I decided not to buy Commission Blueprint. I was almost seduced by dreams of making money with Adwords. I’m glad I saved my $297 $77.
So what’s my malfunction? When I evaluate whether or not I want to buy Internet Marketing products I do some rudimentary research to get a feel for the item. Something this new is tough to evaluate because all the gurus are pimping it and you really can’t get an honest review of it. We get the emails and they talk about how great the product is and offer extra bonuses to buy it, but you never get a sense of whether they actually used it before they tried to sell it to you. I’ve never had one email from a guru that said he used such and such and made $XXXX before trying to get me to buy it.
I initially do a web search on the product name. I don’t like seeing page after page of people selling the product. I get nervous about spending money if I see tons of Adwords ads promoting it too. I don’t like seeing a lot of hype. I don’t like seeing all the gurus and wannabe gurus trying to jump on the pimp wagon. It turns me off and definitely prevents me from clicking the buy button.
So you go out to the web and look for “Commission Blueprint reviews” and you come upon page after page of bullshit Squidoo Lens, Hubpages and domain name ripoff review sites that pretty much say nothing but rewrite the product’s salespage. You know, the same shit that gurus tell you to do to sell niche products. There is never a true review. Why? Because it’s too new. Nobody has used it long enough to know if it really works. Everybody is too intent on selling it.
If the damn thing was so great, don’t you think that the gurus would be working the program first instead of trying to make a few grand pimping? The product says it has made a half a million so far this year on one product. If it’s so badass why bother being an affiliate marketer? Just work the Blueprint. But no one knows if it works because they are too busy getting you to buy it.
The salespage says that you have to buy now or risk the price going up to $297. If the product actually works as it says it can, then why the hell would I care about spending $297? If it can teach me to earn four figures each day, why would I care about saving a couple of Benjamins? I figure if it’s so awesome people will start bragging about all the money they collected from using the system. Personally I’ve never heard anybody rave about any “make money online” course or ebook. Like real people. Not fake reviews or guru salespitches. Real people in forums or posting on blogs. I’ve got enough friends in this racket that would write or call and say “Dude you have to try this product. I am (or know someone) raking in the dough.” That has never happened. So I risk maybe they stop selling it to X number of people. Oh well, guess I’ll have missed an opportunity because I was too jaded. I’ll take the chance.
The thing that really pisses me off on the salespage is always the testimonials. They are always complimentary. But fake. I want to read testimonials that {honestly} say, “Awesome product. I made $751 from Aug 1-17 since you gave me a copy for evaluation.” I do not want to read crap like “You’re the best. Great product. The information is perfect for newbies.” That is no help.
I used to buy stuff and try it out and was never scared to ask for a refund. I don’t even bother anymore. I don’t believe anything that I read on salespages. Every single one is a hard sale. Think about the difference in a typical ad like from Best Buy and a landing page for some info product. It’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing that I’ve been sucked into the bullshit. It’s embarrassing that the products require this level of marketing. It’s pathetic.
If you do decide to buy it, just click away from the page. A fake “agent” will stop you and offer you another $10 off the product. You know, the thing that pops up and makes you think you are “chatting” with a real person. More bullshit.
I can’t say whether or not this Commission Blueprint is any good because I have not tried it. I’m not suggesting anywhere in this post that the product does or does not do what it says it will. Maybe this is the one that will make each one who buys it, and puts the method into action, extremely wealthy. Awesome. I’m simply writing a post explaining what goes into my thinking when hyped up products like this enter my email and whether I buy or not. More times these days, not.


68 responses so far ↓
Roger The Dodger // Aug 27, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Hi Splork,
I read all of your posts here and have done for bloody years now.
That one was special. I don’t know if it’s the mood I’m in or whether it was because it was pure Splork, all the way through. It made me chuckle in an ironic way, whch made me notice how your cynical, sarcastic, twisted side is just like mine.
I love the ‘nobody actually knows if it’s any good because they’re too busy trying to sell it.’ So funny yet so true.
That post made me proud to be one of the special 11. Or is it 8?
Andrew Peacock // Aug 27, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“I do not want to read crap like ‘You’re the best. Great product. The information is perfect for newbies.’…”
Funnily enough, when I read that sales page, that’s the very thought that went round my head, for the first time ever.
Glad o see someone else thinks the same,
Andy
barry // Aug 27, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hi,
This isn’t on topic for this post, but StoreStacker is “reopening.” Do you still like it? If you still like it and find it valuable and I buy it, can I buy it through you?
Splork // Aug 27, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Hey Roger, you are a member of the proud 11.
