Did you know that anyone can become a real estate tycoon overnight? 🤠🏘️ All you have to do is pay three easy payments of $9,999 to Finance Guru Freddy and he'll show you the ropes! It's really that simple! 🤑
OK, you know nothing in life is that simple. However, the snake oil salesmen on the internet will tell you otherwise. 🐍 How do you sort through a sea of Gary Vee wannabes? Read on, my friend.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on how to spot a bogus personal finance guru:
- 💰 Get Rich Quick - OK, you've probably heard this advice a zillion times before, but if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If a finance bro's feed is chock-full of quick cash schemes and overnight successes, they're probably not legit. Real wealth building is a long game and it ain't easy. Look for someone else who gives it to you straight.
- 🤡 Clown College - Not saying everyone has to have a Harvard education, but a finance influencer's background is important. Trustworthy personalities are honest about their credentials and areas of expertise. If your fave guru spends the day boasting about how great they are but doesn't have the proven chops, unfollow.
- 😑 Works Every Time - Personal financial situations are as unique as our fingerprints. If an influencer promises a one-size-fits-all miracle solution, it's most likely bogus. Even if a finance expert serves a really specific audience, a good one knows their advice won't apply to everyone.
- 💳 Smash That Buy Button - Most influencers have something to sell. However, if every post is pushing their own programs or sponsoring someone else's, question their motives. They might be more interested in ad revenue than helping you succeed, especially if their posts don't seem well-researched or don't come with disclosures.
- 🙊💩 Sh*t Don't Stink - Nobody's perfect, not even your favorite girlboss. One sign of a trustworthy finance influencer is a willingness to talk about their failures and missteps. Some of the best teachers are the ones who help others learn from their mistakes. If you're following someone who doesn't have the word failure in their vocabulary, proceed with caution.
🔥Bottom line: You can get a lot of inspiration from the internet. You can also get a heaping pile of horse manure repackaged as sound financial advice. Keep your eyes peeled for all those finance freaks and steer clear! Considering making the leap from a 9-to-5 to entrepreneur? Read this article first.
Who's your favorite finance influencer?
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