A Different Sort of Success Story

[shing]

Hello All,

Today, I went to an online marketer's seminar held in my area. It was basically round 1 to encourage us to move on to the next round. It's really the first seminar of that type I have attended.

The group was bright, excited, and believed in what they were doing. They really believed in their product and presentation and they did a good job, too. Two years ago, I would have been amazed at the new world they opened to all of us in the audience. The internet IS amazing and so is working at home. I took notes because there were some interesting perspectives there, but surprisingly - I was wayyyy beyond the presentation. (They market to new beginners - opening up this world to them, but said they occasionally get an advanced student and we can profit from the seminars, too.)

The first presentation was free. The second only costs $20 for full day of seminars that last from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. They have a great way to present niche/product marketing. And they make this presentation throughout the world. It's effective enough to keep them doing well.

After that last seminar, they present the audience with the option to purchase hosting through their company with support, and a website for $2700 per year and will wave the one time only $2800 for those attending the seminar.

Looks like a great product, really. But as I was sitting there, I realized that through TOPS, we have received an education and support equal - if not exceeding this expensive path. Sure, it takes trial and error, especially in phase 3, but we're probably not going to lose $5000 during that learning process.

I left early with my Dad, so one of the guys stopped me on the way out and asked me if I would attend the next seminar. I told him that I already had my own online business and didn't want to waste my time sitting through hours of meetings that would tell me much of what I already know. He asked if any of the topics were of interest. I told him maybe the SEO portion.

So he grabbed me a sign up sheet, wrote 'advanced student' across the top of the sheet - I paid my $20, hoping I will get some good tips - (Can you ever get too much SEO tips?) and really began realizing how far all of us have come. (And since I'm advanced, I only need to attend the 3 hour SEO portion.)

He asked if I was with 'such and such' a group with my training. I told him I was trained through TOPS Online Profit, but that my website is my own.

Guys, open your eyes to the opportunity and training - and support we have here! Give yourself a pat on the back for what you're accomplishing, then send some big 'thank you's' to Erich, and all your personal mentors here!! No matter what phase you're in, or where you're at in your advertising - or with your profitable website, we have the tools, training, and support to succeed on the net!!

Thank you all!!!!!

Shawna

[zeta]

Shawna
Thanks for sharing your exciting day!
Congratulations on being an "Advanced" student!!
The other great thing with TOPS and Erich, is that all the
information is available, but the beauty of it is that you can
work it at your own pace, spend as much or as little as you
can or want, and work on it when you want. I bet some of the
newbie's there were exhausted and confused trying to learn
all that in one day.

I'm sure you were disappointed that you didn't learn more, but
I am also sure you felt good you have learned the basics already
and headed down the right path!

I hope you get some great tips on SEO, I would love to attend a
marketing seminar, that is my weakness. I have found great articles on SEO
on the Internet, but still not perfected in writing my ads.

Good luck on the next seminar, hopefully you don't have to wait too long for it.

Zeta

[Sandi Moses]

The value of what we have here at TOPS goes far beyond what we have learned about web site design, marketing, etc. (As if that were not enough!!!)

Hopefully we will have learned that there is never, no way, ever, anyone - especially a clueless newbie who needs no bandwidth and will draw no traffic - should spend that kind of money on web hosting.

Even though those folks may be dispensing valuable information, it almost sounds like they are luring the unsuspecting newbie into their sticky spider web and fleecing said newbie of his/her hard-earned cash before said newbie knows what happened.

Hopefully they will all have enough sense to keep their wallets closed, but sadly some of them won't. Only too late will they realize how much more they could have had and how much less they could have spent to get it.

I could be totally wrong (wouldn't be the first time ) but "Advanced Student" could be an insider code that translates "Don't try to pull the wool over this one's eyes because she already knows too much to fall for it."

Nevertheless, $20 is definitely not too much to pay for good SEO info. You are so right, you can never get too much good SEO info! Let us know if you get some good tips!

