Seriously folks, I can’t believe what you’ll fall for in terms of ‘internet marketing’ gurus.
Just because someone calls himself a ‘guru’ doesn’t make it so.
And by the way, I have NEVER referred to myself as a ‘guru’ of any sort. For the past decade and a half, I have been a student of internet marketing who willingly shares with other students of online business.
Anyway, my anti-guru sentiment (this week) derives from those who use (steal) content from those of us who endeavour to be more in the know.
For example, if your ‘guru’ repeatedly reposts information from a real guru (i.e. Matt Cutts) then they are NOT a guru.
He or she is a LEECH.
They use search engine optimization tactics to piggy back off those really in the know — i.e. they are too lazy to come up with their own ideas or to create their own content.
By re-posting OTHER peoples work, they hope to attain an inbound link via a trackback to their site directly from their favorite guru.
Fortunately, in most cases, this doesn’t happen (because the REAL guru is too smart), but the LEECH can only hope that their WordPress comment moderation is automatic.
I get or 9 or 10 of these trackbacks daily.
For example, today I received one from Ewen Chia, the guy who calls himself the “World’s BEST Internet Marketing Guru”.
Ewen has a new blog – InternetMarketingGuru.com – that simply sources content from REAL internet marketers — those of us who actually THINK about what we are writing.
Here’s an example of his thievery…
It’s simply a snippet or REPOST of what I wrote about affiliate marketing in June with a link back to my site,
What he’s HOPING for is that I will approve the trackback link to his scammy reposting site.
SORRY, Ewen… that’s NOT going to happen!!!
I guess things aren`t working out for Ewen, the self-proclaimed #1 Internet Marketing Guru if he’s been reduced to spamming trackback links from those of us who actually WORK in the Internet Marketing business, i.e. doing real research to share with our readers.
Anyway, the point is — if your ‘internet marketing guru’ is trying to scam Google and other search engines by automated reposting of others’ work, you might want to reconsider their abilities as a guru.
About Rosalind Gardner
ROS,
like old world history points it out: only good prevails and is long lived. I had once fallen to one of Ewen product and only to request refund immediately after. It is just a matter of time for him to learn his lesson or drop completely. The resistance makes the biggest losers.
I have also to add that Anik Sin-something just got himself into my black listing yesterday. His last offered product (obviously, I won’t name it here for promo), which I (naively/stupidly) bought, is like an old pigged-out, trash-filled-sausage, where the product is embedded with (arrogant) marketing of further products and a forceful membership subscription… Clearly, hee does absolutely not care to disclose his intentions up-front or it obviously would denounce what the main product is lacking. So, he cash his monies and then, as thank you, he makes his buyers go through four (4!) pages/layers of further BS marketing for supplemental products AND last but not least there’s also that membership signup BEFORE delivering access to the already paid product… Really good products need no fillers!
I guess he must be angry with his miserable life and has been unleashing it at his buyers. Making his buyers as escape goats, go figure!
I have a message for him and all the self-proclaimed gurus out there: TICK-TOCK, this is your self-built bomb about to blow off your stupid, arrogant heads!
Follow the example of Rosalind: BE HONEST! It is not only morally good but also logical!!!
You self-proclaimed gurus: My Ass!!!
Well said!
Sandy
Why don’t you tell us what your really think Rosalind!
When I first got involved with affiliate marketing a few years ago, I subscribed to one of Ewen Chia’s newsletters and bought one of his products because he convinced me that he was a top affiliate marketer.
Over the next few months as I gained more experience as an affiliate marketer, I unsubscribed from his newsletter and never implemented any of the tatics in his product because I just didn’t feel comfortable that what he was suggesting was how I wanted to run my business.
It seems like Chia is like so many other self-titled “experts” or “gurus” out there who make most of their money selling their own latest and greatest internet/affiliate marketing system instead of actually making money by doing internet/affiliate marketing.
Woo hoo Rosalind! You go, girl! At last, someone prepared to call them out by name. I’ve been following you since sage-hearts days (I was in the online dating niche at the time) and you’ve always been one of the shining lights.
I really enjoyed this post and I totally agree with every single word of it.
In admiration
Isobel
Good post Rosalind, there are too many of those people out there trying to take advantage of others. I appreciate your content!
Jeff
Hi Ros,
Just in the process of trying to get my money back from another guru – Watch while I show you how to earn Zillions of $ – not certian why I need 4 out of 20 videos on how to load WordPress using ftp whenall providers that I use let you do it with a single keystroke.
My tuppence – If they say they are a guru they aren’t
Keep up the fight and clear up the industry
Regards
Nick
Hi Rosalind!
Thank you for your candid honesty and not holding back.
Calling “shit” shit, is great. So clear. Great to see an authority take a stand.
Have a good good day, and thanks again.
Umm, but didn’t you just give him a link (do follow too) back to his site in this post?
Hi Cathy,
I just replaced the link with a graphic image. Thanks for the idea!!
Cheers,
Ros
Rosalind,
First, it might be best to proof read your blog posts better in the future. This particular post though understandable, is pretty poor because of spelling errors.
Second, Ewen Chia has been around for a long time. I’ve read his book and listened to him, and I think that he knows what he’s talking about. He has surely made boat loads of money and become very successful. Personally I really don’t think he is trying to steal content and be a leech. He’s had plenty of experience and has no real need to be a leech of sorts.
I think that there are plenty of so called “gurus” out there that do exactly what you are saying. I think that they are scum. I just don’t think Ewen is one of them.
