I think your presenter would be smart to show how she's done all she's proposing to teach. A solid track record — even a short one — would negate any doubts. But if there isn't one, then it's overpriced lip service.

Emily, from what I've seen, yes. People are doing this. It's becoming a minefield of inexperienced people who are somehow pulling together the content and selling it as their own information (because I doubt anyone with so little experience could have a wealth of knowledge in a new career). Hey, I've been doing this full time for 12+ years and I'm no less hesitant than you when it comes to teaching! When I present something, it has to be something I've actually done, and my approach has to be unique. Otherwise, why bother?

Jenn, you've touched on exactly what bugs me about this whole "instant expert" scenario. These people want instant growth, and they're not afraid to stretch facts or lift content to do it. There's no thought to the ethical aspects of it, and there's certainly no thought to what value they're giving for the money people are paying.

These are the same people who shout the loudest and stretch their credentials the thinnest. No thanks. Give me someone with a solid background and a focus that isn't on how much money they can earn.

I'm going to start checking people out when I see them touting their 'expert' services, just to see how long they've actually been 'experts' for.

In the U.S. (based on SBA stats), around 30% of small businesses fail within their first two years. If you haven't made it at least that long, you sure as hell don't have a successful history under your belt to be teaching others from. By the time we get to the 5-year mark, around half of small businesses have shut down. Only around 30% make it to the 10 year mark. If you want to build a sustainable business, those are the people qualified to help you. When you've hit that 5-year mark you probably have some worthwhile stories to share. So start a blog. Write an e-book. But that's still a far cry from real "expert" status in my book — and anything less, you shouldn't be offering one-on-one coaching as if you know what's going to make someone else's business succeed when you haven't proven the staying power of your own yet.

I'm a learning junkie, though like Paula haven't taken any courses that are specifically about making money writing (though I have bought plenty of books ad eBooks!). What I study tends to be roughly linked to what I do though – I finished my degree this year (literature with creative writing), am studying feline behaviour and psychology (I write about cats) and about to start Spanish classes at a local college. OK, that one's just because my brother has recently moved to Spain and his Spanish is better than mine already ;o)

I recently connected with a lovely young woman online who's been writing for about a year. So, of course, she's now started teaching "how to" get paid to write online. I guess she figures she's seasoned after twelve whole months of writing (yes, I'm being cynical.) I'm finding grammatical errors in almost every one of her emails and blog posts and I'm betting others are finding them, too.

Although I applaud her courage, passion, motivation, and spunk, she needs to go back to the drawing board and learn to proofread her work before she expects people to pay her.

You're right — answers are often easy to find. The courses I've paid for are ones that offer a different perspective on methods or approach. The how-to info is plentiful, for sure.

I've paid for just a handful of courses, one this year (and it was great). It takes a lot to make me part with my money. I guess it helps that I'm cheap!

I've bought plenty of books, and have attended several free seminars (some were actually good, others….well, I knew as much if not more than the "experts," so you could say I got what I didn't pay for.)

Like Cathy said, writers like to research. Answers are easy to find. What I think a lot of people – newbies, especially – are looking for is sage advice to help put all of that information in context.

I've been doing this forever and still wouldn't have the audacity to position myself as the all-knowing expert I've seen others with a fraction of my experience do. They might even have some solid advice, but that doesn't make it worth paying for.

Cathy, your advice is golden. Don't buy in to every course. I love that you're strategic with your money — makes for smarter decisions. 🙂 And showing up is exactly half the battle! I love this: "However, if your reason is because you know it's something you should do, rather than want to do, you probably just threw your money away."

Amen, sister.