Just thought I’d cover this.
The other day I wrote a post about how networking got me a free iPod – now, soon after I wrote that post I had 10 – 15 people ask for the person’s contact details.
I didn’t give them out to a single person – not because I wanted to be a dick, but because I couldn’t.
First off, it was because I didn’t know if he was legit – although I’ve not put anything into it yet, it’s easy for people to be suckered into getting scammed by someone they barely know.
Secondly, it was because if 10 – 15 people started contacting him, he’d a) get pissed off, as some people know next to nothing about doing online business and b) be busy – something I obviously don’t want to happen.
If you stumble across a potentially great source for something, do not share it.
For example, the guy that did the header for this blog – people liked it, asked who did it, I shared it with them. I sent him a few referrals, however the next time I needed a graphic artist for an urgent project, he was too busy with other work to create something for me. I’ve seen the same happen with top notch writers, designers, coder – you name it.
Remember, this is a business you’re trying to run.
Sure, I’ve recommended freelancers in the past to others – but the best people I’ve worked with stay with me. I have killer designers that can whip up print quality graphics in less than a couple of hours; writers that will produce content to die for at crazy prices, other freelancers doing similar amounts of quality. I have people that whip me up a website for $20 that I can sell for $500 the same day – would you really share such profit generators with everyone else?
Just like top affiliate marketers don’t share their top keywords, niches and bids, you shouldn’t share your top sources. By all means, help people out – point them in a general direction, give them an idea of what to do, but you should let people work for themselves, network by themselves, rather than giving them the easy way out.
Whether it’s content, graphics or even the niches that you find easiest to profit in, you don’t have to share it with anyone, and you shouldn’t if you don’t want to. I had quite a few pissed off people yesterday, most of them acting like spoiled five year olds – so be it. The difference between making any kind of bank and not doing so is taking initiative. Will you be doing so?
Some of the best places to find these kinds of people are forums. However, remember that you can also look locally – a good artist by hand usually ends up a good artist on the computer, and they’ll be far cheaper too (or even free).
My recommendation is that you not share your best sources – others may feel differently. What do you think?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I agree sir! Who would reveal everything they’ve worked so hard for to support their biz? Some things you can share and others you just can’t.
What would be the point of sharing your iPod contact? Honestly? That’s work YOU did, YOU brought the client in.
Professional firms don’t share clients or prospects, and you shouldn’t either. You gave up enough info about the PROCESS you don’t need to give up the exact customer you gained from it lol
I like what you do man, you keep it honest, you are ALWAYS helping people, but you can’t stand those that don’ t want to do the work….that’s why I stay around
JK Swopes’s last blog post..IMwithJoe weekly report and goals for the week 7-21-08
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I love this. Lol.
G’s last blog post..Vocals For Dummies
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
The only issue I see with this argument is that the “sources” you have might not be so inclined to offer you their services if, in return, you don’t give them more business. Someone who builds websites would love to attract business. But if they give you a great product at a great price, I think they might be expecting you (in return for the discount) to get them some referral business. Am I right or wrong on this? You’ve obviously found the right balance, but wouldn’t that be a concern?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I understand what you are saying. But I do believe that if you give out to people them you will receive more back. By saying you won’t give out your best info you are detering people from reading your blog.
What I could suggest to you is to give readers good info and teach them and then SELL your best info to the readers who really want it. That way you are giving out great phenominal information to people and they will love you for it and you are also making money from it.
So why not do this instead of keeping it all to yourself?
Ryan McLean’s last blog post..How To Get Out of a Bad Financial Situation
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July 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
@ Secret Affiliate Code -
I can see your point. I guess it all depends on what we are talking about. Some people are fine working for one or two people, if the pay is right.
I guess it depends on what the source is, but as in any business, there are things called “trade secrets” , some things you just don’t reveal as it would be counterproductive to your business model.
If I find a wholesaler that gives me a great deal on PS3 consoles, and I run a business based of of my sales and lower prices on these consoles, why on earth would I reveal that source to another wholesaler?
That’s just an example…but I’m sure you get my point. I also see where you are coming from as well.
@ Ryan McLean-
I don’ t think anyone that knows anything about business would stop reading the blog because TUK doesn’t reveal all of his secrets. No one can argue the amount of info TUK gives out, info that can make anyone money if they use it. At the same time, even if he chose to sell his sources, it would still be counter productive I think. He definitely isn’t “keeping it all to himself”. At least that’s not how I see it. It’s just a normal part of business that some things are better kept to yourself, for the good of the business. That’s not to say the METHODS can’t be shared, which he does….just not the actual, detailed, exact replica of what he does.
That’s just my opinion
then again..who am I ? lol
JK Swopes’s last blog post..IMwithJoe weekly report and goals for the week 7-21-08
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July 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Excellent post. I never reveal my best methods to making money online.
Germz’s last blog post..Freelancing will pay the bills
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July 22nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Fair and honest post. You should never tell everything you are doing. I like people that ask me about X and Y, and I usually tell them how I do things… but there are things that I simply won’t write in an open arena because they run the risk of over-saturation.
Jim’s last blog post..Making Money Online by Begging – Can You Strike It Rich by Asking for Cash?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Means, if I do a wonderful job for you, you will never recommend me to anyone else?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
It’s been a while since I’ve been here… I would agree with your post. It’s not always a good idea to give away your sources — however sometimes it can pay especially if it will get you a better price/rate on future services. It would also depend on what type of service it is.
Mo’s last blog post..Why Are You MIA? Dead Blog Syndrome? Blog Sold?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I think that YOU should share your sources with ME, and then I will follow your instructions and not share with ANYONE! hehehe
Sell Porn Make Money’s last blog post..Do you like contests? Interested in Selling Porn?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
More sage advice!
