Robby Blanchard

Robby Blanchard loves to present himself as the ultimate affiliate marketing guru, the guy who cracked the code to effortless online riches. But scratch beneath the surface of his ‘Commission Hero’ empire, and the picture isn’t nearly as glamorous. Behind the flashy success stories and bold earnings claims lie misleading promises, shady marketing tactics, and a trail of dissatisfied customers. Even more concerning, there seems to be a concerted effort to bury criticism and silence dissenting voices.

The Genesis of Blanchard’s Empire

Robby Blanchard’s journey began in Massachusetts, where he opened CrossFit Reach, a gym that didn’t quite flourish as anticipated. In a bid to salvage his venture, Blanchard ventured into Facebook advertising, a move that allegedly catapulted him to the pinnacle of affiliate marketing on ClickBank. Capitalizing on this newfound acclaim, he launched ‘Commission Hero’, a course promising to transform novices into high-earning affiliates.

Commission Hero: A Heroic Facade?

At first glance, ‘Commission Hero’ appears to be a comprehensive guide to affiliate marketing, boasting a systematic approach to creating profitable sales funnels and leveraging Facebook ads. However, a closer examination reveals a plethora of concerns:

• Misleading Earnings Claims: The course purports that users can earn up to $1,000 daily. While Blanchard’s personal success is well-documented, these figures are far from typical. The fine print on his official website subtly acknowledges this, stating that such results are not guaranteed.
• Prohibitive Hidden Costs: Beyond the initial $997 enrollment fee, participants are often blindsided by additional expenses. Effective Facebook advertising demands substantial financial investment, a fact not transparently communicated upfront. This omission has left many aspiring marketers financially strained.
• Dubious Marketing Practices: The course advocates for tactics that skirt the boundaries of ethical advertising. Notably, strategies that conflict with Facebook’s advertising policies are promoted, leading to account suspensions for unsuspecting users. In response, Blanchard offers a ‘bulletproof ad accounts’ service—for an additional fee—to mitigate these issues, raising ethical concerns about his business practices.

Voices of Discontent

The disillusionment among ‘Commission Hero’ alumni is palpable:

• Refund Challenges: Despite assurances of a money-back guarantee, numerous participants have encountered significant obstacles when seeking refunds. Some have resorted to disputing charges through their credit card companies, highlighting a systemic issue within the program’s refund policy.
• Unethical Upselling: Enrollees report being subjected to relentless upselling of additional services and software, each costing thousands of dollars. These add-ons often fail to deliver the promised results, exacerbating feelings of betrayal among the clientele.
• Reputational Damage: The aggressive marketing techniques taught have led to account bans and tarnished reputations, leaving many to question the legitimacy of the training they received.

The Censorship Conundrum

In an era where information is currency, controlling the narrative becomes paramount. Blanchard’s attempts to suppress dissenting voices are both overt and covert:

• Digital Scrubbing: Critical reviews and adverse media coverage have a curious tendency to disappear or be buried under a deluge of positive testimonials. This digital sanitization suggests a concerted effort to maintain a pristine online image.
• Legal Intimidation: There are accounts of former students and critics receiving cease-and-desist letters, effectively silencing negative feedback and discouraging others from voicing their grievances.
• Astroturfing: The proliferation of overly positive reviews and testimonials raises suspicions of manufactured consent, creating an illusion of universal acclaim while marginalizing genuine criticism.

The Call for Regulatory Scrutiny

The patterns emerging from Blanchard’s operations warrant attention from regulatory bodies:

• Consumer Protection: The disparity between advertised outcomes and actual results, coupled with opaque refund policies, may constitute deceptive marketing practices. Regulatory agencies must investigate these discrepancies to safeguard consumer interests.
• Advertising Standards: The endorsement of strategies that contravene platform policies not only jeopardizes users but also undermines the integrity of digital advertising ecosystems. It’s imperative to assess the ethical implications of such guidance.
• Financial Transparency: The undisclosed ancillary costs associated with ‘Commission Hero’ raise questions about the program’s transparency. Clear disclosures are essential to ensure informed decision-making by potential investors.

Conclusion

Robby Blanchard’s narrative is emblematic of the dual-edged sword that is the online marketing industry. While success stories can inspire, they can also obscure underlying malpractices. Aspiring marketers and potential investors must exercise due diligence, critically assessing the veracity of claims and the ethicality of business practices. Simultaneously, authorities must remain vigilant, ensuring that the digital marketplace remains a realm of opportunity, not exploitation.