My Final Blog Post
May 25, 2010 
86 Comments
2 Weeks ago I announced via email that I was going to be closing my blog and taking an indefinite hiatus from assisting the local Internet Marketing community here in South Africa, and I promised that I would make this final post and provide a full explanation on why I have decided to stop blogging about online marketing and business in general.
Firstly let me say that the past 4 years spent blogging and connecting with fellow online and aspiring marketers has been an amazing journey, filled with revelations, self-discovery and an amazing insight on the local mind-set of South Africans.
I have had the good fortune of meeting a few good folk over the last 4 years as a direct result of this blog, a handful of which I have welcomed into my life with open arms and truly consider friends.
I have also had the good fortune of realising through my teachings just how privileged I have been to be blessed with the extraordinary vision and higher understanding that has allowed me to become such a dominant force within this industry.
Although I have always considered my blessings as a direct result of extreme amounts of hard work and dedication, my interaction over the last 4 years with people via this blog, has led me to realise that while there is no substitute for hard work, one cannot deny the natural talents you have been given, and so for the first time ever I am acknowledging that hard work alone is no substitute for natural acumen.
I would love to say that everyone can become successful in making money online, but the bare naked truth is that not everyone has the acumen and lateral thinking that is required to become an online entrepreneur, and this alternate state of mind cannot be taught or learnt.
In 2006 when I returned to home to South Africa after having setup my online business in the USA, I was wide eyed with optimism at the prospect of helping other local aspiring Internet Marketers, and looking back I have no regrets other than that for the first time in my business career, I allowed my heart to lead my decision making and thinking, rather than the usual cool calculated business brain that has secured my success in life thus far.
Looking back, one of the biggest mistakes I have made in terms of teaching what I know, is that I did it all without any commercial intent, and worse still is that I made the point of repeatedly voicing this over and over, partly because I was proud to give back, and partly because I wanted people to understand that because of my good fortune and blessings, I really wanted to help. In hindsight I realise what a grave mistake this has been.
Because of my regular blogging I quickly attracted followers, and over 9000 local people joined my newsletter since the start of this blog to learn more about online marketing and to discover some of the lessons I was imparting in terms of running an online business.
From the start of this blog I have personally answered every email, personally responded to every comment and question, and never once have I placed myself on a pedestal and put myself out of reach, as so many of the other people who teach in this industry do.
As time progressed, I started to find that the more I gave, the more people expected, and I found myself answering email after email, and question after question (all for free I might add) from people who quite literally felt I owed them this responsibility.
Despite the unbelievable amount of time I have given to this blog and to the individuals who have emailed me over the past 4 years, I cannot say that it’s all been as rewarding as I had expected a philanthropic gesture of this nature to be, in fact quite the opposite in many cases.
I have often found myself on the receiving end of multiple email tirades, not to mention the number of times I have been plagiarised verbatim, and then of course there has been the total lack of interaction on every forum we have started.
It’s easy in this sea of negativity to get hung up on all the bad things, and for the most part I choose to take the positive experiences with me, and learn from the negative ones.
On the positive side, I have learnt that if you ever intend on helping others and teaching what you know, you have to charge them a fee from the outset, or it will never be appreciated, and as much as you would like to make yourself approachable you simply cannot help everyone.
I have also learn that the value of giving is not simply a random act of kindness, to have a truly lasting impact on people you have to teach them to invest in themselves, and you have to create this culture by not simply giving all the time, but by creating a two way exchange.
As I have said before the last 4 years have taught be some enormous lessons, all of which has led me to value my time more and carefully consider how I give of myself in the future.
For now I am going to concentrate my efforts on a more personal level, and over the next while most of my time will go towards being a new parent, more family time, and some serious time spent in the gym after 4 years of total body neglect, not to mention some serious catch-up on leisure travel and some much needed restructuring of my business around my personal requirements as the next phase of my life approaches.
I wish you well in your online business journey, and every bit of success.
well said
The next phase?…Mr Daddy
Very well said! No use spending time on something that don't get appreciated.
When one door closes, another opens. This is now a new chapter in your life and I know you will enjoy it.
About time you dedicated yourself to your own personal causes. Thank you for all the time and advice you have given to me personally over the past 2 yrs. And good luck on the next phase of life as a parent.
Justin,
All the best in the next phase of your life. Thanks for everything you have done to try and help the South African internet marketers over the last 4 years, but it is very sad that it wasn't appreciated by all.
Its sad that your efforts were not appreciated. I certianly did, and were it not for your blog I guess I would not have got to know you.
Enjoy being a parent. Its a different challenge altogether!
I am sure you will be back with new venture… when you ready. Enjoy the gap.
I have enjoyed your blog. Not many like it in SA.
Hi Justin. No investment can top family time with a new addition. Have fun
Well, sad
Truly sad to see you go Justin. I have never communicated via e-mail with you, but what I did do, was to open up and read all your e-mails – being from a local guy!.Always got this "Jeez,this guy made it, and if he could, so can I" feeling about you. So, that being said, always remember that everybody is not like the people mentioned in your final blog, and although you could not see it, your blogs was read and appreciated.
All the best Justin.
rob
Sad to see you go.Thanks for all the information and dedication, it was highly appreciated coming from a expert as yourself..Best of luck with the daddy task at hand .Take care
Sad to see you go Justin
I wish you and your family all the best
Truly sad to see you go, but thanks for everything you've done for SA online marketers and the marketers to be…like me – much appreciated!
Enjoy being a father and only the best of luck to you and your wife .
With your skills and attitude towards life I will not be surprised if we hear big things from you in the near future.
Hi Justin
I read everything that you sent me and you’ve helped me build an inner database and find my own way forward. It’s a pity that I’m ready to move just when you withdraw.
I can understand and accept your reasons. God has a plan for all of us and I think that He’s telling you something.
God bless you and…thank you.
hey bro,
firstly congrats on becoming a daddy … wahoo, its harder work than building ANY internet business mate but so worth the hard work. – a true blessing,
and it seems you are going down the correct path, take more time for the family
and travel more
right now im typing this message from Egypt as im here with katie and cameron on a remote working vacation – to test what its like as in 6 weeks we are moving to the USA for 6 months.
and dude … SERIOUS i gotta get out to you one day soon – how long have i been saying this for huh?
your a true gentleman and i know what you are doing is for the best.
for anyone else reading this,
I see justin harrison as a mentor of mine from my early days when he gave me the time of day to support me grow from little pup into something else.
i’ll NEVER forget the days when you would phone up the house and shoot a chat with me even know you run a business 1000% bigger than i did.
its been a fun ride and really excited to finally meet you one day.
Alex
ps – if you wanna get back in the gym get yourself a personal trainer … ive had one for the past 4 weeks … and i’ve totally ripped up and now follow a wonderful diet and have learned so much about the human body its crazy
1 love
me
No good deed goes unpunished. Although I always try to justify that just this time it could be the exception.
It is sad to realise that people have now lost a valuable source of expert advice.
The next chapter is a bumpy ride youngster, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.
Oh my – everybody sucking up at you. Even although i gave you a hard time i did learn from you so making it common that nobody appreciated what you did is out of line. What a load of crap. Now you have become a failure in my eyes as you don't have what it take to pull it through. I mean shit how much time does it take to write the blog post you do, and how often did you update them. Sorry Justin you are a cop out and don't bother coming back so why don't you just kill this domain and get lost. You should have started a forum on this domain but i suppose you just don't like sharing do you. Go play daddy, play with your dog and your boat we need people that can stick around not excuses – some example you have set LOL
Hi Justin
I wish you everything of the best in the next phase of your life and thank you for the help that you have given. I will miss your blog.
Michelle Jayes
Hey Justin this is Justin Harrison from cape town. I own the domain justin-harrison.co.za Don't you want to sell me this one as you are going away now and then I can take over from you where you left off. What you say?
Thanks I apreciate,your knowledge of affilliate marketing you enrich people with,and dont give up with what you doing,and surely you will conquer other goals,many people__think that this industry is about spoon feeding ,no ,to achieve something ,knowledge must be built to expertise in it,you got all the ingredients,and have the right to pull the carrot away…and to ask money for exchange,how you gonna pay the bills……..hope not is a marketing strategy,that you use cause it gonna put mistrust in the client base,that you build for four precious years….thanks Gino Robin
Hi Justin
Good luck with your future ventures. May you be blessed in all aspects of your life. It is sad to know that South Africans has the attitude of "everybody owes us everything". Only through hard work and dedication a person can achieve what most successful people, like yourself, has achieved. The strangest of all is that most of these people that thinks they can get and get without paying a cent for the information don't realize that you have to spend a few bucks to get more back. They ought to know that IMU is(was) a course, just like a course at a university or college which must be funded. I got to know you too late, but as an employee of Chris du Toit, I will definitely hear more about you. All the best for the tasks on hand.
Great and honest letter Justin and it seems like the right move for you. You have always had my support and appreciation for all that you have shared with me over the years and with the vast majority of the comments here today, I am part of the majority! Best of luck, success and happiness to you in this next phase of your life.
Hi Justin,
Thanks for the time and knowledge shared.
Life comes in waves, sometimes you are on the top of the wave with money flowing in – so when you hit the bottom of the wave a lot comes crashing down upon your head.
Your posts will be missed! You have entered a new stage of your life, so enjoy it, no regrets – the past is 'water under the bridge', keep moving forward and let life take you on the journey.
Yours in blogging…….
Hi Justin
I am so sorry to hear that you are going to stop your blog. I have just “discovered” you about 3 months ago and realized that this was what I was searching for for a very long time. I am sorry that it did not happen long ago when I was struggling so much. I want to believe that the IMU program will be going on as I want to learn as much as I can.
I wish you the very best for your life ahead, because I know how I felt the day I retired – a completely new experience – and I want to believe that this is what life has in store for you – especially when you build it around your family.
God bless and good luck!!
Ria
Hi Justin
I am very sorry to hear that you will not continue with your blog, especially because I have only "discovered" you about 3 months ago. I was so excited to have found a place where I thought I would learn a lot after all my struggles to try to do it on my own. I hope that the IMU program will continue under the guidance of Luis and that it will not be too late for me to learn the Internet.
I know how you are feeling regarding your future and new opportunities, and if it is in any way near to what I have felt when I decided to retire – a complete new exciting experience – you are going to have a ball of a time -especially if you are going to build it around your family.
God bless and good luck with your "new" future
Ria
Wow, somehow I missed this post
Well thanks for all your efforts Justin, much appreciated!
No need for you to stress Phillip, you are in the IMU and I will continue to be active and place all my efforts there.
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Hi Justin,
Just come across your site and know you have alway being an entrepreneur so, keep going, only by choice do we allow others to take us down!
Keep going, the next cycle is starting!
Hi Justin, just come across your blog and find it very helpful. Sorry to hear you have had a bad time with some people being unappreciative. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to get the bigger picture. I notice you have left messages on this blog from people who haven't appreciated your free assistance. It gives you an insight to the failings of human beings doesn't it and also clarifies why you have decided to stop posting to the blog.
Sorry to hear about your situation.. I loved reading your literary endeavours..
I think what you mean in Pragraph 6 is "..not everyone has the acumen and lateral thinking that is required to become an online entrepreneur like me.."
You make that statement assuming that everybody wants out of the internet as an enabler what you want.. or what you got.
I know people who sell face to face and use the internet to build lists and make appointments ONLY. The best part happens after they've set a date and time to meet, and that's just one example.
On appreciation.. one way of never having to be disappointed is to never have any expectations.
Justin I am so sad to see you go!!
I just got through to your face book page and realized you are not going to blog anymore!!! I can't believe this is happening!!
You are not going to blog anymore???
(( No way.
There is so much I want to say to you — about how you inspired me through my tough times — you know what wherever you go you will always find those negative people == well you dont write for them! You write for people like me!! You mean so much to us!
You have to keep writing!!! I need your blogs in my life!!!
DD
You were writing for people's benefit, not your own– you are right – ppl would gladly PAY for something and feel like they learned a lot — but the minute you try to give free advice as a means of helping, its not appreciated. Its not fair.
Justin — I am sure by now you can tell how much so many people want you back! count me in!
There is nothing like having someone care so much about people like you do. When I was down in the dumpsters, your blogs helped me out and now I am actually earning money… please keep writing!
Please blog again Justin!
Please keep writing!
Your IMU program is just amazing!
Well you have all my blessings for your future but I so want you to write more!!
you are so insightful. And to think im going to miss that insight makes me sad. Any chance you will change your mind and write more??
I know writing can be a very tough job. And you seem to be doing great. Always enjoy your posts justin!
"On the positive side, I have learnt that if you ever intend on helping others and teaching what you know, you have to charge them a fee from the outset, or it will never be appreciated, and as much as you would like to make yourself approachable you simply cannot help everyone."
You seem hurt. I can understand that. People are very unperceptive at times. Cant tell a good thing from a bad one.
Hello Justin!! I found our face book page initially and then got turned towards your blog and found out you weren't going to write anymore!! Thats bad news!!
Hey justin! I really hope you can keep writing!
Oh man I cannot believe you are not going to write again!! Nothing we can do to change your mind?
Just the words "Your Final Blog Post" are depressing
(((
You're not going to write again?????!!!! for real???
Justin you have got to start writing again!!
Seriously Justin, now you know how many people need to have your writing in their lives!
lol — yes justin — now you know!!
pretty please
There should be some kind of voting!!
See that is the problem. A lot of people these days are cynical. They cant appreciate free stuff and services.
That said, there are also those who did appreciate your work Justin and who want you to keep writing like before.
Enanuel is right. There are so many people who want to thank you for everything you did, more than you can imagine.
No matter how good you are to people there will always be someone who just doesnt get it.
I don't mind paying and I know what you mean by saying that there should be a commitment exchange – the reader should also invest something – but you know you have always been a great help to those who cannot afford to pay. I think there is no greater selfless act than this.
True that!
Yeah. You have got to write again!
Its a disgrace how some people act sometimes.
there is nothing more selfless than a person trying to help out without asking for anything in return but a kind of gratitude and support. And you did that Justin. Lots and lots of people believe in you
I really hope you can start writing again!
Wow! See so many people love you Justin!
))
I am your life example success story! I benefited from your writing when I couldn't do anything – and now I own a very lucrative online business. All thanks to you!
You write well and you care about people. Thats just priceless.
Not a lot of people have the guts and the courage to do what you do Justin.
There is a lot some people dont know about nice people. Because most of the people have stopped being helpful themselves they think no one else is capable of it either. That is the only reason you get the negative feedback Justin.
You have to be one of the most amazing people I know Justin. You have to start writing again. We all need it.
Please write Justin! Dont leave us!
SO many people!! This is amazing!
Yep! Justin has a great fan following!
Yayyyy Justin!!! :p
Come back Justin!
Your writing is an asset for people.
Really hope you can start with your blog again.
It is a shame that nobody have appreciated your skills, but that is not the reason to stop yourself from getting the big break. Things take time. There are a lot of people that have seen your work and appreciated you. Just not yet the right people.
Good !! I love you!
I say if your done your done..for that long and making the mark in the virtual market is something of a journey..be well..
Hopefully your last FB comment was not a April fool! Let’s rock!
http://www.justinharrison.com is wonderful. There’s always all of the ideal info in the ideas of my fingers. Thanks and keep up the excellent work!