Have Internet Marketers sunk to a new low?

[JonStein]

What a disgusting tactic it is to resort to an all-time low of correlating a tragic event with your attempt to sell your program!

I just received an email from a well-known internet marketer that states:


"Subject ...Swine Flu & Internet Marketing?

It's crazy!

Another killer virus has been set on us, and it's all over
the news.

People are wearing masks at airports and they are scanning
people with thermal scanners.

DVD rental stores are doing a brisk trade.

Here's the deal: it means more people will be staying home
and they will be using their computers more often! This
means more chances to make money for the savvy Internet marketer."

Are you so desperate to make a sale that you will use a tragedy to prey on people's gullibility?

What's next?

"Univ of GA Marketing Professor Kills three, Buy my IM plan to show you how to avoid going crazy in marketing like he did!"

I can imagine the "savvy internet marketers" sitting around saying something like: 'I sure hope a huge tragedy comes about that will help me make money off the backs of poor saps who are suckered in to this disgusting sales tactic'


HEY!
I got a novel idea, why not sell your merchandise on its merits instead of resorting to 'disaster marketing tactics'?

Just my 2cents....

[LMC]

As much as I understand your point and personally, I agree with you, but, marketing and business is all about taking what society is interested in and turning it into a profit.

After the 9/11 attacks, your going to tell me know business profitted on american flags, memorial pictures, collection items, etc...

War Profitters are another example of a business that reaps off others disaster.

So is it smart? or just unethical?

Some just have no morals, values or ethics, I think we all know that... Some worship that all mighty dollar. Many have failed to see that it's not always about making money because what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul...

LMC

So is it smart? or just unethical?

It's not smart at all, if anything it shows where your morals are... And yes it is very unethical.

James

[Kyle Tully]

Originally Posted by JonStein

I just received an email from a well-known internet marketer that states:


"Subject ...Swine Flu & Internet Marketing?

It's crazy!

Another killer virus has been set on us, and it's all over
the news.

People are wearing masks at airports and they are scanning
people with thermal scanners.

DVD rental stores are doing a brisk trade.

Here's the deal: it means more people will be staying home
and they will be using their computers more often! This
means more chances to make money for the savvy Internet marketer."

Are you so desperate to make a sale that you will use a tragedy to prey on people's gullibility?

I think you've misunderstood what he or she is saying.

They're simply stating a fact (as they see it) that because of the flu more people will be spending more time online, therefore there are more eyeballs looking at your offers, which means you can make more money.

I don't see them suggesting anything unethical like using the flu to scare people into buying your products.

[Jon MacPherson]

The thin IM line...

[mywebwork]

Originally Posted by JonStein

Are you so desperate to make a sale that you will use a tragedy to prey on people's gullibility?

That would definitely be unethical if indeed that is what you are doing. A century ago when Haley's Comet was about to make its regular pass by the Earth there were unethical marketers selling "comet pills" to "protect people from the evil gases the comet would give off". That was unethical, and selling people junk by manipulating their fears about swine flu would be equally unethical.

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

I don't see them suggesting anything unethical like using the flu to scare people into buying your products.

I agree -the article you quoted just said that more people would be using the Internet to shop as they would feel safer at home during the flu epidemic. As marketers there is nothing wrong of taking advantage of a marketing trend like that. Those who are selling medical supplies like face masks would obviously benefit. And I see nothing wrong with that - it's just supply and demand.

Bill

[Kay King]

In this case, I think the marketer just looks a bit silly. I was thinking the same of some news reporters tonight as I watched them breathlessly interviewing "swine flu victims" in the US.

What was ridiculous? That the people they were interviewing were standing up, looked perfectly fine and reported they had a fever (most often a low grade fever) so were tested for swine flu.

If I were going to link a story to this "pandemic" (whatever happened to epidemic?) - it would be about the hysteria in the US about what has so far been a non-critical flu. It would be about why you can't wait until there's a crisis to have a plan for what to do. It would be about herd behavior and how it can affect even those who think of themselves as making reasonable decisions. And, if you worked at it, you COULD relate those things to marketing.

If I had a medical related site I'd be asking why we are pushed to get flu shots every year - but it never seems to be effective for the flu strain of that year. I'd ask why drug manufacturers who earn huge profits on their brands aren't required to produce sufficient stocks of the one or two lower profit drugs that are sure to be needed in such an attack of influenza.

