I like the “leave a comment” section at the end of your site here. Can you tel me how this is done please/

Great video Jim!

The diagram at the end is extremely powerful.

Knowing what to focus on is powerful but there was a bigger lesson hidden in that diagram for me.

Knowing what to focus on AND, more importantly, at what stage of our business to focus on it was the “aha”.

Great stuff.

All the best.

Stu

I agree 100% with your rants! I’ve unsubscribed from dozens of ‘guru’ mailing lists in the past few months because I haven’t seen anything of value recently and only a bunch of hype over the latest and greatest promotion.

G’day Jim,

Your comments on the 4 Magic Questions are right on the money.

I’ve been sucked in with courses,newsletters,etc,etc but since buying some of your products and recently MiniSite V2,I have cancelled all the other stuff and am concentrating on building a real business and ignoring the latest Hype.

Thank heaven for someone with morals and integrity and congrats on telling it like it is.

Your friend (well, I feel like that anyway)
Daryl

Hi Jim,

I thought this video was really funny, and it cracked me up. I am not accustomed to the phrase “sucks ass” being used in a whiteboard discussion. But I could not agree with you more about value.

Hah! Hey Jim…

Funny shit man, but seriously TRUE!
Luv your work, keep it pumping dude…

- aj

As usual, Jim, you are right on. Like Jeff, in the past couple of weeks I’ve unsubscribed to 99% of lists that clog my inbox. I’m sick unto death of all the crap!

Thank you, Jim, for providing this excellent, foundational understanding for building any business on the net. It’s so easy to miss seeing the forest for all of the trees that get in the way. You’ve really put things into perspective in this short but very powerful and insightful presentation. And thank you for bringing “people” back into the online marketing equation. Marketers with only dollar signs in their eyes rarely see their prospects as people they can help, to their own detriment. You’ve made that abundantly clear here. And you’ve also greatly enhanced your own credibility with the information you’ve provided.

Good Stuff Jim! I loved your rant. My email box get’s way too many over-hyped offers. But I always appreciate your email for your ethics and advice. I count on you for sharp and practical help. KEEP IT UP GUY!

Thank you Jim.

Once again another succinct and very helpful video. Now to go and “do the do” …

Live long. Live well.

Hi Jim
I certainly agree with your rants!
But I think that your 4 questions message is a critical blueprint for anyone wishing to buiild a succesful Internet business.
The Skyscrapper model is great, and clearly defines what one should be doing to build their business effectively and efficiently. I will definitely use it!!
Thanks a lot.
Looking forward to tomorrow night!!!
All the best,
Bill Blake

Jim, thanks for your straight-shooting insight. I hope some other marketers are red-faced after listening to this, and this helps the industry overall. My biggest kudos are for your emphasis on thinking about *helping people.* Thanks for helping all of us.

Hi Guys,

I’m glad you liked it

I do appreciate your trust and confidence and do my best.

Jim

PS - Ian: the ability to leave comments is standard on a WordPress Blog… go to www.wordpress.org for free software you can install on your site or www.wordpress.com for a hosted solution.

Gee Jim tell us how you really feel.

A couple of months back I commented somewhere that this was becoming completely ridiculous. I too have started unsubscribing. I do not need the same flogging from multiple sources. Especially when they have nothing of value to add, or provide at other times. You know that another launch is coming because their emails start up again.

Jim, I had taken note that you and only a couple of others had not joined in on the flog-ommania that has gone on. And for that reason when you do speak up, I take the time to listen.

Thanks for your comments. I have purchased a number of your products and have always received high value.

John

Hi Jim,

You hit the nail on the head with this and in an easy to understand way, no B.S. just plain and straight to the point. I must say that I have seen this information similary to this before but from only one other person, there is not enough people telling new marketers the right way to go about it.

I put in the groundwork using the 4 questions and am now starting to see the benefits, must admit it took a lot of hard work and time, but my foundations are strong and I will be around for a long time to come.

And I have also gotten rid of some so called gurus I got sick and tired of the next big thing and all the emails bein the same, would have thought they could take some time to change a few words in an email to make it sound a little different, makes you feel like they thing everyone else on the internet is stupid and just there for the taking, these people will profit for a while but in the long run they will fade into oblivion.

Sorry got carried away a little

Anyway keep up the good work.

Love and Light
Colleen The Crystal Dragon

Now I fully understand why I am losing faith and trust in some Gurus and I have been requesting REMOVAL from their data bases. Jim, stick with your convictions. I respect honesty and being trust worthy above all else. I don’t even want to know how much money I have spent on “The End Of All Products That I Will Ever Need”, that never produced as promised. (I’ll bet my wife would like to KNOW”.) My father left me with a valuable in-site, and that I should always deliver 10% more than was expected of me and that has benefited me more than that initial 10% of over delivering. Jim, your presentation was just what needed to be said.

Clair Atwell, Ormond Beach, Florida

As I come upon the final aspects of my 3rd product creation, I could not agree with you more. I was always trying to follow the ‘guru’ advice and not getting very far with my end product even though they were good. I placed too much concentration on the product and not enough concentration on the people who NEEDED it. This time I have more than corrected that and I have a huge list of people begging me to hurry up with the completion of my product so they can purchase it. And you know what…. it just plain FEELS GOOD to the creator this way, too!!

There are so many people that need to hear you speak. Thank you for this white board presentation. I plan to direct some of my colleagues to it, so they can join the fan club. Jim, I repect you and your work. Pleae keep leading the way for us!!

