I am not a guru… By The IMC Team | Posted January 17th, 2008
… I am a human being.
All right, enough already! I cry "Uncle!"
When I asked you in the post below to leave me comments telling me about the top 5 things you most want to find in an online business creator, I had NO idea so many people would get involved in the conversation.
So far, we’ve had 485 comments, and the blog post is taking forever to load. (Sorry about that. But you only have yourselves to blame. 
Small wonder about the long loading time, though — I just printed the post and all its comments out, and it’s over 146 pages long!
One comment that caught my eye was this one from Barbara:
"I must say DG that it did cross my mind about whether you were "picking our brains" by asking us the 5 ideas most imp. to us. YOU are the expert. If YOU are the expert, you need to tell us what we need to know. For example, if I go to a dentist, an expert and a professional, and the dentist asks me what I want and what is wrong and what I think needs to be done (beyond general questions about why I came into the office today), then I am going to wonder if he knows what he is doing. Fair enough? I am a professional and people expect me to be able to determine what the real problem is and fix it for them; this is what they pay me for."
I appreciate your comment, Barbara. You raise an interesting point. But I think your analogy is a bit off.
Instead of "dentist," let’s use the word "doctor."
When you go to the doctor’s office, one of the first question he asks you is, "Where does it hurt?" — right?
Even though a doctor is an expert in medicine, he’s not going to prescribe a cure without consulting the patient and figuring out what the problem is.
And for the same reason, I’m not going to claim to understand exactly what you need, without consulting you first — and finding out what YOU think you need.
As my grandfather always liked to say, "It’s not what you know that’ll come back to bite you on the butt, it’s what you THINK you know."
Because the truth is, I am not a "guru." Honestly, I’m not even exactly sure what a "guru" is. Whenever I hear that word, I think of a cross-legged guy floating on a cloud somewhere above the Himalayas — in other words, someone who has achieved a state of complete otherwordly perfection.
And me? I can assure you, I am NOT perfect.
That’s why I asked for your input — because no matter how much of an Internet marketing expert I consider myself, I know there’s always more I need to learn.
I was fairly certain I had a good idea of what you were looking for in a complete online business builder… And after reading all 485 of your comments, now I have a REALLY good idea of what you want!
My team and I are going to spend the next week putting your ideas into action. What can be implemented, WILL be implemented.
So stay tuned… On Thursday January 24th, you’ll be able to see the results!
In the meantime, tell me:
What springs to YOUR mind when you hear the word, "guru?"
Is there really such a thing as a "marketing guru"? If so, how can you tell when someone really IS a guru — as opposed to a scam artist or wannabe?
This should be a fun conversation…
Comments (23 Comment)
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Ha Derek, your funny!
Honestly I’ve never thought of you as a ‘guru’ before probably for the same reasons you mentioned. I think your a great marketer and an expert at what you do but guru? Naaah. When I think guru I think some guy whose probably working out of his parents basement claiming to have made a gajillion dollars with some piece of software he’s probably never used before.
But “marketing maven” on the other hand, well I guess I wouldn’t call you that either though I see alot of other so called gurus calling themselves that. What is up with that anyway. I have no idea what a maven even is!
Thank you so much for writing this post Derek. I come from India and in my culture a guru is a very respected and exalted person, basically a spiritual teacher or guide. I think the closest translation in English would be priest or minister. Can you imagine people calling themselves a marketing priest or marketing minister?
I have always disliked it very much when people use the term guru in reference to marketing because making money just isn’t a spiritual endeavor. Not that making money is bad it just doesn’t have anything to do with the cultivation of the soul.
I hope that this post you’ve written encourages people to stop using the term marketing guru for good.
Thank you and god bless.
I agree with Sanjit. I’m not from India but I’ve looked a lot into that word and that’s exactly what it seems to mean.
I think people need to come up with a different word. Is genius to over the top
.
Take care!
Hi Derek,
Really glad you raised this subject! It is very important one.Great post above from Sanjit. Unfortuately the word guru when used in the west has come to have negative conotations. Especialy when someone sets themselves up to be the font of all knowlege. The problem arises when people start looking to such a person to solve all their problems for them. This is hugely disempowering. We can learn from teachers but we need to recognise that only we have the power to make a difference in our own lives!
In my opinion anyone who empowers you to suceed rather that
sorry pressed submit too soon.
as I was saying – a good teacher will empower you to suceed not tell you they can solve everything for you.
Michael
Derek, you definitely seem like you know what you are doing. On top of that, you are very comical. Your intelligence reminds of Brausch. I am not sure if you have heard of him. He is very savvy in the internet marketing business. You should google him, maybe you could learn a few things as well.
