I’m tired of the misguided world of online marketing

Want to know how some online experts really feel about the world of Internet marketing? It may shock you to learn that sometimes we just get plain fed up with the garbage that goes on.

On both sides of the fence there are unrealistic promises and expectations.

Making a great living online is truly a blessing, but it does come with a price. Those of us who understand that this is the real deal of business are willing to pay the price.

Unfortunately, there are a bunch of people out there who will mislead the uninformed budding entrepreneur that they don’t have to do a darned thing to succeed.

Some of the misleading headlines read:
• In as little as 10 minutes a day you can make a fortune.
• Make hundreds of thousands of dollars at the press of a button.
• Make millions while lounging on the beach.

The fact is, if you want to have a successful business you have to work at it. If the headlines (and promises) seem too good to be true, well... they are. Simple as that.

There’s no shortcut to success. You have to work for it. And you have to invest in it with time, money and effort.

Any of us who make a great living online have done all three.

As much as there are those who will lead you to believe you can make millions without doing a darned thing but buy their “turnkey” product, on the flipside are those who try to get everything for nothing or do as little as possible and somehow be wildly successful.

Recently, there’s been an increase in the inquiries from men and women who want to know, "Can you guarantee me if I buy your program I will make money and can I do it by putting a few minutes a day of effort into the process."

With the most recent inquiry I received along these lines I responded by saying, “How can I guarantee you anything when I know nothing about your industry, your work ethic or the quality of what you put out to market.”

My gut instinct is that this person would cut corners on the quality of what they do because they are already trying to cut corners on the amount of time they are willing to put into their business.

Just this morning I received an email from a colleague with a similar message from someone on her list. “I want to make $100,000 a year and work under an hour a day. Can you guarantee me I will do this if I buy your product.”

How in the world can we guarantee your results based on you trying to do as little as possible and make a windfall of money? This is where I say, "Give me a break."

This is real business with real entrepreneurs. This is not some pie in the sky BS of sitting on the beach doing nothing but getting a tan.

For those who are always seeking the discounts, the freebies and the "I've never made any money but I'll give you a percentage of what I make if you'll mentor me for free mindset" think about it from an entrepreneurs perspective.

Before you start asking for the world and are not willing to give anything in return, would you want people to do that to you?

If you're not making any money, let's get really honest. Are you investing in yourself and your business? Or are you trying to get everything for free? If you are, is it any wonder you cannot generate money.

Energetically, you are attracting what you are putting out.

Okay, now it's time to get off my soapbox.

Now before anyone writes and says, “Why are you so angry Kathleen?” I’m not angry at all. I just feel it’s time to call it as I see it.

Here’s what I know to be true. You can make an incredible living online in a variety of industries. There’s a whole world of opportunity out there. But... this is real business. Treat it as such. Don’t assume for a minute you don’t have to work for your success.

When you have a plan, a great mastermind group, the right information you can learn and apply and a willingness to take risks, you are well on your way to building a great business.