This guy is cashing in on Swine Flu

[Imran Naseem]

NoSwineFlu.com


I never thought people can be so sick to cash in on something like this...but I get people
will have mixed opinions on this So its all good...

[GoGreenGo]

Yeah it's disgusting, it's like those people who used Hurricane Katrina to scam people!

[Michael Motley]

so whats the problem? He's probably going to tell you to do stuff like wash your hands. common sense stuff anyone with a computer could search for and find out.

sort of like 'making money on the internet'...stuff anyone with a computer could search for and find on the internet.

[GarrieWilson]

Umm...

Did you READ the report? It is free you know...

He is making money with affiliate links.

Imran, tell me the difference, in your opinion, between what "no swine flu" guy is doing and what YOU do...

[kaybee123]

Uh, if you actually look at the document you'll see that he's actually helping people by providing information in a concise form, and it's a free PDF.

What's wrong with that?

Yes he does have affiliate links inside the PDF for supplements he recommends to boost your immune system... but honestly, is that such a bad thing?

I'm just imagining a panicked mom looking for information on what to do to help her family... she finds this, feels a little more reassured. Then she goes to the grocery store or the local food market and buys some of those things that are actually beneficial (ie: garlic, alcohol gel)

Is it wrong to have affiliate links inside? I don't think so.

If they buy it because he recommended it, then he deserves the commission. This is basically a "flu prevention Ebook" that he renamed. It's a good idea but ultimately I don't think it's going to be very profitable for him though.

Who knows.

[Hamida Harland]

It's not my kind of thing, but it appears to be no different to cashing in on any other 'hot trend' - Acai, colon cleansing, whatever's on TV at the moment etc. I was expecting an opt in form and was pleasantly surprised to find that at least the report was free.

[The Oilman]

Who cares. I dont think the dude is not harming anyone.

[Daniel Molano]

If anything, that guy is brilliant.

He is providing solid and quality information regarding the issue, for free I might add.

And the affiliate links point to reliable providers of things that can actually help you.

Yes, he is cashing in on it, big time if it goes viral. But he is doing so in a perfectly ethical and actually helpful manner.

[Harvey.Segal]

Originally Posted by The Oilman

I dont think the dude is not harming anyone.

You do not think the No Swine is not harming anyone.

I'll have to work that one out.

Or not.

Harvey

[mywebwork]

How is this any different than "cashing in" on the current economic crisis? Or than the companies who offer to protect you from identity theft? Or than the panic ten years ago when everyone was afraid the Y2K bug would destroy modern civilization?

It's all supply and demand - there is an obvious demand for this sort of information and someone will supply it.

If he was offering some "miracle cure" for a few hundred dollars that would be different, it would be a scam preying on the fears and ignorance of others and that would indeed be "sick". But offering a free PDF and placing a few affiliate links is just marketing.

Personally I think the people capitalizing the most on this are the media. While I completely agree that this is a horrible disease in reality it pales by comparison to several "less sexy" diseases that kill thousands of people every year. The media has a duty to inform people so they can take appropriate action, but they have blown this one completely out of proportion. It makes great headlines, just look at he number of "Swine Flu" posts on this forum (and this is not a forum where medical issues are commonly discussed). I don't see any posts about Cancer, Heart Disease or even common Influenza, yet they kill hundreds of people around the world every day. And there are many websites devoted to these diseases, do you think they are "sick" for taking advantage of these illnesses? In many cases it's just the opposite, they offer comfort, hope and resources for those in need of information.

Bill

[zerofill]

Current events...people attack current events everyday. because they are easy to get traffic from.

[Mike Hill]

Some people just move faster than others... Absolutely nothing wrong with this. He is providing good information all in one small report that you can easily digest in one place. If anything he is doing his part to HELP people.

If you don't think he is helping people and believe he is taking advantage of this endemic then you are obviously in the wrong business (marketing) and you are just not asking yourself the right questions.

Instead of thinking it's "sick" or taking advantage of a situation why don't you start thinking about how to help people.

The person who wrote this report is helping people!

Mike Hill

[The Oilman]

Oops Harvey -- typo:

I dont think this dude is harming anyone.

[George Montagu Brown]

Seems fair game to me. You don't even need to opt in. Heck, I think it provided some pretty useful info

George

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by GoGreenGo

Yeah it's disgusting, it's like those people who used Hurricane Katrina to scam people!

