BAM University Review: Joshua T Osborne Scam or Legit?

Are you interested in building an online business and wondering if BAM University (aka Bad Ass Marketers) can help you create a digital asset that generates passive income? You might have heard some negative feedback about the program’s founder, Joshua T. Osbourne, which could make you question its legitimacy.

Well, as an Internet entrepreneur, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with various programs, software, and even MLMs. That’s why I’m here to give you the inside scoop on BAM University, including my personal experience with the course.

But before we dive in, let me make one thing clear – I’m not affiliated with BAM University in any way, which means that you can trust my opinion is completely unbiased.

By the end of this article, I’ll also share a better alternative that has allowed me to generate a full-time passive income, so stay tuned!

What is BAM University?

BAM University is an online course that teaches you how to run a successful online business by generating leads for small businesses through “digital real estate”. This may sound confusing, but it’s actually quite simple.

Basically, you’ll be creating a two-page website and optimizing it with SEO techniques to generate leads for small businesses. As the owner of the site, you’ll receive recurring payments from business owners who need your help in ranking on Google.

Lead generation is a growing business model, which means there is a lot of competition out there. However, with the right skills and knowledge, you might still make a decent income from it. BAM University will teach you everything you need to know about SEO, on-page, and off-page optimization to make your digital real estate rank higher on Google search results.

The creator of BAM University, Joshua T. Osborne, offers an official walkthrough video to give you a sneak peek of what the course looks like. 

Who is Joshua T. Osbourne?

Joshua T. Osborne is the founder of BAM University. He’s an online entrepreneur who started his journey to success in a pretty unusual way. Before becoming a motivational speaker in the business world, he spent some time behind bars. But everything changed when he was visited by a mentor who helped him turn his life around.

After his release, he started his own moving company and eventually ventured into the digital world to find more opportunities to make money and have more free time. That’s when he created the Bad Ass Marketers course, inspired by his mentor Dan Klein, the founder of Job Killing (which, unfortunately, turned out to be a scam program).

While we couldn’t find much information about Joshua’s business track record, he does have a decent following on social media, especially on his YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Interestingly, Joshua also created a website called Scam Risk, which claims to provide free reports and unaffiliated online course reviews to help you make better investment decisions. But beware: it’s actually a sales page for Joshua’s own lead generation course.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How does BAM University help you make money?

BAM University teaches you how to make money online using local lead generation.

So, what exactly is local lead generation? It’s pretty simple. You refer potential customers to local businesses, and they pay you for each lead that turns into a customer. 

BAM University’s training will teach you how to create a website that attracts the right kind of people, such as those looking for a landscaper, for example. Once you’ve captured their information, you can sell it to related businesses, like landscapers, and earn a commission for each successful referral.

This strategy is often called “rank and rent.” Essentially, you’re trying to rank your website on search engines and then rent it out to local business owners in exchange for a fee. It’s a win-win situation: you get paid for your efforts, and the businesses get new customers.

• Learn more about lead generation

BAM University Course Breakdown

Bad Ass Marketers will teach you how to launch a lead generation, digital real estate business. 

Your first step is to build and publish your lead generation website. It will then teach you how to optimize it so that you can drive traffic to it.

Developing The Proper Mindset

In order to succeed in starting your own business, having the right mindset is crucial. BAM University emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication, and reminds you that this isn’t a “get-rich-quick” scheme. However, the course also emphasizes the need to develop a positive mindset and to stay determined to your goals.

Creating Your Lead Generation Website

Of course, in order to start your lead generation business, you’ll need a website. And this section will teach you exactly that.

But instead of walking you over through the difficult process of coding your own website, this section will only teach you the very basics of website design. Such as the proper placement of ads on your website (so it doesn’t hinder user experience), optimizing your website for users and web crawlers, etc.

Also, this section will teach you how you can build your own website without any coding experience using WordPress.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the foundation of any lead generation business. Without it, your website won’t rank high in search engine results and potential leads won’t be able to find you. This section of the course is divided into two parts: On-Page SEO and Off-Page SEO.

• On-Page SEO focuses on creating good website content and optimizing headers and meta-tags to make your website more visible to search engine crawlers. This helps ensure your website is relevant to the keywords you want to rank for.
• Off-Page SEO, on the other hand, focuses on building quality backlinks and differentiating between good and bad ones. The course also suggests a place where you can get high-quality backlinks for free (although this can be a shady practice).

Google Maps Pack

If you’re building a website for local businesses, optimizing your Google Maps Pack is crucial. When a user searches for a specific business keyword on Google, the top-rated and relevant businesses in the vicinity are listed in the Google Maps Pack. Only the top three businesses make it to this list, so it’s important to optimize your website to grab one of those slots.

