Get Your Share Of The Swine Flu Traffic/"Niche"

[JayXtreme]

If you are thinking about getting your foot in the door of this swine flu "niche".. then I thought you might like this l'il kick start:

Keyword Questions [Swine Flu Questions]; Keyword Research Tool

and this:

"swine flu"
"swine flu vaccine"
"the swine flu"
"swine flu symptoms"
"swine flu outbreak"
"swine flu virus"
"swine flu pandemic"
"swine flu vaccination"
"swine flu shot"
"swine flu epidemic"

Couple that with Bev + Rob Clements' personal use product (she has an affiliate program coming soon here: Swine/Mexican Flu Detailed Facts Report ) It will be extremely detailed.. Knowing how much praise Rob gets for his research and collation of facts...

People really want this information.... it's not my kinda niche, but if you wanna give it to them... they're waitin'

Get to work

Peace

Jay

[Andyhenry]

I know there are a lot of people who see cashing in on this as just business but I personally find it offensive.

It already annoys me how over-hyped this stuff is and how there's so much scare-mongering going on in the press to make people worry about it.

Having naive IMers jump on board thinking of it just as a niche to be exploited and actually adding to the general mass of scare-mongering crap already going on just irritates me.

Are people really that desperate for ways to make money that they need to jump on this type of bandwagon and help generate fear in people in order to try and squeeze a few dollars out them while they're in an emotional state?

[JayXtreme]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I know there are a lot of people who see cashing in on this as just business but I personally find it offensive.

Nobody can control how you react to what you see/read.. no biggie.

It already annoys me how over-hyped this stuff is and how there's so much scare-mongering going on in the press to make people worry about it.

I'd agree with you... the press are certainly playing games with this one.. none of that was mentioned here though... the sharing of facts.. now that's a good thing

Having naive IMers jump on board thinking of it just as a niche to be exploited and actually adding to the general mass of scare-mongering crap already going on just irritates me.

That's a big ol' brush your using on IM folk, Andy... maybe some might like to spend some time sharing facts and information in a way that is helpful, if so.. why shouldn't they be compensated for their time?....

Are people really that desperate for ways to make money that they need to jump on this type of bandwagon and help generate fear in people in order to try and squeeze a few dollars out them while they're in an emotional state?

People can "jump on the bandwagon".. or they can share information in a niche that may be in the news right now.... but it's not a new thing.. swine flu has been around for years, only now do people want more info...

Someone is going to provide it

Like I said..not my kinda niche.... but each to their own..

Peace

Jay

[Andy1750]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I know there are a lot of people who see cashing in on this as just business but I personally find it offensive.

It already annoys me how over-hyped this stuff is and how there's so much scare-mongering going on in the press to make people worry about it.

Having naive IMers jump on board thinking of it just as a niche to be exploited and actually adding to the general mass of scare-mongering crap already going on just irritates me.

Are people really that desperate for ways to make money that they need to jump on this type of bandwagon and help generate fear in people in order to try and squeeze a few dollars out them while they're in an emotional state?

Andy,

I don't personally see why it's any worse than any "desperate buyers" niche. Internet marketers didn't create the problem, internet marketers won't resolve the problem. However, if the worldwide concerns create demand for particular products or services I don't see how it could be perceived offensive either selling products or services or pointing people in the right direction. We cannot force people to buy anything. It's the consumers that create the demand, not the sellers or promoters.

I was thinking about setting up a quick affiliate site promoting flu masks (quite popular on Amazon at the moment). If people decide that they want to do all that they can to protect themselves and their families should the situation worsen then what's wrong with that?

Good job not everyone's offended by cashing in on the flu crisis. I'm kind of hoping that there's a pharmaceutical company out there working on a vaccine - which they won't be giving away for free by the way!

Andy

[cashcow]

I don't really care what other people promote and I'm not offended by anyone promoting the swine flu niche.

I do kind of see Andy's point though - it has been overhyped in the media and can cause people to panic with excess anxiety for no reason - maybe you aren't panicking but some poor mother with 3 young kids could be going into a panic attack over it. Maybe adding to that by putting more stuff about it out on the internet is simply causing more unnecessary fear.

Having said that, it seems like it will be a hot topic for a very short time and I'd personally rather spend my time building content or marketing something that was going to make me money for more than a week. (maybe that is because I don't use PPC?)

Lee

[Andrew Maule]

I don't have any opinion on marketing to this niche, just don't forget the "h1n1" searchers...

