Local Marketing Myths & BS (Friday Night Smackdown)

SMACK EM, Jim-o! I’m Looking forward to the webinar and getting the real scoop.

Hi Jim,
I fully agree with you, Jim on this. They all talk about getting the clients for the biz owners and when talk about getting the traffic they talk very little. No traffic means no results means no sales to the business owner which results in no next month payment. So it’s all full of crap, B.S. just making money on selling info only.

Regards,
Mukesh Sharma

Hey Jim,

You’re so right. Sometimes I wonder how these people can sleep at night. It is absolutely amazing some of the crap that they try to pull out of their rear ends and sell people. And what’s even more amazing is the price tag put on it. Absolutely ridiculous.

Anyway, fantastic video and it’s good to see someone that’s been in the market for a long time actually do the right things.

Talk soon,

Shannon Herod

Jim,

As a loyal follower of your attitude and repeat client, I’m delighted to hear you tear into this particular concept of “local buisness goldmines” or “Offline Gold” or “Factors of X” being touted around.

In my spare time I do volunteer work for two separate and well known organizations that connects me to small or at least independant businesses in my Olympic (Big Clue) city of roughly 2 million.

I talk to small but NOT stupid business owners all the time and have serious relationships with all of them because of my volunteer function as a fundraiser. Even WITH this relationship if I were to attempt any one of the tactics being floated around on the internet (and by some ‘gurus’ who like to pride themselves as being above reproach in the “integrity” department) I’d be handed my lunch.

Frankly you’d have BETTER luck selling into a corporation because in one or two good meetings, learning the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing, the internal politics might at least get you a trial… never pre-paid of course.

Small business people (does not include a one-man operation with a truck and a plunger) are some of the sharpest people I know. That’s how they stay alive.

Selling a bogus and slippery concept of how to tug out 1K to 4K on a recurring basis proves snake oil is still being cooked up and mixed in with some economic desperation.

I want to congratulate you for using your credibility to reach out and pop a few hype-ballons and shed a little reality. Next we’ll be hearing how we can teach a business owner to tweet his group and build a new client base of purchasers to send him $1997. just for the privildge of being a facebook groupie.

Warm regards Jim

Richard

Hi Jim,

I was looking for a mastermind group of skeevy, unshaven groupies sitting around a table drinking beer, but I guess they are all out making $10,000 a week doing local marketing.

Just wondering if I get the personally signed “guru” diploma after I finish your webinars so I can flash it in the face of business owners and PROVE I am not TBOGS… and of course get to charge those scrumptalicious fees.

Wow!! When you get down to business, you really get down to business and really tell it like it is. This video is intriguing to say the least and I’m eagerly awaiting the information. Looking forward to another outstanding learning experience from you.

Patsy Bellah

Hey Jim its been a long time. I have been following you for last 7 years and own a number of your products. the kinda hype I see flying around the internet these days in my eyes is all crap. Back in the early 90′s when I began my research there simply wasn’t this kinda of stuff that flies around the internet.

There is a new product launch every day it seems and a new twist on something. Bottom line for me and how I see it, is to many have lost sight of the basics of business. In the end there is never really anything new only a new spin.

I have become exhausted with it all. I am sure there is a bit of cash that can be made in local markets but not like it can in a world wide market. Just another spin on an old idea.

Thanks for letting me rant! —-Scott

How about a local “marketing expert” that creates $4000 – 5000 websites that have a dot on the index page; when you click on the dot, pages of “seo” text come tumbling out.
Thank goodness I couldn’t afford his services at the time, cause I didn’t know to steer clear of shady practices like that.

in the end it hurts our online business ventures as it hurts everyone involved and just another way to screw more people out of more money and lead them down the path of failure. This is an industry that should be growing within and instead its an industry screwing within.

Sad, sad, sad!

