Local Marketing Vault is an ad agency course. The basic premise is that you’ll learn how to build your own ad agency, land clients, and get them results.
Running an agency (even though they’re a bit of a commodity nowadays) isn’t a bad way to get your feet wet in the world of online business.
That said, there are a lot of moving parts with this business model:
- Prospecting – you need to know how to find potential clients
- Sales – you need to know how to convince those clients to give you money
- Media Buying – you need to know how to run ads profitably
- Copywriting – you need to know how to tailor your ad messaging for the right customers
- Design – you need to know how to design ads/landing pages to maximize conversions
- Email Marketing – you need to know how to follow up with prospects and customers
- Automation – you need to know how to connect everything properly
Now, most course-sellers will try to make this easier on you by telling you they’ve managed to “automate everything”, offering “plug-and-play” campaigns, and “pre-built templates”.
Here’s the thing though:
Markets are always changing. They get more savvy as time goes on.
If you buy a program with thousands of other students, where everything is built out for you, there’s an almost 100% chance those templates don’t work.
Why?
Because if thousands of other students are using those exact same “plug and play” campaigns, tens of millions of people have already seen them, reducing their effectiveness.
Not to mention, with most agency programs, the templates are actually built by some virtual assistant in the Philippines or India, and have never actually been tested in real life.
And if they have, there’s a good chance they’re extremely outdated, since most programs don’t bother updating their templates after launching. The course creator gets too busy just trying to sell to more and more students, instead of focusing on quality education.
Now, here’s the most sinister part of this whole thing:
Most course creators market their agency courses as something you can do anywhere in the world. You might hear them say things like “The world is my office” or “This is a simple passive income business”.
That’s just plain false. Running an effective agency is in no way passive. Look at the list above, and remember that you can’t rely on pre-built templates. You’re responsible for every part of the process.
Does that really sound like a business you can do from a laptop on the beach?
See how this could be a problem?
Now, what if there was a way you could build a passive income stream that’s actually passive?
An income stream that doesn’t require:
- Mastering 100 different roles
- Needing to be a technology wizard
- Working round the clock just to keep things from blowing up
An income stream that brings in consistent revenues every single month (from a couple thousand dollars to well over $10,000)?
An income stream you could actually build in your spare time, and grow as large or as small as you want to, without having to spend hours a day chasing, selling, or managing anything?
If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, check out Digital Real Estate.
However, if you’d still like to know more about Local Marketing Vault, keep reading.
Who Are James Bonadies And Jason McKim?
Before we hop into it, it’s probably a good idea that we talk about James and Jason a little bit.
Jason McKim and James Bonadies are the founders, coaches, and authors of the whole Local Marketing Course…this is probably one of the most important sections of this review.
Let’s start with James Bonadies…
Who Is James Bonadies?
James Bonadies started off just like the rest of us.
Desparate to make passive income so he could live life the way it was meant to be lived:
Financially and time free.
After looking at a whole bunch of different business models and even trying some like affiliate marketing, amazon fba, and MLM’s…he stumbled across local lead generation.
He joined a program called Job Killing with Dan Klein.
Here’s a picture of them together:
James started off learning how to build small websites and rank them in Google.
He would then pass these leads off to small business owners who would give him a cut of the action.
Dan likes this model because over the long term it’s a great way to build passive residual wealth.
However, James needed money NOW.
So he tried out Dan’s model of “Go Fast Look Sexy” and expanded upon it.
James had tremendous success and that’s how he started generating a lot of the leads for his clients.
After a while he met Jason and the two of them started a partnership in which they created the Local Marketing Vault course.
Who Is Jason McKim?
Jason is another former student of Dan Klein.
He got into the online business stuff for very similar reasons to his partner Jason.
He wanted money and he basically wanted it now.
Facebook Ads and little local websites were basically his ticket to that.
Jason also wanted to take his health more seriously, something he really couldn’t do with the 9-5 grind.
Today he focuses on his personal fitness and shares lots of advice on his instagram regarding diet.
His role is Local Marketing Vault is relatively quiet as he works primarily on the backend systems while James is the face of front end marketing.
He hops on livestreams with James however and is always there for his students.
Local Marketing Vault Overview
So now that we know a little bit about Jason McKim and James Bonadies, let’s talk a little more in depth about LMV!
James McKim and Jason claim that you’ll be able to come into this course and learn how to:
- Land Clients Easier
- Land Clients Faster
- Get More Money Out Of The Deal
- Earn $10,000 Per Month Recurring In 90 Days!
- Stop Being Afraid Of Not Getting The Results You Promised
Pretty bold claims right?
Lead Generation for local businesses has been around for a couple years now…
And as cool as Jason McKim and James think that is…they have seen many people struggle to actually change their lives financially.
Most of the issues they saw people struggling with were the same. A local client was always wanting a timeline with ROI.
They claim that SEO has worked for a while but it’s just not the best way anymore…
We disagree with that statement, and we’ll explain why later on…
However, the issues they presented were:
- It Takes Forever To Rank A Local Business
- Results Can Take A While To See
- Will The Leads Even Be Good When They Come In?
They claim there are a lot of variables to deal with when pitching SEO to small local businesses…and that some people have actually quit because of it.
So what happens after? People give up and go right back down the rabbit hole for making money online again.
But we think there still is a better way to make money online that doesn’t require paid traffic…
What Do You Get With LMV?
Agency Setup Training
In this 8 video long module you get taught how to set up your agency from scratch.
Everything from business formation to business accounting.
I have found that these videos are pretty informative and are explained in a way that even a true beginner can understand and succeed with.
I like how they cover how to set up collecting payments, some courses neglect that topic, but they don’t.
If you are a veteran in the online business space though, much of this module will be of no real use to you.
Prospecting Vault
This training is one of a couple that teach you how to go and land clients for yourself.
As you can see, the first module goes over their action plan for you.
The second module “computers reach” goes over how you can use Upwork to land clients as you can see below:
The third module shows you how to reach out to business owners through their GMB’s.
The Fourth module shows you how to set up quick face to face meetups and emphasizes your elevator pitch.
And lastly they show you how to reach out as a freelancer.
LMV Genesis Training (main training)
This would be considered the “meat and potatoes of the training”.
This is their broad scope overview of the business model you are about to embark on as a whole.
- They give you a 50,000ft view of the business model.
- Tell you what kind of services you’ll be able to offer.
- Educate you on their process of how to sell and close deals.
- Teach you how to go out and find clients.
- How to scale your agency.
- And finally, they tie it all together at the end.
This type of training is pretty average amongst these types of programs online. They do some things really well and other things certainly have room for improvement.
Each of these weekly modules then break down into their own in-depth trainings.
Take a look at week 2 for example:
And this is just the half of it…
Most of the other weekly modules are like this as well.
Personally, I think they are certainly giving you lots of content for the price that they charge (which we’ll get into a little further down below).
Local Facebook Mastery
As you can see from this screenshot from inside the program, you get a full in-depth training specifically curated for Facebook Ads.
You’ll be covering things like compliance so that you have the best of odds of not being suspended.
You’ll be shown how to research and replicate successful campaigns.
You’ll be shown how to build landing pages and setup your account properly.
Finally you’ll be shown how to set up your first campaign and how to scale/troubleshoot campaigns.
Local PPC Mastery
This is a 12 module (11 and 1 bonus) training that teaches exactly what you need to do to run a successful Google ads campaign.
Similarly to the Facebook training above, you’ll start out by learning about compliance so that your campaigns don’t get shut down.
Next you’ll cover keyword research so that you can make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
As you can see here in Module 10, they guide you through a full optimization process for every campaign you’ll ever run.
I think this module is super important for any Google Ads training to have and I’m glad these guys have included it.
Especially the Smart Campaigns.
Smart Campaigns are campaigns that will allow you to scale incredibly quick and use Google’s machine learning to put your ads in front of your most ideal audience.
Overall I think this mini training they have contains a lot of value compared to other comparable programs.
Facebook And Google Ads Pre Made Funnels
Inside the training you learn everything you need to make the best Facebook ad copy and even some for google ads.
They claim that these are the types of methods that will help you generate leads in no time!
They even dive a little bit into managing PPC campaigns!
If you want to know more, check out their main menu below!
Main Menu Local Marketing Vault
Feel free to zoom in on this if you want!
This shows you all the training you get while you are in the course. As you can see though, SEO is missing from that list.
They show you how to build funnels, manage PPC and paid ads, and even different tier campaigns!
So what kind of niches do they say this will work for? They claim it will work for hundreds! In the training they use towing as an example, but some of their students have been known to even generate real estate leads!
Local Marketing Vault sure doesn’t leave you wanting more, that’s for sure. They make sure that their students/clients have everything they need generate leads consistently for business owners through the methods that they teach.
We do wish we could have seen some fraction of SEO implemented however, if you have a website with landing pages, even if it’s just two, it’d be a good idea to run some basic SEO on it so that you could potentially grab organic traffic in the long run.
So what else do they offer?
Private Facebook Group
Their Facebook group is probably one of the best things Jason McKim and James offer. It is very active and it’s filled with people asking questions and getting answers all the time!
At Scam Risk we think programs that offer a group setting like this are very beneficial and would like to see more online courses do the same. It helps keep people connected and keep them mentally “fit” and in the right mindset.
Not to mention when you constantly see people winning it helps bolster your own belief that it’s only a matter of time until you succeed.
In our little sneak peak of the course we saw people landing clients every day and screenshots of people showing how many leads they generated for the small businesses they’re working with.
It’s really clear that these guys are legit.
My Take On Local Marketing Vault
Overall I think Jason & James provide a pretty thorough training that is more than enough for beginners trying to start their own lead generation business.
However, not every program or business model is perfect.
Here is my breakdown.
Pros:
Good For Internet Marketing Newbies:
Facebook ads and Google adwords are things every internet marketer should understand at a basic level. The guys at Local Marketing Vault deliver.
Facebook Group
Having a group the way they do is a great opportunity for people to connect. It fosters a great learning environment and encourages people to participate. They also have weekly live calls.
Niches Included
Unlike other courses that kind of just send you on your way after the video training, Local Marketing Vault goes one step further. They actually give a list of 30 different niches with pre made funnels that help you get money in your pocket faster!
Cons:
Facebook Ads Are Over Used
Everybody and their grandma can throw up a Facebook ad or a Google ad. Although it’s nice they give you pre made ads and funnels, that just means many other people like you are running the same ads. It’s hard to differentiate yourself.
Ad Account Suspensions
Facebook and Google continue to crack down hard on their ad platforms. New rules seem to roll out every day and people have been hit with suspensions overnight, losing everything! It’s definitely hard to keep leads flowing to clients when Facebook shuts you down.
Not Long Term
Ads have always been a short term fix…it’s very hard to keep them going smooth for the long term and requires a lot of work to do so. Not to mention PPC changes all the time and you can quickly be in the red if you are not careful. It is certainly not a passive income option.
How Much Does Local Marketing Vault Cost?
The best way to find out how much it is would be to book a call with them and see if it’s the right fit!
On this call you will be talking with one of their “coaches” who will help educate you on this business model from a high level and answer any logistical questions you might have.
After your questions are answered the sales guy will start pitching the program and building the value before dropping the bombshell price on you.
Local Marketing Vault will cost around $5,000 to join, and they are adding new students every day.
With that said, it never seems as though the price is set in stone and is likely to increase as time goes on and more students are added.
What The Rest Of The Internet Has To Say
I decided to check out some reviews online from sites like Trust Pilot & BBB. Here’s what other people had to say:
https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/5f70fc15798e6f096021820c
“Purchased LMV + Accelerater program during sales process i was told i would get lots of help from Kristal and LMV partners and if wasn’t keen on sales there was a tech side. LMV didn’t have much about learning how to do some tech. Never got any assistance and was ignored by Kristal and most of the LMV partners (except for 1 or 2 people) ultimately had to walk away wasting thousands of dollars.”
According to that review, they feel as though they are lacking on the promised support.
Here’s another poor one:
https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/5f70d54e798e6f0aa4e5d0a9
“Program is very over priced compared to better similar programs (5k). Constantly selling more of other peoples programs as affiliates rather than focusing on improving their own program.
Sold on the premise they keep up to date and working lead generation offers for different niches but they almost never change and if they don’t work its your fault. For the price paid for this program, its ridiculous.
Most good reviews are likely from customers that are being bribed with more content.”
Here’s an example of a review that is more in the middle, neither positive nor negative:
https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/5f70daa6798e6f0aa4e5d3a6
“LMV is good comprehensive system with a great framework for anyone who can follow it. It does tend to favor people who are sales oriented rather than technically oriented. However people who are technically oriented and introverted need help with sales the most. LMV can be overwhelming to such people (like me). The founders are coming from their own perspective and therefore this is to be expected.”
And finally, let’s run over to the BBB.
“LMV is literally thee best coaching program that I have ever invested in. When you start a lead gen ******** or whatever it may be, there is a lot of Trial and Error with running advertisement online.. Ad Copy, Images, Funnels etc.. LMV Provides time tested funnels for multiple niches that are set up for you so you can have confidence that the results you promise your client will actually be fulfilled. I can’t say enough good things about this program, if you are serious about taking control of your life and significantly increasing your income to live life on your terms, then these are the people you want to connect with.”
That review seems legitimate, however I am skeptical as to why they have multiple BBB profiles and why out of all them, only one profile has reviews…and it’s only 2 of them.
To me, that just doesn’t make sense when something like Trust Pilot has over 900.
Is Local Marketing Vault A Scam?
So, is Local Marketing Vault a scam? Not technically. You can make money with this program, but it’s definitely not as easy as Jason and James makes it sound.
There’s a ton of work to be done upfront, no real guarantee of success, and – most importantly – running an agency is extremely active income (NOT passive).
Now, there’s nothing wrong with front-loading the work and making the money later.
