Is there no escape?

There was a time that social networks were just that.

They were places to go to discuss with like-minded or totally contrary people the subjects of the day. People, in other words, would socialise!

I don't know how long you have been in such networks as this, but I wonder if you, like me, miss the fact that very little socialising goes on. Everything seems to be aimed at using the latest gormless guru  ideas on using these networks to 'promote' your business. In reality, what this means is slam-dunking adverts into the mail boxes of all those in your network.

JUST HOW SAD IS THAT?

Imagine going to a party at a friends house and all of the 200 people there did nothing but expound upon their latest, greatest, can't fail to make a million by lunch time tomorrow plan. (Oh, and you couldn't lend me the taxi fare home could you? I didn't bring my wallet and I have had a couple of drinks.)

The internet has become, in the rarified reaches inhabited by those who love to call themselves 'Internet Marketers', something akin to a canibals hors douvres tray. The unwary will be gobbled up by the latest team schemes and carried along on a wave of artificially generated euphoria.

There are very few social sites that I have retained my membership in. It seems that everywhere I go I see the same faces, read the same rubbish, fall across the same vain self agrandisement of people not fit to breathe the same air as my dogs.

As long as Internet Marketers continue to promote scams, programmes, matrices and any other fly-blown scheme doomed to collapse within months because they have this naïve idea that this is the way to go.... As long as they scratch around in the dirt like demented chickens looking for the last wood louse.... As long as they actually believe that it is, somehow, OK to rip off the people they claim to know as friends.... As long as they continue to believe in a cyber world where the rules of commerce are suspended.... they will continue to, in the main part, be programme hoppers and losers. BIG TIME LOSERS!

99% of internet users are not marketers.

Over 40% of people on line at any one time are looking for something to buy.

Aren't THEY the people we should be looking at and, within our social network, discussing ways to attract?

Or am I really stupid thinking that there is no future in a vomitous, triple decked, stroked to death, overflowing, strangulated matrix?  

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Created on Oct 31st 2007 15:10. Viewed 1,327 times.

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Jenny Stewart    Love the vitriol! And i can think of more than one "professional network marketer" who more than deserves it. The problem that I can see in this very small (in relation to the rest of the world wide web) internet marketing community is that is very incestuous and self perpetuating. Network Marketing is a term should mean "marketing a product or service through the use of networking. Networking used to meet, getting to know people and building up a list of contacts. What is happening nowadays though is that people are trying to sell the network and not the product. They seem to believe that "the network" is a means in itself and not a means to an end. So we have rabid recruiters who centre on the size of their downlines and forget that the reason for having them is so that everyone can sell a product or service. They forget that these things they want to sell need good old fashioned customers. How many MLM salesmen (even though they call themselves marketers or promoters) remember that their network is a way to earn a comission on product sales. In fact earning on anything else generally makes it illegal anyway. I have heard "the secret is in the list" just once too often. The secret is in the product you have for sale and having the appropriate people selling it for you. Many people who use the internet daily to promote their work, or for any other reason, view the internet marketing "mini world" not as the holy grail - but as silly get rich quick schemes with no foundation and little chance of success. In fact as a young friend of mine commented, after getting himself involved in a major argument about a rather dubious MLM "How can anyone be dumb enough to think that they are going to get rich for 500$?" There are some terrific ways for the internet in selling products and services. But posting ads on social communities is definitely not one. Nov 1st 2007 12:12

Jeff Greene   Online Marketing Specialist/Consultant Amazing and accurate... and kinda sad. The amount of real "socializing" has gone down and it's really causing some newer networks to re-think their platforms... The ones that care, that is... Most networks are also to blame for the poor quality of the people they attract, because they are more concerned with numbers, and those big numbers of people might attract buyout attention and BIG BUCKS.... Think about it... Nov 1st 2007 13:18