Hey Jim,
I am very glad that you came out to report on this very topic. I’ve been doing local internet marketing for about six months. The clients I have were from me setting up a face to face meeting in their businesses or a mutual meeting place and spending several hours going over what I can do and what they can expect from me. Yes, I can get them to the top of the search engines and the business isn’t going to see results right away even when they are on page 1 of Google. I also create ads for them. Some clickable and others call now. I also do coupons for them if they want them. I try to get them to either send out a postcard or a press release. Some clients saw results in 30 days and other didn’t see anything until 60 days+. I explain to them about how marketing works and how ONE is a lonely number. In other words, they shouldn’t expect something soon if all they want to do is have a presence online and not do other forms of marketing. I can do whatever they want but it takes some testing to see what works, which, means some amount of time is involved.
Because of the way I explain to my clients how this is going to work, they aren’t so quick to tell me “this isn’t working” and we move on with a formulaic process.
Now, for the amount I charge, I charge on a flat rate for set-up and a monthly fee depending on the business and how much they make on an average transaction.
My flat rate fees are from $397 to $597 and my monthly fees are a minimum of $197 and up. None of my monthly fees came even close to $1000. I’d like to know what type business is paying that amount.
Best regards,
Hal

Well Jim that can’t possibly work, after all the internet is a magical place where money simply appears with no effort at all. LOL! As always people lose their way and never come back to reality. I remember with crystal clarity the early days with you Marlon, Yanik and The late Corey Rudle Good sales copy but you never left out the word WORK!

Find a hungry market, find out what they want and need and Create, Promote and service your customers and rinse and repeat.

Until people understand the basics and live by them they are doomed to fail and lose and for those creating good products in this industry will get hurt. I agree with with the FTC as well and there is a reason they came out and did what they did. ITS BECAUSE WE WERE POLICING OURSELVES.

I hope that many get a chance to listen and make changes for their own benefit.—-Scott

I really appreciate you taking the time out to do this video.
We rely on people like you Jim ot keep us right!
I’ve done a lot of thinking this year and I most certainly have been lead down the garden path a few times by these so called gurus. I haven’t bought into any of thier courses, thank god.
The rubbish is what is really holding people up because it does get your time and attention.
However, we must realize that it’s the fundamentals and hard work that’s going to get us to where we want to be. Simple as that!!!

Thanks Jim

Jim,

You are a life-saver! I’ve been looking for a new business, and had run across this idea of helping local businesses utilize the Internet for lead generation. I spent $177 for a “how to” info package that supposedly showed me all the technical aspects, as well as how to market. I kept wondering what I could offer that would bring in a couple grand a month from these small businesses. How could they afford that much money?
As it turns out, what they really wanted were affiliates for their over-priced ‘services’. You certainly called it!! Thank goodness I bought from Clickbank and will get a prompt refund.

I’m going to sign-up for the Net Reporter so I can get your ideas on this topic. Thanks again for a very timely lesson!

Pam

Hi Jim,
Yes real world internet marketing and consulting is hard work. I’ve worked as an IT consultant for many years so I have the chops to discuss face to face stuff. The technical stuff I have as well and I’ve developed an website build and SEO process I apply to each client. Having said all that it still takes about 3 months for me to begin to see results for clients – and it is real hard work especially if the market is competitive. I have seen all these local business product launches and I worry greatly for the average punter that buys this stuff that doesn’t have the ‘consulting accumen’ nor the systemisation skills to see this stuff thru to completion.

Managing the customers expection is a really fundamental skill – set them too high and you burn, set them too low and you fail to get them motivated to do business with you. Again having been a consultant I’m quite good at dealling with that but I only get maybe 1 out of 5 prospects to bite.

I have two problems. 1) persuading a prospect that I do know what I’m doing. They have already been bullsh*ted loads by previous experts ! 2) getting paid. I’ve lost money recently cos small businesses can’t pay me due to their business failing quicker than I can get them making more money.

I look forward to seeing more on what you have to share.
All the best
Shaun.

Hi Jim,

Once again thanks for pulling back the curtain and revealing the truth. You are one of a selected few I consider to be “the real deal” when it comes to making money using the Internet.

I agree with all your points in the video except I can only partially agree with point number 10.

I have actually gained 2 clients (which pay me monthly) and I have never actually seen them “in person”.

BUT

I still did have to be the “salesman” on the phone and through emails in order to win their business, and I did start with a website build BEFORE they became a monthly clients AND I do have to keep PROVING the results I am getting for them each and every month.