This part of the course shows you how to optimize your photos and get good reviews for your business to make sure you rank in the top three.

Paid Ads Training

In addition to good SEO practices, Bad Ass Marketers University teaches you how to run paid ads effectively to increase your website traffic and generate more leads. However, keep in mind that this may not be the best option for beginners, as paid ads can cost some money. 

If you have enough capital, though, this could be a great way to get your business website ranking and start generating leads quickly. The paid ads training is divided into two parts: Google Ads and Facebook Ads.

Sales Strategies & Client Retention

This part of the course focuses on how to sell your lead generation and digital marketing services to potential clients. From pitching your services to retaining your existing clients, the course will teach you everything you need to know to do it effectively.

Facebook Group Access

By signing up for Bad Ass Marketers University, you will gain access to their official Facebook group. This is a great place to discuss with fellow members, share tips, and even ask for further advice about the program. Additionally, the course’s author, Josh, occasionally holds live streams inside the Facebook group where you can ask him more questions about the program.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How much does BAM University cost?

If you’re thinking of enrolling in Joshua T Osborne’s BAM University course, you might be curious about the cost. Unfortunately, finding this information is not as easy as you’d expect.

Despite looking on the official website and checking out “sponsored” reviews, we couldn’t find any clear pricing information for the course. It wasn’t until we delved deeper into the Reddit network that we found some answers.

According to a Reddit user, the original cost for Bad Ass Marketers was $7,000, but when they complained, the price was lowered to $5,000. However, keep in mind that this is just one person’s account, and we couldn’t verify the price ourselves.

Regardless of the exact cost, it’s clear that Bad Ass Marketers is on the pricey side. With that kind of money, you could already start your own lead generation business and find free educational materials online.

It’s also worth noting that even if you do decide to sign up, you’ll likely need to spend additional money on things like paid ads and web hosting to make the most of the course.

If you want to get a definitive answer on the cost, you’ll need to schedule a call with one of their representatives.

BAM University Discount?

The course offers a scholarship of $2k, bringing the total cost down to $5k. However, keep in mind that the scholarship is not available to everyone, as it’s only awarded to individuals Josh T. Osborne finds worthy.

On the other hand, it appears that the scholarship is offered to anyone who challenges the price. So, if you’re interested in the course but hesitant about the cost, it’s worth speaking up to see if you’re eligible for the scholarship.

Refund Policy

To receive a refund, you must claim it within 48 hours.

5 Untold Facts about BAM University

1. Dan Klein’s Influence on BAM University

Dan Klein, the founder of JK Coaching, is a major influence on BAM University. Although Dan is not visible in the program, he taught Josh the lead gen business model and how to run a coaching business. Dan continues to provide guidance to Josh on a weekly basis. In fact, the concept of owning “digital real estate” that is taught in BAM is a term that Dan came up with.

2. Use of Software Tools Developed by Dan and His Team

When you join BAM, you will be using various software tools developed by Dan and his team of developers, such as Snapps for web building and Callsling for call tracking. These tools have been developed over the last 7 years and are constantly refined to ensure they work seamlessly with the BAM program.

3. Different Coaching Styles of Josh and Dan

Josh and Dan have different coaching styles that reflect their personalities. Josh is all about massive imperfect action, while Dan is more methodical and focused on finding new ideas that make him stand out in the marketplace. Dan is currently revamping his entire course for the 6th time to reflect his evolving coaching style.

4. Dan Klein’s Success in Developing Other Coaches

Dan Klein has developed other successful coaches who were once his students, including Abdul & Chance, Douglas James, Cory Long, Aimie Ball, and Blake Snodgrass. 

However, many of these individuals have tried to lie or steal from Dan, such as by lying about business expenses to keep a larger percentage of profits. Josh is the only student who has remained loyal and continues to work as a partner with Dan.

5. Importance of SEO and Technical Skills in the Lead Gen Business

SEO is a critical skill for small business owners, but it’s not the focus of Josh and Dan’s coaching style. They excel at the personal human interaction aspect of the business, such as building relationships with business owners. 

However, technical SEO is still important and requires a certain level of competency. That’s where Dan’s right-hand man comes in – he brings the technical SEO aspect to the table and has mastered it to a very high level. As Google’s algorithm continues to advance, having someone like him on the team will be even more critical for success.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Praise for BAM University

1. Private Facebook Group

A great thing about BAM University is their private Facebook group. This is where you can connect with other students who are also taking the course, and get valuable insights from them. Plus, Joshua T Osborne himself is an active member of the group, and he regularly uploads videos on his YouTube channel that are relevant to the course material. So, if you ever need help or guidance, you can always turn to the Facebook group for support.

