Why The MMO Blogging Industry Is Becoming A Pain In The A$$!
Guys, I really really just about had it with the MMO (make money online) industry. Not that I mingle there at all, I gave that up months ago when I realized that to preserve my integrity I had to concentrate on things that actually make me money and try to help others with my “wisdom”.
In the last few months there has been a storm brewing on the Internet and I believe this storm will continue to build until it becomes a full force hurricane.
I’m talking about people (bloggers) like me who are sick of all the bull$hit that goes on in the MMO niche and are starting to speak up. Is it right or wrong, well, you will be the judge, as no doubt there will be some for it and some against (most likely those who are the ones taking unsuspecting people for a ride).
My pet hate are those people who blog about the MMO niche pretending they are the bees knees while in fact they really don’t have an idea themselves. But they continue to lie their ways through their blogs to the newcomers, being fully aware that it will pay them a monthly income. Then there are many A-listers who continue to trade integrity for a pocket full of cash, but you can read all about this and more in the 3 articles below.
Do yourselves a favor and read those posts if you are new to the online money game. Even if you are one of the people who spends half their income on worthless ebooks every month, check those out.
I want you to read the following posts, since I really don’t want to repeat what has already been said.
Posts you ought to read if you don’t want to waste unnecessary time, effort and money:
- ProBloggers Responsibility to Their Readers
- The Rating Blog – How to Game Your Stats
- Another Dumbfuck is Born (warning, explicit language) (Rated R)
How do you feel about the whole scenario? Are you even aware of the fact that there is a war going on in the blogosphere right now?
This could become interesting.
Related posts:
- Niche Blogging: Blogging Models That Work!
- Are You Blogging in The Make Money Online Niche?
- Authority Blogging: Blogging Models That Work!
- Autopilot Blogging: Blogging Models That Work!
- 10 Steps Towards Choosing Blogging As a Profession
No Responses to “Why The MMO Blogging Industry Is Becoming A Pain In The A$$!”
Got something to say?
Most of the posts you linked to were all talking about Joel Comm’s Adsense Secrets ebook. What I can say is either:
1) The probloggers didnt take the time to read exactly what the product is about
2) They read everything, but money can make a person do strange things – so they just went ahead with it anyway. You know, the “Do first, say sorry later attitude”
Just to add, if you’ve noticed a lot of blogs like ProBlogger.net used to be quite reserved about promoting affiliate products, now they just don’t care as much I guess..
Hey Monika, thanks for the mention. I have never seen this site but I have to say I really like it.
I noticed you accept guest bloggers….I would be interested if you are?
Thanks again.
@ Gobala: yes, that latest roar is about Joel Comm and his Adsense fiasco, but in general there is way more going on and I could just post link upon link to point people in the right direction.
This Joel Comm thing really seemed to put a few A-listers onto their spot.
The don’t care attitude is exactly what is the problem. The urge to fill ones pockets is bigger than blogging with integrity.
Yes, I admit that the MMO market is very interesting. I’ll admit I started a blog solely for the purpose of helping newbies learn how to monetize their blogs. I did it to learn myself. I also use that blog as a way of testing out certain affiliate programs without risking my integrity on my other blogs.
The basis of the MMO issue is greed. You can lump them in with every get rich fast program out there. Frankly, I think we’re just seeing the beginning of the market. And yes, it will grow and get more turbulent. I like your storm allegory.
@ Bill: you are welcome. Yes, you can become a guest blogger here on EasyWordPress. Please read the following post for all the information.
http://www.blogprofit.com/labs/contribute-to-easy-wordpress-and-get-a-link-back/
I look forward to see your content.
Hi Monika, (Hope all is well)
I agree with you 100% but my comments are directed at Gobala.
He said “Most of the posts you linked to were all talking about Joel Comm’s Adsense Secrets ebook.”
Really. Bill’s post was about the Adsense book. Mine was about bloggers who think they are experts at making money online because they have used the social media to create high RSS reader numbers. I point out that this just means they are experts at using social media. They can’t teach others how to make money online – they just sell ads and flog crap to their readers. I mentioned the Adsense controversy only briefly and as a small example of what these A list bloggers do but that certainly wasn’t the point of my article.
Vic’s video wasn’t about the Adsense book at all.
