Very unsure about Health Niches - your Views please

[kenj]

Due to watching a close friend fighting a terminal illness, I have become very concerned about using internet marketing to make money in the health niches.

I am seriously considering closing the websites I have that point to affiliate products in the areas of Diabetes, Migraines and Sweat problems. They point to affiliate products and proclaim to be "Authority Sites" What was I thinking?

Maybe I have too much of a conscience but I do not want to think of myself being part of a process that might give mis-information to a seriously ill individual.

Apart from this is a nagging feeling that the products I am promoting might be rubbish. I buy most products I affiliate to, but as I am no doctor I would not know if the information is right - no matter how well it is presented.

[Charles Washington]

I promote non life threatening illnesses. Sweat is fine, but I will not touch life threatening illnesses.

I take the stance of a reporter in niches where I am not an expert, but not with serious health issues. There is something about FATE that dont want to tempt...if you know what I mean.

[Jimerson Farveez]

Yups, I used to do blogging on health topics, however, I used to do more research on internet as well as with my friends before I publish some info on health or illness... Because, I don't want to play with my readers

[chtfld]

Health topics were always tough for me too. It was one of those things that I put beyond my comfort level when I took on article or copy projects. There are so many good niches out there that I don't feel uncomfortable about - why work in the ones that do?

[123andyt]

I do tend to agree. Health niches have always sat very uncomfortably with me other than taking the view of a commentator or reporter. My eldest daughter has juvenline diabetes (type I) and if I thought she was taking advice of anyone other than a qualified doctor or dietician I would not be happy.... I am sure there is lots of money to be made in these niches but I don't touch them because I quite frankly do not know anything about them ...

[luckystepho]

I tend to stay away from the more 'serious' types of illnesses and work on subjects such as acne etc. I would put a disclaimer in prominent places on my web sites to, and as suggested by 123 take more of a 'reporter stance'.

[Paullowjl]

Yeah, you could do non life threatening health issues niches.
Sweat should be fine.

I think it is best to avoid terminal illness niches.

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by kenj

Due to watching a close friend fighting a terminal illness, I have become very concerned about using internet marketing to make money in the health niches.

Originally Posted by kenj

Maybe I have too much of a conscience but I do not want to think of myself being part of a process that might give mis-information to a seriously ill individual.

I'm happy to see your post, Ken, because I identify with it to a large extent.

I'm studying scientific subjects, and come from a "medical background family" (my mother's a doctor).

I think that a lot of "healthcare advice products" are devastatingly bad and some are even dangerous. Even the ones that contain no wildly inaccurate or misleading information can discourage people from getting the professional medical advice they need - sometimes even until it's too late.

Of course there are many "healthcare product e-books" I haven't seen, but from the very limited range I have seen, I've only ever found three (one of them actually very recently) which I feel I could promote with a clear conscience, and am promoting only one of them at the moment anyway. A shame in a way, because of course in marketing terms, so many of them relate to "desperate buyers" categories.

[kennethtang]

On the other hand, if you have good information, well-researched information which you have spent time digesting and understanding, BUT don't share it with others, even online, then you are leaving the playing field to those who may be less informed, misinformed, and even outright charlatans.

Your friends/sons/daughters/relatives ARE already getting advice (even nutritional medicine advice) from people other than doctors, dieticians, etc. The question is: are those OTHER sources reliable? You can't know for sure. The only way to be sure is to do the research yourself and share your findings with your friends.

(BTW, I may be wrong but I'd advise against taking it for granted that ALL doctors are well-versed in nutritional medicine or cellular nutrition. They aren't)

Just a thought.

Kenneth

Ps. I saw two relatives die within two months of each other and another (all three from the same extended family) suffer a near fatal stroke. I spent a little time taking care of the stroke patient. Went from a big strapping man to an emaciated skeleton. If only he knew how to take care of himself with the latest findings, he could have avoided such a fate. Me, I'm doing my darndest to avoid such a fate through nutritional and exercise research.

[Bev Clement]

Having read a number of books on clickbank on the subject of sweat most of them are incorrect and the information is laughable.

We have a written a number of books on health and always write from a layperson's point of view.

The book we wrote on MRSA we had someone medical look at it and they discovered something they hadn't realised.

It depends on the way a book is written, but if anyone wanted to promote our health books we are more than happy to talk with people about the content (give them a review copy even) and talk about the research and where it was done etc

[SolarFelineAU]

I have CFS, and a hell of alot of Alternative Therapies have helped me get to the stage that I am at.

Soooo, where do I fit in??

[Justin Mandel]

Do your products actually help others?

If so then there should be no problem with keeping your sites up.

However, if your products DON'T help others then that brings other things into question that you should take up with yourself

[Kim Standerline]

As a registered nurse, I've been in the health field for quite a while and I have never had any qualms about the content on the membership sites I used to run which delivered PLR health articles and ebooks etc for others to use.

Probably one of the reasons why the sites were so successful was because the members were reassured that the site was run by someone who knew what they were doing.

I didn't write the articles myself, but I made darn sure I used reputable writers whom I knew would research the content correctly (and I quality checked them).

It's always best to have a huge disclaimer on your sites ensuring that readers etc are aware that your ebooks articles etc are for information only and they should always visit their health care practitioner for advice and treatment

Kim

[Black Hat Cat]

If you're unsure what you're promoting works, you probably shouldn't be promoting it, whether it focuses on terminal illnesses or not. I mean, why is it ok to rip off acne sufferers, but not diabetics?

The correct answer is it isn't.

[dorim]

I would keep the sweat site and take down anything that is "illness" related.

[sylviad]

I agree with you about promoting serious health-related products. I'm leery of doing that, too. Plus, there's always the fear that someone can come back on you for making a statement that is harmful. It's way too iffy. I've been promoting the anxiety/depression/stress products because I have a first-hand knowledge of them which makes it a little easier for me to write about. Plus, for the most part they are relatively safe to promote. I would never promote medications or alternative medicines because things can go wrong. You don't know how people's bodies will react to some of that stuff. There are too many unanswered questions that only a doctor can know or find out. Every individual is different.

Rather than abandoning your niche altogether:

Why not consider a way to help people with diabetes by addressing it from a different angle, rather than as a cure or treatment. Why not cover it from the side of coping. For instance, tips to help families deal with the situation ie: shopping, cooking for 1 out of 5, easing their concerns about the illness, the importance of staying fit, limitations, etc. This information you can get from reliable sources, like the Diabetes Association.

Look for affiliate products that take that angle - or just create your own product, ie: "Coping with Diabetes - Everyday Tips for the Entire Family" or something like that.

Just a suggestion.

Sylvia

[JWB]

Originally Posted by kenj

Due to watching a close friend fighting a terminal illness, I have become very concerned about using internet marketing to make money in the health niches.

I am seriously considering closing the websites I have that point to affiliate products in the areas of Diabetes, Migraines and Sweat problems. They point to affiliate products and proclaim to be "Authority Sites" What was I thinking?

Maybe I have too much of a conscience but I do not want to think of myself being part of a process that might give mis-information to a seriously ill individual.

Apart from this is a nagging feeling that the products I am promoting might be rubbish. I buy most products I affiliate to, but as I am no doctor I would not know if the information is right - no matter how well it is presented.

If you include weight loss in the health niche, then I think it can be a very good niche to get into...

I think the health niche can be seperated into 2 categories..

1) Curing ailments..

2) Improving your health..

Thread lightly on the first one....I would stay away from anything
that would suggest curing or trying to cure a disease or condition..

The second one I am involved with myself...particulary, body building...
I think if you can focus on products that will help someone improve
the condition of their body....you are definately on the right track..

[123andyt]

Originally Posted by sylviad

I agree with you about promoting serious health-related products. I'm leery of doing that, too. Plus, there's always the fear that someone can come back on you for making a statement that is harmful. It's way too iffy. I've been promoting the anxiety/depression/stress products because I have a first-hand knowledge of them which makes it a little easier for me to write about. Plus, for the most part they are relatively safe to promote. I would never promote medications or alternative medicines because things can go wrong. You don't know how people's bodies will react to some of that stuff. There are too many unanswered questions that only a doctor can know or find out. Every individual is different.

