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
Geez Ros,
You parted my hair with the ‘early edition’ this morning and nearly cost me 3K. I laughed so hard I blew my coffee out and just missed my new Mac!
I see you replace the link with the screenshot, I was going to ask.
Thanks for the morning report, I just had to come back and express my gratitude for the honesty and say you’ve inspired me to follow your lead
Roz
a very accurate assessment of the bull…. that is sent out from “gurus”.There is too much of this happening .
make a million dollars in three days with out going on the net.
A positive response.
Ros, you are my hero.
Again.
Hey Ros,
You go girl……….
I love it when upstanding, honest an ethical business men and women like you Ros
expose the online trash like Ewen Chia, and others just like him.
Anyone who lies, cheats, steals and manipulates others, especially online, will be found out
an exposed.
My hats off to ya Ros,
Ron
My take on Gurus:
http://jongriffin.com/business-articles/marketing-articles/fry-cook-millions-sales-letter/
Believe me; I have wasted so much money on worthless “gurus” and their false promises. I have almost given up on affiliate marketing. That was, until I found your site. Now I am trying to trust enough to buy your book and start over again. One might say I am extremely gun shy and dam near broke!
I hate the fact that these people get away with by passing full disclosure ex, monthly membership fees, other fees, other products to buy, etc, etc, etc! I give you credit here Rosalind, at least you’re up front with what your charging for and what it will do!
Rosalind, if you would like to respond back to me, feel free to send your rply…
I applaud your honesty, and disdain for those so called “guru’s”. I have receive many offers from him, and others. This shed’s some light on the true ruse these “guru’s use to seperate you from your hard earned money and rob you of any hope in finding the true freedom and independence provided by operating an online biz. What I’m slowly starting to understand is, that these marketers make their living selling… As you put it so succinctly, S-H-I-T. It’s this program & that program, commission crusher this & affiliate payload that. I’m so tired of this horse shit. I do’nt want to take people’s hard earned money by selling them the same horse shit everyone else is.
Hi Rosalind,
Wow I had a shock when I read this! Anyway thanks for the post.
Posting negative comments and bashing other marketers in public is bad enough as it’s simply a negative reflection of one self. However, it’s worse when the facts are WRONG.
> SORRY, Ewen… that’s NOT going to happen!!! (I’ve long held you in contempt for swindling people out of their hard-earned money for the simple fact that most of your shit is just that = S-H-I-T – regurgitated crap that you don’t even think about. Bottom line — you don’t care shit for the people that you sell your SHIT to.)
There’re always a good and bad side to things, some people with positive attitudes have learned a great deal from my products while some have not, that’s just the way it is. I’m sure no marketers can claim that 100% of customers are happy, even you. That’s not going to happen as we can’t please everyone.
While some of my products are not perfect, I put my heart and soul into creating them. So I do ask that you respect yourself and not post your biased opinions in public, which I suspect (I may be wrong) is for the sake of making yourself look good to your readers.
Or is it the marketing techinque of using “negative reviews”?
> 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.
I think you’re missing the point here. This is a CURATION AUTOBLOG that gets content from other sources which allow content to be shared. That’s the whole purpose of content right, and why you’re also writing and optimizing them.
As shown, the blog does show the original source and reference of the content, and you were even notified to approve it. So I don’t understand what the big fuss is all about?
You’re also playing on the domain name itself and using that to claim I’m calling myself an internet marketing guru, just because the domain is internetmarketingguru.com??
For example, If you had a domain called iamthebestmarketeronearth.com does it mean you’re one?
These are KEYWORD DOMAINS my dear, it’s the basic of internet marketing.
I do write alot of original content and have been doing so for years. You can check out my blogs at http://www.EwenChia.com, even look at the archive.org of the content shared over the many years.
Another blog I contribute content to is http://www.InternetMarketer.com/blog
BOTTOM LINE:
I think calling me names and accusing me of “THIEVARY” and being a “LEECH” is too much, especially in public. And I haven’t even offended you in any way! In fact, the blog helps you to spread your content!
