30 December 2010 ~ 24 Comments

Your Internet Business Education: When To Invest In Training – FA032

Audio

In this episode our stalwart co-hosts do the expected–they deviated from their new format.

Okay…here’s what happened.

We got a voicemail for our Mailbag segment from Patricia asking about buying Internet Marketing courses and how some of them sound too good to be true.  We started talking about why most $1000 and up courses can be very valuable to people who have been running an online business for awhile, but usually leave too many unanswered questions for the beginner since the “guru” selling the course doesn’t allow access to him or herself.

What started as the Mailbag segment turned into our entire Main segment since we really felt this was an important topic to cover extensively (meaning we went on a tangent or two).

We also gave a tiny preview of what we have up our sleeves to ‘celebrate’ our birthdays at the end of January.

In the Picks of the Week segment Izzy picked a Problogger post that you can read here.  Tim almost created a pithy saying, but fumbled it at the end and had to get help from Izzy to complete the thought.

Tim picked Google’s Gmail because is awesome and topped with awesome sauce.  Having the ability to run your email from anywhere without worrying about spam or losing your email.  Also it is super easy to locate email so you don’t have to have folder upon folder to organize your email.

Have a great New Year,

Tim and Izzy

You can also right-click on this link to save the file to your computer.

  • Sascha

    zzzup guys….just want to let ya know that this episode is not appearing in the itunes Feed for some reason. (thu/30/12/10 6:25).

    Also wanna thank you for the show wich i really enjoy.

    All the Best for 2011 from Germany.

  • Jlortz

    Guys… Great episode…. but a question. I’m in the process of setting up a membership site (planning stage). Do I understand you right, when you said that your new membership site will include information on setting up your own membership site? I’ve seen a few other membership site “products” out there, but will certainly wait for yours.

  • Michael

    Here’s a blogger that admits he’s been lying about his income:

    http://www.tyroneshum.com/i-am-sorry-i-lied/

  • http://www.izzyvideo.com IzzyVideo

    I just watched the video. Thanks for the link.

    My guess is there are A LOT of people (particularly) in the internet marketing space that are guilty of the same thing.

  • http://www.izzyvideo.com IzzyVideo

    Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re currently working on something that will show everyone how I created my membership sites.

    I’m biased, but I think it will be worth waiting for. :)

  • http://FoolishAdventure.com Tim Conley

    I just watched the video and I have to say it is really brave of him to admit this so openly. Many people try to fake it till they make it–”If I say I am, then I’ll become it.” The sad thing is people don’t have to lie to build an audience and to sell products. In an early episode of FA, I talked about this new type of “expert” that has been popping up online. This is someone starting on the path to become whatever it is they are blogging about and people in the same position follow along on the journey.

    Strangely, when those “experts” recommend affiliate products people buy. Same thing happens when they offer their own product.

    Tyrone could have just stopped saying that he was making six figures online and working 4 hour weeks and just did the legwork necessary to build a solid business with solid information. With his outsourcing products, he is going to have to change his marketing to reflect the reality of using outsourcers. It isn’t sexy to talk about how you have to manage outsourcers just like you would manage any employee, but it’s true. However, by using the truth, he can show business owners how to leverage their time and quickly implement projects using outsourcers.

    I wish Tyron all the best and congratulate him on leaving the Dark Side of Internet Marketing.

  • Patriciawydler

    Thanks for answering my question about valuable internet marketing products, versus some that are not. I really took notes every bit of the way. I am really looking forward to buying: Foolish Adventure episodes of how to build membership sites. By the way I was wrong when I said that I had not bought any internet products over the internet as of yet. Most of what I have bought has come through you guys: The wordpress videos you recommended, the izzyvideo membership and I am ready to stick my fingers in my wallet for whatever else you recommend. Honestly, the reason I have bought stuff from you guys is because before I bought from you,you had already given me a lot in return: (the Final Cut Express tutorials and the Foolish Adventure episodes- all of them invaluable information). I will continue paying attention to all your recommendations. Not only do I love your shows and have listened religiously to all of them, but you have become my trusted advisors. Your genuiness and geniusess really show! By the way Tim, I enjoyed your “brilliant, off the beaten track, by the way comment”, of inviting a guru for a drink for about $6.00, and getting good, honest information for free! Which proves my opinion that the best advise is many a times found in simple, specific, and down to earth conversations. By the way, I am not crazy about gurus. Their style does not attract me at all. The fact that you do not position yourself as gurus, I love. I love fun things you do in your episodes: like going in tangents, admitting you are not perfect, kidding with each other, joking around, openly, admiting that you make mistakes and even being open of what you do not like!
    Maybe one of your episodes could be something titled like: Fun, Foolishness and Fans (the best way of reaching people)

    Have a wonderful New Year’s and keep on doing what you are doing!

