I have some good news and I have some bad news. First the good news. The number of infomercials on television is decreasing.
Some might say that is great news. But, before you yell hurray, here's the bad news. They are reincarnating as web sites. Changes the whole picture, doesn't it?
For those who've never seen an infomercial, it is a program-length TV commercial touting easy ways to make money in a variety of ways.
Real estate is probably the most often run program. Others include low-interest government loans or grants to start a new business or go to college.
Then there are the old standby classified advertisement sections in newspapers or magazines promising "big money" business opportunities and/or work-at-home schemes. The companies behind these infomercials and print ads claim that by using their products and services, you can learn how to increase your wealth or start a business from the comfort of your home.
These infomercials and advertisements make it very clear you can make the big bucks only by purchasing their books, audio and video tapes, or computer hardware and software. The materials range in price from less than $100 to several thousand dollars.
To clinch the sale, some promoters include a toll-free telephone consulting service with your purchase and offer a money-back guarantee. The fine print in the guarantee is what gets most people.
Web sites promoting these same type of "opportunities" look like an infomercial. Hype, glitz and promises of big money adorn the screen. On the other hand, contact details, other than ordering information, is scant if existent at all.
On television, these infomercials are designed to look, feel, and sound like real TV programs. The FTC says "they often imitate the format of genuine talk shows or investigative consumer news programs."
Because they imitate real programs, "the products being sold often are discussed as part of the program and touted by paid "experts," "moderators," or "reporters", according to the FTC. The programs may last for 30 minutes, interrupted by advertisements for the shows products with ordering information.
As in the offline world, online promoters of wealth-building schemes claim that if you follow their methods, you can make substantial sums of money. The means to easy wealth have shifted from real estate and government auctions to web site sales and development, autoresponder sales, gift clubs and bulk email programs.
The offline world uses the infomercials and advertisements to invite you to attend seminars where you can learn more about their program. You can rest assured the seminar is a slick sales pitch.
The smooth-talking salespeople tout the programs, materials, and services and use testimonials of the people in the back of the room selling the materials to illustrate what easy money you can make. The truth is these people are paid to give testimony. They are on the payroll as salespeople and that's it.
At these seminars the pitch is feverish and it is easy to be lured by promises of success into parting with your money. They are designed to work off the herd mentality. Don't fall for the nonsense.
On the Internet, the herd mentality is engaged through testimonials and a rush to action. You are encouraged every step of the way to BUY NOW! There are only so many days left and this opportunity will be gone forever or some other such nonsense.
The FTC, and everybody else who has studied these programs, gives the following advice:
1. Be skeptical about "get-rich-quick" advertising claims.
2. Ask companies for written substantiation for claims in their presentations, especially those about success rates.
3. Be aware that "experts" who endorse a product often are paid by the advertiser.
4. Be cautious about "testimonials." They may be paid for and probably owrse, do not reflect the experience of most consumers.
5. Be wary of purchasing a program if company representatives give you evasive answers or aren't willing to answer your questions at all.
6. Before you buy, decide whether the price reflects a fair market value.
7. Be wary of promises of free money or low-interest government loans. As a rule, these are available only in limited circumstances.
8. Dont be pressured to purchase immediately. Good opportunities are not sold through high pressure tactics.
9. Before you buy, ask about the companys qualifying requirements and refund policy.
10. Check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, and state Attorney General's office. They should be able to tell you if any unresolved consumer complaints are on file.
Additional consumer protection resources are available at your local library. Check out materials on personal finance and those geared toward the small business owner.
Your local community college may have a marketing department. Call and ask to speak with one of the professors. Explain the program and ask his/her advice/opinion.
The Small Business Administration and your state and local government have publications and programs for new and potential business owners. Write or call and ask for a list of available publications.
Tap into the Internet. That's right, search engines could turn out to be your best friend. A host of scam busting sites exist and expose scams online and offline.
As always, common sense is your best weapon in the fight against this garbage. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. However, if you have more than a passing interest, do your homework. Getting too much information is not a crime or a hazard to your wealth.
2000(c) All rights reserved. No one may reproduce this article without permission of the author (tom-koziol@excite.com)
GUARANTEED! Turn your paycheck into a cash flow geyser. Cashclique.com Dollar$ign Newsletter provides proven paycheck stretching money management tips, tools, techniques and strategies to increase your personal cash flow. This is YOUR fail safe money management program. FREE subscription at http://www.cashclique.com/page4.htm
How's your business going to keep growing with the holidays... Read More
If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to... Read More
How much is your data worth to you? In this... Read More
Does your business have a money tree you can shake... Read More
Do you plan events for the corporate world like product... Read More
Web Site Blues? Need one, don't know where to start?... Read More
What is Choice Theory (CT)? CT is a theory of... Read More
1. You have a big goal and you want someone... Read More
Have you put a lot of effort, time, and money... Read More
Studies have proven that there is one reason why people... Read More
1. Admit there is a problem.The very first step in... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
Do you find great joy in being a coach? If... Read More
Skilled workers of every age have prized their tools. I... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
Talking is the least important half of any conversation. Listening... Read More
The Internet is a fast growing medium, trancending the personal... Read More
There are many places you can get books, and I... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
If you've been thinking of starting a business on the... Read More
Talk to Your People Often By building a great... Read More
10 Ways to Boost your ProfitabilitySo many business owners work... Read More
Are you not sure what Business to buy? Need to... Read More
Having business partner or planning to start a business with... Read More
Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More
Either simply a looker-on or a player in the world... Read More
We all are project managers. Some of us manage projects... Read More
Many businesses lose money yearly because they don't think creatively... Read More
I have some good news and I have some bad... Read More
My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More
For most business owners and entrepreneurs, preparing, and communicating the... Read More
Part Two of Cash to Cash Cycle SeriesNext: SalesWe've already... Read More
We all know that running a home business is highly... Read More
Positioning Your Company for Debt Financing:There was a time in... Read More
Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting While it's good to... Read More
Cash is king-so they say. If you work for yourself... Read More
Are you not sure what Business to buy? Need to... Read More
Leadership, leadership development and leadership training are "Hot" issues in... Read More
Looking for a manufacturer or supplier of home furnishings in... Read More
Do you run a business that seems to run you?... Read More
Clarity is an absolutely essential ingredient for you to achieve... Read More
Counselling non-performing team members is a tough part of any... Read More
Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and... Read More
Your business card is a valuable piece of real estate... Read More
Every event you hold can be extremely successful. Apply these... Read More
Gas prices continue to go through the roof and increased... Read More
I'm sure you've seen it happen every year: your business... Read More
Many mistakes can be made in business and if you... Read More
Sometime soon you will be attending some training. It may... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
1. Maintain regular working hours and stick to them.2. Get... Read More
One way links will help you gain better rankings in... Read More
1. Examine everything in your office from the view of... Read More
From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways... Read More
So many people I worked with said they got more... Read More
Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
Proofreading may not be terribly fun, but it's one of... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
Top Quick Tips |