So my parting comment for anyone reading this is as follows.

Be very careful of what you buy online and make sure you do some due diligence before buying the product.

Thanks again Jim, hope to one day join you from Australia on one of your Jim Boat Cruises.

Have a fantastic day.

Ian

Hey Hey!

Always love it straight ‘n direct from you, Jim. You shine at your best, in case you did not know, when you got that bug right on up yr ‘ole butt wiggling around disturbing the peace you have worked so hard to enjoy a bit of.

Now, I’ve been selling on the internet since 1996, when I put up my first web site and sold many millions of my wares in the intervening years, created jobs in my local market and seen plenty come….then, go. Sometimes me with it(these are not the easy years in my businesses, that’s for sure). ;-P

Now, my rant. Indulge me, if you would.

You and Rich Schefren have been the only ones who have never sugar-coated the hard realities of running your own thang. It’s HARD because it just *is*. It’s fricking brutal and always brass knuckles in the trenches—and that is the mental framework that is needed to navigate the difficult landscape of the economy the last few years – and for the next few.

You looking for a quick fix? You are always clear – it’s just not going to happen. But you follow some clear rules and principles with building a business, your odds go up hugely. If you want to start your own business, there’s no better time to be alive, in the history of mankind, than now. feel otherwise? Lay your case out. I’m listening but skeptical.

Anyway, sure, some fell into riches and success – it happens. And human nature tends to observe that and think “hmmm, me, too. I can see that.” Frankly, it happened to many of us in the late 90′s until 2005/06 or so in so many industries that interfaced w/ the internet. However, many of us took our successes with a bit more hubris and personal credit than was deserved, if we’re honest(it was me, certainly – and there is a pound or two flesh extracted for that, just to be clear) – it was, after all, a bubble of ir-reality that went on for some time.

What a ride, it was.

All things do change, though. Then, they do and then it did.

It’s push, push, push with almost everyone in the IM world – it’s, frankly, insanity. “Free report” this, “free webinar” that, the guise of content being used to sell shells of flabby, vacuous products. It’s a cycle that is repeating itself every few years with a onslaught of ‘newbies’ worried about losing their jobs, being stuck in crappy jobs that have become more crappy because of cutbacks and perpetual uncertainty, unemployment and desperate stabs for a better life that has been dreamed about for decades and now, suddenly, the clock is ticking on. It’s understandable inside its frightening reality.

Self-police? This internet marketing world? Puh-leeze. I’ve got a strong libertarian bent and I’m the one of the last guys to ask for the government to step in and add another layer of insane government oversight but something had to be done last Fall – and they did. There is an informal cabal at the top in your industry and they do work together and support each other. Nothing wrong w/ that, it’s a free world, a democracy and a free market. Yet, the thing is, they could be a force for good as opposed to greed. Mostly, they’ve chosen the later. And….the community is….silent.

Now, here’s the thing, Jim. There’s no ombudsmen sites or people(and I’m not asking you here, to be clear) and in so many other ‘mature’ industries, there are. Why does this not exist in the IM world? Everyone is so afraid of pissing off the ‘names’ of these guys(or the threat of getting sued but we’re entitled to opinions, folks), many whom you know and have worked with in some capacity over the years(not implying anything! You are iron-wrought with integrity, you can’t help it, Jim), and…. no one names names – and put their name to it.

There’s no resource the new soul can look to, to empower them to make a good, informed decision about. These are people with families, folks. They and we all deserve to have something to help them.

There’s ONE blog that kinda does that(rhymes with ‘cralty void’) but it’s vile, limited in its focus and pretty incoherent with no clear logic for people to follow and garnish enough trust to empower people looking for a litmus test. We all know some of these names hinted about in yr rant – but the voices of experience and the truly successful marketers are mute. Understandable – but as an industry, it’s got to be better for it to thrive in the coming years and generously apply and enjoy the gifts of a bountiful world. We can do good here without being do-gooders.

I don’t work in the IM world – just doing my thing in my own industry, but I sharpen my skills with some of these excellent products and services. Bought some crap, some stuff I didn’t really need but, mostly, the great stuff shines incredible amounts of practical clarity and intuitive insight.