But this dude is NOT scamming people... I'd like you to point out the scam here?

Mike Hill

[DeePower]

I am working on a report on swine flu to sell as plr. It is well researched and well written. It's not full of scary tactics like - buy this supplement or you die - but it does have things you can do to boost your immune system. It covers, or will cover what the swine flu is, why viruses are nasty and antibiotics don't work, symptoms, prevention, treatments and so forth.

Dee

[Ram]

Horrible. Cashing in on mass tragedy.

Doesn't this guy know it's only proper to cash on on personal tragedy???

Like people who are desperate about possibly losing the home or car or job or spouse? Or people who suffer from arthritis, depression or other diseases—even some that are life threatening? Or people who are going through a divorce or child custody battle? Or teens who are having serious emotional problems because they are fat or covered with acne? Or ...Or ...

But never mass tragedy. Why, that would be unethical!

Yes, the above is sarcasm.

Ram

[petevamp]

yea thats pretty bad if you looked at his report all the links go back to some affiliate page on his site selling stuff. As I said If I was to do anything in regards to that it would be an adsense site nothing more. I might even use amazon ads but if they choose to shop for the stuff fine. I am not going to make them.

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by petevamp

yea thats pretty bad if you looked at his report all the links go back to some affiliate page on his site selling stuff. As I said If I was to do anything in regards to that it would be an adsense site nothing more. I might even use amazon ads but if they choose to shop for the stuff fine. I am not going to make them.

What you just wrote is a joke right..? What's the difference between aff. programs and adsense? And no one is making anyone buy anything...

This is no different than creating a report about the Financial Crisis... There are people loosing their livelihoods, houses, cars, etc... Is that an area to stay away from too?

Come on, people will buy whatever they want, when they want... Marketers just give them the choice.

Mike Hill

[Jackbgd]

I think the guy is a genius... he's an opportunist. If he's smart enough to make money out of it, way to go. Props for him

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by nichepros

Problem is the person thats written the report is a marketer, he's NOT an expert on flu so he isnt qualified to write a report about how to protect yourself from something that the experts arent too sure about yet.

He could cause more harm than good.

first line in the pdf

NoSwineFlu.com DOES NOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE. "The Swine Flu Prevention Guide" DOES NOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE. This is not medical advice, just opinion

and a paragraph down he says

The medical information provided on NoSwineFlu.com and in this special report is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). NoSwineFlu.com is not a doctor.

doesnt sound like he's trying to be a doctor. If you read through it, he's telling you the same stuff that you're hearing on the news every night.

[R Hagel]

Originally Posted by Imran Naseem

I never thought people can be so sick to cash in on something like this.

Swine flu? Sick?

Harvey must have had to tie his hands behind his back to resist taking that easy shot.


----

As to the topic of the OP: Some people will milk this one in a slimy, "smarmy" way. And some people will provide useful, accurate information to those who need it. I wouldn't lump those two groups into the same category.

[yourreviewer]

I think this brings an interesting point. If you think what he is doing is wrong, how can you justify the IM community practice of "writing reviews" on products that they have never personally used, but do so based on the "GRAVITY" from Clickbank for the sake of affiliate commissions?

[Imran Naseem]

Hmmm - it is a sensitive topic at this stage..

Only time will tell...

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by nichepros

But the medical experts dont know enough about swine flu yet. In fact some say its killing those that have a strong immune system!

No one should be writing any reports giving advice about treatments etc on something thats so new and not understood yet.

its not like this is some super alien strain of a virus..its influenza. The only real difference with this any any other flu is that instead of just kids and old people being at risk, younger people with shaky immune systems or compromised immune systems such as people with HIV are more at risk because this one is a bit stronger.

But the basics on how to slow down or stop transmission is no different than any other strain of the flu, nor is the way you beef up your immune system.

[Ross Dalangin]

Originally Posted by Imran Naseem

NoSwineFlu.com


I never thought people can be so sick to cash in on something like this.

I don't think there's a problem with that. If it is unethical or cause spamming then it's matter.
He was just so fast acting on the current issues.

Ross

[Michael Motley]

I think it would be wrong if he had an ebook telling you 'buy my ebook for THE swine flu cure!.

but he's not saying that.

