The Nonsense Has To Stop!
Friday September 21st, 2007 @ 2:33 pmHi There,
Gabriel Aguinaga here.
Recently a new product launched called “CB Affiliate Formula” and the price is $77 per month…
I did Not buy this product.
But based on what I’ve been hearing… it is not worth the $77 per month.
(I’ve read some pretty bad stuff about this product on the forums – from regular people, who feel ripped off)
I am not going to bash Andrews’s product this time around, for 1 reason…
REASON: I haven’t reviewed the product myself and I after my previous experience with another one of his products, I am in no mood to review anything else from him (not at this time at least)
But lets just get into why this Internet Marketing niche is starting to bother me…
I hate it that Influential Marketers with good sized opt in lists put themselves in a position where THEY HAVE TO recommend worthless, overpriced products to their subscribers.
Let me explain with a scenario:
Guru “Bob” promotes a product for guru “Steve” and guru Bob makes a ton of sales.
Guru Steve is extremely happy with Bob and now feels HE OWES Bob a favor.
Now, a few months later Bob creates a product (which happens to be worthless) and asks Steve if he can promote it to his list…
Steve feels he HAS TO because he “owes” Bob a favor, so Steve agrees to send out a mailing to his subscribers.
At this point Steve may or may not know that he is about to “recommend” a crappy product to his list… but it doesn’t matter… because he IS STILL going to promote it.
He has to; remember? He owes it to Bob.
Well, obviously Bob and Steve are made up gurus, but the scenario is very much real. It happens all the time and everyone benefits but YOU – the aspiring entrepreneur who gets sucked in by all the hype.
Listen, I love the Internet Marketing niche… I love the fact that my subscribers are people very similar to me… they are all business-minded people who are looking to explode their income… AND this is a niche with a lot of money up for grabs as well.
BUT… this niche can also force some people to recommend stuff they don’t really believe in. Products that don’t come close to delivering what they promise and that end up being consumed by innocent ‘hope-filled’ buyers.
And My Point Is…
It truly upsets me when I see crappy products been pushed like crazy, with no regard as to who is ultimately being affected. This nonsense has to stop already.
SIDENOTE: I do apologize for not having a concrete review for you today, but I’ve decided to only waste my time and energy reviewing products that “look” like they will pass the test. If I don’t even attempt to review them, that’s because I feel they probably aren’t worth the time.
Anyhow…
I am currently working on a home study course that will be truly amazing.
I will make sure that everyone who takes my Internet marketing course will say “WOW - it was about time someone released this stuff!”
There’s no telling when the course will be ready, but when it is, you can be sure that you will be highly surprised with the angle I am taking. That’s all I am saying.
As always… Please leave your thoughts!
To Our Success & Happiness,
Gabriel Aguinaga
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September 21st, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Hey Gabriel,
Great post. It’s refreshing to see someone in the internet marketing niche who has the guts to potentially offend well known marketers in the niche by telling the truth. I’ve had an online fitness business since 2002 and have done what a lot of people have done; I’ve spent thousands and thousands on crappy products that are nothing by recycled junk designed to upsell to even more expensive products.
And no one in internet marketing is willing to stand up and talk about it because they may piss off the wrong person and it will hurt their own business.
Keep up the great work.
Gregg
September 21st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Hey Gabriel,
You hit the nail on the head for sure. I’m even guilty
of it myself on occasion, but reading this from you
is a good reminder of the trust our subscribers put
in us every day, and the need to review products
before promoting…
Keep up the great work!
Ken
September 21st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Gabriel,
just when I was beginning to get concerned that the dollar signs were going to your head, you show me that you are a true champion.
I am glad I read this post it is what I have been complaining about for a long time and hopefully I will never forget what you are saying today.
continued subscriber
September 21st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Well spoken Gabriel !
The so called gurus try to put the money out of every
guy who has made the mistake to land in their mailing lists.
The joke: every NEW and TERRIFIC ebook, program or membership
site does exist already. Much cheaper or for FREE.
But that is the market. everyone is trying to get most out of it.
September 21st, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Just like the majority of people trying to develop a business on the internet I am one who gets the same product offers from several, seems like dozens, of so called gurus. Unfortunately they, as you have said here, have not personally reviewed the product they are pushing. I have received many for this particular product, some from well know people.
