48 episodes

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been duped by a celebrity entrepreneur or coach, or watched with wonderment as people do downright dirty things to grow their business online, this is the show for you.

When it comes to starting and growing a business online, there’s no denying the appeal of a flexible, freedom-filled life where you can make more money than you ever imagined. But behind the glossy images on Instagram and big promises, there’s a dark side.

In Duped, your hosts Dr. Michelle Mazur and Maggie Patterson do a deep dive into everything that’s wrong with the online business world. From scammy life coaches to sleazy sales practices to cult and MLM style tactics we talk about all of it. You’ll learn what to watch for as a consumer so you can protect yourself from falling prey to these tricks and tactics.

Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business Michelle Mazur and Maggie Patterson

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 17 Ratings

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been duped by a celebrity entrepreneur or coach, or watched with wonderment as people do downright dirty things to grow their business online, this is the show for you.

When it comes to starting and growing a business online, there’s no denying the appeal of a flexible, freedom-filled life where you can make more money than you ever imagined. But behind the glossy images on Instagram and big promises, there’s a dark side.

In Duped, your hosts Dr. Michelle Mazur and Maggie Patterson do a deep dive into everything that’s wrong with the online business world. From scammy life coaches to sleazy sales practices to cult and MLM style tactics we talk about all of it. You’ll learn what to watch for as a consumer so you can protect yourself from falling prey to these tricks and tactics.

    How to Read a Sales Page Part One

    How to Read a Sales Page Part One

    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.

    • 1 hr 1 min
    The State of “Ethical” Business 2024

    The State of “Ethical” Business 2024

    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

    • 55 min
    Friend or Foe? Understanding Parasocial Relationships in Marketing

    Friend or Foe? Understanding Parasocial Relationships in Marketing

    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.

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Payment Pitfalls: Navigating Guarantees, Refunds, and T&Cs

    Payment Pitfalls: Navigating Guarantees, Refunds, and T&Cs

    You’re excited about signing up for a new program, and you’re just about to check out, then you decide to read the terms and conditions…but maybe they’re super long and you’re in a rush. 
    Fast forward three weeks later and you realize this was a terrible choice and the program is hot garbage. 
    So,  what now? 
    In this episode, we’re looking at the fine print of T&Cs, guarantees and refunds so you can save yourself this exact headache and not waste your time or money with people who don’t live up to their marketing hype. We discuss:
    The power dynamics around payments
    Why clear and balanced payment-related policies are essential to protect both buyers and sellers.
    Why understanding terms and conditions is crucial.
    Key questions to ask when reviewing terms and conditions.
    Why guarantees can be a slippery slope. 
    What to watch for 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.

    • 39 min
    January Patreon Teaser

    January Patreon Teaser

    This week we’re giving you a little teaser of what’s going on over the Duped Patreon. Our January episode offered a grab bag of topics as we dove into all the things happening in cults, documentaries, and online business.
    In this teaser, we discuss the current conversation about "degrowth" and our feelings on the matter. 
    Want to hear the rest of the conversation? Join the Patreon and you can listen to the January episode in full where we also cover:
    More thoughts on the Netflix Twin Flame docuseries. The Bitconned documentary and how it's so much like online business. Did season 3 of The Dream podcast get it right? What did they miss? A high-profile example of a business shutdown, and is it legit? What we see on Threads, and why are there so many  "your coach first name" accounts?

    • 8 min
    Behind the Curtain: Decoding Deceptive Tactics in Summits and JVs

    Behind the Curtain: Decoding Deceptive Tactics in Summits and JVs

    Affiliates, JVs, and Summits…oh my! These collaborations can be spectacular for sales and growing an audience, but they also have a dark side that can take advantage of business owners and ultimately lead to getting Duped
    In this episode, we’re diving into the HIGHLY nuanced topic of summits and JVs and decoding deceptive tactics that can leave you holding the bag. 
    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.

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
17 Ratings

17 Ratings

LauraTucker_ ,

Shining a light on important issues!

Thank you for your work bringing many important issues to the surface and helping online consumers become more discerning.

Shelli Warren ,

The Ultimate Reality Check

Bring it on myth busters! We’ve all been there. It burned, we learned, and then we moved on; far, far away from those culprits. Thanks for the straight talk ladies!!

Kgb_kgb ,

Smart, to the point, funny!

An absolute delight to listen to this straight, smart, funny, and to the point discussion!

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