[petevamp]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I know there are a lot of people who see cashing in on this as just business but I personally find it offensive.

It already annoys me how over-hyped this stuff is and how there's so much scare-mongering going on in the press to make people worry about it.

Having naive IMers jump on board thinking of it just as a niche to be exploited and actually adding to the general mass of scare-mongering crap already going on just irritates me.

Are people really that desperate for ways to make money that they need to jump on this type of bandwagon and help generate fear in people in order to try and squeeze a few dollars out them while they're in an emotional state?

You need to think about how the press really works. Personally if you ask me there is something going on behind the scenes the press is not addressing.

This could be because the us government wants to abolish the current dollar and switch to the amero. Or it could be something about the war and are troops.

The bottom line is the regular flu kills more people then the swine flu has. Every thing all of us know about niches is you have to act out on peoples hunger for knowledge on a given topic.

To act on this knowledge is your real true power to sit on the side lines. Of what could be the biggest cash cow of this year will cost you a small fortune.

I am not saying that it is right to cash in on others pain and suffering. I am just saying there is nothing wrong with giving people information about a given topic. If you make a few bucks in the process so be it.

[ken_p]

i think its ok to write about issues that are currently "hot".if people see it as an opportunity to make profit, then they should go for it. as long as they dont make things worst, then it should be ok. everyone has his own opinion on things.. and have the right to be heard.

[ExRat]

Hi Andy,

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

Are people really that desperate for ways to make money that they need to jump on this type of bandwagon and help generate fear in people in order to try and squeeze a few dollars out them while they're in an emotional state?

Can we make this a sticky?

[lucasmurray]

What worries me the most is how reactionary the media has made us. I think that it really is up to the individual to inform themselves. Swine flu hype is tragic because death created the fear and now people are making money off the problem. I don't believe that encouraging such activity is a moral thing to do, but one good thing is that America believes in a free market. Maybe Ford or Chrysler could sell swine flu related products on cars.

[p2y]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

It already annoys me how over-hyped this stuff is and how there's so much scare-mongering going on in the press to make people worry about it.

Don't worry, it now looks as though the CDC and the press are ready to kill off this non-story, story.

[petevamp]

More on to my point when was the last time you seen the news report anything about the current recession. I know its been atleast 3 weeks now around here.

With my extensive research in stocks as well as being an investor I know this recession is far from over. I also know the housing market has not come back yet. Even though they would like you to think it has.

I used to work in land surveying till I was laid off back in late 07. This market is far from recovering. I worked more hours during the last recession casued from 911 then I do now.

I was working 60 hours a week during that 2 year recession. The last time we had a recession of this magnitude was during the great depression. So why have people stopped reporting on the recession.

Instead they have been report on the swine flu that has only killed about 40 people. From what I also understand all of which are of the mexican decent. Then you have all of these people that see this and they race to their dr. for treatment on something they do not have.

So why are the dr. , hospitals, medical manufatures, and the press the only ones allowed to cash in on it. Why can't someone interested in the topic them selves take these nin com poops who have nothing to really worry about and make them spend a little cash for something they dont have, they dont need, dont let the already rich get richer. Make your stand and make your self richer thanks in part of the press.

[Gary And Billy]

I'm confused.

Why would promoting anything to do with Swine flu be any more offensive than to market products and information to people who have acne, psoriasis, and other distressing or dehabilating illnesses, or overcoming the grief of a loved one, getting over a heartbreaking divorce or coping with the stress and difficulties of having a child with austism?

I know many Warriors who promote these type of products or are in these niches. It is what we (as marketers and entreprenuers) do. We provide information and tools to a 'hungry crowd' who want information and answers to a particular problem.

I am not condoning captilising on peoples grief or concerns but as marketers, in general we try to identify niches and provide products, servides and information that they are looking for.

Why would Swine Flu be the exception?

Gary

[Alan Petersen]

Kevin said it well here:

What's wrong with Swine Flu? Or, are you really in business?

As long as the information is good and you're not selling a "swine flu cure" type stuff they're providing a service by helping them with their fear/concerns over this media hyped up flu.

People are told repeatably here to find "desperate buyers" and to try to solve people's problems/fears. And now here is a perfect example with a lot of desperate buyers and people here are chastising them and putting their morals upon on them.

"Desperate Buyers Only" is a great e-book about this so as long as the information is good, more power to them. Not my cup of tea but I don't judge.

