Preface
This review is definitely going to to be different than most of my reviews here on NoMoreBSReviews.com (in a few ways). First of all, you’ll see above that I posted an affiliate link and I receive 50% of your purchase. I’m not saying everyone should buy this product and it does not receive a “universal recommendation” from me. I’m not saying the product is a scam either, but to know whether or not it’s right for you’ll need to read over this review.
Also, you’ll see that I posted two rubrics above: one for people relatively new to internet and affiliate marketing and one for people that are more experienced. If you’ve built websites, set up hosting, set up email campaigns, created and uploaded videos, know how to write good sales copy, etc… than you should pay attention to the review for “Not-so-newbies”. If you haven’t done any or most of the things I just listed, the rubric that applies to your situation is the first one (for newbies). It will become evident why this distinction is necessary throughout this review.
If you’ve read any of my reviews in the past, they were very likely negative. Very few products I review receive a stamp of approval because my review process is very thorough and strict. Even though I think this product is leaps and bounds ahead of most, my recommendation still comes with some stipulations. With that being said, let’s get down to business!
Sales Video
At first, the website hit me pretty negatively. There are a few “design sins” taking place here to say the least and it doesn’t exactly instill confidence. Still, Chris Farrell’s sales video is very refreshing compared to most products. No promises of millions. No promises of “little” or “no work”. He even says it took him six months of due diligence before he started making money in this industry. Farrell just tells his story and invites you to take a look around the website. The only red flag that went up in my mind was when he says he made one million dollars in 24 hours upon his first product launch. But it’s possible in this industry (just very hard to do), so I moved along with my purchase of the $4.95 trial for seven days.
The Product – The Chris Farrell Membership
Here’s the part of this review you probably care about. The member’s area is pretty overwhelming at first glance. There is A TON of content and without direction you wouldn’t know where to start. Although it could all be organized a little better, Chris does a pretty good job of giving you direction on where to begin in the member’s area. One of the things I liked most was when you login the first time, Farrell basically says, “I know this is pretty overwhelming. Take a deep breath, it’s all going to be okay.” There are a lot of things you need to learn to be successful at internet marketing. You have to train yourself to be a “Jack of all trades” and that can be pretty intimidating on the front end. But once you get started chipping away at it all, you’ve cleared the mountain before you know it.
The first impression you’re given when you login the first time is great. Farrell calls very blatant attention to the steps you need to take to cancel your membership, which is basically saying he knows his stuff is good enough that he’s not going to stand in your way if you’d like to leave. This is how clearly he outlines and emphasizes the ease of canceling your membership:
I started in the “21 Days to Success” section of the website. I was pretty impressed and immediately saw how valuable a lot of this information would be for someone fairly early in their internet marketing journey. In this part of the Chris Farrell Membership area, you’re taught basic things about the internet, how websites work, how to edit pictures, how to set up hosting, how to set up an FTP client, how to set up an email campaign, the basics of traffic (including a little about search engine optimization), installing analytics on your website, etc…
There is a lot of very useful information here and if you tried to hunt it all down on the internet, it would probably take you weeks if not months. It’s also arranged very efficiently which cuts a lot of time out of the learning process. This was by far my favorite part of Chris Farrell’s membership area, and I believe it is the perfect “jumping off” point if you don’t know how to do half of the things I listed above.
The only problem I have is the fact that Chris called this section “21 Days to Success” which makes it sound like you’ll be making money in 21 days. “Success” in this case is better defined by your ability to accomplish most of the tasks internet marketers execute on an average day.
There is also a whole slew of content outside of the “21 Days to Success” that serves as a good introduction to many other things you will encounter in this industry. Basic keyword research, the very basics of video marketing, a little bit about search engine optimization, etc…
“So If You Love It So Much Ian, Why Don’t You Just Marry It?!”
Everything I’ve said above is 100% correct if you’re fairly new to this industry and don’t have everything I’ve mentioned up to this point figured out. If you’re more experienced and you’ve done most of those things, then you should not buy this product. Does that make the Chris Farrell Membership a scam? Well, no – not even a little. It just means this membership doesn’t universally fit everyone.