Sandi

[mpatton]

I second and Third what Shawna said :

erichw33.proboards53.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=wahs&thread=1179527392&page=1

The $200.00 or so for getting into TOP's and the three phase is so little for what you are able to receive in both web design, and marketing techniques. Then you have the added value of this forum, associates you can turn to when a problem arises, or just a question about products or opportunities.

Michael

[troyzone]

That's great Shawna, thanks for a very interesting post. It just goes to show how much you really do learn gradually with TOPS/3PP, and often without realizing how far you have really come. Later on, you think back to when you started and then suddenly it hits you ;D I bet you could have given most or all of the lecture at that first meeting you went to

Congratulations on all of your great accomplishments and accumulation of knowledge, and thanks for reminding everyone here how valuable their 3PP training truly is.

Troy

[Skyrocket]

Hi Shawna,

what a fantastic story! Hopefully the confidence you've gained by this experience will be felt by all that read this and that the big message that the incredible amount of knowledge to be gained here should not be underestimated.

To Troys point also, I guess it's like watching your kids grow, you don't realise how they've grown and changed until someone who hasn't seen them in a while says "Wow, he's getting big and he's speaking so clearly now!". Because this is a gradual learning experience, we all have the luxury of going at our own pace, we probably don't realise how much we've actually grown in our knowledge, until someone or something makes us take a step back and see it.

To Sandi's points too, it is a big shame that people are ripped off when their desire to have what they don't understand is exploited. I've been in their position a few times in the past and know how gut wrenching it is when you realise that you've been had and that there is nothing you can do about it! Luckily I survived, I've learnt, I'm now wiser for it and I've found this wonderful place

Regards,

Jim

[Lori]

What a wonderful story Shawna!

I’ve seen so many members go from not knowing anything about an online business (including me), to making their very own website and then I hear….”I just received my biggest check ever!” How great is that! How many people do you think actually end up saying “that” after they pay all that money when the seminars are over???

What we have is an everlasting learning process that won’t be found anywhere else. After all these years, I’m still learning something new all the time. It must of felt great to tell him you already have your own online business and you know what you’re doing!

You’re absolutely right…we have the best of everything and everything we need to succeed and most important…we got each other!

Thanks for sharing!
Lori

[Erich]

Shawna

I'm always happy to see posts like yours in this thread. There are a lot of companies giving seminars for a fee like the one you attended and many of them are worthwhile for the motivated person. The thing is [like you found out] the cost of the product & service for most of these.... is astronomical compared to Tops.

When a new Tops affiliate reaches Phase 3... they have all the knowledge, tools, and resources which these companies charge thousands of dollars for.... Not to mention the Tops website which I believe is the best in our industry.

The website directory and knowledge gained thru Tops is the most important part of what we provide. Both avenues lead to the same thing... a profitable home based business. I just like to think ours is much the best...

I normally tell a new Phase 3 Tops affiliate that not only do they now have a profitable website... but they have learned new skills that will serve them the rest of their life....

Thanks for sharing this with us...

Erich

[talfighel]

I bet you all that there are plenty of "online seminars" out there that can open a whole new world of opportunities for people who are searching for that field. These seminars may be really good and the presentations there may be awesome but Erich's is the best.

I don't think that you can find people and a great leader like Erich any where else. You prpbably can but imagine how much you would have to invest just to get find out on how to start.

All the info that anyone would need to succeed online is RIGHT HERE at the forum.

Tal

[stirls]

Shawna - that is one of the best stories I have read in this forum! There have been other success stories about how much money people have made or sign ups they had over a period of time but yours is the best one for one simple reason - it proves that you have learned so much in this program. And unlike money earned - knowledge learned can never be lost!

Great work Shawna and I look forward to the invitation to the seminar that you will be hosting in my area soon

Chris Stirling

[shing]

Ha Ha! That would be YOU, Chris!!