I hope to get a public apology and post about this misunderstanding and reporting error, it’s the least you can do for your readers.
That’s so unlike you Rosalind and I’m not sure what mindframe you’ll in when you wrote all these, and seeing the return comments from your readers “cheering you on” is just…
Honestly it hurts me.
I think we came to the market at about the same time way back in the late 1990s, and we’ve all paid our dues. No worries though, I don’t “blame” you for your opinions, everyone has them. Just keep them to yourself until you had established them to be FACTUAL, not emotional.
I’ve always enjoyed your content and learned from you, but when it’s emotional charged up negativity like this, it’s steering your loyal readers in the wrong direction….
And I’ve to speak up.
Peace,
Ewen Chia
Hi Ewen,
You’re right, I was WAY out of line to post that comment about the quality of your products and for that I do apologize.
And yes, I see that back in May you started posting real good content on your EwenChia.com blog. Bravo!
I do however object to your use of the term ‘curation autoblog’ to refer to the site.
Real curation is quoting a snippet of someone else’s post, then doing the work to analyze the content with your own take on the subject.
Curation is not autoblogging that uses software to regurgitate content from RSS feeds with no additional original content.
I know you are capable of much better.
Cheers,
Ros
WTF?! ARE YOU FREEKIN KIDDING ME?!
ok roz, you apologised but considering that you don’t call yourself a guru, big deal! what’s it to you if someone does call themself an internet guru (and yes, i myself hate that term!) but yet do all they care to be as “transparent”and as helpful as you and ewen?!
this man had the “decency” to at the very least “add a clearly defined trackback” AND gave you “credit” for being an “informed expert” in the affiliate mktg field.
and you slap him because he chose to call himself a guru (and selling his own products) while “using your content with a clear source link”.
well what hope is there for another who wants to “piggyback off your content” YET MAINTAIN a trackback!!
i thought that the whole point to syndication is the “fair exploitation” of information for the greater benefit of the reader without claiming ownership in exchange for being an authority and/or recompense oof some kind?!!
i am not even a big supporter of him (actually, I’m a joel comm and robert evans kind of guy!) and I’ve never bought a product from ewen (sorry bro!) but let me tell you something…
along with your content, ewen is definitely a person whose free content helped me undetstand affiliate marketng better.
i really don’t get the people who was going “rah rah roz woohoo you da girl” without “actually thinking” that you restricted their right to resyndicate your content and leaving your link source intact…don’t that also make you a guru for your sheep?!
honestly i am so angry about this one and suppose i create a newsletter called “a week of affiliate marketing online” and i use your article with your bio in the content with active link…am i also a guru who knows nothin?
i need a chill pill now!!!
Michael is right too. Ewen’s free material alone is great. You start with trust and belief that people want to be good. And when you see someone who for years has demonstrated that in the first place. Give the guy a break. IM is an English-speaking profession in many ways is my guess. What if you had to learn a new language for your job, Ros? This was so so so unfair.
I have always learned from Ewen’s products. Maybe I wasn’t always ready — or some things were a little over my head. For instance, I didn’t even know how to put a website up yet. Ewen has produced a lot of material.
The Clickbank president, a great guy too, said those who progress the most and the fastest spend money on education. So buy Ewen’s products.
When someone does so well as Ewen, first as the top affiliate marketer in “the world”, then Internet marketer, leader and speaker at seminars, creator of products — then he needs to manage all the systems of customer service for his products. Hey, you think he’s going to be the very very best at everything he does?
People online need to learn to watch their pocketbook. Copywriting, sales letter — direct mail is in the business of selling stuff. People need to research and buy what they can use, the right fit and the best product for them at the time.
Ewen Chia is great. I like him a lot. I think you need to get off your high horse, Rosalind. Ewen is right too — the world is our mirror, and what we see a reflection. Look inside, girl.
