Before Embarking On Website Promotion

Up until about 4 years ago, I didn't have a clue about the internet and website promotion. I knew the internet had unlimited possibilities and I wanted desperately to have my own web business, but I didn't know what to do. So I decided to be a sponge.

Not being savvy with the internet then, I attended as many talks and workshops as I could on how to build successful web businesses. In the process, I spent thousands of dollars. I read whatever I could get my hands on in my quest to learn how to succeed in internet marketing. I studied whatever I could on effective website promotion. Even today, I'm constantly learning new things.

In the Bible, we are told that if you seek with all your heart, you will find. That's absolutely true. Because of my determination to learn how to have successful online businesses, I've learned so much. I've learned that there are many internet marketing opportunities out there. The important thing is to find a method that suits you. When you do, be disciplined and work at it until you have a good system in place and until you begin to see some returns, no matter how small. Never do things halfway. Website promotion is just a part of the game, albeit a very important part. Work on producing and delivering quality in all areas.

Today, I have several web businesses. There's my art, collectibles and gifts site Cherish Collectibles. Then there's my exquisite sterling silver jewelry with real butterfly wings site Silver Butterfly Jewelry. I also have websites marketing various e-products like e-books, software, and success programs. I also have websites which don't sell anything but simply provide content, and I make money from them too. Of course, it takes a lot of work, and intelligent website promotion.

If you want to succeed at internet marketing, start by having an open mind. Do your research until you find something which you know you can do, and which you will enjoy. Then work it until you see success!

Dishonest Website Promotion Techniques

There are snakes all around us. Let me warn you against a new one which uses unscrupulous website promotion tactics.

Recently, I paid US$97 subscription for the first month of the “University of Internet Marketing” (also known as Incredible System) program, marketed by JB Virtual Enterprises Inc. (JB is an acronym for Justin Blake). The website promotion methods used were aggressive, persistent and persuasive I was under the impression that it would be like Success University, which has a wide range of useful professional and personal development courses. Boy, was I wrong!

First of all, support was atrocious. I couldn’t log into the program after paying, so I sent a support ticket to the system for help. Almost 4 days passed before I got a response. Finally, I got into the system. What I found was a huge disappointment.

Instead of finding useful resources like courses, e-books, seminars, workshops etc. on internet marketing, all I found was a system for recruiting sign-ups into the so-called program. This was the so-called UOIM affiliate program, whereby recruiters (also known as affiliates) would earn a commission for every person recruited. There is no real product involved. The vendor provided information on how to find recruits, and even had supporting ‘materials’ like sample advertisements for recruitment. From what I could tell, it was nothing more than a pyramid scheme. Unscrupulous website promotion with no substance behind it.

I confronted the vendor via the support ticket system. When the vendor finally responded, they denied that UOIM was a pyramid scheme. Yet, they couldn’t show me any courses! I demanded my money back. The UOIM / Incredible System website had promised a 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee (they have changed their website copy since then).

Believe it or not, these guys refused to make the refund. Not only that, but they promptly locked me out of the program. I couldn’t log in anymore. Even more audacious, they sent me a message around a week later to taunt me.

Many people said in various forums that they were locked out of the UOIM system once they complained about the bad service and asked for their money back. Not only that, the UOIM vendor sent these customers nasty and rude unsolicited e-mails (all these e-mails came from a person named Diane Sullivan). Note: all your website promotion efforts will turn to dust if you don't treat your customers with respect.

Isn’t this a clear case of cheating in every sense of the word? Ever since I started posting on various forums to warn others about the University of Internet Marketing (also known as Incredible System) marketed by JB Virtual Enterprises Inc, I've been getting replies alerting me to threads in various forums complaining about these people.

You can find a couple of fascinating threads at:
- Allan Gardyne's Associate Programs Forum (under the topic ‘Beware of Justin Blake’)
- Lynn Terry’s Self-Starter’s Weekly Tips Forum (under the topic ‘Beware of Justin Blake’)
- Anthony Blake’s Forum (under the topic ‘Scam’)
- and the Kick Start Your Life Forum (under ‘University of Internet Marketing Scam’).

Read them and see for yourself why people are calling Justin Blake and Charles Ryder dishonest. There're a lot of interesting comments about their pit bull Diane Sullivan too. Be warned about their affiliates as well - one name which comes up often is Shawn Casey, as he promotes their products aggressively.

Watch out for JB Virtual Enterprises Inc. and their ‘products’. These guys certainly know a thing or two about website promotion, but they’re downright dishonest!