Splork // Aug 27, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Hey Andy, thanks for reading.
Splork // Aug 27, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Barry, I still use StoreStacker. I have not installed in onto a domain. I hang it off various domains in a folder as a “store”. I do much better with Ebay than the Amazon option. I use the Clickbank and You Tube modules. I have had no problems getting the stores indexed. I do slight modifications on the store pages. Some stores I might add my banner, other I’m too lazy. The templates are a bitch to modify. Nothing like HTML or PHP. I do very little mods. I found the system very easy to install. I add some text as product headers just to get some extra keywords in the mix. You can add Adsense if you want. I do on some, others I don’t. I’m kind of OCD about having my store look like my main site but I’m getting over it. I just want the Ebay click to set the cookie.
All that said, you can really do the same thing using Ebay widgets. You can use Shareasale “Make a Page” for that matter. Or even CJ’s Dynamic Showcase Builder. I use all three on Blogger Blogs. And damn if they don’t work.
I like StoreStacker. And I like using all of these options. They all have made me money.
Splork // Aug 27, 2008 at 7:57 pm
BTW - Make sure before you buy to already have an Ebay affiliate account unless you only want to promote Amazon or you plan on buying the other store option like Clickbank or Overstock. I haven’t bought the Overstock module yet.
Splork // Aug 27, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I am ranked #135 for the term Commission Blueprint in Google. Usually I can get on the first page for most of my posts topics. The competition for this is in-freakin-sane. Yet another reason I am skeptical.
Frank C // Aug 28, 2008 at 8:02 am
I’m releasing a new product on September 2nd and I’m going whole hog with a separate domain and cheesy sales page. I don’t have affiliates, guru testimonials or fake robo-sales agents though. I may be leaving money at the table.
Let’s see what we can do about your ranking “Commission Blueprint Review”. Maybe some good links will help.
John Matenkosky // Aug 28, 2008 at 8:24 am
Splork, you have put into some well-chosen words the way a lot of us feel about new IM products, i.e. they are nicely packaged, skillfully promoted, modern-day snake oil… Yet, without buying and trying, how can anybody really know if they work? Like my ol’ Pappy used to say, ya pays yer money and ya makes yer choice…
Commission Blueprint Review « BGMacaw’s Squawk Box // Aug 28, 2008 at 8:27 am
[…] and the like. Well, I’m going to tell my dad to save his bananas based on this Commission Blueprint Review by Splork of Lost Ball in High […]
Splork // Aug 28, 2008 at 8:53 am
Frank, I’d be surprised if you weren’t offering a software product. A product that you can instantly quantify the value by asking yourself do I need the tool for what it does. If so then it is a valuable item. If not then you probably don’t need to purchase. Ebooks and courses are completely different. The salespage hype may not be any different unfortunately but you can quantify the value much easier I think. Plus I’ve already purchased one of your products and you’ve already established cred with me because the software does exactly what I need it to do and it does it well.
I hardly ever have a beef with software. You kinda know what you are getting, hype or not. Ebooks seems to be different.
You are most likely leaving money on the table not getting the big list holders to pimp it for you. Then again if the product is excellent, word of mouth should make up for it and you won’t need people pushing it. It will be successful… honestly.
Thanks for the link push but I’m not sweating it. I just thought it was interesting the amount of competition for this product. 13 pages deep into the listings and the adword advertisements were still 8 deep.
Let me know if I can help with your product roll-out. I’ll be happy to give you a link or ad space for gratis. Not looking for anything in return. Just looking to help a brother out if I can.
barry // Aug 28, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hate to be a hudge, but clicking on your link to StoreStacker gets a commish to you, right?
Splork // Aug 28, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Yea I think so. I run everything through WP Affiliate Pro so I assume it’s working. Thanks for checking though. I appreciate it and hope if you purchase it you will like it. I think you will.
barry // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I bought it, so check your commish run.
If I don’t like it, well, at least it came from a good source and I’ll probably make my money back.
Splork // Aug 29, 2008 at 6:52 am
Thanks Barry. I really appreciate it. Give it a good try and I’m sure it will work out pretty good for you. Have any questions just give a shout. Looks like you may have got in on a good deal. You should have got Overstock and RSS modules. Hell, I didn’t even get that.
Frank C // Aug 29, 2008 at 7:06 am
Well, it looks like you’re up to #74 and my review of your review is at #55 so we made a dent in it. On the top ranking sites there’s a lot of powerful links boosting them. Makes you think, doesn’t it?
