The Hartsock Agency

1. If you read an article by an internet “guru”, PR “guru”, Oprah “guru” – be an investigator first and a buyer second.

What does that mean? It means the best possible thing you can do with all this onslaught of “guru-like” information is to take a step back and investigate the source.

2. The source? The trusted source? If they write it on the Internet, then it must be true source? Yes.

3. I repeat, “Be an investigator  first and a buyer second.”

4. Do your own research before you spend your time  or money or both on any of these: Just one more wafer-thin-  sixty minute webinar, “The Only Place You’ll Be Able to Get this Producer’s Name” (only priced at $49.99), one more e-book “The Secret to Becoming Oprah’s best friend and Usurping Gayle’s place at the Table”, or “How email can drive your book to #1 on Amazon if you Pay me 20,000.”

5. Be Columbo. Be Columbo. Be Columbo. “Oh Sir, just one more thing…” Ask as many questions as you can, about everything that promises you instantaneous success.  

6. Spend more time asking questions and seeking out the answers for yourself. Be persistent and unyielding. There are no shortcuts to the long tail of the Web. The good news? If you’re persistent and unyielding, you can find all the answers for free on the Web. Just think Columbo.