Internet Marketing - A New Kind of MLM?

What does Internet marketing have in common with MLM (Multi-level Marketing)? The answer is nothing. Oh, I guess that's a little confusing. I mean that in terms of a real product, they seem to share the quality of "nothing" (zip, zero, zilch).Okay, I'll admit it; I'm not an MLM expert, but from the outside looking in, most MLM schemes seem to be a little shy on product. In fact, most of them will be quite blatant about letting you know that the "real money" is in recruiting others into the program.As many practice it today, Internet marketing has much the same kind of feel. In much the same way that MLM is the product, Internet Marketing has become its own product. Internet marketing is the modern "black magic"; a mystical quality lurking in the virtual vapors of the Internet. There is a "no one gets it, but everyone wants to" quality about Internet marketing that puts it at the top of the charts in the mind of every wannabe Internet entrepreneur.The demand for Internet marketing is so high; copywriters are having great success selling us the dream of a magic bullet. Internet marketing is thought of more as product than a skill. And unfortunately, many entrepreneurs, (far too many) seek to solve their own problem of not being able to market, by selling the dream of Internet marketing in a box."Google AdWords Cracked!", "The Search Engine Crusher", "Sensible AdSense", "Warning: Using This Product Will Raise Your Google Ranking Dangerously High-Do Not Use Without A Parachute." The intensifying torrential rain of these wannabe ad traps is flooding the Internet, leaving in its wake the cracked and broken dreams of tens of thousands of once hopeful, newbie online entrepreneurs.Do these "wonder" products have any value at all? You bet! They have great value to the few who have gone through the effort of getting an education. This Internet marketing minority has paid their dues and has gained a true skill. And now they are using that skill to make their online fortunes selling one of the most in-demand products-Instant Internet Marketing Know-how-to a product starved audience (wannabe online entrepreneurs).Now you might be asking yourself, "how can I tell the real Internet marketing gurus from the wannabes if they are both selling the same products?" Well the answer is simple; the gurus Create and Sell the product, the wannabes Buy the product and Try to sell it.When the wannabes buy the product, they're thinking "WOW! This is a great product! Assuming the product has some real value (most don't), the wannabe skips through a few pages here and there and gets all excited about the "great stuff!" Everybody is going to know this stuff. I'm going to sign up for the affiliate program and make a fortune!"Of course, this is exactly what our trained internet marketing experts want them to think. In fact, all the wannabe is doing in her/his mind is repeating and believing all the promises made in that brilliant ad copy that got them hooked in the first place.However, the wannabe tries to market the program and nothing happens (somehow the notion that the material should be applied doesn't register). Soon they are back in the marketplace looking for an even better miracle product. Many end up enrolling in some kind of recurring payment wonder-plan that promises a steady flow of secrets only insiders know-and of course, the other 50,000 members.Why did they do this? Well, because the other wonder-product didn't sell. Why didn't it sell? Because the wannabe has no marketing skills and in the end, no matter how wonderful wonder-product is; products don't sell themselves.What we end up with looks like a distorted MLM-everybody is out there trying to sell everyone else on internet marketing and very few people actually DOING any marketing. How do I know this? 'Cause I've bought my share of wonder-products. In fact, if they ever start giving out wonder-product purchase awards, I'll have to build an extension on the house so I'll have enough space to store the darn things.So if you suspect you are one of those wannabes I'm talking about, don't feel bad, and please know that I am not casting any stones. The only difference between you and me is that I've been on the trail a little longer. The good news is; if you recognize yourself in this article, you're ready to go to the next level.The baton of knowledge I pass to you is this: don't try to buy internet marketing in a box. Invest in yourself and get some skills. Internet marketing is not hard, but it is a discipline and you must acquire it. Once you do, your life will change, and the world of Internet Marketing will open up to you and yield the secrets of earning money online.