Chris Farrell’s program is lacking in advanced content. It serves as a very good introduction to this industry, but if you’re looking for something outside of that, you’re probably better off holding on to your money. Here are a few examples of where this program falls short concerning advanced content:
Keyword Research – Although Chris shows a very large amount of ways to discover keywords and niches, not a single time does he mention competition or anything about researching competition. That and he does all of his keyword research in “broad match” mode, when pretty much anyone that does niche marketing and keyword research knows to do all of their research in “exact match” mode. This could be detrimental to a newbie in this industry because broad search might showyour key term has 45,000 monthly searches, but only 380 people are actually looking for that exact key term each month (which is what “exact match” reveals). Using exact match and researching competition are crucial practices when performing niche/keyword research. This is the first way Chris Farrell’s membership failed concerning advanced lessons in my opinion.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – If there’s one thing I’m huge about in this industry, it’s SEO. Yes, it requires a lot of hard work and most people don’t understand it very well. In the Chris Farrell Membership, you’re given a very basic introduction to SEO but it is far from comprehensive. There is even a point when Chris says that getting top rankings on Google “Isn’t very difficult” which isn’t true at all in my opinion.
These videos appear to be somewhat outdated and the information within them used to be somewhat true, but now it is very far from the truth. Many of Chris Farrell’s rankings in the program are achieved using article marketing, but articles don’t rank near as well as they did before the Google “Panda” update several months back. Although this used to be a fairly valid approach to achieving rankings, it isn’t any longer.
Video Marketing – This was the third thing to catch my attention negatively. Again, this serves as a very good introduction to someone that hasn’t had any experience with internet marketing or creating/uploading videos to YouTube. Outside of that, things don’t go much further in Chris Farrell’s membership area. Many people have the false perception that video marketing is simply uploading a video to YouTube, but there’s much more to it than that. There are complete books and blogs written about video marketing, so essentially the Chris Farrell Membership doesn’t teach you video marketing, they teach you how to create a video and upload it to YouTube. That’s just scratching the surface of video marketing.
This pattern continues throughout the membership area for using social media, social bookmarking, etc… I want to be clear that I’m not saying the information Chris Farrell teaches in this program is completely false or a scam by any means. I’m just making the point that many areas of content within the program teach you the basics of what you need to know and serve as a foundation. You will outgrow it within a few weeks if you are diligent in your studies and you will need more advanced supplement material past that point (which can be found on the Warrior Forum and many other places for free, as well as some paid programs after you’ve developed your basic knowledge). That’s far from being a scam.
The Final Verdict
The Chris Farrell Membership does a lot of things very well. It is clear that Chris takes a lot of the money he makes and puts it right back into the membership area. Many scammers in this industry take your money and run for the hills as fast as they can. Farrell does far more than the minimum someone might expect at this price level which is very impressive to me and shows he isn’t trying to scam anyone. He also has an incredible support team (the best I’ve ever seen) which answered my email within 15 minutes of my sending it on a Saturday afternoon; hence the five bonus points on my grading curricula.
This program is nothing shy of excellent IF you are fairly new to this industry. I don’t say positive things like that lightly either, and you know that if you’ve seen any of my other reviews. But if you have a decent amount of experience in this industry and know how to accomplish much of what I’ve mentioned throughout this review, this program will likely not add much to your internet marketing repertoire.
Another thing that is clear through the sales page and the rest of the Chris Farrell Membership is that this program is not a “get rich quick” scheme. If that’s what you’re looking for, you should look somewhere else (hint: you’re going to waste a lot of time and money looking). Internet marketing is usually a lot of work, but it is very fun and allows you to make great money while being your own boss. Even though I rated this program a 30 out of 35 on its likeliness to make you money, you’re still going to have to put in a good amount of work to get there. Information prepares you for success, but to achieve success you have to be determined, consistent, and willing to put in the hard work that is necessary.
If you’re seeking fairly advanced to advanced information, the Chris Farrell Membership is probably not a good fit for you. Save your money. Again, it is far from a scam and the program serves as a great foundation for someone new to this industry, but you should look elsewhere if that doesn’t interest you.
Details at a Glance
Product: Chris Farrell Membership
Sales Page: http://nomorebsreviews.com/chris_farrell_membership (<–affiliate link)
Publisher: Chris Farrell
Score: 85/100 points
Original Rubric: Chris Farrell Membership Review (For Newbies)
Chris Farrell Membership Review (For Not-So-Newbies)
View my receipt for the Chris Farrell Membership
Not sure if the Chris Farrell Membership program will be a good fit for you based on what I’ve said above? You’re always welcome to contact me by commenting on this post, emailing me, or calling me at my office. I always enjoy interacting with my community and helping any way I can!
