It’s Not Smart Marketing, It’s Dumb Tricks

Erik Karey Nov 7th, 2007 17 Comments

Dumb Marketing Although I had planned to make a post on crowded niches, a recent occurrence in the blogosphere has inspired me into talking about the difference between actual marketing and dumb tricks and believe me there is a difference. Now, perhaps some of you have heard about John Cow being “hacked” and how it’s being held up for ransom money….$100 in paypal in 24 hours. Well if you haven’t, good for you, but in case you want to hear the “story” here’s a link to some of the coverage.

The basic idea behind it is that John Cow’s site, which is/was a parody of John Chow’s website, was hacked in is now being held until the hacker is paid $100. First, this is obviously a joke and done to create some linkbait and maybe even score an extra $100. The paypal address goes to cownapper@johncow.com and the image for the ransom message is on his server…this is obviously his own doing…..regardless of how you want to argue this.

Secondly, and more to the point of this article, this is just plain stupid. Now I will admit when John Cow first came onto the scene, the idea of a John Chow parody site was interesting and unique, but since then it’s been nothing but dumb tricks to keep the blog in the headlines. From being “sued” to being “hacked” these so-called “marketing tactics” is nothing more than cheap acts to make a few bucks. What I don’t understand is why if there are a slew of quality sites providing useful information on how to make a living online that sites like this get all of the headlines?

What bothers me most about what’s been going on at John Cow and a variety of other sites is that it seems that today it’s easier to make money through stupid tricks than it is legitimately online. I’ll admit that I don’t make a living online and probably make a fraction of what John Cow will make this month, but I’m doing things the right way through general advertising, freelance work, affiliate marketing, and general web development. I’d rather create a lasting business structure than rely on cheap tricks to get me in the headlines any day.

Although I’m sure a number of people will disagree with me on this and say that ideas like these are ingenious linkbait generators (Notice how I haven’t linked to his site), I can’t see past the ridiculousness of such tactics. I’ll end with saying that this is in no way an attack on John Cow himself, just the tactics used to market the blog. Agree or disagree, I’d love to hear from you….leave a comment and voice your opinion.

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17 Comments

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1

Jamie Harrop November 7, 2007

I’m not sure where I sit on this subject, Erik. I guess I’m 50/50.

In some ways I respect the gimmicks and give credit for thinking outside the box and being willing to take a risk.

On the other hand, I agree with you that it’s a little disappointing when we put out quality content and spend hours putting in effort and we build our blogs off that. We build our blogs because our blogs are useful. Whereas the Cow and others seem to be, at times, building their blogs through stunts that give no quality to the readers.

Like I said, I’m 50/50. Maybe I’ll have a good think and then blog about it with my opinion.
2

Erik Karey November 7, 2007

I think it you put my feelings down very well by saying it’s discouraging to see stunts that offer no quality to the reader being more important than quality content for a number of different blogs.

Thanks for voicing your opinion Jamie and I look forward to the possible post.
3 Affiliate Marketing » It’s Not Smart Marketing, It’s Dumb Tricks November 7, 2007

[...] Erik Karey: Internet Entrepreneur wrote an interesting post today on Itâ��s Not Smart Marketing, Itâ��s Dumb TricksHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG Dumb Marketing]Although I had planned to make a post on crowded niches, a recent occurrence in the blogosphere has inspired me into talking about the difference between actual marketing and dumb tricks and believe me there is a difference. Now, perhaps some of you have heard about John Cow being “hacked” and how it’s being held up for ransom money….$100 in paypal in 24 hours. Well if you haven’t, good for you, but in case you want to hear the “story” here’s a link to some of the coverage. [...]
4

Brian Free November 7, 2007

I agree with you Erik. I see the headlines every now and again, but I know they are all cheap gimmicks and I refuse to give him a visit. The bottom line is, that he may make some money in the short term, but his site will go down in flames before too long.
5

Paul November 7, 2007

These gimmicks are really fascinating, I have heard of many similar site like John Cow’s. They are really good at making short term money and flee unnoticed.
6

John Cow November 7, 2007

Seems people around here can’t take a joke. Seriously, you really think we didn’t do our best to make it obvious with an address like cownapper@johncow.com and asking for just $100?

Excuse us for having fun with our blog, you can continue to stay boring now.

bye.
7

Erik Karey November 7, 2007

Brian - Thanks for leaving a comment with your thoughts and I do think you’re right about that.

Paul - Thanks for commenting….it is short term money and for some that is fine.

John Cow - If that’s really you posting then thanks for stopping by. I have no issue with having fun, but I see people praising this as clever marketing and I don’t think that’s what it is.

I realize that you started the blog as a parody and you don’t take the whole concept of making money online too seriously and that’s fine it’s your niche. Yet, the point of the article here is that it’s not smart marketing, it’s just a game or little show you are putting on, not a sustainable money making concept.

You are free to be as fun as you want and try and generate linkbait in anyway you want, I just don’t care for the strategies nor think of them as “smart marketing”.

I have to go be boring now.
8 unH4cked | John Cow dot Com November 7, 2007

[...] it is to get your blog backed up. Seems we’re now once again the scum of the earth etc. Bad cows! So anyway, we hope we didn’t cause any permanent trauma to any of our sensitive readers. [...]
9

Andy November 7, 2007

I guess I would have to agree with Jamie. I too am 50/50 on this whole deal. Yeah, I gave it some press, but I recognized it for what it was, a joke. You can blog and blog and blog but sometimes you just want your stats to creep up a little or have your subscribers go up a tad. It makes you feel like your accomplishing something. However I understand that you need to provide good content. I guess I thought it was funny.
10

Erik Karey November 7, 2007

Andy - Thanks for sharing. I know John Cow’s blog is based on the concept of a big joke, but at times promotes itself as a money making blog too. The overall concept when it started as Chow clone I thought was funny, but it just seems like it should stay as a joke or lose the gimmicks.

I’m not saying I hate the Cow’s blog or him as a writer, I’m just pointing out that these types of tricks aren’t legitimate marketing concepts.
11

Daniel November 7, 2007

I don’t even understand what you are talking about Eric?

Legitimate marketing? There is no such thing, and especially not online!

I personally thinks its brilliant and fresh. Thank god someone does anything else than popups and AdSense!
12 Tuhkan, It’s just a marketing game! - Dexno, My Online Earning Journey November 7, 2007

[...] important it is to get your blog backed up. Seems we’re now once again the scum of the earth etc. Bad cows! So anyway, we hope we didn’t cause any permanent trauma to any of our sensitive readers. We’re [...]
13

Liberty and New Creation November 7, 2007

I appreciate what other people do to creatively make money, but I’m always hesitant to try things like this myself, because it simply isn’t sustainable. I’d rather be patient and build a legitimate business that will stand the test of time.
14

Erik Karey November 7, 2007

Daniel - Thanks for voicing your opinion. What I mean by legitimate is something that’s sustainable. Little stunts like this will get old and are not something you can do over and over again.
15 Is there any integrity left in the world of blogging? November 7, 2007

[...] was hacked. Some people thought the stunt was funny and clever whilst some thought it was evil or poor marketing. This guy said it undermined his whole brand and I think that is an apt description. Other [...]
16 Jason Brailow » unH4cked November 13, 2007

[...] it is to get your blog backed up. Seems we’re now once again the scum of the earth etc. Bad cows! So anyway, we hope we didn’t cause any permanent trauma to any of our sensitive readers. [...]
17 100 posts and still a long way to go November 30, 2007

[...] Erik Karey - Internet Entrepreneur [...]