll let you know

Joking aside, as I get older I care more about giving my parents the stuff they never had as opposed to just treating myself. Saying that, I can be a bit of a flash git and I'd probably be a sucker for custom clothes, fine drinks and exquisite living

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Mark Brian

11 years ago

This materialistic idea is mainly because the IM niche was portrayed like this. You know those sales pages with ferraris and tons of money.

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alksense

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

I was just having this debate with an internet marketing buddy of mine...

Are Internet Marketers MORE materialistic than the "traditional entrepreneur"?

...share your opinion

All that stuff helps sell the dream but once you "make it" and start spending like crazy you realize it means nothing and you start spending more on experiences rather then material objects. (I'll never give up my 58'' plasma though!)

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Mr. Ken Russell 11 years ago

I'm in it too just be able to put food on the table. The rest is just a plus. Although I do have to confess that the "materialistic" part of it all gets me motivated to strive for more - but my main priority is being able to work from home without having to worry about the headaches of a 9-5. Even though this business does come with hard grueling work.. I'd rather work for myself and put everything I have into it and live comfortably rather then paying for some rich dudes daughters lease on a new Mercedes.
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- SurrealPSD 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by RussellK
  
  I'd rather work for myself and put everything I have into it and live comfortably rather then paying for some rich dudes daughters lease on a new Mercedes.
  
  Everything I believe in. For better or worse, your own sweat and your own reward.
  
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Anonymous Affiliate

11 years ago

I dont think materialistic mindset depends on the industry but on the person.

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4DayWeekend 11 years ago

It could be argued that most entrepreneurs choose to start their business to make more money, while those who choose to take the internet route are often doing so for the flexibility of working from home / having more free time.

Although I think there isn't any correlation between the route an entrepreneur takes and their personal goals.

A study would be interesting.
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Kenster

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate

I dont think materialistic mindset depends on the industry but on the person.

Well said...so if IMers are more materialistic than traditional entrepreneurs, do you think the industry attracts the materialistic type or the materialistic type is attracted to this industry?

Originally Posted by Mike Grant

With IM as a whole? No. With subsets of IM, like MMO, then absolutely.

Agree

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Bewley

11 years ago

Originally Posted by drunkenmonkey

It's not the fact that most in IM are flash gits..they are marketing to them in a "Flash Git" way, which is only going to attract the "Flash Git" breed by "Flash Git" Default.

I thanked your post because not only are your observations spot on - but the fact that you manged to fit in "Flash Git" 4 times in a short paragraph.

That is UK parlance at it's finest

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StingGB 11 years ago

I believe there is a temptation to display materialism because IM is so misunderstood by those outside it. I'm getting a 360 F1 Spyder as soon as funds allow. I don't think I'd bother if I was a surgeon.
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garveyonweb

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

Well said...so if IMers are more materialistic than traditional entrepreneurs, do you think the industry attracts the materialistic type or the materialistic type is attracted to this industry?

I think the headline promises of 'get rich quick' which litters the IM industry attracts people with such mindsets; however they are far from exclusive to IM.

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Kenster

11 years ago

Originally Posted by drunkenmonkey

Let me put it to you a different way...

If marketers continue to splash Ferraris and lambos all over squeeze pages with the palm branches and white sand beaches, which was rife on squeeze pages back in 2010, what sort of a person do you think that is going to attract?...

You attract whoever you are specifically marketing to.

I was never sold on the lambo's and the beaches, I saw through that.

I was sold on changing my life.

It's not the fact that most in IM are flash gits..they are marketing to them in a "Flash Git" way, which is only going to attract the "Flash Git" breed by "Flash Git" Default.

"The loudest bloke in the room, is the weakest bloke in the room" -

To voice my opinion and not fact, it's probably a combination of both:

Well said! The "sales" part of our industry is more flashy and materialistic than any other industry in the world that I can think of. For sure.

