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Is Marketing Evil?

by unclepennybags
43 replies
Hey warriors,

For some stupid reason this topic has been bugging me lately and is getting me unfocused when trying to set up sites and what not.

My opinion is that it is not evil at all. Lots of people think it is brainwashing others into buying whatever products. Do marketers really have some kind of purpose in the world or are they just stepping over people to get in the "inner circle" to be financially free?

I like to think that marketers are there to provide assistance to whoever needs help buying products. They are there to help them buy the right products that will fit their needs right?

I know I should form my own opinion and not care what anyone else thinks but I just wanted other internet marketers opinion.

I just do not want this kind of thing to spoil the joy of working from home and make enough money to support my family and what not.
#evil #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
    I think that's a bit of a daft statement. Are there dodgy marketers...sure. But then there's dodgy lawyers and accountants out there as well. Marketers generally provide a product or service that people want. They aren't forcing anyone to buy anything.
    Many people will tell you that there are many negative people around in the world but they are the people that will never get anywhere and are happy to have a pot at others that do. Look for positive people in your life and it gets easier.

    Rich
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    • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
      Thanks Rich,

      You right I have to get away from the negative BS. I enjoy marketing and people have thanked me for my content and what not. I like what you say about lawyers and such. Hell there are even dodgy doctors which to me is a big paradox. My intentions are good no matter what people say.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    People who work in tax-payer supported jobs have the
    luxury of not having to engage in the reality of the marketplace -
    I think you'll find that contempt towards marketing tends to
    come from people who've not had to do it, or sales.

    The majority of the population in my country tends to look
    down their noses at salespeople, which is what marketers are.
    It's a peculiar kneejerk prejudice reinforced by negative
    depictions of salespeople in the media.

    If you're gonna be in business for yourself you need to get
    over the prejudices other people have about selling - they're
    usually either ignorant about it or they've failed badly at it
    themselves.
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  • Profile picture of the author King Shiloh
    Banned
    There are two kinds of criticisms: constructive and destructive criticisms. But destructive criticism can only destroy you if you keep brooding over it. You can't stop people from saying what they feel or think but you can stop yourself from listening to trash.
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  • Profile picture of the author dbarnum
    When the host of an opera, concert or other performance or event announces the event before showtime, is this announcer padding his wallet with payment received for his services, regardless of how the event will turn out?

    How about at local fairs and the snake oil salesman? Does he capture your attention? What about his product?

    The announcer / host / salesperson / marketing item....is a preamble. If the product or service is poor, people will note that and act accordingly be it in the form of requesting a charge back, tar and feather scenario or other.

    So it's your choice what you want to market and how, and how you handle the outcome. Live and learn.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by unclepennybags View Post

    I like to think that marketers are there to provide assistance to whoever needs help buying products. They are there to help them buy the right products that will fit their needs right?
    No ... they are there to make a profit selling goods and services. There's an evil way to do that and not-evil ways to do that.
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  • Profile picture of the author sirtiman
    If marketing try to make other people smarter, I don't think called evil. Right now with marketing before people buy, we must educate them first. Maybe, we sell something new and of course will bring benefits for who buy the stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author LegitIncomes
    Marketing is terribly evil.
    In fact, I recommend EVERYONE run away as fast as possible!

    Don't worry though, I'll take one for the team and stay around.
    You can all thank me in advance for my sacrifice.
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    • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
      Originally Posted by LegitIncomes View Post

      Marketing is terribly evil.
      In fact, I recommend EVERYONE run away as fast as possible!

      Don't worry though, I'll take one for the team and stay around.
      You can all thank me in advance for my sacrifice.
      Nice try but I think I will stay. lol
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    • Profile picture of the author PvPGuy
      Originally Posted by LegitIncomes View Post

      Marketing is terribly evil.
      In fact, I recommend EVERYONE run away as fast as possible!

