I have seen too many sales pages telling stories of overnight riches and promising instant success in internet marketing if you will just use this or that service/system/tool/training method.
Almost every one of these pages seems to remind the reader that he is “probably tired of all the other products and programs which didn’t work” so should now “use this one, which holds the secret to his success.” This is often followed by a series of rave testimonials, depicting overnight wealth as a result of purchasing whatever item is being sold – complete with images of large houses, fancy cars, and beach-side vacations.
To be sure, there are right ways to do things and wrong ways to do things, with many varying degrees in between. There are tools, products, services, and information available, which, if used properly, can help you truly succeed. There are plenty of great systems and training resources available which may give you the exact information you need in order to really make it, or which may provide an excellent roadmap or system which you can follow in order to reach your goals.
But please … when I see sales pages telling me how so-and-so made tens of thousands of dollars in a week as a result of this-or-that, all that comes to mind is “put a lid on it please.” It’s not that it’s unrealistic. I think it is discouraging – for those of us mortals who have to put blood, sweat, and tears into building our businesses from the ground up. Those of us who go through mounds of information, trial and error, long days and sleepless nights at our screens, and even the occasional complete failure – only to back up, circle back to square one, and start all over again.
Oh and yes, I find it unrealistic as well. For one thing, what really irks me often is the images of people relaxing in lounge chairs at the beach, working online at their laptops.
Well, I have worked outside at times, out of necessity. And let me tell you, it is a royal pain! Mr. Sales Page writer, have you heard of screen glare? Bright sun can make it virtually impossible to see the screen. Even an anti-glare screen, and I should know. What about the ergonomics of trying to work upside down while lying in a lounge chair? No thank you! If that’s the lifestyle I’m supposed to want, I think it’s not for me. I prefer to have my laptop perpendicular to the floor while I’m working. 
And if I go to the beach, I want to climb sand dunes or photograph the crashing waves, not work upside down while the wind blows sand into my keyboard.
There is one other thing that annoys me slightly about those pictures of fancy homes and expensive cars. Not all sales pages do this, but some do – they stress little more than the personal benefits and material acquisitions that can be obtained though a higher income. They assume that internet marketers are working for nothing but personal wealth and selfish purposes. Well, maybe some are. But personally, my goals involve having more time and money for humanitarian projects. Others are in similar boats or at least want to support their families, send their children to better schools, spread a message; or they may have any of a myriad of other purposes which have nothing to do with exotic vacations, possessions, or self-indulgence. That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve an ice cream cone when you have a good week, but who’s to say that all we care about is ourselves?
Okay, that said, back to the point. What is the point? Well, in my opinion, glitzy sales pages with unrealistic tales of overnight success are discouraging to people. I think they make people feel alone. I suspect they give a false impression to aspiring or start-up internet marketers – that “everyone else is becoming an overnight millionaire while I’m just sitting here doing everything wrong.” But you tell me. Do they? How do you feel when you see those sales pages?
In any case, here is something which I find far more encouraging than any sales page, Rolls Royce photograph, or tinsel testimonial. This is a video I you might want to watch any time you feel frustrated or discouraged about reaching your goals. I have to credit Stephan from Ducedo for sharing this video in a recent blog post called If You’ve Never Failed You’ve Never Lived. Thank you Stephan. Here is the video:
Merry Christmas to all of my fellow internet marketers, and all aspiring marketers – real life, flesh and blood, real people. If things are going well for you, great job and keep going. If you are feeling frustrated, cheer up. Remember there’s never a need to give up your goals if you don’t want to. Persistence is key.
Excellent video.
I’d like to earn enough to cover my bills while I write cool software. I don’t think it works that way. I suspect that it’s as easy to make a lot of money as a little money. ’cause it’s surely hard enough to make a little money!
I think I have pretty good idea how all this stuff works now, but having the idea and being able to execute on it really fast is two different things.
Back to the salt mine…
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Is Your Blog Dead As A Doornail? Let’s Talk… =-.
Thank you for the backlinks Anna. I truly love that video since it’s such a clear message.
.-= Stefan´s last blog ..If You’ve Never Failed You’ve Never Lived =-.
Anna, this is an awesome post.
I hardly buy anything from sales pages and now days I am slowly pushing myself completely away from the MMO area as I just don’t like it much anymore. I am still pursuing an online career but more low keys and in niches away from the public eye.
I have been burned by people a few times online so am careful who to trust these days!
2010 will be a great year for us
.
.-= Forest´s last blog ..Home Fitness Exercise Equipment =-.
Wooowwwwww !!!!
Great Video !!!
Gonna share to my friend
.-= Quick Healthy Tips´s last blog ..Allergy Itching Gone With Acupuncture =-.
@Forest – Thanks. When you say you are moving away from MMO, are you referring to MMO as a niche and the MMO products/services connected to it? Or do you mean you are moving away from making money online at all.
That video is really motivational. Im new to affiliate marketing, had a few good weeks at the start of December and then 2 REALLY bad weeks at the end – That video has just given me the bit of motivation I needed to keep going. Im hoping my current quite patch is due to Xmas. I guess I just need to keep my chin up and keep plowing on!
Anna,
What a great and needed post, this is one I will be coming back to often. In regards to the video, it is one I will watch again and again. Thank you for all your help in 2009 and this wonderful inspiring message. I look forward to a great 2010 and getting to read more of your post and knowing you better!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..How To Lower Your Google Analytics Bounce Rate =-.