How did you come to the conclusion that “Most” of these articles (2 Articles and 1 Video) were about the Adsense book when 1 article and 1 video had nothing to do with the book? They were about people scamming and taking advantage of noobs trying to make a living online.
My article was mostly concerned with John Chow’s inability to help others make money online and how other bloggers who can’t make money talk like they can and then proceed to fake their stats in order to appear successful. One such person was shown to fake his RSS Feed stats.
BTW – how is it that this blog (are you the owner Gobala?) went from 606 subscribers on Jan 30 2008 to 12,744 the next day. An increase of 12,138 subscribers in one day. That’s quite a feat.
So many people, so many advices to make money online, to be popular online. It’s hard to decide who is correct and on which we should trust on. Good post!
[...] Monika Mundell over at EasyWordpress has weighed into this issue. While I enjoy her posts, she’s wrong here. She states that those who make money online lack [...]
I had read those posts you mentioned. I do think bloggers, especially those who are leading the pack, so to speak, should be careful what they endorse. However, ultimately no one can force you to buy something. You are ultimately responsible for the choices you make.
Can’t agree with you more Monica.There are some pro people doing this and they are doing an awesome job.But the funny thing is these pro people make it sound so easy and it creates a sensational feeling that everyone can do it.Honestly don’t MMO blogs look more Bloggy than Celeb blogs?If you look for some background information on some random MMO blogger you’ll find out that most of them started to blog about MMO as their first ever niche!A random MMO blogger might also “teach” you and offer you tips on “blogging”,that being their first ever niche.But the way I see it,it’s not going to be that popular in the future.
Also I think as long as amatuer MMO ers are around pro MMO bloggers will love it because the amateurs are the primary target of the Pro bloggers.The bigger the niche gets the more the pros earn!
I can understand comments about IMers and the avalanche of info, products with long sales letters and emails that can be generated by the so-called gurus. A, without a doubt Pain.
But you need to research Joel Comm a little more and you will find him to be the
exception to the rule. One of the IMers that I don’t mind studying and from whom I don’t mind receiving online marketing information.
By all standards he can be considered a pioneer and if you can apply his theory with Adsense it will generate income…how much?…who knows what You are capable of.
The point is, I don’t know who wrote his sales letter, but it is standard pyschological
marketing– and I don’t know who talked him into the down played upsell…but he has
corrected the purchase page so that you can opt out on the additional 29.00 a month.
program.
If you want to generate money online you cannot market and claim to be pure in your own intent.
Now I can’t even remember what I read before i left that comment, so i’ll agree with you. About the RSS subscribers, here’s the article:
http://www.blogprofit.com/labs/aweber-feedburner-integration-is-good-news-for-marketers/
@ Griz: thanks for asking. I’m great actually, keeping busy as usual and missing time to read my favourite blogs altogether. Oh well, something has to give doesn’t it.
@ Lisa: You are correct with the point about responsibility. However how would you feel if a marketer you look up to and trust because he made a lot of money and seems to know what he is talking about sells you a product without you ever realizing that you are being sold to.
Yes, it is the greed in us that lets us rip out our valets and buy because dreams of a better life are sold to us in a non resisting fashion.
In the end, I think the responsibility lies with both parties. Hype should be made obsolete and the practice of cross promotion with others at the helm should also be cut out.
Since I only subscribe to Bill’s ( just a name) newsletters I don’t want to be pestered by Bob, Jo, Frank and James at the same time, just because they decided to buddy up and pimp out their individual lists to each other.
That to me is pushing the limits and is part of the problem of hype.
@ MC: What they do is play with people’s greed of becoming wealthy themselves as well as manipulation at a psychological level.
You also made some valid points on the fact that these scavengers drive of the newcomer in the MMO industry. A typical example is “baldeagles’” comment from above. Need I say more?
@ Westcoast: I totally disagree with you in your statement of “you can’t market and not be pure”. Maybe I misunderstand this as to me that states that unless you are a lying scheming “…” you shouldn’t market online.
If you meant otherwise, then my apologies for misunderstanding. I know some really honest and upfront marketers who work in this industry and they don’t lie or hype up their sales pages either.
They inform, give away free information by the dozen and help newcomers as if they are their best buddies. They also don’t make any secrets of selling things and keep it all in the open without twice weekly email campaigns.