      Don't worry though, I'll take one for the team and stay around.
      You can all thank me in advance for my sacrifice.
      ^lolz

      Marketing has legitimate purposes, which is what you are saying you like about marketing.

      But I get the impression you are talking about those who will bend, twist, break, and otherwise manipulate truth just to make an extra dime.

      There are two sides to this as far as I'm concerned, and I hope there is some application that will help answer your question.

      #1. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to make informed decisions.
      #2. It is in the best interest of the marketer to provide information to help explain why people should buy your product.

      The way I see it, if you are an honest, intelligent person, you will do your homework before you buy a product.

      If you are an honest, intelligent marketer, you will sell products and services that enrich people's lives, and do your best to inform people about legitimate products and services.

      So, be the honest and ethical person you are, and I don't see a problem with being a marketer.

      -perry
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      • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
        Originally Posted by pv1perry View Post

        ^lolz

        Marketing has legitimate purposes, which is what you are saying you like about marketing.

        But I get the impression you are talking about those who will bend, twist, break, and otherwise manipulate truth just to make an extra dime.

        There are two sides to this as far as I'm concerned, and I hope there is some application that will help answer your question.

        #1. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to make informed decisions.
        #2. It is in the best interest of the marketer to provide information to help explain why people should buy your product.

        The way I see it, if you are an honest, intelligent person, you will do your homework before you buy a product.

        If you are an honest, intelligent marketer, you will sell products and services that enrich people's lives, and do your best to inform people about legitimate products and services.

        So, be the honest and ethical person you are, and I don't see a problem with being a marketer.

        -perry
        Very well said.
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    • Profile picture of the author skibbz
      Originally Posted by LegitIncomes View Post

      Marketing is terribly evil.
      In fact, I recommend EVERYONE run away as fast as possible!

      Don't worry though, I'll take one for the team and stay around.
      You can all thank me in advance for my sacrifice.
      ha ha ha you are evil
      but for real though some marketers sell stuff that they know are harmful... like cigarettes or hard liquor but they will make excellent sales pitch and rake in the cash$$$ they dont care that they are poisoning your body and causing you to die quicker at the end of the day its all about how much cash they will make off your head...all ethics are thrown through the window
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      • Profile picture of the author Jacob Martus
        Originally Posted by skibbz View Post

        ha ha ha you are evil
        but for real though some marketers sell stuff that they know are harmful... like cigarettes or hard liquor but they will make excellent sales pitch and rake in the cash$$$ they dont care that they are poisoning your body and causing you to die quicker at the end of the day its all about how much cash they will make off your head...all ethics are thrown through the window
        No they don't care because they know that if they don't sell those things to you that someone else will.

        Can't blame tobacco companies or distilleries because people choose to drink and smoke. If I get cancer one day from my smoking habit, I'm not going to blame a tobacco company. I'm going to blame myself. (That won't happen though because I'm superhuman. - Smoking is actually healthy for me as opposed to normal human beings...or at least thats what I tell myself.)
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  • Profile picture of the author HarveyDanger
    Marketing is evil? Sure, there are plenty of shady marketers and crappy products out there. Then again there are some good products promoted by good people. So to answer the question, yes marketing can be evil, depends on who's doing it. Then again, people who don't listen to the saying, "if something seems too good to be true it probably is." They deserve what they get in my opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author Butters123
    I am a newbie so take my opinion lightly lol...I have signed up to a lot of lists and I find they are not evil its a business like all the other business's out there. Some do take it over the top I noticed. As long as the marketer is truthful I don't see no evil there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris G
    We live in a world that strives on marketing. Without marketing there would be no economy, because people would not buy anything. People are constantly looking for things that make their lives better and more enjoyable. This is why the world markets. Is marketing "evil"? Sure some forms of it are but for all the "evil" out there, it overcomes by the "good".
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewHansen
      I think it was Seth Godin who said that marketing is not good or evil, it's just a tool. It's a tool and it can be used to do good or to do evil.