Jim, thanks so much for reinforcing the reason why I am building my new website for ‘newbies’. I have been learning internet marketing for nearly 3 years and in that time I have been appalled at the unethical tactics used to take ‘unsuspecting’ people’s money in this business. People who are really struggling to make ends meet and going to these seminars and buying online products as a last resort thinking they are being given ‘the so called golden ticket to riches’. I was one of these suckers 3 years ago who was sold 6 website templates and told how easy it was to make money. Well when I got home what a reality check that was. Lucky for me I taught myself the real way to make money online and now I am using these skills to teach other people who want to make a serious income on the internet ’step-by-step’ ethically and honestly.
My husband told me if I tried to do this no-one would buy my products because honesty does not sell. I disagree, I think people really want to learn the real way how to get started online and will follow someone who is going to teach them and keep teaching them until they get it or decide it is not for them.
You are right it is all about ‘the value’. You help them to learn what they need to know to get started at a fair price…keep helping and providing value and honest teaching and you will have success. I am a true believer in over delivering.

Thank you for this video…I will let you know how I go. I am in Sydney Australia and they are very ‘hype’ conscious here. A lot of the Gurus realise that the US market is oversaturated and are trying to come here and spruik their wares. But Aussies, like to learn from their own and I am using this to my advantage to teach people here in Australia how to build an online business from scratch ‘without any hype’.

I will definitely share your video with my readers. Jim thanks for being a ‘breath of fresh air’ in this industry.

Have a fabulous day.
Pam,Sydney Australia

Spot On - on all counts.

Jim, I hope that I may submit a second commit, however, it is not quite on the subject of Gurus. However after exposing my self to your presentation I feel more knowlegable. My problem is now that I have a 108 page eBook prepared on the subject of “Thoughts” I am concerned as to how to offer it up for public presentation and to whom? Any constructive guidance would be appreciated.

I just don’t want my product to be considered of lacking value to the purchaser.
Clair Atwell
In spite of “Fay” we are still here. Ormond Beach, Florida

Hi Jim,

Great stuff! I’ve never heard niche marketing put this way, not only for the web but for any business. Ironic how the obvious can be completely overlooked.

As I watched the video, I came up with a new website and services (I’m in the audio video design / install business) in my mind that I think will change everything. I’ve been trying to sell my service, instead of explaining how I am helping the customer if they would use what I have to offer. You are exactly right. I never buy the “thing” but the benefit (whatever that means to me as the buyer) I expect to get from it.

As far as the internet marking hype, I recently got “tricked” into buying a subscription to a POS myself with some clever “the screen went by before you have a chance to read it” marketing. By agreeing to pay a small price for the downloadable “goodies”, you are unknowningly signed up or some piece of crap subscription for $29 per month. It hit my credit card twice before I caught it. Once I got that fixed, I unsubscribed to not only that junk seller, but every name I could find assoicated with him. And it’s like you said, this was supposed to be some market wizard. I won’t put up the name for obvious reasons, but he’s all over the internet. From now on, I’ll never see this person or any organization he’s associated with as anything more than a scam artist. That is unfortunate for me and him, because he might really have something good to offer. But he will never have another chance to offer it to me because of this last pathetic marking technique. He must have run out of ideas and is in a cash crunch to pay the bills.

I’ve also grown tired of the “price is changing tomorrow” or “only 15 copies left” and similar “emergency - need to act right now” ploys. Please. Do these people really think I’m that stupid? Those get black listed, blocked, and the fabulous delete key works wonders.

But your stuff is a keeper!

Thanks again for all of the work you are sharing with us.

Right on the mark, Jim!
I’m so glad someone is finally speaking out this way.
Those 4 questions is exactly what I’ve been getting stuck on for the last 3 years. And all the gurus I asked about it tried to steer me away from the niche I’m trying to define and get me involved with some grand scheme they were into instead because it would be “easier for a beginner like me to market” than my complex niche. Yeah Right!
Thanks for the inspiring video, Jim!

Classic, Kick-Butt, Spot On Rant, circa 2003 Jim Edwards’ beginnings, right-on-the-money SMACK DOWN! Ooooh Yeah! Diggit! “tell the truth brother, tell the truth…”

As a former colleague used to quip, “Kevin, you can shear a sheep many, many times… but,
you can only skin it (read “fleece”) it once!”

The only good business is a value for value exchange. No, Jim, you aren’t wrong, you are Spot On, as I’ve personally found you to always be in every product I’ve purchased from you. I’ve NEVER felt that I didn’t get my money’s worth and then a “good deal more” from you. I cannot say that for anyone else in the internet market guru arena.

Those IMG’s that have applied the “True Believers, Get Their Last Cent” version of direct marketing concepts using the “Social Pressure Promotions” formulas vs. the “Social Proof” aspects as actually taught by Dr. Cialdini, will soon run thru their “herds of their marks” and be without a real customer base for the long haul.

I’ve said it before, still stand by it & will say it again… “Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the money I’ve invested in Jim Edwards’ products has been the best investment in my own education that I’ve ever made.”

And yes, I have made money on the internet following Jim’s exact formulas.

Keep kickin’ it, and keep rantin’ it, Bro.

What a great video! I don’t see much of your stuff but when I do I ALWAYS love it. I was thinking while watching it “you should be a teacher.” Then I thought “Wait a minute that’s what you’re doing.” You really do a super job. Thanks

Jim, I like the description of what a niche market is. It’s no wonder my site doesn’t work I did not use the right plan.

