Local Marketing Vault Review: Is James Bonadies a Scam?

As an experienced internet entrepreneur earning a six-figure income online, I’ve been through my fair share of trials and errors in the digital space. Before I made the leap to running my online business full-time, I dabbled in countless side hustles—some were mildly successful, while others were complete flops. From affiliate marketing to e-commerce, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to building a sustainable income online.

So, when I first heard about James Bonadies’ Local Marketing Vault (LMV), I was naturally curious. Could this program really help someone build a thriving digital marketing business by generating leads for local businesses?

In this review, I’ll share my honest thoughts on LMV, breaking down its features, pros and cons, and whether it’s worth your time and investment. Let’s dive in!

What is Local Marketing Vault?

Local Marketing Vault (LMV) is an online coaching program designed to teach you how to build a successful digital marketing business by generating leads for local businesses. It focuses primarily on using paid advertising platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to attract clients and deliver results. The program includes comprehensive training on prospecting, sales strategies, and running effective ad campaigns. You’ll learn how to find clients, sell your services, and manage their ad campaigns to generate leads and increase their sales. LMV also provides tools and resources such as pre-built landing pages and automation tools to streamline your marketing efforts.

One of the key aspects of LMV is its emphasis on the “Value Ladder” strategy, which involves offering low-cost or low-risk services initially to build trust with clients and gradually introducing more lucrative services over time. This approach helps in establishing long-term business relationships and securing ongoing contracts.

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Who Created Local Marketing Vault?

Local Marketing Vault was co-founded by James Bonadies and Jason McKim. James Bonadies is a seasoned entrepreneur and digital marketing expert with a background in education and business. He has spent over a decade guiding aspiring entrepreneurs toward financial independence and has generated over $35 million in online revenue. Bonadies’ expertise in digital marketing, branding, and lead generation has made him a respected figure in the industry. His mission with LMV is to empower individuals to achieve time and financial freedom through the power of digital marketing.

Jason McKim, the other co-founder, also brings significant experience in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. Together, they have helped over 8,000 business owners scale their online presence and generate consistent leads.

Who is Local Marketing Vault For?

Local Marketing Vault is designed for individuals from diverse backgrounds who are interested in starting or enhancing a digital marketing business focused on lead generation for local businesses. It is suitable for both newcomers to the field and experienced marketers looking to expand their services. LMV can be particularly beneficial for those who want to transition from a side hustle to a full-time business or for those seeking to add lead generation services to their existing marketing agency.

However, it’s important to note that LMV requires a significant upfront investment, and ongoing costs for tools and ad campaigns can add up. Therefore, it may not be the best fit for those with limited financial resources or those who prefer free traffic methods like SEO. Additionally, success with LMV requires strong sales skills, as you’ll need to convince local businesses to trust your services and invest in your lead generation strategies.

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How is Local Marketing Vault Structured?

Local Marketing Vault is structured into a comprehensive series of modules designed to guide you through every aspect of building and running a successful digital marketing agency. The program includes a foundational module that introduces you to the platform and its resources, followed by modules focused on client acquisition, mindset development, marketing strategies, sales techniques, and agency building.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the key modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Local Marketing Vault – This module provides an overview of the program and helps you navigate the training platform.
• Module 2: Getting Clients – Focuses on strategies for acquiring clients, including a daily checklist to help you stay accountable and build consistent business habits.
• Module 3: The Vault Mindset – Emphasizes the importance of consistency, persistence, and patience in achieving business success.
• Module 6: Vault Sales Strategy Training – Teaches effective sales techniques, such as using “yes” questions and the Six Circle Close method.
• Module 7: Building Your Agency – Covers the legal aspects of setting up your business and provides tips for minimizing costs.
• Module 8: Done For You Value Ladder Training – Expands on the Value Ladder concept, helping you tailor services to client needs.

Additionally, LMV offers bonus courses, live event recordings, and weekly Q&A calls to enhance your learning experience. The program also includes access to pre-built templates for campaigns and funnels, which can be particularly useful for those new to digital marketing.

Are Local Marketing Vault Students Getting Results?

Many students of Local Marketing Vault report positive results and success in building their digital marketing businesses. Testimonials often highlight the program’s comprehensive training and supportive community as key factors in their achievements. For instance, some students have reported landing clients quickly and generating significant monthly profits. One testimonial mentions earning around $30,000 per month in profit, attributing this success directly to the strategies learned through LMV.

While testimonials are encouraging, it’s important to note that success with LMV requires dedication and strong sales skills. The program’s effectiveness can vary based on individual effort and market conditions.

How Much Does Local Marketing Vault Cost?

