Last August, I posted an article entitled, Get rich quick. In that post, I point out a few of the key disclaimer points that I found in one online offer.

Since then, I’ve been paying extremely close attention to both the claims that other marketers are making (some of them, many of them, too good to be true) as well as to their disclaimers.

I saw a disclaimer today (actually 2) that knocked my socks off, and I wanted to share them.

This first one appeared at the bottom of the page in extremely light type. It was so difficult to read, that I had to copy and paste it into a Word document. Here it is… in similar light type. See if you can make it out.

DISCLAIMER: THE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCED BY THE USER COMMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS ON THIS PAGE AND/OR OUR WEBSITE IS NOT WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE. COMPANY HAS NOT INVESTIGATED OR SUBSTANTIATED ANY OF THE USER COMMENTS OR CLAIMS. SOME OF THE USERS MAY, IN SOME CASES, BEEN INCENTIVIZED TO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS, AND COMPANY HAS NOT VERIFIED THE FIGURES QUOTED IN THEM.

Mind you, that was on the first page of the offer. This next disclaimer was on the second page of the offer.

EARNINGS DISCLAIMER

EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ACCURATELY REPRESENT THIS PRODUCT AND IT’S POTENTIAL. EVEN THOUGH THIS INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THE FEW WHERE ONE CAN WRITE THEIR OWN CHECK IN TERMS OF EARNINGS, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL EARN ANY MONEY USING THE TECHNIQUES AND IDEAS IN THESE MATERIALS. EXAMPLES IN THESE MATERIALS ARE NOT TO BE INTERPRETED AS A PROMISE OR GUARANTEE OF EARNINGS. EARNING POTENTIAL IS ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON THE PERSON USING OUR PRODUCT, IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES. WE DO NOT PURPORT THIS AS A “GET RICH SCHEME.”

ANY CLAIMS MADE OF ACTUAL EARNINGS OR EXAMPLES OF ACTUAL RESULTS CAN BE VERIFIED UPON REQUEST. YOUR LEVEL OF SUCCESS IN ATTAINING THE RESULTS CLAIMED IN OUR MATERIALS DEPENDS ON THE TIME YOU DEVOTE TO THE PROGRAM, IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES MENTIONED, YOUR FINANCES, KNOWLEDGE AND VARIOUS SKILLS. SINCE THESE FACTORS DIFFER ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUALS, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SUCCESS OR INCOME LEVEL. NOR ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF YOUR ACTIONS.

MATERIALS IN OUR PRODUCT AND OUR WEBSITE MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT INCLUDES OR IS BASED UPON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS GIVE OUR EXPECTATIONS OR FORECASTS OF FUTURE EVENTS. YOU CAN IDENTIFY THESE STATEMENTS BY THE FACT THAT THEY DO NOT RELATE STRICTLY TO HISTORICAL OR CURRENT FACTS. THEY USE WORDS SUCH AS “ANTICIPATE,” “ESTIMATE,” “EXPECT,” “PROJECT,” “INTEND,” “PLAN,” “BELIEVE,” AND OTHER WORDS AND TERMS OF SIMILAR MEANING IN CONNECTION WITH A DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL EARNINGS OR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.

While From Unemployed To Self-Employed states that a member can be up and running in their own business in about 8 weeks, it clearly identifies exactly what that means. It says that in 8 weeks they’ll know if they have a viable business in mind. They will have been able to find the business that’s best for them, create a business model, and test it.

It doesn’t promise that they’ll be rich, that all their troubles will be over, or that they’ll be out shopping for their new cruising yacht by the end of the month. But given a few more weeks or months, they reach a point where they can be writing business.

Everything worthwhile requires work, patience, and perseverance. I suppose that it’s possible for someone to sign up for a get-rich-quick opportunity and find fortune. My experience is that this happens very rarely.

You can’t start a trucking business without a fleet of trucks. And you can’t build a freestanding restaurant without a lot of time and money.

I have two primary goals at ThinkSelfEmployed.com. The first is to help people start a business with as little money as possible. I define little “as little as” as a couple hundred dollars.

So, by definition, these are not going to be businesses that require substantial infrastructure such as purchasing a McDonalds franchise, becoming a manufacturer of military armaments, or opening a retail store in a major shopping mall.

My second goal is to help them start a business that produces revenue sooner than later – because people who are unemployed need money now. That means no pie-in-the-sky business ideas that could take months or years to develop… and no going back to school to get a degree in a new field… no jumping into something you know nothing about.

By default, service businesses are traditionally the easiest to start because they require a small upfront investment.

If for example, you worked as an accountant within a large corporation, it doesn’t take long for you to realize that you could provide accounting or bookkeeping services as a consultant… or serve as an outsourced CFO to smaller businesses. Business cards, a phone, a computer, and a willingness to talk to lots of people are all that is often required.