  • http://twitter.com/StartaWebbyBiz David Allen

    Hey Guys
    I have an audio comment for you you can use on your podcast if you wish. Download from here http://webbyhq.biz/goodies/For_IzzyandTim.aif

    It is about the question your listener had concerning what to buy for a new internet business.
    All the best and happy new year to you and all the listeners of Foolish Adventure

  • FrankC

    OK… Give Patricia the $5… She earned it!

  • http://FoolishAdventure.com Tim Conley

    Great advice David. At first I thought it was going to be spammy, but you said concisely what Izzy and I didn’t really get around to saying. Thanks.

  • http://www.whimfield.com Laura-jane

    Sounds good. I’d be more interested in a membership site than actual products, but offering all is good in the way described in the podcast. But that’s just me, plus I’m inherently cheap so probably best to ignore my feedback on this altogether. :)

    Nice episode. Lots of interesting tangents in this one, and that’s a good thing. I dislike it when episodes are too scripted. I like the feeling that I’m listening to you guys chat off the cuff, but on valuable topics as you do.

  • http://www.whimfield.com Laura-jane

    Sounds good. I’d be more interested in a membership site than actual products, but offering all is good in the way described in the podcast. But that’s just me, plus I’m inherently cheap so probably best to ignore my feedback on this altogether. :)

    Nice episode. Lots of interesting tangents in this one, and that’s a good thing. I dislike it when episodes are too scripted. I like the feeling that I’m listening to you guys chat off the cuff, but on valuable topics as you do.

  • http://www.whimfield.com Laura-jane

    Totally agree with you on this, Tim. I was impressed when Tyrone first came out with this confession. Made me respect him more.

  • http://www.whimfield.com Laura-jane

    Totally agree with you on this, Tim. I was impressed when Tyrone first came out with this confession. Made me respect him more.

  • http://www.whimfield.com Laura-jane

    It was a great question, Patricia.

    Wow, nice feedback for the guys. I really enjoy listening to the camaraderie, too. Much more interesting than a solo show. I think the best part of the show is hearing their relationship develop over time. I am pretty certain that Izzy finds (or did at one point) the fact that Tim says wassup, especially in the first few episodes, irritating. I am saying that based on Izzy’s reaction immediately afterwards, lol. But of course now the telltale wazzup has become part of the show! I enjoy speculating regarding what they think of one another. Like, which one wears the pants in this podcast?? Hehe. I think they both think they do. :)

    In general, I think there is something really neat as a listener when you discover a podcast that is brand new and then you listen to each episode as it comes out slowly over time. I am new to listening to podcasts, and I find that they really do add a deeper dimension. Even the fact that I am here leaving a lot of commentary is very unlike me. I find it interesting to notice in myself that I feel a lot more committed to the podcasters that I listen to than the bloggers I read (and I’ve been reading blogs and “online diaries” since 2001). My experience listening to FA has definitely made me consider podcasting myself as a way to deepen my connection to my readers at some of my sites.

    Really enjoy the show guys. I’ve listened to all of the episodes now during my commute (2 hours per day). Keep on doing what you’re doing.

  • http://www.whimfield.com Laura-jane

    It was a great question, Patricia.

    Wow, nice feedback for the guys. I really enjoy listening to the camaraderie, too. Much more interesting than a solo show. I think the best part of the show is hearing their relationship develop over time. I am pretty certain that Izzy finds (or did at one point) the fact that Tim says wassup, especially in the first few episodes, irritating. I am saying that based on Izzy’s reaction immediately afterwards, lol. But of course now the telltale wazzup has become part of the show! I enjoy speculating regarding what they think of one another. Like, which one wears the pants in this podcast?? Hehe. I think they both think they do. :)

    In general, I think there is something really neat as a listener when you discover a podcast that is brand new and then you listen to each episode as it comes out slowly over time. I am new to listening to podcasts, and I find that they really do add a deeper dimension. Even the fact that I am here leaving a lot of commentary is very unlike me. I find it interesting to notice in myself that I feel a lot more committed to the podcasters that I listen to than the bloggers I read (and I’ve been reading blogs and “online diaries” since 2001). My experience listening to FA has definitely made me consider podcasting myself as a way to deepen my connection to my readers at some of my sites.

    Really enjoy the show guys. I’ve listened to all of the episodes now during my commute (2 hours per day). Keep on doing what you’re doing.

  • http://FoolishAdventure.com Tim Conley

    Audio is definitely an intimate medium. Radio discovered that long ago. The best part of a podcast is that personal nature of audio can be carried around with the listener and enjoyed anytime the listener chooses–not just when the show is broadcast.