Criticism of BAM University

1. Flashy Sales Funnels and Unrealistic Promises

One of the first things you may notice about BAM University is the flashy sales funnels through which you are being sold. They may make it seem like a get-rich-quick scheme, promising that you can sell SEO services to local business owners and rank their sites in just 1-2 months.

However, the truth is that client retention is the hard part here, and you may find that you can’t deliver on your promises. This can lead to unhappy clients and a damaged reputation for your business.

2. Reliance on Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

Another potential issue with BAM University is that they rely heavily on private blog networks (PBNs). While PBNs may seem like a quick and easy way to get your site to rank on Google, they are actually considered black hat by the search engine. 

This means that Google can catch you using PBNs and penalize your site, causing your traffic and audience to plummet overnight. Additionally, testing PBNs can take a lot of time and effort, and there is always a risk that they will be flagged as spam by Google.

3. Affiliates Writing Positive Reviews

If you search for reviews of BAM University, you may come across some glowing testimonials written by affiliates of the course. For example, Joshua T Osborne’s friend Ippei has written a positive review of the BAM proram. 

While these reviews may seem trustworthy, it’s important to remember that the reviewers have a financial incentive to promote the course, and may not be giving an unbiased opinion.

4. Association with Dan Klein

Finally, it’s worth noting that Joshua T Osborne is a student of Dan Klein, who has a reputation for running courses that don’t deliver results. Dan’s course Job Killing has received many complaints on the Better Business Bureau, and some students have even called him a scammer. While Joshua T Osborne may have his own methods and strategies, his association with Dan may raise some red flags for potential students.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

4 Reasons Why I Don’t Recommend Local Lead Generation

1. Ranking websites is not an exact science

Ranking websites on search engines is not an exact science, and not every website will rank high. To increase your chances of success, you must build many websites, which requires a lot of effort and time. This makes it unsuitable for those who want to see immediate results.

2. The market is becoming more competitive

As more people discover the benefits of rank and rent, the market is becoming more competitive. Skilled SEOs and new site owners are entering the market, making it challenging to stand out from the crowd. If you decide to go down this route, be prepared for a tough battle.

3. It’s challenging to rank on the 3-Pack

Google’s 3-Pack displays the top local results when someone searches for a local business. It’s challenging to rank on the 3-Pack if you don’t have an established business or address. This makes it difficult to get a Google My Business (GMB) profile and five-star reviews. Without a GMB listing, it’s harder to gain credibility with potential clients.

4. It may be difficult to build trust with potential clients

When you rent out a website to a business owner, they will use it to generate leads for their business. However, your client’s customers may be less inclined to trust them because of a lack of reviews and verified GMB listing. It’s essential to build trust with potential clients, and this can be difficult if your clients’ customers don’t trust the business’s legitimacy.

Is BAM University a scam or legit?

BAM University isn’t a scam. It is a legitimate program that teaches people how to generate leads for businesses in their area. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone.

One of the main drawbacks of BAM University is the cost. The program can cost up to $7,000 depending on how much you pay upfront, which is a steep price for most people. Joshua T Osborne, the creator of the program, suggests that you can recoup your investment by renting out a lead generation site for $2,000 a month. But that’s easier said than done.

Ranking a lead gen site takes a lot of time and effort, and the competition can be fierce in big cities. Plus, lead gen sites don’t have regularly updated content like a blog, which can make them harder to rank. Even if you do manage to rank your site on the first page of Google, most business owners won’t be willing to pay you $1,000 or more per month for your services when they can use Google ads to generate leads themselves.

Another issue with the local lead gen model is that it’s in direct competition with Google Ads. Worse still, Joshua uses a private blog network to build backlinks for lead generation sites that violates Google’s policies. If Google catches on, your site could be removed from its search results.

Overall, while BAM University isn’t a scam, it may not be the best option for everyone. The high cost and competition make it difficult to recoup your investment, and the model itself is in direct competition with Google. 

Is there a better alternative to BAM University?

My #1 recommended platform is called Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch.

When you join Wealthy Affiliate, you can get access to the first-class web hosting service, keyword research tools, community support, comprehensive training, writing tools, and other software to help you build an online business step-by-step.

You can register a free account with Wealthy Affiliate, which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

If you like the platform, you can then upgrade to the premium membership to get access to everything on the platform. There are no upsells afterward.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year-old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while applying what is taught inside Wealthy Affiliate.

Compared with Authority Hacker, Wealthy Affiliate has a much longer history, which has been established for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade. Actually, Wealthy Affiliate has more than a million members so far, so you can see how popular this platform is.

To give you more examples, here are some of the other inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has a free and premium membership. The premium membership only costs $49/month or $395/year.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, and access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny.

So I strongly recommend you register a free account and see it yourself.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative