[start ranting]
… I was reading through my RSS feeds as I normally do and I ran across “Missing the Secret to Online Success?” and it really bugged the shit out of me. I’m not sure why it bothered me that much - maybe it’s the lack of sleep… insomnia (but that’s another post).
I know she was trying to be helpful and “here you go… success!” - but I caught a bit of a cold, condecending voice from the article.
One subscriber wrote back and said, “I’m just starting my business so I didn’t sign up. I can’t spend money on everything that comes along. Please tell me if I really need this…â€
First of all, the time that it took to write that email to me could have been invested in signing up for free and watching those videos - moving forward in your business instead of wondering and treading water. Secondly, I don’t send my subscribers anything that I don’t use, haven’t seen or reveiwed, or believe in myself…
I know what she was trying to get across - but I almost felt bad for the person who sent the email. Just starting a business - limited budget - do I REALLY need that? Maybe he didn’t know that she checked out the products before hand and wanted to know if it really was worth it.
Did he really need it???
Then she came back with her comment - and that seems a bit harsh. I do think trying a product before you promote it is a good thing, as she says she does. Especially in the blog realm we’re speaking of. What bugged me was the - rather than writing to her - he should have been watching the videos … rather than treading water wondering.
Oh holy crap! Maybe he didn’t want to waste 15 minutes of his life he’d never get back from watching the videos and drop you a 5 minute email instead.
What I think she was trying to put out there is that there are good products - and yes, he should try this product - because sitting around won’t get you where you want to go - you have to be pro-active. Look for free advice - maybe she could have offered some resources she knew about…
Of course this is a terrible critique. But I think from my personal standpoint - there is A LOT OF CRAP out there about making money on the Internet. I don’t think we need to be condesending towards people who are new to making money online. No you don’t have to give up all your secrets for free. I guess I’m just not cut from the same cloth as some of those marketers out there.
I’ve not found monetary success in the manner that they keep talking about - so I guess I don’t really have room to talk.
My point to the whole tirad is that - there are new people out there and not so new people out there who don’t want to waste their time and money on products that don’t work. They need a little help in the right direction.
[/end ranting]
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October 20th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Hello Empress:
I hear you on the lack of sleep. I suffer from the same thing and I too should probably not be writing when I’m that exhausted.
Plus I had just come in from the volunteering at the local public school and met with some very damaged children with some very real problems - so my perspective was a little skewed to say the least.
Goodness woman you do sound so much like my friend Priya on PMS though - why are you hiding behind a handle?
You’re right, my ramblings were callous but please understand I did not write those words back to the woman. And, there was history with this subscriber as well (that I probably should have disclosed in my post).
She has repeatedly called my house and I have chatted with her for hours (literally) about finding her niche and keyword research and registering a domain and blogging. I guess it irks me just a little when people can’t make one move on their own without double-checking with someone.
Yeah, I’m harsh sometimes but I spend about 10 hours per week in email and phone consultations with people (on my own time) helping them through the steps. I’m not complaining here, I purposefully post my email and phone number on my website specifically so people who are stuck can contact me. I think I’m starting to see burnout though, so I’ll be kyboshing those free consultations very soon.
Finally, that stream - post and comments is not over…I am about to disclose some very real results from some analysis and study I’ve been doing regarding where the web is heading (and surprise!) it’s not about being a bitch.
Have a great day and drop me a line sometime. I like your brazen honesty.
Laura Childs
October 20th, 2006 at 10:36 am
I think it goes back to the analysis paralysis that so many people get stuck in. I read so many forum entries of people that for months are so worried about whether they pick wordpress or dreamweaver or XSitepro or notepad, that they never build a single site.
Of course, in the 10 minutes it took her to write the post, she could have written a 1 minute email back to the subscriber and told them that while they don’t NEED the product, it would help them to do blah, blah, blah. It’d be interesting to know how many newbies she turned off with that post.
BTW, I like the new layout! And–I have a hard time falling asleep sometimes because I can’t shut my mind off. I’ve found listening to audiobooks to be the perfect thing. Might be worth a try.
October 20th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Laura - thanks very much for posting here. I really appreciate you talking abit more about the background on the post… it did come across (to me anyhoo) a bit cold. So making the point that you talked to the woman (why did I think it was a guy??) for hours - I’d be frustrated too.
I agree with you - if you want something you need to get off your butt and do it. No one is going to hold your hand and do it for you. (
After I posted there… and here - in my rambling stream of consciousness - I really didn’t want you to think that I was some crazy bitch with PMS. LOL. So I’m glad that I’m “brazenly honest” instead! … ok, maybe there is a hint of PMS. But whateva’
So, thanks Laura for stopping by - and clearing things up.
… now where did I put my chocolate.
October 20th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Big Wad - thanks for the comment
I’ll have to try the audiobook route before bedtime - or even just reading a book that has nothing to do with work/the internet/or things that get stuck in the brain that I end up fretting over - and not getting to sleep 
Cheers!