Thanks for making this post. Hopefully those folks who are struggling to make a profit online will see this
September 21st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Hi Gabriel, I am a newbie and just as the frustration was setting in and thoughts of giving up on Internet Marketing it’s refreshing to read your post. Thank You and I look forward to your new project.
Laura
September 21st, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Boy Gabriel, I am glad to see someone say what you did about this.
I have spent way too much money just because of these kind of recommendations. It is getting to the point that I don’t care who recommends it, I am not buying until I read some good comments in places like the Warrior Forum and such.
Thanks again for telling it like it is.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Gabriel,
I appreciate the heads up on CB Affiliate Formula and your bucking the trend to promote/recommend every eBook, program or membership that comes along.
Keep up the great work!
Gregg B.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Great post, Gabriel! I’m glad I’m not the only one who refuses to promote something just because it’s created by “Joe Guru.” I’ve been watching a lot of the well-known marketers shoot themselves in the foot lately by promoting junky products and it’s sickening. I hope they wise up soon.
Denise
September 21st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Hi,
I can’t figure out why more people don’t ask for refunds.
Get off the mailing lists of marketers that continually recommend
crap.
If you have purchased “Foxies” stuff before and bought this, shame on you.
He got me once and never responded to my emails. That won’t happen twice.
Here is another example.
I bought a $67.00 product launch
from an expert in an industry.
The main book had 17 pages of worthless BS at the
beginning before it got into the fluff.
Then it had 13 pages of more BS at the end.
Of course there were 5 bonus ebooks they totaled
127 pages of those pages 85 was into and ending BS.
The rest was fluff.
That’s 67% worthless repeat information.
But I’ve learned not to name names.
This product is still being sold by many marketers
and this “guru” is very popular.
WHY?
September 21st, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Hi Gabriel,
“I’ve decided to only waste my time and energy reviewing products that “look” like they will pass the test. If I don’t even attempt to review them, that’s because I feel they probably aren’t worth the time.”
Great post. I think many people do not realize the scenario you described.
I recently purchased a product for my members that looked great… until I opened it up and checked it out.
I pulled what I could from it for various task then deleted it. I could not believe how many people were selling it.
I have to wonder if they even looked at it.
Regards,
Tom
September 21st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I agree with all you’ve said and commend you for having the guts to say it! I’m finding an internet marketer impresses me for a while with their knowledge and products and then blows it by recommending all sorts of poor stuff! I may give them a second chance, but its not long before I unsubscribe and lose trust in them, and respect for them! Stay honest and true to yourself and us!
Thank,
Janice
September 21st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
You may have saved me some money because I had considered buying that product.
You are absolutely right. It’s hard to know if certain products are any good because all the gurus promote each other’s product for the reasons that you mentioned.
Thanks for keeping it real.
Russell
September 21st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Hi Gabreil,
Let me disagree with you on one point that
you mentioned.
“THEY HAVE TO recommend worthless,
overpriced products to their subscribers”
No! They DONT HAVE To if they keep their
subscribers interest first in mind over their
greed
Thanks for the great post. Let this be an eye
opener for every one whose greed takes over
the intersts of the subscriber.
Courteously — S. Kumar
http://www.learnhomebusiness.com
September 21st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Hi Gabriel
I totally agree with you 100%.
I was guilty of pushing any old crap in the beginning but know I understand the importance of only promoting good products that will keep my customers 100% happy.
Promoting less than worthy products is a sure fire way to losing your subscribers and their trust.
I look forward to hearing more about your home study course on Internet Marketing, it certainly sounds like it will deliver.
Sally
September 21st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
What a blast of fresh air Gabriel. Yes I too have got poor products and service from Fox and the way you explain “I scratch your back and you scratch mine”, is how JVs are done.
But nobody talks about it!
Keep up the good work!
alex
September 21st, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Well Done Gabriel. Were you listening in on my phone conversations this past week? He He. I was discussing this with a couple of well known GURUs this past week. They too agree with you.
I’ve often been offered deals like that… “If you promote my product, I’ll promote yours”… and I have just had to turn them down. Sometimes it’s not even a matter of quality, but their products don’t “fit” right with my customer list.
I think that in time, the people who promote QUALITY products and not buckle in to the “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” philosophy will be the ones who succeed. Keep up the good work!
Frank Sousa
September 21st, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Gabriel,
You hit the nail on the head. It’s a club. You don’t have to belong.
Mr. Fox left a sour taste with me long ago. Notice how his marketing primarily is all about HIM, what he makes, and what he’s got. I always want to know what’s in it for me. Good marketers tell me.
Glad there are other straight shooters around…
Regards,
Lowell
September 21st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Hey Gabriel,
How ironic…
I just posted a new blog entry with a cartoon about this matter.
Your post is great for those who need a slap on their face.
I know of a lot of marketers who plainly promote a “friend’s” product without reviewing it themselves.
About “CB Affiliate Formula” - I can’t say much about it too, since I haven’t reviewed it myself. Andrew did a really good job on the presell, I must admit. A lot of new comers would have fallen for that easily - the whole internet lifestyle mentality that he’s pictured in their minds.
“I’ve got two Ferrari’s, a house overlooking the beach” blah blah blah…
What turned me really OFF is how he said something like “I’ve been doing this for 8 years”… meaning you should listen to him because he’s the guy to turn to.
I’m in no way trying to criticize him, heck he’s making more than I am, but the way he’s doing business, it’s not the way I’d like to build my own business in the long run.
I’d rather build my business with basic quid pro quo principles.
Aurelius Tjin
September 21st, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Hi Gabriel,
A few days ago I got an email about “CB Affiliate Formula” from someone that I had really come to trust so I clicked over to the sales page.
There was a lot of hype but very well done. After reading the sales copy I was pretty much convinced that this was doable. It wasn’t just the sales copy that convinced me so much. It was knowing the person that sent me the email plus I knew of the marketers involved in the project. Even the $77 per month didn’t seem too high given the amount of income that was being discussed.
My problem was that I just didn’t have the time right now to get involved in something that would require my all out attention.
However like you, I am hearing a lot of negative comments about the program.
I believe that there a lot of people that would like to find a system that actually works without all of the hype. Most of don’t really trust any IM marketers.
Lewis
September 21st, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Gabriel
You’re right. I tend to look for reviews by ordinary people plus a few marketers that I do trust.
I also judge by how long it is between their recommendations - if there’s one a day they can’t realistically be reviewing them all.
I was talking to a well known marketer recently who admitted he can’t review everything he recommends - he just takes a quick look and if it looks ok, he’ll recommend it - no test of whether it works.
This whole thing is a real headache for aspiring IMers - I have bought so many things that as soon as you open it you see it’s rehashed. I’ve started getting refunds - something I never used to do.
Troy
September 21st, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Well said Gabriel,
You can take Bob & Steve and multiply it by X.
I am so sick of my inbox being pounded with the latest, greatest JV, sometimes receiving 10 emails for the same offer.
September 21st, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I quit even considering buying stuff a while back when I got a $27 “Latest and Greatest” promo for a product that I had gotten free a few days before just for subscribing to a weekly newsletter.
Be careful out there, and
Good Luck!
Dennis
–
Free Hosting with domain registration
http://www.d-j–enterprises.info/
September 21st, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Your post is a refreshing breath of air from all the BUY NOW!! messages that clog my inbox daily.
The hype filled Internet Marketing Arena gets really tiresome and it’s good to have someone tell it like it is.
Thank-you.
September 21st, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Hi Gabriel,
The marketers that promote crap out of an obligation aren’t doing themselves or the person they are promoting for any favors. The reputation of both marketers is being damaged for the sake of a quick buck.
If the maker of quality had taken the time to let his former JV partner know he was trying to push crap that will ruin his business, he would have been doing him a much better service than serving up a few sales at the cost of his own integrity.
Daryl McCoy
September 21st, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Hi Gabriel,
Thank you for telling it the way it is. Not enough people do that now a days. Especially to someone in their own market. You must have a real bad taste to but a post out like this!!! Just to let you know I thought about it but didn’t purchase. I wrote to support to ask some speciffic questions about the program. I got a response skirting my questions and told me if I bought there was a money back guarantee if I didn’t like it. I have taken advantage on money back before, but I don’t like to. I like to know what I am buting before I buy it. Any way, thanks for telling it the way it is.
Mike
September 21st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I bought Andrews last product and I couldn’t do much with it apart from leave it on my hard drive. I dont have any faith in him I’m afraid or many other marketers.
stew
September 21st, 2007 at 10:05 pm
GREAT post Gabriel!
I have been reading all of your email messages and occasionally scanning
your blog posts. After reading this one, my trust in you has risen exponentially!
You are doing and saying exactly what I was attempting with my blog.
Although I was flamed in several emails for it, I hope you do not experience
the same abuse which I did!
God Bless Gabriel and keep shouting the voice of reason to all within
email range!
Walter Gavurnik
September 21st, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I agree wholeheartedly, Gabriel. I delete any email that begins with “I just got off the phone with my good friend…” because I know I am going to get the EXACT same email 10 times!
I have been trying to promote the idea of us non-guru-types banding together in small teams, to help each other out INSTEAD of joining each other’s lists and just pitching new product after new product. Seriously - there can’t be THAT many “secrets” to marketing!
Anyway. Thanks for advocating sanity and rationality in this stuff. I am not familiar with Mr. Fox’s stuff. But I am familiar enough with getting the “I highly recommend this product” from way too many people.
Rick Carter
Start Your Life NOW!
September 21st, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Hi Gabe,
There is another way to look at the issue;
Do we sleep well at night, knowing we’ve ripped of some unsuspecting people on our list.
We all have to give an account of our lives some Day in the near future. Either when we give up the ghost or on Judgement Day.
No one can escape that terrible Day.
God Bless
Jens
September 21st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
me again
it seems that there are more people looking very critical
to the NEW and SHOCKING product of the century which
is released every week by another SERIOUS and WELLKNOWN
“marketer”.
why do you not give back the BS they sell you.
it is YOUR money. most of them say that you can refund
in 90 days or 60 or 30
do it. write them you are not happy with their product.
and that would be the last time that you paid him/ them
your hard earned money.
they meets minimum one time a year and they invite us to pay
$ 5000 to meet them and drink a beer with them.
but i think they are alone and are laughint about the silly sheeps
that are running behind them to buy their product…
FreeOnlineBusinessForum
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:06 am
[…] Just finished reading a post by my friend Gabriel Aguinaga. Maybe you know of him, maybe not! THAT is not important. What is important is what he has to say. […]
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 am
Hi Gabriel….Again!
Just wanted to let you know I put a post on my blog about this post. Sorry to FreeOnlineBusinessForum for using their idea without knowing. (Post was not here yet.)
Anyway Gabriel, I added this site to my blogroll as well as your link within the post. Sorry if I called you friend in the post without knowing you, but should you read the post you will understand!
GB
Walter Gavurnik
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 am
I unsubscribe to any so-called Internet Marketing Guru’s email list if the ratio of promotional pitches to worthwhile content goes over about 33%. Some of the people I used to subscribe to were sending me NOTHING BUT promotional pitches. That’s abusing the privilege.
Don’t jump on every new product that comes out just because it’s new and hyped to the skies. Pick an approach, research it fully, and apply what you’ve learned.
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:02 am
Dear Gabriel!
I can’t agree with more on this topic. I have also been doing this for almost three years now, and are still earning what we’ll call pennies. What surprises me is that if you’ve been hooked up with some “guru”, and bought their first offer, they always come back with another “must have” program, then another, then another ……….and so on. At last you have so many programs to promote that it “grows over your head”, and you drop out. I’ve also spent a lot of money on crap, and I have had to commit that making money on the internet requires a lot of hard work and that you manage to really stay focused. Only the big lottery can make you rich over night.
I’m glad you bring this subject to the surface, and I sure hope that a lot of early entrepreneurs read it!! I hope it’s OK with you that I pass your excellent article on to the people in my list.
Regards
Per Herland
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:08 am
Hi Gabriel
I was actually influenced by your review of Andrew’s previous product which you bashed and did not think highly of his latest product not because I bought and did not like it but due to the earlier impression I got about his products.
It goes to show how people can be swayed by another’s words. It may not be fair, is it?
I think big time marketers fear that they may offend their IM friends if they don’t promote and thus, not get their product promoted in return.
I feel it is unfounded fear because if you create an awesome product, THEY will promote regardless as they will not want to miss out promoting good products to their lists.
Marketers who are earning 5, 6 or 7 figures won’t know if a particular product is going to help someone still struggling cos they cannot identify (or rather, have forgotten;) with the situation non-earning marketers are in.
Then again, marketers are not totally to blame. They are making money promoting crappy products so why should they stop? And who are encouraging them? The buyers.
This is simple economics - demand and supply.
Perhaps, marketers should really get the opinions of those who will be using the product if it can be improved. Then again, this can be tricky cos’ should you give the review product for free or sell it at a discounted price?
