There’s One Born Every Minute
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There’s One Born Every Minute
NOTE: This article is part of the free eBook, “The MLM Files.”
Copyright © 2002. Dan Levy. All rights reserved, unless specifically granted.
Networking (MLM) eMail Invitations
P. T. Barnum said it best.
Old P. T. was the legendary circus man who is credited with saying, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
In the online world, this is a double-edged sword. It seems as though there is a new scam born every minute. Also born every minute is the sucker who is going to fall for it. I’ve touched on this in some of my other articles.
This article was inspired by the latest wave of spam promoting the newest venture being put forward by a couple of so-called gurus. The main theme of the emails is this:
- This opportunity is so new it’s not even in pre-launch yet.
- We can’t tell you the name of the company yet.
- We can’t even tell you what the product is going to be.
- But, hey! We’re gurus - so send your money anyway.
I don’t know how many sign-ups they have. But, in one week, my mailbox has been the target of the same email promoting this new venture by 27 new ‘affiliates’. The letter touts the fact that a guru is starting a new program. We don’t know what it is, but get in quick!
What__Are__These__People__Trying__To__Pull_?
I’m beginning to think the definition of an Internet guru is just a scam artist with a big mailing list. After all, quite a few of the so-called gurus got their reputations as big-time moneymakers by being big-time spammers.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not all that anti-spam. I don’t do it, but it’s not that big a deal when I get it. And, I get a lot. But, it’s not that much different than all the direct mail that fills our mailboxes at home. Anyway, the point is just this: many of the gurus got their start by doing things that we now consider unethical. So, don’t be surprised when some of them continue to do things that we consider unethical.
Back to the subject. The gurus now have huge opt-in mailing lists. They start a new program, send a special mailing to the list, and get a lot of sign-ups. Then, those sign-ups spam the world using the same packaged email - usually promising massive spillover.
But, by the time you receive the letter, there’s already too many people above you. There will be little if any spillover. By the time, you realize this; you have paid for 3 or 4 months membership. You drop out, but someone has your money. Guess who?
After the first month, the guru sends out another email to the list, “Discover how I made $8326 with one email.” The email, of course, makes it sound like you can do it, too. Then, another batch of people on the mailing list sign-up. They spam the world with the same email. “Get in quick.” But, by this time, it’s too late to get in quick.
Most of these people will probably drop out, too. But, by this time, the guru has made another pile of money. They don’t care if you stay in. Because in a couple of months they will be promoting a new venture to lots of new people on their list using the same tactics.
So, do you begin to get the pattern? It seems like many of the gurus make their money by, well - by taking advantage of people. Remember what I said about some of them getting their start by using what is now considered unethical practices? It seems some of them still do.
Once more, don’t get me wrong. There are gurus I have a lot of respect for. I’d name a bunch of them, but most of you have never heard of them. This is because you don’t get an email promoting their latest ‘program’ each month. They make their money the way a guru should - by helping people.
To end all of this, if a program is going to be a real moneymaker on any kind of a continuing basis, it doesn’t matter when you ‘get in’. When a person tries to convince you to get-in-quick, walk away. Usually, it’s already too late to make any real residual income.
Until next time,