ANNA!!! It has been a while since I have been on this awesome blog and WOW – you are hilarious and honest! This sentence: “Mr. Sales Page writer, have you heard of screen glare?” is so true. And i too have worked outside, but due to necessity as well and it was horrendous as I attempted to block out the sun with a huge blanket and use the neighbor’s wifi
…lol..the things we do! So, you are so right! And I think the more anit-sales pages we create for our products, the better we will do. People 5 years ago fell for it all – but not anymore. People are being more careful with their spending, trusting less and really need REAL guidance, not those insane promises. And, I too have had people say things to me, such as “It must be so nice making so much money without really working and staying at home.” Hmmm… that type of comment is really offensive to a person who has put so much into building their online business and to someone who has worked very hard to get there. 
So thank you Anna for your lovely post – haven’t watched the video yet but I will. I love your writing style – so funny!
.-= Holly Mann´s last blog ..Quit Quitting in 2010 =-.
Hi Holly! Thanks for your comment, I’m always happy when you stop by my blog (would you like some tea?)
Yeah, I’ve been wanting to say that about screen glare for ages! I used to try to work at the park when I was there with kids and it was a mess. Once I remember moving a big metal table across the outdoor cafe area just to try to get into the shade of a tree. I remember people staring at me but I didn’t care! I am getting more and more easily turned off from sales pages. In fact, I might even ignore a worthwhile product – as soon as I see pictures of fancy cars and houses I go “exit.” And another one that sets off alarm bells is “it’s only the price of a pizza!” As if I have a $250 per day budget for pizzas and so instead can just buy every internet marketing product which is the price of a pizza! Ah, silly me, why didn’t I think of that before …
[...] was reading a blog post by Anna Vera Williams, a favorite blogger of mine. The post was entitled “Discouraging Encouragements, Tinsel Testimonials, and a Christmas Message from Anna.” Her post contained this [...]
What an eye opener! You just shared something that is worth knowing by individuals like me who are bombarded by endless tricky sales pages that promise nstant success in internet marketing. The video is indeed one of the best if not the greatest motivation video. Many thanks Anna.
Anna, what a wonderful article. I enjoyed every part of it and I agree with your comments.
I have been in Central CA now for 5 years after coming from Ireland with my American wife Cheryl, and I am trying to get a few sites set up. (Holly is going to help me with one).
I am also currently putting together two eBooks and it does take up time, but enjoyable time.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments about sales pages. Dishonest BS a lot of the time and I know these type of pages actually end up discouraging new people.
I think the more people like yourself and Holly submit honesty on line, the sooner we will have a better quality of internet.
Looking forward to your next words of wisdom.
Kind regards
Tom
Anna! You are indeed a motivational figure in this community of online people and your idea based on humanitarian logic are really work worthy. I hope you will inspire the readers more and more by posting regularly.
.-= fslshzd@cosmetic dental marketing´s last blog ..This is a test post =-.
Seems like you were fooled by a sales page in 2009 which has made you write in such a way hehe.
Jokes apart, I absolutely agree with you, that not only those sales pages which are showing people who earned thousands of dollars in a week or a month telling about their testimonials are discouraging but more so they’re absolutely unrealistic and a huge sign that it might be a scam. If the program was so successful, perhaps we wouldn’t be into the recession to be honest because there are hundreds of sales pages which promise thousands of dollars in a month or so.
Secondly, what such pages tell to any newbie who isn’t much aware about online money making is that Money Making Online is real easy and pie which it isn’t and you’ve to work damn hard to achieve success on the Internet but they don’t give a heck about it since they want to sale them their fake products and fool newbies who after being scammed may become disheartened and decide not to think about online income again.
Now to your irk about them, maybe it’s their freelancing job or they’re really geeks who even take their laptops on beaches hehe.
@ Palos – No, not fooled by a sales page, just annoyed by them.
I definitely agree with you on this “If the program was so successful, perhaps we wouldn’t be into the recession to be honest because there are hundreds of sales pages which promise thousands of dollars in a month or so. Secondly, what such pages tell to any newbie who isn’t much aware about online money making is that Money Making Online is real easy and pie which it isn’t and you’ve to work damn hard to achieve success on the Internet.”
And on the laptops on beaches – haha. I wonder.
@fslshzd – Thanks
I am definitely making an effort to free up my schedule to post more often!
hi…great video, i like, i will share with my friend, thanks
I absolutely agree with you, that not only those sales pages which are showing people who earned thousands of dollars in a week or a month telling about their testimonials are discouraging but more so they’re absolutely unrealistic and a huge sign that it might be a scam. If the program was so successful, perhaps we wouldn’t be into the recession to be honest because there are hundreds of sales pages which promise thousands of dollars in a month or so.
.-= Chaise Lounge ´s last blog ..Comment by =-.
@Chaise –
Very good point!
I always get a kick out of those late night/early morning money making infomercials. Make a website and make a fortune. And of course they neglect to tell you any details about how this fortune would be made. Then they go into all of the crazy testimonials about people going from apartments to mansions. With the disclaimer flashing at the bottom of the screen: “Results Not Typical, Your Results May Vary”. No doubt they would vary.
@Bob -
Ha – no doubt, indeed.