But I was just curious what the perceptions were regarding internet marketing entrepreneurs being more materialistic than the traditional entrepreneur. Not really why they are or aren't or what the basis was, but rather a yes/no answer in terms of statistics (if it were possible to measure)

I work with a LOT of entrepreneurs outside our space and many are materialistic, many are not...but if I were a betting man, I would say IMers probably have an edge

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Mike Grant

11 years ago

With IM as a whole? No. With subsets of IM, like MMO, then absolutely.

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djax3000

11 years ago

I think success in IM makes you more of what you already are. If you were materialistic or flashy before success, then you probably are going to continue to be that way but exponentially.

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Randall Magwood

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

I was just having this debate with an internet marketing buddy of mine...

Are Internet Marketers MORE materialistic than the "traditional entrepreneur"?

...share your opinion

I think internet marketers are more "analytical" than the traditional entrepreneur.

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cashp0wer 11 years ago

Maybe those IM people that are making thousands per month (say $100,000 and more) because they can afford to be. The fact is that most of us don't make that much money.
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Rod Cortez

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

I was just having this debate with an internet marketing buddy of mine...

Are Internet Marketers MORE materialistic than the "traditional entrepreneur"?

...share your opinion

My opinion is "I have no freaking idea."

Seriously. I know plenty in both camps and a few folks that some would consider both. If I had to give an answer, I'd say they're about the same when all is said and done. lol

RoD

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fin 11 years ago

No, but everyone I know of works from anywhere.

Not much room to be materialistic when you have to fit it inside a backpack.
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Michael Franklin

11 years ago

Most IM'ers that I'm in contact with are not materialistic HOWEVER there is a tiny subset of IM'ers who come across as "obnoxious materialistic" with a lot of showing off but after a while you realize that part of it is due to the successful image that they are trying to convey to new aspiring IM'ers. They want to impress others with their toys to sign up for their program...now whether these possessions were actually theirs or not is another topic

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Chris_Willow

11 years ago

These things are only cool as long as you can't afford them.

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talfighel

11 years ago

Everyone has a goal when they get started online or even in the offline world.

Some marketers want to be able to get an expensive car and that what's drives them to succeed even bigger then most internet marketers.

Other just have a goal to make enough money to quit their jobs.

Everyone is different.

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figgity

11 years ago

I don't think they are. I think a lot pretend to be when they are hawking their wares because it makes people who aren't there (the newbies) wish they were at the same level. Because they wish and hope to be like the successful IMer, they buy the product.

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yesacpow 11 years ago

I personally think it depends on the individual.. There are tons of marketers making boat loads of money that just live a normal life while the opposite is true for some with all sorts of fancy gadgets.

However, the way how some gurus market their IM products gives the impression that IM peeps are materialistic. Pretty much similar to hip hop.

When you think hip hop pros, you are thinking about expensive cars, jewelry, big house etc. Which can be a similar case for internet marketers in the broad spectrum.
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Joe Benjamin

11 years ago

It's a personal choice.

Advertising over the years has *favored* those seeking material
success; myself included.

Over time I've personally grown out of having to *spend* money
to ENJOY the financial success I've been blessed to have.

...however...

I enjoy spending my money on material things that are fun and
/or useful to have around, even if only temporary.

I have dreams of wanting to live in a Mansion. to throw parties
with friends and family. Does that make me more or less spiritual
than the person with a $10,000 a month income who *choose*
to live in a shaq in a third world country?

There's this stigma that material wealth is *lesser* than spiritual
wealth...as if the two were to be compared in the first place.

...but what if I told you have both?

What if I told you I perferred one more than the other?

Why, then, is it a debate in the first place?

I am of the opinion that material wealth is GOOD. How far you
take it is a personal choice.

I am ALSO of the opinion that spiritual wealth or, experiences...
are also good.

You can take it so far to the point where you deprive yourself of
the finer pleasures in life...and THAT can make you miserable just
as much as too much material can make you miserable.

Like all things in life, it's *balance*.