Hi Derek,
you certainly picked an interesting topic. At times when I carry a conversation or read I see certain people and episodes in pictures. When I see the word “guru” I visualize the person as being super smart, filthy rich and quite chubby sitting, just as you said, cross-legged with servants swarming around him like the bees over a beautiful flower – in other words a fairy tale character.
But perhaps there is relationship to the Internet. The Internet remind me of a Fairytale? Please, don’t laugh… Think about it: you click on something and what appears in front of your eyes? Well? I am glad you see it that way too.
Olga
I have been searching for an internet business that is very detailed in the advertising so that a total novice could follow it step-by-step. I have looked at a number of internet business plans, but they all seem to assume I know a lot about merketing on the internet. I need someone to take me by the hand and tell me – go here, click this, enter this info, etc. I learn by doing but first I need to know what to do. I don’t have lots of money or I wouldn’t need to get an internet business going. But I will invest some money as I need to to get the ball rolling.
I’m retired, working part time now, but I know the time will come when I will not be able to work a job. I will still need more income than my retirement is providing.
You may be the person I’m looking for.
Thanks,
Paul Kline
I am from India, and while I agree to a certain extent with Sanjit, I know it is not the complete answer. A guru is a teacher and a guide, but most importantly, a guru is an educator. To educate, means to bring forth. In other words, a guru is simply someone who is very knowledgeable in a subject, but at the same time realizes that the best way to teach is to allow the student to learn for himself. A guru is like the Old Kung Fu Master.
Rasheed
I like to think of you as my marketing yoda… but a little taller!
Hi Derek,
Q: Who is a Guru?
This is my first entry into the communications of this forum, where I thought can chip in with some of my comments. I’ll answer the above question, Who is a Guru?
Every individual who wishes to get empowered and enlightened benefits greatly from the guidance of an able Guru.
The Sanskrit word ‘Gu’ means, One who Dispels and the word ‘ru’ means Darkness. Guru is one who dispels darkness and enlightens the destination. A Guru Provides a Safe Harbour.
SL Bhattacharya
Hi Derek: Well I am probably the first one to post that I am a “newbie”! Someone tell me what that means. I have been a “newbie” for over a year now. Oh a very “broke” Newbie!! The problem I have is I don’t know enough but everyday now I am learning. I now know to check the Alexa rating before buying into anything! Great tool. When I make my 1st “dollar” I hope someone is around to dial #911 for me! LOL Toni in Toronto
Guru?
This statement is in not intended to down play the role of, or truth that a real guru has. I have high respect for all beings of enlightenment.
But I think we may be spelling it wrong… I think it should be spelled Goo Rue!
Goo is a term for a slimy, shapeless mass, and Rue is a bitter green herb.
The GooRue’s I’ve run across trying to make a place for myself on the internet have led me through the slimy Goo and left me to graze in the Rue, which has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Sorry I guess I’m venting a little here but I’m less impressed with a guy that continuously tells me how great he is and what wonderful things he’s able to do and “don’t you wish you could be like me?” I’ve spent a couple thousand dollars and a couple thousand hours trying to play “follow the leader” with these guys and what bothers me the most is the spent time.
I expect to invest money and time into this business, I don’t consider the money I’ve spent on all of the “systems” that will make me a gazillionare a loss, it’s an investment, an investment in my internet marketing education. I now know a couple hundred ways NOT to do it! I learn what I can from the experience while continuing to try to go it on my own.
Don’t get me wrong there’s a couple of good programs out there, but I can’t afford to implement them… YET! I need something to be able to at least pay for itself while I learn the ropes and I will keep on trying until I find the right system that will put me where I need to be.
It may not be this one either, but I will learn a little more and sooner or later I’ll be able to do this because I’m not going to quit… I have a dream damn it and I’m not going to quit! It’s only a waste of time if I don’t learn something new!
So Derek I’m glad you’re not a GooRue… teach me something already!
Mr. Paul Kline took the words right out of my mouth. Maybe if Mr. Kline and I and people like us can get a hold of each other we can help and support each other in this highly competitive market in which it can be somewhat challenging finding internet companies that truly want to help and not just take our money.
Mr. Kline if you ever find that someone please let me know, because there are so many companies promising the same thing and I don’t have the money to try each and every until I find one that will truly help.
Sincerely,
Lu
I always thought that meant – any marketer in a buisness. But I don’t know!! Could it mean that?
You are very funny Derek:)
Apart from Sanjit’s description, in my neighborhood we know a guru as someone who has the answers and can teach those answers to another.
Right now I would say you are a guru of marketing. You’ve proven that with having 21,000 people interested in something they know nothing about. There isn’t a clue as to what it is any of us would be in business for. And yet here we sit waiting for a grand opening for something that may or may not hold our interest past 10:05.
