Edition #168
As I mentioned in last week’s edition, I’m changing up Eric’s Tips, and I’m going to focus on giving a step-by-step sequential education to help you create an online business.
There will be approximately 100 lessons (mostly screen capture videos), and they will be free for all my readers.
I’m also cutting way back on product promotions, and apart from a handful of promotions that I’m obligated to, I will be using this newsletter strictly for teaching the lessons.
So now the big question is… WHY am I doing this?
Without going into too much detail, I’ve outlined the reasons to give you a better understanding…
1) I’m moving the “free line”.
Some of the internet marketing guru’s have been talking about it for awhile now, but the article that probably explains it best was written by Chris Anderson (Editor of Wired magazine, who also created the Long Tail theory) a few months ago. Article: Why $0.00 Is the Future of Business
I’ll still be monetizing this newsletter, but it will be in more subtle ways. Instead of in-your-face product pitches, I’m going to focus on providing quality information, and simply make recommendations for the “essential” services that I personally use (such as web hosting).
2) I’m tired of contributing to the hype machine.
Don’t get me wrong, many of the tactics used to push products in the internet marketing world are deadly effective, and I’ll be teaching some of those techniques. But in this particular niche (internet business opportunity seekers), it’s gotten ridiculous.
I’ll still promote some other people’s products if I feel it is warranted, but I’m definitely stepping out of the “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” guru game. The problem with that method is that I’ve ended up promoting some products that my readers didn’t really need.
My other gripe with the guru “pitch fest” is that I’m seeing an increasing amount of deception in some marketers’ marketing materials. It seems that a lot of marketers have pushed the “hype” envelope to the point where they think it’s OK to flat out lie to make more sales.
3) You asked for it.
In the survey I did a few months ago, over 700 of you responded with your most burning questions about internet marketing. What I discovered is that the majority of my readers were suffering from “information overload”, with no step-by-step action plan to create a profitable online business.
In other words, you’ve picked up bits of information here and there, but nobody has shown how to put all the pieces together in a step-by-step sequential order. That’s what I hope to do.
4) I “owe” it to my subscribers.
My readers have put a lot of money in my pocket over the past couple of years by purchasing products from me, and from my affiliate links. If I can show them how to build an online business, it’s the least I can do to show my gratitude for what they’ve given me.
5) I want to leave a legacy.
Internet marketing has been a catalyst which has enabled me to pursue some of the bigger passions in my life. My plan is to get out of this business in the not-too-distant future (maybe in a few years), to focus more of my time on some of those things.
Some people will wonder… “if this business is so profitable, then why would you leave it?” The answer is simple. There are more important things in life than making money. If I stayed in the business longer, of course I would make more money… but where do you draw the line and say it’s enough?
Based on the many people I’ve seen and met in my lifetime, it seems that the longer someone stays focused on making money, the harder it becomes for them to draw that line. So I’d rather get out sooner than later.
I think it’s ironic that our society’s epitome of a successful person is a gray-haired CEO or high level executive. I look at those gray-haired executives and think, “if you’re so successful, then why are you still WORKING 60+ hours a week at a job in your old age?”
Now don’t get me wrong here either… I realize that we need CEO’s and executives with wisdom and experience to create the kind of economy that we enjoy in our world. Without them, online business opportunities wouldn’t exist. But that lifestyle is not for me, and certainly not my definition of success.
And in case you’re wondering… no I’m NOT talking about retiring to an island and living a luxurious lifestyle. I’m talking about focusing less on money, and more on family and other things that will have an impact beyond our lifetime.
Since I’ve been blessed with a measure of success, I’d like to help others find success. I want to give a good account of what I’ve done and what I’ve learned, so that others with the same ambition can learn from my experience (including the mistakes I’ve made).
And since I’m planning on leaving this business, I have no reason to hold anything back. That’s why I’m not afraid to reveal any of the “secrets” of making money online, so be sure to post questions after each lesson.
Hopefully that explains it…
I’m planning on posting the first lesson a week from today (June 10th).
As always, you are welcome to leave your comments here on the blog.
Have a great day!
Good for you Eric,
PTL, I look forward to the lessons.
Akili
I’m very glad to hear of this!