    As for the pants, well, I never know when Izzy will have pants on in the studio or not. I just walk in with my eyes closed. Hopefully, Izzy won’t read this. :-) I’m a shorts and flip-flops kind of guy. Hate winter when I have to put pants on. Arizona gets a little chilly this time of year unlike balmy PEI.

  • Doris

    Dear Izzy, Dear Tim,
    Thank you very much, indeed, for your excellent audios. It’s like having two friends popping in for a chat, and I am looking forward to each new episode.

    I have been a (secret) fan of Izzy’s for several years now and I am a life time member. I also have to admit to having copied him a lot. I have opted for a Membership site with aMember, manage my contacts with aWeber, redevelopped my blogs with WordPress, even attempted to imitate Izzy’s upbeat style. A little difficult as I am a woman and not a spring chicken anymore :-)

    In fact, I am a perfect match for your Tim’s consulting skills. Already built the business, but not yet going strong enough.

    Yes, quite true, content alone does not make a king. There is a little more to it, amongst others a likeable, open and competent personality. But then, there are others that only play on the personality and forget the ethics. I fully understand and share Patricia’s feelings.

    With regards to Tim’s pick of the week, I did a video last May about time management. It includes a first part talking about – yes – managing our time. In the second part of the clip I give 3 cool Outlook and 2 cool Gmail tips. Because these days, messaging systems do more than just receive and send mail: if used to the full, they can be great tools for following up, delegating and automating tasks. Here is the link to the clip.
    http://www.rikkistips.com/67-truths-time-management/

    I am not 100% happy with my work. I find that my clip is far too long, but I did have fun doing it. If any your readers just want the hints and tips, start viewing around 4m50sec. The beginning is not uninteresting, but too much of a good thing probably.

    Any comments are welcome, of course.

    I am now off to follow up on Izzy’s pick and check out Darren Rowse, one of the older bloggers in the community.

    Will I become that great personality in 2011 that makes content fade away into oblivion? that’s another question :-)

    Thank you again for being around.
    Wish you and your families all the very best for 2011. Doris

  • Riba

    I am commenting only now because I managed to catch up with the last couple of shows only this morning. Tim, I feel you should have added a warning regarding your pick in this episode (Gmail). I consider e-mail a critical part of my private and especially business life nowadays, and I think everyone should take it seriously especially if you are about to go into online business. Another thing I learned that if something is critical, you better pay for it.
    I never used Gmail seriously because even before its birth I was already using a service I was very happy about. I won’t mention the privacy concerns some people share about Gmail, but here is something to think about:
    My wife was using Gmail for all her correspondence for years. One day her Gmail account got deleted. She could not access her account as google claimed it does not exist. As far as we know, she did not breach any of the terms of use. She also did not get any notification about it. We tried everything to get the access back, went through the automated procedures offered by google, provided all info we were asked for, just to be greeted with a message that “there is not enough info provided to prove her identity”.
    So keep in mind that this can happen to you and since you are using Gmail service for free *they do not owe you anything*.
    She is now using the http://www.fastmail.fm service that I was using for years now. Check them out, they are a company that was dedicated to providing quality email service, which they used themselves. Recently they got bought by Opera software, but that hasn’t made an impact on their service (yet).

  • http://FoolishAdventure.com Tim Conley

    With Gmail some people are concerned with privacy since their software analyzes keywords and serves up ads next to your inbox. This isn’t a huge concern for me since it isn’t a person looking at my email nor is anything identifiable being shared with anyone.

    As for backing up email, you can use backupify.com to back up gmail in the cloud or you can download your email to your computer. I also don’t use my @gmail address for important communication. I just use gmail to read my pop3 accounts from anywhere. In a pinch, I can still run my business with my smartphone.

    Thanks for the fastmail suggestion.

  • Riba

    Just a few things I forgot to mention that might be useful for whoever is reading this. When I started a couple of online projects I wanted to consolidate all my email. That turned out to be really simple with the fastmail paid service where you can direct all the mail for all of the domains you might be using to your fastmail inbox and manage multiple identities in the central location. As this is an IMAP service all your mails are automatically synchronized to all your computers (if you use an email client app), but hey also have a really decent webmail interface. All this really makes your life simple.

    I am in no way affiliated with fastmail, just one of the really happy customers for a long time now.

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  • http://shawnmasonspence.com Shawn Mason Spence

    I was directed here by Pat at Smart Passive Income and I totally understand why this is one of his favorite episodes. I appreciate your honesty and your valuable insight. I will definitely be tuning in again.

  • http://FoolishAdventure.com Tim Conley

    Thanks for visiting and the kind words. Hopefully you’ll enjoy more episodes just watch out for that Izzy character. :-)