Maybe my next product should be an overhyped eBook that regurgitates the same old stuff on PPC. There have been several out in the last few weeks that say the same old stuff.
oink bot // Aug 29, 2008 at 9:22 am
re: commission blueprint
You can get a sense of the type of landing pages he does by googling a phrase found in one of the screen shot landing pages. A sentence or phrase you think chances are is unique to that site. You should then be able to find it on google pretty easily.
Paul Johnson // Aug 29, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I really don’t care either way how much hype a product has. If I want to buy it and I like it I keep it and learn lots. Great thing about clickbank is they are very quick to give you refunds if you don’t like a product. So I just don’t see what the risk is.
For the record I purchased commission blueprint and it seems like a very solid method, especially for people who need a solid blueprint to follow.
Rascal O. Scrimp // Aug 29, 2008 at 11:16 pm
You know what really bugged me about their sales page? They have one screen shot from CJ, or CB, or where ever and the payment is listed in £. Maybe I’m being pedantic but these guys are in North Carolina, why would they be getting paid in anything in other than USD? Whether it’s right or wrong or picky or whatever, it really shoots their cred to nothing, IMHO. Cool site by the way, it was nice to hear something other than “Buy it or something terrible will happen!”
Ton van Waard // Aug 30, 2008 at 10:02 am
Hello guy’s,
Why would a person who makes $500.000 plus from Click Bank even bother to sell a 77 dollar product?
The salesletter is one big “sales ptich” and for the life of me I do not understand why people think that by buying a 77 dollar product is going to make them so much of money that they can quit their dayjob.
Do all you newbies get now? Get a product together, have a few guru’s writing post orgasmic testimonials and launch the thing.
Aaarch, so predictable all of it.
Ton
Anees // Sep 1, 2008 at 5:41 am
Hello,
Thanks for this nice post and saving hundreds of dollars of other affiliate marketers who will now not waste on so-called gurus’ products.
I’m very glad to know that someone is thinking like me!
It is very true that if someone knows how to generate five or six figure income through online, they will never share with others because it is getting very touch nowadays even to make a comfortable incomr through online business!
You will see all these products are mushrooming on net every now and then but do not sustain last. Why? because all contain the same recycled story.
But these gurus also know the fact and they keep introducing new ebooks after few months.
At least Clickbank is quick in refunding the amount, but how many of innocent newbies ask for refunds - 5%, 10%, 20% ? Even if 50% ask for refunds, these gurus make money on remaining 50%, Isn’t it the cheating game?
I think Clickbank must take some serious note of high % of retun and must black list them.
For Newbies - Don’t buy any product. Learn on your own through free articles sources like Ezinearticles.com and do practice on little risk! You will surely going to succeed!
Anees
Splork’s Commission Blueprint Rantview | Web Marketing HowTo // Sep 4, 2008 at 9:41 am
[…] a look at his post, I Almost Bought Commission Blueprint to see what I mean. Here’s a couple of snippets, so you’ll get where I’m going […]
Joel // Sep 9, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Okay,
All online products have over do it on the sales pages and it is for this reason that people find it hard to decipher the good products from the bad.
Commission Blueprint is know different, they have a very convincing sales page that over promoted, however once behind the sales pitch Steve and Tim are the nicest people, they interact with members in the forum, constantly adding bits and pieces to the course and the techniques taught really work.
okay, i am an affiliate but there is a reason behind this and that is because i really do believe this is a fantastic product and feel others need to know about it.
Great blog by the way
http://www.commissionblueprintscam.com/
starwin // Sep 11, 2008 at 9:52 am
well splork, If I had an Oscar in my hand, I would have handed it over to you. I may say I would like to borrow your headline because I almost bought commission blueprint
Frankly the whole deal is such a huge lump of painstaking hardsale that it cringes on your nerves. If they are making potfuls of money, why would they be bothered about selling it to u for 97 dollars and top it they sound desperate when they say the money would go up if you dont buy by so and so date. It is not the case with commissionblueprint but with every god forsaken product in the net horizion.
As you said, for real reviews go to proper article directories or forum sites where people write without any thing on the back of the mind to hardsell..
FJ // Sep 16, 2008 at 8:08 am
I was about to buy it. Anyhow, i won’t…
John // Sep 22, 2008 at 12:18 am
Hey guys, Im a first timer here - just stumbled upon this blog as I too am considering purchasing CB.
Ill be picking up a copy tonight and will be sure to let everyone know how I go.
John
Joe // Oct 5, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding this scam… By doing so you saved innocent people from losing their money. Congrats!
Steven clayton // Oct 15, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Wow…
This is Steven Clayton, one of the authors of Commission Blueprint.
I guess I can understand the skeptical opinion of everyone…having bought lots of products myself in the past. But I have a few thoughts…random ones for sure.
