How Do You Decide Who to Learn From?
By
One of the most important questions you have to answer for yourself as you build your business is who are you going to listen to and learn from?
This is especially true now with so many marketers vying for your attention and screaming “me, me, me!”
I have found that there are 3 types of “teachers & trainers” on the internet, and only one type is always worth following:
Type 1 – Someone who has read a book or gone to a seminar on a topic, has never successfully done it, and is now going to teach you how to do it. I recommend my RLH response here: Run Like Hell!
Type 2 – Teacher has successfully done what you want to learn, is going to teach you, but is no longer doing it. Approach with caution: while you might be able to learn some good tips and strategies, you will be learning what got them where they are, not what they are doing right now to be successful. You won’t learn leading edge new stuff.
Type 3 – Teacher has successfully done what you want to learn, is going to teach you, and continues to do what is being taught. With this kind of teacher you get it all: what got them to where they are, what they are doing now to continue to grow, and what are the new next steps and strategies to keep you moving forward.
This is the kind of teacher with whom I will spend my time and money. A great example is Alex Mandossian and TeleSeminar Secrets. TeleSeminars got him where he is today, he is my TeleSeminar Mentor and trainer to many others, and he continues to do TeleSeminars to build and grow his business.
My recommendation: Learn from and follow only those who have done it, are teaching it, and continue to do it in their own businesses every day.
This is why I created The Article Marketing TeleSeminar Club to train you how to build your business with Article Marketing & TeleSeminars: I’ve done it, I’m teaching it, and I continue to do it everyday, consistently bringing to the Club Members the leading edge strategies that I am using today to build my business with Article Marketing & TeleSeminars.
You can get the Full Story on the Article Marketing TeleSeminar Club and come on board for half price for the first month simply by clicking here.
Come join me and hundreds of members as we build our businesses together!
35 Comments
February 17th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I have found this one strategy to be largely responsible for my success in business over the years. You only want to learn from someone who has done, is doing, and will continue to do what it is you want to do.
Jeff Herring
February 17th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Great distinction.
"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Einstein I think our education system could learn a lot from what you are saying here. There are way too many people teaching what used to work!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Jeff,
This is exactly why I'm a member of your awesome Article Marketing Teleseminar Club! Because you are walking your talk! (and why I also joined you as a mentee this year!) I've taken a lot of online marketing courses and you are a great teacher with a big heart and you really do care about your students!
Maritza
http://ProductCreationTeleseminars.com
February 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Jeff – This is why I'm a part of the AMTC! Because you prove over and over again that you not only have done it successfully, you can teach it clearly and are continuing to do it!
February 17th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Jeff – Being a part of the Article Marketing Teleseminar Club is very rewarding. You give lots of information based on your experience. And you definitely have both the skill and the will to teach this. I'm getting offers as a result of writing articles as you suggest.
February 18th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Jeff – TOTALLY agree with you. Sadly most "teachers" and self-annointed guru's fall into type 1 or type 2 not only related to internet marketing but in my niche as well. It's amazing to me how many people don't do any homework on the individual they're going to learn from before handing over their cash! In the Internet age, there's really no excuse for that.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Jeff-I started following you through Alex Mandossian and can't tell you how much you have impacted my thoughts on business and my goals. You ask me one question, "what's the benefit in that" over and over to make a point. I have since done that exercise with myself many times to get to the point I am at now. You are truly one of those mentors worth following because you are real. You are some one that we can know-like and trust that teaches from the heart (and the head!) That's why I gave myself the AMTC membership as my Christmas present!
Mentors need to have walked the same path as they are sending you down at the very least to be able to teach the topic effectively and efficiently. If they aren't doing what they are teaching right now expect that they are doing what you want them to be teaching you next!
That's what I see in you Jeff! You aren't only an excellent mentor but and awesome business model!
Thanks for being a shining example of the KLT Factor in action!
