If you’d asked me two years ago if I’d ever earn a paycheck just by posting ads online, I’d have laughed until my coffee spilled. Fast forward to today—I’ve dived headfirst into digital marketing through the Infinity Processing System (IPS) and discovered it’s not as simple as clicking a button and waiting for cash to rain from the sky. Join me as I unpack the real lessons, accidental blunders, and the surprising mindset shifts that come with learning digital marketing from the ground up.

What Actually Is Digital Marketing? (And Why I Still Mix Up Funnels and Funnels)

Let me be honest with you – when I first heard about digital marketing, I thought it was all about those perfectly curated Instagram posts and mysterious “funnels” that everyone kept talking about. I’ll admit, I still occasionally confuse sales funnels with kitchen funnels (don’t judge me).

But here’s what I’ve learned: digital marketing in real life is nothing like the glossy version you see on social media. It’s not about being some advertising genius or having a marketing degree. Research shows that digital marketing fundamentals include content creation, email marketing, and mindset development – skills that anyone can learn with the right guidance.

Digital Marketing Reality Check

The Instagram version makes it look effortless – people posting from beach chairs, claiming they make six figures while sipping cocktails. The reality? It’s about understanding how to connect with people online, generate leads, and build genuine relationships through social media marketing.

What you actually need to get started isn’t complicated. You need basic skills like posting ads, understanding lead generation, and learning how to use automated tools. That’s it. No crystal ball required.

“What you need to succeed in digital marketing isn’t a degree or a crystal ball—it’s grit, creativity, and the right support system.” – Allen Davis

The IPS Approach: Breaking It Down Simply

When I discovered IPS (Infinity Processing System), I was surprised by how straightforward their approach was. They offer three levels of digital marketing training:

• Starter Level ($50 + $39 fee): Basic training with 30 marketing ads, email software, and Facebook strategies
• Elite Level ($150 + $49 fee): Expanded training including Instagram marketing and YouTube automation
• Pro Level ($300 + $59 fee): Complete system with TikTok marketing, live coaching, and advanced funnel creation

What caught my attention was the “no monthly fees” part. Most digital marketing programs hit you with recurring charges, but IPS provides both software tools and action plans to support learning without the monthly drain on your wallet.

Core Skills That Actually Matter

The training focuses on practical skills you can use immediately:

• Mindset development (they call it the “Winning Formula”)
• Basic ad posting on platforms like Facebook and Instagram
• Using automated email software
• Understanding lead generation strategies
• Creating simple sales processes

Studies indicate that these fundamental areas – combined with consistent action – form the backbone of successful digital marketing careers. The beauty of the IPS system is that it provides pre-written ads, automated software, and step-by-step action plans, removing much of the guesswork for beginners.

I’m still learning about those sales funnels (and yes, I occasionally think about actual funnels), but the core concept is simple: guide people from seeing your content to becoming customers through a series of helpful interactions.

Can a $50 Course Really Compete with Coursera or Google? (Spoiler: Sort of, But Here’s the Catch…)

When I first discovered IPS, I couldn’t help but compare it to the big names I’d heard about everywhere. Google’s digital marketing certification is completely free and backed by one of the world’s largest tech companies. Coursera offers courses from actual universities, and HubSpot Academy has been the go-to for inbound marketing training for years.

So how does a $50 course stack up against these giants? The honest answer is complicated.

The Numbers Game: What You Actually Get

Let me break down what shocked me most. Google’s certification programs cost nothing and give you an accredited certificate. Coursera offers both free and paid online courses with university backing. Meanwhile, IPS charges $50 for their starter level, $150 for elite, or $300 for pro—with zero refunds and no monthly fees.

But here’s where it gets interesting. While traditional certification programs focus on teaching theory and best practices for SEO optimization and content marketing, IPS gives you something different: pre-written ads, automated software, and direct commission payouts. You’re not just learning—you’re getting tools to start earning immediately.

Why Instant Access Sometimes Wins (And When It Doesn’t)

I’ll admit, after sitting through countless hours of Coursera videos about marketing funnels and customer personas, IPS felt refreshing. Instead of another lecture on digital marketing theory, I got 30 ready-to-use Facebook ads and access to automated email software on day one.

For someone like me who learns better by doing rather than watching, this approach clicked. Research shows that digital marketing certification programs cater to different learning styles and goals, and IPS definitely targets the “let’s get our hands dirty” crowd.

But—and this is crucial—if you need structured, step-by-step education or want an accredited certificate for your resume, traditional programs win every time.

My Solo Learning Disaster (And How Community Saved Me)

Here’s where I learned the hard way that going it alone doesn’t work. I initially tried tackling digital marketing solo using free YouTube videos and blog posts. Three months in, I was overwhelmed, confused, and ready to quit.

“People underestimate how lonely online learning can feel—without a crew to cheer you on, most digital marketers bail early.”

This quote from a fellow IPS member really hit home. Studies indicate that peer support and mentorship are essential for persistence in online learning. IPS understood this—their Facebook support groups, live Q&A sessions, and community access became my lifeline.

Unlike the isolated experience of most online courses, IPS built community into their core offering. When I got stuck on ad creation or couldn’t figure out their commission tracking software, real people answered my questions within hours, not days.

The catch? This community-driven approach isn’t for everyone. If you prefer self-paced, independent learning, you might find the group dynamics overwhelming or distracting.

3. Mindset vs. Algorithms: My True Path to Results (It’s 80% Psychology, 20% Tactics)

Let me be brutally honest about something that took me three sleepless nights and five spectacularly failed Facebook ads to figure out: the “Winning Mindset Formula” isn’t some mystical concept you read about and suddenly master. It’s messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes involves staring at your laptop at 2 AM wondering why your content marketing strategy feels like throwing spaghetti at a wall.

When I first started with IPS, I thought success meant finding the perfect algorithm hack or the one magical social media marketing technique that would change everything. Wrong. Dead wrong. Research shows that automation tools and systems succeed best when paired with a resilient mindset and daily routines—something I learned the hard way after my initial failures.

What a “Winning Mindset Formula” Really Means After Five Failed Ads

The IPS program includes something called the “Winning Mindset Formula,” and initially, I rolled my eyes at it. Another fluffy self-help module, right? But after bombing those first few lead generation attempts, I realized this wasn’t about positive thinking—it was about building actual systems for handling rejection, failure, and the inevitable moments when your motivation tanks.

The formula breaks down into daily action steps, not abstract concepts. Instead of “believe in yourself,” it’s more like “post three ads before coffee” or “spend 20 minutes in the Facebook support groups every morning.” These micro-habits became my foundation when everything else felt chaotic.

How Real Action Plans Turned Abstract Ideas into Daily Tasks

Here’s where IPS surprised me: their 30-Day Success Action Plan isn’t a generic timeline—it’s a literal day-by-day breakdown. Day 3: Set up your email marketing sequence using the provided templates. Day 7: Post your first ad using script #15 from the 200+ pre-written options. Day 12: Join five new Facebook groups from their list of 100.

This granular approach solved my biggest problem: analysis paralysis. When you have 200 ad scripts and 30 email follow-up templates at your disposal, the paradox of choice can freeze you completely. The action plan eliminated that decision fatigue by telling me exactly what to do when.

Why Automation is a Double-Edged Sword

The automated email software and commission tracking tools are genuinely helpful—I won’t pretend otherwise. But here’s what they don’t tell you in the sales pitch: automation amplifies whatever habits you already have. If you’re disciplined, it multiplies your results. If you’re a procrastinator like me? It just makes your procrastination more efficient.

“The best automation in the world won’t do much if you’re the one still holding back.”

Real progress is tied to action, not information overload. You can have access to live VIP coaching, 100 Facebook groups, and a $500 vacation voucher, but none of it matters if you don’t show up consistently. The psychology of actually doing the work—that’s the real 80% of the equation.

The algorithms and tactics? They’re important, but they’re just the vehicle. Your mindset is what determines whether you’ll actually get in and drive.

Wild Card: What If I Had to Teach My Grandma Digital Marketing using IPS?

Picture this: I’m sitting at Christmas dinner, trying to explain my digital marketing income stream to my 75-year-old grandmother. She’s the woman who still prints emails to read them properly. Yet somehow, I found myself thinking—could she actually do this with IPS?

The more I looked at IPS’s approach, the more I realized it might actually work. Research shows that entry-level digital marketing courses thrive on clarity, community, and actionable steps—exactly what IPS delivers. They’ve essentially created a “paint by numbers” system for online marketing.

Why Even Grandma Could Post Ads and Follow the Action Plan

IPS comes with everything pre-written. We’re talking 200 ready-to-use ads, complete scripts, and a 30-day action plan that tells you exactly what to do each day. It’s like having a recipe book for lead generation. My grandmother can follow a casserole recipe to perfection—why not a marketing campaign?

The system includes automated email software and commission tracking that handles the technical stuff. She wouldn’t need to understand funnels or conversion rates. She’d just need to copy, paste, and post according to the daily missions they provide.

How Cheat-Sheets and Support Groups Make It Accessible

What really convinced me was the community aspect. IPS provides Facebook support groups, live Q&A sessions, and ongoing coaching. My grandmother learns best when she can ask questions and get immediate answers—just like at her weekly bridge club.

The “6 Figure Closing Script” and “Art of Persuasion” materials are essentially conversation guides. They’ve taken the guesswork out of what to say when someone responds to an ad. For someone who’s spent decades chatting with neighbors and selling at church bake sales, this could translate surprisingly well to email marketing follow-ups.

“If you can follow a recipe, you can complete your first campaign—and have fun along the way.”

Christmas Dinner Digital Marketing Lessons

I can actually imagine next year’s holiday dinner differently. Instead of me trying to explain what I do for work, maybe Grandma would be the one explaining automated email sequences and social media funnels. She’d probably use analogies about her garden club newsletter and organizing church events—but she’d understand the concepts.

The structured system is designed to reduce overwhelm through bite-sized tasks and plug-and-play materials. IPS isn’t asking people to become tech experts overnight. They’re providing a complete business-in-a-box that focuses on simple execution rather than complex strategy.

This realization hit me hard: if my technology-challenged grandmother could potentially succeed with this system, then maybe the barrier to entry in digital marketing isn’t as high as I thought. Sometimes the best solutions are the ones that feel almost too simple to work.

TL;DR: To sum it up: Digital marketing courses like IPS offer real tools, strategies, and community—but they’re not magic. Success takes grit, experiments, and a willingness to learn from both wins and missteps.