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!
down home Eric ! thanks for the great thoughts and admirable action. cheers
Eric this is indeed good news. Web 2.0 will mean these lying Gurus types will eventually get exposed and rightfully blacklisted. Firstly, I have had a nightmare with lies that have promised everything and only delivered a front end teaser product instead. Secondly, all the information I was supposed to get was actually in the expensive back-end product. (You did not find this out until after the purchase was made.) Also it compelled everyone to buy the back-end or get stuck with a BS product.
Thirdly, It blew my budget. I Budgeted for three products at $150.00 which I duly purchased. I did not have money left over to purchase the backend.
Lastly, I got stuck with three half baked teaser products I cannot use. They are not what I was led to believe I was paying for. I am angry and not comfortable buying from these rip off Merchants ever again.
Phil.
Hi Eric
You have your reasons and good luck in what ever path you decide to take. With regards to information overload, I could not agree with you more.
I have personally made many mistakes, one of which has been to get sucked into so many promotions, although I have learnt to become more discerning about the products I purchase and promote and try to recommend products that I believe can truly help.
Although not a total newbie any more I still find myself some way from getting established as I would like, so will look forward to your tutorials to see what and where I am missing steps.
Thanks for all your interesting posts again!
Kind Regards
Chris Raine
I’d like to wish you all the best Eric. I’ve been reading your words for over two years now, so I guess now is the time to say thanks old mate. Take care
Hi Eric,
What a pity you’re going to leave the online business? But I’m happy to know that you’re still going to give your tips about the online marketing business.
I cannot resist you on this your decisions. You’ve reasons for that. Your long run has shown your great success, and to be marked as a great marketer.
Sometimes all the way long you’ve done well helping people on some part to get success.
I’d to thank you for this if not much enough.
Unlucky for everybody to know you decision.
But quiet a bit happy to know that, you’re intending to render lessons for the needy.
Thank you.
Fauzi
Hi Eric,
I’m sorry to hear you’re beginning the early move to get out of the business. You’ve always been a reliable source of information and your reviews have been such a welcome relief from all the other hype out there.
On the other hand, I respect your decision and understand it entirely. It’s yet another reason I have so much respect for you–that the money isn’t your only motivation.
Hope this means you’ll begin moving more into doing full-time video production stuff. Guys like me who are looking at offering unique video content could certainly use the expertise of someone like you!
Warmest regards always,
Michael
Michael D. Walker
Zentimental
God be with you, Eric, I’m looking forward to watching your new path develop. Hope all those who opened your mail for the first time will check out your archives and avail themselves of some of the wisdom you have already imparted.
I’ve always felt that you had some of the best information on the web. I only feel that it will get better with time.
Best of luck, looking forward to the new and improved website.
Eric,
I ran across you & your tips at the beginning of my internet marketing research effort. It was immediately apparent to me that we share some common values about life. I think you are right on target for a well spent life.
Thank you for adding sustainable credibility to the internet marketing business discipline. I am a 60+ newbie who has not earned a penny from the internet yet, but who has been looking at the process for 2 years. I do not not have any web sites, but will soon make the plunge.
However, I have begun writing an e-book to help newbies not waste their money on useless purchases based on hype, but rather make their purchases for products required for the development of their business model at the appropriate point in the life of their business startup.
The greatest gift of living is giving! Your reasons for the change in the focus of your talents and experiences will be substantiated and rewarded as you go forward, I have no doubts. I once heard a preacher say that he had been to many funerals in his lifetime, but had never seen a u-haul trailer hooked to the hearse carrying worldly possessions.
Thank you Eric, your honesty and integrity is refreshing. You have been 1 of 3 people whom have help me over the past 2 years and I hope you know how much your newletters and tips have been appreciated. Good luck with your future endeavours.
Hello Eric,I really share your views.I am appreciative of your honesty.I am a newbie and really need help,most of us have spent a vast amount of money buying all kind of things to try and make money online but without success,like I did,we have had every thing jumbled and can not put the puzzle together,so this is a good thing to give us your step by step video tutor.thanks
George
Eric, you certainly are very unique. Good luck in your future endeavors and we are all looking forward to your organized lessons , Marv Harris.
I actually read what you wrote above. Congratulations. You have no idea how many pitches I get in the course of one day. I am getting tired of reading the splash letters on how you can get rich overnight. One of the reasons I do what I do and am dedicated to it is because I believe in helping people. I also have wondered why exactly some of the internet marketers who supposedly have made so much money continue to push push push their stuff. Anyway it is all starting to sound the same…. like over and over and over.
Eric,
I commend you for your decision. You know you will be richly blessed. I am one of those that lost everything this last year. I don’t have much to spend to start over. I am looking forward to 7 Figure Secrets. Will I receive a verification of my sign up?
God Bless,
Kevin
Eric,
I’m glad to see someone to possibly to tell the story as I too have a lot of bits and pieces,blank websites,master labeling e-books and money invested in a pile of confusion not knowing what to do with them as I’m a computer idiot and can’t set up my own website with the ones I have. Some of the help menu’s tell you how to do it but I’m iliterate on that I don’t understand the language of the computer mumbo gumbo.All you see out there is the hype but I’m not relly a hyped up guy and the more you look it all turns out to be the same shit just a different channel and some of them not even keeping up with thier websites and letters as they have not followed up with changing dates and other info that keeps going around.It is a pay me and I’ll set you free hype addiction on most of them but you end up if your lucky breaking the chains that bind you. All I have been looking for is to set myself with an income so I can have time to do things withmy children and grandchildren and not have worry about bills and things that suddenly breakdown and have to ro Peter to pay Paul and when you have kids they or them don’t never seam to grow up anymore and stay in your pocket as much as they can. I don’t care about the millionaire status just being financialy stable and able to provide for the not too much longer senior years.As for the other gray headed CEO’s they just have an addition and can’t take the laid back life as they are the fat cats chasing the little rats and the more rats you have the fetter the cat you are.
marty RAMBLE ON
Eric,
your kindness will return many folds and it will links all around.
Thanks
tony
Hello,
Thank you for being honest and calling it like it is. There is far too much hype and no substance in the internet marketing world. I have been looking for a mentor to fill in the gaps for too long.
Eric,
Thanks for setting the example for others in this challenging IM field. “Helping one another” is a great goal that will bless us all and insure the longterm life of the internet. Your 100 lessons will certainly be a welcome study from my perspective.
Harold
Eric,
This move is very noble of you. I was beginning to think the same thing. It’s ridiculous how many ‘gurus’ are out there pitching pretty much the same thing. All I want to do is make enough money to pay off my house and all my debts. Then I want to set about doing whatever it takes to fixup all the run down properties in DC so people can at least live a ‘clean’ life. Looking forward to the video lessons.
Eric,
I am glad to see that you are realizing what the “market” – US are seeing. There seems to be alot of more hype and LESS content come out of the leaders. There is a growing population that are less than successful. I am glad to see you are trying to address that by giving back.
You have got my attention.
Thanks and God Bless,
Well said… Today was the first day/time I recieved/read your newsletter… I look forward to learning and hearing of your new pursuits.
Best wishes
Hi Eric,
I admire your principles and understand why you’re going that way. I’m 66 and so the question is a little moot in my case. Do I want to continue to bang the drum? Well, that’s my business… 😉
I just want to share my personal experience with the grey-haired 60+ CEO types with you. These guys (and the few women who are there also) are still doing this because they love it! They are in it for the excitement and the power, not the money – well, maybe in a few isolated circumstances, money too. At that level, money is just a measuring stick. That’s the way I can compare my performance and my value to my company with somebody in a completely different industry – it’s the original form of bench-marking! I don’t feel sorry for these folks, they’re generally happy doing what they’re doing, and when they quit, well, then they die.
Maybe it’s not such a terriffic picture, but I think it’s fully realistic.
All the best with your new direction, and I’ll be following your success with interest.
Jimmy Craig
100 videos sounds like a lot to take in to me. Let’s hope it doesn’t start with “How to unzip files”, or “How to FTP”. That type of video is packaged with everything – most people have them with a product they’ve bought and you can get stuff like it anywhere – I think Leonard Payne did a load of small how-to videos already. I may have been just cPanel, but there’s one area that would just be duplicated. I think if you’re going to provide something worthwhile, it has to be something that can’t be found on the net for free – most How-To’s can.. And as someone else said, lose the hucksters and the gurus. Sure, to sell anything, one has to make it look tasty, but the whhole internet is swimming in $97 candy-floss, reduced to a phenomenal $7 until midnight – enough already!
I look forward to the free sources that you provide. I dont know anything about you or Mike Filsaime, but I have heard some unpleaseant things about Mike. I figure since this is some more information, what will it hurt to get informed? I am expecting the real deal some real fluff and no BS that we seem to be getting from this old information that most seem to say is making them good money. I am still waiting on the day for the real money to be seen my way. What does Eric really have available for me that the other marketers dont have. Once again he is a Real Marketer.
Great move Eric! 🙂
Thanks for all the information you share and also are going to!
Marian
Eric, I have such respect and admiration for you for you to say that you are leaving to “focus more on family and other things that will have an impact beyond our lifetime.” Those are the things that are really important in this life. I know from your bio that you are a Christian who is passionate about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Making money is an important part of life. We need to provide for our families and having an abundance of finances to be able to bless others is a great thing. Yet it is very easy for the gift to be the focus of our lives instead of “the Giver.” The Bible puts it this way, . . . “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul.” It is a joy to meet an internet marketing “guru” who has their priorities in life in order.