Rather than abandoning your niche altogether:

Why not consider a way to help people with diabetes by addressing it from a different angle, rather than as a cure or treatment. Why not cover it from the side of coping. For instance, tips to help families deal with the situation ie: shopping, cooking for 1 out of 5, easing their concerns about the illness, the importance of staying fit, limitations, etc. This information you can get from reliable sources, like the Diabetes Association.

Look for affiliate products that take that angle - or just create your own product, ie: "Coping with Diabetes - Everyday Tips for the Entire Family" or something like that.

Just a suggestion.

Sylvia

Thanks Sylvia, you have given some food for thought. To be honest I never intended to get into the diabetes niche but if written from the point of view of 'we did this to cope....' you are writing from the point of view of someone giving guidance based on their own experience rather than outright facts ..... I think a blog might be a good medium for this because it can be written from a more personal point of view, and it doesn't necessarily have to be factually agreement if written in the right way - rather than a commentary on your experience ...

[123andyt]

The other question to ask is at what point do you become credible/some sort of authority which is the million dollar question. My wife teaches stress management classes but she struggles every day with whether she is properly "qualified" to do so.... (despite the fact she has adult teaching and counselling qualifications...)

[gareth]

I forget the link but two days ago i saw a news item about 2 australian marketers that had 60 ebooks on health cures - they made $2,000,000 in a couple of years.

They were prosecuted and fined for fraud - same as perry belcher

Always get the legal side sorted out.

[perrybelcher]

Hey Guys,

I rarely post here but I had to weigh in.

Stay out of the health market, period.

Only two things can happen. You go un-noticed and make little or no money or... you are very successful and get on the radar of the powers that be.

This is a trillion dollar cash loaded industry reserved for the big boys. Period.

Make no mistake these are very powerful forces, and they don't do their own dirty work.

It cost me everything. Everything. I was demonized as a monster in public by people whom I never met based on propaganda that was very organized.

In the end my local Sheriff got millions and gave customers (who had already received a full refund) $3700 and kept the change. All for shutting down a small player.

Sound familiar, ever watch the Godfather.

You can figure out what this is really about if you have a brain in your head.

[DavidO]

I appreciate your concerns. If you are a marketer entering these niches just to market and pretend to be an authority... then you don't belong there and you should get out.

But, as in everything, there are some grey areas. I'm in a niche that involves a serious health problem and, believe me, I've given it lots of thought. But for me it works.

That's because I'm not a marketer in a niche. I'm an expert in one particular area who became a marketer to promote my special expertise: expert first, marketer second.

Thanks for your warnings, Perry. It's extremely timely and gives me food for thought. I agree with what you're saying and just hope that I can chart a course that avoids what you've experienced.

[sarafina]

This is a topic I am passionate about because I actually have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweat) and the stuff I read online is absolute garbage. It's a shame because there are ways that people can go about treating this (not curing, there is no miracle cure). For those who don't mind using this target because its not perceived as a serious health issue, I'd like you to think first.

People who have hyperhidrosis aren't going to die from it but it greatly impacts the quality of their life. So yes, your advice won't KILL them but it could further ADD to their depression and life disappointment if it doesn't work. Is that something your comfortable with in exchange for a clickbank sale? You decide...

[myob]

Health topics are searched online more than any other topic by far. I own a very successful offline vitamin store and also do heavy duty online marketing of products and ebooks in these niches:
Body building, skin care, weight loss, women's health, men's health, colon health and fitness equipment. My focus is on providing optimum health, not on treatment or even prevention of any disease. Also, everything has a FDA disclaimer and to consult a medical professional before using. With these general guidelines and a genuine concern for the welfare and health of your customers, this can be an extremely profitable niche.
And yes, I am very proud of what I do.

[Damien Roche]

I don't agree with speaking lightly on topics of serious health conditions. I also don't agree with exploiting people with such conditions. Personally, I'm very happy that some authorities are cracking down on mis-information from unqualified spouter's.

[forwardtherapy]

Originally Posted by kenj

Apart from this is a nagging feeling that the products I am promoting might be rubbish.

I think you need to be guided by your ethics, because in the end you have to answer to your conscience. I take this approach when discussing online counselling and therapy. If you are writing about health topics that you do not have personal experience with, it is important to present information that is balanced.

[patselby]

Any serious topic should only be addressed by a professional because allot of people take what they read on the internet as the ultimate guide

[TelegramSam]

One has to make one's own mind up.

Certainly, selling "rubbish" products directly or as an affiliate should force you to close them down.

However, from a different perspective, I bet the doctor's, medico's, drug companies and all of their Public Relation's arms which say only they have the real answers are very happy with the comments in this thread, and the scare tactics they have used.

Are doctors or drug companies the only ones with answers to health problems?

Obviously not, but many rules, regulations and also public perception makes one think they are.

Sam

P.S. - It's interesting how so many well known drugs, literally started off as side effects of an originally planned treatment.

Maybe the new side effects often created can be a "treatment" for something else.

Don't get me started...

[Steve Powers]

Well,I think you're really reponsible.That's the problem between profit and responsibility.Of course giving it up is a way to solve the problem.Also you can spend more time to prove whether your products are healthy and valuable.

[trytolearnmore]

i had this problem too. But you know what: people do not buy the products directly after seeing your link. The google it. For example ""Your product" fake?"

[Whosyou]

I think perry belchers post has hit the nail on the head:

"This is a trillion dollar cash loaded industry reserved for the big boys. Period."

"
You can figure out what this is really about if you have a brain in your head."

[John Cabral]

Originally Posted by kennethtang

On the other hand, if you have good information, well-researched information which you have spent time digesting and understanding, BUT don't share it with others, even online, then you are leaving the playing field to those who may be less informed, misinformed, and even outright charlatans.

Your friends/sons/daughters/relatives ARE already getting advice (even nutritional medicine advice) from people other than doctors, dieticians, etc. The question is: are those OTHER sources reliable? You can't know for sure. The only way to be sure is to do the research yourself and share your findings with your friends.

(BTW, I may be wrong but I'd advise against taking it for granted that ALL doctors are well-versed in nutritional medicine or cellular nutrition. They aren't)

Just a thought.

Kenneth

Ps. I saw two relatives die within two months of each other and another (all three from the same extended family) suffer a near fatal stroke. I spent a little time taking care of the stroke patient. Went from a big strapping man to an emaciated skeleton. If only he knew how to take care of himself with the latest findings, he could have avoided such a fate. Me, I'm doing my darndest to avoid such a fate through nutritional and exercise research.

Personally I find that most doctors and drug companies are experimenting on me and seeing if it works or not. They are too quick to prescribe a pill for this or that and will do so until they find the one that works for you.

If you listen to the ads for drugs you will notice that sometimes the side effects are worse than the problem being treated. Yes they may not apply to you but do you want to gamble?

A friend showed me a video of a young woman who after having the H1N1 vaccine contracted a rare disease that has left her unable to walk normal and it was triggered by the vaccine. Her condition has no cure and she will never walk normal again and all because of the vaccine. She is 25.

I am a believer in the natural/holistic approach if all possible but not to say if I had a life threaten issue I would not seek competent medical advice/help.

We should do everything in our power to take care of ourselves as Ken has pointed out.

You should eat right, reduce stress and exercise. These will go a long way to keeping you healthy.

[GeorgR.]

Originally Posted by kenj

Due to watching a close friend fighting a terminal illness, I have become very concerned about using internet marketing to make money in the health niches.

I am seriously considering closing the websites I have that point to affiliate products in the areas of Diabetes, Migraines and Sweat problems. They point to affiliate products and proclaim to be "Authority Sites" What was I thinking?

Maybe I have too much of a conscience but I do not want to think of myself being part of a process that might give mis-information to a seriously ill individual.

Apart from this is a nagging feeling that the products I am promoting might be rubbish. I buy most products I affiliate to, but as I am no doctor I would not know if the information is right - no matter how well it is presented.

this is indeed a problem - especially since we often dont know/test the products we advertise ;/

I feel bad since i promoted a number of those "colon cleanse" products which were heavily pushed by every CPA network....and it turned out that people got scammed BIG TIME.

Otherwise we just hope/can assume that a well selling product on eg Clickbank is of value - and try to research and find reviews to get an idea whether a product is actually good. Or politely ask the vendor to simply send you a copy of the book.

[TelegramSam]

Originally Posted by Whosyou

I think perry belchers post has hit the nail on the head:

"This is a trillion dollar cash loaded industry reserved for the big boys. Period."

"
You can figure out what this is really about if you have a brain in your head."

Just because he screwed up doesn't mean everyone has too. I won't go into how he was victimised and he was an angel, bla bla bla.

He wasn't.

There are rules and guidelines one has to follow in this niche and if you do you will have few problems if any.

Sam

[Michael Worthington]

Originally Posted by John Cabral

Personally I find that most doctors and drug companies are experimenting on me and seeing if it works or not. They are too quick to prescribe a pill for this or that and will do so until they find the one that works for you.

If you listen to the ads for drugs you will notice that sometimes the side effects are worse than the problem being treated. Yes they may not apply to you but do you want to gamble?

A friend showed me a video of a young woman who after having the H1N1 vaccine contracted a rare disease that has left her unable to walk normal and it was triggered by the vaccine. Her condition has no cure and she will never walk normal again and all because of the vaccine. She is 25.

I am a believer in the natural/holistic approach if all possible but not to say if I had a life threaten issue I would not seek competent medical advice/help.

We should do everything in our power to take care of ourselves as Ken has pointed out.

You should eat right, reduce stress and exercise. These will go a long way to keeping you healthy.

I agree wholeheartedly, John, and I always seek
a natural remedy before a chemical one if at all
possible.

Of course, I grew up during a time when there had to
be a bone sticking out, or blood squirting across the room
before we went to the doctor.

And even then, if we could handle it ourselves, we did.

I've paid several thousand dollars for treatment for hypothyroidism
and at the end of all of it, I'm no better off than before, so
I'm not a big fan of going to the doctor for every little thing.

Regarding the selling of health related products, whether it's
a vitamin supplement or an info product, I have no problem
with it at all because I always do a LOT of research, plus
I have a good friend that's a retired doctor look it over
before I release it to make sure I'm not hurting anybody.

Michael

[Lyn Woodring]

Health is a subject that I can talk or write about with confidence. Not because I "medically trained," whatever that means but by the "school of hard knocks." I've survived four heart attacks and you better believe it is a subject that I research very seriously.
I also have a brain injury, from bypass surgery.
After my third heart attack following recommened guidlines I came to the conclusion that if I continued following ALL my doctors' advice I'd die. Anyone here ever hear of iatrophic deaths...death by doctors, which depending on the source ranks anywhere from #1 to #5. That Ladies and Gentlemen is 100,000 to 800,000 deaths a year.
I came to the decision that whether the DR or me was right or wrong if I was going to suffer the consequences then I would make the decisions.
I've had one heart attack since implementing my version and that came soon after taking matters in my hands and it didn't require stents or angioplasty.
Misinformation exists on both sides of the medical aisle. And I think mainstream and govt sites are some of the worst offenders of outright lies,half-truths, misinformation, and omissions.
A perfect example is the nonsense of fat and especially the bad press that saturated fat gets and exactly illustrates misinformation, half-truths and omissions labeled as gospel. There are two kinds of saturated fat...dietary and a second type that your body makes in response to excessive sugar and that kind can indeed be harmful but dietary saturated is benefical.
Cholesterol is another example of this kind of hype.
Three examples from my experience with my DR. Last summer I had rashes...small pimple like white breaks on my arms that swelled and "bled" a white substance. My research revealed an antibiotic overload from a staph infection from the hospital. Which leads me to a 2nd example; the staph breaks out as very painful boils that often lead to lancing. From my research I tried collodial silver on one very painful boil and in 30 minutes it began draining and in one hour was completely gone to the extent that a culture could not contained be obtained later that day! When I told my DR what I done she said,"yeah we use it on burn victims all the time." Well duh don't wouldn't that have been good to know.
The third example is my Dr. wanted to screen me for pre diabeties and ordered a gloucose tolerance test which didn't show high sugar levels and she was satified until I pointed out that insulin was a better marker and might be a reason for my weight gain. It was high. Her response; a calorie restricted low-fat diet! What nonsense.
I do think that DRs are useful though, for meds that I use, for trauma or acute conditions and for tests. Case in point the symptons are the same for low or high potassium levels and without a blood test you won't know.
The advice you get from mainstream is bascially CYA information.
Folks for the most part this ain't rocket science and nobody gets out of life alive, so lighten up. I've named my diet, KISS; for keep it simple silly.
BTW if anybody wants health information researched let me know, I'd be glad to.
-Lyn

[willyboy104]

This is something I have had to think about before too, and although I am a Vendor for a Migraine related product I have always ensured the products I make or promote are high quality.

