I ran the title of this post by my wife, just to see what reaction I would receive. She looked puzzled at first… So, I asked her what the “Normal” saying was. Her reply was, “You can’t Judge a Book by its cover”… I told her to think about it for a second. If the “Normal” statement was True, then doesn’t that mean that the opposite statement had to be true?
It would be like unwrapping that BEAUTIFULLY wrapped box, with the Big Bow on top, You Know… The one that everyone asked about who’s present it was… Then after you tear off all that beautiful paper on the outside and you pull the lid of the box, you find that you have uncovered the worst looking thrift store sweater. It has a coffee stain in the front, and one sleeve is longer than the other… Oh, did I mention that it was in style back in the Sixties…
I might have been just a little over dramatic in my example, but I’m sure you understand what I mean.
There are Hundreds of books on the market about making money online. Most have beautiful covers. Some might even have a Headline or Title that reads similar to: “How I went from being Flat Broke to a Multi-Millionaire Overnight with Affiliate Marketing” (Over Dramatic Again, Sorry!) Once you get beyond the cover, there is usually a totally different story inside.
Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of good books out there on Affiliate Marketing and the world that surrounds it.
I know this for a fact, because I have some of them. I also have read some that should only be used to keep paper from flying off your desk when someone opens the front door or used as a Doorstop. Truth is, there is a lot of just plain Garbage out there as well.
Where do you start?
How do you pick the right One?
How do you avoid wasting your money on the Garbage?
I had the same questions when we started. It was only after I experienced the truth by being in the business, that I found what I was looking for.
I wanted an Honest book, one that was written by an Honest person, one that gave me an Honest view of Affiliate Marketing. It had to tell me how things really worked from the inside, what things I need to avoid, and what things I should pay closer attention to.
Already being in the business, I had a little better understanding on what was reality and what was total poo 💩 … (PG Rated Expression)
Let me save you the trouble of searching. If I could give you one recommendation on the Very First book that you should read, BEFORE starting an Affiliate Marketing business, One that gives you that Honest inside look, will save you a ton of headaches down the road, is an Excellent Book for the “Newbie” Like I was… that book would be “The Iceberg Effect” . (Which is FREE at the moment, you just pay $7.96 for shipping by following the link) OR I think you can even find it on Amazon for around $20… Either way, I highly recommend it! (Tip: Save money where you can, and you get a lot of “extras” with the Free One… even an Audio Version)
This book, “The Iceberg Effect”, was written by Dean Holland, which is now my Mentor. This is a man that was in the business for 4 years before he made his first dollar. (How’s that for Honesty?)
The Title reflects the business of Affiliate Marketing perfectly. When we first looked at starting our business, we only saw what was above the water, not what goes on below the surface…
Remember, The Titanic sank due to what was under the water, the part of the Iceberg that you cannot see. You could have a similar situation with your business if you’re focusing on the Tip of the Iceberg “$” and not what goes on beneath the water, the part we do not see.
This One book played a key role in changing the future of our business.
I love that concept as presented, “you can judge a cover by the book”! It’s quite powerful they way you explained it and leads to finding the truth. I read and love The Iceberg Effect and read it a couple times. The best and most honest book I’ve read on affiliate marketing. All the best moving forward and look forward to your next post.
Denny, Thank you for the comments! I LOVE the book! Until I read The Iceberg Effect, most of the books seemed to tell the same story with just enough to keep you on the hook. Dean literally threw the cover off and explains the Truth like none other.
You’re right! The Iceberg Effect by Dean Holland is indeed a great book. I read it twice and it’s now my reference for my affiliate marketing activities. I love the comparison you did with the Titanic which sank because of the hidden underneath part of the iceberg. I’m the first to be attracted by a nice shiny cover. However, it could difficult with only this information to determine the quality of what’s inside or under the cover. We need to develop our critical mind and make our own investigation.
Martin
Martin, you are so right when it comes to focusing in on the shiny tip of the Iceberg! I think Dean has been the most honesty Author on the subject of Affiliate Marketing that I have came across. Even with the help of the book, we still need to fine tune our mindset and hone our skillset…
Thanks for this, I too have read the iceberg effect, what I found most helpful was the little videos that go with it.
I have to say it took me three attempts to read what the title of this post actually said, as opposed to what my mind was telling me what it was saying. I guess we see what we want to see, and that is why we fall for so many of these marketing tricks designed to part us with our money.
I enjoyed reading you post and look forward to reading more
Tony, Funny how we process things. I could read the same thing 4 times and get something different each time. The Iceberg Effect reall did open my eyes to see what I refused to see before.
