The word guru, in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as:
1. a personal religious and spiritual teacher in Hinduism
2. a teacher in matters of fundamental concern
3. EXPERT
As I see this title guru bandied around so frequently on the Internet, I find myself asking these questions.
What qualifies a person to be a guru Is there some sort of test you have to pass Does it go by age Are gurus old men of wisdom Or can anyone be a guru
Are they perhaps appointed by their peers or maybe they appoint themselves Do you have to have a license to be a guru Or perhaps if you have made a certain amount of money off the Internet you qualify as a guru
It sort of reminds me of my first business. I was a carpenter doing home improvements and I would consistently come across people calling themselves master carpenters. These master carpenters were young and old, experienced and novices in the trade.
Maybe Im missing the point here but the concepts of master and guru in both cases would seem to mean someone who has arrived. Someone who has paid his (or her) dues. A teacher who has tenure for example. Someone who has been around a long, long time and is an expert in their field.
Now Im not putting gurus or master carpenters down by any means. If the title is legitimately earned and they are someone whose teachings are profound. I have no problem giving them a title to set them apart from us mere mortals.
The point Im trying to illustrate is that we tend to be too free with our accolades. Words like hero, superstar, guru and yes, master carpenter should be reserved for the few that really have proved themselves and truly deserve to be put above the rest of us.
When the powers that be indiscriminately bestow these praised titles on many individuals and the over used title carries a certain meaning to the masses, then the titles tend to loose their meaning. With this power goes responsibility. Whether you are a superstar athlete, celebrity, or Internet guru your integrity and what you say should be beyond reproach. Should I include elected officials in my grouping
What I am saying is that if a title carries a meaning then that should mean something! My goodness, I made a Yogi-ism.
Why am I apparently attacking the venerable guru club It is just my way of saying to you, dont be intimidated or awestruck by the Internets, in my opinion, over use of the term guru.
Just because someone is proclaimed by others or proclaims himself to be an Internet guru doesnt mean you have to take their teachings as gospel. Use a little common sense as you surf the net or read the tons of emails in your inbox from or about Internet gurus and their superhuman exploits.
Even if the person is a guru the old adage is still true: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Dont be sucked in by unrealistic claims of success or fortune. In reality their success and fortune are coming from ordinary folks like you and me thinking we can buy their success. That is assuming their success and fortune are not just hype!
About the Author ---- Jim Capobianco, the author of 10 Steps to Your Own Home-Based Business, has been self-employed for over 25 years, both on and off line. At his web site, Cap-Tech.com and in his newsletter, The Cap-Tech Times, he shares his experience and expertise when it comes to owning your own business. Come pay a visit at:
Youve heard that clich over and over Im sure, but it has never been more true than it is on the Internet.
With this in mind, I randomly pulled the following ads out of ezines and newsletters. These are real ads and quoted exactly how they were written. I couldnt make this stuff up!
If you examine the copy, for the most part they dont even make sense. So I thought I would poke a little fun at them and expose them for what they are a joke, and if taken seriously, a cruel joke at that!
The sad part is that many people buy into the hype in the hopes of changing their lives, only to find out that the only one benefited is the hyper. If you have been victimize by some of these Too Good to be True ads, you are not alone, I have too!
Thats right, ME! I could say it was all in the name of research, but in truth, in my heart of hearts, I hoped that this was the deal that would turn my life around. Although I didnt get the benefits promised in the ads, I did learn the valuable lesson of the famous clich.
So here we go. My intentions are NOT to return the compliment by insulting any of the copywriters of the ads, but merely (with a little tongue in cheek) to read between the lines and have a some fun.
Hype Ad #1:
Work from Home in PJs Using PC and add thousands per month to your income with absolutely NO Risks, GUARANTEED!
Why would I even want to work in my PJs I know its used metaphorically and is just an attention getter. The image it portrays, however, is less than professional and whether you work at home or at a corporate office for a Fortune 500 company, its a business and should be run like one. Be comfortable, yes; but PJs
How about add thousands per month to your income If that statement, itself, is not a stretch, how about adding absolutely NO Risks and then guaranteeing it. First of all, unless someone is going to hand you the money, how can they guarantee it to you Secondly, in order to make that kind of money, in that time frame, you better believe your going to take some risks!
Hype Ad #2:
Own A Computer Put it to Work! Earn an extra $1500-$5000/mo p/t;
This ad gives a whole new meaning to artificial intelligence. Not only can you have a computer working for you part time; but it will earn an unrealistic $1500-$5000 per month. Most people working full time, with or without the aid of a computer, dont make that kind of money.
Hype Ad #3:
15,000 in 30 days!! HUGE amounts of CASH for everyone!! NO EXCEPTIONS!! Call...
$15,000 a month Thats $180,000 per year. That is a HUGE amount of cash. Not only a lot of money, but EVERYONE gets it
Well, I called, and I think the guy who answered the phone said: Hello, US Mint. Where should we send money
Hype Ad #4:
QUIT YOUR JOB & be your own boss! Could you use an extra $21,000/month Sound impossible Its not!
This sounds good. I want to quit my job and be my own boss. But...and it s a BIG but. How do I support my family until Im making $21,000 a month
This guy answered that question for us. Sound impossible You bet it is!
Hype Ad #5:
$100,000+ yearly income possible: Internet marketing guru will teach you the REAL way to wealth at home
Possible, but not probable. Not without a lot of hard work and persistence. Why would this kind and generous person offer to teach me how to do this If he was making $100,000 a year, he doesnt need to share the REAL way. Is there a FAKE way to wealth
Hype Ad #6:
Escape The Rat Race - Make $300 Per Day Simply+Instantly No Selling Required
This starts off OK. There is nothing quite like being your own boss and calling the shots. Then this guy has to add Simply+Instantly. No Selling Required. Here we go again. Where is this person who is giving all this money away just for the asking
Hype Ad #7:
Subject: MMake an EASY $100,000 per year!!! Are you looking to make an extra $1000-$5000 per week, with little time required on your part If so we may have what you are looking for. We are a national company, and a leader in our industry. We are seeking several people in each area to represent our company with absolutely no selling.
This one is a real winner! This guy is so excited about the offer, he gets tongue tied MMaking the pitch. Another incredible weekly income, no time required and no selling. Theres that person who gives money away again. Why cant I find him One more thing. Why would a national company, with all its resources, be advertising on the WWW for people in my area to represent them Wouldnt you think they would be able to more effectively recruit in a specific area
Hype Ad #8:
Establish A Second Income An Income With No Work, Its True, Free to Join
I saved the best for last. This is my kind of business. An income with no work Come on! Do I look like I just fell off the turnip truck This guy is however, giving us some credit, in case we arent buying it, he adds Its True. Like this will make me believe it. Well OK, if he says its true, it must be.
Well folks, these are just eight of the many ridiculous and unbelievable ads that claim fame and fortune on the Internet is yours for No Work, No Selling and No Risk not to mention all the Hugh Amounts of FREE Cash your going to get Instantly.
Why do these marketers insult our intelligence with ads like these
I, for one, believe that people are more intelligent than these guys give them credit for. I believe that with a little common sense, people will stop and think before they spend their hard earned money to buy into the hype. Remember, the only person thats going to get rich, is the person selling the hype!
About the Author ---- Jim Capobianco, the author of 10 Steps to Your Own Home-Based Business, has been self-employed for over 25 years, both on and off line. At his web site, Cap-Tech.com and in his newsletter, The Cap-Tech Times, he shares his experience and expertise when it comes to owning your own business. Come pay a visit at: