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Tai Lopez's blueprint for launching niche marketing agencies, complete with templates and sales scripts, yet overshadowed by aggressive marketing and steep pricing
We examined SMMA® 9.0, Tai Lopez's latest iteration of his Social Media Marketing Agency training program. The course promises to teach students how to build profitable niche agencies, specifically focusing on AI Chatbot Agencies, Podcast Agencies, and Video Editing Agencies.
What we found is a 16-week structured program delivered through short video lessons (10-20 minutes each) with audio options, accessible via a proprietary app. The curriculum walks students through identifying profitable niches, cold outreach strategies, sales scripts, and service delivery basics.
Here's what caught our attention: the course positions itself as teaching students to charge clients $1,000 to $10,000 per month, a significant promise for beginners. The material includes templates, proposals, and real-world examples from agency owners.
We noticed the focus has shifted from general social media marketing to specialized agency niches, which reflects current market trends. The course mixes Tai's own content with guest expert interviews and case studies. What's particularly interesting is the emphasis on sales and client acquisition over technical marketing skills, suggesting success depends more on hustle than expertise.
The program includes concierge-level support with direct chat and email access to Tai's team, which we found unusual for this price point. However, given Tai's reputation for aggressive upselling, we wonder if this support subtly pushes students toward more expensive programs.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Make Money
We discovered deeply polarized opinions. While some students credit the course for introducing them to the agency model, the majority express frustration with the basic content and aggressive sales tactics. The consensus? It's overpriced for what you get.
"Great if you want a clear blueprint, but you'll work hard for every client." – YouTube Review
"High energy, but found much of it elsewhere for free." – Reddit User
"The templates helped me land my first gym client." – Quora
"Didn't love the sales tactics but learned about digital marketing." – SideHustlesDatabase
"It's not a scam, just not a shortcut." – YouTube Comment
Reddit threads consistently question the value proposition. One user commented, "Most of Tai's stuff is just repackaged common knowledge you can find for free, wrapped in a 'get rich quick' bow." Another noted, "The SMMA course is super basic. I got more value from YouTube videos." We found occasional positive mentions from those who used it as a starting point, but they're vastly outnumbered by critics.
For a $697 investment, students consistently report feeling shortchanged. The course delivers basic agency fundamentals but fails to justify its premium price tag.
The promise of charging clients $1,000 to $10,000 monthly is technically possible but requires skills and experience well beyond what the course provides. We found no verifiable data on typical student outcomes.
Historically priced at $997, frequently discounted to $697 or $497 during "limited time" promotions that seem to run continuously.
Students report aggressive pushes toward "Inner Circle" memberships and masterminds costing $10,000+. These upsells are positioned as necessary for "real" success.
While Tai's marketing features glowing testimonials, we couldn't verify these independently. Success stories often credit extensive effort beyond the course material rather than the training itself.
The marketing overpromises and underdelivers, relying on aspirational lifestyle imagery rather than realistic expectations. The SMMA model is legitimate, but Tai's portrayal doesn't align with industry realities.
Proprietary app with video and audio options. Users report adequate functionality but nothing exceptional for the price point.
Videos streamable with downloadable resources. The app allows offline access to some materials.
Full mobile app available, though some users prefer desktop for worksheets and implementation.
Standard broadband internet, modern smartphone or computer
The platform functions adequately but feels basic for a $697 course. We expected more sophisticated features like progress tracking, interactive elements, or live components at this price point.
We found consistent reports of three major issues: content that doesn't match the price, difficulty obtaining refunds (despite advertised guarantees), and relentless upselling within the course itself.
While historically advertised as having a 120-day guarantee, the official website doesn't specify current refund terms. Multiple users report being ignored or facing excessive requirements when requesting refunds.
The sales pages display Tai's wealth prominently (mansions, cars) while making implicit promises of quick success. We noticed heavy use of scarcity tactics and "limited time" offers that seem to run perpetually.
The private Facebook group reportedly becomes another sales channel, with Tai's team and other members constantly pitching additional services rather than providing genuine support.
The combination of misleading marketing, refund difficulties, and value concerns creates significant trust issues. While not an outright scam, the practices raise serious ethical questions.
At $697, we can't justify the cost. Similar or superior content exists for free on YouTube or in courses priced under $100. The ROI depends entirely on individual execution, with no guarantee the course material alone will lead to success.
SMMA® 9.0 teaches a legitimate business model through an overpriced package wrapped in aggressive marketing. We found the core concept of starting a marketing agency sound, but Tai Lopez's execution disappoints. The course provides basic structure and templates that might save beginners some research time, yet the content depth doesn't match the premium pricing.
What troubled us most? The pattern of upselling and the difficulty users report when seeking refunds. For $697, students deserve comprehensive training, not a gateway to more expensive programs.
If you're determined to start an agency and need hand-holding, the course might provide initial direction. But we'd strongly recommend exploring free resources first, building some basic skills, then investing in more specialized training from practitioners actively running agencies.
The SMMA model works, but this course isn't the best way to learn it.
At $697, we can't justify the cost. Similar or superior content exists for free on YouTube or in courses priced under $100. The ROI depends entirely on individual execution, with no guarantee the course material alone will lead to success.
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We examined SMMA® 9.0, Tai Lopez's latest iteration of his Social Media Marketing Agency training program. The course promises to teach students how t...
We examined SMMA® 9.0, Tai Lopez's latest iteration of his Social Media Marketing Agency training program. The course promises to teach students how t...
We examined SMMA® 9.0, Tai Lopez's latest iteration of his Social Media Marketing Agency training program. The course promises to teach students how t...
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