Guru Online Courses= Shortcut

Pay your own dues

I wish I could tell you I got scammed by online courses and lost $20,000 and let you see how I fucked up. Unfortunately and fortunately, I’ve only taken one online course, which was enough to learn what a joke it is. It was an Amazon FBA course for $500 and I was promised a ticket to financial freedom — 4 hour work weeks and traveling the world without a worry in the world.

Although I wasn’t sure what to expect, I knew there was a risk going in, but I had spare money and thought why not?

“All you have to do is put in some work at the beginning, and it will become a passive income and you can do whatever you want then.”

Sounds amazing, sadly it’s unlikely for most students because Amazon FBA has become incredibly competitive. So, no, it didn't end up working out. But it was a good lesson in and within the course itself, $500 taught me the ugly truths about these ‘saviors’ on the internet and it was well worth it.

It’s nothing new

The program consisted of 20–30 informative videos teaching the business model from A-Z. I was disappointed because more than 85% of them are already on their Youtube channel.

The rest of them was okay, but none of the material was original, the same content can be found on Youtube, Google, or by asking around.

Overall, it did bring some value, some tricks and insider tips were useful, but sadly, that was it.

So when you are attempted to buy a new course, look around first, maybe everything you need is already available, for free.

‘Gurus’ are stretchy

They talk a big game with their big numbers, promising people the Heavens and Earth. But we know, replicating a formula doesn’t necessarily produce the same results.

These so-called ‘experts’ aren’t licensed or certified professionals, but they never fail to act like it.

Fake numbers-legitimate pros do exist in the online course industry, but too many of them exaggerate their income to hook you in.

Many victims of fake guru courses testified their experiences on the Youtube channel Coffeezilla, voicing their regrets. Apparently, an influencer tried to ask his student for a screenshot of his sales numbers, so he can post it on his Facebook group as his own. It’s the same guy I signed up for.

Disgusting.

Fake countdowns-you probably have seen this, salespeople often try to create a sense of urgency by giving you a deadline, telling you “this is only available until midnight, and it will be gone forever after” or they’ll give you a countdown clock to their “live” webinar.

We aren’t stupid, nothing truly becomes unavailable, it’s a course, not a pair of sneakers, there is no shortage. The webinar will still be open after the clock runs down to 0. They employ this scarcity strategy to pressure customers for action.

So when your first encounter with them is a fake webinar countdown, it’s a red flag.

Bastards.

Funnels- no one will ask you to spend $1000 on day one, they aren’t dumb. What they do is lure you in step by step.

First, they grab your interest with free, valuable information when you sign up for their newsletter, then tease you little by little, leaving you craving for more. Once you start investing more of your attention, they will sweet talk you with hopes and dreams or push you with fears and frustrations.

They learned simple human psychology so they understand how to draw you in, play to your emotions, and push your buttons. To pull yourself out of the trap, you should discuss it with friends and family, they aren’t caught in the emotions and is more clear-minded.

Con artists.

Mentorship- “You will have direct, lifetime access to me once you are part of the family.”

Not a single response, ever.

They pretend to care about you and brainwash you on the importance of having a mentor. Then assure you they’ll be there whenever needed, either through direct messaging, phone appointments, or emails.

C’mon. It’s not possible to attend to thousands of people with their busy lives, it’s understandable, just be honest about it. They seem trustworthy at first but once you hit ‘submit payment’, they are nowhere to be found.

Liers.

It’s all marketing

It’s all hype, courses don’t nearly measure up to the cost. But, give them credit, they are master marketers who have learned the game. They know how to properly present their products and themselves.

I’m not sure who started it, but lifestyle marketing has exploded on the scene and ruined many lives. Yes, the constant ads showing guys with Lamborghinis in front of their beach houses, flashing stacks of cash then telling people they could do the same if they keep listening.

What people don’t realize is that almost all of them are fake, the cars and houses are borrowed. It’s a marketing strategy to hold attention when advertisements can run as short as 5 seconds on Youtube.

So when they start off their ad with a tour to ‘their mansion’, it’s a sign.

The real reason you join their course

Emotional support.

Look, entrepreneurship is hard. Sitting home alone, struggling to build a business when everything is new and confusing. You have a billion questions with no idea who to go to, then someone comes along and provides all the answers and a feeling of hope, like a hot cup of tea in the middle of a snowing night.

Gurus are skilled at gaining your trust and making you at ease; relating to you with their story of how they were once like you, in debt and lonely with no hope, but through hard work and persistence, fulfilled their dreams.

They look so sure even when they are lying because they know how desperate you are for a sense of conviction and faith.

Patience, young grasshopper

Influencers are no different than you, they took the time and effort to learn, they grew through trials and tribulations. Resources were limited back when they started and there were no teachers to rely on.

You could do the same, in fact, it’s better. Courses might be able to provide an answer, but they don’t explain the reason behind it. They could teach you the square root of 9 is 3, but to truly understand how A arrived at B, you need to dive in yourself.

Try out different strategies, what worked for someone else doesn’t necessarily work for you. Also with the rapid changes on the internet and market, their content is likely outdated anyway.

The money can be spent on better things

A few thousand dollars can be invested in hiring virtual assistants, real assistants, equipment, or inventory. It could be used in many other areas of your business. Courses don’t guarantee results, but whatever you put into your own business automatically becomes an asset.

Find real professionals

Look for established specialists, from entrepreneurship to marketing, who are more equipped to teach the fundamentals of your field. Search for them online, check their credibility, attend their seminars.

Self-proclaimed gurus always make this statement “this is not a get rich quick scheme”, yet they will tell you anyone can succeed if they just try hard enough, well, I’m skeptical.

Online courses appeal to the desperate, the lazy, and the greedy. So think long term, the quicker wealth comes the quicker it goes.