      It's up to you.
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      • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
        Originally Posted by AndrewHansen View Post

        I think it was Seth Godin who said that marketing is not good or evil, it's just a tool. It's a tool and it can be used to do good or to do evil.

        It's up to you.
        Oo, good one. I have read his blog many times.
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        • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
          Ok good responses so far. Appreciate the feedback. Now let me turn the conversation to some examples some warriors might be familiar with.

          Would you consider the Rich Jerk sales page an evil marketing approach? I mean he evokes fear and lies which he advises in his ebook for the reader to do to other people.

          But regardless I am a big fan of the guy behind it who is Kelly Felix the creator of Bring the Fresh which is by far my favorite IM course because it is very honest and truthful. I would not consider him a bad person having read and watched his content.

          Also his character "the rich jerk" said that he would not answer any questions and what not so the buyer knows that even before they get out their credit card. Now is that wrong or is it ok because its just a character and because he is honest?

          Another example is in the IM course Google Sniper by George Brown. Sniper sites have been popular ever since the launch about a year ago. He advised the reader (marketer) to post someone elses picture from istockphoto.com or whatever so that it fools the visitor of the site into thinking that is really the person who is selling it to increase conversion rates. But apparently it is not wrong because it is a "character". I think some people would be pissed off about that.

          Anybody think that is wrong? Again I am a fan of his stuff having been a sub on his list. He seems like a really cool dude.

          I know that this business has flaws in it just like any other. As an example I had a boss who would not hire more help eventhough my department desperately needed it. I was not paid more or anything and he did it to look like the hero on payroll.

          I just thought this would be an interesting topic as there is certainly some shady stuff going around. Another big example would be the fake clickbank screenshot. I have seen some of this go on as you can only trust login videos now.
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          • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
            Banned
            Originally Posted by unclepennybags View Post

            Would you consider the Rich Jerk sales page an evil marketing approach? I mean he evokes fear and lies which he advises in his ebook for the reader to do to other people.

            But regardless I am a big fan of the guy behind it who is Kelly Felix the creator of Bring the Fresh which is by far my favorite IM course because it is very honest and truthful. I would not consider him a bad person having read and watched his content.
            I laughed at the RJ page when I first saw it. I didn't buy then, but I came back numerous times. It was funny ... humorous ... sarcastic and I loved it. It was obviously tongue in cheek.

            I ended up finally buying the ebook for around $10 ... got access to his forum and networked with a lot of experienced marketers and began to actually make money online ... it was the beginning.

            His new product is great also and I'm glad he's out of character, but I did love the character.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Holmes
    I guess it depends on who is holding the gun.

    Marketing is no more than an attitude, an ethos applied with a media to convey a message.

    You would need to determine what is being said or conveyed and for what purpose, before you can actually apply and therefore quantify the concept of "good" & "evil".
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Selling products and services without ripping people off is not evil ... buy hey ... It's not altruistic either. I don't buy this bull that you are there to educate the people. You are there to send them a marketing message that you hope that they'll swallow and buy from you. The only education you give them is what you want them to know that will entice them to buy ... and that's where the ethics come in. Is your message accurate and not misleading?
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  • Profile picture of the author Rough Outline
    Deceitful marketing is evil, sure. Marketing that preys on and exploits fear, loss etc is also evil.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    It's a necessary tool to survive - unless you work for someone else.

    The truth is, most people need little more than a cooker, a bed and a roof. The reality is that we live in a capatlist world where, unless you're selling roofs, beds or cookers, you're gonna have to sell someone something they probably don't need.

    It's not marketing that is evil... it's capitalism that forces people to buy and sell when they don't want to.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hagbard Jones
      Marketing is nothing but the tools of mass persuasion directed toward a goal. As such, it's dead neutral.