I’m very interested in making money as long as I can maintain my high morals and have an opportunity to provide a service or product that I can stand behind. So like 21,000 others, I’m eagerly awaiting Thursday at 9:00am to find out what this is all about.
That would tell me you are in fact a guru of at least one thing, marketing!
…comes to my mind: “other worldly” being, neither reaching nor reachable. You’re “real,” Derek; continually reaching out with teaching and tools. Thank You.
Hey Derek!
(my spell checker doesn’t like daggum.) Anyway I hope that your new product is what I think it is going to be-more related to IM from a multiple income stream view, and I may get it instead of keeping the Insider Secrets Workbooks. Or will you be offering any discounts to recent IS purchasers?
Wow, some of the comments here speak just what is on my mind. Especially being a newbie after over a year, and Bob’s post about all the Goo Rues promoting themselves, and get rich quick schemes. I’ve bought a bunch, too much to count, and have been horrified at some of the techniques told to use dishonestly, or an e-book on traffic generation that tells the top ten great ways, but nothing about HOW to DO them!
What bothers me the most, is that every time I learn something new, it seems like there is something else to learn. Everything changes so fast, and I really don’t understand how you successful have the time to get it all done. I have bought several recent courses, and don’t even have the time to get into them. I bought Insider secrets 3 weeks ago, and have read only the quick start guide because it seems a little geared more towards people with existing businesses setting up a web presence, than someone trying to earn multiple income streams. I had a house fire on Thanksgiving, and dealing with all of that (you have NO IDEA) along with chronic illness doesn’t give me much time anymore. I can’t even answer all my emails every day, much less learn how to do social bookmarking, or linking strategies. I am very interested in your new product, and I do recognize your humility as an extreme asset. I am a member of two PLR software memberships, One is extremely high quality software, and one is mediocre. I have made a total of 3 sales, with one refunded. I also have a lot of Adsense sites with a 30 person limit on them, and haven’t even had a chance to upload them. (I do get stuck in the warrior forum sometimes, and reading daggum sales letters, and blog posts, and newsletters.
Thanks
Leah Cowan
PS:If I can say this I will offer 50% off any software on my site(just click on my name, or http://www.easy-internet-marketing-tools.com/Derek ALL discounts will be done through a refund of 50% to paypal. This is an actual REAL FIRE SALE since I had a house fire :-}. I really need the money, and you will notice on my main index page that I am VERY HONEST about what is good, and what is mediocre! (Derek-If this is not allowed, you can delete it. I put one up on another blog post and have had over 18 clicks on it.
It does appear many of the marketing sites are just links. What a concept! Does pyramid come to mind. Who has time for this? Maybe stay at home soccer Moms?
Where are you located Derek?
I also dislike the overuse of the Guru title sometimes claimed by people who are clueless and yet pretend to be able to make others rich quick with something they are too broke to buy themselves.
I think genius is the word that best describes you Derek Gehl because of all the positive useful information and help you give to the many 1000′s who wish to build their own highly successful business online.
I have been fortunate that I had seen you speaking live on stage two times, last time in Bournemouth, UK at the “Millionaire Makers” event organised by Andrew Reynolds for the children’s hospital Great Ormand Street, London. You are one of the very few who give free advice and take it from A to Z so that we can all get it if only we could write as fast as you talk.
Respect to you and all at the IMC for all the great work and help that is helping my own business begin to see results after so many frustrated years of failure.
Please come back to the UK soon because I will need to start making a lot more before I can afford to visit the USA and see you live there.
Steve.
I completely agree with what Sanjit has to say! when the new movie “love guru” came out i was completely furious! this word is very respected word in our culture! it needs to stop being used as someone who is a professional or an expert because that is not what it means. People in my office have even stopped using the word around me because they know it is complete disrespect to our culture. Even designs that show pictures of our gods and goddesses is a complete disrespect. i dont know why people do it. the american culture is the most disrespectful culture…
I like your analogy of the doctor asking questions, but I believe that Barbara was essentially correct. When you purchase a how-to-book you don’t ask it if you should do it… you ask HOW!
You: Docotor my foot hurts…
Doc: Where exactly does it hurt? Inside/outside? Is it a piching pain or does it feel like a muscle kind of pain?
You: Well it’s right here and it feels like a pin is stabbing me…
Doc: OK would you like me to do the Masatatisticaloptimy procedure the Lattice Ray Introspection, or the good old Antifootalscopimitis technique?
You: ???, Maybe I should go to another Doctor…
Market research is one thing but asking what can I sell you is another.
Thank you for listening to me rant…