Cheryl Baumgartner   Independent Associate with LegalShield Quality will out as they say. Yes there are so many get rich by playing on the internet, for doing nothing or just signing up schemes as to be scary. The serious people here have a product. They use APSense as a tool to meet new people AND promote their product. This is probably why their are so many blank ABC's. What are you going to fill it with if you are just promoting a site? Eventually they will fall by the wayside and you will have the people with a solid product as a presence on APSense. Oh wait that already happened. Just search through the ABC's and blogs! Nov 1st 2007 14:03

Wendy    OMG You mean chickens are demented Holy oh Hanna NO wonder they were so easy to catch and load into crates Ok sorry of topic again Social Networking is great I have to admit though I too felt I had to get here and promote, promote and promote some more. Then I too a few weeks off. Came back and read. Read some more. Let what I was reading sink in Yes my poor befuddled pea brain finally absorbed what I suppose to be doing. Cheryl mentioned about using the ABC Hmmm.......... I use it to promote my business and never run out of things to put there. I work hard at it Guess it cause I have faith, believe in what I am doing and just plain love it. So yes my ABC will never be empty and hope to get around updating it again shortly That is if I quit responding to posts here LOL Excellent article Wendy Nov 1st 2007 14:14

Arthur Webster   Just plain honesty It seems that there is a concensus in this small group, any way. That's good. I suppose, if I ever generate a big enough network, that I would get a similar response from most people who have been members of a social site for more than a year. Social sites have been destroyed by gurus trying to make a name for themselves by trying to invent the wheel again. About nine months ago I saw the first guru promotion of blog posting as a sales/advertising medium. It wasn't long before every guru was doing the same. Then someone wrote a programme that would let you post to umpteen forums, all at the same time. They made a fortune selling it to brain dead members of their mailing list with no care about the consequences of what they were doing. Before long, forums and blogs became peppered with posts of 'Ooh lovely', 'Thanks for sharing' and other such purile nonsense because the person posting really thought that their signature was going to be making money for them - because some guru said so. If you are a long term member of a social site, I would love to know if you can relate to what I am saying. Certainly, even nine months ago, it was enough to read a post and only reply if you had something relevant to say. This made the forums and blogs more entertaining and it meant that all the posts probably got read Nov 3rd 2007 12:22

Garnet Nagy  Social Media Consulting This is about the best network I have seen as far as real discussion goes, the really sad thing about that is out of 20000 members there are only about 50 who are actively participating in the discussions! The good news is we have the power to shape this community, quality content is coming out on top time and time again, thanks to some great people who reconize the true potenial of this community. In my experience it took me a little while to get this too, it's just so easy for a newbie to get totally blinded and confused by all the total crap being copied and pasted all over the place...apsense or some of the people here are helping solve this one person at a time, however I feel most people will never get this, as they are just stuck on believing all the bs and lack the drive to build a long term business. A few thoughts, feedback? Nov 3rd 2007 12:57

David Schupbach    Ok guys, this is my last contribution to Apsense tonight! I guess I better make it good! First, Arthur it is a pleasure to make your aquaintance, through your blog, and let me thank you for joining QCWG! You came highly recommended by Jenny, a Lady (obviously) of impeccable taste and quality! I love your writing style Arthur, and your command of sentence and structure is impressive. You definitely know how to set a tone, and back it up by knowing your subject. Now I would like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that the first 8 replies, as well as the author, are all members of QCWG! Not that surprising really, we have a very active group, and a number of our members have true understanding of what is behind the group. What's that? Solving the problem that Arthur addresses so well in this blog! Let's be like a 'reverse virus' if you will, and build this solution by inspiring one member at a time. Arthur, welcome aboard, and looking forward to your first blog in the group! D Nov 3rd 2007 20:31