      A blood bank holding a blood drive in the hopes of saving lives is marketing to get people in the door. A no-kill animal shelter raising awareness to save the lives of innocent animals is marketing.

      So is a Fascist dictator using control of the media to brainwash a population in pursuit of a genocidal goal. Or a fake-investment scam artist bilking innocent grannies out of their retirement funds by promising riches then trotting off to Rio.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    My philosophy is as follows:

    1. I firmly believe my products and services will help people.

    2. If the people who need them most do not get them, then they are, in effect, being harmed.

    3. Therefore, it is my duty to let as many people know about the exact products and services that will help them.

    4. It is also my duty to be enthusiastic, but honest, in my selling to further increase the odds that more people will be helped.

    When done this way, marketing is the complete opposite of evil. There is a lot of responsibility that goes along with marketing. It's NOT just selling. At the same time, if anybody feels wrong about any part of their marketing, then they need to take a look at why that is and fix it.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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    • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      My philosophy is as follows:

      1. I firmly believe my products and services will help people.

      2. If the people who need them most do not get them, then they are, in effect, being harmed.

      3. Therefore, it is my duty to let as many people know about the exact products and services that will help them.

      4. It is also my duty to be enthusiastic, but honest, in my selling to further increase the odds that more people will be helped.

      When done this way, marketing is the complete opposite of evil. There is a lot of responsibility that goes along with marketing. It's NOT just selling. At the same time, if anybody feels wrong about any part of their marketing, then they need to take a look at why that is and fix it.

      All the best,
      Michael
      Thank you Mike, the perfect example of good marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Originally Posted by tombuckland View Post

    No marketing is awesome
    I am not trying to be a wombat, but I had to laugh at the two entirely different meanings this has, depending on whether or not a comma is placed after No.



    ~M~
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Strong
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      I am not trying to be a wombat, but I had to laugh at the two entirely different meanings this has, depending on whether or not a comma is placed after No.



      ~M~
      Awesome is no marketing.
      Marketing no awesome is.
      Is no marketing awesome?
      No is awesome marketing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
        Originally Posted by KenStrong View Post

        Awesome is no marketing.
        Marketing no awesome is.
        Is no marketing awesome?
        No is awesome marketing.
        What are you on, Ken? Those don't even make sense!

        Perhaps you meant...

        Awesome; "is" marketing! (no)

        I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one.

        ~M~
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  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    Is a hammer evil? How about a bow and arrow? A javelin? Well, you get the idea. It's a tool. Don't abuse it.

    TomG.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill_Z
    ugh, all these bs about 'helping people'...i'm here to make money, just like everyone on this forum...if you want to help people, go volunteer for the red cross or for your local hospital...what a load of crap
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    • Profile picture of the author kenboss
      Originally Posted by Bill_Z View Post

      ugh, all these bs about 'helping people'...i'm here to make money, just like everyone on this forum...if you want to help people, go volunteer for the red cross or for your local hospital...what a load of crap
      BS???
      That's one of the saddest posts I've seen here, and dead inaccurate as far as the Warrior Forum is concerned.

      No offence intended, but please speak for yourself, Bill Z. You are entitled to that cynical attitude, but I am privileged know a great many people on this forum and elsewhere, who are very genuinely interested in helping people, many of whom make a great deal of money as a result.

      Of course many of them have also taken out time to write a few thousand posts here to help folks like you and me, without making a dime out of it.
      It is the sheer abundance of those people, in fact, that make the Warrior Forum a great place to be.

      ~Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
      Originally Posted by Bill_Z View Post

      ugh, all these bs about 'helping people'...i'm here to make money, just like everyone on this forum...if you want to help people, go volunteer for the red cross or for your local hospital...what a load of crap
      I think it's kind of sad if you really believe that. Wouldn't you agree that one of the functions anything that sells is to solve a problem? Think about it.

      Anyway, it's not BS, it's my philosophy, and I stand behind it.