I’ve read this book, too! In fact, I was thinking with the start of the year, maybe I should reread it. It gave me such clarity and focused energy when I listened to it- I devoured the audiobook twice before I even received the hard copy. LOL! It would be a literal jumpstart to my new year. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Nakina, thanks for the comment! I use the Iceberg Effect as mush as I use spell check… LOL It has become my go to reference on almost a daily basis. Just wish I could have found it sooner!!!
Hi!
I really like Dean’s honesty in The Iceberg Effect. Your post paints a positive tribute to the underlying truths about Affiliate Marketing. I am looking forward to returning to your blog for updates!
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Milissa Neirotti recently posted…The REMOTE WORK Search is On!
Milissa, thank you for the comment! Truly the Iceberg Effect is the most honest approach for anybody looking into Affiliate Marketing. Looking forward to 2024 and beyond!
“Thank you for sharing your experiences in the world of affiliate marketing. The analogy of the ‘Iceberg Effect’ is powerful and truly underscores the importance of understanding what lies beneath the surface in this field.
The ‘Iceberg Effect’ book is a valuable read, especially for those just starting in affiliate marketing. I have read it twice and used it as a reference book. Many times I have found myself stuck, not knowing what to do, and by reading it again, I have found what I need to keep going. I recommend it to those who are thinking of starting an affiliate business or those who are new to this field.
Thanks again for sharing your insights and providing a specific recommendation. I will be back to your blog for new valuable information on affiliate marketing.”
Ezequiel, I couldn’t agree more on the Iceberg Effect. I would recommend it as the most Honest book on the Subject of Affiliate Marketing that is availiable today!
David,
There is defiantly and ocean of marketing information out there. It is easy to get lost in it. Without a guide, Like Dean, it is difficult to navigate the treacherous waters of online marketing. Having a mentor is like having a lighthouse that lights the way to safety. The lighthouse keeps one on the right path and keeps one off the rocks and other obstacles. A mentor can keep you from tossing to and fro and lead one on a steady course.
I would not want to go on this journey without a mentor to guide me.
I am glad you found Dean to light the way for you.
CJ
CJ, Thank you for the comment! I Love the Lighthouse way of thinking as it is a Great way for us to avoid the dangers of what we would not be able to see if in fact it was not there. A great Mentor coupled with a great team of coaches is the only way that I would even think about starting this business in the present age. Looking forward to what we can accomplish in the future!
I love the title of this post. It is a great pattern interrupt.
Maybe you can consider using this as a subject line for your email as well.
And I certainly agree that Iceberg Effect is the first book people should read before starting affiliate marketing.
Thank you Alan for the comment! Thank you also for the Thought on using it in an email… 🤔 I believe that it would make a great subject line, as it does make you read it twice..LOL
Hey, great saying, there, David – great way to get people doing a double-take! In fact, that is what makes successful Facebook ads – getting people to do a double-take, aka, scroll-stoppers!
So glad you found a good mentor in Dean. In my view, mentors are key to us getting past our ideas and limitations to what may be only just beyond them, but will help us move much farther along the trail. I look forward to reading more as you discover and grow!
Thanks David,
good title for a post.
I also read “The Iceberg Effect” a few times and listened to the audiobook version many more. I admire that Dean Holland recorded it by reading the book himself, which gives this special added value. We love Deans’s voice, don’t we?
This actually inspired me to listen to it once more.
Thank you.
Tom
David great post and well written, very clever observation about judging a book cover. I love the way you used that to introduce the ice berg effect. Very clever and inspirational. Well done. Many thanks, Atif
Atif Perwiz recently posted…Affiliate what? Planting my flag (or is it a seedling)
I like your take on the saying “Can’t (or Can) judge a book by its cover.” There are a lot of books about affiliate marketing and how does one know which one is good or works for them.? Do we want honesty? Yes. Do we want something that works? Yes. The book The Iceberg Effect is a great book as I have also read and enjoyed it. It is one of the very few books about affiliate marketing that just makes sense.
Sherri, thanks for the comment! I agree 100% … So many books fit into the “Shiny Objects” Category as Dean would put it… The Iceberg Effect is in a category by itself, Honesty being one of its Greatest Characteristics!
Really enjoyed your post especially the title, I must admit it took a few reads to get it right! I can’t agree with you more about how Dean conducts his mentoring! It’s too bad that these affiliate programs didn’t come with a preview/trial first before you had to purchase because Dean would certainly have stood out from the pack and saved all of us time, frustration and money.
Thank you for commenting Ken, I love to think outside of the box and I have to admit, when I came up with the title, even I had to read over it a few times 😁
Fact is, it is absolutely true! I truly wish I could have Dean and Internet Profits early on in my interest of affiliate marketing, I would have been way ahead of where I am now. Good part is, We are on the right track now!!!