Jay is actually helping here by pointing folks to reports that I'm sure will be accurate and top notch since it's written/researched by Bev and Rob. Tiffany Dow also has a report and other materials on swine flu coming. At least those folks who enter this market are providing quality written/researched material and not bunk.

[Chris W. Sutton]

I can certainly understand people's reluctance to market other people's problems but isn't that what a large percentage of IMers are doing? Niches like acne, diabetes, weight problems, different diseases are all acceptable niche targets for IM'ers to market and I'm not sure I see the difference in the swine flu niche. From what they are saying now, it seems that here in the US it may be somewhat more mild than the regular flu that comes around every year!

Now if you are talking about exploiting the swine flu with inaccurate and worthless info just to make a dollar, I think that it very unethical. I don't see a problem giving people accurate and timely information, though.

Take care!

[petevamp]

Its kind of like the Natasha Richardson skiing accedent guess what my blog got the most traffic had ever got just because I choose to talk about the accedent. Then with her death a few days later. I maid it a point to not only mention that the family was grieving but the fans as well.

So how is that any different then taking advantage of the swine flu that has really only killed about 50 total people.

Not only this how about the recession as well. From the many post I have on the recession at my blog those are the most active. I do not sell the information I bring them places to inform them.

In turn I have amazon ads and adsense ads on everyone of the pages I bring them to. Sooner or later they are going to either click an ad or buy a product.

Information is a powerful tool use the information you have been giving. Then capitalize on it through the power of your own press. Face it we are the press we just do it in a different way.

Why else do you think this topic keeps coming up. I have seen several different post in the past 3 days just talking about the swine flu. Your talking about it means that there is a market for it.

If you where not talking about it then there wouldn't be a market for it this is why the press is talking about it. If they don't then they dont make any money for it.

Just like one of my advertising portals pyrabang you learn fast that what we are doing as a marketer is acting as the internet press. We make the market first and capitalize on it later. This is what internet marketing is all about.

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by petevamp

Information is a powerful tool use the information you have been giving. Then capitalize on it through the power of your own press. Face it we are the press we just do it in a different way.

Why else do you think this topic keeps coming up. I have seen several different post in the past 3 days just talking about the swine flu. Your talking about it means that there is a market for it.

Whether there's a market or not is not the issue.

The point is...... Swine Flu is a man-made virus (yes, despite the name it was developed in a lab) which in reality has killed much less people than the normal flu virus since it hit the population.

The media is not some humane institute that represents what people want to hear - it's the opposite in many cases, they're trying to make people think and do certain things. Since it's proven that people will do almost anything when they're emotional, especially scared (their logic goes out the window when emotion comes in) it's easy to get people to react when you scare them about something.

Don't you ever wonder why most 'news' papers are mainly full of negative information? It's not that there's nothing good or positive happening in the world.

So, that brings us back to whether as a marketer you're obligued to cash-in on anything that there's a demand for, regardless of the situation - my opinion is no. I believe that in the same way that it would ruin this forum if all we did was provide negative advice and information on what doesn't work and how bad things are - Constantly throwing information out that targets scared people, especially when you have no understanding of the real issue and are just trying to capitalise on their falsly generated grief - is like taking giving drugs to an addict and saying that you're just supplying a demand in a hungry market.

I'm not going to judge anyone who does do this - afterall, I'm just expressing my own opinion, nothing more.

I just thought that since there are clearly people that are just reaction to the normal 'Hey, here's a market that's hungry - remember, this is what marketers want' type of fluff without really thinking about what they're doing, perhaps it was time to put another side to the situation on the table.

It's easy to get carried away when the media hype up something and often they're focusing on trivia and irrelevant and superficial stuff which it really is easy to address from an informative and marketable position to make some money, I just personally see this scare-mongering as something different and not to be supported, especially if you're not aware of the details of what's really going on. Effectively you're just being used as a puppet to continue someone elses agenda when you let yourself get carried away by things like this.

But that's just my opinion, like I said I'm not judging anyone - but putting what seems to be an alternative perspective on the table for consideration.

Andy

[blargins]

Another little niche people can look into.

With all the media hype surrounding swine flu, people are becoming even more stressed (even after the media hyped global warming, economic situation, etc etc etc). Therefore there would be a market out there to sell anti-stress pills too!

[Peter Bestel]

As we can see, whether or not to promote something like Swine Flu is a debatable issue and I believe it comes down to your own personal and business ethics.

Andy, along with others in other threads, are simply raising the question, 'Is this right?" The important thing is for all these issues is that you at the very least ask yourself the question.

Many folk will blindly jump on the bandwagon with the sole focus of making money without stopping to ask the question, 'is this right?' Whether you do or don't is your affair but whatever decision you make will be shaped by your own beliefs and values and you will be judged by them.

Peter

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by blargins

Another little niche people can look into.

With all the media hype surrounding swine flu, people are becoming even more stressed (even after the media hyped global warming, economic situation, etc etc etc). Therefore there would be a market out there to sell anti-stress pills too!

Right.

If it wasn't for the fact that most people with stress don't actually need a pill, and most pills available work no better than a placebo pill, you could probably find a good reason do go for it...

[Bev Clement]

Thanks Jay for your kind words.

As the person Jay was speaking about, let me give you some background here.

The report was highly researched and written. It wasn't sold saying, I'm going to be doing this, so buy it in advance. Once it was completed it was done.

We have zero affiliate links in the report.

Rob researched the subject and has tried to remove the hype so people can get the facts.

People want the facts, and they are trying to get through all the hype and hysteria and know how is this going to affect me.

Shoot us if you like, for putting those facts together in a way people can read and understand in one place.

People die from the flu (not saying swine flu but flu) every year and there are reasons for it, and people need to understand the reasons and then also take any relevant action.

Sorry, but for those who say we are cashing in, so are those who promote celebrities when they go through a crisis, what about all the health niches including diet where people die daily. Obesity is one of the major reasons why people die, and if anything is manmade it is that. People eat far more than they should, yet how many people are selling to those people?

All niches can be wiped out because marketers are using them to sell when people are in crisis.

Swine flu is current, and if our report helps put 1 person's mind at rest it has done its job.

[JeffLam]

I agree with Bev.

There's nothing wrong with cashing in on this flu outbreak crisis: as long as the facts you give are indeed true.

Do not mislead or misguide or misinform, and whatever you sell will just be providing good solid knowledge to your customers. Or if you are selling face masks..then good preventive equipment.

Why not?

[Andyhenry]

Fair enough.

Just in case anyone is interested in how this virus got started, there are some interesting articles on it.

You can find one here: Swine Flu Created in Lab as Bio-Weapon? - World - Javno

Andy

[Andy1750]

Andy,

Now you are creating hype! I don't believe it is man made for a second.

Andy

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by Andy1750

Andy,

Now you are creating hype! I don't believe it is man made for a second.

Andy

I don't expect you to. And I'm not trying to convince you to.

Just sharing that there are different ideas around and that you can't just assume you know what the truth is by reading about it in the news. There's no way I know more about this than a UN scientist and I suspect you don't either - that's my point.

Given that there are experts saying different things, how can we (normal people / IMers) honestly think we can educate people about this ?

I think it should be left to 'experts' and not marketers.

That's my bottom line on this stuff.

Andy

[Andy1750]

"I think that it should be left to 'experts' and not marketers."

Out of interest would you say the same for other health related niches - e.g. weightloss, anxiety and acne?

Andy

[Bev Clement]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

Fair enough.

Just in case anyone is interested in how this virus got started, there are some interesting articles on it.

You can find one here: Swine Flu Created in Lab as Bio-Weapon? - World - Javno

Andy

Andy, now that is an interesting comment, because you state it as fact.

It is 2 reporters who have made these comments.

The last paragraph says it all. "Allegedly, American scientists exhumed the body of a woman who died of the Spanish flu in 1918 and used the genetic material of the flu virus as the basis for the creation of the H5N1 virus through genetic manipulation. All this happened in laboratories at the Fort Detrick military base from which the new strain of anthrax called ames originated."

Now talk about hype, and here you have it. Conspiracy theory again, let's blame the government because everything is their fault.

The Swine Flu/Mexican Flu is H1N1 not H5N1 there is a difference.

This is why good information is needed. Rob took 20 hours just reading through the material and trying to make sense of it. He had the time to do that, but how many people who are fearful know how to research it? How many people know how to research?

Basically, everything sold be it online or offline is selling to people who are scared, whether it is health or finace related. Should everything be stopped being sold?

I would think if people have a problem selling, regardless of the niche, then they should get out of IM completely because they have no right to sell or even give away anything, because the information they pass on will be used by someone to sell it, and who knows how good/bad or indifferent that information is.

[SteveJohnson]

While I seriously doubt that this swine flu virus is man-made, the scare and hype are definitely man-made.

For instance, according to WHO, in 2007 197,000 people died from measles, mostly young children.

Where is the news coverage on THAT "pandemic"?