Theresa    HI Arthur! Very nice to meet you. It seems that most of the writers here agree with you regarding the "social network site". Sad as the social network scene is becomming, I am hoping that Apsense is different. Only because the people (members) within it are 'different' --choosing not to SELL one another but to offer one another tools, encouragement, friendships, and yes, a smile or two. What I like most of this little group you have found is that most just plain enjoy writing and each other's company. I am very much still a newbie and striving to find my way around... but, one thing I am learning very quickly here at Apsense is that this group is a lot of fun. Welcome! :) Nov 3rd 2007 21:01

Arthur Webster   Just plain honesty Hi, Morambler, Jenny certainly has a way of creating targets for people to meet but please accept that I am not 'the old coot' for no reason. I speak as I find, ask no quarter and take no prisoners. I like the idea of a 'reverse virus' but fear there is simply too much supuration for that to work. The real world has to be seen by the IM sheeple. They have to raise their eyes from a resolution of 1024 and accept unlimited vistas. They won't, of course. They have found themselves a little corner in which they can curl up comfortably, hide from reality and sift through barren rubble for the odd grain of gold. After sifting for a little while they hear of a whole new range of prospecting pans that will solve their problem of lack of success and dash off to buy them - like the adicts they are. Maybe Tantalus was an internet marketer - born before his time? Nov 5th 2007 09:10

Arthur Webster   Just plain honesty Hi, Fishie (not from my home town of Grimsby, are you?) It has been very gratifying to read the responses to my post because they give me great cause for rejoicing. Maybe I have found anew what has been so callously destroyed elsewhere. What I have found so distressing about the destruction of other communities has been the total disregard of any warnings given by concerned members. The rot starts with a little innocuous sounding repartee. This soon becomes personal attacks and ends up as the type of brawl I used to see in the pubs in my home town when the fleet was in. There was a big difference, though, between the brawls in the pubs and the personal attacks. Although the brawls would often result in injuries, broken bones and even stabbings, there was never any mallice. It was high spirited camaraderie at its' most violent. The personal attacks in communities are small minded. spiteful and totally un-called for. They are the worms that eat the carcase before it is dead but they do their damage in the same innevitable way as rust. Rust can often leave a structure looking complete and in tact until the day it suddenly, and without warning, collapses and ceases to be. Nov 5th 2007 09:24

Jenny Stewart    Well now - Ii am going to say I TOLD YOU SO!!! All your comments about the demise of quality in many social networks may be true - but as you are seeing from the response to this blog, there are still people here at ApSense who are ignoring the BS and building up a great social network which is of interest and helpful to us all. The QCWG is just one expample of a group of people within ApSense who are determined to create a genuine social/business network. And along with their own blogs and the Groups and Blogs of other energetic people - we are getting somewhere. The numbers game will always attract quantities of hopefuls who think that by bandying their ads and signature links all over the place, they will make some money. But it doesnt mean that they will be able to dominate the Community . This is slowly becoming a little wider than a mere platform for the incestuous "network marketing mini world. There are so many other areas where the internet can be a useful marketing tool - not least the marketing of bricks and mortar products and services, article writing, online shopping, educational material.... the list is endless. Who knows - maybe there is an escape! Nov 5th 2007 09:53

Chuck Bartok   Veteran Entrepreneur now Sharing Another breath of fresh air and some wisdome here at Apsense. Is it because we are old? I don't think so..just full of common sense. Thank you for your comments. You have surrounded yourself in this Blog with fantastic people Nov 6th 2007 06:11

Chuck Bartok   Veteran Entrepreneur now Sharing OOPs forgot one of my Favorites from Seth Grodin, owner of Suidoo..... "Selling to people who actually want to hear from youis more effective than interrupting those who don't" Right on Seth and Arthur Nov 6th 2007 06:14

Pete Balasch Jr.   Internet Marketer Chuck there is still hope I think folks are still in the learning stage of what it means to be social. I guess you can say a Lost art from the past Every thing boils down to relationship. That is web 2.0 is and most do not understand the term of what it is. Nov 6th 2007 06:48