[Michael Motley]

Amazon.com Bestsellers: The most popular items in Health & Personal Care. Updated hourly.

top 3 sellers at amazon...flu masks.


pffft...im putting up an affiliate site tonight

[mojojuju]

Originally Posted by nichepros

Problem is the person thats written the report is a marketer, he's NOT an expert on flu so he isnt qualified to write a report about how to protect yourself from something that the experts arent too sure about yet.

He could cause more harm than good.

And damn the news anchors on TV & the journalists who write for the newspapers. They as well are not qualified to communicate anything having to do with swine flu. Shame shame shame on them.

[hamerz]

I saw this site reported on in a local tv news story here in St. Louis, MO. I laughed to myself when I saw it.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by nichepros

The only people qualified to give advice are the people working on this flu, not internet marketers.

anyone can tell you to wash your hands

[GarrieWilson]

As I said If I was to do anything in regards to that it would be an adsense site nothing more. I might even use amazon ads but if they choose to shop for the stuff fine. I am not going to make them.

LOL

If you would have clicked a link in the report, you would have known it was going to Amazon.

But the medical experts dont know enough about swine flu yet. In fact some say its killing those that have a strong immune system!

Doesn't mean people can't tell common sense things like:

- Wash your hands
- Avoid crowded places
- Avoid hot spot destinations
- If a family member gets it, clean everything

Be marketers people...

[TiffanyDow]

When bird flu was a hot topic, I ghostwrote dozens of eBooks for clients. I see nothing unethical ABOUT it. ****, they're getting consolidated information about what it is, how to prevent yourself from getting it, and what to do if you DO get it.

This guy's going one step further with his swine flu cash monkey: Flu Fashion N95 masks

Loves it!

[tommygadget]

WOW, great! Just registered swineflucures.com, thanks for the idea guys!

TomG.

OK, OK, just kidding, I stay away from medical niches, there's plenty of room left in golfing and credit cards

[Sam Rodrigo]

Well, we seem to live in an age where common sense like HOW to WASH HANDS need to be taught... I don't agree with you Imran... Sorry, Dude. I see the product as very timely, it's a free report. Congrats to the IMer.

Sam

[ChrisByrns]

Business as usual.

[DeePower]

I belong to a service that has requests from the media. Today there were 4 requests for info on swine flu. The requests ranged from "Are you a business allowing employees to work from home because of the swine flu." to "Have you curtailed travel outside of the US because of the swine flu?"

I agree with Tiff (I would now since I'm in the middle of a writing a report on swine flu) that you don't have to be a medical expert to write about a disease.

For example many people are convinced that antibiotics work against influenza and they absolutely don't. Influenza is caused by a virus not bacteria. Antibiotics don't work against viruses. They do work against secondary bacterial infections that you may get because you've been weakened by the viral infection.

Other people think that if they're exposed they'll automatically come down with the flu. They won't necessarily, the body has several mechanisms for prevention.

Dee

[USHwy129]

Damn it's called OPPORTUNITY...presents itself everyday!

Problem arises, entrepreneur provides a solution.

[TheRichJerksNet]

Tommy you know better than to release that kind of information - Swineflucures.com - swine flu cures Resources and Information. This website is for sale! - lol No it was not me that registered it ...lol

To the OP - I see nothing wrong at all .. It is no different than what any other affiliate marketer would do. I would have the agree with most that posted here, there is nothing wrong with what he did..

If he charged for the report, required optin to get it or something then you could say it is somewhat unethical but this is not the case.. The report is free..

James

[Cardsearch]

I agree. It seems the news these days likes to scare people It is easier than finding new stories.

[sourcecode]

Originally Posted by tommygadget

WOW, great! Just registered swineflucures.com, thanks for the idea guys!

TomG.

OK, OK, just kidding, I stay away from medical niches, there's plenty of room left in golfing and credit cards

ROFL....

I don't see anything wrong with this. Only thing that would be wrong in my opinion is to claim you have the cure, or some other outrageous claim if you can't back it up. This is typical IM as usually, some just move faster than others.

But thanks...I'm going to register swineflukiller.com .... haha JK....

[Diana Lane]

The amount of ethical debates on here just lately amazes me. All ethics amount to in my view is treating everybody else the way you'd wish to be treated yourself. Imagine that you were bothered about Swine Flu, you find a comprehensive guide to this that offers potential solutions, and even though it's written by a guy who admits he's not a qualified expert in the subject and advises that you consult one, you buy a couple of the products he recommends. If the money is coming out of an advertiser's pocket and not yours (on the face of it, anyway) would you object to him being paid for his efforts?