So where can we find your recommendation for webhosting? I’m fed up with 1&1 and I’d like to see who you like.
Eric – Sounds like your new approach will be a refreshing and welcome change from what so many others do. Eric’s Tips is one of the few newsletters that I continue to receive. That is because you seem to tell it like it is and frankly, I’m just tired of all of the hype and information overload. I know that many internet gurus appear to be making millions, but when it comes to telling the little guy how to make a reasonable income, they fall short in giving the detailed instructions on how to do it. I wish you much success in your new endeavor and may all of the help that you give others also give back to you.
Thanks,
Sharon
Eric;
Thanks for the info and the links to Wired,etc.
Your newsletter is very helpful and I am grateful for what you do….Thanks for joining the new wave,or should I say the “New Old Wave”of what the internet was meant to be.
* Honest
* Fair
* Profitable
This is a first… Will there be a flood of MARKETERS doing this? I know that the Law of Attraction will give Eric a wonderful life…
Things always happen for a reason… Some times we don’t know now… But let it be and the answer will come…
Good luck…
Reg B.
Ca.
Hi Eric,
God bless you for all you have done and I pray His blessing on you in the future.
I understand your stand and thoughts about the current state of the internet marketing niche and totally agree.
My thoughts about your leaving are centered around, ‘what has God said’? I believe as Christians we are to be a light where ever he places us. Whether that be in the world of internet marketing or any other field of endeavor.
With regards the money, as Christians it all belongs to Him and subject to His sovereign direction and our obedience. He gives us the power to create wealth. Then the power to give it away to bless others if that’s what he wants.
I didn’t want this to get to preachy, but I know you’re a Christian as I am and hope you value my comments.
If the Lord has really called you out of IM, then I pray He will cause you to shine as a light with as much or increased brightness in the new place He has for you, as you have done with us all in this field.
God bless you and thank you for everything you have done in your online work.
Ray Burton
http://www.valleyministriesnz.org
http://www.your-traffic-booster.com
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the heads up and the honesty in what your doing. Looking forward to the new Eric’s Tips in the 100 lessons. I’m sure I’ll find nuggets of gold in them.
thanks,
Will
Eric, I have to say I am genuinely impressed. Many of the others who have commented have expressed my own sentiments for me but I would like to add my own angle. You have focussed on the central problem with the IM world – too many pieces of the jigsaw sold on their own it is fair to say. Too many worn out methodologies peddled as top techniques and very few people indeed who have the courage to do what you are going to do – teach the A to Z and particularly at the price you are proposing. I look forward to your course with great interest. It will be good to get the big picture as well as the detail. Thanks again!
It proves that there are still some gentlemen in this business !!
Thank you Eric – I will never forget this gesture of yours. When I make my bit (hopefully with your lessons), I will follow your shining example. I may not be able to give back by lessons, but there are many ways to give back !! If we take a good look around us – we will find people who are in need !
Money does not need to be ‘dirty’ – with money we can help lots of people who might simply need a meal to make it to the next day !!
To all of us who some day might make it big – please remember that in this day and age, millions die of hunger !! We can give a helping hand !!
Thank you Eric and God bless.
Eric, congratulations on your decision and for us out here in internet world, its nice to see there are good geniune people like you willing to guide us in the right direction.
Thankyou and Best wishes
Marion
Eric, I hope this works for you. I’ve tried giving good, free content and all that happened was it used up a lot of my time. People say they want it but rarely reward those who create it.
DONTCHA WANNA BE LIKE SHAWN CASEY AND SUCK EVERY DIME OUT EVERY IDIOT YA CAN BOY??? I wish he’d quit. What a peckerhead! If you got the bucks and the brains boy, get out now because kids grow up awfully fast. Me, still haven’t made a DIME, thanks to the peckerhead. Good Luck Earache,
rick kirk
Eric, thank you for your honesty. I was just thinking this last week how intense it is with all the product pitching! Of course, it is the way money is made…. but yeah, the hype is pretty intense, hard to focus if one has to read and check out every other new thing each week. I’m on several mailing lists and I can see how the same product is promoted on each of them, and the a week or so later, one of the other markers product is pitched, it goes back and forth, if someone is new and are looking to figure out how to start and build a business, it gets ridiculous! I’m looking forward to your lessons, Thanks!
