Is Over-Hyped Information Preventing You From Making Money Online?
By Bryan Clark on Mar 12, 2008 in Make Money Online
Here is something that’s going to be shocking and disturbing, and I’m not saying it to discourage anyone, but sadly it’s internet law. Don’t get too discouraged, it’s not written in stone, it’s up to you, and you only to make yourself one of the successful few.
“Most of you will never make even a part-time living online”
There, I said it. I feel better, almost as if I just lifted a 300 pound gorilla off my shoulders. This is good, because bananas are getting expensive. So why did “Mr. Inspiration” just try to knock us down a peg? Those that don’t recognize the history, and statistics of the internet, are destined to become a statistic themselves. I don’t want that for any of you.
Question: So why aren’t more people making money online?
Answer: No matter how much I, or anyone else teach… they still don’t have a clue.
So get a clue!
The truth is that most e-books, info products, software and audio packages that you’ve ever bought in the past that “Don’t Work”, really do. It’s you that doesn’t work. Most systems that people put into play, and then in turn, sell… work! It’s the people that don’t follow the method 100% that are quick to cast the product off as junk, and in turn… these are the ones that still don’t have any idea what they are doing. Maybe I was a little “sheepish” saying to follow a method 100%, you can get creative and deviate from it… just don’t become one of the ones that deviates from it out of laziness instead. But what’s the best part of all this? These people that make no money online, are trying to teach others how to make money online! When these people try to teach you, having made no money themselves, all they are really doing is regurgitating things they‘ve read off of other make money online blogs. I know this, because I used to be one of them. I tried to “teach” before I had “done”. When you do this, all you are doing is passing on garbage. Sadly, we see more than our fair share of it on the internet if we surf regularly.
Good information does exist. I write 3-4 times a week giving you guys great information that can make you a ton. How do I know? I must be weird, but I actually USE all of the tips that I give you.
But here is where my job gets rough. I deal with a lot of criticism, and there are many people out there that seem to think I have no clue what I’m talking about. It’s okay, it comes with the territory, and it doesn’t hurt my feelings… but the truth? I made over $7,000 last month using the very same methods I’m teaching you. I’d say that for someone that’s been doing this for 8 months now, that I’m pretty far ahead of the crowd, I’m way behind some others, but I’m on my way. And you can be too! A lot of you are getting pretty close to the “tipping point”. That is, you are close to the top of the hill, and it’s up to you whether you fall forwards or backwards from here on out. It’s becoming more and more important for those “tipping point” blogs to make sure they are devouring good information consistently. While in the beginning, you could get basic info from any number of sources, it’s not the same anymore. You know the basics… but where do you go from here? OMG is a good start. I’m going to continue to provide beginner information, it’s what I’m known for… but I’m attempting to work in at least 1-2 articles a week that are a bit more advanced for the rest of you.
I wrote this post in order to get some feedback from all of you. With that said, a couple of questions are in order.
1. What do you think of “make money online” blogs that are creeping up in every corner of the internet that aren’t actually making money, but are trying to teach others how to?
2. What do you think of the new “more advanced” articles on OMG (articles like the one I wrote on Geo-Targeting)?
3. What do you think is holding you back?
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14 Comment(s)
By Nick on Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
How are you supposed to know who is bullshitting, and who is telling the truth. All the make money bloggers try to front like they are getting paid, so how do you if Guy A is actually making as much as he’s saying, and Guy B isn’t? Seriously, I hate to say this, but 99% of the make money blogs are exactly the same. There’s a few, like you, and a couple others, that actually try to help out and provide different information. But there’s no way to know, like you said, even you used to put on a front in the beginning. If we would have abondonded you then, we wouldn’t be with you now.
By Bryan on Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
“When these people try to teach you, having made no money themselves, all they are really doing is regurgitating things they‘ve read off of other make money online blogs. I know this, because I used to be one of them. I tried to “teach” before I had “done”.”
I assume that this is the statement you are referring to when you say I put on a front in the beginning. From the beginning, until now, I’ve never made exaggerated claims. What I meant by saying the above is that I was “teaching” before I was actually “doing” anything. I made it quite clear that I wasn’t making much money, but my gimmick was that I was teaching things as I learned them. Basically giving you a “what works, and what doesn’t” approach from a complete newbie.
This was the approach I took. I would have never been, and can’t stand, the blogger who claims to make big money but in all reality they are as clueless as the people they are trying to teach. Hope this makes sense…
By Ryan Cote on Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Good post Bryan. I made the same exact amount as you last month…but it took a lot of trial and error over the past 2 years (so I guess you have me beat at only 8 months).
But things get easier over time if you keep hammering away and learning from your failures. You also start to develop a good sense as to what’s worth your money and what isn’t.
I guess before you develop this “sense” you have to really research the product before you buy it so you don’t waste your money. But before doing so, it would probably help to decide on what your focus will be. i.e. adsense, article marketing, ppc, etc.