Okay…exhale. I”m done – got to get back to busting some butt and make payroll. Again. ;-P

Bruce

Jim, thanks for always having the guts to say how it is. In this confusing world of marketing, I never ever have to worry, or concern myself with what you bring us….I never have to second guess what I am going to get when I purchase from you.

Like any one business/ is going to pay me $4,000/ mnth…. and beg me for more YEAH, Right

Jim,

Look forward to your Webinar on local internet marketing. I’m not so interested in the business model of offering the services to local businesses as I am in using it for my own business!

P.S.

I also am getting error messages when I try to register.

My Best,
Louis

Nice!
Love that Wild Bull or Buffalo up on the top left.
I was waiting to see fire coming from the nostrils and hear stamping hooves!!

You are 100% correct. I stopped somebody recently spending UK1200 on something “Local”
She seemed to think it would work all by itself….

Just walk in the door to worried business owners and that they would immediately pay…
She had zero understanding of either online marketing or the mindset of a small business owner.

It was more like chanting “Local Market…Local Market…Local Market…” and that would make the magic start…

Hi Jim!

Just discovered your blog a couple of days ago and I must say that I’m amazed! Love your videos and your sense of humor! Keep it up Jim!

I’ve been doing local biz marketing for about a year now (part time… I have a full time job). I must say that gurus are right on some points: Most Local biz owners don’t know nada about the web and don’t have time to learn/apply so it is truly a great opportunity for Internet Marketers. BUT it is so hyped these days it’s pathetic. There’s so much to learn about how to approach them, how to present ideas, how to put a price on your service (4000$ a month hahahaha remove a zero and you’re lucky if you get that!), how to gather info from them to be sure that you understand each other and they don’t make you redo the work 10 thousand times, how to get paid, etc. etc. etc. It’s not as easy as they make it seem. I loved your video because it really showed what local IM consulting is!

Sorry I may sound pessimist but it’s simply to ground people back. I actually DO really love this kind of business. In three years in IM it’s the first project that worked for me and did produce results. The real human-human discussion is refreshing when you’ve been behind your computer for years. Nothing is greater than the feeling of looking at a huge smile in the face of the owner you just showed the results of your hard work!

If people forget about the hype, take it one step at the time, they will succeed in this area and meet great people along the way.

Heck! Part time with no selling experience and I’ve been able to close a deal for 2K$ plus 350$ (money + free services) per month!

Don’t know where I’m going exactly with this… just the 2 cents of a guy that actually does it.

All the best Jim!
Yves

The link at the top of the page (above the video) works just fine. If it doesn’t work for you, here’s the link: http://www.thenetreporter.com/

I also have my own business (for many years now) and am always looking for ways to “translate” IM for the “real world”. I wouldn’t miss this webinar for anything!

Hi

I also had trouble with the bottom link with an error message.

Can you confirm that to see the ‘brick and mortar’ 2 part webinar that you need to be a paid subscriber to The Net Reporter?

BTW when I click your support at http://www.ebookfiresupport.com I get ‘Zend Optimizer not installed’ error message so couldn’t send this question via your help desk.

Cheers,

Katrina

Hi Jim
WOW – What A Cracker!!!
Tell it Like it Is?
You know that’s what I really like about you Jim, straight in there and tell it like it is.
It never ceases to amaze me as to what crap the I.M. Gurus are going to come out with next.
I had my own offline business for about 20 years and anyone who approached me with this sort of line would have been promptly shown the door in no uncertain manner!
Yet people are going overboard about it – it’s just so unreal isn’t it?
Lambs to the slaughter – or am I just getting old?
Keep it coming Jim
regards
Graham in UK

Hi Jim.
The man with the big mouth we all love to love.

The saddest thing is that done properly, local internet marketing can be extremely effective. I have helped several local businesses a lot by applying basic internet marketing principles and basic SEO with some great content. I have blown several clients away with results they had never experienced before online. But I darn for sure was not able to charge astronomical fees and of course I had to have proof before they trusted me and I needed to act like a real business. Nothing is magic. The Wizard of Oz was just pushing knobs and buttons.

Oh my GOD!! I LOVED that video!!