I do want to explain that they are not working with affiliate marketing, rather with niche marketing. They become the middle man to pass on the savings through drop shipping. It's a great idea, really. But I believe at this point, if any one of us wanted to change our focus to become a marketer for drop shipping - with the knowledge we've received from the phases, we could easily change focus without spending that amount of money!

And Lori, I was certainly where you were, as you probably remember. I could email and shop online a few years ago, but that's about it. I think Erich is brilliant to have each of us build our own sites and 'learn a little html' and to have us learn at our own pace in our own way. Each little step, as Jim and Troy mentioned adds to our base and we grow without realizing it until the 'aha' moment.

You all know that as a supposedly 'advanced' person in the group yesterday - I'm still not the smartest marketer or technical person. But I'm a success story when I look back for me, personally. And that's what I want every single person working through the phases to realize!!

Shawna

[Jimmy]

Great story Shawna.

Before TOPS/3PP I knew my way around a computer. But I did not know anything about HTML, CSS, but thanks to Erich's help and many others on this forum that help me get through the three phases. I am moving along slowly right now, but I know in the near future I will posting my own success stories.

Thanks again Erich and all of the forum managers.

Jimmy

[cindi]

Shawna,
Thanks for the post! I take it for granted now because I have three websites, but I literally knew nothing about html before I joined Tops. I go through my websites as if I have been doing it forever, not THREE MONTHS!
Thanks to TOPS, I received an education that didn't cost me an arm and a leg!

Cindi

[oleta]

Shawna,

A great post! One I needed to read. This really is a great opportunity, and I am thankful for it!

Oleta

[Erich]

Hi Cindi, Shawna, Chris, Tal... and all others into Phase 3 Of Tops 3PP.

It seems like I'm running into several of you guys posts today... which is good because I needed to say a few things about you... which of course applies to many other Tops affiliates getting to the level you currently are at....

Due to your proactivity, hard work, and ability to follow online instructions... along with your commitment to Tops 3PP... you have learned as much as many first and 2nd year College students [paying thousands of dollars for books, tuition, and other fees] taking and studying Computer technology classes [at the Community College and Universty level] focusing on webpage design/development and online marketing.

If used properly, this knowledge and these skills are going to be invaluable to you in the future as the internet continues to grow and evolve.... which is inevitable.

Not only are you going to do well with Tops 3PP, but the possibilites are unlimited in what you can and will do with all you've learned and are continuing to learn. The key now is application of these talents and abilities not only for financial gain.... but for helping others.

I might be streching this a bit... but I believe many of you and our other Tops 3PP affiliates who are in Phase 3 or "Elites"... have very similar skills to those who have an AA degree in Computer Science.

Your future is bright!

Good Luck

Erich

PS: Please understand that I don't want to insult any of you... I don't know any of your educational backgounds so there could be many of you with Bachelors and Masters degrees in this and/or other areas

[shing]

Thank you for your post, Erich. I am so grateful for the knowledge you have given us through the phase 3 program and for all those willing to share along the way. We are so blessed here in this forum to have each other - and Erich and Tom - and Skyrocket, Stirls, Troy, the Loris, Adam, Susan, Tal, etc., etc., etc. I have been on the net for a few years now with this opportunity. I am always being bombarded with other offers, etc. Nothing even begins to compare.

I think part of that is the effort Erich requires before we can move through the phases. We have to find our personal best during that journey. Once we realize that success isn't handed to us on a silver platter and we start to put in the effort necessary, with the knowledge we are given in TOPS, we will eventually succeed.

I'm reminded of Jeff Casmer's post about being interviewed recently. I was personally asked to be a speaker somewhere in the country as a successful work at home business owner. However, their requirement was that I needed to tell them how fast and easy it was. I couldn't do that. Without experience, it hasn't been a fast or easy path for me. But it is effective!

Thanks for your belief in us, Erich. And thanks for your kind words. And especially - thanks for feeling like you need to give back. We are all the lucky recipients of your generosity.

Shawna

[Lori G.]

