Few things you can find about Jeremy Shoemaker a.k.a. SHOEMONEY on the internet
Update: Jeremy called me and asked to take some information off the article. His main concern was having his home address in the article (it is freely available on the Internet anyway), but I have no problem to take it off. So this article was edited. This article was written some time ago, so please take it into consideration. It might need updating and feel free to add your comment. All I want to accomplish is little bit of critical thinking about “facts” you are getting from “celebrities” like Shoemoney:-) Â
I have several friends who are constantly sending me articles or messages about Jeremy Shoemaker a.ka. Shoemoney. I even signed up for some period time to ShoeMoney blog, but didn’t find the information too useful. It seemed more to me like the motivational real estate people selling their proven systems on late night TV. There are also things which does not feel right and I think Shoemoney doesn’t tell the whole story. I am tired to see my friends following every word Shoemoney says with almost religious fanatism. Here are some thoughts…
AdSense check
It starts with his photo of check from August 2005 for $132,994.97. It seems that Shoemoney claims he is making even more now that that. I am also hearing that he didn’t make the money on check using PPC (driving traffic to his websites by PPC). This is the first thing which sounds very fishy to me.
1. What are these websites which brought the revenue? Did he ever list them somewhere?
2. Compare the earnings (approx. $4,400 or more per day) with case study on Weblogs.
Weblogs, Inc. is a publishing consortium of 100 independent bloggers who produce more than 1,000 blog posts a week across over 75 industry-leading blogs, including the popular consumer technology blog Engadget, luxury goods blog Luxist, and car-focused Autoblog.
Weblogs show in the above case study how they grew AdSense revenue from $200 to $3,000 per day. Read again how many blogs, how many bloggers and articles.
Shoemoney would have to own at least comparable websites. But which ones?
Shoemoney claims he made the money through SEO, while he is saying in interviews that his own blog has ranked very crappy in Google. His blog is the most visible site and he didn’t know how to do SEO?
My blog always ranked crappy in Google and still does. (2006-11-25)
One of my friends sent me another link to the articles asking me if I still think that Shoemoney is B.S. You can read the article here: 2006 Was The Year Of Ringtones - 100,000 Ringtone Leads
The articles says that Shoemoney made $977,178.15 in 2006 on ringtones affiliates. He also says that only 50% of that revenue were driven by PPC and it cost him total only $51,114 in PPC expenses. Shoemoney is also laughing when he hears people say they can’t get voluem PPC with longtail cheap keywords. Of course he will not tell us how to accomplish that.
Where the money go?
OK. So we are on $926,064 for ringtones.
Minimum $2,000,000 on AdSense
$4,500,000 in community forum income. See the interview here.
OK. We are talking at minimum $7.4 mil. income.
Does this guy invest in anything? Does he own any real estate? Stock? Where does he live?
Some legitimate questions for anyone who is making $7.4 million or more per year.
1. Would you buy hummer H2? If yes, would it be your only car? What about sports car or luxury cars?
2. Would your second car be Ford Explorer pick up? Again, you are making over $7.4 mil.
Pictures are courtesy of Shoemoney own blog photo album.
3. Lincoln, Nebraska the most beautiful place on earth
OK. Why not live somewhere where is a decent temperature in winter? Why live somewhere where you can actually do something or have decent airport. This is a huge question for me and I don’t understand why would someone making so much money will be still living in Lincoln, Nebraska. What about Silicon Valley or living somewhere on the beach? I know that’s none of my business, but think about it that you made the money. Did Shoemoney explained it somewhere? What would you do if you had such money? Does this guy have no fantasy at all? Why being rich if you have life like that. This doesn’t make sense to me.
4. OK. Let’s assume that you love Lincoln. Real estate is not expensive so why not having great lifestyle and live cheap. Is 2,175 sq. feet and 2 bedrooms good enough? Don’t forget that you have a kid. Wouldn’t you think that someone making millions will be living little bit more in luxury? People making 10% of Jeremy’s claimed income lives much better than he does.
5. Why not invest some money in real estate? I think it is just natural if you make millions and don’t spend them for living to invest the money in something. I did the search for real estate holdings and didn’t find anything. Got to Lancaster County Register of Deeds and do the search for yourself. Actually I found the house on xxxxxxxeditedxxxxxxxx which I mentioned above. But nothing else.
Jeremy not only doesn’t buy more real estate, but he quit claimed his house to his wife on 04/03/200. Also would you still have a loan on your house? Isn’t better to pay it off?
Few more notes from Shoemoney interviews:
My income from websites had been bashed a bit so I had to go on unemployment from 9/2004-1/2005 (yes I only started taking a salary in 2005). Here.
Unemployed 1/2005, started his own company while in deep debt $50k, borrowing $5,000 from mother and selling computers. Starting SEO early in 2005 and made just from seo over $132k in August?
I also do software. I just launched a new product called SpaceLook, which is a application that handles all messaging and stuff with MySpace in a nice gui windows-based app.