For an environmental awareness site, I'd be talking about the dangers of farm animals raised in less than desirable conditions where cess pools of waste are allowed to stand untreated, breeding flies that spread diseases such as this. (That seems to be the origin in Mexico at this point).

I understand the marketer was trying to capitalize on "news" - but it was a lame effort. DVD stores have been doing a brisk trade in this economy as it's cheaper than movies. People may be online more - looking for savings or ways to make some money - again, the economy.

I see nothing wrong with capitalizing on a news item if it's done in a way that makes sense. If you make money with it - that's even better. Trying to throw out a few fear phrases just to have a reason to send an email doesn't do it for me.

kay

[lacraiger]

nothing wrong with that.

[Grazina Ajana Szewczyk]

Totally agree with you, Jon
all marketing tactics are based on pain or gain, and some copywriting gurus say that the fear of loss is more powerful than the hope for gain. Unfortunately many people would go too far to earn a buck; I think that the example that you give is disgusting.

I remember that when there was a crisis in Middle East one of the local shops created a leaflet with huge WAR on the first page - everyone was a bit jumpy so it definitely had an impact on people - it was a WAR on prices, would you believe that? Idiots making money on real danger, people getting killed somewhere and these morons used that to sell carpets or some other crap.

Talking about integrity and values...

[Sheryl Polomka]

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

I think you've misunderstood what he or she is saying.

They're simply stating a fact (as they see it) that because of the flu more people will be spending more time online, therefore there are more eyeballs looking at your offers, which means you can make more money.

I don't see them suggesting anything unethical like using the flu to scare people into buying your products.

I don't completely agree, I think it is a bit unethical. I received the same email and he is definately taking advantage of the flu outbreak to promote and that is just wrong.

I know people do things like that all the time - but that doesn't make it right!

[dvduval]

If there is a new way to make money, somebody is going to go after it. That is the way I see it. For me, I ask myself how I would feel if I earned money doing something, and if I don't feel right about it, I don't do it. I've turned down some big jobs in the past. I remember one customer wanted me to work on a porn site and offered $30,000/month, and I said "absolutely not". I wouldn't feel good about it, and I know my wife wouldn't like it either. I'm sure someone took the job, and made the money, but life isn't only about money, and its good to be able to look back say, "I made good choices in life".

[BrianMcLeod]

I don't find it much of a moral quandary... but it's still a pretty lame email.

Somebody's tank is on fumes and they needed to "hit the button" for the day, methinks.

New low? Nah. New degree of laziness and lack of tactical execution? Ok.

It reminds me a bit of a previous favorite "royal suckola" email which instructed me, on Mother's Day, to give my Mom and/or any mother I might happen to know the "gift" of opting her into the marketer's relentless list building machinery.

Yeah... no.

Brian

[kevprime]

Not sure if it is unethical , the news is leading off with swine flu, is this ethical? depends if this is a real story, and not just something the are doing for ratings

[MarkWrites]

To me it comes down to this. If someone were concerned and worried about the swine flu thing and wanted to go out and buy a product that I sell, I would sell it to them. I would not however go out and market it in a way to capitalize on people's fears intending to spike sales or convince people who otherwise would not have bought the product that they need to buy it.

[artwebster]

Swine flu?

Have you all forgotten how much money entrepreneurs made because there was a war in Europe and how many multi millionaires were created?

It has been a standard and accepted practice ever since marketing has been around.

There is no question of morality involved, facts have been stated, conclusions drawn and a benefit broadcast.

Simple.

[MeTellYou]

I really think it's all about finding an opportunity to do business with people. It might be unethical, but does not have to be if you're making sure that you're actually helping people as you do business with them. Very important.

Sebastian

[malfumos]

It is wrong understanding. People don't have swine flu just to buy your products so don't grab it right away.

[rgenterprise]

One man's loss is another man's gain. If one person doesn't step on the opportunity another person will and keep all the profit. I personally do have boundaries and there are things I'm not willing to do but if you can sleep at night being unethical then do what you gotta do.

[John Taylor]

Has Internet Marketers sunk to a new low?

Why are we even having this discussion?

One marketer sends out an email and all of a sudden
"Internet Marketers" are all grouped into yet another
public hanging.

If the email was distasteful to you and you object to
the content.. unsubscribe and move on.

Please don't attempt to tar and feather an entire
community for the sake of one guy's email.

John

[JonStein]

Originally Posted by John Taylor

Why are we even having this discussion?

One marketer sends out an email and all of a sudden
"Internet Marketers" are all grouped into yet another
public hanging.

If the email was distasteful to you and you object to
the content.. unsubscribe and move on.

Please don't attempt to tar and feather an entire
community for the sake of one guy's email.

John

I am not 'tarring and feathering' the whole community, I brought this up simply because he is a WF regular and is also considerd a respected IM.

My point was why stoop to a low of trying to use a tragedy to sell something totally unrelated?

It isn't like his link leads you to protective masks or ways to prevent the swine flu, the link goes to an affiliate site where he is hawking someone's 'new IM strategy' to make money.

I failed to see the reason for using the swine flu as a headline in his email.

(incidentally, does anyone believe people are staying home and logging online to buy IM products because of the flu? huh?)

Welcome to the 21st century snake oil salesman!

[Sheryl Polomka]

Originally Posted by John Taylor

If the email was distasteful to you and you object to
the content.. unsubscribe and move on.

Thanks for reminding me, I had only deleted it, now I've gone in an unsubscribed!

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by JonStein

I am not 'tarring and feathering' the whole community

So why the collective "Internet Marketers" in the title?

I failed to see the reason for using the swine flu as a headline in his email.

Did you ask him?

Welcome to the 21st century snake oil salesman!

Is that aimed at anyone in particular, as it's in a reply
to me.. it could be construed as such.

John

[Terri LC]

The Economy sinking is also unfortunate, and I see the marketing of it more offline than online, every tv commercial eludes to some kind of Economy Special.

I've received emails today urging me to 'make money blogging about the swine flu'. I think the media is turning this into a circus, & officials being able to quarantine drivers at the border seems unreal to me. The only thing I'd blog about is natural remedies for the flu (ANY flu)

All I know is that the Americans who have "flu-like" symptoms are improving and getting better, and I think the virus itself has gone viral.....really unnerving.

[GarrieWilson]

This is a stupid topic.

Instead of the "new low" angle, it should be "how can you use world and local events to make money and stay within the guidelines of human decency."

[grover69]

Originally Posted by mywebwork

That would definitely be unethical if indeed that is what you are doing. A century ago when Haley's Comet was about to make its regular pass by the Earth there were unethical marketers selling "comet pills" to "protect people from the evil gases the comet would give off". That was unethical, and selling people junk by manipulating their fears about swine flu would be equally unethical.

My dad had a friend that was kind of nuts, and he bought plenty of DVDs about how Haley's comet was the sign of the end times. He did the same thing with the Y2K thing. I don't feel like marketing to these folks because they drag their family along with them, and that just seems kind of sad. I've seen the Road Warrior enough that I don't want to market to that...

[Chris Lockwood]

Yawn... another thread from the ethics police.

So I guess grave diggers, funeral homes, and casket makers are all unethical, since they make money from tragedy, too. Not to mention doctors, hospitals, ambulance companies...

[John Taylor]

I'm wondering why so many people seem to think it
is better to rant about one issue of an ezine rather
than open a dialogue with the publisher to give him
or her some feedback?

I welcome feedback and constructive criticism from
my subscibers.. it keeps me on my toes and helps me
to meet the needs of my readers.

John

[Asher]

Hey JonStein,

I think John Taylor hit it on the mark... if it's something
you don't like - unsubscribe. I got the same email and
I found it distasteful, so I removed myself.

Ethical or not is not up to us to decide -- it's up to his
clickthrough rates and his sales that will decide if his
email worked.

Often times, I think it's better to do something risky
rather than play it safe. In this case, he played it
risky and well, he got results. Just not what he might
have intended to have.

Asher

[rcraig12]

Ethical? Depends on how you look at it.

How many gurus offering thier programs don't put disclaimers at the bottom of the sales pages?

Learning Internet Marketing brings all people to the same conclusion. "Fill the customers need".

Look at it this way. If you lived near someone with swine flu (or other fear scenario). You would want to minimise your exposure to the virus. All the IM'er was suggesting. Folks will natuarally deal with bad events in a particular way and as a result you can leverage the increased market potential. I think thats very ethical.

You helped your downline and you helped the customer. Whats the problem with that?

Just my two cents worth.