Roger

Brilliant Jim
Good for you!

And Thanks for saying what needs to be said!!
I just twittered this post. I hope people watch it and learn!

3 am here so I’m to bed so this is short, but I am very glad that you have said everything (and more) that I have been thinking.

Best,
George

Jim, Your 4 magic questions video is really clear and understandable and to the point. Thanks, Robert

I agree with you about the “next big thing” sales. Somebody comes out with version 3 of some great software, and everybody tries to sell it to you. A lot of times they have exactly the same sales letter as eveyone else. So to get you to buy it they have to give you bonuses. If 6 people are selling the same thing, why should they buy it from you? And if the bonuses are good, why not skip the new product and sell the bonuses? And not everybody needs version 3. If version 2 is still good, sell that to the people who can’t afford version 3, but sell it for less. You can’t be different by selling the same things in the same way.

Hello Jim, Great Video..

I thoroughly enjoyed your rant.. am going to go check out the smackdown ones shortly.. Have to now! Loved it..

You are so very right.. Thanks for telling it Exactly how it is! Certainly refreshing, and I’m glad I wasn’t in the room hearing the gurus talking like that.. I would have had a few choice words to say..

That is just SO Wrong, I agree, and it will come back to bite them eventually… Karma & All…

My first year & a half online was a nightmare actually.. listening to all the so called gurus, falling for all the hype, getting sucked into all the sales copy.. it was ridiculous.. and a very expensive lesson..

I now know better & choose who I listen too, and what I do buy now and have noticed the ones who may actually care, now give away a lot more free info, that they normally would have charged an arm & a leg for not so long ago!

Something you have been doing for a lot longer than most, your “Work from Home” ebook, with the key was one of the first ones I read online, should have listened to you, back then more than likely would not have had to go through what I did.. All good now though!

And consumers are wising up big time, which is great!

There are still a couple of them, that will do full reviews before promoting to their list, but very few & far between these days, and have lost respect for quite a few along the way, & when you see them all promoting each others stuff.. (I realise that’s what JV’s are all about) but Pleeeez, some are shockingly obvious, and even their emails are copied & pasted.. & that’s supposedly from “professional marketers” (so called gurus) LOL..

I would not want to be a newbie all over again that’s for sure.. although it is a lot easier getting started now, it is more about finding who you Can Trust & who you Can’t & as quickly as possible

So you hit the nail right on the head with your rant…
Thanks for sharing, “You are one of the good guys”
that much I do know!

And your explaination of niche marketing was brilliant especially for those just getting started….

Cheers, Dianne in NZ
“Have a great, 2008″

Always enjoy your videos…I really should buy something from you. I need to explore some of your other products besides the mini-site product…

Loving the video Jim, watching it right now.

Alot of launches really do come across like flogging stolen goods out of the back of a van.

I do ofcourse like watching what marketing they’re using though, aswell as yours. It’s good practice to decipher the persuasion triggers…

-Matt Haslem

Jim, Great video!! It seems like most affiliate marketers are just out to sell sell sell, They don’t care about you or me just want to make a sale.

The love of money seems to be taken over our moral values. I am glad we have someone like you to turn to for honest, tell it like it is information. You the man!!
Keep up the good work

Rich

Hi Jim

How true. Personally I have been sucked into spending money on huge loads of #%@!. Frankly, I am sick of it, I have started deleting those hype loaded emails and opting out of everything.

Truly something should be done about it though. Perhaps a ‘Fair Trading’ covenant needs to be formed to stop some of those vultures out there that feed off both the experienced and the inexperienced. Perhaps a site where names/products are named!! giving fair warning to the innocent masses.

Hopefully, others feel the same and are interested in doing something real and honest. Let me know if you do, cause I’m in.

Cheers
Viv

Hey Jim,

Well said man. I’ve had a gutfull of all the me-too product launch parasites out there as well. If you haven’t used or at least checked out a product with your own eyes, you ain’t ‘qualified’ to recommend it. Just another ‘flogger’ as you say.

Anyway, thanks for the great content and I quite like the ‘whiteboard’ idea.

Cheers

Finally someone that brings the question of morality back into the equation! Boy I’m glad I’ve found you! I’ve wasted good money on worthless products promoted by respected “gurus”. Needless to say that I’ve unsubscribed from these lists! Thanks for exposing this greed problem and for showing the way to success in any niche: focusing on people and their needs.

Hi Jim,

You asked in your video who talks about this stuff? I do. Whenever I have a class I use these exact questions along with “who am I”, and “what do I stand for”. There’s another famous guru who says “never mention in your sales copy the word “work” or they will not buy.” I’ve been know to give clients a refund because they weren’t working. I don’t understand how people think they can buy “stuff in a box” and start making money in their sleep. It takes work and if they don’t want to work I tell ‘em to go buy the “other people’s stuff. Good for you for telling it like it really is and concentrating on people first, profit second! Oh, and of course, great products too!

Jim

Quick question?

What font were you using in this video white board?

Thanks

Hubert

PS. Great Rant

Thanks Jim,

Your rants are powerfully stated and right on.

The four questions puts things in clear perspective, and facilitates the focus that leads to effective action and results.

Thanks again.