By the way Eric, I wrote a book to encourage Christians that I have made available FREE on my website, http://rapturebride.info. I hope you will get a chance to check it out. I know it would be a great blessing to you.
Thanks again for your honesty and being a credible voice that I can trust in the area of internet marketing.
Eric,
Thanks for all the great content you’ve been providing. The hype out there speaks for itself. It’s too bad so many get sucked in by hype, though.
I look forward to your upcoming lessons.
Good fortune in all your future endeavors
Roy
I wish you all the best Eric, nothing can replace friends and family
Hallo EricYou have not let me down
I cut through all the Hype , the So Called Guus, with their eversales pitch that we become hardened to,
But initially when i found you, I loved your Honesty , which comes over so strongly
You are so correct , I am tired of the overlad of everything, that is intended to make others rich
I am in the majority of average people NEEDING to make a little more money TO GET BY.
I look forward to your letters, Thank you
Eric
I lost my three children, I look back with so much regret on the family life I did not have prior, as I needed to work hard
FAMILY TO ME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING , plus MY LOVE OF MY FELLOW MAN
Bless you, good luck xx
Anne
Eric,
reading your words, I felt compelled to dig out a very beautiful watercolor handwriting that I once got from an artist on Hawaii. It is a poem attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson about the meaning of success:
“In Search of Success
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know, even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.”
I consider this as inspirational as your attitude about “moving the free line”. With most marketers I feel that they employ this approach as just another tactic to gain the trust of their subscribers and create a crowd of “fans” so they can market even more effectively. It is just another “in order to…” but not really coming from the heart.
Moving the free line is not about giving things away for free – it is about humbleness. And this is what I sense in you. I have been thinking for quite a while now that I really, really would like to get to know you – not as a marketer or guru to get the latest insider tips from, to learn the tricks of the trade or to strike a JV with. But just as a fellow human being.
Much love,
Kiya Sue
Eric I wish you good luck in whatever you do. You are one of the truly honest and caring people in the IM niche.
I am a newbie still trying to get something going so that maybe one day I will be able to spend time with my grandchild. Family is the most important thing.
I am looking forward to your lessons!
Jean Mandel
I will miss your Eamils and your Eric Tips.
As soon as I get out of debt I will join you
in internet retirement.
Many Blessing are asked for you.
Jeanne
Eric,
I have just been getting Eric’s Tips for a few weeks, but all have been high value.
I totally agree with you on all the high-dollar guru hype being blasted daily into our email boxes. It’s interesting that these “gurus” seem to be promoting each other in multi-million dollar affiliate orgies. To make matters worse they are being supported by several top-level copywriters (many who are supplying sales copy for these launches) and other internet marketers who are blasting the hype to their lists. I’ve gotten the same “insider opportunity” from several sources, each claiming to be offering me the path to an incredible deal. Yeah, spend lots of my money so they get a fat commission for an over-hyped product. In the past few weeks, I’ve gotten an education in how these guys operate. I have also seen some informative videos.
Thank you for offering to bring some real value and sanity to the internet marketing world.
Best wishes,
Mike
Eric,
What a nice of you! and what a brilliant! I know that you’ll move to the next movement, before others. First come first gain! Yeah…I know that money isn’t everything. But everything will go even much better if money is there, right?
When I read this posting I just wondering, “Hey…where this guy will move? What path he would likely to take…??” As a living mankind, we’re always move on till last minute of our live. People in a certain level will no longer put money and its all kind as his obsession. At least, not as the lower level people do. So, it’s no reason to me that you’ll downgrade from your present level. I know that you’ll make your next BREAKTHROUGH, aren’t you?
By the man of the first who applying FREE concept in a new evolution, you’ll get GREAT result in whatever you’ll deliver to mass.
What a wonderful job!
Let me know as the first when it come.
Good luck!
Rusmin
http://www.onestoponlinemarketing.com
(under construction)
Not yet created a website and that is my problem. As of now, I only know I can have an Internet business of my own. There is definitely an information overload. I do not know where to start and having started how to go about it. Every information is priced even if it is only $1. At this point in time, I am not clear whether I will be able to do anything on the internet business scene. Hence the relectance to pay anything. I will be very much obliged if you could give a direction to starting an internet business. In fact, once I learn how I can start a business, I was planning to create something to help newcomers. Looking forward to your course.
Eric, I wish you all the best in you next move. I believe you have had good time to think about it, and I’m sure you are making a move that is good for you and can be of benefit to us, your readers. So far, I have never come acrose anybody like you. You are just different.