I agree Shawna. The knowledge we all gained here is a valuable asset. The best part is that it was free. All because of Erich and others here that are willing to take the time to share and help others.

I think you hit the nail on the head Shawna when you said "I think part of that is the effort Erich requires before we can move through the phases. We have to find our personal best during that journey. Once we realize that success isn't handed to us on a silver platter and we start to put in the effort necessary, with the knowledge we are given in TOPS, we will eventually succeed." I've seen a lot of members come and go. It is only the ones with the desire and determination to succeed, that will stick around.

Lori

[mcomo]

lori said:

I agree Shawna. The knowledge we all gained here is a valuable asset. The best part is that it was free. All because of Erich and others here that are willing to take the time to share and help others.

I think you hit the nail on the head Shawna when you said "I think part of that is the effort Erich requires before we can move through the phases. We have to find our personal best during that journey. Once we realize that success isn't handed to us on a silver platter and we start to put in the effort necessary, with the knowledge we are given in TOPS, we will eventually succeed." I've seen a lot of members come and go. It is only the ones with the desire and determination to succeed, that will stick around.

Lori

Very good points indeed. When I think of how far I have come...Geesh. Having no idea how to build a web site and now I'm and Elite member with Tops & Silver Team Leader with SFI. There is no way no way I could have done it without Erich and the team here. It really is mind boggling and I've met some really nice people too.

I'm in hopes that at some point we will have a thread just for Elite members. Not to keep anyone in the dark, but merely to keep people from getting confused. It's so easy to get excited and jump around from one thing to another. In the beginning you need to focus on putting your site together properly. Once you gotten through phase III then it's the marketing etc.

In summary it sure is nice having Erich, Tom and some of the old timers here to keep the ship heading in the right direction. I've seen several times when Erich will step in (in a nice way) when he sees that we may be "Cutting our nose off to spite our face".

This sure is a fun business. I love it. Thank you to all who have helped me again.

Mike C
P.S. A big Thank You to Elaine.

[shing]

I found this interesting as I was browsing through some of the communications from MPM today. The founder said this regarding affiliate marketing:

"The only people who make real money with Affiliate Marketing are those people who are pros in E-Commerce, website development, Search Engine optimization, and other things that the average person simply won't be able to succeed at. Again, if the merchant has enough people out there selling just 1 or 2 things it all adds up to great money for them - but it doesn't make much for the Affiliate. "

I guess Erich's right because I sure thought of myself as the 'average person' until now.

Shawna

[cindi]

I must have missed Erich's post

Thank you so much for your belief in all of us who have really worked our tails off to get as far as we have; some further than others, but we all work hard just the same.

Shawna, I know that none of us who work our TOPS day in and day out are average

I asked a person I know to help me optimize my site for natural search and ranking. He said that I had to be kidding. There are millions of work from home sites out there, you will NEVER rank #1. Then I told him that I may not rank #1 now, but someday I will and that I wanted my site be around 5 years from now when the other half million weren't. He told me that with that kind of an attitude I could do it and he would help me.

My husband has told me many times that he is so proud of what I have done with my site. He remembers the late nights at the computer with my HTML books opened trying to figure out how to build a website. He is just amazed that I taught myself.

The point being, if you are determined enough, you can do anything you set out to do. Being an active TOPS member shows that we have that determination. ;D

Cindi

[Nancy]

;DThanks for sharing this Shawna,

This particular story brings to mind a coworker of mine who just spent over $4000 for a program that "will earn her money online". I tried to talk her out of it, but she fell for all the hype.

I asked her how much was she earning now, and she was excited to report to me that she earned $40.00 that day! I just shook my head and said that was great! When she asked me how much I earned that day, I could honestly say $133.00 and some change. I didn't want to tell her how much I spent to get started. I was afraid of violence!

Just goes to show you don't have to spend a lot of money to get the education we have all received.

Nancy

[Janderson]

I love reading these success stories. They keep me motivated and I am grateful for them!

Jeff