New Trend 100% Transparency

by Godaxe
33 replies
I do not know if anyone else has noticed that the Internet marketing community has been going through some great changes lately. There has been great demand for transparency in Internet marketing methods and some great companies such as the Internet marketing world cup has offered some great incentive for allowing tactics to be audited.

I personally find it a great thing and maybe one of the biggest reasons why some of the top names are shifting their niche. How do you feel about this shift? How could the Internet marketing product be 100% transparent for you?
#100% #transparency #trend
  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Hmm,

    I demand that Coke and Dr. Pepper be transparent and give us their methods for making their product.

    I think transparency is good to a point, but there are methods my business employs that I don't want any one to know or learn about.
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    • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Hmm,

      I demand that Coke and Dr. Pepper be transparent and give us their methods for making their product.

      I think transparency is good to a point, but there are methods my business employs that I don't want any one to know or learn about.
      Well I would demand that Dr Pepper be 100% transparent with the recipe if they were selling the recipe to me as the product.

      Absolutely transparency to a certain point but I was thinking more along the lines of these business models that "gurus" offer which is in fact like a recipe.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      I demand that Coke and Dr. Pepper be transparent
      Like 7-Up, you mean? I'd prefer it if they were: they might not stain your teeth so much.
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      • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        Like 7-Up, you mean? I'd prefer it if they were: they might not stain your teeth so much.
        Don't encourage this transition of conversation Alexe just kidding.

        I've never heard about 7 up staining your teeth before. Is this a problem you run into a lot when drinking this product if so just gargle a thing of baking soda after each sip. This will help whiten your teeth
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        Actually I prefer "The Dew" Spike with Amp.

        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        Like 7-Up, you mean? I'd prefer it if they were: they might not stain your teeth so much.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Ratliff
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Hmm,

      I demand that Coke and Dr. Pepper be transparent and give us their methods for making their product.

      I think transparency is good to a point, but there are methods my business employs that I don't want any one to know or learn about.
      And I want that dang KFC recipe... ALL 11 herbs and spices...

      I agree, transparency is a good thing...but how much of a "good thing" do we really want? More isn't always better.
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    • Profile picture of the author dansevigny
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Hmm,

      I demand that Coke and Dr. Pepper be transparent and give us their methods for making their product.

      I think transparency is good to a point, but there are methods my business employs that I don't want any one to know or learn about.
      I agree -- Transparency in business should only really apply to ethics & practices. Do good in the world, act right and treat people like ... People!

      I don't think anyone's talking about disclosing trade secrets.

      I don't like it when companies promote and publicize how ethical and friendly they are--comes off fake and insincere. What really counts is what you do when no one is looking.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary King
    The push for it is because there has been so much fraud, mostly (IMHO) around get rich quick and instant weight loss type offerings.

    Here's the one mantra you need to know...

    Do what's right.

    Give good value.

    Offer a decent price.

    You'll cash checks all day long and not worry about the government coming to knock on your door.
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    • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
      Originally Posted by Gary King View Post

      Do what's right.
      I was having a conversation with my relatives yesterday about this. You can easily do wrong things to get ahead but they will stay with you until you decide to rectify the issue. Even after correcting the wrong things you've done they can stay with you like a weed.

      When starting your garden is probably not a good thing to start with planting weeds.
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      • Profile picture of the author Gary King
        Originally Posted by Godaxe View Post

        I was having a conversation with my relatives yesterday about this. You can easily do wrong things to get ahead but they will stay with you until you decide to rectify the issue. Even after correcting the wrong things you've done they can stay with you like a weed.

        When starting your garden is probably not a good thing to start with planting weeds.

        Now you're getting it...

        You can do the flash in the pan thing and burn out like a star, or you can build recurring revenue and grateful customers.

        My only recommendation is that if you go with the flash in the pan, you better put enough aside to have it later when no one will buy from you ever again.
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        • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
          Originally Posted by Gary King View Post

          Now you're getting it...
          I have had it for a long time Gary. Likely I was raised with this ideology
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          • Profile picture of the author Gary King
            Originally Posted by Godaxe View Post

            I have had it for a long time Gary. Likely I was raised with this ideology



            To be clear, I meant that in a supportive way. It was understood that you have that at your core.

