Can I share something with you that I haven’t really shared publicly yet?
I am seriously concerned for the droves of new women emerging from the “get online and build your business” programs right now.
Two years ago I wrote a post called “My Prediction of the HUGE ‘Launch Bubble’ That’s Coming Fast… and How to Surpass It”.
Turns out it was a bit ahead of its time, because I thought things couldn’t get any worse.
They have.
It’s time to STOP THE ONLINE INSANITY, and I’m addressing it this week on Glambition Radio.
And while most of my perspective is around the areas of coaching, consulting, online training, and general thought leader “guru-dom”, this epidemic is something to consider no matter your industry.
This episode is brand new and I share analysis and commentary I’ve only shared with my private clients, up until now.
Here’s the rub:
As a founder of this industry (or “The Godmother”, as one of my clients dubbed me), who launched her first ebook online in 2002 and since 2005 has taught thousands of business owners how to get online and use the Internet to market and leverage new income streams from their expertise, I am truly speechless at times these days when I see what’s going on.
First, let’s look at the complete market saturation.
You can’t log online now without being nearly assaulted by ad after ad of “coaches” and “consultants” selling something to you. Because now it’s so easy to get online and sell stuff, everyone is getting online and… selling stuff. There’s no barrier to entry. Get some templates, spend a few bucks on ads, and your façade is ready. And in most cases, it’s the blind leading the blind.
Social media has been the main vehicle for this, which I address on my show.
But there’s a stranger phenomenon happening, especially for women, and I’m dubbing it OVERSTYLIZATION.
I’m seeing many women take their business online (or what they think is a business) after taking a course that taught them how, and instead of thinking through how they are going to make money they are instead obsessed with having the coolest images, website, and overall brand.
And OH those lifestyle shots. Cue the “I’m walking around with shopping bags and talking on my mobile phone after getting full hair and makeup, so aren’t I a cool coach?” photos. (And I’ve seen some male equivalents that have sent me rolling in hysterics.)
My concern is… many of these poor gals are cluelessly going into tons of debt to get it all looking the way they think it HAS to be. Focusing on the sizzle ahead of (and instead of) the steak.
I recently met one newbie – lovely girl — who confided in me her “launch” expenses had already topped $25,000 (all put on credit cards), and she still wasn’t sure what her income model was.
Take that in…
Still.
Wasn’t.
Sure.
What.
Her.
Income.
Model.
Was.
But wow her site looked cool.
And so did she.
She’d just done everything her “coach” told her to do. Including renting out a mansion for a photo shoot and getting hair extensions. All this supposedly necessary for a “business coaching” site. You can’t make this stuff up. I share more about this story on the show.
Listen, I love my glam too—I’ve done it all, and worn it all, and had a lot of fun. And yes you do need a few good photos. But you don’t NEED this stuff to launch your business.
I understand that often women get excited about their big “coming out” online and debuting their personal brand. For many women, going into business for themselves IS their ultimate personal expression, and they are finally stepping into the person they know they could be.
But I’m even seeing many savvy women with impressive business resumes accidentally throw it out the window (on purpose or by accident), thinking they need to fill their site with flirty photos and focusing so much on likeability that they forget about credibility.
I had to point out to one new client last year that her site neglected to mention she had won one of the top business awards in the entire country.
When she realized this, her head sunk into her hands with a big sigh.
She’d drank the glamma-coach Kool Aid.
Deep breath, and this is coming from a tough love mama place:
You have all lost your f-ing minds.
I used to teach that your marketing is more important than your mastery. Because in years past, I saw many amazing women with serious businesses holding back promoting themselves out of fear, shyness, or lack of confidence.
Now we see the opposite.
And I’m saying the opposite.
Listen up…
STOP. THE. ONLINE. INSANITY.
And while I’m concerned for the newbies, I’m even MORE concerned for those women who have real businesses and real credibility.
- How do you NOT GET LOST in all the incredible noise right now?
- How do you make sure it gets across we have REAL VALUE TO DELIVER?
- HOW do you make sure you aren’t even compared to all the new people who are emerging online every day?
Tune in to this episode of Glambition Radio and find out.
Overstylization and oversaturation are only two of the 5 fearsome online insanity factors I cover.
This show is NO-HOLDS BARRED, so get ready to listen a few times or take some notes, because I’m also going to cover…
- How social media has been amazing in many respects, but also sadly devalued things for serious business owners who now struggle to stand out.
- Why you need to be mindful of the transactional economy we’ve entered into (think Tinder, Uber), which has brought some very cool new things, but a downside to those of us who are still marketing like we used to.
- The immense complicated funnels that are completely unnecessary for most of us, but are still being taught year after year at big “launch” seminars. (No, you still don’t need a 4-part video series and a 14-step funnel with a tripwire offer to get clients. Trust me on this one.)
- And some real-life horror stories you just won’t believe, giving examples of what I’m seeing behind some of the curtains I’m privy to.
I know you’ll get a lot out of this episode. 😉
So head over to iTunes and listen to this episode of Glambition Radio now (or download for later).
Love and Success,
P.S. I would love your review! If you enjoy what I share in this episode, please leave a review and comment on iTunes. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
