Everyone involved in the area of Internet marketing and building an info-product business online progresses through several well-defined stages or phases.  And as a broad rule, influence rises as one moves along the sequence.

The Student

Eyes shining with rosy dreams, heart filled with hope and fired by ambition, the newbie learns avidly.  Anything free is grist to his mill - ebooks, reports, videos, blogs and podcasts.

The Apprentice

After a while, the student gets more serious and takes the next step.  Realizing self-study has limits and that mentoring under an expert is more effective, s/he starts spending some money - and picking a guide to apprentice under.  Follows step by step instructions, learns about building a business.

The Worker

Once the basic principles are learned, the hard work begins.  Lessons learned as a student and apprentice are now put into action.  In time, the business is set up and running.

The Master

The new business owner is occupied with optimizing various processes, testing and improving things to run better and more profitably.  And then, maybe in expanding into new businesses, or replicating what works well in other niches.  Steadily, getting better at it, s/he becomes a master.

The Guru

The master then moves on to sharing knowledge and experience with others, to help students achieve similar success - by tapping into the master’s wisdom.  S/he becomes a guru who can turn that mentoring into an additional income stream, selling ‘how to’ information to people who need it.

The Philosopher

Sometimes, after being a guru for awhile, tough questions arise, demanding answers.  In trying to find them, one becomes philosophical.  Or gives up and quits.  Or keeps going on ignoring the questions.

Maybe that’s the real reason why you don’t see many gurus stay on at the top of their game for extended periods.  The questions get troublesome, bothersome, tougher all the time.

A guru only has to bother about HOW to teach something to students.  A philosopher worries about the WHY… and has to find a convincing reason.

A guru charges what the coaching or education is worth.  A philosopher worries about the value of that same training to the student… and about how s/he can afford it.

A guru blithely uses mind-control marketing tactics to scare and seduce, with the aim of getting more students.  A philosopher is more cautious, knowing not everyone is cut out for the same kind or level of success.

A guru is largely in control of a highly profitable juggernaut.  A philosopher is not concerned as much about making money as about making meaning.

Not every guru becomes a philosopher.

Philosophers have a lot of influence.

But not always a lot of money!