Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with a client about how all the “Gurus” are using a smoke and mirrors tactic to get the sale. That conversation made think of this video made by a local, not very well known but very talented band. It’s called Smoke and Mirrors, by Scatterhart.
Where does this fit in with business? Well, just think about those “Gurus” who make false claims about how successful they are even though they’re just starting out, and teach their “protegees” that that’s the way – the only way – to be successful online.
It’s all just smoke and mirrors.
Here’s the reality.
A wise man once said “you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” That man was Abe Lincoln.
So here’s what you can look forward to if you’re planning on running a smoke and mirrors show. You will soon find that smoke coming from the wreckage of broken people. Then, one day, you’ll find that smoke coming from the wreckage of your own business, and life, going up in flames and your mirrors shattered by the truth, along with your own dreams.
Being a false “Guru,” fooling people with a smoke and mirrors show, may seem like a shortcut to success, but you’re success will probably also be as short as your raise was.
Now, I’ve also heard about how education doesn’t matter – from the internet marketing gurus. I beg to differ. Without my education, my own brand, Radiant Freedom, would have been brought down to nothing by hackers. Because I went out and got an education in computer science, I knew what was happening and how to respond right away. I was able to get past that initial panic and set a plan in motion that got the hackers out and me back in control of my own website again. Twice within the past month, my MOBE sponsor’s computer was brought down into a crashing my malicious software; both times I was able to use my computer education to help him get his computer back up and running again – to keep him in business. That’s what education got me, and the people connected with me.
I’m not saying you need an education in computer science or anything like that, just that you can and will benefit from an education.
Most internet marketers do have skills from a previous career or education that can be used in internet marketing. Mine are 2 years training in business management, and another 3 years in computer science. Another client of mine had years of experience as a repair technician, he’s got a lifetime of skills he’s learned from that job that he can apply to running his online business. Another client of mine has years of religious training while he worked as a minister in his religion.
All this training, education and experience is very relevant to running a business. The former technician learned how to diagnose and fix problems. The former minister learned how to understand people and help them. The computer science and business management student learned how to build companies, websites and keep computers running properly. Don’t sell these skills short, every one of them is valuable. Use these skills to show people why they should work with you, to show them what you have to offer that others don’t.
Follow Scatterhart’s advice on smoke and mirrors – throw them away! You don’t need them to make it in business. You can do far better without them by just being yourself!
