Fat. Drunk. Stupid.
Rich.
Nice gig, if you can get it.

I saw the following in a very good newsletter. You’ll forgive me if I paraphrase a bit, because I’m not all that familiar with the © laws on “fair use.” Not that I’m getting paid, so that probably helps me.

I didn’t say that.

The point is, I begin to wonder just what it is you DO need to know to be successful, if, as is claimed here….well, you can read for yourself:


ANYONE can do this program!
We do most of the work FOR you -- even
if you know absolutely nothing about Internet Marketing.

To be successful with this program you don't
need to know ANYTHING about:

* Writing Ad Copy
* Placing Ads
* Online Marketing
* Search Engines
* AutoResponders
* Webpage Design
* Advertising
* Banners

These things are all done FOR you! You don't even have to understand it.
You can make your business completely “HANDS OFF” by joining
one of our inexpensive Co-ops. You put absolutely
EVERYTHING on Autopilot!

Now…….I am SURE that these folks mean what they say. For all I know, they have, in fact, invented the perfect business: one where you don’t need to know anything or do anything to make money. This, I had always assumed, was territory reserved for U.S. Senators.

But let’s assume---just for comedic purposes---that this might be overselling the selling system a mite. And let us think a moment about the kind of solicitee who might be interested in such an offer. Ok, ME. But forget ME, and think about everybody else. Suppose YOU were running a business, and needed to hire help. Have you ever seen an employment ad worded “BIG BUCKS. NO KNOWLEDGE OR WORK REQUIRED. APPLY NOW. AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE. GUARANTEED. NO MONEY DOWN. YOU CAN EVEN MARRY MY SISTER.”

Yes, you HAVE seen these. Here. Online. ONLY on-line. For some reason, the non-on-line world doesn’t operate this way. They seem to insist on both knowledge AND work to make money. And not all that MUCH money besides.

I have a great deal of respect for folks that have seriously analyzed internet marketing and devised amazing ways to harness its power. I wish, however, that there was a little more honesty with the would-be associates about what is really involved in making an online business a success, no matter what is being sold. Even if all that’s being sold IS the harness. Telling people that they can be dumb, lazy, and wildly successful is akin to telling people that are smart, work hard, and barely making it that THEY are the morons. And that just isn’t the case. And if, in fact, what is being promoted is NOT a system that the dumb and lazy can excel at, isn’t it in the best interests of the promoters NOT to have to deal with those kinds of applicants? Sounds to me more like it IS in their best interests.

And that makes you wonder the MOST.

©2002 RWPladek