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Why I Hate Gurus

DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
edited December 2008 in Marketing
Last week I purchased a couple of e-books and a software product from three different so-called internet marketing gurus.
Since that time it`s been an onslaught of e-mails, one right after the other.
Welcome e-mails, tutorial e-mails, new products launches, past seminars, upcoming seminars, etc., etc., etc.
I received over twenty e-mails from these guys in one week.
Anyway, to make a long story short, they`ve lost me as a customer. I`ve unsubscribed from their lists, and I actually requested a refund on two of the three products that I ordered.
I requested a refund because the products didn`t come close to living up to the hype.
But here`s the funny part.
I wouldn`t have requested a refund if I hadn`t been aggravated by the avalanche of e-mails I received. That`s what set me off.
Anyway, I`d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this issue.
David Jackson

Comments

  • cubemonkeycubemonkey subscriber Posts: 11
    The real questions is, which did you end up keeping?
  • DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
    I`m not going to name names.
    I was just ranting, not trying to hurt anyone.
    Besides, they refunded my money.
     
    David Jackson
     
  • Innovator7Innovator7 subscriber Posts: 9
    A guru a  person who borrows your watch from you to tell you the time and charge you money for it.
  • DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
     You should name the companies. This forum is all about helping other small business owners avoid pitfalls, problems, and rip-offs "out there" in the open market.

     
     
     
    As I already stated, I`m not going to name names. My money was refunded, so I wasn`t ripped off.
     
    Besides, it isn`t against the law to overwhelm someone with e-mail. I was just ranting.
     
    David Jackson
  • DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
    As far as I`m concerned the only marketing expert worth his salt -- that I`ve found to date, anyway -- is Seth Godin.

     
     
     
    Despite my rant, there are other outstanding marketing experts out there besides Seth Godin. Unfortunately, they`re few and far between.
     
    I personally adore Shelley Lowery. She`s a class act!
     
    David Jackson
  • patentandtrademarkpatentandtrademark subscriber Posts: 103
    The really wise understand their own limitations and do not view themselves as a guru.  The mask of the guru is worn by the puffer fish.
  • CookieCookie subscriber Posts: 2
    I agree with RabbitMountain about Seth Godin.  Every book of his that I`ve read (Survival Is Not Enough, Purple Cow, Meat Ball Sundae, The Dip...) has been well worth my time.  He is Mr. Commonsense & has a wealth of good ideas.  His blog is awesome.  The man writes every day & every post is worthwhile.
  • DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
    There`s an absolute ton of money to be made on the internet.  If they were actually guru`s, why wouldn`t they just do the things they preached on a more lucrative market, instead of spending the large amount of time it takes to write a book.
     
     
     
    Actually, you can compile an e-book rather quickly. And the market for e-books is quite lucrative.
     
    David Jackson
  • KathieConnectKathieConnect subscriber Posts: 0
    Thanks for confirming my experience and assisting in my action plan.  While I want to be known as a specialist in my field I don`t aspire to be a guru for exactly the reasons mentioned. 
    I recently signed up for a few new marketing products this year and have been bombarded by emails.  While they are irritating I have yet to unsubscribe since I am watching them to evaluate the strategy of my own to launch a few productsin 2009.  I am definately feeling conflicted about the level of selling through follow up email this would require. 
     
    Kathie Nelson
    Connectworks
    Business Strategistwww.KathieNelson.com
  • DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
    I recently signed up for a few new marketing products this year and have been bombarded by emails.  While they are irritating I have yet to unsubscribe since I am watching them to evaluate the strategy of my own to launch a few productsin 2009.  I am definately feeling conflicted about the level of selling through follow up email this would require.
       Kathie, there`s a way to have your cake and eat it too. Instead of sending follow-up e-mails, give your visitors the ability to subscribe to your content via an rss feed. That`s what I do on my blog, and it works beautifully. Everytime I make a new post or someone makes a comment on my blog, my subscribers are automatically alerted via e-mail. By allowing visitors to subscribe to your feed, this assures that they`re getting only the information they want- when they want. David JacksonDavidJackson12/31/2008 4:31 PM
  • DavidJacksonDavidJackson subscriber Posts: 143 Silver Level Member
    David, great post on a tricky subject.
     
    Thanks, Stacy!
     
    David Jackson
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