February 18th, 2009 at 4:28 am
accept
February 18th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
This is a great post, Jeff. From something I just read you might want to add a an additional numberr between 2 and 3: those who have done it and are still doing it, but are selling you the way they were doing it a few years ago and not telling you (as you do) how they are doing it now following concepts of New Media Marketing or whatever. Keep doing it, Jeff.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I totally agree with the three types of online "teachers". I was thinking of writing a book on internet marketing, yet I have only made $90 online. Most people are smart and can recognize incongruity very quickly, which is why you should practice what you teach.
I recently bought an online seminar from a couple of online marketers. There sales process was amazing, and I recognized their process. Then I watched the online videos of the seminar and they are teaching the process I went through when buying their product. I just signed up to attend their seminar because I see they are practicing what they preach.
Thanks for the great post Jeff!
February 18th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Jeff, that is why I have not unsubscribed myself from your list or community, because you are true, authentic, smart, with a great sharing heart and knows how to teach. I love and enjoy all your blog posts, your teleseminars, and your e-mails full of fabulous tips. Keep up that fabulous work….
February 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I totally agree – with you and with the other ppl commenting. The benefits of joining with you, Jeff, have changed my life. The other thing that plays into learning from your teacher is the factor: "I don't care how much you know till I know how much you care." B/c I know you care about my success, Jeff, I desire to stick around and learn more and more from you b/c I know you are not only looking to line your pocket but mine as well!!
February 18th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Why is it that Type 1's have the uncanny ability to trap newbies? I wish I had found AMTC right off the bat. I would have saved many $$$.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Jeff,
That's why I'm here! I love learning from someone who is DOING what they teach!
Carlton
http://www.laptoprichesnetwork.com
February 18th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Jeff,
Thank you for this post, in particular teacher #2. This is really big and seems so rampant now and can be incredibly costly when we're talking about Internet marketing. Things that worked 6 months ago don't work today and if your teacher isn't a step ahead of the curve, and you're counting on them (not a good idea anyway) you will be left behind.
Great post.
February 18th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
This is a very accurate summation of what to do and what not to do when looking for teachers who are leaders in their niche. Unfortunately, people who are new to internet marketing may not be knowledgeable enough to do indepth research. So they are not always able to determine whose 'experience ' is only based on a book they read or a Teleseminar they attended, or those who "continue to do what is being taught" and some of these people are GOOD! They probably hire some good Copywriters, but when you read their sales letter and/or e-mails those sell them as being true "teachers" or gurus . In the meantime you pay, they rake in the money, and you find their "product" is valueless or just fluff, no substance and does not tell you how or why only what, which you could have read for free.
I speak from personal experience. Jeff, I don't recall how I found out about you, but I'm certainly glad I did! I appreciate having you as my Mentor. Thank you.
February 18th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
One common mistake I see, Jeff, is that folks who take our classes and see success with our methods get so excited they want to share their success with others by teacing what they did. But by the way that's what affiliate marketing is for!
For example, I've had LOADS of success using your article martketing methods. When I get the inevitable "can you show me how to do that too?" question, I'm always quick to point out it was Jeff Herring who taught me article marketing and by the way, here's my affiliate link to sign up for Jeff's free teleseminars where you can learn how, too.
THAT'S what I call a win-win-win situation. You win because you get a prospective new client, I win because I get the affiliate commission when that person purchases something, and the person I referred wins because s/he gets to learn your info right from you!
We live in a beautiful world of Internet marketing, don't we my friend?