1. To call a product a scam etc. because it’s too “popular”…seems silly.
2. To call a product a scam without even trying it…seems unfair.
3. There are screen shots in British Pounds because my partner lives in England! And some of our accounts are based there
4. Our testimonials are absolutely REAL, and we did post a few from people outlining their successes with the program after we launched as well.
I guess that’s it! We worked really hard on this, and it’s gotten excellent reviews overall from the people who have actually tried it.
Anyway, best of luck to everyone…I know there’s a lot of garbage out there…but…there are also some good things too. I just wanted everyone to know, that it’s not a “scam”..it’s quality material…well worth the price…and I personally stand by my own integrity.
Thanks for listening
Steve
Aidan // Oct 15, 2008 at 2:36 pm
The product is great. It works. Step by step, covers exactly whats needed. Fantastic product.
Splork // Oct 15, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Thanks for dropping by Steven. Glad you gave us a chance to understand the product a little more. I will say that I was only slamming the hype. I don’t like hype. I don’t buy hype. Like I mentioned in the original post, I wasn’t saying whether the product had value or not. It’s just what I do when I’m trying to figure out if I want to buy something. I’m a cynical bastard and typically do not get sucked into buying something anymore until I’m damn sure it will work. Like if I knew Aidan there and he told me it was working for him and I should give it a try. I hope you didn’t infer that I thought it was a scam as I didn’t think it was then and I don’t now.
I’m glad you took the time out to come give us your side. That says a lot to me. Most product owners do not.
Tom McBroom // Oct 15, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Well, Splork, at least you were honest and admit that you didn’t buy the product and were only slamming the hype.
I did buy the product and it is everything it said it was….and more. Furthermore, Steve is the only - and I mean only - IM advice owner that actively participates in his own forum and freely gives us his advice and help, all of which are in direct support of his product. He puts in countless hours on the forum responding to questions and requests for help.
Case in point: I recently asked Steve a question on the forum and received a reply nine minutes later….on a Sunday evening! I’ve bought other IM products and participated in other forums and have never seen anything like this. He is truly ethical and one of the good guys.
As to why it being so heavily promoted, it’s because IT WORKS. It’s many of the people who have bought it that are promoting it because they know it’s a good product and will sell and not disappoint the buyer. And yes, to make some money, too! And before you ask…no, I’m not promoting the product because I’m too busy promoting my own product, using Steve’s method.
Now, as to all the sales hype, yep, it’s all there. That’s because that’s the proven method for selling a product. And why would he sell a product so cheap if he’s making lots of money using the system himself? Well, I suspect it’s because he wants to overdeliver - and boy, did he! - and eventually get you to purchase his monthly membership (which I also did and which is also excellent), as well as other products he may release in the future. My guess is that that is where the big bucks are - in the monthly recurring income. And it doesn’t continue coming if the advice isn’t any good.
I apologize for this long winded post, but I wanted to set the record straight on one the very few legitimage IM products out there and on one of the truly honorable business persons on the Internet.
My advice to is to buy this one and see for youself - you can always return it. After that, it will be interesting to see if you take the trouble to take it all back…at least as far as Commission Blueprint is concerned.
Respectively,
Tom
Honey Wesley // Oct 16, 2008 at 3:00 am
And THAT is what separates Steve and Tim’s product from the bulk of the riff-raff out there…they are NOT like ‘most product owners’ and their product is not like most products.
People ARE making money with it…one guy cut his adspend by a third using the system, many others are making money with PPC for the first time.
It’s one of the few products I’ve purchased that exemplifies the phrase ‘over delivering’.
I have to admit, after reading your rant, I understand why you ’struggle with online success’ as your tagline states.
I’m just glad you’re the one that used the phrase ‘cynical bastard’…it kept me from having to.
Splork // Oct 16, 2008 at 6:38 am
Folks, I’m happy you are doing well with the program. I’m glad for you that the owners are ethical and nice and responsive. It’s good to hear from people that they are finding value in the product.
Again, when the product came out there was nothing to convince me that it was anything more than the hyped up, under producing junk, that is most Internet marketing products. None of the people that I ride with have mentioned it as being worthwhile, OR not, since the release.
I’m glad folks have taken the time to come over and give their opinion of the product. I appreciate it.
Shazbat // Oct 16, 2008 at 8:09 am
Respect to you Splork.
I was heartened to read that you were able to respond to Steve’s defence in a professional manner.
Anyone who has dealt with Steve and Tim will know that these guys stand head and shoulders above the many charletons out there.