I also own a company that does nothing but resell computers.
I also own a company that deals in importing exporting data cables for wireless phones.
So ya, I do more than ringtones
It’s just when something is really hot and SO EASY to make money from you can’t look the other way. Also, being I am a 3 person operation–1) business manager 1) shoemoney 1) dillsmack - my badass coder–we really have to focus. More
I do not outsource anything. I have tried that in the past and it just does not work for me. I think mostly because I am a really bad manager. I just tell people to do stuff and then leave them alone until I expect it done. I am kind of a jack of all trades, computer-wise.
All in one man show? WOW
ShoeMoney Media Group - The Delivery and Service Organization one of the fastest growing, privately held, technology companies within the United States is a solution provider of choice developing and marketing web hosting products and security services that offer ask-oriented, “know how” solutions for businesses and home-office entrepreneurs and professionals alike. The company is a privately owned corporation residing in Omaha, Nebraska. More
OK. So it is one man show, but the fastest growing privately held company within the United States?
ShoeMoney Media Group, Inc., was founded and “Incorporated” in Omaha (NE) in 1996. More
OK. But the owner and only employee was switching jobs & unemployed until 2005. Also if you check Nebraska Secretary of State the company wasn’t incorporated in 1996, but rather in 2005. I know you might say it is a small detail, but details like that are difference between truth and lies. See Nebraska Secretary of State.
I did some search, not comprehensive and there might be mistakes. I just want to put different thoughts on the table. I smell B.S., but it is up to you what you decide.
UPDATE: I just spent morning arguing with one of my friends. It is really unbelievable how religiously some of Shoemoney fans believe whatever he says.
I went back to one of the Shoemoney interview and read it carefully and found out that he is making even more than I wrote here. Just read the article carefully:
Shoemoney: Combined subscriptions alone we have almost 95,000 members paying 19.95 every 6 months or roughly 4.5 million a year.
…. I would say as a whole its about ¼ subscription ¼ contextual ¼ affiliate and paid placement (adbrite and other) and the other ¼ in donations or random other stuff.
So if subscription is making just 1/4 of income we are talking about $18 mil. of total online income. So all my computations are wrong, please change the $7.4 mil. number with $18 mil. This is all from one interview here. Whatever is Shoemoney saying is getting harder and harder for me to believe.
scarface11 said,
January 24, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
You should post this at wickedfire.com he is a regular over there…
Mayo said,
January 25, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Shoemaker is a spin-doctor, it’s his own karma, if he can live in a lie - so be it!
Look only Network 21 for Amway, they ALL tell some fabulous stories about their villas, porches, expensive vacations, MM’s of $ in their bank accounts,… BTW how do you think Markus spined his business? By showing us his almost-a-MM$US-check, that’s how! Although i believe and see the stats that he really has PEOPLE visiting his site.
BTW John, you should take care of your own life instead of looking what scamers are doing.
Envious? Then do what Shomaker is doing and hope your karma doesn’t pull you down into oblivion.
shoemoney said,
February 9, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Great article. Sounds like this guy is full of crap I dunno why anyone reads his site
John Vanhara Rip Off Real Estate Agent In Las Vegas said,
February 9, 2007 @ 9:22 am
Is John Vanhara A Crook ?…
Many People have written to me saying that John Vanhara is a crook.
If you do not know John Vanhara or know him from another alias he uses to sell houses here is his picture on the left.
Be careful when dealing with John. There are many Nevada Real E…
Steve said,
March 11, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Amen brother.
His story is full of too many holes. Shoe and his compadres from webmaster radio, seo events, pubcon events, etc. are the Carleton Sheets of making money online.
could shoemoney be full of it? - WickedFire - Internet Marketing Affiliate Webmaster Forum said,
March 16, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
[…] could shoemoney be full of it? John Vanhara’s Blog » Is Jeremy Shoemaker a.k.a. SHOEMONEY scam? I found this to be an interesting read. You decide. Especially during recent chrislingle incident, this just got me thinking - who’s real online and who is full of shit poser? Seems like you really have to know who you trust nowadays. __________________ Life, Liberty, Pursuit […]
Jamdo said,
March 16, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
Nice link bait.
learn to speak english said,
March 17, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
you are an idiot
LeeBandoni.com - | Ultrapreneur | Internet Marketing | Super Affiliate Blog » Blogger Claims Shoemoney is a FAKE! said,
March 17, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
[…] Blogger Claims Shoemoney is a FAKE! March 17th, 2007 John Vanhara has made a post on his blog in January about the credibility of Shoemoney which can be seen here […]
Top Links - 3/18/07 » Net Business Blog said,
March 18, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
[…] Is Shoemoney a fake? Do you know for sure? Do you really care? I don’t relaly think Shoemoney is a fake, but it’s a fun read nonetheless. […]
i POST it said,
March 18, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
Guys, Shoemoney launched auctions ads and has 10,000 people (publishers) sign up in one week. I have followed Shoe Money’s claims closely and he runs many sites that are not mentioned any where. He is also partner in many web ventures. The guy owns thousands of domain names with many sites doing very good. I am very skeptical also but I also have direct contacts with many dot com ‘moguls’ making 6 figures from their sites every month. I will tell you one thing, just because Shoemoney drives a hummer instead of a Lamborghini, does not mean he is fake.
