The Key to Freedom From Fraud and Frustration
ByBefore entering the world of Internet marketing, we were pretty isolated from the larger world of business and business relationships. As psychotherapists, authors, speakers, and workshop leaders we pretty much ran our own ship on our own terms.
And then our world radically shifted. We took a tele-course on how to do seminars by phone — thinking that’s all we were getting into — only to find out as we went along that we were actually involved in marketing and selling on the Internet. And we snapped to the fact that this was a hugely dependent enterprise!
Suddenly the growth of our business depended on “the kindness of strangers.”
Because over and over what we could see when the big gurus had super-success – was that it was always the result of getting help from their big-time colleagues and buddies.
Only we didn’t have any big-time colleagues and buddies of our own.So now what?!
The best we could, and did do, was purchase several courses and trainings and attend various conferences in our attempts to learn more about what was needed to succeed online.
Through these efforts we met several of the big gurus because they were the teachers of the courses we paid for and the producers of the conferences we paid to attend.
Now we were getting to know some of the Internet marketing leaders — sort of up close and semi-personal.
Hey! We thought we’re going to be very successful and soon because . . .
One of them told us “I love you guys! You’re family. You let me know when you want me to promote your course to my list and I will.”
Another said, “You’re my ambassadors. You’re my peeps. Always happy to help you.”
Someone else said, “Here’s my cell phone number. Leave a message and since you’re family I’ll call you right back. Always happy to help you.”
We could add to that list of “loving endearments and offers to help” but the fact is that the sincerity was only in the moment. NOTHING ever came of these promises to help us. Nothing except the outlay of cash and the pain to our hearts from believing that we would and could be helped to get ahead in this new business that these folks so clearly understood and were making millions from — while we were racking up credit card debt.
So, the key to freedom from fraud and frustration in this game called business is:
- To believe nothing until it’s been demonstrated and you can actually trust it;
- Understand that for hard sellers no matter how much money they’re making, making more money is their version of staying in integrity.
- And remember that your values of consciousness and conscience are not shared by everyone —- not even many who call themselves spiritual.
We haven’t become cynical, just experienced. We’re not saying you should back away from the Internet. Not at all. Just use your discretion.
The hard sell marketing mindset is very different from the soft sell.
So be aware, remain aware, trust your awareness, if even if sometimes you miss an opportunity due to misjudgment, because, in the long run, you will be better served by keeping your emotional feet on the ground rather than lifting off on the promises someone showers you with in the moment.
And, by the way, be sure to check out those promises you’re given. Sometimes they do pay off. But only after you’ve done your due diligence.
Because It’s All in the Connection — and Awareness,
Judith & Jim
And to add to your understanding and feeling for soft sell marketing — marketing with integrity and care and concern — we encourage you to get and read our new book (and tell your friends about) The Heart of Marketing: Love Your Customers and They Will Love You Back (Morgan James Publishing, May 2009)
Well Said!! I’ve heard the same thing – many times. In most cases it has turned out not to be true.
It is so important to know who you are dealing with – and sometimes it’s VERY difficult, if not impossible, to find out until it’s too late.
Trust your instincts. You know the old saying, ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’ Heed that and be aware of what you are buying.
Pay particular attention to the ‘gurus’ who tell you how wonderful they are by filling your head with grandiose statements about how much it’s costing ‘them’ to do you a favor (excuse me – favor? When you are paying them?) or how they are generously or graciously doing something for which you are paying.
You can trust Judith and Jim to deliver and over-deliver on what they promise. They’ve proven it time and time again. That’s certainly proof enough for me! Because when they say ‘It’s all in the connection’, they mean it.
Cathy Perkins
http://TheWordPressWizard.com
It seems that some products or services “imaged” toward “making money” as it main goal. They seem concerned only with the “mass market” as it will make more money. In other markets, the individual is targeted and more personal one on one services are required, with more ongoing contact required. Here is where we softsell marketers excell! The internet public is tiring of the fast and hard sell on line as it has on television. That hard sell is only on late night now. As our world changes, so must we, softsell persue on!
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