Countless dollars are wasted every day on information products. People may as well flush their money down the toilet.
You might be wondering why someone who makes their living selling information products would say this. Here’s why.
More people than not buy product after product in hopes that the “next one” will be the magic bullet. They may have the best intentions when they hit the “buy now” button, but in quick order they get sidetracked, bored or realize it actually takes time, effort and work to get a result.
Then you have those who invest in products and do all they can to gain a high return on investment. With focused attention they likely achieve great results.
I’ve had more than one occasion where someone contacts me to ask if my program will finally be the one program that “works.”
“I’ve gotten dozens of programs, spent thousands of dollars, listened to countless experts but nothing has worked.”
When I get this type of inquiry I tell the person NOT to buy my information. Not because the information doesn’t work, but because I’m not naïve enough to think I will be the exception to the rule. I know my programs will be yet another in their long line of “programs that don’t work.”
Over the last year I have invested tens of thousands of dollars in my professional development. I have bought programs that range in price from $10 to $1,000, $2,000 and more. When investing in the higher priced programs I make sure the expert selling it is the real deal.
I also make sure I’m willing to invest time and effort into learning the material and implementing what I learn.
Amazingly, not one of those programs “didn’t work.” As a matter of fact I made money from each and every one.
I’m not alone in these results. Every day men and women around the globe are making money online, but they don’t assume for a minute they don’t have to put effort into gaining results.
As we move into the New Year many entrepreneurs are planning for the coming year. In order to get the most out of 2012 try this:
Take an honest inventory of all the programs you have purchased in the last year. List everything you can think of. Prioritize the items according to what is likely to give you the quickest return on investment.
Commit learning and implementation time to each in order to get a return on investment. As you see your revenues grow, commit a percentage of your income to future programs.
Only buy those programs that will truly benefit you. (And yes, there are programs we need to grow our business)
Decide which experts you want to learn from. Resist the temptation to buy from those who promise great returns with no effort whatsoever. This kind of promise is a red flag.
Each time you buy a program commit to putting time and effort into the material. After all, the more you expect to offer your market the more you will have to put into your own development.
When you follow this simple formula you will be amazed at the results that are possible.
One expert who is the real deal is Connie Ragen Green. Connie has an incredible ability to generate massive revenues from affiliate marketing. She has a formula for success second to none.
To find out, join Connie and me on January 10th from a private Expert Training when you join my VIP Club. Check it by click here.
I love this article Kathleen. One of my big messages is to tell people to only invest in the programs that help them over the hump they’re currently facing.
I’ve seen so many people invest in programs to help them with things they can’t implement yet. And as you know, if you can’t implement what you learn then you’re not reaping the benefits of your investment. For instance, why invest in a program to help you create passive income when you don’t even have a clear niche? It’s that whole bright shiny object syndrome.
Like you, I’ve invested thousands of dollars in my own business and learning, and I’m proud to say that I’ve gotten a big return on each investment I made. Why? It’s not because I’m exceptional. I just made sure that I was ready to implement what I learned.
Thanks and warm wishes,
Cindy
Thanks for more great advice Kathleen!
When people buy programs, they don’t fully appreciate how much time and work will be involved in studying the material. Not only does it take determination, commitment, and time to study, but also consider the time that it takes to put what is learned into practice. If someone was studying a university degree, they would need to plan and schedule suitable time, and a home study program is no exception.
I just love those programs where they offer hours and hours of audio and video for such a ridiculously cheap price. As a very hypothetical example, imagine being offered 124 hours of video training plus bonuses of a further 96 hours of audio – all for just $97. Forget about the price – how many of us could possibly devote 220 hours to studying the material? Spend 3 hours every day Monday to Friday, and it would take almost 4 months to get through the material. And that doesn’t include implementing any of it.
Hours and hours of training for a small price may be extremely attractive, but you simply wouldn’t have the time or the inclination to complete the course. Take an inventory of the time you will need. If you feel that it is achievable, then by all means purchase the program!
Uh, have to say you are dead on with your assessment. Love the following: “Each time you buy a program commit to putting time and effort into the material. After all, the more you expect to offer your market the more you will have to put into your own development..” I must plead guilty to not doing this. I can be an “impulse” buyer. (The perfect target for marketers. ) 🙂
Wonderful message here, Kathleen!
Growing a vegetable garden won’t reap vegetables if you purchase the seeds, put them in the ground, and do nothing to tend your garden.
Buying a sewing machine doesn’t mean you’ll produce beautiful garments if you haven’t yet learned how to sew. The machine won’t do the work for you.
Time, energy, effort, and commitment …
Are the ingredients for the recipe for success with any product or program you purchase.
Sadly, lots and lots of dollars are spent on shoddy offerings with misleading claims attached. 🙁
You’re advice is right on the money …
Make certain the person you’re spending your hard-earned money with is the “real deal”.
Have to wholeheartedly agree with all of the above. And each well said. No one will ultimately do the heavy lifting for us, and no one knows what we’re trying to communicate and accomplish better than we do. Time and action are two of the keys, no matter what else in on the agenda. Great article.
I have subscribed to other memberships over the past couple of years, and while I have learned a lot about online marketing, I did not have a lot to show for it.
Partly it was my own “gotta know more before I start” mentality, and partly it was the inflated material I was getting from other not-so-concise marketers. (If I can fast-forward through the first half-hour of a one-hour audio “training” and not miss anything, are they really valuing my time?)
Recently I edited down what I am subscribing to, and invested in your VIP club membership with the intent of putting each week’s lesson into action. I am on week 2, and already have results! I spent the first hour this morning writing out the first lesson in a new 5-part mini e-course that will be my new opt-in for my site.
Thank you, Kathleen, for providing actionable training. I can’t wait to see what I generate from the next 50 weeks!
How wonderful that you have seen results in two weeks. I am very excited to see what happens over the next 50. I am confident it will be substantial. You have the right attitude.
One of the entrepreneurs who taught me such a lot – ( he had in turn been taught by great business people – which he freely acknowledged always ) said to me to be 50% better you need to work on becoming 1% or 2 % better in 25 or 50 ways. He added that strategically this is the wisest course as your competitors will never to be able to get a handle on why you are so much better and will usually give up after trying three or four of your differences and finding they don’t deliver the results they expect. They will also find it very hard to create the package you deliver as a result – as they aren’t you – and their offering will never ring true!
Thanks Kath for reminding me of that in your discussion and thanks also for reminding me to catch up with the person concerned over the christian festival season
Clive from Down under
Hi, Katherine Gage’
This is realy touching me very deep in my heart,the main problems is how to do it i have been tyring to make money online for almost 2years without but i haven’t even succed and i’m tired of doing it.
Kathleen, You hit the nail on the head. If you don’t take the time to learn and implement the programs and courses you invest in, you can be assured you won’t get any ROI.
Kathleen, great blog as usual. I always admire your ethics on top of your information. I’d also like to add that it’s better to work through one or two really good programs at a time than to get into “information overwhelm” by trying to work through a number of really good programs. Happy New Year and thanks for your past support.