Let me ask you this Kenster...

you're a fairly wealthy man by American standards. YOU your-
self are *materially successful*...

do you hold the opinion that you're NOT materialisitc because
you choose NOT to spend paper for other tangible things?

Because, the act of having more money than you NEED to live
on...is, by definition, materialisitc in most peoples view.

not *spending* a lot of money doesn't make you LESS materialistic
than someone who exhanges their money for other material things.

But I'm curious to see what YOU think about this

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Kenster

11 years ago

Originally Posted by WhoIsBenjamin

It's a personal choice.

Advertising over the years has *favored* those seeking material
success; myself included.

Over time I've personally grown out of having to *spend* money
to ENJOY the financial success I've been blessed to have.

...however...

I enjoy spending my money on material things that are fun and
/or useful to have around, even if only temporary.

I have dreams of wanting to live in a Mansion. to throw parties
with friends and family. Does that make me more or less spiritual
than the person with a $10,000 a month income who *choose*
to live in a shaq in a third world country?

There's this stigma that material wealth is *lesser* than spiritual
wealth...as if the two were to be compared in the first place.

...but what if I told you have both?

What if I told you I perferred one more than the other?

Why, then, is it a debate in the first place?

I am of the opinion that material wealth is GOOD. How far you
take it is a personal choice.

I am ALSO of the opinion that spiritual wealth or, experiences...
are also good.

You can take it so far to the point where you deprive yourself of
the finer pleasures in life...and THAT can make you miserable just
as much as too much material can make you miserable.

Like all things in life, it's *balance*.

Let me ask you this Kenster...

you're a fairly wealthy man by American standards. YOU your-
self are *materially successful*...

do you hold the opinion that you're NOT materialisitc because
you choose NOT to spend paper for other tangible things?

Because, the act of having more money than you NEED to live
on...is, by definition, materialisitc in most peoples view.

not *spending* a lot of money doesn't make you LESS materialistic
than someone who exhanges their money for other material things.

But I'm curious to see what YOU think about this

I absolutely am materialistic. Everybody is to a certain degree as I don't think a single person reading this post is living only on what they NEED. So it's not a question of whether myself or others are materialistic, it's a question of whether we are MORE materialistic than others. It's a relative term.

I guess the heart of the question is (and perhaps I shouldn't have used the term materialistic) ...

Are IMers more flashy, drive more expensive fast cars, where nicer clothes, and live in bigger homes than traditional non internet entrepreneurs who have a similar net worth?

I think so.

I hate when people say "no because my buddy makes 1 gazillion bucks and doesn't live a flashy lifestyle at all" That is one data point and means zilch.

I mean overall if you were to take a real statistical average

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fin

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

Are IMers more flashy, drive more expensive fast cars, where nicer clothes, and live in bigger homes than traditional non internet entrepreneurs who have a similar net worth?

I think so.

I hate when people say "no because my buddy makes 1 gazillion bucks and doesn't live a flashy lifestyle at all" That is one data point and means zilch.

I mean overall if you were to take a real statistical average

If you knew you were right all along why did you even bother asking a question?

Don't you think it's more likely you hardly know anyone compared to everyone here put together?

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Kenster

11 years ago

Originally Posted by fin

If you knew you were right all along why did you even bother asking a question?

Don't you think it's more likely you hardly know anyone compared to everyone here put together?

What are you talking about?

I don't know I'm right...I stated my opinion and wanted feedback, wanted a discussion...hence why I asked the question.

Not sure where you are coming from on that one

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fin

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

What are you talking about?

I don't know I'm right...I stated my opinion and wanted feedback, wanted a discussion...hence why I asked the question.

Not sure where you are coming from on that one

It was just something you said.

Something about being sick and tired of people saying they know a guy who doesn't spend money and they shouldn't use their experience to form their opinion.

Just what it looked like from here.

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Kenster

11 years ago

Originally Posted by fin

It was just something you said.