Love Ya,

Tony

Hi Jim
You’re the best!!!
You tell it like it is, cut out all the bull dust..just the way I like it.
I feel like I got more value out of this than all the downloaded rubbish I’ve got on my hard drive.
You’ve helped me fine-tune my approach to the people in my niche…I will now redo my salesletter.
I always feel good after I’ve listened to you, like it’s not so hard after all and you crack me up!
I’d have to say you’re pretty close to being “the best” online teacher of “how to” on the net (and it’s free)
Thanks Jim
Kind regards
Jacqui in Oz
P.S. Is your mini-site creator a stand alone software & how much is it??

Hi Jim,
I want to comment and the rant because I agree with everything you say. Fortunately, I’m a cynic, so I never buy the next “big thing”, but I feel sorry for the people that I know will when the next lauch comes out every week.

I agree with Roger that a lot of affiliates don’t even bother to change the wording of their emails. I delete those emails as soon as I see the subject line.

To take things a step further, a disturbing trend that I see in the Internet Marketing world is the forced continuity offer. Sure it might be great for the marketer, a lot of the “gurus” seem to be doing it, but eventually I believe that marketers will decide that these plans actually cost them money in the long run because people will be pissed that they forgot to cancel and will never buy anything else from that marketer again. Personal rant over.
Craig

Thanks for saying what I am sure is on the mind of many of us. It’s still good to hear it though - like a breath of spring - lots of green grass but watch where you step.

The white board works great - I am going to try it myself. Your analysis of the 4 questions being the foundation is also very good too as was the skyscraper a good analogy.

Keep the good stuff coming Jim; I and many others appreciate it a lot more than the guru BS we keep hearing on the product launches.

Bill

Hi Jim,
It is refreshing to hear your opinion. I have lost a lot of respect of the so called Gurus lately. I think they will be getting their lists depleted in quick time.
I agree with you totally. Really good information on your niche marketing. I am looking forward to hearing more from you. I am developing 2 large software products and i am keen to learn marketing techniques from you. Regards, Graham Tutin

Rantastic as usual Jim. You may be missing the point on internet marketing launches though - it’s virtually never about the product, it’s about wish fulfilment. No marketer ever really ‘needs’ the products being sold because there are any number of books and bits of software out there that already do the jobs needed. No, they’re about ‘desire’ and ‘living the dream’, hence all the hype.

Having said that, I agree with you totally. One very, very recent launch - where some second hand psychology gained from reading a few very well known (and cheap) books has resulted in a very expensive product - is an excellent case in point. It really is all out there already. There really are no ’secrets’, just simple techniques to be deployed. Unfortunately, as all the launches that hype ‘lazy’ demonstrate, work is perhaps not what many internet marketers are actually interested in.

Jim, you’re doing a great service warning us about this Gurus. I think Gurus have organised themselves into a mutual admiration society. Here in UK we have a Trade Description Act, under which many of these Gurus can be prosecuted. Because what they’re selling is deception.

Please expose them thoroughly. You’ve the means to do so.
Many Thanks.

Hey Jim, Love your rant and am going to unsubscribe to many of the “gurus” mail lists because what you say is right, most do not give you any value.
All the well known gurus must laugh at us mere specks, as they sit around at these big conferences or jump on the phone (or off) and discuss amongst each other, which one of them they will promote from within their circle. All they are concerned about is getting as many hard earned dollars off us “specks” as they can.
I am deeply dissapointed with the lack of value and the lack of care these guys have for people starting out.
But let us not forget that these guys are clever marketers, whose job it is to extract the juice from us with every written word. Its not our fault that we are sucked in by emotional words and promises, after all we are human.They are in a circle where most are concerned with taking money off you and in most cases, giving you rehashed marketing information and no value.
Sean UK

hi jim - what powerpoint templates do you use for your presentations?

thanks

johannes

I think you’re talking bullshit. You are trying to profit from ranting about all others and builing you business while damaging the reputation of others. That’s more evil than not testing a product before selling it.

First you talk bad about Dan Kennedy and others (mainly the whole market) and the you go straight to selling your own product. You’re just using a different approach to marketing. Doesn’t mean all others aren’t right. It’s what Frank Kern calls “Us vs. Them” or “I will protect you from the bad gurus”. Doesn’t matter how you do it but you always use a selling technique. And most people on the lists of the internet marketing gurus know already how the game is being played. I buy marketing stuff myself and have no problem with hype and selling.

This is something that wasn’t invented by the internet gurus - it’ nothing new. Do you think that a car dealer tests every car himself or the people at the supermarket or the guys on teleshopping? This thing is called economy.

Right now I’m thinking about unsubscribing from your list. Anyway thanks for the 4 Magic Questions.

Hey Jim,

Great video. Love how you cut through the crap and get to the point. I’ve benefited a lot from your insights over the 6 years or so that I’ve been on your list.

One of the most valuable things I learned from you was how to write great articles that are both interesting and ‘useful’ for the reader. I’m still getting targeted traffic and sales from articles I wrote like 3 years ago following your simple formulas.

Also, I can remember long before video sharing sites we’re popular (or even existed), you we’re evangelizing big time about how online video was the next ‘big thing’.

At that time you we’re the loudest voice when it came to online video. I don’t know if people remember that or whether you’ve been given due recognition there so I wanted to do that now. YOU CALLED IT MAN. I REMEMBER!

Anyway, fast forward several years later and look at how HUGE online video is today. You we’re sooo right and that is why I stay on your list…no to mention the fact that you prove time and time again that you genuinely give a damn!

Thanks for keepin’ it real all these years. Really enjoyed this video. Breath of fresh air amidst a whole lotta pollution!

