You can get a copy of the NEWBIES NIGHTMARE here ---> 
What the Heck is a GURU Anyway?
by Gary ~ November 27th, 2008
by
Gary Simpson
We hear the term ALL the time – guru. On the internet it would seem anybody who is anybody is a GURU. So, what is a guru?
The Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines a guru as follows:
- a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism,
- a teacher and intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern,
- one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent of a cult, a movement or an idea.
I suppose, therefore, that when somebody is called an “internet guru” then they are being hailed as some sort of teacher or leader.
Guru. It’s a stupid sounding word. Say it: Goo-roo. It sounds silly, doesn’t it? In particular it is silly to call somebody a name or give them a title that has no formal qualification of any distinction.
What determines a guru? Is it because somebody self-proclaims it? That seems to be the way that it is used on the internet. Moreover, it seems that a bunch of people all get together in a Joint Venture scheme and all determine to call themselves guru. Guru A promotes Guru B who promotes Guru C who promotes Guru D who promotes Guru A. Hey presto – we have a guru ring!
Let’s examine the different types of guru that we find on the internet. We have the:
- Copy Writing Guru – it is very fashionable to be one of these – once there were hundreds, now there are thousands – all claim to be able to write a letter of psychological warfare against mere mortals so that the mortals will be beating down your door to hand you money
- List Building Guru – often thought of as the most valuable gurus because a big list = big potential profits. These guys are the gods of “squeeze pages” that get your name and email address in return for information that you simply cannot afford to be without.
- Marketing Guru – anybody can be one of these – just throw out the shingle and make a lot of noise. These are the gurus who advocate adding thirty seven “bonuses” (of incredibly dubious worth) just to get you to buy something that needs a lot of extra credibility to help sell it.
- Financial Guru – this “guru-ship” can be very difficult to obtain because to be one of these one has to have formal qualifications. To be a financial guru you need to have a license from an accredited licensing body.
- Search Engine Optimization Guru – these “gurus” will be right one day then blown out of the game the next because Google changes its algorithms like most people change their underpants. SEO gurus can fall from grace virtually overnight. Position 3 one day then position 33 the next.
- Traffic Guru – there are many false gurus claiming this status. They write all sorts of worthless, out-dated text claiming that if you follow their advice then you will have an armada of visitors beating a path to your website.
In reality, the term “guru” has been bandied about on the internet so freely and willingly that it has reached farcical proportions.
Anyone and everyone is a guru. People we have never heard of are put up as gurus. Oddly enough, I have never heard of a female guru on the internet. I guess that would be called a guru-ess. Now that really sounds stupid, doesn’t it?
lion – lioness
tiger – tigress
guru -guruess
I am waiting for some person to anoint another or proclaim himself a “super-guru.” You see, there are so many gurus around these days that it has become, well… far too common to denote any distinction at all.
The sooner the hackneyed term “guru” falls from grace and stops being used by all and sundry the better. That’s what I think anyway.
About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary’s email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his
Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his “Zenspirational Thoughts” plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book “The Power of Choice.”
November 27th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hey Gary,
Good post bro, quite true
I suppose it is the internets way of saying a person is an expert in their field but as you say far too many people claim to be a guru !
What I would say is there are many experts on the internet and I would love to know if they claim themselves to be a guru or if they are given such status by their clients / customers.
I think for me someone would be a guru if they had influence on my life and business not just because someone said they are one.
You make a very good point Gary, nice 1 mate
Keep in touch
Dean
http://www.DeanHolland.com
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Just click on ALEX JEFFREYS to find out how.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
November 27th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Heh… heh…
Thanks Dean,
Yep. You’re right. If somebody is prepared to call somebody else a guru then I guess they are… a guru – at least to that person anyway.
But I still think it’s a dopey thing to call someone.
Thanks for stopping by.
Gary
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
November 30th, 2008 at 12:46 am
[...] What the Heck is a GURU Anyway? … that it is used on the internet. Moreover, it seems that a bunch of people all get together in a Joint Venture scheme and all determine to call themselves guru. Guru A promotes Guru B who promotes Guru C who promotes Guru D who promotes Guru A. Hey presto – we have a guru ring! Let’s examine … [...]
November 30th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Hmm,
That was interesting.
Nice paraphrasing.
Gary
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
November 30th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Hi Gary,
Great post! I agree with Dean. I would consider someone a Guru who had great influence in my life and business.
To me, a true “Guru” would not even think of themselves as a “Guru” but be considered a “Guru” by others.
Lori
http://www.everythinghomebiz.com
November 30th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Hi Lori,
True. Nice considered comment.
Thanks for stopping by.