[DeePower]

I have a Swine Flu WSO in my sig. It took me hours and hours to complete all the research and I'm really good at researching. Think of that mother with 3 kids spending all that time. I look at the report I've written and the accompanying articles as a time saver. There's no hysteria, no "you have to buy this report or you die." Truth be told I feel a lot better about the swine flu (H1N1) now that I know about it.

I'm giving the report away. Not building a list, no OTO, no backend product.


Dee

[Bev Clement]

Dee it's amazing the amount of stuff out there. I know Rob set aside 2 days and he did nothing but research the information on swine flu. He took around 10 hours each day purely on the research element.

I agree it is going to be a lot of work for those who have jobs, families to spend the time trying to work out what is happening.

I'm getting warriors to sign up but only so they can be informed when we get the affiliate program done.

I agree with you, people need to know the truth, and it isn't about a marketer doing that but a researcher finding the information.

We wrote a book for a client, and when he sent it to his list he said this, "I didn't hire a ghostwriter to write this book which I could have done, but I hired the best researcher online to research and compile this book."

This is what a few of us have done, we have researched and then compiled the information into a book or articles for people.

[Terri LC]

I know of people who could really use some help with their gambling problems, so desperate buyers come in all types and this so-called pandemic is no exception. I know there would be a multitude of Googlers who would appreciate - The REAL truth about SF. That's why they are online, to determine what to believe with all the conflicting info out there.

To think you can be quarantined for having a fever. The only people benefiting from this hype right now is Glaxo Smith Kline.

[Kim Standerline]

Not often I don't agree with you Andy, (in fact this is probably the first time I ever have)

I'm building a blog around the swine flu (and I have a wso where I'm selling articles etc that I've either written myself or had researched and written for me).

As a nurse I think it's important the facts about this flu are given to the public without hysteria, drama or inaccuracies. As someone involved in the IM niche, I'm also of the opinion that if I can make a few dollars out of associated affiliated links on my blog etc then that's cool. (and why not).

Personally I think the whole thing is over hyped. (Time may prove me wrong, I hope not). But the whole subject does rather take the focus from the miserable way the government is running the country in the UK (at least). I bet old Gordy Brown is rubbing his hands in glee that he is off the front page for once.

It does make you wonder whether the whole thing is being deliberately hyped up so as to give our governments a reprieve

Kim

[Terry Crim]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

Not often I don't agree with you Andy, (in fact this is probably the first time I ever have)

I'm building a blog around the swine flu (and I have a wso where I'm selling articles etc that I've either written myself or had researched and written for me).

As a nurse I think it's important the facts about this flu are given to the public without hysteria, drama or inaccuracies. As someone involved in the IM niche, I'm also of the opinion that if I can make a few dollars out of associated affiliated links on my blog etc then that's cool. (and why not).

Personally I think the whole thing is over hyped. (Time may prove me wrong, I hope not). But the whole subject does rather take the focus from the miserable way the government is running the country in the UK (at least). I bet old Gordy Brown is rubbing his hands in glee that he is off the front page for once.

It does make you wonder whether the whole thing is being deliberately hyped up so as to give our governments a reprieve

Kim

In my state, Iowa, there is one county that has shut down their entire school system for at least a month because of ONE reported case in one of the schools.

Our hospitals wont let you go directly to the ER for an emergency you have to go through a screening process before you are admitted into the building itself.

New York I think it was someone was taken off an airplane and taken to a hospital because she was showing signs of symptoms.

I have not seen it yet when I have been out, but apparently people are buying face masks here and wearing them when they go to the store. Heard it on the news but I haven't seen anyone wearing one yet, maybe I will when I go out later.

Whether this flu has killed less people or not, the scare tactics are really having a toll and people ARE scared out there. When an entire county closes ALL their schools because of one confirmed case of this flu in ONE school.. That is something to take note of.

- Terry

[nanohits]

Originally Posted by petevamp

The bottom line is the regular flu kills more people then the swine flu has.

This is true, however the fact is the general flu doesnt kill young adults, it mostly kills infants and elderly people, but this strain of the virus kills young adults and so also considered a pandemic. Although its new and mainly deaths confined to Mexico unlike the SARS Flu pandemic where once you get it, its almost a sure fire death. I think this is why there is a lot of fear but so far the H1N1 has mostly been over hyped and I think if it killed more people in the U.S and other countries then fear will be all over the world. The SARS pandemic was so much more deadlier!!

Lets hope it slowly dies away so there wont be mass fear ad cause havoc in the travel industry. As it is that industry is suffering quite a bit.

[AlbertF]

I believe in a few months or so, the hype is going to die down. The media is over hyping the problem and because of it, it creates a great moment for bloggers, however, once again, once the hype dies down, what else are you going to do?

[John Taylor]

I get sick and tired of so called marketers whinging
and whining about people having the audacity to
use their time and their skills to get accurate and
timely information into the market place.

Profit is not a dirty word.

If we don't make a profit there's nothing to re-invest
back into research and development. If we don't make
a profit we don't have the cash to pay our suppliers.

The swine flu pandemic is in the news. The job of the
entrepreneur is to take advantage of opportunites not
to take advantage of people.

As I said on my blog, this niche market is no different to
any other niche market. What you do about any opportunity
is between you and your conscience and not for others to
judge.

If you have the appropriate skill, knowledge and experience
to create accurate information that helps your customer
then you have the right to sell that information.

Let's face it, there are a lot of smokers still qualified to
sell give up smoking products and there are lots of fat
people who are qualified to sell diet products.


John

[Kim Standerline]

Yes of course it will die down. (Gosh I hope so).

Personally speaking, this is something that has taken me just a few hours to do and cost me nothing in particular, (I've recouped my expenses and more in the sales of my articles).

For most people, it's a couple of hours to throw up a blog/website and add some good quality articles and reports etc.

This is a trend which will hopefully die down, so you just take advantage whilst you can, Anyone who makes it a bigger part of their business than it should be is a nitwit.

Kim

Originally Posted by AlbertF

I believe in a few months or so, the hype is going to die down. The media is over hyping the problem and because of it, it creates a great moment for bloggers, however, once again, once the hype dies down, what else are you going to do?

[jboyd]

Originally Posted by DeePower

I have a Swine Flu WSO in my sig. It took me hours and hours to complete all the research and I'm really good at researching. Truth be told I feel a lot better about the swine flu (H1N1) now that I know about it. Dee

I bought Dee's report and WOW!. She did a masterful job of zeroing in on all the good basic aspects of the topic, and she is right, reading it makes me feel better about and less likely to get caught up in the hysteria of concern.

I am one of the rare marketers who actually has something physical to sell that really is a valid tool to combat possible infection, hence my reasons for buying Dee's WSO. I sell HVAC professional grade Germical UV lights and was delighted to see that Dee had written an article within her WSO that solidifies what I already knew. Yea!!! Double win for me:-)

Thanks again Dee.

Jay

[captivereef]

the swine flu niche will be dead and gone in under a month.It was media hype and nothing more. It will go away just like SARS,bird flu, rain forest desruction,acid rain,starving people in etheopia and every other story over played by the media.

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by Bev Clement

Andy, now that is an interesting comment, because you state it as fact.

It is 2 reporters who have made these comments.

The last paragraph says it all. "Allegedly, American scientists exhumed the body of a woman who died of the Spanish flu in 1918 and used the genetic material of the flu virus as the basis for the creation of the H5N1 virus through genetic manipulation. All this happened in laboratories at the Fort Detrick military base from which the new strain of anthrax called ames originated."

Now talk about hype, and here you have it. Conspiracy theory again, let's blame the government because everything is their fault.

The Swine Flu/Mexican Flu is H1N1 not H5N1 there is a difference.

This is why good information is needed. Rob took 20 hours just reading through the material and trying to make sense of it. He had the time to do that, but how many people who are fearful know how to research it? How many people know how to research?

Basically, everything sold be it online or offline is selling to people who are scared, whether it is health or finace related. Should everything be stopped being sold?

I would think if people have a problem selling, regardless of the niche, then they should get out of IM completely because they have no right to sell or even give away anything, because the information they pass on will be used by someone to sell it, and who knows how good/bad or indifferent that information is.

Hi Bev,

I must've confused my message - I certainly wasn't presenting anything as fact, just simply stating that there is a lot of 'information' out there about various aspects of this particular subject.

I personally am not qualified to judge what is true and what isn't so I certainly would never tell anyone else that one particular piece of information was fact.

I know where you're coming from and it's easy to generalise to the point where anyone with a problem selling anything (regardless of niche) should give up IM - but I'm sure you don't really believe that.

I could start selling drugs next week and make money - but the fact that I won't doesn't mean that I automatically give up all rights to sell anything just because I draw the line at some things.