Cons - people may feel bad criticizing free products or they may not even bother to test drive it. It will take a longer time to beta test the product and by then, may get outdated.
It is tough but whoever says it is easy building a respectable business, be it offline or online?
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:22 am
Guess what? I didn’t bought it too, but I think it’s not because of the products.. perhaps it’s because of how the product was presented to me in my inbox.
Maybe it’s time for a revolution in the email marketers community? Why don’t try blog?
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:32 am
Hey Gabriel,
Great post; I totally agree with you.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this kind
of phenomenon will ever stop, given
its profitability.
One more very bad thing about this
kind of behaviour is that when
something TRULY outstanding is
launched, nobody sees the real value
behind it, because they always see
products with a layer of skepticism
coating it.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Hi gabriel , you cetainly know how to put things
in perspective.
I am 59 years old;
Grew up in ‘the school of hard knocks’.
Have been ‘online’ for almost 7 years.
Gave up on making my first “million” $,
(just started on my second “million”.)
My thoughts:
The human mind is equipped well enough to deal
with irrationalities and inconsistencies that everday life
may present to each of us.
Human behavior?
Most times, even on a mundane level, has a tendancy to
be inexplicable, bizarre and even perverse.
Would-be survivors, have too much competition,
too many demands and not enough rewards.
The 95% failure on the ‘net’ I feel is because of
marketing approaches; ie: fear provoking, oppression
and even to morbid; if the ’sheep’ actually stepped
back and “really” looked at everything in the offing
most of these ‘money hungry gurus’ would not last long.
Dictated to or led to ‘believe’ all the intricacies of
life in this ‘dog eat dog’ world of survival of the fittest.
You my friend, give new meaning to ‘inspiration.’
The very best to you,
Robert B.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Nice post, Gabriel.
Took guts to post it.
Thanks for telling it like it is!!!
September 26th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Hey Gabriel,
I didn’t buy this product as well. I decided not to promote anything that are useless and people can get cheaper somewhere else.
Great Post Gabriel.
Cheers,
Carlo
September 26th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Hey Gabriel,
I didn’t buy this product as well. I decided not to promote anything that are useless and people can get cheaper somewhere else.
Great Post Gabriel.
Cheers,
Carlo
September 26th, 2007 at 3:18 am
Hello,
Just read your blog entry and I have to say that you are right on target. We the people of the internet, and you know who you are, need to realize that there are some nasty people out there that just want to get your money. They dress themselves up in pretty internet websites and promote hype and worthless programs to the population.
Listen, us the people who know who we are, wake up now before you spend your money with these guru’s sob’s who care little or nothing about you and after your money is in their pockets you are a memory.
Just take the time and read what’s out there. You will see a pattern. Gabriel Aguinaga is telling you the truth.
There is a circle of influnce amongst the guru populaton and if you are not in the circle you will not succeed. What don’t you understand about that?
Real people who want to make money with the internet go to places like Yorgoo.com. Here is a Link http://tinyurl.com/359cre
This is where you will get free leads, free traffic, and free downloads which will help you succeed with E-Commerce and Internet Marketing.
So I say this. If they want money to make you a success, don’t go there. Enough is enough. I learned the hard way and lost listening to Guru speak. Don’t you do it too.
Chuck Madere
http://tinyurl.com/359cre
September 26th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Well said ! I however do review products I have not purchased and unfortunately 99% of the time I am right. There is a post on “Guru Marketing Explained” your readers might find amusing.
regards
Phil
ps:you won’t find yourself in any posts as you are one of the few marketers I still respect.
September 29th, 2007 at 5:02 am
Hi Gabriel,
Any date for your home study course launch??
Koorosh
www.hiddenmindsecrets.com
October 12th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Glad to see I am not the only one fed up with this problem.I have been comptiplating building a free membership site in th emarketing niche…In competeplating how to get “guru’s” to promote it to their list’s as a free resource for their members.I keep thinking the only real thing I can offer them is to reccomend thier future products to th elist I build from the site. My biggest dilema with this is ‘what if their product is crap?” I cannot get myself to reccomend crap to people that rely on me to tell them like it is.I have always been a straight shooter and I will never be any other way.
So the question is how do I get these guys to promote my site without a promise to reccomend thier stuff? All I can think is to forwarn them that I will only reccomend what I can preview and see some real value in. Right now I can think of a few fairly big name guys I won’t even aproach because I so disapointed with their products……Any Idea’s….. comments?