Hi Rosalind! I love your post and I think many people (including myself at times) can be quite innocent and trusting when it comes to Internet Marketing experts (a.k.a. gurus), but the truth is there are a lot of scam artists out there. So thanks for sharing! You learn something new every day!!! ~Michelle Kulp, the 6-Figure Woman Coach
lol Ros he obviously annoyed the hell out of you
Fair play for calling it like it is though – good to see people are willing to speak out on this stuff!
Hey Ros,
I feel your pain, and well um ..energy..
It amazes me that people out in Internet land still do crappy things like this without doing any real work themselves. Especially in today’s Internet, I really think most people and certainly the search engines have figured this out, pretty much by now.
I don’t have an Iota of the visibility you do, but it still Irks me. I do Real Estate, which is my main blog, I frequently get trackbacks literally minutes to an hour or so after writing a post about a local event. The post from the other site will have been spun by some automating software and will just sound retarded. In a way, it feel it makes me look bad, but even more so, that I took the time to be somewhere, take pictures and post a write up. Talk about being violated.
Still I am an optimist, and a smeller of crap. That is why I read pretty much every post you write, and really appreciate the hard work and honesty you put into your work, and AffiliateBloggerPro. At the end of the day it is still all about relationships, and good shall prevail.
Thank you! Keep up the good work, and fight the good fight!!!
Ewen Chia was the first person I started my IM education with. I bought a huge softcover book of his for about $20. I didn’t know this about him and I frankly have grown so past what I learned from him I barely remembered him until I read this post. At the time I admired that he was making money in the US when his native language was Chinese. I’d sure hate to be dropped in China and try to learn how to do internet marketing!
Exactly. Ewen Chis is the real deal. Chinese your first language. I think he’s done well. And he is Kind. There’s a learning curve for everyone. I think Rosalind is jealous big time.
WOW…You are mad and I don’t blame you this is the reason I have not totally dived in wanna make sure people actually benefit from my work…Two years ago I could not understand the value of value, but I do now thanks to people loke you Ros
WOW…You are mad and I don’t blame you this is the reason I have not totally dived in wanna make sure people actually benefit from my work…Two years ago I could not understand the value of value, but I do now thanks to people like you
I’ve seen a lot of anti-guru posts, but it’s never come to actually naming names. Maybe this is what it’ll take before all the rehash garbage will stop.
So congrats on your courage and determination to see this stuff end. Too many people have lost too much money over scams.
And though we don’t know each other, I’ve followed you around (no, not stalked) the web for years, and I can certainly attest to you’re being a teacher of mine. I appreciate and have learned from everything you share.
If I may share a piece I wrote on this just yesterday, I believe you’ll see how your influence has effected me: It’s called “Gurus and Teachers” http://advancedmarkettraining.com/2011/08/03/gurus-and-teachers/
So Ros, tell us how you REALLY feel!
Being on the consumer end of a lot of these so-called guru’s, I can only add that I am so sick of getting constantly bombarded with them each promoting each others stuff. I do have the tendency to want the latest bright shiny object, but I’m learning to look the other way.
I have been busy unsubscribing from many lists, but yours is one that I will stay on indefinitely!
Thanks Ros, and keep up the good work!
Becky
Ros,
It is admirable that you consider yourself a student who is willing to share your knowledge with others. Guru is a term that immediately makes me suspicious since it often associated with snake oil salesman in my opinion.
In education, one who has completed a particular course of study successfully is awarded a Masters degree. I think with your credentials, you could legitimately refer to yourself as a “Master” at affiliate marketing. For me, I want to continue learning from a qualified teacher.
WOW!!!
Hi Roz! How is all in your world? I admit that this is my second visit to this post today. I had to sit back and absorb it for a while.
Frankly, when I see the word “Guru” attached to anyone, I run for the hills. There are experts and you are certainly somebody I view as expert in your field. In fact, I wrote a blog post about you this morning. I will send you the link by email.
Keep telling it like it is and thank you so much for watching out for us and for your industry!
Have a fabulous day!
Denise
You’re definitely right about leech like Ewen – a terribly irresponsible swindler who sells low-quality ebooks. It’s rarely to see IM – like you for instance, criticize other IMs like Ewen so openly. You did a great job addressing swindler like Ewen! ;D
After messing around for a couple of years buying every new “Gotta Have Product” that promises “Tons of Traffic” I now simply delete EVERY “New” launch!
Funny thing, basics still work and if you spend the same time working on your own website instead of following every other fools plan you will finally make some money.
Way to go Roz!
Fantastic post and so honest about somebody who ive long since unsubscribed from.
Just had to respond to this one…..I love how you are one of those few who are really able to get out there and not only say what you think…but also mention names.
So many other IMers go as far as to let you know there is a lot of spam, mistrust, etc. out there,…but none of them are so bold as you to actually mention names…and I quite frankly applaud you for it (clap! clap!).
I always open your emails and read your posts due to the very very unique content you have to offer and the insight and ideas I gain from your posts. You, Ed Dale and Joel Comm are amongst the few whose blog posts I follow when I get your updates…and it’s simply because of your total honesty!
I’m not a fan of Ewen either….and have tried in every way possible to unsubscribe from his emails…but no matter how hard I tried they keep showing up (usually in my spam box these days).
Keep it up Rosalind because people need your insight and honesty if the internet is to be depended upon as a reliable source of information.