More often than not, the caller has actually joined a program that was created to address the same questions I am being asked. I think to myself, "What's not right here?"

In order to be considered a viable program or service online, the website owner is required to provide something in return for your hard-earned dollars. Typically, that something is information. Information in the form of ebooks, software, or training are the most common kinds of membership sites.

When considering joining any online program, there are two questions you need to address, whether it is a membership site or not. These two questions are:

1. What is the program giving you in return for your money?

2. Other than promoting that program to others will it also show you how to make money online for any business?

I can tell you what happens, because the picture is painted ever so clearly to me by my mail companions and phone callers - they do not know what they joined!

It's true. As the individual was reading about the membership program, and all it's exciting details, somewhere along the way they forgot why they were hunting for a membership, and they got caught up in some fantastic offer of income that might result from their plugging said program to others.

Another possibility is the person really has no current viable idea for starting a business online and, instead, opts to promote that program as if it were their own. Therein lies the problem. You become an affiliate of the program, not the sole proprietor.

This is the background painted for you, but the problem does not stop there. In the rush to tell others about their wonderful find, they totally neglect to educate themselves on the finer points of what that program (membership or not) has to offer.

Simply put... the details are completed avoided. It's not hard to pinpoint which category I'm talking or writing to... someone really wanting to make their dream of making money online a reality or someone hoping to get by on the bare minimum of knowledge.

Personally, I can tell from talking to someone or emailing back and forth when someone is doing his or her job or trying to take the easy way. Unfortunately, by taking the easy way they create further difficulties for themselves. How can you sell something to someone when you don't know what you are selling?

If, conversely, you joined purely for the allure of telling others and thus gaining financial benefits for yourself in the telling, at least know what you're offering. Believe it or not, morally you do have that responsibility. Know thy product.

If you can't explain it to me, how are you going to help the guy under you?

Educate yourself before you sell.