Summary: A decent product for beginners, but has many drawbacks
Description: A 100% honest, detailed review of Chris Farrell Membership that explains the strengths and weaknesses of the product (there are many of each).
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Ian,
I have been thinking about joining the ChrisFarrell membership, but now that I have read your review, I am not sure it is a good idea. I have been trying to build a website for about 10 months now, and have not made a dime!
I know part of my problem is that I am not getting any quality traffic. I have used Facebook and SEO to try to bring traffic to my site. I am clearly missing something.
Do you know of a program that can help me understand where I am going wrong and how to get on the right path? Something other then Wealthy Affiliate please. Don’t get me wrong, Wealthy Affiliate is great, but it is so outdated now, that it can be hard to follow. I have been a member of Wealthy Affiliate since Feb. 2016 and have not made a dime yet. I do not believe the program is the problem. I believe I am the problem.
Wealthy Affiliate is outdated? There are things here and there that aren’t very consequential that aren’t up-to-date, but that’s the most up-to-date “newbie friendly” product on the market right now. What makes you say that it’s out of date?
The reason I say it is outdated is because some of the videos are a little hard to follow. Some things in the videos are either completely different or do not exist anymore. There are comments on some of the training’s asking them to update because of this reason.
Like I said before, Wealthy Affiliate is great! Anyone who is new to Network Marketing will benefit greatly from it especially with all the help you can get from the community.
Now, I’m just curious if there is more. I’m looking for a program that might expand on what Wealthy Affiliate teaches. Like, how to use an html editor or how to know where you are going wrong on a current website.
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Hey Donella, I don’t see why not! I’m honored that you find my blog worthy of sharing – if you or anyone in the group has questions regarding any of my reviews, resources, or internet/affiliate marketing in general please don’t hesitate to comment or reach out. I’m happy to help any way that I can.
Hi Ian
Giles here. I just revisited this review because I wanted to check out if you made it clear that Chris is definitely for the newbies, which you did.
I was interested to see what the 4 Week Fast-track program had to offer so I signed up for it ($495 I think). I don’t know whether you tested it but, again, it’s very much for the newbie.
All the best
Giles
Good day Ian,
I ve had a glimpse on your website and the most important context in i found was the truth factor. Thank you being honest about helping others by all means. I was skeptical many times while approaching online marketing since, I always find it hard to believe in making easy money on the net yet, I am passionate about health and nutrition issues in general and knows a lot. Moreover, money is very important besides the passion I have. If you don’t mind advising me to the ultimate, and the easiest way to start marketing online, blog or wealth affiliate…I would love your honest opinion about it because I am very interested in making real money. Thank you again, suna
Hello Suna, thank you very much for taking the time to leave a comment. Have you checked out the free resources section on my website yet? I have a free eBook, as well as a free training course that spans over two weeks which I think could be really helpful for you at the stage you’re at. Both of those free resources were created by me personally with new internet marketers in mind, and they contain better information than most paid products in this industry do these days. Check that out and if you have any follow-up questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know! I hope that helps.
Which one do you prefer for the beginner like me???? Chris or WA???
Without a doubt, Wealthy Affiliate. Chris Farrell teaches the basics, but doesn’t go very far beyond that at all, whereas WA covers both very well. I don’t know if you saw my members’ area review on it too (it’s different than my main review), but it’s the most newbie-friendly training website that also covers advanced training and has a very active, helpful community as well.
PS) Also wanted to add that he told me specifically, if I did not have at least $300 to invest from the beginning, NOT to bother.
Hey Lisa! $300 may be a little steep if you know where to shop, but it will definitely take some start-up investment to launch an affiliate marketing business. I’d say somewhere between $100-$150 for starters would be more than enough though.
While I understand an investment, what I did NOT like about this program ( or Chris’ reply) – was that he told me to not enroll. When I asked why . he said it was because I asked too many questions, and he knew that I would ‘sign up only to cancel’ – so i should just not sign up at all.
He shut me down right away, for trying to do my due diligence, and see if this was a good fit for me.
Thankfully he saved me from making a mistake.
I personally think its sad that he would rather not answer a few questions and solidify his business being based on truths.
That really is terrible, Lisa, and I’m sorry that he responded to you that way. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences here so that others can gain some insight from them.
Hi Ian,
Most of what you talk about is true, and I am glad it is not a scam. Would you believe that I am selling and buying on e-Bay, but feel I still do not know a lot of the basics.