Yes 99% of the products and promoters out there are full of bull, but there are just a few people left with integrity.
Phillip // Oct 17, 2008 at 11:49 am
The only things I found disapointing about ComBlue is it is in my opinion not really for beginners. I don’t think most people with no IM exerience like my self can really use it. In the future I will but learning IM by PPC is probably a fast way to lose alot of money.
Also what kinda disappointed me was the cost to actually put the methods into action. It can be done pretty small scale but to do it correctly you really need alot of capital to start with.
Not for beginners like me but for someone with IM experience or PPC experience could relly benifit.
If you have technical ability and can write your own sales pages that regulary convert over 1% buy CommBlue.
If your already a doing well with internet marketing and have some capital and want to add PPC to the mix buy CommBlue.
If your a biginner like me stick with SEO untill you gain some experience and have some capital to start learning PPC.
Steve’s system will cost 5000$ minimum to do correctly. You properly test 6 or 7 Idea’s find 1 that sticks and scale it. This takes capital and you dont get payouts everyday from your affilate companies to put back in so you have to be able to keep things running until you start getting the checks comming in.
Many people do it with less but in reality he gives it to you how it should really be done and it’s just more money than most people have to do right.
I cant use CommBlue with my experience level or capital level but I did not ask for a refund because I will use it in the future and the information is solid. Even if I can’t use it for a few years the only thing that is likely to change is what tools are the best to use.
I think the product is top notch Im just not ready to put it to work. I think Splork would be happy with it since he is allready making money online and has already used PPC .
Give it a try Splork, I’m willing to bet you would promote it yourself and would love it. He offers a money back garuntee so theres no risk to you.
I think the beginners should practice with SEO and their sales pages, if you can convert well and have the capital then PPC will be an awsome thing for you. I look forward to the faster money when I reach that level but for now I will work on lest costly methods to gain experience and capital.
RitaM // Oct 18, 2008 at 10:12 am
Hi folks,
I thought I’d quickly offer my tuppence worth…
I purchased Commission Blueprint yesterady and I am absolutely delighted with it. It delivers EXACTLY what it says…and more.
I wouldn’t say it’s not designed for the newbie marketer, rather that it’s not designed as a how-to course in copywriting, HTML or the nitty-gritty of website creation but if a newbie buys it, as Philip pointed out above, it’s definitely something that can be implemented as soon as the absolute beginner gains a little more knowledge and experience.
(Steve also refers to that in the videos, he says that it’s not a “primer” for PPC or anything else that is freely available on the ‘net, so the user should at least be familiar with the basics.)
To me, the sales page would appeal more to someone who has been studying/researching IM for a while and has a basic grasp of what needs to be done. What Commission Blueprint does is it takes that “I know what I need to do, I just don’t know where to start” feeling and guides the user through HOW to tie it all together. It does this extremely well.
If someone is thinking of using PPC then this program is a good a place to start when you consider how many eBooks you’d have to read through and how many hours you’d spend scouring the web looking for good material. My suggestion would be to read Google’s own documentation (for AdWords) to grasp the basic terms, then refer to Commission Blueprint for the tips & tricks.
The videos are excellent, honestly. It’s like sitting in a classroom with a real live tutor. The information is step-by-step and easy to understand.
As regards displaying British puounds in the sales page…bear in mind that the US and Canada aren’t the only countries with internet-using folk. According to people I’ve spoken to here in Ireland for example, people are very guarded about… a) ordering from a dot.com site and b) ordering in dollars. It may seem silly to us more seasoned internet users but the country is still very much in it’s infancy as far as internet usage is concerned.
In fact, offering a pound or euro equivalent on your sales pages might appeal to these users as they’d feel more comfortable and familiar if they saw something that denotes “close to home”. Maybe there’s a lot of money being left on the table from this perspective??
Hope this helps anyone looking for an honest review of Commission Blueprint…and with the solid money-back guarantee, you’ve nothing to lose but a few hours of your time.
Rita M.
Co Wexford, Ireland
Clint // Oct 23, 2008 at 7:18 am
For those that are new to affiliate marketing if you do get this product you may not understand it now, but you will later. I bought a book that took me through the whole process of affiliate marketing when I first started,I didn’t understand it all, but I finally learned.
The problem I made was I kept on buying every time something new came out. Don’t make the same mistake I made. Once you learn the info in this product don’t keep looking for an easier way to do things. Do what you learned and if you don’t make money, it’s not the info you bought, it’s because you tried to take a short cut and not do the hard work involved.
Clint
Anders Schultz // Nov 9, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hi Splork.
I just searched for “Commission Blueprint” because I needed to find info on the product (still wondering if I should purchase it). Your page now came up as 5th result on first page. So, either the hype has dropped or your site has improved its rankings :-). Probably due to all the comments on the page now?
Cheers,
Anders
Splork // Nov 9, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Hey Anders. Thanks for the heads up. I had no idea. It’s probably a little of both plus the viral nature of saying you don’t care for something when a lot of people do. I have a feeling a lot of people commented about my post in forums and such and the title definitely doesn’t hurt as that is what they link with.
I really need to get with the program and be more positive about shit so I can collect affiliate commissions. High ranking means nothing when you aren’t collecting anything but eyeballs.
Ron Haddock // Nov 15, 2008 at 8:37 am
What a great Blog. I really appreciate the honesty from all the individuals posting and how nice it is to find their perception not unlike my own. Part of the problem is the overwhelming number of different ways to make money on the internet and the inability of newbies “and myself” to lay out a plan and only focus on it till success and not get sidetracked by every polished sales letter that shows up. I truly believe at this moment in time the internet is still the Gold Rush of our era. Saying that of course history shows the ones who really made the money supplied the tools and items to survive in the Gold Rush… Good Luck to all in their endeavors.
Stockripper // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Wow…Talk about missing potential.. You have a great opportunity to test this product as well as your salt in the affiliate game. Where this post is listed on google can you imagine if you tried this product and liked it and even recommended it how much ..CASH you could pull. You started and have a honest position about this product….
But if it lives up to the hype…You also have a built in audience… This is worth the Gamble.
Ziah // Nov 15, 2008 at 5:41 pm
To tell you the truth, I am a member of Commision Blueprint. I can tell you it’s the best information and help I have come across in the almost two years of doing this. Tim and Steve, the authors, help us out in the forums and the tools they offer are amazing. Lots of good free stuff to help get you going like templates, and as I mentioned the tools. It was the best $77 I’ve ever spent. No reason to try to get anyone to believe me…I’m not selling anything either. I’m just here to leave the truth. CommBlue is not a scam or some hyped up garbage. If you’re serious about making money as an affiliate, then this is what you need.
Splork // Nov 15, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Thanks for reading Ron. This is a tough business. But you’re probably right. Find the right place for yourself and I’m sure you can make some money.
Splork // Nov 15, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Stockripper. I’m pretty sure I could make money with this blog. But then again I would find myself a hypocrite and no one would bother reading anyway because I’d be just another guberu pimping shit. It’s a difficult position I put myself in. Being negative and showing the worst in IM is sure to get me some readers, but guarantees I won’t be able to make any sales. Then again, when I say I like something like StoreStacker or AMA you can bet I mean it. I guess I could be disingenuous like many of the guberus that I get emails from and just pretend to like shit. I could probably create a huge email list and spam every other offer that rolls out of Crapbank. I’m just not interested in being that guy. I’ll continue to write it like I see it. Whether I buy it or not. And I’ll say as much and why I did or didn’t buy something.
But yea I agree with you. I could make some money. I could simply start liking stuff whether I believe it or not and I’d probably make some sales. I think that might disappoint some people and I wouldn’t be true to myself and what I set out to do with this blog.
So I’m fine not making any money with this blog. I’m a cranky bastard and it gives me a chance to vent a bit. And I’ve been able to develop some good friendships over the last year so it’s worth it.
Splork // Nov 15, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Ziah. Thanks for taking the time to give a different point of view.
I will say that I’ve never thought it was a scam. My post was on the hype. Whether it works or not, there wa a ton of hype surrounding this product. Tons of guberus pimped the shit out this thing. Good or bad. And of all the emails that I received not one has written back and said, “guys I continue to believe this is the real deal. I’ve made 6,000 George Washingtons this month alone.” No, they’ve moved on to Google Dagger or PPC Mountain Money Machine or some shit.
But I’m glad you are finding value in it. That’s what it’s all about. Maybe I’ll wade in and give it a try one day.
rakish // Nov 19, 2008 at 1:23 am
I have tried over the last 8 years many many I M programs and have lost thousands of $. Does anyone really make all this huge amounts that is being projected as Commissions Received?
Is there any ONE REAL programs which pays you?
Lucie // Nov 19, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I bought Commission Blueprint about a month ago. I have gone through all the videos several times and I’ve started applying the great tips and step-by-step blueprint. This is the real thing. If you want to learn how to do PPC correctly, this is THE product to buy. I agree with the person above who said that it takes some starting capital, but it’s all worth it. If you want your own business, you have to invest some cash! And yes, Steve spends a LOT of time in the forum answering questions from members.