[Ram]

Just horrible ... the next thing you know, those unethical marketers will be:

Trying to convince teens with acne that they will be social pariahs and high school untouchables unless they buy a certain zit ebook or potion ...

Trying to convince lonely guys they will never have sex (with another person) unless they buy a certain dating manual or cologne or car ...

Convince overweight women they will end up alone and lonely, maybe crazy, living with lots of cats unless they buy a certain diet book or pill or potion ...

Convince unhappy, broke worker bees they will always be unhappy, broke worker bees unless they buy a certain IM course ...

Convince Americans the sky is falling unless they get behind a plan to bailout a bunch of Wall Street gamblers ...

I could go on ... but I won't insult your eyes further with these horrible, unethical scenarios.

Hopefully it will never come to that. Imagine, playing on people's hopes and fears, piling on pain, putting salt in the wounds, just to make money!

Ram

PS - I shouldn't have to explain that the above was sarcasm. But unfortunately these days on the WF I do.

[Lance K]

I agree that it's more lame and lazy than anything.

The assumption that people WILL stay home because of swine flu is bad enough. The assumption that those who do stay home WILL spend more time on their computer is worse. But the implication that all those who do fit the criteria above are in their "disciple's" target market is the icing on the cake. Even if they are (By the way they're not. Not even close.), the pool of prospects won't be that large. And you still have to get your offer in front of them. And it's highly likely you still won't sell to 95% or better of the ones who actually see your offer.

This guy/gal obviously knows their target market and what makes them tick. This appears to be another HOPE salesperson rather than someone truly teaching marketing/selling. Kind of a "Do as I say, not as I do" type thing.

When it comes to marketing, there is usually more to be learned (good & bad) by observing what someone actually does rather than listening to what they tell others to do.

[Devon Brown]

I'm sure some people were thinking of that.. but this guy wrote it. Does it make it right? I'm not one to judge because I only hold my own actions accountable and this is not something I would do.

[TheCren]

I think you completely missed the point of his email. It sounds to me like he's just pointing out that when tragedy strikes, people stay home, and it's a reason for some of us to see the silver lining in the face of such mournful times. He's not capitalizing on swine flu unless he had a promo to sell swine flu vaccinations or something of the like. To simply say that people are staying home and we will benefit from it, doesn't strike me as a bad comment. It's what we do. He didn't say incorporate swine flu into all of your ads - nor was that the implication.

[Allen Lewis]

Unethical? It seems like the cult of the media has totally sunk in with some people.

Who believes that the people at pharmaceutical companies and drug companies are not doing a little dance because their stock prices have suddenly risen up by 20% overnight?

If you feel offended, unsubscribe. Simple as that. Posting a rant here doesn't achieve anything.

It would be interesting to compare the incomes of those who actually have some perspective as compared to the ethics police who whine and complain about any little thing.

These are probably the same people who write their long irrational rants to newspapers about trivial stuff or flame people as they like online. It further feeds the media frenzy.

It's time for the whiners to get out of kindergarten, wake up and do something constructive.

Allen

[ecoverartist]

Sure, they could've written something like "Make $5,000 tonight from the comfort of your home" - but would that have gotten your attention (albeit in a tasteless way) the same way a subject line about the Swine Flu did?

That's probably what they're thinking. Personally I think it's far worse to get an email with the subject line something like "Your daughter has been in a terrible accident" or "Your mom is in the hospital" and then it goes on to say something like "because she went crazy with all the money she made from blah blah blah"

[thegamecat]

How is this any different from someone saying:

"Times are hard, you need to make that extra buck, I have the solution"

It's not.

I predicted this on my imsucks twitter accout yesterday imsucks (imsucks) on Twitter

"Count how many times we see the words pandemic, virus and hysteria in im material over the next month. Its gonna spread like a..er wildfire?"
3:04 PM Apr 27th from web

[Paul Reid]

People have always made money from tragedy. The 1930's crash, the second world war and on and on. They will continue to do so. I don't think this guy was trying to make money from it, simply trying to stay current. I think you are being a little oversensitive, at the end of the day, if you don't like it unsubscribe from his list.

Or better yet, why not send him an email and tell him that you thought it was inappropriate? At least then he'll know that he may have crossed a line with some people.

[thegamecat]

I still like the people who moan at kids who offer to shovel snow off a drive for a buck - "it's not right they're taking advantage of the snow"
"no **** lady, you don't think Randalls take advantage of my hunger?"