Anyway, I realize that this marketing game is a very fine knife blade as it is easy to veer from one side to the other. In the end, I understand that marketing is the focal point of all the discussions that are going on. The question is, how much integrity is put into those marketing practices?
Monika,
Thank you for your response. The error is mine and comes from following more than one blog on this subject.
Personally I am a proponent of honesty and assisting
others as they approach their online efforts.
And I am not pleased with the onslaught of info-garbage that is flooding internet marking.
However it puzzles me, as an example, when a blog
named: theblogentrepreneur carries criticism of the
IMers (gurus) and the overall tone of the post is that making money online is a dirty thing, done honestly or not. And blogging is pure unto itself. If that is my wrong interpertation so be it.
I was disappointed in the original approach of Joel Comm to sell a membership, also.
@ Westcoast: no worries, I got what you meant now and I understand.
I’m not sure whether Bill from BlogEntrepreneur meant everybody when he posted his post. I beg to differ that he didn’t, but then I really don’t know and it is up to him to explain this if he reads this comment.
The initial approach of Joel Comm’s sales tactics was certainly not correct, no matter how much he and his staff defend the reasons why it was done that way on Mark’s (45n5) blog.
To me all those excuses smell fishy. Blogging is definitely not purer than making money online. Personally I think both these things can be pursued with honesty and integrity and there is nothing wrong with that.
Thanks for clarifying your first comment too.
Personally, I tend to avoid wars {attacking, defending or passing by}. No one wins.
I also tend to avoid Joel Comm, I now know why…LOL!
I have been hearing that the war has started. Even I have been part of the MMO niche but I make sure that the readers are not misguided. I mean cummon, if I make it why not to share with them. Forget about the people online for a moment, I have taken offline sessions for my 1st and 2nd degree friends explaining them how you can make something extra and that’s working. Even making 500 bucks extra from their regular job salaries is enough for them to go on a trip, or buy some gifts etc for their families.
I believe MMO industry is getting saturated and it’s becoming difficult to understand who is talking truth and who is lying. Just to get it straight, I started my Money meter concept to motivate people who I don’t know but want to see if they can help their lives by little bit of extra money.
I have never seen an industry so saturated with underhanded marketing tactics, lies and greed as the “let’s sell pieces of information to gullible people interested in making money online” group.
It is a virtual world filled with Kevin Trudeaus of the internet. I really beleive this will come to a head when the government gets involved to make laws against the kind of selling happening on the net just as they had to do on television. State attorney general offices will need to get involved and stop the blatant abuse and outright theft of money from people.
I think some of these theives need to experience a hefty fine to sound a wake up call. The othe thing that can be done right away is to send the junk back and get your refund. If this is done legitimately and massively and tatgeted, maybe this subterfuge and theft will stop!
Monika,
I agreed. I think both can be done with honesty and integrity. When those methods are applied the best quality and value is provided to the reader.
If I can go on a tangent, somewhat related,
one thing that I see increasing is the direct access to the subscriber’s credit card versus a payment processor, like Paypal. Now, there is much debate about Paypal, both good and bad, but the benefit to the membership subscriber is the ability to go into Paypal and cancel the subscription if they feel it is necessary.
Perhaps the internet marketers do not want it to be that easy to unsubcribe but it does allow the
subscriber flexibility and that option is a good thing.
I know a have a membership or two that I cannot even find the cancellation information. In the meantime, I get busy and another month comes along and my credit card has been charged again.
Very irritating. It is kind of like not having the ability to use a “redirect” in website and link management.
If Joel Comm’s program had used Paypal, then a lot of unsupecting subscribers could have unsubscribed after the fact.
@ Westcoast: Those are some worrying facts you describe there. I admit, I hardly buy stuff these days as I’m far to busy making money with writing. Therefore I cannot see this trend at all.
But if this is the case, then yes, it isn’t right. Your reasoning on why it is done are also clear to me. Why make it easy fore your subscribers when you can grab some more “free” money off them.
I read with interest how Joel Comm described his cancellation tactics over at Mark’s blog. Calling to cancel a subscription???
WTF? Here I was thinking we live in the 21 st century and people from all over the world have to call the United States to cancel?
I rest my case.