Local Marketing Vault costs $2,994 for lifetime access, with options for installment payments available. However, paying in installments may result in slightly higher costs. Additionally, LMV recommends their Agency Toolbox, which offers a 30-day free trial and then costs $97 per month for personal use and one client. This toolbox includes essential services like website hosting, funnels, and marketing automation, but James and Jason emphasize that it’s not necessary for success.

LMV offers a 72-hour money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the program risk-free within this timeframe. While there are no official discounts, you can discuss potential options with the sales team during your consultation call.

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Praises For Local Marketing Vault

Local Marketing Vault has received numerous praises from its students, and here are some of the key points that stand out:

1. Comprehensive Training: LMV offers a thorough and structured training program that covers all aspects of building a digital marketing agency focused on lead generation for local businesses. The training includes modules on client acquisition, sales strategies, and managing ad campaigns, which are essential for success in this field.

2. Supportive Community: The program boasts a highly supportive community with over 6,500 members. This community provides ongoing support through weekly live Q&A sessions and a private Facebook group, where members can share experiences, ask questions, and get feedback from peers and instructors.

3. Pre-Built Templates and Tools: LMV provides pre-built landing pages and automation tools that simplify the process of setting up and running ad campaigns. These resources help streamline marketing efforts and reduce the time needed to get started with client projects.

4. Positive Testimonials: Many students have reported achieving significant success with LMV, including landing clients quickly and generating substantial income. Testimonials highlight the program’s effectiveness in helping individuals transition into successful digital marketing careers.

5. Experienced Founders: James Bonadies and Jason McKim are well-respected in the digital marketing industry, bringing extensive experience and credibility to the program. Their expertise in lead generation and agency building is invaluable for students.

Criticisms For Local Marketing Vault

Despite its positive aspects, Local Marketing Vault also faces several criticisms:

1. Aggressive Marketing Tactics: Some critics point out that LMV uses aggressive marketing strategies, which can be off-putting for potential customers. This approach may lead to skepticism about the program’s legitimacy or value.

2. High Costs and Risks: The program requires a significant upfront investment of $2,994, which can be a barrier for many potential students. Additionally, the business model involves managing paid ads, which carries financial risks if not executed correctly.

3. Limited Refund Policy: LMV offers a short 72-hour money-back guarantee, which may not provide enough time for students to fully assess the program’s value. This limited refund window can be a concern for those unsure about committing to the program.

4. Sales Skills Requirement: Success with LMV heavily depends on strong sales skills, as students need to convince local businesses to invest in their services. This can be challenging for those who are not naturally inclined towards sales or lack experience in this area.

5. Oversaturated Market: The lead generation business model taught by LMV operates in a highly competitive market. Breaking through and maintaining a client base can be difficult, especially for newcomers to the industry.

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Should You Join Local Marketing Vault?

Whether or not you should join Local Marketing Vault depends on your personal goals, financial situation, and experience in digital marketing. If you’re interested in building a business focused on lead generation for local businesses and have the necessary financial resources, LMV could be a good fit. The program offers comprehensive training and a supportive community, which are valuable assets for those serious about this niche.

However, if you’re on a tight budget or prefer a more flexible learning environment with a broader range of income opportunities, you might want to consider alternatives. Additionally, if you’re not comfortable with the aggressive sales aspect of LMV or prefer a more sustainable, long-term approach to building an online business, it might not be the best choice for you.

Local Marketing Vault Alternative

If you’re looking for an alternative to Local Marketing Vault that offers a more comprehensive and flexible approach to making money online, I highly recommend Wealthy Affiliate. Wealthy Affiliate is an online platform that teaches you how to build a successful online business through affiliate marketing, creating and selling digital products, and other sustainable online income strategies.

Here are some reasons why Wealthy Affiliate stands out as a superior alternative:

• Cost-Effective: Wealthy Affiliate offers a free starter membership and a premium membership for $49 per month, which is significantly more affordable than LMV’s upfront cost.

• Broad Income Opportunities: Unlike LMV’s focus on lead generation for local businesses, Wealthy Affiliate teaches you how to build a business around your interests and passions, offering a broader range of income opportunities.

• Community Support: Wealthy Affiliate boasts a large and supportive community with millions of members worldwide, offering live chat support, weekly live training sessions, and a vast library of tutorials and resources.

• No Sales Skills Required: Wealthy Affiliate focuses on building a sustainable online business that doesn’t require aggressive sales tactics. You can build a successful business based on creating valuable content and helping others.

• Long-Term Sustainability: The strategies taught by Wealthy Affiliate are designed for long-term success, focusing on building a loyal audience and creating sustainable income streams.

Overall, if you’re looking for a more versatile, cost-effective, and sustainable way to make money online, Wealthy Affiliate is definitely worth considering.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.