CPA...the ethical dilemma

I don't think CPA has a negative outlook. It definitely depends on who you're hanging around.

Usually when I tell other tech pros that I use affiliates for lead gen they say "what an interesting concept". Most people have no clue CPA even exists.

Ha, CPA is definetly something sketchy. But business is business, especially when it comes to advertising, where everobody lies, methods of lying are freaking terrible and so on...

Also good point that most people don't even know what CPA is.

But, do you think the negative view of CPA more generally is justified?

Sure, the industry definitely hasn't had the brightest past. It is hard to argue against that.

Do you think the industry is more misunderstood than other industries?

Yes, I think that is the nature of anything online. Most people still aren't knowledgable when it comes to things online.

But this doesn't worry me much, I love CPA, and it works too good for me to be concerned with other's judgements.

I think within in the industry some would label it that way but I don't think it is that way. There are always bad apples. This business just allows the bad apples to get more attention then say the offline industries.

There's a lot of legit offers and some not so legit out there. It's ultimately up to the individual to pick what they want to run though.

Hey guys, we're not promoting drugs, guns or tobacco here.

Let's put CPA into some context. Yes, there is some negativity surrounding it but show me a business that doesn't?

I don't think CPA industry is misunderstood actually... And I do agree that all this IM thing, no matter CPA or some other model, is a bit tricky, but I like it anyway.

Just started with CPA marketing a week ago, I am seeing lots of email/zip submit offers, which claim to give free products e.g. iphone, ipad, gift cards. I am just wondering, whether they actually deliver it to the user or not, even if they fulfill all requirements as stated on their landing page? How advertisers of such cpa offers make money from it?

Hopefully, anyone experienced with cpa marketing can answer me.

A lot of people regard CPA links as some sort of virus to steal your information.

Yep, CPA is full of "catches"... I am not saying that 100% of the offers are scammy (most aren't), but there is lot's of junk in the industry.

Of course, internet is full of junk... useless content, piracy, illegal stuff, etc... So, it's more like a consequence of an internet based business.

The internet gives people too much freedom, so it becomes very competitive and, sometimes, unethical.


W

Hi Kenster: Been a warrior member for a while and I realize it should have been sooner. Do you offer a payment package? What I have been reading is that this class is so intense! I will finally fulfill learning the CPA skills that I have wanted to achieve.

WriteArm

I'm new to CPA marketing too. Can you give me an example or two of how CPA offers might be "unethical" or "shady"?

I have been talking with several CPA Coaches lately and found that the majority of them are teaching "gray hat". For example, one of the coaches tells me that you have to expect that FB will shut down your ad account and that they will do so whether you play by the rules or not, "so why play 100% by the rules?" he says. Another tells me that if you're not having your network account banned occasionally then you are not pushing the envelope.

I have had my toes in questionable practices in business when I was in my teens, 20's and 30's and maybe a little beyond that. Over the years I have learned that was completely unnecessary, I simply had the wrong mentors. Early on I was ambitious and willing to sacrifice my inner most convictions in order to accomplish my successes. That was wrong and inappropriate.

Today, and for the past 20 years, I have strived to do business with a high level of integrity, but some industries & some competitors don't always make this the easiest path to take.

Kenster is deep into his online Affiliate and CPA success whereas many of us are not. For many of us, finding the "white hats" out there (to do business with and to be trained by) in the Affiliate and CPA industries are not always easy to identify and the rest of the crowd blends in making it difficult to separate them before you've been taken in by those that are not what they claim.

All of my apprehensions in the affiliate and CPA markets are a direct result of my incessant need to run a clean business. It slows me down, but I will end up with a solid business that is respectable and reliable.

I am shopping for a coach with high standards, so far the ones I want are not available, and the ones that are questionable are chasing me daily to jump in on their programs.

Kenster asks if the bad raps are justified?
...Most definitely with some of the companies and characters out there, but the industry leaders have a responsibility to help us police it and to teach us how to prevent it.

Kenster asks "Do you think the industry is more misunderstood than other industries?"
...No, not at all. As Kenster has pointed out, this is (or has been) an issue with countless other industries, businesses, and people throughout time. I have been successful in the restaurant business, night clubs, auto dealership, computer supply manufacturing, business start-ups, software development, real estate, and now ... CPA. Every one of these industries was, and is, fraught with a shady side. That doesn't mean you should take that path.

PLEASE! I implore you, build your businesses around high standards, strong ethics, and solid relationships. Oh, and don't forget, PAY IT FORWARD when the good guys help you!

T J

As some have mentioned, a good many people do not know what CPA is.

If I explain to someone that I have an ad running or a website that features a way for you to get competitive auto insurance quotes, try a new dieting product or find a dentist, they do not tend to view me as the next Bernie Madoff.

However, if I tell them that I have ads that get you free iPads or $200 gift cards just for filling in a form, they will probably get an irresistible urge to wash their hands once we part company.

The public's perceptions are formed by their experiences with you as a marketer (any type of marketer), their personal experiences online or what they read about other's experiences.

It is not an accident that terms like "used car salesman" to describe someone's ethical standards conjure a specific image.

Fortunately, CPA does not yet elicit a similar response.

If we all refuse to promote shady networks or offers then there would be no market for this kind of stuff. It's like the drugs debate (but not so extreme). Dealers exist because there is a hungry market.

I only promote offers I am comfortable with e.g. I don't promote payday loans because I find their tactics unethical. I also use reputable CPA networks by checking reviews off oDigger.

Well - that girl does make $369/day from Google doesn't she?

And that one secret to weight loss did work!

Also - there are too many women in your area - and they do need more women!

Free iPad anyone?

I think the 80-20 rule applies to offers as well. There is at least 20% of offers that are legit and offers what promised.
The problem is that the industry is not regulated. Since there are no governing rules and pretty much anybody can start a network and start brokering offers, then of course not just CPA; any industry in it's place would have got a bad rep in the market.