@ Hyder: In general I do the same as you, except the passing by. I do check out what all the fuss is about and try to make up my own mind on what is going on.
I also tend to avoid the flaming wars as like you say, nobody wins. Despite this, I am never afraid to speak up when I think something has to be pointed out. The reason I do this is to warn newcomers off the dangers.
@ LiC: and that is all we can do as marketers or business owners. Being honest, giving away helpful and useful information and try to help others as much as we can.
Misleading tactics will never win in the end, despite the fast rise to the top or the quick buck one can make.
What you did for your friends sounds like a noble thing too and like you said, $500 is a lot of money for many people.
@ Tom: you know, this might happen if enough people speak up for the truth. It’s a bit like MLM where shoddy operators sour the whole industry. Whether a governing body can actually help is another question since those pockets are often deep (if you know what I mean).
The misuse of the internet by unethical marketers is a bad thing, period.
I would like to ask all of those who participate in and freely use the internet if they enjoy using the internet?
If government attempts to become involve in the oppressive management of the web by passing laws, rest assured that the use of the internet as we know it will be a sad thing of the past.
The only way for the successful existence of the internet to continue is for us to continue to speak out and self manage it ourselves.
I can think of no one in the government that is knowledgeable or capable enough to write any of these proposed laws and regulations.
Let us think for ourselves and act for ourselves.
Those who screw up the web, watch out, we will not let it go unnoticed. It is the only way!
I agree that the government and other “big brothers” should stay out of the internet and let it police itself. My point is that if we don’t band together and rid ourselves of the charlatans and crooks bad things will happen that will affect the good people too.
My advice is to quit playing nice and start returning the garbage. We, of course have to be ethical and not return good material we don’t use, or try to get for free by asking for a refund and then using the material.
This is going to be interesting as more and more people get burnt for 27,37,97,197 dollars and up. The IM’ers (Irresonsible Marketers) are trying to find how much we will pay. I have seen the 1995.00 courses and the topper so far has been 9,995.00 and 600.00 per month for some guy’s program!
Find the honest, ethical good ones and spread the word!They deserve our business and they do exist. Gobala is one and there are many others. Only buy from those who provide real value and help you learn how to create an income and a business.
@ Westcoast @ Tom: yes I agree with you guys or ladies. As long as we can do it in a decent way like we just did, I have no problems with speaking up my mind.
The problems start when people engage into flaming wars and repeated name calling and nobody ever wins in those.
Gobala is indeed a great marketer and one I trust, otherwise I wouldn’t write for him at all. There are many who do the right thing as well as those who don’t.
As long as we can help to inform I believe we help those who need to know this.
Gobala’s sincerity, experience and the ability to share that experience in an clear and “easy” way is what drew me to this blog in the first place and
of course Monika’s up front straight talk.
All I can say is guys…if you insist on using that little agent pop up where you try to trap those who leave your smarmy sites, at least put some info in the little box. I may not read it, but you look silly annoying people with that gimmick, then not having anything in the box while you sell me on your “expertise in marketing”. Good points made here. The whole industry has been dragged down by those who are breaking so many laws, and ethical premises, it isn’t even funny. All while using free email addresses in many cases! And boy, can they get defensive when you call them on it.
I’m not into naming and shaming individuals, but as I’ve been writing about the IM “bad gurus” for some time thought I had to comment on these articles.
The posts you’ve linked to Monika highlight two of the major problems -
1) Run out of money so time for another big launch and re-hash
2) Envy of the lifestyle and do anything to get one just like it – without a care for who gets hurt along the way
The main issue I see is that the hype is robbing innocent people of their dreams. Yes, many are foolish for believing the “be rich by tomorrow teatime” hype but they are just looking for a better life and the “bad guys” have no interest in their long term success – just the money that changes hands.
For some reason the “faceless” nature of the internet allows this bad guys to ignore the rules of the business world – truth, ethics, decency & principles.
That’s real sad.
@Westcoast, I might be misunderstanding you but if I am reading you correctly:
You find it ironic that someone with a MMO blog could write an article about sleazy internet marketers.
If this is the case then you have made my point for me, which is that even honest MMOers are painted with the same brush due to sleazeball marketing tactics like Joel used.
I don’t do a lot traditional Internet Marketing as niche sites and blogging is more my thing right now. This may come as a shock to some, but you can make money online without lying, cheating or stealing people’s money.