Anyone who has worked in an industry for any length of time develops skills and knowledge. In many cases, that qualifies them instantly to be a consultant or coach.

Retail businesses used to mean brick and mortar. That gets to be expensive. But in today’s technological world it’s easy to sell online… through eBay. In fact, you could set up an eBay store within a few days. You need a source for product and a place to store things. That’s about it. And the way the world works today, you might not even need to hold the inventory.

And don’t forget flea markets. I knew a business owner in New York many years ago that imported leather tote bags from Korea. He sold these to retail stores throughout the country. But on the weekends, he and his partner went to area flea markets within 100 miles of New York City. He once confided in me that they made more money on the weekends at the flea markets than they did as a distributor for their leather tote bags.

Now, you may not find these two stories particularly inspiring at this moment. But remember my second goal: To help you generate revenue as quickly as possible.

One more note. In their lifetimes, most entrepreneurs start more than one business. The one you start with now isn’t necessarily the one you’ll operate and live with for the rest of your life. Starting “simple” – as per the examples above – helps you accomplish the second goal (generating revenue) while it helps you learn how to operate a business successfully. When the time comes for you to start your second business, you are better prepared for success.

The one thing that these all have in common is that they boast tremendous financial rewards.

I clicked through to an offering this morning for a work-at-home Internet business. Testimonials showed some people earning as much as $7,000 a month. Others were earning between $4,000 and $5,000. As you might expect, the people in the photos that accompanied the testimonials were smiling ear to ear.

The copy was compelling. It created a sense of urgency to get in on the ground floor now… before it’s too late.

Being extremely curious – and because it was so well written – I read the entire offering… down to and including the disclaimer. The 700-word disclaimer included these points:

• Any earnings or income statements, or earnings or income examples, are only estimates of what we think you could earn. There is no assurance you’ll do as well. If you rely upon our figures, you must accept the risk of not doing as well.
• There is no assurance you’ll do as well. If you rely upon our figures; you must accept the risk of not doing as well.
• Testimonials do not represent typical results.
• Photographs or images are depiction of individuals and payment methods.
• These income examples are representative of some of the most successful participants in the program.
• Some individuals purchasing the program may make little or NO MONEY AT ALL.

I could go on and on. But you get the picture. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Nothing takes the place of hard work.

This reaffirmed to me personally that From Unemployed To Self-Employed is on the right track… being able to help someone leverage their personal skills and abilities into a business of their own.

While From Unemployed To Self-Employed boldly proclaims that a member can be up and running in their own business in about 8 weeks, it also clearly states that in 8 weeks they’ll know if they have a viable business. They will have been able to find the business that’s best for them, create a business model, and test it.

It doesn’t promise that they’ll be rich, that all their troubles will be over, or that they’ll be out shopping for their new cruising yacht by the end of the month.

In today’s technological world it’s easy to create a “retail store” and sell online… through eBay. In fact, you could set up an eBay store within a few days. You need a source for product and a place to store things. That’s about it.

And don’t forget Flea Markets.

I knew a business owner here in New York many years ago that imported handbags and leather tote bags from Korea. He sold these to retail stores throughout the country who marked them up to full retail.

But on the weekends, he and his partner went to area flea markets within 100 miles of New York City. He once confided in me that they made more money on the weekends at the flea markets than they did as a distributor for their leather tote bags.

For people with a propensity for retail, our world presents numerous opportunities for creative thinkers.

Franchises come in all sizes, shapes, and investment price points. A McDonald’s franchise costs thousands and then thousands more to build a restaurant, hire and train staff, and so on.

Some service-based franchises are available for under $25,000. (Go online to http://www.thefranchisemall.com/ and search for franchise opportunities under $25,000. You’ll find over 325. Or Google “franchises under $25,000.”)

The benefit to a franchise is that the work is done. Well, a lot of it is. The franchiser has developed systems, processes, and procedures to help you run the business on a day-to-day basis. They offer complete training and support once you’re up and running.

Plus, they’re regulated by the state where you live. So they need to be somewhat on the up and up about what they offer. They cannot… under any circumstance… predict or promise how much money you’ll make. But that doesn’t necessarily stop them from painting a pretty rosy picture (if you know what I mean).

The downside to franchises is that while they can teach you to measure windows for mini-blinds or coach business-owners, they don’t always teach you everything you need to know about how to be successful – that is, to run a truly profitable business.

Plus, realistically, you’ll probably need more than $25,000. As in the case of every new business startup, you need to cover your household overhead… and still have enough money to do whatever marketing or purchasing of inventory and materials the franchise requires.

Tread carefully.