Ijaz Samuel // Nov 20, 2008 at 7:59 am
Anyone has a link/website which explains all the jargon used PPC, SEO etc. Thanks for the help.
Antonio // Nov 22, 2008 at 10:49 pm
To the Gent who wrote the Article…I have a question. Are you a full time internet mareketer? 2ndly Are you making a strong 5 figure monthly income consistantly? 3rd Why should the viewers of this blog trust your view on products ebooks etc…?
Thanks Antonio
Splork // Nov 23, 2008 at 2:13 pm
1st-Thank god no.
2nd- I make around 12 dollars a month. Some months 17, if I engage in fraudulent click activities.
3rd - I would say it would have to be my optimism. I’m a believer.
Denise // Nov 29, 2008 at 8:33 am
I was just at another forum and they were hyping the crap out of this stuff.
When I went to do a search on it I found your post at position two for commission blueprint on Google and new I would get the scoop.
Thank God I did! I definitely do not have the capital to invest in PPC. Your post just saved me from another useless product. If I want the best PPC advice I know where I can get it for free.
Thanks again for the post!
Splork // Nov 29, 2008 at 10:18 am
#2. That’s pretty funny. Too bad I didn’t do a bait and switch and write a fake review to get some affiliate sales. I’m so stupid. I don’t know if the product is worthwhile or not. People keep telling me I’m wrong to assume it doesn’t work. It just wasn’t for me and I simply explained why.
Funny thing about product forums. They turn into little cults. Some of these people would probably die for their leader.
Denise // Nov 29, 2008 at 10:29 am
I was a forum groupie for a while when I first started and hung on their every word. Now I know better.
But I do have enough since not to invest in PPC when I cannot make money with affiliate marketing and SEO first. And if I do ever decide to get into PPC I will go to my friend Ruck’s blog and get all the information I need for free. Plus get support in his forum.
Way too much rehashed stuff for sale that is around for free.
Jeff // Dec 3, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Finally - an honest review in the midst of a pile of rubbish. Thank you
Dan // Dec 3, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I think this is the best site I have seen on IM. So many of the things Splork said are ABSOLUTELY true. Helps make the patterns clear when its so easy to get sidetracked and sucked in to another slick sales letter as one poster put it. Helps keep your feet on the ground.
Ijaz- there are some sites that provide explaining the jargon. Maketingterms.com is one but beware many want you to pay for gods sake.
Splork // Dec 3, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Thanks for reading Jeff.
Splork // Dec 3, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Thanks for the kind words Dan. I appreciate you reading
Terence // Dec 8, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I respect your honesty Splork which is probably why you are not making money from this site. Let’s face it if everyone told the truth like you there would hardly be any internet marketing products around would there?
But, as a Commission BLueprint purchaser I can tell you that the information it gives you is comprehensive and valuable. I have bought many crappy products but this is not one of them.
Sao // Dec 10, 2008 at 1:03 am
Interesting blog. I do find one particular element more interesting than others however.
You describe your disdain for sites hawking products in a hard sell manner. The ones who tell of great success, only contain success beyond belief stories etc.
I then click on your Tools I Use page which lists nichebot at the top. I click…
It is written precisely in the manner you loathe yet is something we should never live without.
So which is it? The answer is simple…you’ve tested/used one and not the one you are skeptical of. After seeing this I’m not even sure I can trust you!
No…I have not purchased CB. Undecided.
Just thought I would share.
Splork // Dec 10, 2008 at 11:26 am
You should not trust me. You don’t know me. I’m not asking you or anybody to trust me. I’m not selling anything so I really don’t care if you trust me or not. Readers of this blog pay nothing for my thoughts. I’m simply blogging to about 12 people my experiences in this business. I listed the tools I use. Take it or leave it. Read it or don’t. Buy what I say I like. Buy what I say I don’t. I honestly don’t care. These are my views. Make up you own mind.
John // Dec 16, 2008 at 4:11 pm
A skeptical person can find excellent arguments against success.
The trick of it is that the fool ‘falls’ for things good and bad, but the skeptic ‘falls’ for neither.
I am a skeptic and generally look critically and jadedly at things myself but I realize that I also do shun things that really can work.
This product seems to have some very honest reviews in the comments of this blog that convince me the info is of a high quality, maybe it is worth the punt.
I recently ‘fell’ for a weight loss diet I had been too savvy to fall for years ago when I first found it, and now without effort weight is falling off me and I feel great.
email me, aether22 at gmail
Malcolm Lambe // Dec 22, 2008 at 10:48 am
Mate, enjoyed your post. Like many others I found you after searching the keywords “commission blueprint” in Google. You’re #2 after the product itself.