But if you’re getting into this game to live life on your terms, travel the world, and generate passive or semi-passive income from anywhere, then this isn’t for you.
What if, instead, you could put in a couple hours a day (in your spare time) to build a single digital asset, and your reward was a $500 to $2,000 payment that came in every single month?
And what if you could get started today and have your first payment in a week?
And what if you could double it next week?
Well, that’s the power of Digital Real Estate.
And, unlike a traditional ad agency, you can legitimately do this from anywhere. It’s a true lifestyle business.
Your laptop and an internet connection is all you need.
Some of the most successful students in this program run their entire 6-figure businesses from:
- A camper in the middle of the woods
- A beach chair on the water in Mexico
- A small villa in Greece
They’re able to travel around, living their lives first, and focusing on their income second.
Because even if they stop working for an extended period of time, the money keeps coming in.
So adventure, memories, and experience are the top priority.
And they never have to worry about how to pay for the next trip, or consider asking for time off.
If this sounds more like the type of life you want to lead, just click here to find out more about Digital Real Estate.
Are There Alternatives To Local Marketing Vault?
Yes, there are plenty of other business models to choose from if you want to pursue this making money online. Here are just a few:
- Local Lead Generation
- Digital Real Estate
- SEO
- Real Estate
- Website Building
What Is Our #1 Recommendation To Make Money Online In 2023?
The ScamRisk team has spent months researching, reviewing, and vetting dozens of business models and thousands of programs.
While there may be no “perfect business”, the research IS conclusive:
Digital Real Estate is the #1 online business model for those just starting out.
Whether you’ve never made a dollar online, or you’ve been in this space for a while but never really “made it,” Digital Real Estate is for you.
Why?
1) It’s Flexible: got an hour a day? You can do this. Ready to drop everything else and dive in full time? You can do this. Yes, the more time you put in, the faster you see results. But even with a little time each day, you can move the needle in a Digital Real Estate business.
And because this system is so flexible, you don’t have to constantly be working to make more money. It’s called PASSIVE INCOME because if you stop working, the money doesn’t.
Imagine taking 3 months off to just tour around Europe, rent a cabin in the woods to write a book, hike the Appalachian Trail, or live on the beach and surf all day.
This is only possible if you have an income stream that’s not tied to your time.
2) You Own & Control EVERYTHING: With an ad agency, you don’t really own anything.
You’re a hired gun for clients, and entirely at their mercy.
Sure, you own your agency, but if your business grinds to a halt once you stop working, all you really have is a self-created job.
With Digital Real Estate (a passive income stream), you own all the assets, which means you have all the power and all the control.
3) Little To No Startup Costs: It’s possible to get into Digital Real Estate with zero dollars upfront. Because, using the strategies outlined in this program, you can get a client to pay you BEFORE spending a penny out of your own pocket…even before you do any work.
Even without getting paid in advance, you can have your first Digital Rental Property up, running, and generating profits for less than $100.
4) Easy To Duplicate: Ok, here’s the best part: once you have your first Digital Rental Property up and running, you can literally DOUBLE your income with a few clicks, a couple keystrokes, and a single phone call (and you don’t actually need the phone call).
Remember: each Digital Rental Property is worth $500 to $2,000 a month in semi-passive income (over 95% profit). Every time you decide to create another one and increase your income, it gets easier.
Because you have more knowledge, more experience, more results, and more momentum.
If you wanted to double your income with an ad agency, you’d have to double your clients OR double the monthly payment of your existing customers. And, guaranteed that’s a lot harder than a few clicks and a few minutes of your life.
5) Make Money Helping Real People: This part is what makes it all worth it. With Digital Real Estate, you’re actually helping people by solving your clients’ biggest problem:
Small, local businesses need more customers, and with Digital Real Estate, you are unleashing a flood of happy, paying customers for these businesses.
You make money by helping them make money.
Not a big, faceless corporation either…a small business owner who’s using that money to put food on the table for their family, start a college fund for their kids, or take care of a sick parent.
Once you see how Digital Real Estate makes a real impact in the lives of real people, you’ll sleep like a baby with a big smile on your face.
Now, the choice is yours. You could continue browsing, looking at opportunities like Local Marketing Vault which could one day make you money.
You could continue researching, never making a decision.
OR, you could take a look inside, consider what you really want, and join a program that makes your dreams a reality. At the same time, joining a community of over 2,000 successful students that are living life on their own terms thanks to Digital Real Estate.
A consistent, reliable, semi-passive stream of income that doesn’t depend on you or your time to keep producing profits.
All while genuinely helping real people who are grateful and happy to pay for it.
If this sounds more like what you want out of life (or if you just want some nice side income), click here to learn more about Digital Real Estate.
