Online Side Hustle Course Misleads Customers, Costing Them Thousands
By Movieguide® Contributor
A social media side hustle course is deceiving customers and costing them more money than expected.
“The internet is full of videos with people saying they became millionaires through affiliate marketing. Part of the appeal is that these jobs can be pitched as a ‘side hustle’ that don’t require as much time and effort as a full-time position,” NBC News reported.
TODAY spoke with several women who purchased a social media affiliate marketing program from Legendary Marketing. It was advertised as only $7 but took a misleading turn.
“Several days into their online course, they were surprised when a ‘business adviser’ met with them over Zoom, telling them that to really earn money, they needed to buy the ‘Uplevel Blueprint’ course for $2,500,” TODAY reported.
The women were encouraged to do anything they could to pay for the course, even if it meant selling their cars.
They spent the money, banking on the company’s promise that the $2,500 would “tremendously” change their lives.
Per Forbes, “The affiliate marketer sticks a link of another business brand on their website, social media profile, blog, newsletter, etc. When a consumer clicks the link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission because they were responsible for promoting the other business’s product or service.”
However, they soon learned they’d make money by reselling the same course to others.
TODAY reported, “In online videos, Legendary Marketer CEO Dave Sharpe tells potential customers: ‘I’ve gone from completely broke to living the life of my dreams.’ On its website, the company says it has ‘$250 million in career sales’ and ‘well over half of that has been paid out to affiliate partners.’ But the fine print on Legendary’s website reads, ‘This is not a get rich quick program’ and ‘the average person’ should expect ‘little to no results.’”
NBC News questioned the Better Business Bureau about the company, which removed its A rating and investigated numerous complaints.
The women who purchased the Legendary Marketing course now encourage others to do extensive research before purchasing a similar product.
“They advise anyone interested in becoming an affiliate marketer to read reviews and research multiple courses. Lynne said she now makes a good living doing affiliate and digital marketing, but it’s definitely not a side hustle. She said it took a long time to build her businesses and she still works long hours,” TODAY reported.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