Eric, I wish you a lot of luck.and I hope you are very sucessful.I hve love your tips.
I’m encouraged by your example, mate. Well done! 🙂
Hi Eric:
You reap what you sow … I see an abundant harvest in your future!!!
All the best in your new endeavors.
Wayne
Eric
You do stand out from the crowd; I wish you success with your plans.
The Internet marketing hustlers would continue bombarding us with email offers daily until we start naming and shaming the bad eggs among them.
Thanks
Dola
Hi Eric,
This is refreshing and different from the usual stuff I read every day.I hope you follow through the goals you have set for your self.Ultimately all of us are in this game for our loved ones, freedom, and living life on our terms.Glad to know you are moving closer towards that goal.
All the best!
Alex.
Eric,
I commend you for your decision. You are so right about the JVs getting a bit out of hand. I only trust a handful of gurus these days.
And putting family and friends before business is the only way.
Ted
With free blogs and the proper affiliate training I knwo people who do business free then like you they help others who provide them with built in viral upsales. Keep us filled in on how this is working for you my man..Your online friend Star Riley
Thanks primarily to your influence, I’m half way through creating my first product and have a basic marketing plan for it… so I will be applying your lessons in real time. Thank you Eric!
Kristina
Eric,I like to thank you for your valuable tips.
I also agree,that money is not everything,and family is more important than anything else!
I’m looking forward to the videos lessons,cause
i’m sure i will pick up more information from an expert as you are!
Good luck, in whatever you do in future!
Helen from Athens
Eric, Look forward to the upcoming lessons. If the quality of many of your blog posts is any indication, we’re set for a fabulously educational and rewarding few months!
And incidentally, also thanks for the link to Chris Anderson’s Wired article on FREE found via your 1st point. Makes for very interesting reading and a useful insight for where many things are heading…
Cheers!
Hey Eric,
Nice sentiment.
I almost took you seriously.
Until the last paragraph – promoting Mike Filsaime’s huckster products before you sign off.
Glad to see that others actually believe you. I’ll believe it when I see it.
And that means no Mike Filsaime and no Joel Comm.
Other people have kicked smack, so maybe you’ll get off too.
Hi Eric
Well I couldn’t agree more with the amount of hype we’re force-fed lately on the screen. Its become very easy to simply yawn and say, what price? No. Thet endless range of weird and wonderful products that will make you the next millionaire, has got me really questioning what I’ve been doing these last few years.
Unlike you, I’ve had part time work and recieved nothing back from IM but instead paid upwards of $1000’s. Its been a real rollercoaster ride.
So, I feel your commitment to providing these plans will help so many people, like myself, to at least recoup something from all this work.
Now I can see it’s also becoming incredibly high tech, more and more so, and Im struggling at times, which is why I’ve not been an earner.
Nevertheless its given me a challenge. Its kept me mentally challenged, its allowed me to focus or try to. I’ve tried and still do want to make something meaningful out of it. I want to help the environment and I want to help people out in need. So a succesful site will allow me to donate funds to some causes.
What you’ve identified is so true though. There’s very little real integrity and those of us that have a modicum of it, just get hammered and conned.
Good luck and your writing is refreshingly real and normal and likeable and all things the gurus just lost out on years ago.
Thanks for taking this stand and good luck to you.
Kathy F
Eric
I have only been getting your news letter a couple of weeks when I learned of you through the Templates that I purchased. and I’ll tell you what you are a very good teacher I have learned more from you in this short time than I have ever learned anywhere else. Thank you for all that you have done for my Family and I by showing me that there is someone honest on the web. I was ready to throw in the towel because I kept buying and reading and buying and reading and trying to ask questions every one kept wanting more money. Dont get me wrong I am willing to pay for information that someone gives but I was finding that everyone wants to take me around in circles and charge me again and never answer my questions. but I digress. I wish you the best of luck in your ventures and yours and your familys future. My prayers are with you.
May God Bless You
Ed
S.E. Alabama
Dear Eric,
I do appreciate that you are willing to help we newbies. You are right, we have more info than we can sort out. I think your offering to help us out is very kind and generous. I had already figured you you were a high quality person,with very high standards. May the Lord bless you and keep you in his care. Looking forward to all 100 lessons.
