Cynics Unlimited

Apart from online gaming and pornography, the best way to make money on the internet seems to be selling tools and guides that empower people to make money on the internet. By “empower” I mean “get one’s hopes up” because very few of these guides and tools have proven to bring prosperity to their clients. Yet, who wouldn’t want a passive income that nearly equals their active income?

Technically these sites don’t qualify as “scams” since the massive profits they promise (e.g. $500 of revenue per day via Google Adsense – a damned long-shot, judging by my experience with the service so far) are theoretically possible. However the extreme hyperbole used on these websites and the fact that successful use of these techniques has never been reported anywhere in the mainstream are good indications that they really are too good to be true (I call them TGTBT sites).

Nonetheless, the way these miracle solutions generally use the same web template and sales techniques to lure in unsuspecting buyers has always been amusing. There are several telltale markers that identify the current set of get-rich-quick schemes. To illustrate, I’m using a far-too-good-to-be-true solution called PokerBot Pro, which promises to generate fantastic revenue by automating online poker games - no poker knowledge required.

Simplistic Layout:

TGTBT sites almost always use a very narrow center column with low graphics and virtually no plug-ins (admin note - considering a change of Wordpress template). This design style keeps the user focused on the sales pitch and ensures maximum compatibility with all browsers/platforms.

Money Lure:

TGTBT sites initially appeal the viewer’s greed. The first few lines have nothing to do with the actual product and instead tap into the user’s desire to make lots of money while doing either something (s)he is already doing for fun on the net (playing poker, writing, etc) or doing nothing at all. Sometimes the site will show a screen shot suggesting that the author of the solution is making considerable money using the TGTBT solution. Other times the site will merely state that such profits are possible.

The Miracle Solution:

Ta-Daaa! The answer to all your problems. Say goodbye to endless months of practicing on Poker Stars.net: This product will do all the thinking for you, beating poker stars and novices alike with stunning consistency. All you have to do is watch!

Differentiation from Previous Miracle Solutions:

Even web surfers become hip to miracle solutions that over-promise and under-deliver. Hence the new miracle solutions have to be differentiated from the snake oil solutions of the past.

Testimonials:

If these guys did it, so can you! Several testimonials from people with the same aspirations and reservations as you are only too happy to share news of their success. Quite often full names won’t be printed, nor will any information that would allow web surfers to contact those giving the testimonials.

Exclusive Distribution:

The TGTBT website is typically the only source through which the product can be legally obtained. Brilliant as the product may be, it never crosses the author’s mind to seek wider distribution channels like download.com or Amazon which have extremely large markets for legitimate products. A growing number of TGTBT sites offer affiliate programs (either internally or through services like ClickBank) but even sales through affiliates lead back to the core website.

Act Now … Or Else!

Effective TGTBT sites keep the sense of urgency high. This is accomplished either by offering time-based incentives or through warnings that the product and its exclusive benefits may never be available again.

No Free Trial
The only “freebies” on offer are the bonus items sent out once the core product has been purchased. No meaningful demonstrations of the product are available before the sale has been made.

In fairness, one can’t instantly assume PokerBot Pro is like the products just described. For all we know, this software may allow know-nothings to completely ace Paradise Poker and make enough money to safely quit their day jobs. Perhaps the author has unwisely chosen to market a truly revolutionary product using guerilla techniques long associated with improbable business strategies and outright scams. Just to be safe I’m going to obtain this product and run it for a few (free) games. You’ll know it’s working when I start posting here several times daily - being officially and willfully unemployed by such time. Keep you posted.