I look forward to the 100 lessons.
With best regards,
Abel.
Hi Eric,
This will sound weird but, after reading your post and some of the comments.
You brought me to “tears”, Literally.
I have to wipe my eyes to see the keyboard.
I have a renewed respect for you and of course I agree with the “everything overload”.
Mouths ago I began weeding out my mentors, You and Joel are my most trusted mentors.
I love this Industry and the people in it. Now if I can just make some dam money.
Good Luck and Thanks,
Ralph Circelli
It’s good to retire early.Working until old age is harmful to your health.Old people still our(youth) Jobs.It’s encouraging!great man need your support and helpful tips.
Hi Eric, I am reading with great interest at your decision and looking forward to the course. Good luck. Rose
How wonderfully refreshing to find an honest, honorable and ethical person who not only talks straight, but walks straight too. Sure wish there were more people like you, Eric. I wish you every success.
Some of you people are so gullible. Eric is one of the biggest hype machines going. Always was, and likely always will be. Just because someone says something (“I’m not a guru”) doesn’t mean that it is true. If he’s not pushing one of his ‘products’ on you, then he’s pushing someone else’s and getting well-paid to do so. He did it with this post too.
He’s become a millionaire – and good for him – but it’s been because you all constantly open your wallets to him and his tight circle of guru friends, and you do that because you’re chasing a dream – and good for you – but something needs to be more clearly understood. Few people will get to that pinnacle. And those that do will pull the ladder up behind them and toss down costly breadcrumbs to the masses who yearn to be where their gurus are.
You can think positively, work hard night and day and spend 100s and 1000s of dollars, and still not get the same sort of income as people like Eric, and Joel or Mike or any of their associates. All this hype about generating income while you sleep, and making millions online is just that – HYPE. And Eric is a ring master in this arena.
It’s no different than trying to sell soap or some such via MLM back in the day. A few at the top will claim to a willingness to tell those at the bottom how to get ahead, all for a price of course. Really, they just will be doling out a few breadcrumbs at a time, but most trying to learn ‘the secrets’ will just end up broke and disillusioned after falling for the hype and buying all the recycled, repackaged and regurgitated information.
Wake up people.
I have bought several of your promotions. Since I have spent an arm and a leg on products to learn and do intermarketing and don’t know how to put it all together, I appreciate your willingness to help put it all together. I am getting to retirement age but unless I can make this work and get my bills paid off I will be working long past retirement just to keep ahead of the bill collectors. I have been interested in internet marketing for a couple of years and would really like to make this work. I appreciate any help you can give.
Hi Eric,
I think you are making a good decision on helping people. The world is going through drastic economic changes and many people do not have a back-up plan to fall back on because they kept on putting too much trust in the system and kept themselves as “followers”/not making much use of their own minds to be creative and productive contributors in the community where they live.
However, it is never too late to develop a vibrant mind and I am glad that you will be around to help as many people as possible to realize that they have the potential to be successful individuals by making use of the most precious gem called the mind.
All the best!
Marsha Anderson
Hi Eric,
That means part of the sings of the new times?
Congratulations per this advance under lines!
Blessings,
Gabriel
You requested to help post my Link on your blog.
The above is my web URL ,
The description is as follows;
Maryar marketing promotes cell phone with vartety of plans and
most economical home phone services,
Air Travel? Go Travelocty an award winnibg, cheap and comfortable air flights with several
attractive travel accessories ( e.g. beautiful hotels,and economical car rentals)
Thank you so much Eric, your tips enhances my skills in marketing. I hope that you will still continue your admirable deeds to those who needs guidance. Retirement Eric is the beginning of another challenge.
Hey Eric, wow I’m impressed!
I’ve been reading your newsletter for quite a while.I could not understand why:( but maybe I wanted knew internet and online marketing.
Thanks for telling about information overload.
Its true and its very hard understand witch is marketing trick and witch is true about product.
Eric, it is a pleasure to hear you speak like this, as I have only been working online several months now and I also have sensory overload. I made the mistake of signing up for all free stuff from some JV site and got my teeth kicked in with all these different marketers knockin at my door so to speak. I am still weeding them all out to stay with just 2-3 mentors. My site is also just informational built with no sales pitch. However, obviously then I am making no money. I am hoping to be able to follow your lead and balance a fine line where I can live comfortably working from home yet keep other “newbies” from having to go through what I have in the last year. Thanks again for everything and I wish you the best.
P.S. Don’t forget we still need your input.
Regards, Rich T.
Totally am of a similar mindset of you Eric. Thank you so much for the refreshing words that are found seldom in the IM world. Good thoughts, prayers, and looking forward to being at the first lesson.