Cheers

James

Hi Jim Readers n Posters … excellent view on the internet business model well done Jim with your rant … funny but very true marketing online as we all soon come to understand is a big no no difference to any off-line business model … there simply is no new fundamentals when it comes to starting any business on or off-line … Customers needs 1st Product 2nd Money back, customer satisfaction guarantee! 3rd Enjoy what your promoting 4th

All my best to you and your success!
Phillip Skinner

Damm Jim !!! Your 4 questions video, was the best stuff I’ve seen in, I don’t know when. It was truely a breath of fresh air.

You hit the nail right on the head with your rant. As someone who has been always searching for ways to get ahead on the net, it is SICKING to finally come to the realization recently how, interconnected all these “gurus” are. One feeding off the other, at our cost. It truely does create a distain for the whole industry.

The stuff you just offered was without a doubt some of the best, and most helpful stuff, I’ve seen anywhere on the web, and for FREE to boot!

Don’t get me wrong but, I have also been evaulating you, and your stuff for some time also, to see if you are just one of them also.

I have come to the realization also that, you are indeed not, and are the real thing, and for that I would like to say, THANK YOU! You have won me over.

Keep up the EXCELLENT work! I’m sure I will be buying some of your products in the future. Thanks again for being honest, and helpful, this world could use more people like you.

RWC

Hi Jim
Most interesting video and spot on info.
I agree entirely with your rants. You can see from the subject line what to expect before opening the email.
They come in floods so you know which ones to unsubscribe from and which ones are worth staying with
Keep up the good work Jim

Regards

Terry Fennell

Hi Jim

I’ve been on your mailing list for a number of years now and I always listen to what you have to say. You present things in an interesting and captivating way. I totally agree with you about these ‘Guru’s, they do have a moral responsibility, the one’s that tout products that they have never used or even seen should be taken outside and ‘Shot’, it’s despicable behaviour. I have unsubscribed from a lot of these so called ‘Guru’s lists recently, they should be ashamed of themselves. I can’t ever see myself removing myself from your list because you cut through all the hype with much welcomed honesty and I trust the things you say. You stick out like a sore thumb in a crowd of same old same old marketing men. Thank you for your down-to-earth approach to all this internet marketing stuff. You’re one of the good guys!

John O’Hara
United Kingdom

Re: AngryDude

First, I love it when IDIOTS don’t have the BALLS to use their real names.

Second, your idiotic little rant is a perfect example of what’s WRONG with the market.

The problem here is that people have put their TRUST in people to teach them things they know nothing about. That trust is often betrayed (either on purpose or by accident) by people who put themselves up as “teachers”.

The people don’t know enough to know what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s plain bullshit.

I think we need to perfect a new form of marketing: “Scoially Responsible Marketing”

But the problem is, people like you would figure out a way to bastardize it.

And YES, it does matter how you do it! I’m sure your mother wouldn’t be proud (or at least I’d hope she wouldn’t be proud) of some of the marketing techniques I see people using to manipulate and control the masses into buying SHIT they have not business buying at this stage of their online careers.

Oh, and when did I “talk bad about Dan Kennedy”? Please enlighten us with a specific example and link to where I mentioned Dan Kennedy’s name?

Also, I hardly think your car dealer analogy is appropriate. Whole industries (Consumer Reports) and Government agencies exist to watch car dealers and car manufacturers’ activities and evaluate their products. Can you imagine how filthy and scummy the car business would be if they didn’t?

So “Angry Dude / COWARD” - I invite you to get off my list toot sweet. It’s not like you don’t have other options.

Oh, and you’re welcome for the 4 questions. Sounds to me like they are a whole NEW concept for you and for those you’ve been following…. I invite you to use them to form a whole new connection with the market and maybe even the latent integrity lying dormant within you

Jim

You Go Jim,

Sounds like AngryDude got his toes stomped on pretty hard. He must be a self made Guru, or better yet, one of those latest, greatest, next best thing since canned beer FLOGGERS!!

Anyways Jim, I’ve been enjoying reading your emails, blogs and especially your videos. Your one of the few that doesn’t throw BS all over the net!

And Jim, thanks for this very enlightening video.

Tom

Back in 2005 when I was thinking about starting a site I found mini site creator and bought it.

Since then I’ve followed just about everything you’ve done and said. I have used other people for mentoring and bought other resources but have managed to keep well away from the ‘gurus’ of the type you mention.

Jim….you should’ve named and shamed them. Sure they’d scream back but I think you have built enough credibility over the last few years to not have to worry about it.

I think I’m kinda trying to say thanks for what you did with your training. You have no idea who I am I’m sure but I would attribute most of my (considerable) online success to you personally. Just shows what a great job you did with msc as it has been out for ages now and no-one (and I mean no-one) has even come close to producing anything like it. Well done Jim and thanks again

Thanks once again Jim for your ‘tell it like it is’ comments. I found your ‘foundation’ and skyscraper’ images to be a really useful reminder of the timeless & everlasting values & strategies that work, rather than receiving the latest ‘fad’ supported by emails from the ‘guru club’.

Way to go Jim. I hope the internet marketers you described are saving their money, because it may have to last a long time. Those of us who have been burned won’t forget. There’s a key marketing lesson they overlook. Unhappy customers are a lot more likely to tell someone than happy customers. So eventually, no one will be interested in buying their sub-standard fare.

I recently bought your mini-site creations product and I am happily working my way through it. Thanks for your insight and great information.

Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
and . . .
Agree.
Thanks Jim for telling it like it is.
Michael

Hey Jim,

This is so true. But unfortunately I believe that the confusion is part of the game plan. These Gurus sell a dream and if they keep the dream alive and their customers confused and always looking for the next best thing it works right into their game plan.

Thanks Jim,

For the four Niche Market questions - straight and to the point, the way I like them! Easy to understand - goog job!

Bob D.

Thanks Jim,

For the four Niche Market questions - straight and to the point, the way I like them! Easy to understand - good job!

Bob D.

Rave on Jimbo…Rave on!! In a different life I was a sales manager overseeing over 250 sales agents. In my sales classes I always stressed “value” and “integrity”…things that are sorely missing in 99.9% of today’s internet marketing. I also taught them there is a HUGE difference between establishing an ongoing, profitable relationship with your clients and milking/bilking them repeatedly.

Like many of the others who commented here I have been unsubscribing to A LOT of the so called gurus, mostly the endless floggers. My mantra lately has been “too many gurus, not enough results”. I am whittling my guru list down to one…YOU.

I couldn’t possibly agree more with your rant, so rave on!
Jimm Crouse

I’ve too been amazed at the number of “big launches” and the suspect techniques like “forced continuity” and have thought if the IM biz doesn’t clean up it’s act, there will be a congressional inquiry not unlike the baseball steroid business not too long ago.

There is another guy who speaks of niches differently than most “gurus” and he’s Travis Sago. He put out a pdf of niche factors that never fail for free, which I thought was pretty good ( talking also about the people and not the product)

And Jim are you the guy that was trying to lose weight? If so how’s it going?

Dear Jim:

Thanks for the video.
In all my years on the internet, I have been fortunate enought to have discovered you & Yanik 1st. I bought 33 Days to Online Profits back in 2000. I remember at least one of the bonuses written by you was about e-book creation and being able to convert to pdf for free.I’ve never had the need to purchase any other product(s) to enhance what I learned in those e-books!

To be honest with you, in the years since, I have purchased one other “how to”, and I bought that from an asshole whose “insights” (shot & long), I simply delete now. (It’s not that his product wasn’t good, but his customer service attitude needs a make-over)!

Anyway, I’m glad for your ranting, I’m glad for your reinforcement of values when it comes to sales, and I’m glad that I was fortunate to have you as my first internet buying experience.

Thank you, and love to you son.
I will keep him in my prayers. I still have 2 children left in the service myself.
I’m glad that he is now home with you and your wife and his family!
God bless you all!
Kim

Sorry, I’m a little slow; I guess I should have read ALL the posts first!

But now the burning question is where is “Angry Dude’s” web site? Especially since he’s all for buying marketing stuff tested and untested, and FREE ENTERPRISE etc.

I’d like to see it!

Jim, I really enjoyed the video.As always, your video tells it like it is.Please keep the videos coming!

Mike

Thanks Jim for a great video and I especially appreciated your rant. If only everyone online would make it a point to provide only great value and have integrity in their business dealings.

I always wondered why hardly anyone talks about the initial research phase of starting anything online when it is as critical as it is for success.

Blessings,
Lori

Thanks Jim!

Your rants truly hit the mark. I’ve observed you add sizzle to the steak when it’s warranted, but I do so appreciate your calls against cheesy marketing tactics.

Setting process into a coherent system is one of your great strengths. May it continue to pay off for you and your loyal customers.

Hi Jim
I always take time out to check out the things you teach. I have been on your list for a long time and have never been dissapointed with what you teach and the way you teach us. You never fail to make me laugh with your antics, but most of all I love your passion for telling it as it is.

You always make suggestions to others and follow through on those suggestions yourself. How many ‘Guru’s can you say that about? Not many, if any!!

I have bought several of your products and have always been bowled over by your extremely fair prices have always received more in value than I ever expected to get.

You are one person I will NEVER unsubscibe to. Tomorrow I am going to go through my emails and remove myself from those who do nothing else for me except sell me stuff, which often I am stupid enough to buy.

Thanks for all the fantastic things you teach and for being such a fantastically unique person who gives a damn.

Paula

Thinking more now, a day later even, why is it that when someone does something bad, their name can’t be mentioned (and who says so?), yet when they do something good, “here let me promote you!”

What rights does a “bad” person have when they do bad things to other people, and offer bad services to them? Aren’t whole sites on the internet made up for “Reviews”, good and bad? (uh, Amazon, cNet)

What protection to your name do you have, when you offer ill will, and why do others “against” ill will, still follow this “silence” about evil, than warning others where not to go for the pitfall?

And how come you’re allowed to let Angry Dude have it between the eyes here, and not also the guy you purchased from that under-delivered, that deserves it, meaning “name” him? And since you’re so into people not being a coward and using their “name” here…

Just curious,

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

Maybe I am a coward for not naming “bad” names (I personally don’t think so, but maybe I am)… but I just don’t think it solves anything when anyone starts slamming anyone else by name.

It doesn’t add anything or solve anything and all it does it force people into a corner to then try to justify their positions.

I think this is more an issue and discussion about behavior than about specific people or products.

Bottom line (and my main thrust here): Do people genuinely want to help people… or perpetuate what is obviously a severe and growing problem in the Internet Marketing world.

Jim

Awesome stuff - Thanks, Jim.

Anyone who is serious about IM needs to get on Jim Edwards list.

Hi Jim,

What a great video. It was nice to actually hear about a well known marketer (i.e Yourself) actually going through the pain of buying something on recommendation of a GOO ROO and the product ending up crap, it shows that we are all at risk of this.