David Schupbach    Being the hard-headed youngster that I am, I WILL NOT accept the demise either of Social Networking, or Apsense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not now, Not EVER! I may go kicking and screaming into that long goodnight, But I will still be standing for QUALITY! For what really MATTERS! And No One, or No Thing will change that. David C Schupbach. Nov 6th 2007 09:35

Garnet Nagy  Social Media Consulting RIGHT ON DAVID!!! There are those of us who are COMPLETELY DEDICATED to QUALITY in LIFE as well as HERE ON APSense!!! Those who are, you know who you are!!..Those who aren't..what heck is your problem..WAKE UP and GET IN THE GAME!!!!!!!!! Garnet Nagy The Number ONE Business SOCIAL Network Online! Nov 6th 2007 18:15

Dave Thomas    Cracking article, Some excellent points made, I used to work in the financial services industry and one of the key points we laboured on was Building relationships. If the time is taken to build a relationship in the begining, then the long term benifits will always outlast any short term gains. Yes you may never sell anything to that individual however you are building your reputation as a trustworthy and reliable person and if that individual should require something in the future that you happen to provide then who are they most likely to turn to. The majority of the articles I put on Apsense do not have any advertising links in them unless it is something that I believe will benefit my readers and to date most have been links to freebies. Unless of course it is being posted to a group that is looking to share business opportunities. Regards Dave Nov 8th 2007 05:21

Mark Hultgren   Wordpress Specialist I have to admit that OC has hit the nail on the head. I think this is just another fact of life in the way children have been brought up. Many of the 'ME' generation cannot think about anyone else's perspective simply because they were not TAUGHT HOW!. They were brought up with the mentality of 'What's in it for me?" and most marketers are still focused on that aspect and it is glaring in every one of their sales pages. GooRoos will tout how, in order to sell, you have to focus on the BENEFITS and not the features. But if you waste the time to listen to the audios or watch the videos of the 'so called' behind the scenes interviews, they are doing more backslapping than anything else. Welcome to the group Arthur (OC for short), like I commented in one of your other popsts, I like your style sir! Pedantic, maybe, but more important, you say what you feel and think, that is a rare quality I believe you will find among most of the members of this group! Nov 8th 2007 06:35

Arthur Webster   Just plain honesty Hi, Jeunelle, So, people don't know what Web 2 is all about. I suppose very few people do because it's only the same old web with a bit more inter-action. Think of it like the letters on the back of a motor car. Letters like TDI. Impressive - or what! But what do they actually mean? Turbo Diesel Injection. The only part that is new is the Turbo. How many Diesels are Injection? All of them! But those that are not Turbo powered don't have DI on the back. Web 2 is very much for social sites and selling the latest rip-offs to wannabe marketers. Look around the major marketing sites and some of them, even though they produce millions in revenue, wouldn't even qualify as Web1 - more like bog standard. Apr 2nd 2008 12:28

Mark Hultgren   Wordpress Specialist Part of web 2.0 is 'interaction' . Another part that has been overlooked or downplayed is the 'Viral Marketing' aspect of interaction. Now, I know many of you may think that Viral Marketing is just another GooRoo term that they came up with to push sales and change titles, but it has been around for as long as salesmanship has been here. VM is nothing more than the tried and tested 'Word Of Mouth'. It has worked for eons and will continue to work, as long as you trust the work of a friend or colleague. You may think this is a blatant ad, but since there is nothing to be sold and no email or name to be gathered or collected, I don't know if it would fall into that category or not. What I DO KNOW is the info in this report is top notch (not too much fluff) and wasn't even written by me. Fabio is one marketer that I do think highly of and he did some of the edits to the piece, but you can be your own judge. Go download the report, browse through it and post your thoughts about it. I just added one of a series of free reports that you are welcome to download, read and pass on to your friends. This one explains the six criteria of Viral Marketing and how to make sure that YOUR approach brings you the best return. You can download it free of charge (not even an email required!) at http://2getsales.com/gifts/one2million/ Apr 4th 2008 23:21

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