Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business

Sales pages are designed to make us buy. But if the way they’re done is scammy or deceptive, should we really buy from them at all? In part one of this two-part series on sales pages, we covered program promises, pain points, and the solution. But there’s way more you need to watch for, so in this episode, we’re digging into FAQs, bonus stacks and more. We discuss: Why long sales pages can leave you confused and worn out. How do you identify possible red flags when you read an about section? Key questions to keep in mind when you read testimonials. Why FAQ sections devoted to overcoming money objections should give you pause. Value stacking: What is it, and why is the math used often complete BS? For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Business bundles seem to be everywhere these days, leaving everyone wondering if these are actually a good deal and they should jump on the bundle train. Sure, they often seem like a total steal, but if the bundle doesn’t actually bring YOU any value, the fact that the price was “reasonable” is irrelevant. How can you tell if a business bundle is worth the price or if you should run away entirely? In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about those business bundles from how they work, why they’re so enticing and what to consider before you buy. We discuss: What business bundles are and how they work. The potential benefits of business bundles. Business bundle examples and some red flags. The psychology behind business bundles and the concept of loss aversion. Questions to ask yourself before you buy a business bundle. What to consider if you’re invited to participate in a bundle. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

If there’s one place on the internet it’s all too easy to get tripped up and make an impulsive decision, it’s sales pages. Yes, sales pages are designed to draw you in and pique your interest, but in many cases, these pages are cross the line from persuasion to straight-up manipulation. So how do you spot the red flags? In part one of this two-part series on sales pages, we’re covering program promises, pain points, and the solution. We discuss: The psychology behind using long-form sales pages. Examples of the empty promises we often see from group programs. How to identify headlines designed to suck you in, The difference between pressing on pain points versus agitating them. How to identify red flags when reviewing offered solutions. Key takeaways to keep in mind when reading sales pages. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Is the state of ethical business actually improving in 2024? Are we actually making some progress? Well, it’s a good news/bad news kind of story. The good is that we’re finally starting to see more and more people reject the status quo business practices, including manipulative marketing and scammy sales practices. The bad is that this industry is very fickle, and while it’s good to hear more discussions about ethical business, certain topics have fallen off the radar. And whether these conversations translate into change still remains to be seen. In this episode, we’re digging into the state of ethical business in 2024 and having a raw conversation about where things really stand. We discuss: The monetization of burnout and why hustling isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. The sudden pivot from people who used to talk about “the right way to market” to now preaching the opposite. The predictable patterns in the industry and why it’s often easy to see what’s coming as things shift. What we recommend you watch for in the coming months. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon

In a world where we’re connected to people across the globe, it’s nearly impossible for us NOT to create parasocial relationships. If you publish content or have an audience filled with people you don’t know personally, you create parasocial relationships. And that’s totally fine The trouble starts with ensuring everyone understands that we’re in these relationships and that they can make us more vulnerable to predatory tactics. In this episode, we’re answering the questions of what parasocial relationships are, how they affect us, and how they’re being weaponized against us? We discuss: What are parasocial relationships? The evolution of parasocial relationships. How we create these relationships with online content creators. The deliberate cultivation of parasocial relationships by celebrities and online business owners. The impact of parasocial relationships on consumer behavior. What consumers need to be aware of with their parasocial relationships and how it influences buying decisions. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

You’re excited about signing up for a new program, and you’re just about to check out, then you decide to read the terms and conditions…but maybe they’re super long and you’re in a rush. Fast forward three weeks later and you realize this was a terrible choice and the program is hot garbage. So, what now? In this episode, we’re looking at the fine print of T&Cs, guarantees and refunds so you can save yourself this exact headache and not waste your time or money with people who don’t live up to their marketing hype. We discuss: The power dynamics around payments Why clear and balanced payment-related policies are essential to protect both buyers and sellers. Why understanding terms and conditions is crucial. Key questions to ask when reviewing terms and conditions. Why guarantees can be a slippery slope. What to watch for as a consumer. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

This week we’re giving you a little teaser of what’s going on over the Duped Patreon. Our January episode offered a grab bag of topics as we dove into all the things happening in cults, documentaries, and online business. In this teaser, we discuss the current conversation about "degrowth" and our feelings on the matter. Want to hear the rest of the conversation? Join the Patreon and you can listen to the January episode in full where we also cover:

Affiliates, JVs, and Summits…oh my! These collaborations can be spectacular for sales and growing an audience, but they also have a dark side that can take advantage of business owners and ultimately lead to getting Duped In this episode, we’re diving into the HIGHLY nuanced topic of summits and JVs and decoding deceptive tactics that can leave you holding the bag. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Have you heard of something called neurolinguistic programming or NLP? It’s everywhere in online business, but no one seems to be able to explain what it is or why we use it. In this episode, we tackle everything from its controversial history to its widespread online influence to answer the question: are you being manipulated by NLP? And would you even know if you were? For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

As 2023 comes to a close, we wanted to reflect on the year that was and make some predictions about what lies ahead in 2024. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Online business sells the dream of being financially free to women from all walks of life. And that with a certain amount of money, each of us will have the power to change the world. Welcome to the fakery of financial feminism, where we’re being pushed to play bigger, but are we actually even benefiting? For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Truth time: Growing your audience in 2023 is hard. Yet, the web celebs who are selling you courses about how to create courses, memberships, or programs want you to believe that it is easy. No audience, no problem! This is why we wanted to dive into the grift of audience growth on this episode of Duped. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Duped is back! We wanted to start off this season with a state of the industry, a state of the nation, if you will, on what's going on with online business as we head towards the end of 2023. In this episode of Duped, we’re giving you a rundown on the state of online business right now and what you should be watching for in the coming months. Learn more at duped.online

Have you ever thought that online business seems a lot like a MLM? Well, you’re not wrong, the crossover is very real, and it’s time we talk about it. In this episode, we’re sitting down with the author of the new book Hey, Hun - Emily Lynn Paulson. Want more? Join us on Patreon for bonus and behind-the-scenes content including a discussion with Maggie about her experience as part of a top achiever in a MLM. Join us at patreon.com/duped Learn more on our website at duped.online

On April 24th, Matthew McConaughey hosted an online event called The Art of Livin’. While events like these are nothing new in the online business world, what made this one different was the magnitude and scale, with 2 million people attending the event. This exposed a whole new level of online shenanigans, had people buzzing, and caused a massive impact in the online community, so, OF COURSE, we needed to break this down and get into what all the hype was about. Check out this teaser for our breakdown of the red flag parade that was The Art of Livin’ event. If you want to hear the whole episode — and more behind-the-scenes content — hit us up on Patreon: patreon.com/duped Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are our own. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. There is no implied endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Here's a quick sneak peek of our Patreon bonus episode on the book The Millionaire Messenger. This book is ground zero for a lot of the BS in the online business industry and we read it so you don't have to. WANT MORE? Join the Patreon for $7 per month: https://www.patreon.com/duped

The jig is up, and now you realize that the coach or course you signed up for is not what it seems, and you want out. You want your money back. You want them out of your life. In this episode, we’ll look at your options if you’ve been scammed and answer the question, now what? Want more? Join us on Patreon for bonus and behind-the-scenes content. Find us at patreon.com/duped Learn more on our website at duped.online

Online business is steeped in manifestation talk, especially regarding money. But should you believe what your coach tells you about how investing in their high ticket mastermind is a way to accomplish your goals by betting on yourself? Are you missing some secret way of making money and making your dreams come true? In this episode, we’re digging into manifestation, including the gaslighting and grifting that’s everywhere. Want more? Join us on Patreon for bonus and behind-the-scenes content. Find us at patreon.com/duped Learn more on our website at duped.online

“I’m an award-winning entrepreneur. I’m the author of Wall Street Journal Bestseller.” Are these claims actually real, or is the business owner who touts such things sitting on a “throne of lies” because nowadays authority and expertise can be bought? It’s probably one of the easiest ways to scam consumers. In this episode of Duped, we break down different authority scams so you can make the best purchasing decisions. Want more? Join us on Patreon for bonus and behind-the-scenes content. Find us at patreon.com/duped Learn more on our website at duped.online

From mystery offers to cash months, the online coaching world is full of sketchy and scammy things. In this episode, we’re discussing some of the coaching scams that are happening right now in the online business world and how to ensure you’re not getting sucked in. Want more? Join us on Patreon for bonus and behind-the-scenes content. Find us at patreon.com/duped Learn more on our website at duped.online