I have joined up for a month, and hope to learn as much as possible.
Interested in finding a niche market, and driving traffic,etc. I like the way Chris,s teaching is set up for beginers like me.
Thanks for the honest review , I found it reassuring.
Regards,
Christie
Hello. What if you already have a product and website, is the chris Farrell membership a good thing for me to invest in if I don’t quite know the best ways to generate traffic? Keep in mind I have the products, I just am trying to generate the traffic to my site and convert into sales.
Thanks
You can learn the basics of IM in CFM, but you’ll definitely have to move up to something for more advanced lessons on generating traffic and converting visitors. I would recommend checking out my review on Wealthy Affiliate for more information and setting up a free account to see if they’re a good fit for you.
I think the trial now is for $1. I agree with you about the video. It’s very refreshing, it’s just the way Chris is. If you have had the opportunity to be a member (I’ve been for 2 years now) you can agree with me that he shows his personality and professionalism in every single training video.
Thanks a lot Ian, I ‘v been reading for 3 weeks about internet passive income but still lost, I ‘ll join C. Farrell program as you referred coz I feel I need more to learn.
Thanks for the review, thanks for the free eBook too.
Keep up the good work!
No problem Shadi! If you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
This information about website buildingm marketing, contacts & sales is sure a whole new world. I do have alot to learn & who do you trust today on computer. I’ve tried doing surveys & am not making much money – so this is why I’m looking at other avenues.
Thank you for the information
No problem at all Bert! It can get quite overwhelming, but if you stick with it and work at it consistently you should end up doing fine. If I can help with anything along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
HI Ian,
Thanks for the review. I have actually used the Chris Farrell product and have had a very positive experience (not making money yet, but have gained great information and feel I can now plot a course for myself confidently in the internet marketing world).
I am looking now for the next step, where can I find the more advanced information that isn’t included on the Chris Farrell membership site?
Look forward to hearing from you,
S
Hey Sarah, have you found and taken a look at my Wealthy Affiliate Review yet? That’s my top recommendation for getting to the next level after a program like the Chris Farrell Membership. Take a look at it and let me know if you have any follow-up questions.
Thanks for the review, but I still don’t understand what the product is. How exactly are members making money? What are they selling?
Hey Deborah! I’m sorry I’ve taken a little while to reply back to you. I was in Puerto Rico all last week and have been working to catch back up ever since. The best thing I can refer you to is this page which explains exactly how affiliate marketing works, which is how CFM members are trying to make money. Let me know if you have any other questions!
nice review thanks
Ian,
I wish I would have found your site earlier. I signed up for Mobile Money Machines and have canceled my membership today ( 5/24/12 ). I got sucked in and I am trying to get my money back? I am a newbie and this site looks promising. Are there any other sites that you have reviewed such as Google Sniper, etc. I would like to get envolved in this marketing but as you know for a newbie what do you believe. Thanks for your valued opinion.
Jon
Hello Jon! Thanks for stopping by and I’d be more than happy to help.
Yes, if it has been less than 60 days you can get a refund through Clickbank and the process is very simple.
1) In the inbox you used when purchasing Mobile Money Machines through Clickbank, find your receipt. It will be titled “Receipt for your ClickBank Order #12345678”, obviously with a different order number at the end of the subject line.
2) Within the message, you’ll see a part at the top that says, “Did you know you can view and manage your orders online, 24 hours a day? Visit LINK HERE“. Click the link at the end of that line.
3) You’ll see a box in the middle of the screen and in the top-left corner you’ll see a little person with a speech bubble that says “Get Support”. Click it.
4) From the drop-down menu, select “Other” which will open another drop-down menu and a couple of bubbles to select from. Select “Refund Request” which will open another drop-down menu, and there you will select that you were unsatisfied with the product. Type a sentence or two about why you were unsatisfied and hit submit. Clickbank will refund your money within 1-2 business days without any questions or further action on your behalf.
That’s it! It’s as simple as that. If you have any trouble with it, feel free to reach out and let me know!
As far as Google Sniper, I haven’t gotten around to that one yet but it’s on my list. So far, the Chris Farrell Membership is the only instructional product that I’ve found that lives up to its claims. I’m sure there are others out there and I’ll find them eventually, but for now that is the only beginner-type course that I can recommend wholeheartedly.
Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions, Jon!