Since you've put all this effort into a report you're selling I'm obviously not surprised that you've responsed a little over the top to my opening up the discussion to include ethics in marketing, but if you take a disassociated perspective you'll see that I'm not knocking what you're doing and there are plenty of other IMers here who support your position, so you really don't have anything to defend yourself against.

You're just doing what you think is right and that's great. I'm just saying that since there's conflicting information around and I have no real way to tell what is really true - I don't feel qualified to sell other people information as fact when I mainly only have the Internet and other peoples opinions to base my research on.

It's classic marketing to say "create an itch for your product to scratch" and while I understand that works, it's also not my style - so having someone else create the itch as in this case, may change that situation a little but it's a judgement call for each person to decide whether capitalising on this is something they're happy to do.

The answer is different for different people, you're not alone in your perspective and I'm not alone in mine - that doesn't make either of them right or wrong.

There may be mileage in your comment about getting out of IM and maybe I should since I obviously don't have the focus on money which so many people think is required and I often ignore opportunities to make money because I don't feel good doing what's required.

It gives me food for thought - thanks.

Andy

[RhysL]

As a newbie to IM, some people might say that if I sell info on the SW issue, that I'm desperate to find a niche.
However, I see nothing wrong with selling info that most of the masses would find very difficult to research themselves. As long as the information given is correct and worthwhile.
It may be jumping on a bandwagon, but I don't see the multi-billion dollar drug companies giving away vaccinations for free.

[Randy Bheites]

Business and personal morality are two completely seperate things. If a concept offends your personal moral values, then by all means do not be involved in it.

However, if you believe that your personal moral choices should be the yardstick by which everyone else's business decisions should be judged, I say *pffft* to that kind of fascist thinking.

Think porn is evil? Don't promote it. I'm against 95% of all "IM niche" products, as I find them to be, in my opinion, useless recycled garbage designed soley to make a buck off n00bs. For that reason alone, that personal moral ethos, I don't re-sell IM stuff or make my own. My choice only, if you find value in IM products, then great, promote away.

I personally see absolutely nothing wrong with mining the "swine flu niche". I already have a good health site which fits it nicely with the current interest in the subject, and have begun seeing conversions for products having to do with immunity, colds, viruses, and so forth.

My visitors are happy, my bank account is happy, and I don't see a problem.

[jvm127]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I know there are a lot of people who see cashing in on this as just business but I personally find it offensive.

It already annoys me how over-hyped this stuff is and how there's so much scare-mongering going on in the press to make people worry about it.

Having naive IMers jump on board thinking of it just as a niche to be exploited and actually adding to the general mass of scare-mongering crap already going on just irritates me.

Are people really that desperate for ways to make money that they need to jump on this type of bandwagon and help generate fear in people in order to try and squeeze a few dollars out them while they're in an emotional state?

I actually considered buying a mass quantity of dust masks and selling them online. I also thought about the ethics of "cashing in" on the fear of the general public. In the end, I decided if people are going to want dust masks they are going to get them somewhere. Why not from me? In addition to the dust masks I thought of even adding some accurate information about the flu in general and the different kinds and what can be done to best prevent being infected.

I can see from your point of view that adding to the fear mongering going around is unethical but if you provide people what they are looking for and help them with accurate information as well, I don't really see a problem with that.

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by Randy Bheites

Business and personal morality are two completely seperate things. .

I disagree.

I think it's an option to think that way - but for me, I have one life and use it how I will, personal or business is all personal.

[Randy Bheites]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I disagree.

I think it's an option to think that way - but for me, I have one life and use it how I will, personal or business is all personal.

Then you have decided to base your personal business decisions on your personal moral choices. That is definitely alright, and I would not expect anyone to do anything less. I certainly don't.

However, your business choices, based on your personal moral choices, are yours alone, and you can't hold anyone else accountable to them.

Cheers

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by Randy Bheites

Then you have decided to base your personal business decisions on your personal moral choices. That is definitely alright, and I would not expect anyone to do anything less. I certainly don't.

However, your business choices, based on your personal moral choices, are yours alone, and you can't hold anyone else accountable to them.

Cheers

And I wouldn't want to.

[Kent F]

Seems like the whole thing is dying down a bit - let's hope so.

FWIW - I did order a few products at VitaCost - and all were back-ordered -so, it is real.

Kent

[Bev Clement]

Andy, I think we know each other well enough to say things without it being personal

This is what I see here. You are talking about marketers, and to one level I would agree with you. Let me explain.