Something about being sick and tired of people saying they know a guy who doesn't spend money and they shouldn't use their experience to form their opinion.

Just what it looked like from here.

Okay, maybe a miscommunication...

I was just saying that a lot of people discredit answers based on one data point. Like asking the question...do most CEOs of large companies have large salaries and then somebody replying "no, Steve Jobs earns $1"

So I was asking whether people thought ON AVERAGE whether IMers were more materialistic and I didn't want to have a bunch of people say "no, look at so and so...he's not" That's fine and dandy and use that data point as you reason through the question but don't rely your whole answer on one data point

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Steve B 11 years ago

Kenster,

I believe that every business should have an Internet based component, so to me, every business should have someone (or a team) that handles the marketing function of the Internet effort - be it the boss or someone else.

This is such a broad group and you are asking about characteristics of individuals that are so diverse . . . I would say that the group is no more or less materialistic than a cross section of traditional businesses in general.

It's easy to assume that IMers are materialistic but how could you ever effectively measure that? The debate will go on for a long, long time.

Steve
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fin

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

Okay, maybe a miscommunication...

I was just saying that a lot of people discredit answers based on one data point. Like asking the question...do most CEOs of large companies have large salaries and then somebody replying "no, Steve Jobs earns $1"

So I was asking whether people thought ON AVERAGE whether IMers were more materialistic and I didn't want to have a bunch of people say "no, look at so and so...he's not" That's fine and dandy and use that data point as you reason through the question but don't rely your whole answer on one data point

Fair enough. I only know 1 IM millionaire and he bought a 10 million dollar castle. Does that count as flashy?

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Kenster 11 years ago

Originally Posted by fin

Fair enough. I only know 1 IM millionaire and he bought a 10 million dollar castle. Does that count as flashy?

depends who built the castle :p
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Joe Benjamin

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenster

I absolutely am materialistic. Everybody is to a certain degree as I don't think a single person reading this post is living only on what they NEED. So it's not a question of whether myself or others are materialistic, it's a question of whether we are MORE materialistic than others. It's a relative term.

I guess the heart of the question is (and perhaps I shouldn't have used the term materialistic) ...

Are IMers more flashy, drive more expensive fast cars, where nicer clothes, and live in bigger homes than traditional non internet entrepreneurs who have a similar net worth?

I think so.

I hate when people say "no because my buddy makes 1 gazillion bucks and doesn't live a flashy lifestyle at all" That is one data point and means zilch.

I mean overall if you were to take a real statistical average

In that case...

Absolutely.

I do not believe, however, it's by *accident*.

What is the barometer MOST people use worldwide to
showcase financial success?

Material possessions and proof of income.

To someone *lacking material (relative to what they want
but don't need) the EASIEST way to prove to the masses
financial success is to showcase a few pictures or videos of
oneself in a Ferrari, mansion, large space, vacation, etc.

Is it necessary to get people on board?

Nope.

But for a marketer who truly IS making several thousands a
month in real profit...it's tempting to simply show off a few
numbers for *proof* or showcase items people associate big
dollar amounts to.

There ARE successful marketers who very rarely, if EVER show
-case possessions or reveal income numbers and, they do
quite alright.

Some would argue...

it *is* simpler to say, *THIS* is the profit potential for doing XYZ...
if you'd like to get into a business that gives you the POTENTIAL
to do these kinds of numbers...here's what you do next...etc.

It's more challenging to persuade someone who DO, at least
in the moment, have dreams to want *more*.

Or is it?

Maybe it comes down to the marketers personality.

An extreme example: Warren Buffet is a billionaire. Well known
fact. Yet, he doesn't live what most would call a billionaire life-
style. He didn't have to *convince* anyone he IS a biliionaire,
he just *is*.

And you look at Larry Elison and the opposite lifestyle he choose
to live.

Nothing wrong with either lifestyle. It's a personal choice. Some
people are admired buy the possessions Larry has...some are
admired by the simplicity Warren Buffet showcases...someone
like me are inspired by *both*.