Felicia Slattery
Follow me on Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FeliciaSlattery
February 18th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Thanks jeff, Here's what's great about you for me and what i think is great about you for everyone. I think everyone has their own learning style, so people will learn best from those best able to teach them. what's your quote? "there are more people waiting to hear your information, that they can hear only from you, than you can reach" pretty close, i think. So the process needs to be right for the person. and yours is exactly right for me. for me your style offers me the "now i get it" that i've missed with so many people where my experience was "oh, huh, maybe i'm not meant for social media." The other thing that you do, you ol' m&f counselor you, is get invested and enthusiastic about everyone's success. So not only do i get the experience of getting it and get excited, you get excited with me. that's major! (and helpful.) i make strides thanks to your enthusiasm. that's an important part of teaching.
and if you're writing this as a mistakes to avoid post, here's one for teachers. don't make your students feel like idiots. Or as judith and jim and i are going to trademark: twidiots. I'm watching twitter. i was one of what i think was termed "stupid sluts" over on someone's comments on "twittergetter." i followed someone whose work i really respect. now, a complete newbie in social media (still haven't gotten the dm acknowledgement down, darnit) i'm actually more of what chevy chase used to call jane curtaine on snl: an ignorant slut. but there are a couple of "big guys" readying a fatwa against both the ignorant and the greedy. i'm not really interested in learning from someone who thinks stoning is an appropriate response to anything. this guy may have had something to teach me. and i've certainly learned about this. but his venom has made it impossible to want to learn anything from him. so the potential student is off-put and p.s. the social scientist is uncomfortable with the way this unfolding. this is something that can unfold on distance media if we're not all careful.
but great post and great teaching. you didn't use the word role-model, but that's an important part of your work. as always, thanks.
February 18th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Accept
February 18th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Hey Jeff,
We would add a Type 4 and put you and Alex Mandossian in there. Type 4 teacher includes all the attributes of a Type 3, plus they teach from their Hearts. They care more about their students sometimes more than the student does about them self. I guess you call this a "Heart-Centered Teacher" and we need more of these every day.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us!
– Pat & Lorna Shanks
TheCoolestCouple.com
http://PatAndLorna.com
February 18th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Jeff,
I would agree with Pat and Lorna and add type 4. Those who teach their knowledge, give practical application and who are committed from the bottom of their heart to guide their students.
Having spent time with you personally, I can state you are not just a great teacher, but a stellar human being.
And speaking of Heart, I am giving a free heart powered program tonight (see tweet for details).
Sherrie Rose (The Love Linguist)
http://www.twitter.com/sherrrierose
February 18th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
You two have honored me so much here, and are good friends. Celebrate at the Reunion!
February 18th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
You've definitely summed it up nicely. And I agree with Pat and Ann. Have a heart – and don't make us feel stupid. I was blessed with some really kind help when I first started out, but later, I asked some basic questions and was ridiculed for it. I probably shouldn't have been so sensitive, but after those experiences, I decided that I would just go it alone. As a result, I made many mistakes that could have been avoided with good coaching/leadership.
In retrospect, I should have kept asking until I found a Type 3 personality!
February 18th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Jeff,
Thank you so much for being the Type 3 teacher but I actually put you in The Type 4 category. Type 4 teachers are the ones that never stop learning themselves and then are generous enough to add that new learning to their training programs. Thank you for continueing to grow your knowlege and then passing it on. Also thank you for sharing your mistakes freely so you can help us avoid them.
Lauren Mcmullen
February 18th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hi Jeff,
Ditto to everything you said with an "AMEN!" to Sherrie's Type 4 addition and Felicia's comment about affiliate programs.
Before deciding to work with someone, I recommend checking around and that includes more than just reading someone's testimonials page — after all, who's going to post a bad review?
Thanks for the post!
Sandy
February 18th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I vote for the type 4 category as well. Teaching from the heart can be heard with the heart. Plus it is so interesting to watch you grow with the teaching and technology — it encourages me to keep at it. I really do love all your calls and am so glad I joined AM Teleseminar Club..
Thanks for all you do!
Martha Rather – The Holistic Cookie
February 18th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Y'know, your blog needs to be ready by EVERYBODY! I have fumbled around and believed in so many "gurus" & spent my hard-earned $$$, only to feel isolated in a sea of money-mongers with no substance. As a relative newbie, until I found Alex & Jeff, I was having no idea who was true-blue and who was an a-hole. I think we all have to go through growing pains just like in the real world…no shortcuts. I've been on Jeff's mailing list for 2 years, taken many of his classes, and am now learning the craft of writing Internet articles. I had to sort Jeff out from all the crappadoola & choose him. I want to enjoy "the ride" & until I have 20+ articles up on the Internet I won't consider myself qualified to put up a site pushing my "stuff."