I'm not a brilliant researcher, I can research enough to create a product which is good information, but there are certain topics I would never, ever get into because like you I'm not qualified to tell what is true and what isn't. I would say you are the same, you can research to a level but not in all topics to the level needed to give the best information.

Rob however is a top researcher. If you saw the amount of information he went through you would be surprised.

That I believe is the difference, the report has been research to get through all the muddy waters to give people the facts.

Rob wrote the report as a researcher, not a marketer. If I had written it, then the level of information would have been totally different.

Is the information in it controversial, yes, because Rob is honest and says "This is a problem, or we don't have all the facts about that"

People are concerned, as has already been said, one thing that is different about this flu is that the age of people who have died is different from the age of people who die from the normal flu.

People are doing what you are doing, trying to work through all the information trying to make sense of it, and can't because there is so much they are left with a bad headache, trying to go through it all.

This is why people need to have the information in one place, so they can take the necessary steps to keep safe. A researcher is the type of person who can work through these difficult subjects.

There are subjects that we don't write on, and that is our choice, but to say that nobody should make money from them because of choices we make is being arrogant.

I have no problem with people who make the decision not to promote certain niches, I have no problem with people who do promote certain niches. That is a personal choice.

Marketers are making big money in the diet niche, and yet very few are qualified to promote or write in this niche. Yet, this is one of the biggest killers, and one that is totally manmade. Is it wrong to be in the diet niche or should marketers avoid anything in the health niche?

I think personally, that people should make the choice of what they promote, and if people don't like that niche then no big deal.

I have seen people here cashing on news items all the time, are they wrong?

Maybe, but it isn't about the niche, but the motive behind it.

I'm working with someone who wanted to enter a health niche (not flu) and he went into that niche because of media attention about that health problem. He researched it, and discovered that very few, if any were taking it from the direction he wanted to go. He wants to make money, but he wants to educate a certain group of people about that medical problem. And that I believe is the difference, it is knowing the whole picture.

If someone asked me to JV with them in a niche I don't work in then I would politely say no, no judgment, but a plain sorry I don't work in that niche.

[Bev Clement]

Andy, yes I do believe that 100% if people have a problem selling anything, then they should get out of IM.

Why? Because they will be forever trying to analyse and justify whether they should sell anything.

Even giving information away is encouraging people to start a business in something a person doesn't believe in.

A business by definition is something that makes a profit. Giving away everything doesn't make a business, try putting a business on your Tax Return where you have zero income for years and years with expenses, and you will find the Revenue investigating you because they won't believe you are being honest about your income. Show zero for income and expenses and they will tell you, to quit messing them around because you don't have a business.

There are times to give things away, but a business is about getting an income. It is about selling, whether that is a product or a service it is still selling.

Anyone, regardless of the niches or type of business has no right to call themselves a business if they never sell anything.

With the recession, people are looking for ways to earn an income, and most people coming into IM now don't have an income from a job that is secure, or their income isn't enough to pay the bills, they need a second income.

So yes, I do believe there is a conflict of interests if people can't sell or won't sell for whatever reason, then they have no right to remain in business. Now, I'm not saying IM only here, or any niche. But take a shop on the High Street, would they remain in business long if all they did was give things away? Maybe if they had a lot of money to support it, but how long would that money last?

It isn't about the need to earn money or not, it is about the reality of running a business. Either you run a business and sell, or you don't and then you quit. As I say look at it from the Revenue's point of view and see if you have a business. That will answer a lot of the questions you have.

I know if you came to me as an accountant, I would say exactly the same thing. If you asked me to prepare your accounts and there was no income, I would be asking why, what are you doing, do you plan to continue doing the same thing in the next few years? If you say yes, then I would say you have no business and should let the Revenue know that your business has ceased.

Hope that makes sense.

[Karen Blundell]

There is so much fear-mongering going on about this flu it's stupendous. You want to capitalize on people's fears...wow..go for it. It's freedom of choice, after all.

Imho, the responsible thing to do is to tell people to turn off the ****ing news and spread the word that NOONE should be afraid. That natural cures exist in nature all around us, and that all we have to do is choose to shop for all the anti-viral good foods that are far far better for us then ANY chemical concoction.

Anti-viral foods such as: garlic, onions, fresh berries, sprouts, sage, rosemary, thyme...all anti-viral and better for you then Tamiflu.

The secret to keeping healthy and surviving any flu pandemic is quite simply to eat healthy and practice good hygiene :ie wash your hands regularily!

And that is information that shouldn't have a price. I am a person who wouldn't and couldn't charge any money to save someone's life.