I have been watching this phenomenon with rising disgust, as I am an expert in offline marketing and advertising… and I am dumbfounded by those gullible enough to believe the snake oil they’ve been buying from these guys!

In spite of popular guru opinion, offline business owners are extremely skeptical and expect a high return on their marketing dollars. Especially in this economy. And anyone who thinks that a brick and mortar business thinks that internet marketing is the answer to their prayers is sadly mistaken. If anything, they are highly suspicious – internet marketing doesn’t have the best reputation, and they will cling to marketing methods that have worked for them in the past.

Another thing: Local businesses expect you to spend time in their business, showing them what you are doing, explaining why it’s important. Not only do you need to be a true closer, you also need to be a good teacher. Most local businesses will not be satisfied with a remote relationship – they want to deal with you offline. That means appointments, driving from place to place, dressing for the office, etc. – all those things you went online to get away from!

Thanks again for speaking up and telling it like it is. You are appreciated.

Jim.
I’ve been receiving your notices since 2008. Even bought one of your systems. You’re the only one of the online marketers that gives way more than one expects. The more I’ve seen what’s being offered, the more I’m disgusted by the idiocy of people. Desperation makes people grab on to fantasies. You’e honest about what it takes to be successful and it takes work. I’ve been online with my business since 1995 and it doesn’t get any easier. It just takes more creativity to keep ahead of the pack.

Jim,
I agree with your statement about you have to show them you can help. You even mentioned in your video that you may need to be an affiliate for the local business.

Now my question.

Because local business owners are smart, if not smarter then those of in a professional corporate job How about making tools and technical information available to to them.

An example is use the the net reporter. Would that not e a good product for them.

Basically market to local business owners the tools and services that are available. Not crap products but good tools. Not hype sales pitches but pure educational products.
$49, $77 etc. Tell them about buying the local business marketing for dummies book at amazon.

As you always say be of service first.

What do you think. I would appreciate you comments on this.

Thanks
Roger

Thunderous applause and wild, raucous cheering! Jim, you’re right on! Thank you for validating my own skepticism and beliefs about this market in your usual no-punches-pulled delivery! Keep up the great work – I always look forward to your messages. And I can’t say that about more than a handful of those list owners who hit my in-box regularly.

Out of curiosity I tried a LOCAL MARKETING program from one of the well known “gurus” on their 60 day try me plan. I returned it after 50 days having found out what I thought I would find. IT WAS A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF BS.

One quickly finds that there are a lot of people out there that are a better at the technical side of the business than you are. The other thing one quickly finds is that this is a belly to belly type of promotion. You actually have to seek out and talk to people face to face. Most of the internet hopefuls cannot do this. It scares the hell out of them. I did get business but that is because I am known in the business community. What I found is that because these people were my acquaintances I worked a lot harder and spent a lot more time than expected just to make sure they were satisfied. It doesn’t matter how much you helped them in the past, if you are messing up their livelihood you will not be appreciated.

What I did find is that I can set up a web site for an individual for free and they let me run an ad on the site. It costs me only my time to do the program. They pay the costs up front (and only the costs) select the programs they want, select a standard template and away we go. Like a cafeteria, they see what they get and how much it costs. My end is that I own the site and get to put up my non intrusive ad. This allows me to do a whole local industry instead of just one company in each local industry. I do not know if I am making any money yet but time will tell. I am also split testing the system by placing my ad in different positions on the site.

I love the smack down don’t change a damn thing. I am still learning this business and yes my company has purchased some of your offerings.

Jim,

Your video was forwarded to me by a friend. Thanks for the pleasant surprise of actually using the word “bullshit.” There is so much of it in internet marketing. I’ve heard the myths you covered but haven’t seen one living proof example of them. Local search is not an easy sell even with Google statistics to prove one’s selling points. I have found there is a tremendous amount of “hand holding” involved with small business owners. But I love that this approach really can help them.

This was a very true statements when it comes to marketing in your local market. A lot of people do not understand that you have to step outside of the computer and get to it.

Say it like it is Jim. Someone needs to say the way it really is so these newbies won’t get fooled. Thanks for detailing this so clear. Local marketing requires real work.