If so, as others have said, replace 'Swine flu' in the above with acne, weight loss and arthritis, or even golf, debt or dating, or whatever niche it is you're in. If he's acting unethically then the chances are that you are too.

Generally speaking, you can usually tell that something's unethical if you would not want to be on the other end of it.

[Steve9974]

This is absolutely disgusting!

There are two things that really disturb me about this persons report.

1. Guy takes all that time and energy to write a .pdf about swine flu with affiliate links in it and doesn't have the common sense to force an opt-in (either to get the .pdf or for more info) and build a list.
2. I didn't think of it.

LOL Come on... that’s just good marketing. He gives some value and gets some back.

Projects to abandon
Bird Flu Emergency Report
Y2K Emergency Handbook $19.95 New Low Price! $9.95, $4.95, FREE!... OK, Just Opt IN?
The Best 5 Countries to Live In If Obama Is Elected (alternate title 1: Get Out Fast Before He Gets In! #2: Hide Your Children!)

Green Light Projects
How to Avoid Immanent Meteor Strikes
Surviving The Great Depression for Dummies Ver. 2 $Price 2 rolls of toilet paper
Places To Hide When The Universe Stops Expanding! 4,967 Credits
Swine Flu and the People Who Love Them $79.95
The Swine Flu Marketers Cookbook $99.95
I Told You Pork Was Bad! By Rabbi Yitzhak Foreword written by Mrs. Trich Inosis

[debra]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Tommy you know better than to release that kind of information - Swineflucures.com - swine flu cures Resources and Information. This website is for sale! - lol No it was not me that registered it ...lol

To the OP - I see nothing wrong at all .. It is no different than what any other affiliate marketer would do. I would have the agree with most that posted here, there is nothing wrong with what he did..

If he charged for the report, required optin to get it or something then you could say it is somewhat unethical but this is not the case.. The report is free..

James

OMG....you gotta be kidding me...swineflucures.com

I know who has that...I got a call yesturday afternoon. He listed off several domain names in the same theme.

He wanted to know where to sell them off or if I would interested in helping him build them. I told him that sitepoint was a place he could sell them out but that I thought it was to cheap of a place to do that.

I guess he found a way to sell those domain names off.

Just goes to show...the internet might be big but it's still a small world out there.

[sourcecode]

Originally Posted by Diana Lane

Generally speaking, you can usually tell that something's unethical if you would not want to be on the other end of it.

Thats a good point, never thought of that. Does that mean I'm ethical if I wouldn't do it?

Ethics is like talking about religion. What may seem unethical to one person may not be to another. Everyone has different ethics.

What part exactly makes this unethical? I haven't seen the material yet...

[TheRichJerksNet]

Originally Posted by sourcecode

ROFL....

I don't see anything wrong with this. Only thing that would be wrong in my opinion is to claim you have the cure, or some other outrageous claim if you can't back it up. This is typical IM as usually, some just move faster than others.

But thanks...I'm going to register swineflukiller.com .... haha JK....

Would you guys stop giving "Lurkers" ideas .... That is is already registered too ...

James

[TerrieS]

I've had a flu page on my blog since November 2007:

Pandemic Flu Treatment and Prevention | In God We Trust

I started this before I knew anything about internet marketing. I just added AdSense, but I wish I knew how to monetize this better--any suggestions?

Thanks!

Terrie

[sourcecode]

lol... i noticed it was registered....

But it's funny, a new niche is like a dying man in the desert being followed overhead by buzzards [ marketers ] ... just waiting to swoop down when the man drops.

[internetmarketer99]

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

...swine flu cash monkey: Flu Fashion N95 masks

Loves it!

LOL - Thanks for that, Tiffany! Too funny. Almost as funny:

"...Results 1 - 10 of about 1,420 from ezinearticles.com for swine flu. (0.10 seconds) "



Mark

[GarrieWilson]

The funny thing (about the domains) is that 7-10 days ago, I was going to register some but decided not to because I wouldnt get around to doing anything with it.

Now, all the domains I was going to get (some great ones like swineflufacts) where available - com, net, etc. Now all are taken.