History Of Digital Downloads
Libraries, art galleries, museums, universities, schools and government, initially saw digitalisation as:
- A way of using the it to preserve artifacts, documents and treasures. Limiting access to the originals but expanding access by dissemination of the images and information associated with an item.
- A way of quickly disseminating information to the general public, or particular groups of people, interest groups and employees. For example the introduction of new company or departmental policies or the introduction of new laws or rules.
That quickly changed. All of the above institutions and businesses plus a whole lot of new players started to see tremendous opportunities. How bypassing the machinery of conventional publishing could get information into the hands of people more efficiently and cheaply.
The Information Age
Information, software and scripts, music, video, audio and art; all became available to anyone with a computer and an internet connection. For a few dollars you could purchase something that would have cost four or five times as much in a hard copy. For much of the material of new creators, most of it never published before the value was even greater as they had no track record to recommend them.
The quality of the information published in those early days was variable to say the least, and many people lost money to the false information or dubious strategies, but equally so many benefitted from the information they purchased. The same variability applies today, because as soon as a protection is built into the industry, along comes a strategy to circumvent it.
The Shady Side Of Internet Marketing
Someone once compared the worst of Internet Marketers with Used Car Salesmen and the Used Car Salesmen were offended. Yes it’s very true that the underbelly of our industry is not very savory.
Disclaimers
For example the regulators require us to put a disclaimer, that says:
“The Seller” can’t guarantee you the same results as “they” or people providing testimonials to the product, because “they” don’t know your work habits, ability to follow instructions consistently, and any number of other factors that could affect your ability to duplicate the system “they” use.
Now that is a fair disclaimer; one that shows a commitment to develop a mutual relationship.
Unfortunately the unscrupulous have used the disclaimer as a shield to protect outlandish claims.
So for a prospective buyer the text says:
- Become a millionaire.
- In a week.
- Takes 20 minutes work per day.
- Anyone can do it.
- No experience necessary.
- No skills required.
- No discipline needed.
The Devil’s Disclaimer
While the small print, “the disclaimer” says to the new owner:
- The author does not warrant at any time that the contents are accurate. (not even at the time of writing)
- The author assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. (What about a simple mention on the sales page that these could exist)>
- Any perceived slights of specific persons, peoples, or organizations other published materials are unintentional and used solely for educational purposes. (So why not say the guys think differently, check them out before you decide.) /li
It Continues
- No representation is made or implied that the reader will do as well from using the suggested techniques, strategies, methods, systems, or ideas; rather it is presented for news value only. (How come the copy says differently.)
- The author does not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for what you choose to do with this information. (In the sales letter you say the method, if followed as you say, is legal and safe, suddenly it’s not!)
- Any perceived remark, comment or use of organizations, people mentioned and any resemblance to characters living, dead or otherwise, real or fictitious does not mean that they support this content in any way. ( Why name drop unless those people will stand behind the product)
- There are no guarantees of income made, traffic delivered or other promises of any kind. (Can understand the first two, but why make promises you can’t stand behind.)
- By reading any document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, that are incurred as a result of use of the information contained within this document, including – but not limited to errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. (Why are these things mention in the main text of the sales letter)
Why would you buy from the purveyor of this product, who is saying in the final analysis you can’t have any faith in anything “he or she” says, or any course of action “they” recommend.
These are the highlights not the whole thing, from a real disclaimer.
How Come These Type Of Disclaimers Are Not Challenged
Because there are two groups of people that enable this unethical behavior to continue, two groups that make up most of those interested in Online Marketing:
- Those attracted to opportunities with the lure of big dollars fast, with no work, and no credentials are often desperate rather than enthusiastic. They are likely to read the small print but still decide to take the gamble. Which is often why they are desperate in the first place.
- The rest see the headlines and the bullet points and it seems to make sense, so they don’t bother to even read the disclaimer, because they don’t want to spoil their enthusiasm with negatives. They want to become independent of the “job” and are sure they will make it work somehow.
Take Action
Read every disclaimer and don’t buy products with disclaimers like the one above.
The niches where these abuses most frequently occur are the “Internet Marketing”, “Making Money Online”, and “Home Business”. Avoiding these niches is one option, due diligence is another, while a combination of the two makes a third.
My Experience
Now I am over 70, I have been around marketing and on the internet for 26 years and still have not found any way that you can be fabulously rich without doing any work. It is ridiculous to believe that the “four hour workweek” can be achieved next week, next month or next year.
Working online has shown me that I do need some knowledge to begin an online business and that I will need to keep on learning, until I quit working online.
Presuming you have a decent computer and an internet connection of some kind with the best speed you can afford. There are some things you need on the internet to run a viable business, that includes a website with a product, niche or brand domain name and email.
Where Are We With Digital Products In the Second Decade Of The 21st Century
Software
Consumer
It used to come boxed with paper manuals so thick you could get a hernia lifting them, now more and more software even from the mainstream publishers like Microsoft and Adobe is now delivered via your computer. Saving the planet’s resources and your shelf space. The sophistication of many of these software offerings is utterly astounding and they now usually come with a try before you buy option, never available in the days of manuals and disks.
Automation
Some of the task integration and automation systems that have been been developed in the last five years, can certainly reduce the soul destroying repetitive tasks associated with this endeavor and allow the non techie person to build pages, and construct funnels.
Utilities
Including Virii and Malware detectors and destroyers, registry cleaners continue to provide an important level of security to individual and networked computers.
Themes Plugins and Training For CMS’s such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal seem to be never ending.
The perception that software has more value than other digital products keeps this sector vibrant. The fact that simple software is within the grasp of most computer users, make it a great choice for anyone with development aspirations.
Books
Written on every subject known to man are now sold digitally at the rate of 2 for every 1 sold using paper, the advent of iPad, Kindle and other book readers has driven this rapid expansion.
The quality is variable as the big players let the market decide what is good, based on the levels of satisfaction from those who have already purchased.
Audio Recordings
Of both music and the spoken word are now more frequently downloaded than purchased in a music store, and the quality of the recording does not deteriorate even over long period of time. Your MP3 player might get scratched, but not the recording and your entire CD collection can be kept on an one iPod or similar. Add to that that many Kindle readers have an audio component with either computerised or human voices available.
Video
Video and Audio combine to invade almost every other media. Training videos are a great OTO for a eBook, for software, as an addition to musical audios.
Maps
Static maps that can be printed have been around for a time but software that enables a GPS receiver to function are much more recent and these can now be obtained for most major cities and countries around the world, great if you plan to drive on your holiday, trip, or even around your own town.
Art
In recent times Artists are selling their work as high definition digital downloads that can be printed by the purchaser and framed. Print runs are limited in number to maintain value and the purchaser can save huge amounts in freight and insurance. Should the picture be damaged there are secure ways that the legitimate owner can get it reprinted.
Hopefully we can develop a relationship with you that will help you establish yourself as a creator or affiliate for one or more of these types of digital material.
Or maybe you have another plan and are looking for the best digital products to operationalise it.
Our aim is to give you the best help advice and fit for your needs.
