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Morality in Marketing

by princetotem
13 replies
Have you ever sold or marketed something that you felt went against your morals?

Are there certain things you avoid marketing/selling and endorsing?

Worked for clients who give you unsure feelings?

I was about several things that would make me quick cash, cheap and easily - however, I would never carry these ideas out as it doesn't please my moral conscience.

I have also quit my job in the past over working for dodgy local company.

It'd be interesting to hear other warrior's perspectives.
#marketing #morality
  • Profile picture of the author HeidiMendez
    Morals are very subjective at the end of the day the things to consider would be if it is illegal or if it is causing harm to others or not. I thankfully have not faced any situation as such and I really hope I dont cross paths with such situation in the future
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    7 and 8 years ago I had some dating Sites. And made money with Banner ads including Adult Friend Finder.

    Nothing against anyone that does but anymore I will not promote it. Maybe having two young daughters had an effect on this decision


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by princetotem View Post

    Are there certain things you avoid marketing/selling and endorsing?

    We all have to make that call for ourselves. Be true to yourself.

    I would never sell porn, gambling related products or services, sexual oriented services, alcohol, tobacco or drug related products, hate/bullying stuff, anything offensive, tasteless, racist, or things that are proven to hurt people, etc.

    Also, I would add anything unethical to my list - things that I believed were a scam or didn't live up to the hype.

    Yes, we all might have a different list of items we don't believe in, but we all have a conscience and if you feel hesitant about being involved with any subject, I would suggest you move on to something else.

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
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    • Profile picture of the author princetotem
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      We all have to make that call for ourselves. Be true to yourself.

      I would never sell porn, gambling related products or services, sexual oriented services, alcohol, tobacco or drug related products, hate/bullying stuff, anything offensive, tasteless, racist, or things that are proven to hurt people, etc.

      Also, I would add anything unethical to my list - things that I believed were a scam or didn't live up to the hype.

      Yes, we all might have a different list of items we don't believe in, but we all have a conscience and if you feel hesitant about being involved with any subject, I would suggest you move on to something else.

      Steve
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      Steve,

      Thanks for making such a clear and concise point.

      A topic that is interesting to me is brands siding with issues of social change because it shows the two very different opinions that people can form.

      I'll give an example, when brands change their logo to the rainbow colours on social media to highlight they stand with LGBT... (Doritos coloured chips example)

      I saw two very different opinions:
      1) Good on the brand for supporting the cause, a fun inventive way of showing they are pro LGBT
      2) Customers turning away from the brand and even members of LGBT calling out the company for 'making money from real issues'

      I like to view them neutrally for the most part. These opposite opinions are incredibly interesting to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author gwilfo1988
    I think as long as you're not scamming or marketing promises that aren't being delivered then it's fine. The association between moral and immoral is completely subjective. For instance, I think most Personal Trainers are immoral, giving promises that they can't keep, i don't know many people that have lost the 10 pounds an put on the muscle that was set by a PT, but yet it's seen as moral profession. At least if you're promoting a product that you've already tried and tested then just go with what feels right.
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    • Profile picture of the author princetotem
      Originally Posted by gwilfo1988 View Post

      I think as long as you're not scamming or marketing promises that aren't being delivered then it's fine.

      I completely agree with this. I used to work for a web design company that never delivered the customer service it promised to and their 'package deals' (not cheap), never had enough work put into them. This was the company I quit when it came to "Let's fake some good reviews!" It crossed the line for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author George Schwab
    "Are there certain things you avoid marketing/selling and endorsing?"

    yes, one time I signed up for an image hosting service that paid a lot.
    I thought what the heck is going on here, why they pay that much.

    Turns out I had to promote that page with my photos and their ads
    which happened to be photos of "male gentlemen sausages"

    Yikes!
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    • Profile picture of the author princetotem
      Originally Posted by George Schwab View Post

      "Are there certain things you avoid marketing/selling and endorsing?"

      yes, one time I signed up for an image hosting service that paid a lot.
      I thought what the heck is going on here, why they pay that much.

      Turns out I had to promote that page with my photos and their ads
      which happened to be photos of "male gentlemen sausages"

      Yikes!
      Honestly, I think as a marketer it can be quite easily to get caught up in the wrong thing without any bad intent. Definitely yikes!
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  • Profile picture of the author affilorama-portal
    If it does not feel right, then listen to yourself. I agree with the rest of the comments here that being 'moral' are more subjective than objective. We all have different views and we are raised with different backgrounds, a bad thing may not be be bad for another person, vice-versa.
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  • Profile picture of the author karlamoreniche
    I agree, this is very subjective, but very interesting too.

    I believe that, as marketers, we do have some responsibility to society. And we shouldn't only limit to what's 'within the law'.

    We all know there are deceiving marketing practices (free trials, scammy products, etc). As a consumer yourself, you probably prefer to buy from or be related to companies that follow ethical practices and who care about their customers, affiliates, etc. So why not doing what you wouldn't like for yourself.

    Also, customers are becoming more aware of ethical marketing practices, so, in order to stay in business in the long term, it's the best way to go.
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  • Profile picture of the author PatrickTaylor1
    Look, there's more to life than making a buck.

    If you have to compromise your values to make money, then what's the point?

    If you don't feel good about doing something, then STOP doing it. Life is too short.

    Market what you feel is ethical, don't stress yourself out by doing something dodgy.

    Just my opinion...

    Pat

    (P.S. Yes, I have quit jobs that had big money-making potential because they were asking me to do things I felt were unethical/immoral.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Clarence Chan
    Originally Posted by princetotem View Post

    Have you ever sold or marketed something that you felt went against your morals?

    Are there certain things you avoid marketing/selling and endorsing?

    Worked for clients who give you unsure feelings?

    I was about several things that would make me quick cash, cheap and easily - however, I would never carry these ideas out as it doesn't please my moral conscience.

    I have also quit my job in the past over working for dodgy local company.

    It'd be interesting to hear other warrior's perspectives.
    I agree with your stand in not marketing anything that is against my moral conscience. Other warriors have mentioned some specific examples of what they would not market, so I won't repeat them here.

    But I'd just add the point that your reputation as a marketer and a person is more important than making a quick buck. By marketing according to your conscience, you are building a good reputation that will put you in good standing in the long run.
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  • Profile picture of the author TomAndrews
    Before I left the "J.O.B" a few years ago, I was in a sales role selling gym memberships. However, I personally hated the gym and thought the company treated its members poorly.

    Didn't sit well with me selling those memberships, which was one of the reasons I went self employed to start my own fitness business.

    Haven't looked back since. So good morals won in the end.
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    Let's connect on Facebook because it's always good to meet fellow marketers. Send me a friend request: https://www.facebook.com/tom.andrews.7927

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