So, I think some of those people who are flashier, were at one
point buying products from marketers who were flashy themselves.

...maybe they're simply doing what they've wanted to do BEFORE
success...or maybe they're doing it because they believe it's easier
to persuade someone to buy their products/services than it is to
stay low-key.

...maybe it's both.

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AlmightyGreg

11 years ago

A better question: who doesn't want materialistic things? I think one of the major rewards that been really successful have is surely your possible lifestyle. But take a look at other financial and business branches. You don't see wall street ballers going to work in a mini van (not that there is anything wrong with mini vans) or CEOs living in the "commoner" area. The point is, I think anyone who achieves financial success, probably wants to play with all the expensive toys they could only dream of at some point. I personally like internet marketing, but not because my goal is to get material things, but I really love business and being in control.

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thedanbrown

11 years ago

Materialism is definitely a relative term...

I think that some IM guru's like to portray themselves as having 'Rockstar Status' because it gives off the image of being successful. In general though I'm not quite sure whether internet entrepreneurs are more flashy than others...

I guess it all depends on the person...

I would be interested in seeing some factual stats though!

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nawshale

11 years ago

I think the answer still depends on the situation. In my perspective traditional entrepreneurs are still more materialistic. c: if i weigh things out

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mikehuff 11 years ago

Anyone with a dream to make good money while they sit on their ass at home all day(like me, the DREAM part) is probably at least a LITTLE materialistic.

I imagine once they see some success and realize just how much work is involved that the materialism starts to fade. Wouldn't really know about that one though :confused:
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Stuart Walker

11 years ago

I don't care for material things too much. I have a phone and a laptop and the rest of my possessions fit in a small bag. I'm location independent and travel for most of the year so having lots of things doesn't work for me. Can't say I miss any of it either. I prefer to spend my cash on experiences and seeing the world than wide screen TVs and gadgets.

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Tuzio

11 years ago

In my opinion it's totally dependent on the person and their
values. IM also can have small overheads thus more spendable
profit is manifested.

But I honestly believe it's a fiction that has been implanted by
Ferrari's and Yachts on IM book covers...

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Young Financier

11 years ago

I actually run my own trading firm, and I know guys who run money management firms. If you wanna talk about extravagance....these are the guys to look at. These are guys who make millions of dollars a month and buy condos in nearly every city they visit, luxury cars that start at 6-figures, cigars that cost $40 each, and a lot more things. These are the kinds of people I know. I haven't met an IM'er yet who can top these guys when it comes to flaunting their material wealth. Probably because I haven't met an IM'er who makes that kind of money.

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TimK06

11 years ago

Hello Kenster! I hope everything is well! This is an interesting subject you brought up here.

While I want say that all IM'ers are flashy and live high standard life styles I will say some

take advantage of the shiny object approach to intrigue buyer interests. What I mean is

some marketers may upload a video driving their nice BMW/Benz through the streets of

Beverly Hills to their house on the hill in order to make customers say " Hey now, that's

the kind of guy I can take advice from" but that's only a percentage but overall I wouldn't

say IM'ers are any more flashy than other people that reach their financial success.

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Michael Ten

11 years ago

Without quality research, I do not think that anyone is able to definitely make broad generalizations like that.

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Sysbase

11 years ago

I don't think it's industry base. It's person-to-person. It's all some lame landing page that's keeps it that way.

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J Bold

11 years ago

The reason we say people in this industry are materialistic is because it's often young men 18-35 being marketed to, who are definitely more materialistic than other demographics.

But who's the most materialistic of high earners in the US?

Sports stars. I'd say sports stars have IMers beat by a wide margin. Especially NFL players. Something like 70% of NFL players declare bankruptcy within 3 years of retiring from the sport.

And that's not a fake statistic like "95% of IMers fail."

Notice the demographic of aspiring IMers and pro athletes is largely the same?