Ryan J. Parker said,
March 19, 2007 @ 9:27 am
LINK BAIT!
Cucirca said,
March 19, 2007 @ 11:39 am
I agree with you John. He pretends to earn more money that he actually do…
That’s my opinion.
Dijo said,
March 19, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
and abt 10k dollars a month frm blogging too. frm that blog?
ian said,
March 20, 2007 @ 5:50 am
I fall into the category of being a shoemoney fan. Having listened to his podcasts and seeing a videocast, he is one highly intelligent individual, I would have no reason to doubt any of his claims.
Also with regards to the nebraska comment, I dont know the area, but Warren Buffett is the second richest man in the world and he lives in Nebraska, so that argument doesnt really mean much.
not a fan of shoemoney said,
March 20, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Finally, someone has called out this over-exposed attention whore.
Nostradamus said,
March 22, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
A few points for your idiot blog.
1) Actually some of his websites are known by people out there. Regardless, most people who have successful sites that are making lots of money unknowingly do not flaunt them. It creates imitators who hurt business. Only a bad business person would do as you suggest. Promoting his non-related websites to webmasters would not make him any more money, but potentially lead to copycat syndrome.
2) Adsense is not some kind of awesome revenue source. In fact adsense is one of the worst ways to make money on the internet. Someone who is primarily making their lviing on the net with adsense is leaving lots of money on the table. So who cares what weblogs is doing?
What do you mean by his blog is his most visible site? Visible to whom?
Why would he not have a luxury car or sports car? Maybe he only wants 1 car. A lot of people who have money don’t waste it. From all that has been said, he has come into the money fairly recently. Perhaps he is not a moron who runs out and spends it all. Read the Millionaire Next Door. You will find most wealthy people do not have the need to go out and waste their money on 5 different cars. If you want to be a $30,000 a year millionaire though, I say go for it.
What does his income have to do with having a ford explorer? Why would he not have a ford explorer? Are you starting to see why you don’t have any money and other people do? You have a screwed up value system. People make money and keep it by not wasting it. He bought himself a hummer. In fact I think he bought the guys who work for him hummers too. That is a nice luxury for someone who did not have much 2 or 3 years ago. Why would you rush out to blow it on more cars unless you are a moron.
Why live in Lincoln? I suspect that is because that is where he lives. Cost of living is probably good and he has lived there for a while, or near there. Seriously are you that foolish.
You really need to learn some things about investment, finances and the rest. He could have properties under his businesses, he could have properties in a trust. It doesn’t have to be in his name. As for why take out a loan, isn’t it better to pay it off, the answer in most cases is NO. Regardless there are all kinds of reasons to have real estate in other entities besides your own name. Seriously, you need to take a remedial finance and investing class at your local community college, Columbo.
Seriously dude, people have businesses, small and large, they don’t make money for years and then make money. Where are you credentials. You are clearly not versed in the way of small business, investing or anything else that has you smoking a pipe and wearing a funny hat. You also need to learn the difference between revenue and income.
Seriously, you should be flogged for putting together such a poorly informed piece of writing.
Swollen Pickles said,
May 2, 2007 @ 1:43 am
Interesting conspiracy theory.
I have to say though, I take half of everything these dot com gurus say with a grain of salt. Some times it feels like a schlong measuring contest.
Dan said,
May 26, 2007 @ 2:30 am
Hi,
It should be Schoemaker
Interesting article. I can’t say that I agree with it, but interesting nevertheless.
Dan
ritchie said,
June 27, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
I’m not interested in what Jeremy does with his money. What I’m pretty interested in though are his postings and his seo radio shows. Listen to those yourself, and decide if the information is useful for you - if not, go do something useful with your time.
david said,
June 29, 2007 @ 12:38 am
Yes this article has some lame views about wasting money on cars or a bigger home. WHY? some of the richest people in the country are simple day to day people. Nothing fancy, they know not to waste the money on luxary that is not needed. I dont spend 10hrs a day doing what shoemoney does yet i make an extra 1000-1200 monthly from domain parking, adsense and some affiliate programs So i know its possible.
Shoemonkey said,
August 26, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Great post.
And to all of the Shoemonkeys out there, you people really should be ashamed at yourself for not being able to find your own motivation to make money online. These self-promoting gurus are the Anthony Robbins of the web. I wonder how many of the Shoemonkeys have actually made any money with Shoe’s techniques and how many of you read his blog and daydream about being rich one day.
Get a life. These man crushes are embarrassing.