Yes I find the sales page (”landing page”) of Commission Blueprint full of the usual hype and laid out like all the rest. And I puke over the “testimonials”. (I suspect it’s written by the specialist I.M. copywriter Frank Kern - the giveaway is the use of his favourite word “fancypants”. He’s also an affiliate.)
And yes its an insult to our intelligence and bloody annoying when they use the same old sales tactics of “buy now as the price is going up” and the pop-ups/pop-overs/virtual sales agents/”wait, don’t go we’ll give you $10 off” BS really bugs me.
Add to that the fact that every man and his dog is flogging this thing as an affiliate - making $66.47 per sale.
BUT, nonwithstanding the above, I reckon I’m going to buy the thing, follow it to the letter and write about it. So even if it’s a dud I’ll still get some mileage out of it. I’ve never bought one of these programs before. (Unless you count “Traffic Geyser” - a way of manipulating the search engines with video - works until Google gets the shits with you and pulls them all down.)
Like you I’m extremely sceptical of all these internet marketers. Especially the ones with the cheesy sites and cheesy names. Speaking of which, click on my name and it’ll take you to a post on my site about Frank Kern (”Mass Control”, “Infomillionaire”, “Stompernet” etc) being busted by the Federal Trade Commission 5 years back for running a chain-marketing scheme - “To achieve the promised $115,000 in earnings, consumers each would have to sell the product to 2400 additional consumers, who would each need to sell to 2400 additional consumers to achieve the same earnings, according to the FTC. By the third generation of the scheme, participants would need to make more than 13.8 billion sales, more than twice the earth’s population, for each of them to achieve the advertised earnings.”
And as you so rightly point out, if you’d come up with a way of making millions online why would you want to share it? We’ll see.
Splork // Dec 22, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for reading Malcolm. Good luck with the program. I’ll be interested in reading about your experience.
#2. Man I really should have said I liked the thing. This negativity racket is not cashing in.
Malcolm Lambe // Dec 23, 2008 at 1:42 am
@ Splork, there’s a way around that. Make yourself an affiliate of Commission Bullshit…I mean “Blueprint”…and put your link up at the end of this post. Say something like “I’m not convinced this is kosher but if you really want to waste your money here’s where to get it”. You’ll be competing with all the Bozos who promise “amazing bonuses” but you could always throw in your Mystery Bonus (”worth $997!”) - a video of your neighbour getting undresssed or some bloody thing.
It’s Mac compatible - I emailed them and they got back to me pretty quick. And I read somewhere they recommend you use another product called “SpeedPPC” as well. No doubt they pick up an affiliate commission on that. But this baby costs $397 and needs a PC to run it. Then they suggest you sign up for their monthly newsletter where they take another $67 a month (after a $4.95 trial). I guess that’s where they make their dosh - regularly hoovering $67 a month out of your account - $804 over a year.
James Heremaia // Dec 23, 2008 at 10:12 am
Well I was sceptical from the moment I read the ad because I received the original entry and discount to $97 some months ago Sept 2008 and was amazed at the date then and if I didnt join in a few days it was all over well stone me with ball bearings I see the same ad with the same discount 24/12/2008 and your right when I clicked away a bloody jumped up ad giving me a $10 discount absolutely hissed me off I knew it was a scam straight away. Im glad I read your blog abaout it thanks a million because I think thats about the best warning information anybody can give away free for Xmas 2008 in this bad economic environment. Merry Xmas all
Malcolm Lambe // Dec 27, 2008 at 1:24 am
I’ve bought Commission Blueprint and I’m working my way through the videos. So far it seems on the level. Steve Clayton appears to know what he’s talking about and doesn’t sprout the usual marketing bullshit. He’s pointed me to some great tools. Amongst them a new niche marketing tool (still in Beta) called Market Samurai. This one’s a doozy. I’ve been fiddling with the free version for hours. I’m reviewing these vids as I watch them. The first two were just a bit of a ramble from Steve - lots of umming and ahhing - but 3 & 4 have been very interesting. For instance he says “It no longer makes any sense to just take 20,000 keywords, slap up the same stupid ad, blast it out all over Adwords…my most profitable campaign has less than 100 keywords”.
So I don’t know if the thing works yet. Looks like I might have to spend a couple of grand to find out. I’ll tell you how I go or drop by and check out my struggle. Where’s your next post BTW? cheers, Mal, Paris.
Splork // Dec 27, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’ve heard good things about CB. I was just annoyed at the marketing of it as with every other affiliate product.
I’m too lazy to post much. Plus I have to come up with something to ramble about.
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