February 19th, 2009 at 4:08 am
Hi Jeff, long time fan since my former boss first told me to "follow his teachings religiously." As a writer, I want to say THANK YOU so much for the fantastic information that you provide to us for free, and for showing that anyone willing to learn and work can make money online. Fantastic blog post, and absolutely dead on – learn from the guys who are succeeding (present tense). I'll continue to be following, and thanks again for the excellent information!
February 19th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Hey Jeff,
There is a 4th category — the person who has done it but has no talent for teaching what he or she has done (and may even still be doing). This is the most frustrating because all the conditions look right, and the person is very attractive because of what they've done or are doing, but no matter, their teaching can only ever be a tease. They are not malicious, just unaware that teaching is itself a skill.
Those who can do, those who can't teach is a fallacy. It is the rare one who can do and teach. That is the true master.
Judith Sherven & Jim Sniechowski
February 19th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
HI Jeff,
This is such a great post and topic. I appreciate you putting it out there. However, sometimes even when you do your due diligence you can still get taken in by "fake" gurus. One high priced program I signed up for had everything I thought going for it — I knew the guru behind it by reputation and it appeared they were doing it currently. It was the biggest joke. I only say this because if you're feeling bad right now because you were taken in, don't. It unfortunately happens to all of us.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Jeff, I think that what you have blogged about is exactly what I have been shouting from the roof top for the past three years. Nowadays it seems that everyone is a guru or an expert, but they will not show you how they got there. I mean we should not expect someone to do our work for us, but when we are being taught or are teaching, we should have some clarity in what is being discussed.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Hi Jeff,
Regarding your three types of teachers article: I am the kind of person who is very suspicous and cautious about where I spend two of my most valuable resources…my money and my time, and frequently I will RLH. I am currently 'rejuvenating' my business and have taken many 'free' teleseminars over the last year. While I do expect some type of light self-promotion, especially on a free teleseminar, but I do not appreciate being held hostage to long promotional intros before getting to the meat of the meeting. I am also very sensitive to a lot of 'filler' talk just to help 'stuff' the hour. When I first started listening to you and Alex Mandossian I was extremely delighted to discover that both of you 'practice what you preach,' and preach it in easy to understand and apply information. You both have EARNED my respect, and I hope to be joining your club shortly. Congratulations…definately at least a number 4!
March 12th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Hi there, this is my first comment on your site and I choose to leave one here. I am a newbie at writing online. I started to write because I became a full time housewife and needed to fill up my time in between chores. I went to a 3 day seminar about blogging and that was how I started to develop my own site.
I have always shunned the idea of becoming a teacher online because every site that I have signed up for to learn more about writing, ended up with emails that tells me to sign up for more other stuff. Where's the beef! I also learnt over time that experts do not welcome being called teachers for the reasons you have stated up there in this post. They do not want to be categorised as a follower of other people's knowledge, an economic failure or one can only help others accumulate wealth once and never be able to sell them anything else later.
Frustrated as I was, I wrote a post to know the difference between 'Guru and The Expert'. http://childhoodspeech.com/2008/12/guru-and-exper...
I am personally impressed that you have not once used the term 'guru' in this post but the English term as it should be, 'teacher'. That is how it should be.
March 15th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Jimmy, You could not have said it better Clarity is the defining point.
March 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
It is best to get a coach that cares about the clients personal success. How many contacts do we miss out on if we do not share e-mail addresses. I believe in growing a list, however, I have run into many folks that will simply dismiss contacts very quickly based on the idea that we could never do business together. The power of networking is that perhaps you and I Jeff never do business together, however the power is in who I personally know and who you personally know.
Think with a beginner's mind. Perhaps it would be wise to share your personal e-mail with more folks you have come in contact with.