The only thing i would like to have seen you do is actually have the B—s to have named this person, that would have been fun.

I am certainly going to write about this video on my blog and i’ll let some people know about it.

Good luck

Richard

Hi Jim,

I have posted a review of this video on my blog, hope you like it.

All the best

Richard

No Jim, you’re not the only one who feels it’s morally wrong for the so-called “gurus” to use the underhanded tactics some of them use. You’re not the only one who thinks it’s wrong for any human being to be so callous to the plight of other human beings that they don’t give a damn what happens to them, as long as their credit card goes through first. The difference is when the rest of us feel like ranting, nobody listens.

The only point on which I disagree, Jim, has to do with what Ruth said. Why should these people get away with continuing to do business in such a cold hearted, manipulative, I-don’t-really-give-a-shit-about-you attitude? It can’t be considered slander or libel if it’s true! I’ve gathered quotes from emails I’ve received and quotes off the sales pages of some of these black-hearted bastards that are mistruths, half truths and outright lies.

Why don’t the people who are doing business with them, and the people who might one day do business with them, have a right to know the truth about the lies they’re being told? Don’t they deserve to know how they’re talked about behind closed doors? Don’t they deserve to know the underhanded tactics some of the ‘gurus’ use?

There’s no federal regulation (that I know of) for business standards and ethics relating to internet commerce. And if they’re no longer even being compassionate human beings with a conscience, and we KNOW who they are…why can’t we make it known? I’m still going ahead with my plans to release a free ebook that names names…the good, the bad and the ugly.

I’m just too sick and tired of seeing hard working, sincere, and even desperate people pinning their hopes and dreams on misleading ads, empty promises and deceitful lies, while two-faced hypocrites go around spouting ‘build a relationship with your list’, when the only relationship they care about is the one between them and your credit card. I’ve just had enough and if we, the people funding their million dollar campaigns, don’t put a stop to it, who will?

As for you, Jim, I wish I’d run into you and your products back when I first started. Maybe I wouldn’t have become so angry and cynical. Maybe I would have been even more successful without having to spend as much time, effort, energy and money as I have.

Please don’t ever change.

Warmest regards,
Honey (yes, it’s my real name) Wesley

P.S. And you thought YOU could rant! LOL!

Hi Jim,

thanks for talking out loud what many of us are thinking.
Plus I think you’r absolutely right by not naming the “Guru”. It’s not about “Who” but about “What”.

For the 4 Questions: The best way to longhaul success - I try to teach this all the time to the members of our German IM-training group: build a business around something you really have a clue about.

Thanks for another great video, it is really appreciated!

Cheers from Germany

Dougi

You’ve always been the “Real Deal!” I always appreciate your honesty and sincerity. When we were speaking before the webinar today you were talking about trying to help people “Get out of their own way.” I’ve done alot of writing and thinking about that one. They leave those seminars and bootcamps or what ever they call them now, so charged up and then the “Fizzle Factor” creeps back up on them. Sometimes the people with the least amount of tools find there way out of the dark better than the person with the flashlight. Intellect and thinking about it can really get in the way sometimes. My old man used to say just pick up the damned hammer and hit the @#*!ing nail. I got one up one my wall that says “It’s not so much IQ….as it is “Want TO!” I’d love to talk more with you about it some time.

Response to Honey’s post:

Honey, there are regulations and agencies that apply to internet based commerce, but the situation is that most of the marketers’ terms of service have (and should have) disclaimers on the results that you may get will vary.

Moreover, almost all of the marketers will gladly refund any purchase as they do not want charge backs from their merchant accounts, nor do they really want unhappy customers. I’m not trying to defend those that produce & sell hyped-up crap, but just trying to be accurate.

If you pay with a credit card, you always have the right to dispute it with your card service, if the merchant will not honor the terms of purchase.

I think the real issue is that some of the IMG’s do intentionally use exceptionally effective and manipulative techniques to create “feeding frenzies” and, as Jim said will go after “every last dime” that a customer has without any compunctions or after thoughts.

That’s just bad business, and bad business is just flat-ass bad, period. Unfortunately, as in all things, it takes a while for “the boomerang of karma” to swing back their way.

Which brings me to the real point. We all are responsible for our desires, thoughts and actions. It’s up to us to keep those desires in check, and stop and think for a minute before we all go chasing after that next shiney thing in a herd mentality. That’s “Social Pressure Promotion” Jim coined in his description of what’s going on.

So, I think we need to focus on the basics, get those down pat, and no one’s better than Jim at identifying and teaching them. Then move on to the finer points of tweaking, which all tend to be tactics in most cases.

Note: I think you have a cool site & some great copy. Looking forward to your mini course. Keep the faith & your eyes open…

Absolutely brilliant videos Jim especially the last 3.

I’ve worked with many clients as both a copywriter and helping other internet marketers sell their services to local businesses.

The biggest key to creating a great product, writing great copy and in selling your services is always gaining an intimate knowledge of your clients and being genuinely interested in helping them to solve THEIR problems.

If you take the time to really get to know your prospects and if you genuinely care about helping them creating products that sell is very easy.

And the by product is you’re going to feel a whole lot better about yourself because you’ll be doing real people a real service.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

P.S. For the people reading this blog I think I purchased my first product from Jim Edwards waaay back in 2001.

The product was excellent and Jim really does practice what he’s preaching in these videos.

He goes way beyond the call of duty to provide real value to his prospects and clients.