What ever you do I wish you the very best,
Betty
Hi Eric
Retired 9-1-2007 flat broke,no income,after massive heart attack. I’ll be (75) this coming December,and knowing that I needed to make a living for the next 25 or 30 years, I began reading your news letters. Thanks for the inspiration and hope they have given me to build a n internet business. Look forward to following your future directions. God Bless
Warren
Eric,
Family and God have always been my number one priorities, so I applaude you for making the decision to get out of the “rat race”! There’s just not enough time in life to spend working 80+ hours per week and neglecting the things that really matter the most…and make us the happiest.
Having money is great, but not at the expense of losing the biggest riches in our lives which is truly our families. My kids are 25 and 20 (plus I have a 1 year old grandson), and the days I look forward to the most are the weekends when we still all get together. I shut off the computer and everything else around me to spend time with them and I still enjoy my time with them more than anything else I could be doing.
I do however look forward to all that you will be sharing with us in your lessons since internet marketing is something I really just took on once we became an “empty nesters”. I’m somewhat on the flip-side of the coin whereas I dedicated over 20 years to raising my kids full time and now there’s a little more “me-time”. I feel that now is the time in my life that I actually do have the time to spend on this new endeavor…and yes I’ve ran across my fair share of scams and unfulfilled promises, but it’s people like you in this business that make me realize you don’t have to lie and cheat and scam to be successful.
I’ve always enjoyed your newsletter because you offered what I felt was honest and caring information…
From the posts I’m reading above mine, obviously you have a following that believed in you and your honesty…and many that hope to follow that path even if it means giving up a dollar or two.
God bless you and I wish you and your family all the best.
Oh, and once again…GO RAMS! (can’t help myself).
Jane
Hi Eric,
It is so touching. I agree with you that money is not everything. Actually I want to be like you after I make a lot of money you know doing thing to help others help themselves etc.
but first you have to have money to to it.
Best of luck and may God the almighty bless you and family always
Eric,
Man you made my day. I look forward to the lessons and the internet marketing education to come. Thank you for speaking your heart and the truth about this industry.
I see no contradiction between what you said and promoting Mike Filsaime’s new gift product. A mild product promotion is ok. I appreciate soft topic copywriting. It is right to make money. However, the intent and method behind the promotion is paramount.
Thank you for your ethics and giving back to your subscribers. It is the correct decision and I bet you end up making more money than before. When you show your true character, it is amazing how much you give and by giving your life away you will gain it back in many various ways. Here is to your future and your prosperity of a full and balanced life.
I look forward to your future communications with great expectations. Thanks again!
Hey Eric,
What can I say?
I’m glad.
Proud of you.
Relieved (for you, Melissa & the kids)
I’ve been where you are -leaving a lucrative career at the top of my game to try something new. Wondering exactly how I’m going to provide for my gigantic family…
It is faith-stretching to do what you’re planning to do – but allow me to encourage you with this:
God will provide for your needs. This isn’t just my opinion or experience, this is a FACT.
So don’t be anxious about anything. And be sure to let me know if WorkingMom can help you in any way. Shucks, let me know if we we can HIRE you!
In His Service,
Sabrina
ERic, I hope whatever you decide to do in the future brings you joy..but don’t leave till I’ve got all your secrets(just joking I think)
Wolfysmon
Hi Eric,
Your rationale for leaving the “hype” industry did you proud.
All the best in your next evolutionary ascent.
Jesucita
Hi Eric,
I am confident that you will be successful in your next move.
God Bless You.
Jason Khoo.
Hi Eric,
You are the real sincere ‘guru’ out there. I knew it the first time subscribing to your newsletter few years back. Keep up the good work! God bless you.
great way to turn and take a different approach to online business eric. you sound very sincere and i truly hope that it is true because i have been trying to break into this online living and the info overload is CRAZY!! so i pary that from your blog that all is true because there are many of us small fish out here swimming in a piranha tank. look forward to your teaching eric and you will conquer the masses by doing so…. jerome (a.k.a. renegaderedneck)
Wow, is this for real!!! I am finally go to get some good content on the how to grow a online business. Boy will my creditors be over joyed. I have been so frustrated with all the sell, sell, sell, that I definitely am going to look forward to your lesson Eric. I think this is just awesome!!!!
