Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business

Remember when the internet felt fun, helpful—even inspiring? Yeah, us too. But lately? It’s feeling more like a digital junk drawer.  In this episode of Duped, we’re talking about enshittification—what it is, how it shows up in your feed, and how AI is making it worse. From AI-generated garbage content to platforms prioritizing profits over people, we’re breaking down how it all got so bad—and what we can do about it. Topics discussed in this episode: What is enshittification and some examples.  How AI is accelerating enshittification Is AI the villain? Or can it be used responsibly? The real-world impact on consumers and business owners What to watch for with AI enshittification For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

She cries on camera. Wears hoodies. Says she’s just like you, right before pitching her five-figure course. She’s the BFF Next Door. And in 2025, she’s not just relatable; she’s a finely-tuned marketing machine. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most deceptively dangerous archetypes in the online business world: the BFF Next Door. We discuss: Introduction to the BFF Next Door Archetype: Who she is and how she operates in the online business world. How vulnerability, relatability, and curated imperfection are used as sales tools. Why is this archetype so popular right now? The psychological impact of feeling connected to someone you don’t actually know. Why the BFF Next Door is more dangerous than traditional “bro marketers”. The issues with associating with problematic figures while claiming to be different. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon. 

2024 was a wild ride and, for many, incredibly economically challenging. So, what exactly went down this year?  In this episode of Duped, we’re diving in for a 2024 year-end recap, breaking down the year that was and talking about what’s headed our way for 2025. We discuss: Why 2024 was rough economically for many businesses. How some businesses went all in on creative rebranding. How the pyramid scheme of life coaching began to crumble. The rise and fall of digital MRR. Why consumers are becoming more skeptical. How the FTC has stepped up to start implementing more regulation in the industry.  A warning about 2025.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Passive income! Life-changing results! Freedom! And all for a limited time only.  These are just a few typical tropes online businesses use to reel you in.  Big promises that sound great on paper, and even though you’re maybe a little hesitant, you decide to give it a go.  Unfortunately, in many cases, the dream we’re being sold quickly turns into a nightmare.   So, how is an online business really legit and worth your investment? In this episode of Duped, we’ll uncover the signs that an online business is going down faster than the Titanic.  We discuss:  Five red flags to look for with online businesses. Specific warning signs for each one. What to look for when doing your due diligence vetting an online business. Five ways to identify a trustworthy program. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Robert Cialdini’s book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion has become ubiquitous in the online business community. But are the principles Cialdini set forth being used in good faith Spoiler alert: in many cases, nope, not at all. In this episode, we get into part two of exploring Robert Cialidini and his code of ethics for anyone who uses his work. We examine the final four weapons of influence along with tips to protect yourself. We discuss:  Cialdini’s ethics  Authority, Social Proof, Consistency and Unity What are they? How are they used in online business? How do you protect yourself against each one? Four specific tips to protect yourself as a consumer.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon. 

Do you know what book is one of the most used—and abused—in online business? Many celebrity entrepreneurs and top marketers cite it as influential…which makes sense given its title.   It’s Robert Cialdini’s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. While we have referenced this book many times on the pod, we have never actually done a deep dive to get into the nitty-gritty of it all.   In this episode, we explore Robert Cialidini and his code of ethics for anyone who uses his work. We then examine three of his seven weapons of influence and cover the next four in the next episode.  We discuss:  Who is Robert Cialdini? Dr. Cialdini’s code of ethics. Background on the book Influence. What Cialdini means by “principles”. The first three principles and how they show up in online business. Reciprocity Liking/Familiarity Scarcity How to protect yourself as a consumer.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon. 

Masterminds are often sold as life-changing experiences that will help boost your business, increase revenue, and connect with like-minded people. But how often have you seen masterminds that turn out to be expensive group coaching sessions run by unqualified "experts"?  Or even worse—joined one yourself and found out too late that it’s nothing like what you were promised? In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on something that’s become almost a rite of passage in the online business world: masterminds. We’re talking about red flags to watch for and what makes for a good mastermind experience.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Have you ever seen an offer on social media claiming you can make big bucks in no time at all if you sell something created by someone else? Welcome to the world of Master Resell Rights, where you allegedly can get rich from doing little to no work at all. But like everything else in online business, it’s too good to be true and the house of cards is quickly tumbling.   In this episode of Duped, we’re peeling back the curtain to expose how it all went wrong—from faceless Instagram accounts selling the dream to fake income claims.    We discuss: What Master Resell Rights (MRR) are. How MMRs gained popularity. Why the MRR grift started to fall apart. Why you should keep an eye on the MRR space. The ethical concerns with MRR.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

