In this information-overload era its just so easy to find answers to our questions. I mean when was the last time you searched for something and didn’t find anything? That pretty much sums it. Add the fact that search engines are constantly tweaked to cater to the majority of users so all in all we are in this ‘so useful’ internet era.
But we might as well be cautious a bit though as the information could basically own us. How many times have you heard someone saying they’re suffering from information overload? The information we’re talking here are good and brilliant informations and its so easy to just consume things as much as you could.
Let alone in blogging and making money online that so many people can’t get pass the first stage because they keep on consuming new information after new information. Everyone suffers from this and unfortunately most people mishandle it. I used to think that info overload is just a person’s inability to filter but I was wrong.
Take everything with a grain of salt
According to phrases.org.uk, the statement means we should accept infos but maintain it in a degree of skepticism about its truth. In a more normal description, it’s all about taking each and every information but not completely believe it.
I know most of us, if not all, rely on information to do all the things we need to get done. However, we should always remember that there are certain factors that can affect whether that information can be useful or not. Here are some reasons:
- Most information are not timeless – The first thing I do whenever I read a good piece of article related to my business is to check out the date. I think not a lot of people understand that informations or advice that they usually read aren’t gonna last forever. For instance, I could search on something about “wordpress tweaks and stuffs” and could find great lengthy articles on that subject. But the problem is if it the info is too old or outdated, it’s not going to benefit me.
- The effect is usually NOT the same for others – Recently I wrote a post about how my blog makes money and I’m sure thousands of people who have read it would exactly copy the ways I mentioned. But does that mean they can reap the same results? probably, probably not! A good friend always likes to tell me that not all MBA students who graduate get a good life even though it is highly perceived that if you take that course, you’re gold.
- Things can go wrong with unusual outside factors – Another question, when was the last time that what you planned goes off exactly as its planned? Just the same with informations we consume. One good observation is that when one writes a good walkthrough on how he makes money for example with affiliate marketing, almost no readers get to duplicate that effort. Why is that? Because in every thing we do there are always outside factors that greatly affect things. Demographics, time, and etc., they all play a good role in all of this.
- False claims/infos – It’s funny but a lot of people aren’t too keen on spotting wrong and fake informations. A lot just completely gloss into it and completely treat it as it is. That’s why its important to understand that almost all websites have disclaimers and it’s there for a reason.
Do it and see for yourself
The only way to find out is to do it and see for yourself. You can never really conclude something as working unless you get to experience it yourself. It’s also good to test since doing so can make you avoid being a crybaby, taking info and then calling it out a bum if it didn’t work. 😉
A good example is what I do with affiliate marketing. In forums, you oftentimes see bums people who post “hey this offer from this, I tested it in this, and its killing it for me!”. But the truth is doing exactly the same thing wouldn’t certify a success! There might be some factors that hinge on demographics, the PPC slaps, landing page issues and so many things. And in that particular example, the best thing to do is do the offer yourself, test and see if it’s really worth converting (or is just all hype).
I know you guys trust a lot of brands related within your businesses. There’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, these people are experts and credible for a reason. But in the end don’t forget to do your own testing and take all those infos with a grain of salt. After all, they say marketers are liars. 🙂
This is very true and wise advice, I can only consider somthing as the truth until I investigate and find proof for myself.
Many people have this idea that if they know someones method simply replicating it would bring them success. This is why they fail, there’s no such thing as a method that doesn’t work but there are methods that don’t work for YOU if it’s approached half heartedly you will likely fail.
The method is important but how you implement it is what will seperate the good Internet marketers from the bad.
Trial and error is also important, and your right the majority of internet marketers lie. Because that is part o the job description you need to gain someones trust and confidence and many find it easier to just lie.
Great article
True Huey.
I’ve had the same experience with many of the blogs i read online. People repeat the content that is found on popular blogs. Just because one blog tells you that it will make you successful, doesn’t really mean anything. It really depends on the blogger and how their going to apply the tips.
.-= Peter J´s last blog ..5 things people don’t want to know about blogging =-.
Great Discussion Melvin. We need to test things ourselves.
.-= Agent Deepak | Blogging, Marketing & Success´s last blog ..Personal Branding – What Color is Your Brand? =-.
True Melvin. Not all information from our buddies search engines are correct. It still our responsibility to execute and validate what they have said..
@huey thats exactly what Im trying to point out. Thats why there are so many people who buy those expensive $XXXX courses and at the end still hardly make any money at all.
I always feel its worth telling people to yes read, but consider it as a lie until you get something to back it.
Hi Melvin!
I really agree on what you said here. When you are follwong instructions from a blog post or ebook, think carefully what will work, what won’t work, and what may or may not work.
Then you will know how to execute your plan properly and successfully. Then DO IT! 🙂
yep. exactly my point Gloson. 🙂