To your success and mime….:-)
Delia
Thanks, Eric, for saying what I’ve wanted to say for a long time now. I’ve been on the internet almost two years now and haven’t made that first penney.
If I decide to work seriously on a site, I spend most of my time reading that site. Everything is said twenty times. I could never understand that. Is it bragging or do they think I’m an idiot that has to be preached to? When I’m finished, I’m exhausted and really have no more time left to get going . The next day it’s more of the same only a different website. You think you’ve found someone who’s honest and can put it altogether for you, but it’s just another hype bundled in million dollar sugar cubes. Thank You for your openness and honesty about a society of people who forget where they came from. Patricia Quackenbush
Eric,
I commend you for trying to achieve this goal. It’s very heart-warming to see someone as successful as you, set the tone of priority to family and helping others achieve their dreams.
I guess the ‘freeline-bug’ effect that I’ve been hearing in the IM circles lately has caught up with you.
I glanced at the archive section of this blog and the earliest post was on October 2005. That shows how much you have gained all these years.
Looking forward to all the tips that you’ll be sharing with us.
Eric great post I agree there is too much hype out there. What we who are starting out need is definitely a step-by-step plan to follow not some hyped up thory or program that has missing pieces of the puzzle.Im looking forward to your lessons so that i can make some money and also be able to at some point teach others to do the same kindda like pay it forward in as much as teaching those who want to be taught how.I know where you are coming from when you say you want to spend more time with your family and that now is the time to draw the line and just get out and do that.I wish you all the best!
Ronald
Eric,
Money is not the only measure of richness, and with what you are doing you will hopefully become richer than all the other gurus combined.
Bless you,
Andrew
“Life without purpose is barren indeed
There can’t be a harvest unless you plant seed
There can’t be attainment unless there’s a goal
And man’s but a robot unless there’s a soul.”
– Author Unknown
Glad you found yours Eric, and sharing what you’ve learned will help others learn from your knowledge. All the best to you, fak3r.
Thanks for all the tips and future lessons Eric.
Interesting post Eric,
Not long ago, big-wig John Reese of Traffic Secrets fame swore off being an affiliate for every big launch on the turnpike.
Didn’t need the money or karma anymore, he LOUDLY proclaimed…
He was on a higher plane, after serious introspection of his motivations…
Less than a year later, he has been back promoting every big launch around with his affiliate links…
Said he saw the light, that easy money persuading the masses of newbies was just too good a thing to give up…
(Well, he wasn’t so honest in the exact wording of his announcements about his return to the affiliate hunt…)
We shall see if you follow the same path?
I wish you luck and perseverance! 🙂
Nothing against John Reese, but he proclaimed long and loud that he was no longer gonna be the “Pusher Man”…
As SteppenWolf sang in the early 70’s about the soul-less drug dealer,
“God D*mn the Pusher Man”
The lesson?
Don’t shine the light on your “future” virtue.
Plenty of time for that AFTER you have done it over the long haul…
Good Luck to you Eric,
and may your family always enjoy good fortune.
Your friend,
Dr. Michael Quadlander
____________________
I’m so glad you are going to be different from the other marketers. I am normally a skim-reader but I read your article more slowly than normal…..I guess because it was very heartfelt and it wasn’t a pitch…..Thanks for your help
Nice! Looking forward to it…
hi eric!
good to know you’re not tied up to money matters. Godwilling, if i make it to this online business, i’d make it a support system for my cause-oriented projects. i have a little support-poor-people project with my wife and a bit of spiritual ministry. i also hope to fund my book publishing–i write books on why people need to really stop and look around to find their true destiny.
Thank you Eric for the change in format. I’m sure many, many more people will benefit from your free lessons. But your article today really hits me right on track. Because I’m someone who is just planning to have an alternate if not a substitute income for my day job. And now I notice that there are just so many marketers and ideas coming my way so tantalizing; one could forget you are not in just for the money per se…I’m also interested in your mistakes as much as how you made your success. I wouldn’t like to miss any of your 100 lessons. Thanks again and God bless!