This way you can focus on “make money online” products and services that match your focus.
As far as what I think about the blogs that are popping up in this niche that AREN’T making money. I think it depends on the blog. Take Caroline Middlebrook for example. Up to this past month, she wasn’t making any money, but her blog is still very very well done.
I think the blogs with the shaky advice are easy to spot. But at the same time I tip my hat to others that try to maintain a blog. I know from experience that it’s very hard to keep the momentum going.
Just my 2 cents…
Ryan
By Nick on Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
No no, Bryan your misunderstanding what I was saying. Well, I guess it’s my fault for using the word front. What I meant is that even you had to start somewhere. By front I was referring to what you were saying about teaching before doing. As in you passed on knowledge that you may not have totally had a grasp on, but the major difference is is that you never acted like you knew everything. You’d be more like “Hey, check out what I’m trying to do today to make money. From what I’ve read if you do x and y then you’ll end up at z,” which is the responsible way to carry yourself in the beginning.
I guess what I’m saying is that everyone has to get a start somewhere. No one wakes up and knows how to do these things, but as you are saying, it can be very, very dangerous to act in such a way. Even more so for those that choose to follow them. Like I said, everyone has to start somewhere, I guess it’s the readers responsibility to filter out the crap and be skeptical at first…. How do you do that? Well I leave that up to you answer!
By Missy on Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
My take on info overload is that i TRY to minimize it, by following just the blogs and sites, i believe in and the ones that provide me value.
It is TOO EASY to get caught up and just jump from blog to blog, without actually doing anything. (lord knows i’m guilty of this)It is something we as freelancers and work at home folks need to keep a constant vigal of. To step away from the PC and live life offline.
Most people are aware of the mega “make money online” blogs, such as Shoemoney, Chow, etc but there are also smaller (just as profitable and successful blogs) like OMG, that can and do help the newbie or smaller blogger. This is one of the reasons i follow OMG. (not too ass kissy, i hope)
Point of my story is to limit intake, or as Ferris puts it, go on a “low info diet”.
By Richard Rinyai on Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
To answer your questions:
1. There are too many blogs out there that regurgetate the same information over and over again. It’s nice to see that you connect with your readers on a one-on-one level, unlike some others.
2. The “more advanced” articles definitely help. I have implemented them and will wait and see what happens.
3. The only thing that I think is holding me back is not being able to spend more time marketing my blog and catering to such a small niche.
Thanks,
Richard Rinyai
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net
By Richard Rinyai on Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
By the way, I noticed that you asked questions in your article and this is a great way to get more comments on blogs. Just realized this.
Thanks for the hidden tip!
Thanks,
Richard Rinyai
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net
By Bryan on Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
By Dominic Rivera on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
It is fine to make money online. I make money online (no matter how small it is). The problem though is when people (which I think is happening already) starts to think that blogging can be directly equated to making money online.
By Robert on Mar 18, 2008 | Reply
Nick’s right… it’s hard to filter out the crap. The tough part is trying to separate the posers from the real deal.
I do like the advance articles being added. They help in taking the next step in our marketing evolution.
By david Williams on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
online money making is quite interesting but one must be aware of the crap and must be able to separate out the crap.
By Michael Fuf on Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Interesting take on things, and at least partially true I believe. The majority of people who search out money making opportunities are people who are not inclined to follow the principles, so they are doomed to fail before they even start. Making money is not synonymous with “get rich quick”. Those who are disciplined and patient enough can make a lot of these online money-making endeavors work.
By Lisa Alexander on Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
I 100% agree and feel that people need to understand there are no “push button - get rich quick” opportunities out there. If you are serious about your business, you’ll treat it like a brick-and-mortars all the way.
You wouldn’t just say you’ll “wing” it with no education behind you or experience just opening up an actual store front, so why do it virtually?
People need to be self motivated, dedicated to their personal goals and moreover, stop concentrating on the money. This is about freedom! The money will come - but you need to let go of making that the reason why you do what you do. It will derail you every time.
Great article by the way!
Lisa Alexander
By 2ThePoint on Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
For a looooooooong time, I spent my time lapping up other MMO sites - plenty were crap, others weren’t - but I learnt from them all.
I can only speak for myself, but I think a lot of what stopped me from putting advice to action was plain old fear. It was safe to just read a whole load of sites and do nothing, thinking that they had what it took, but not me.
Everyone is on their own journey, and when they’re ready to finally start telling themselves the truth about why making money online isn’t working for them, then perhaps things will start changing.
My wake-up call came when I’d hit rock bottom and decided to start taking action. No amount of ‘thinking about’ what I wanted to do was gonna change my situation unless I actually ‘did it’. I moved from a state of paralysis to a state of action.
I still have a lot to learn, but I’m in a much better place now in terms of believing that I can do it. And, for me, that is so important.
take care and thanks for your post.