I always make sure no false claims are made and within the information it is all legit information, factual and no over-blown statements or wrong information.

I don't think anyone should stop promoting health products if they want to, but be sure to check out the products first and make sure no wrong information is given.

[sbucciarel]

I stay away from critical illness health niches. Don't want to be responsible for steering someone to products that could be detrimental to their health or steer them away from getting professional advice.

[xntrik]

kenj,
What's a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?(kidding!) So good to see someone exhibit a good conscience, and act on it. I believe I have a similar conscience. Personally, I sure wouldn't want to promote someone else's lack of conscience by selling their material for their personal gain - or my own. There's plenty of opportunity out there, without possibly doing harm to someone. You are showing that you truly care about people you don't even know. Thank you for doing what is right!

[precious007]

There's misleading information all over the place, unfortunately.

Well then, don't promote Cancer products, they're not of much help. Instead look for some weight loss regimens/diets instead.

I personally promote what makes me money but never ever though of promoting a product that promises .. say.. to cure Chron's disease.

My brother has Chron for several years now and those that don't know it's an non-curable illness, then most patients would laugh to see such a product.

Al.

[kenj]

Just noticed this thread has been resurrected. Unfortunately this is not true for my friend Pete who died in October leaving wife and 4 children.

In the intervening months since my OP I have decided to avoid the serious health niches. Sweat is OK. Migraine - OK only because I got a doctor to look at the product for me.

Diabetes is a no no for me. Cancer and heart disease likewise.

On top of this I am closing sites in other niches where my content is complete bunkum. I know visitors to these sites recognize them as bunkum and move on because the sales figures are so pathetic from them.

You want to know where I make money? In Niches where I am an expert.

I know most warriors say this is not the way to go but they are quite wrong. IMHO. The reason people in the IM market say "promote what sells - not what you are interested in" is simply to draw people in to buy their products.

I digress

Thanks for contributing here as it has helped me know which direction to go in for the future.

Ken

[willyboy104]

Originally Posted by kenj

Just noticed this thread has been resurrected. Unfortunately this is not true for my friend Pete who died in October leaving wife and 4 children.

In the intervening months since my OP I have decided to avoid the serious health niches. Sweat is OK. Migraine - OK only because I got a doctor to look at the product for me.

Diabetes is a no no for me. Cancer and heart disease likewise.

On top of this I am closing sites in other niches where my content is complete bunkum. I know visitors to these sites recognize them as bunkum and move on because the sales figures are so pathetic from them.

You want to know where I make money? In Niches where I am an expert.

I know most warriors say this is not the way to go but they are quite wrong. IMHO. The reason people in the IM market say "promote what sells - not what you are interested in" is simply to draw people in to buy their products.

I digress

Thanks for contributing here as it has helped me know which direction to go in for the future.

Ken

Hey Ken, I am sorry to hear about your friend it isn't right that in this day and age people are still dying of illnesses.

I am glad you are still doing Internet Marketing though, and although you have changed your stance on what your promoting it doesn't mean you have to jump out of those niche areas.

I have someone very special to me who suffers from panic attacks, anxiety attacks and asthma attacks and all the products I have checked generally are rubbish when it comes to this so instead of moving away from the niche I have decided to develop QUALITY products in these areas, not only to make money but to help people. With all my Internet marketing areas I try to help people whilst making money, such as my Migraine Product and perhaps this is something you could do, provide important information on this niche for free or make a product, a quality product or perhaps do something to save others in the future.

Anyways, just wanted to show my condolances (sp?) good luck in the future.

Kind Regards
Will.