If you’ve ever been duped and immediately blamed yourself for it, you’re not the only one.  Yes, we all have a level of personal responsibility, but that doesn’t negate the fact that humans are primed to fall for get rich quick schemes. So why is that?  In this episode of Duped, we’re flipping the script. Instead of talking about how to prevent getting scammed, we’re exploring why were are so damn susceptible to it.   We discuss: A brief history of get rich quick schemes. Five telltale signs you’re being scammed. How rugged individualism and the American dream play a role in why we get sucked into schemes. Why do prosperity gospel and manifestation prime us to be taken in by schemes? What is confirmation bias and what role does it play in our decision-making? For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Have you ever bought something on a payment plan and quickly realized you’re unsatisfied, but there’s no way out? The fact is, not all payment plans are created equal. While they can be an excellent way to pay for something over time, the flip side is that they can also be weaponized by celebrity entrepreneurs and used to handle sales objections.  So, what risks should you, the consumer, know about before buying a course or program using a payment plan?  In this episode, we’re equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about what you buy and how you pay for it.  We discuss: The pros and cons of payment plans. How payment plans can be weaponized to handle objections. How much is a reasonable markup on a payment plan? The possible pitfalls of extended payment plans. Why incentives for paying in full can be problematic. How third-party payment services can make payment plans more questionable. Questions to ask before you buy. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Sales pages are designed to make us buy. But if the way they’re done is scammy or deceptive, should we really buy from them at all?  In part one of this two-part series on sales pages, we covered program promises, pain points, and the solution. But there’s way more you need to watch for, so in this episode, we’re digging into FAQs, bonus stacks and more. We discuss: Why long sales pages can leave you confused and worn out. How do you identify possible red flags when you read an about section? Key questions to keep in mind when you read testimonials.  Why FAQ sections devoted to overcoming money objections should give you pause. Value stacking: What is it, and why is the math used often complete BS? For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Business bundles seem to be everywhere these days, leaving everyone wondering if these are actually a good deal and they should jump on the bundle train.  Sure, they often seem like a total steal, but if the bundle doesn’t actually bring YOU any value, the fact that the price was “reasonable” is irrelevant. How can you tell if a business bundle is worth the price or if you should run away entirely?  In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about those business bundles from how they work, why they’re so enticing and what to consider before you buy. We discuss:  What business bundles are and how they work.  The potential benefits of business bundles.  Business bundle examples and some red flags. The psychology behind business bundles and the concept of loss aversion.  Questions to ask yourself before you buy a business bundle. What to consider if you’re invited to participate in a bundle. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

If there’s one place on the internet it’s all too easy to get tripped up and make an impulsive decision, it’s sales pages. Yes, sales pages are designed to draw you in and pique your interest, but in many cases, these pages are cross the line from persuasion to straight-up manipulation.  So how do you spot the red flags?  In part one of this two-part series on sales pages, we’re covering program promises, pain points, and the solution. We discuss: The psychology behind using long-form sales pages. Examples of the empty promises we often see from group programs.  How to identify headlines designed to suck you in, The difference between pressing on pain points versus agitating them. How to identify red flags when reviewing offered solutions. Key takeaways to keep in mind when reading sales pages.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.

Is the state of ethical business actually improving in 2024? Are we actually making some progress? Well, it’s a good news/bad news kind of story. The good is that we’re finally starting to see more and more people reject the status quo business practices, including manipulative marketing and scammy sales practices.  The bad is that this industry is very fickle, and while it’s good to hear more discussions about ethical business, certain topics have fallen off the radar. And whether these conversations translate into change still remains to be seen. In this episode, we’re digging into the state of ethical business in 2024 and having a raw conversation about where things really stand.  We discuss: The monetization of burnout and why hustling isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. The sudden pivot from people who used to talk about “the right way to market” to now preaching the opposite.  The predictable patterns in the industry and why it’s often easy to see what’s coming as things shift. What we recommend you watch for in the coming months. For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon

In a world where we’re connected to people across the globe, it’s nearly impossible for us NOT to create parasocial relationships. If you publish content or have an audience filled with people you don’t know personally, you create parasocial relationships. And that’s totally fine The trouble starts with ensuring everyone understands that we’re in these relationships and that they can make us more vulnerable to predatory tactics.  In this episode, we’re answering the questions of what parasocial relationships are, how they affect us, and how they’re  being weaponized against us? We discuss: What are parasocial relationships? The evolution of parasocial relationships. How we create these relationships with online content creators. The deliberate cultivation of parasocial relationships by celebrities and online business owners. The impact of parasocial relationships on consumer behavior. What consumers need to be aware of with their parasocial relationships and how it influences buying decisions.  For detailed show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode, please visit duped.online. For more Duped, including monthly bonus episodes, join the Patreon.