Follow the Funnel and you'll Be Rich?

Remeber the days of the Get Rich Quick Infomercials? The days of the 70's and 80's infomercial pitches still remain, only now it comes via the via high speed internet. People, including myself, were always looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We'd give our hard earned money to those who lure us in with their perfect lifestyles, beautiful wives and children, stunning mansions, expensive cars only to eventually realize it would not work out the way they we told it would. Follow the plan they say and you can live the life of your dreams. I know of people who who give up their last dollar, or even a dollar that they do not have, for a shot at the American dream.

Charles J. Givens, whose how-to-get-rich infomercials, books and motivational speeches became the focus of lawsuits and fraud investigations. Mr. Givens built a multimillion-dollar empire in the late 1980's by writing such books as the best-selling ''Wealth Without Risk'' and becoming a fixture on cable television. He would arrive at lectures in a chauffeur-driven white limousine trimmed with gold. His mantra was ''Be all you can be.'' He charged people $400 to $900 to learn his ''secrets'' of becoming wealthy. In the 1990's, he was the target of dozens of lawsuits and investigations, many of them focusing on complaints of misrepresentations and the stringent refund policy covering his instructional materials. For the “King of Infomercials” Don Lapre, life had looked as upbeat as his high-energy TV ads for moneymaking kits. Married with two daughters, the charismatic go-getter’s website boasts about his “3 best friends :-)” – his two daughters and wife of 23 years – and seemed to be enjoying a booming business, his infomercials so familiar they were parodied by David Letterman and Saturday Night Live. But in June it all came crashing down. Lapre was charged with 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and promotional money laundering. Arrested and indicted, he allegedly scammed more than $50 million from at least 220,000 people between 2004 and 2007. Then on Oct. 2, two days before he was stand trial on charges that could have sent him to federal prison for 25 years, Lapre was found dead in his Arizona jail cell of an apparent suicide. It's easy street when you have an unlimited amount of cash flowing your way. Like an addiction you just need more and more. But what are you actually offering the people that are sending money your way? The trouble is that most people are not fully aware of what is required of them to reach the level that their mentor has achieved. After the dust settles the lawsuits, bad reviews and criminal action begins.

So what does this all have to do with your this article author? I was once again lured in by high profile pitch men offering amazing opportunities in Digital Marketing. "Websites are dead!" "Funnels are the new way to the life of your dreams!" I have to admit. Funnels work. They work for the guys pitching the funnels. They start out with an amazing offer for $7.00. Then $35.00. Then $99.00. Then.....$2500.00...$3500.00....$5,000.00! The free offer of training and one on one consultation with with a personal Business Advisor is the icing on the cake. Now, in all fairness, I will say that the marketing training offered by Legendary Marketing I did enjoy and learn from. David Sharpe has an amazing rags to riches story and he is truly an amazing salesman and trainer. I found the information valuable with regards to the field of Digital Marketing. I did meet, via Zoom, with my Business Advisor and at first I felt like I truly mattered. Step by step he would unlock each course in the "15 Day Challenge." Day by day he would follow my progress and then it was Day 5. The day of the "Special Offer." The limited offer that would only be available for a short time. The Blueprint that would disclose the secrets that would unlock the American Dream. All this for only $2500.00!

Now I will agree and understand that everyone is in business to make money. I will also adhere to and agree that the buyer needs to beware. The issue I have is that without customers to sell to the entire program is worthless. Not everyone has a list of potential buyers. As stated throughout the lessons list building take time and years to develop. Courses in "Traffic" and "Free Traffic" are offered but they still do not answer the question as to "how exactly do I do build a list quickly and legitimately." The info given is not really doable to the average dream seeker. Once I explained to my Business Advisor that I would not be moving ahead and paying the $2500.00 I was offered a payment plan. Since my refusal I was wished well, good luck and goodbye. I could still continue with the training at my own pace, but there would be no more communication between my Personal Business Advisor and I. It's all about money. I guess that's why people invest in courses and websites like this as well. It's all about the money.

In marketing, we often talk about building a “Killer sales funnel!” The question is what does it mean to have a killer funnel? What all is at play behind the mechanics of the content, the ad, the lead magnet, the capture page, and the sales page? Content funnel psychology is all about understanding the subtle, subconscious factors that lead clients to make purchases. Whether those clients are individuals or organizations, they tend to follow a common path. By understanding what’s going through their minds in each stage of this path, you can create content that they are likely to respond to. It's about gaining the immediate trust of your visitor. Give the customer something of immediate value. Something too good to be true. The hook if you will. As far as marketing from a business standpoint the funnel can act as a great tool. Understand the desire, identify the problem and offer a solution. Make it fast and easy. Gain the trust. All of this is well and good but now consider who is being hooked. If you offer me a course on Digital Marketing with an understanding of what is fully required and what realistic results I can expect so be it. To lure me in with a hook while the public fills the pockets of those offering the unrealistic opportunity with all the bells and whistles is, in this authors opinion, wrong. Funnels are a marketing tool that can benefit the author. How many have spent money they don't have only to be left at the dock when they cannot afford a first class ticket?

There are many opportunities out there that people are wasting there time and money on. If it seems too good to be true chances are it probably is. If you do not have money to invest in these so called "Living the Dream" courses then do not invest. When I finally woke up from my daydream and realized the amount of money I had spent I immediately requested a refund of all monies spent. I will give credit by saying that my money was refunded promptly. The bottom line is this type of opportunity requires deep pockets. Do not be lured in by promises of success because success take money, time and sweat equity, of which many in todays world do not have the luxury of having. You Tube is actually a great source of information, but watch out for the affiliate pitch people. It's a viscous circle folks. How to make a million dollars? Write a book on how to make a million dollars and teach the reader how to write a book on how to make a million dollars by writing a book on how to make a million dollars. Then find the ones who can afford the cost of shipping and get the book for free. Let the buyer beware.