I quite see your points, and it really gives an insight into the way business, and competition, works.
I sometimes think that this whole “how business works” thing is something that I am not terrifically well up on, so I am going to stick around and learn more.
Carol Ferndale’s last blog post..Enjoy summer in the city with directline-citybreaks
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
Yeah, man, I agree 100% on not revealing your sources. I remember back when this blog was pretty small and intimate – way cool! Now we’ve all told our buddies about UK and he doesn’t have time to mingle with the masses. It sucks when you’re good and people find out about it.
C’mon man – it’s called being good and getting referrals because of it.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 am
haha..interesting post Jason..i think it’s better teach people how to catch the fish instead of giving the fish..
it’s takes money to make money
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July 23rd, 2008 at 2:15 am
It all depends on the situation and the actual source. If I felt it was going to take away from my in a drastic way, then I do not share it.
I remember a friend of mine said “hey, I don’t need to worry, I know you’ll tell me all your secrets” because I was nice enough to help her out on numerous occasions. Then she kinda took that for granted and I simply told her “if I told you ALL my secrets, I’d be an idiot…” Now she begs for my secrets and knowledge… I shouldn’t let her think what she wanted, huh?
Dammit!
Jay
Jay’s last blog post..New Contest Prize: Nintendo Wii Beats the iPod Touch 16-10 in Voting
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July 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 am
So who did do your blog header?
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July 23rd, 2008 at 3:40 am
I think its okay to not share your sources unless the source asks you to – some sources would love the referrals. Personally though, I don’t think a source is a “good source” unless they would be able to keep up with the demand…if they’re not capable of knowing how to expand their business, that would have me worried.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 3:47 am
I have to agree, though I have shared almost all my secrets with readers. Mostly I shared them because I could turn them into posts, and giving someone a resource is always nice, but it is good to not share those key sources. I don’t think I should have shared the free logo things, but it did bring a little traffic to my blog. I do have an ongoing chats with them, and maybe sometime I will get good deals for promoting them. They are very into selling though and I don’t think they want to do too much for special customers.
Nathaniel’s last blog post..Creative Ideas To Focus Yourself
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July 23rd, 2008 at 5:49 am
@ Duane, DesignFXPro.com – secret was out a long time ago.
@ Chelle – the thing is, I prefer to deal with independent freelancers rather than larger organizations for most things (perhaps not content, though). So if I’ve been using Mr X to create Wordpress themes for me for a while, I know he’s good and I like his style – if I recommend people, maybe he gets just 5 extra orders weekly and has to hire Mr Y. I’m still going to prefer working with the person I’m familiar with, who knows what I want – even though the new employee may be just as talented skills wise.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I think after some thought and reflection I really do understand why. It is good to teach people the methods of how to make money, not just the specific examples.
Don’t give a man a fish…teach him how to fish
Ryan McLean’s last blog post..The Many Reasons You Should Comment This Blog
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July 23rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I would share my sources if it doesn’t harms me. If it does harm me by any means, I personally wouldn’t share it.
Suraj’s last blog post..The Power Of Article Marketing [Free e-book]
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July 23rd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
@ Suraj – how would sharing sources harm you? I can understand that if the person you work with and knows what you want it busied with other customers and he can’t design for you, but it there any other way you can be hurt by it?
Nathaniel’s last blog post..Creative Ideas To Focus Yourself
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July 23rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
definately agree with you on this jason.the moment you disclose something the trick will be over coz it will be saturated till death by people.i dont even disclose it to my close group for the fear of getting it saturated.this is what happened to one of my money making technique when it was disclosed to just 2 persons.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
@Nathaniel, that’s one of the general reasons. There might be some other reasons at times. So as far as it’s not harming me.. I’d be more than happy to share.
Suraj’s last blog post..The Power Of Article Marketing [Free e-book]
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July 24th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Its kinda funny because I was in Portland Oregon yesterday and had a long conversation with a guy in a bar about this! The guy was a salesman for an up and coming CMS and was there in Portland for OSCON 2008 (Open Source Conference). He told me that it has been a struggle marketing their company since most of the large businesses that use their CMS (including some Fortune 500 companies) would not allow them to reveal that they they are a client of theirs. He stated that he would love to be able to add this list of companies to sales pitch as well as get testimonials from them. But these BIG companies just won’t allow it.
I guess my point is the big corporations aren’t giving away their secrets so why should you as an entrepreneur do so either!
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July 26th, 2008 at 12:18 am
I know how you feel Jason, people always begging for things and not working for them :O Just brush them off and they’ll learn!
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July 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I truly agree! its like selling drugs, you don’t take your customers to the top dog….hahahahaaa!
but seriously i enjoy finding things on my own i find it more rewarding and plus if you reveal too much your money is in danger of going bye,bye,…but i do like a little something to wet my beak.
And any way you reveal alot here all ready people should be rich by at least attempting to follow some of your hints on here.
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July 31st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Well if you don’t want to share something good with us, then what’s the point for us to be here?
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July 31st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
If you feel there is no point in staying around.. so be it.
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August 31st, 2008 at 11:44 am
This kind of thing happens all the time at the Powerseller forum on eBay. You get newb PS’ers that come in and say “I’m looking for sources, please give me yours”. Yeah, right.
This kind of question is like going into Wal-mart and asking “Where do you get your widgets from? I’d like to buy some and open a store across the street”. They are going to laugh at you until you leave with your head between your legs. Besides, the people at the service desk aren’t going to know where they get the widgets from anyways, but I’m sure you see my point.
Don’t be naive, be creative and figure it out.
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