Hi Katherine,
I’ve posted an article related directly to the problems of automated blogging just for you at:
http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/10-reasons-to-avoid-automated-blogging/
Cheers,
Ros
I’d have to say, Ms Gardner, if you think no one should ever find good information and pass it on to others you are being a bit short sited. No one is so much of a no it all that other sources should be excluded.
What do you think newspapers, magazines, news shows, etc do?
As long as you identify your sources, you aren’t violating anyone’s trust. Ewen Chia clearly identifies the source, and isn’t claiming other peoples’ information as his own.
As for Ewen using the term “guru,” I’m guessing he started using it when he finally accepted the fact everyone who follows him calls him an information marketing guru. He is exceptionally knowledgeable and I use him as a great resource for building my own business.
So for Ewen Chia, I say thanks for being a “guru” and thanks for finding other sources I may not have found to get even more information.
Stay Well. Here’s to your success and all your readers.
Wayne Sharer
Hi Wayne,
I’ve posted an article related directly to the problems of automated blogging just for you at:
http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/10-reasons-to-avoid-automated-blogging/
Cheers,
Ros
Wow Roz, in the year or so that I have following you, I have never seen you so fired up! To be honest I don’t follow 90% of IMs hocking stuff on the internet, like Ewen Chia. Never believed in these software program that do it all for you. That’s why I follow you, a couple ladies in Australia and a few others. The first IM book I bought was SAH, and I still use it today.
Thanks for this post Rosalind. I used to be a subscriber of Ewen’s before I discovered your site. Fortunately I started following you more because you give your readers valuable information than him (Mr. Ewen) and other so called “Internet Marketing Gurus”. I’ve recently cleaned the clutter in my inbox and I am happy that I rid him and others while only keeping you and a couple of other Internet Marketers.
I appreciate you so much for not only giving us Insider Information, but you also give us the latest information by posting videos. You may not think so, but you are the best. Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Dacia Stuckey
Hi Rosalind,
I am afraid i might have to disagree with you on this one. I think that content sharing with a link that credits the original source wouldn’t be thievery.
Paul
As Melissa says, well said Roz. I’m so glad someone else agrees with my thoughts on Ewen. I unsubscribed from him very early in my online career. Mike Filsame is another one I don’t trust.
Hi Ms.Rosalind Gardner,
I’ve Bought Your Products.,.And Had The Utmost Repect For You, But This Takes The Case you are just out right disrepectful…To Ewen Another Marketer..He Does Put Out Great Product..Just Like You .Now If You Have Something Against Him Then You Need To Deal With It In A More Repectful Way……Shooting Down Someone Just To Be Shooting Them Down Is Wrong…You’re Acting Like Those Folk In The United States Congress…He’s A Great Teacher And Marketer…Just Like You Are …Where Is Your Integrity Ms.Gardner…God Bless And Take Care..To Your Much Success And Ewen Chia Much Success….
Dear Rosalind,
You owe Mr. Chia a sincere apology. Please see his acclaimed book: How I Made My First Million On The Internet, And How You Can Too!
He is one of the most highly respected internet marketers in the world.
Best Wishes,
Michael Marino
Hi Rosalind!
I was just wondering did This man hide the fact that it was an article posted from your site?
I think it’s not uncommon to post comments and good information from other sites as long as credit is given
i would think it’s a form of a compliment, or is it?
I have huge respect for Ewen Chia? He has done nothing wrong. What you have written is totally disrespectful. I think it’s because you are jealous of the gurus who earn more money by leveraging off other people . That’s smart.
Hey Rosalind,
Ewen claims he posted a comment here. Why wouldn’t you approve it? Just curious.
Thanks,
Alex
Ok, nevermind, I see you have approved above.
Cheers,
Alex
Ewen has great products…..he is the same as alot of IMers but his products are some of the best blueprints to this day. …and Justin Dupre is a douche! He is the one you should warn your reader about.