Great video — soooo refreshing to hear a great marketer tell it like it is.

Thanks for your honesty. Look forward to hearing more.

Jill

Jim…great job on blasting the selfish, money grabbing attitude that has infected the internet. I am thankful for those like you who believe in integrity, over-delivery and in helping people. Morality today is not only deficient, but not even in some vocabularies!

Your products have helped me probably more than any other single marketer. I especially found the original Mini-site Creator an excellent help in understanding the complexities of websites and how to put them together. I also very much liked your interview on headlines with David Garfinkle.

You have always over-delivered.
I have spent thousands of dollars on courses, ebooks and subscriptions. Unfortunately I have wasted a lot of time and money on products that were not yours…thanks much for careing for us who are not gurus… Denis Van Loan

Well, Jim, you seem to be even more angry than me

My name is not important - as you may have noticed I’m not from an english-speaking country and I’m not famous
or a guru. I’m not selling marketing stuff either…and I’m no sheep like some people on this blog.

And I really don’t know what my mother has to do with this issue…

You say I have no balls. But why do you talk about “the gurus” and “the secret famous marketer”? Why don’t you give us the names so we know who the bad guys are? The qoute in your video is from a Dank Kennedy seminar, that’s why I was talking about him. But maybe I’m wrong who knows…

You talk about manipulating and controlling the masses…somebody’s watching too much TV, or what??
Is it manipulation when a store owner places an item at the entrance so more people buy it or if someone gives you a discount on a low-price item so you come again and buy from him. In a sense, you’re right. You could define it as manipulation. But that is more a philosophical question. I mean, is it manipulation if I give someone a compliment to make them feel better? In a way YES, Is it bad? NO.

There is a difference between persuasion and manipulation.

I agree with you that nobody should sell shit to people or make false promises. And I also agree with your 4 “Magic” Questions, which doesn’t mean they new for me. They are just basic and sound economic principles.

You say the dealer analogy is not appropriate. Ok. How about the book industry? Does anybody control which content is published (except some illegal information/pictures) through books.

The answer is no.

Isn’t that sad.

No one controls if the information in a book you buy is crap.

But you can give it back.

Or you can make a video and use your influence to tell all your friends that the whole industry is wrong.

And if you know how to use camtasia…

Look, Jim, I didn’t want to offend you - it’s just the case that I don’t agree with you and since nobody of the people here posts another opinion except from “Jim, you’re the good guy. Thanks, I’m unsubscribing from all other lists..” I did it.

If you want to be the good guy (which doesn’t mean the other marketers are bad…) why don’t you just do it without talking bad about other business people? Or is this whole thing just a markting trick? I don’t know, I’m just curious.

So, I guess you bought a bad ebook and you were/are angry. But I don’t see the point in demonizing the whole industry - doesn’t seem logic to me but as you said, I’m just an idiot without balls.

Best regards and happy ranting!

a breath of freh air, jims vid, on a playing field that is rotten, rotting and the stench is unbearable.

in fact, me thinks it’s due for a spontaneous combustion, this filthy niche- internet marketing. and it won’t ever be soon enough for me.

thank God for some sensibility, compassion and ethics. and all in one person… jim has always been top notch in my book, and i’ve been with him for over 5 years now.

Blessings to you always jim,
cheryl

Thankyou for your rant.

The blindingly obvious is difficult to see and even harder to feel!

You “rant” made me realise how I am so scared of missing out on the magic bullet, I don’t have time to even load my gun (do the course/taring etc that I have just purchased)

So this was an absolute breath of fresh air.

Roger Bourne
Melbourne
Down under

Hi Jim.

As usual, another great and very inspiring video!
Now that I’m all fired up, I just wonder (as a beginner), HOW do I ask these questions, WHERE do I find the people to ask, and, WHAT is the best way get the questions to the people?
Yes, and of course, WHEN are you going to make a video about these 3 questions?

Keep up the great job you are doing!!!
/Kosotie

Good video Jim, all solid information.

BTW, I know you’ve been away a while with personal issues but “the overture tool” ??

Been dead longer than the Vikings, external Google probably a better solution now.

Hi Jim,

I have been so focused on doing the webpage and affiliates that I felt that my mindset so far off the mark. After seeing the skyscraper I am still at the foundation part and not getting the feel for the people of the niche and so I stall. Now I can focus on what is the correct action so I can build a great business on the internet.

Thank you

Filippo

Hi Jim,

I really liked and agree with this last video. I found it clear well thought out and presented and your ethical position shone through.

Good one, nice to hear from you again after a ‘quiet period’. How is the weight loss going? I hope you are slim Jim not too big Jim!

Kind regards

Nick Irving UK

I am not here to promote my site but to ask for clarification, hence no web signature.
My post is rather long and quite personal. I am not hiding behind a pseudonym and you have my home email (and do to the nature of my query, privacy is essential). I tried hard to find an actual listing or phone number to contact you directly and finally uncovered what I hope is a legitimate mail address. Although I do not agree with the entire comment made by AngryDude–the gut of his swipe was rather vague–still, he made a couple of points worth mentioning. Your reply was strong (harsh) and appropriate given the circumstances. I found your blog by way of IMNewswatch.com (an excellent resource that your subscribers may appreciate). I followed through to your product page from your video presentations–in all, very professional and compelling. I am sending you my question. I hope you have time to reply, granted you receive my correspondence. Thank you kindly,
Art

Hi Art,

The way to get in touch with