I have just loaded your name and site into my blogroll. Great timing!
Regards
Gary
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
November 30th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Hi Gary,
What a great post, there is seldom I read so good blog posts now days and this really got my attention.
The Guru term is so destructive when used about everything. I compare it to calling yourself a God of something.
What ever happened to the word Expert? That can still be used for everything. With the definition “a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully”
Being an expert is just the same as knowing a little more about a subject then the average person. And that’s just what the so claimed Guru’s does.
Keep posting great posts, I’ll be back to read them.
Thomas Skavhellen
http://www.widlas.com
December 1st, 2008 at 11:01 am
Thomas,
Thank you so much for those very kind words.
Just to add some fuel to the fire here…
A PhD has a certificate, so does a BA and an MA. A karate Sensei has a certificate. But WHO in God’s name has a GURU certificate?
Regards
Gary Simpson
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
You make me laugh…. you remind me of the class clown for some reason!!
Anyway, pop over when you have a chance and read my latest post… it’s good for a giggle!!!! “Class of 2008 Is in……”
Thanks so much for your wonderful instructions Gary… yes the blogroll is up and once again I am feeling rather proud of myself.
Can’t wait for next class….. gee wiz… how different that is to school. I couldn’t wait to get out of there!!!
I see you have written quick a few books yourself.
Cheers Mate
http://www.coleencook.com
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi Coleen,
Glad I make you laugh. That’s all part of the entertainment I like to provide. All sorts of things fly into my head ALL the time. I can hardly keep up with it all.
Yes, I saw you had your BLOGROLL up and running. Well done. Glad to be of help to you.
Indeed I have written many e-books. They are all loaded onto the “Battlestar Gallactica” site (that’s what I call it) behind this blog – many of them you won’t see but they are sitting there like my obedient servants… just waiting to be unleashed on an unsuspecting world.
Regards
Gary
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
PS: Don’t be fooled by my fooling around. There is a method to my madness. And I can be one serious son-of-a-gun when I want (not often though). LOL!
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 am
I had no doubt that you are one smart ‘cookie’ !!! ha ha ha
Your instructions on how to do my blogroll were clear, concise and straight the point.
I look foward to the next lesson you teach me!!!
….you still make me laugh… ha ha ha… and I’m not fooled.
I would love to have a brainstorming session with you mate!!!
How cool was todays training session with Alex. He is such a guy. So informative and the passion just shines through.
Looking forward to the coming week. How are you going with Module 2?
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:25 am
Hi Gary
Can you please explain something to me. I have written up a post for my blog, yet for some reason when I hit the publish button, my blog is not accepting my post…..any suggestions mate.
Thanks
Coleen
http://www.coleencook.com
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 am
Coleen,
Was that you I heard on the Q&A session of Module 2?
Hmm, not sure I could diagnose such a problem remotely but I would check to see that you are not confusing a page with a post.
They are separate sub pages to the WRITE page. Check your “live” blog and have a snoop around. You may have inadvertently put it somewhere else. It’s easy to do when you are in a hurry.
Regards
Gary
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
December 7th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Hi, Gary,
Great blog!
Your hints and tips are great!
I was following #4 on creating a blogroll. When I get to step 5 and click on “categories”, there is no blogroll there. When I click on Add new category, nothing happens.
I found a suggestion on the internet to disable javascript in firefox, which I did. That did not solve the problem. Do you have any idea what the problem is or where I can find the solution?
Thanks,
Joan
December 7th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Hi Joan,
Thanks for the comment. Not sure why you put it in here though. Have you been on the “HINTS & TIPS” thread.
Hava a look there and see either of the two guys I mention in my editorial there. They are both really great techies.
Regards
Gary
Internet Marketing Student of Alex Jeffreys
PS: I’m gonna put you on my blogroll when you get up and running with some good content. And Joan… you gotta get rid of that security code near the comments panel. Nobody will jump through that most inconvenient and time consuming task any more. Well, none of the heavy-hitters will anyway. They are just TOO BUSY. And they are the ones you ESPECIALLY want to visit your blog.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Just click on ALEX JEFFREYS to find out how.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
December 13th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Gary,
Great post! I love the “traffic guru” it seems like everytime you turn around there is a new Traffic Guru with a $7 ebook that will tell you how to go from 0 to 500 visitors a day within a few days. The only problem is, when you read the ebook you see that’s it’s filled with nothing but fluff.. oh and they tell you to advertise, DUH! haha
I hope one day I can be a “Check Cashing” guru! I just setup my blog, literally a few hours ago. Please check it out, let me know what you think!
Tai Zejan
http://taizejan.wordpress.com/