Controversy is viral. How about calling out gurus from a place nearer to where you are based? It would be interesting to see how things turn out.
Ewen is too far away to fight it out with you.
Hey Rosalind, Nice post, but to be fair, I think you should allow Ewen’s post that he just sent to all his subscribers.
Ewen post an article that you wrote and linked it back to your site so what is the problem.
It seems to me there might be a little anamostity there between you two.
Any one reads his posting and clicks on the source then they are redirected to your site ,you get the backlinks
I could understand being peeved if he had claimed the article as his own but no he gave you the authors credit.
I am sorry Rosiland I have been a subscriber of yours for a few years now but am now no longer!!!!
I posted a comment on Ewen’s blog after his response to you. Posting it here in case it never makes it on to his page
“I’ve read your comments to Rosalind, and frankly what gives you the right to ask her not to post her own opinions in public? It’s her blog and her opinion – why shouldn’t she post it?
If someone starts a blog called “Intermetmarketingguru.com” or “iamthebestmarketeronearth.com” – yes I do assume that person wants you believe that’s what they are, unless it’s obviously done tongue-in-cheek.
I agree with her that “curation autoblogs” are just crap. Curation means taking what someone wrote and COMMENTING on it, not just repoisting it as it stands. There’s nothing new about straight reposting, those of us who were doing Adsense 5/6 years ago did exactly that to put keyword-related content on our sites. The fact that you’re now teaching it as something “new” says something about you. I repeat, CURATION means commenting and adding to someone else’s ideas, not copying them word for word. Huffington Post is the usual example given of true curation – your autoblog is nothing like that.”
You got him rattled, Ros!
I totally agree – you go Ros!
I bought an eBook long ago that said that was the best way to create content “on the fly.” I’ve never done it though – I have my own words to write ! The theory is that the original poster will be so pleased that their work was sited that they will give that backlink in a second! Um, not so much now days!
And hats to the other comment also. I get little or NO actual information in emails anymore. It’s a two liner that goes something like “You gotta check this out. This guy was on the streets and now he’s got his own boat” or something like that.
Poor Newbies. . .
Ewen asks $1000 for a course here in Malaysia: I signed up to get all kinds of spammy crap that has been rehashed for ages and I opted out a few days later with some struggle to get my money back (just go figure, he makes his money with clickbank that offers a money back guarantee without any questions asked…).
Those who persisted and went for his seminar aren’t making any money but keep on getting emails to buy this or that product.
No money back for those people (about 400 or so per course, so if you want to make money fast, scamming people from their hard earned money is the way to go it seems
I’ve known Ewen for a while and what you’ve said about him is simply not true at all and very unprofessional on your part.
What’s even worse is that you would post your opinion about him in public as fact.
You should really be ashamed of yourself and offer him a public apology.
Ewen is an internet marketing guru and thousands of people have learned a lot from him… and from reading your post, you probably could too.
I wouldn’t expect this comment to be approved, but if you really feel you’re right, then you should at least let people hear both sides of the story and form their own opinions.
Justin
Hi Rosalind and Ewen. Both of you are highly respected gurus in affiliate marketing.I did buy some ebooks from both of you & both of you are not scam.
Rosalind, I should speak louder in words that you can’t attack Ewen on the frontline. I followed Ewen quite a long time & indeed I learn a lot from him. Such public attack can reveal a lot of you, unfortunately, bad characters.
I see nothing wrong with Ewen’s articles because he put a source linking to your site. It is not hidden. I have seen a lot of gurus writing a good articles but no sources mentioned.
Nowadays, internet marketing is nothing new anymore. People just dig out old stories and modified. In such case, Rosalind, how do I know whether your articles are truly written by you.
Matthew Liow
Hi Matthew,
I have made public apologies to Ewen, both on his blog and mine.
http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/sorry-ewen/
Cheers,
Ros