      If you don't, that's fine, but don't tell me helping people is BS. Bill, if you need help with something, or suggestions, or whatever, please feel free to let me know. I'm only a PM away, and I will do what I can.

      All the best,
      Michael
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      • Profile picture of the author kenboss
        Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

        I think it's kind of sad if you really believe that. Wouldn't you agree that one of the functions anything that sells is to solve a problem? Think about it.

        Anyway, it's not BS, it's my philosophy, and I stand behind it.

        If you don't, that's fine, but don't tell me helping people is BS. Bill, if you need help with something, or suggestions, or whatever, please feel free to let me know. I'm only a PM away, and I will do what I can.

        All the best,
        Michael
        Case in point!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author kenboss
    Using a "character" to create a favourable image for a product, and encourage trust in its manufacturer and/or distributor, is a universal and highly respected device in marketing that goes back a very long way. One of the most famous examples is Betty Crocker. This icon of the ideal American homemaker never actually existed - she was entirely a marketing creation - yet, according to Wikipedia (it's worth looking up her entry there to get more of the full story), in 1945 she was named by Fortune Magazine as the 2nd most popular woman in America after Eleanor Roosevelt!! It meant that people trusted the brand, and one could argue that it forced General Mills to live up to that trust over the years, by maintaining product quality.

    So IMHO I don't think we can label as "evil" the online marketer who sticks an attractive photo in the header that does not happen to be his or herself, or indeed that uses a voiceover service like mine (plug plug) instead of their own voice, to welcome visitors to their site!! (Although I do make it clear to my clients that I will not actually identify myself by name as being the marketer himself But I am happy to take on the name of a fictitious character. Just call me the Betty Crocker of IM !! )

    The practice of phony clickbank screenshots & such like is another matter entirely. This is out and out false advertising, deliberately misleading the buyer with regard to the actual benefits or outcome of using the product.

    ~Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
      Originally Posted by kenboss View Post

      Using a "character" to create a favourable image for a product, and encourage trust in its manufacturer and/or distributor, is a universal and highly respected device in marketing that goes back a very long way. One of the most famous examples is Betty Crocker. This icon of the ideal American homemaker never actually existed - she was entirely a marketing creation - yet, according to Wikipedia (it's worth looking up her entry there to get more of the full story), in 1945 she was named by Fortune Magazine as the 2nd most popular woman in America after Eleanor Roosevelt!! It meant that people trusted the brand, and one could argue that it forced General Mills to live up to that trust over the years, by maintaining product quality.

      So IMHO I don't think we can label as "evil" the online marketer who sticks an attractive photo in the header that does not happen to be his or herself, or indeed that uses a voiceover service like mine (plug plug) instead of their own voice, to welcome visitors to their site!! (Although I do make it clear to my clients that I will not actually identify myself by name as being the marketer himself But I am happy to take on the name of a fictitious character. Just call me the Betty Crocker of IM !! )

      The practice of phony clickbank screenshots & such like is another matter entirely. This is out and out false advertising, deliberately misleading the buyer with regard to the actual benefits or outcome of using the product.

      ~Ken
      Thank you Ken Boss,

      In that case just call me the Uncle Penny Bags of IM!
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  • Profile picture of the author tentimes
    I agree with the idea that marketing can be used for good or evil. It just depends on your ethics. Do you use it as a means to an end?
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  • Profile picture of the author vstar00
    everything can be used for good or evil - like a car or gun. Its not the tool, its the user.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      I agree with the idea it's a tool, irresponsible greedy people will always abuse any tool they can think of using for they're own gain. Personally I like to sleep at night and don't do this.

      My other point is, going forward in your life and trying to achieve something for you, your parents, spouse and children isn't evil in my book. Marketing has been around long before internet marketing. It creates jobs and thats the society we're in. You can either expect life on a plate, get a job and make someone else rich or have a bash at it yourself.

      Whether it's evil or not is up to you. You have other options.
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