Shocking….I know.
I reread your comment…as for making money online ethically….of course there is nothing wrong with that. I don’t know what I could have put in my article that would give you that impression.
Wow,
there’s a lot of discussion here. What’s the case? Joel has put the recurring payment on automatically?
I found some other marketers do the tactic. I bought a lot of stuff in the past. So, they used this tactic to optimize their income.
I never bought Joel’s product. Just now, I review his salesletter. THere’s 2 option. With 29.95 or without.
Maybe they have change it.
ok. That’s all.
@BaldEagle-You think you are seeing the beginning?I think you are seeing the peak of an industry that’s getting more and more exhausted everyday.Like I said there are some real pro people in this industry but think about this,if everyone’s going to blog about MMO who’s going to blog about Politics?The more the MMO industry gets bigger the more value it adds to other niches.
@Bill,
My interpertation was indeed wrong.
Not afraid to admit it.
It is interesting how one can carry “baggage” from
one blog and posts to another and have it affect the thought process.
I carefully reread your article and you do not
make any statement that making money online is wrong.
I went back to Mark’s (45n5) and reread some of those posts.
It seems that the consensus, without a doubt, is that Joel Comm screwed up big time. He did, this time for whatever the reasons and the result was confusing and thus negative.
I was curious if anyone else had any other examples where
Joel screwed up to justify such vehement characterizations of Joel as a scammer?
I am also curious as to whom we should look up to as successful and experienced leaders in internet marketing?
I would think someone who has forged the way and maintains a sustained success both monetarily and by helping to educate others would be a good example.
Education is the regurgitation of information with a clear presentation.
@ all: thanks to you all we’ve had a great discussion going on here.
As for Westcoast’s last statement on who to look up to I have to say, that I hardly look up to anybody. Just because somebody made millions online doesn’t mean he/she is a decent human being.
Unfortunately all too often we tend to associate success with greatness and follow these people to the end of the world and back.
People I look up to are those who have defeated sickness, death, poverty and disaster and lived to tell the tale. These people are the real heroes for me.
As for the rest, I admire people for their integrity, willingness to give unconditionally and honesty, regardless whether they are successful or not.
Spirit I believe is perhaps the right word.
Monika, brilliant comment – you are so right.
@Monika – I think you can look up to different kinds of people for different reasons.
I admire Donald Trump for his accomplishments however I would hardly say he’s a role model.
I can even say I admire Joel Comm in a way because he is very good at what he does but I wouldn’t want to do it for myself.
I get what you are saying but I just think you can have many different kinds of role models, you don’t have to admire them in their ENTIRETY but you can take bits and pieces from a lot of different people and make them your own.
My 2 cents.
Great discussion. Making money has always be controversial and the internet is no exception. In the early eighties (perhaps even earlier), direct marketing long copies were accused of pushing the “truth” envelope, much like what’s happening with long copies on the internet today. A big part of the criticism then came from established ad people who didn’t like the style of assertive marketing entrepreneurs.
But here’s a real kicker… in the mid nineties the debate (arguments, fights?) about if the internet should be open to commercial interests were even more heated than today’s MMO issues. Many wanted it to remain totally non-business. Well, we know who won.
I think the bigger issue is basic human ethics. Environments and conditions will change and everytime this happens some sort of debate will pop up… often, heated. Principle, then, should be the guiding force, not the rules set up by the established system.
I personally haven’t bought Comm’s product (how many us commenting have?), so I can’t comment specifically about it or the service. If his product don’t live up to standard, then the marketplace should determine if his product live or die – provided, of course, he has a real guarantee.
My two bits… and I love all the different views.
@ Mark: thank you
@ Bill: I hear you. You know, I totally agree with what you are saying. I guess we just phrase our thoughts a little different and therefore it might come across as being different views.
In the end, what you are saying about role models looks similar to what I mean about people we can admire for their individual strength.
The reason I refuse to look up to any particular role model is exactly because of what you said. To me, nobody is perfect and to idolize people because of their status, riches, achievements, connections and what not would be totally wrong to me.
Like you, I admire people for their individual strength’s and character traits they have if that makes more sense. In the end, I think we talk about the same thing just in a slightly different way.
you are right you go girl