Is A Personal Internet Marketing Coaching Program Right For You?
Something that wasn’t available when I got started online is one on one internet marketing coaching programs. There are many too choose from now but how do you know which ones to trust and which ones to run from and more importantly, which one is right for your needs?
Internet marketing coaching programs are popping up everywhere. I recently read on a popular internet marketing forum a very interesting thread from a very successful internet marketing. Successful as in millions and millions of dollars made online successful.
He was explaining a method he uses known as a “Sales Funnel” where he starts out by giving a free ebook or reports or something of value to collect email addresses using an autoresponder service such as Aweber (the best!) and after sending a few more freebies to built trust and rapport he attempts to sell them an entry level product in the $47-$97 price range, then an upgraded package for 2x-3x the original price at which point he sends the leads to a calling center that specializes in selling selling coaching programs.
I’ve heard good things and bad things about coaching programs. So how do you know if a coaching program is one to investigate more or one you should run from as fast as your feet will carry you?
The ones I’ve heard horror stories about involve the phone solicitors basically trying to bully you by insulting you or strong arm you by demanding to know what your credit limits are, if you have any lines of credit available with the bank, etc.. They try to sell you on starting your online business with OPM (other peoples money) which is actually YOUR money because the last time I checked, you have to pay it back. Great idea if the coaching program is successful, horrible idea if it’s not.
It’s no secret that it takes money to make money. You’ve probably heard that little cliche before and for the most part, it’s true to some extent on the internet as well. While you can certainly start with little to no money, you will see the fastest gains when you are able to invest in your advertising, although it can be a bottomless pit you’re throwing your money into if you don’t know how to advertise properly and track results. This is where a good coaching program can come into play by giving you a huge head start on the learning curve so using your available credit may be to your benefit if you’re following the right training through someone that has your best interests at heart.
If the company that calls to sell you a coaching program is pushy, rude or demanding then they are obviously more worried about taking your money than trying to help you and you should just hang up the phone, you don’t owe them any explanations, you are under no obligations to listen to them, it is your phone, you pay the monthly phone bill, just simply hang it up.
What you are looking for in a coaching program is more along the lines of mentoring. You want to find someone that has achieved success themselves, and I’m not talking about their achieving success by selling coaching memberships, I’m talking about people who are running successful online businesses right now. Ask to see some of their websites, ask for some references from other students who have trained under them. It is your money, you have the right to any information you want to make you feel comfortable with your decision. If the person or company is legitimate, they will be more than happy to answer your questions and provide whatever information you ask for.
Once you feel like you are talking with a person that is truly interested in helping your build your online business, jump over to a couple of internet marketing forums and ask there if anyone has had any experiences with them.
Search Google. When searching, search for the persons or companies name and then do an extended search by adding a plus symbol and the word scam like -> “Big Money Coaching” +scam <-. Once you’re satisfied with that, visit ripoffreport.com and search for any bad dealing there. You can also check the BBB if you like.
If you would like mentoring, want to get involved for as little money as possible, are willing to work a little harder and don’t mind waiting a longer period of time before seeing results, you might try and find a mentor on one of the many internet marketing forums. By paying attention to threads and watching to see who seems to get a lot of respect from the other members and that others acknowledge as a succesful marketer you can approach them with an offer to exchange labor for an education.
I’ve seen this happen many times and I’m sure they get many offers so you’ll have to make yours stand out. Most have also emotionally vested themselves in people before to find the person wasn’t as serious about learning as they were about teaching. You’ll have to overcome this obstacle as well.
When approaching them with your offer, make it clear that you are sincere and to prove it, you would be willing to do some of your labor work in advance such as writing articles for them, submitting links, social bookmarking or whatever else they need done. What you might not realize is that if they take you up on your offer, is that your education has already started. These tasks they’ve passed on to you are a part of their business so start taking notes and when you are completed tell them Thank you and let them know what you’ve already learned up to that point.
Only you know how much money you can afford to invest in starting your online business.
Only you know how long or how hard you are willing to work to achieve your goals
Only you know how serious you are about making money online and therefore…
Only you know whether paying for a personal internet marketing coaching program would be in your best interest.
Regardless of which direction you take, I hope I’ve been able to alert you to some things you should be aware of and things to take into consideration before making that decision.
Whatever you choose, I wish you the best!
Until next time,
Gail
P.S. If you want to start out slow and work one on one with someone who I know for a fact is an expert at what she does, take a look at The Squidoo Queen. It’s a digital product (ebook) which you can download immediately, it’s a ONE TIME charge of $27 AND she offers one on one coaching.
It’s not going to put a million dollars in your pocket by next week but she does show you how to build up a network of profitable squidoo lenses and incorporate “bum marketing (which means FREE advertising methods)” to drive traffic and sales.
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I’ve gotten solicited from many of these coaching services. They’ve ranged in price from $500 as a down payment with payments up to $2,500, $4,300, all the way up to $12,000. I want to learn Internet Marketing but these services all seem to be secretive and use scripted sales methods based on OPM(other peoples money). There has to be a more reasonably priceed service with more reputable providers, who don’t rely on these highly commissioned sales approaches.
First rate advice Gail. I can only think that, like me, you’ve had coaching from somebody who’s “already there”. You can’t learn this stuff any other way.
How on earth did the FIRST internet marketers do it? Trial and error I suppose (that is THE HARD WAY!!!).
Hi Luke. I’ve never received any paid coaching. I started a long time ago, back in the trial and error days and you’re right, it was the HARD WAY. It was also the ONLY WAY.
It took me nearly six months to make my first sale.
If I wasn’t hard headed as a rock and had any sense, I would have gotten out long before I started making any money. I’m afraid many people do get out before they “figure it out”.
Fortunately, the tools are there now for those that really want to make it.
Coaching services are good but can be costly, when deciding on joining any program finding a good mentor with previous experience is the key to your success! Watch out for get rich quick schemes and you should be willing to work hard at your success, there is no such thing as get rich quick programs but you can find financial success fairly quickly if you are taught the right tools to use in your online success!
To you online success!