            It's meant like cheering a runner in a race...
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            Let's get honest - most "transparency" in advertising/marketing comes right after the FTC issues a ruling about one sneaky tactic or another.

            kay
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            • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
              Originally Posted by Gary King View Post



              To be clear, I meant that in a supportive way. It was understood that you have that at your core.

              It's meant like cheering a runner in a race...
              Thanks Gary I see that know lol

              Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

              Let's get honest - most "transparency" in advertising/marketing comes right after the FTC issues a ruling about one sneaky tactic or another.

              kay
              LOL yes lol I see where you are coming from.
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      • Profile picture of the author bretski
        Originally Posted by Godaxe View Post

        I was having a conversation with my relatives yesterday about this. You can easily do wrong things to get ahead but they will stay with you until you decide to rectify the issue. Even after correcting the wrong things you've done they can stay with you like a weed.

        When starting your garden is probably not a good thing to start with planting weeds.
        "The deeds of every man are right in his own mind..." and my personal favorite, "the lesser of two evils is still evil" ~ Jerry Garcia

        As far as the topic...short of having a major brain injury I don't think I would ever partake in a marketing challenge. Again, I am skeptical by nature and would be looking for who would be benefiting the most from my work. Chances are it wouldn't be me and I'm working hard to stop making other people wealthy. Help and provide valuable information to those that can use it, sure... but what use is a secret if everyone knows it?
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Who's making these requests for more transparency? What type of people do you suppose they are?
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  • Profile picture of the author IndigoJack
    I refuse to drink coke on the grounds that I don't know what's in it. It's a principle.

    However that principle does not extent to Shiraz. Tastes gooood. Who gives a stuff if there's battery acid in the mix.

    AS for IM transparency - it only extends to the sections of IM that have been flogged to death. The secret is out, they've made their money so there is no point pretending it's the Holy Grail anymore.

    Any new scheme will still be cloaked in secrecy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Any new scheme will still be cloaked in secrecy.
    As well it should be! This is business not, not show and tell!
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  • Profile picture of the author Marc Rodill
    I want transparency in WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY PUTTING IN MY DAMNED CIGARETTES!

    I'm also waiting for the world to stand still.

    My opinion..

    Transparency is a tactic that works for relationships based on the fact that people want it more than anything.

    If they are to pay attention to you, that is.
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  • Profile picture of the author mr2monster
    There's no such thing as 100% transparency.

    Furthermore, I don't think it's needed.

    To take it one step further... I actually grow suspect of those trying too hard to be transparent... seems more like they have something to actually hide if they're trying to prove that they don't.
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  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    I take "transparency" with a grain of salt since it can be faked or manipulated like anything else. For the marketers that avoid black hat methods there is not much point since they have no need to "prove" they are legit.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Transparency in IM? Hmmm. I think most of us can see through that tactic.


      Frank
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      • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
        Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

        Transparency in IM? Hmmm. I think most of us can see through that tactic.


        Frank
        I'm a little confused by your statement can you please elaborate on your definition of a Transparency Tactic
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin_Hutto
    Its never gonna happen... The BIGGEST companies make tons of money from the scammy ads. I still see lots of crappy CPA offers on yahoo and all the other major display networks. In the last day, I have seen a FLOG pitching another google adsense scam on yahoo, an **** type diet pill free trial scam advertised on yahoo, government grants CPA on yahoo -- and all these are on the front couple of pages on the site. There will always be scammers and as long as the big boys make tons of money from them (without much or any consequence) then they will be a way for them to keep switching and switching whatever junk they are selling today.

    Its just like the boiler room stock operations of the early 1990's. The was a firm called hanover sterling. They got shut down and then a firm popped up named sterling foster. They got shut down then a firm popped up called First Hanover. It was a cat an mouse game. And if the whole fee structure of that business hadnt changed, it would still be going on today. The new boiler room is the internet. You just gotta decide how YOU are gonna operate.
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  • Profile picture of the author john17
    Many of the IM info businesses and products will become worthless and lose a large portion of their target market if the product owner becomes transparent. For instance...

    "Tap into this brand new traffic method where you can easily get yourself in front of millions of targeted people without barely lifting a finger" ---- suddenly becomes --- "Have you tried Facebook Advertising yet?"

    Many expert Facebook advertisers will still be interested in the first statement above (until they purchase of course), however, they will leave the page immediately when hearing the transparent version.

    "Uncover this hidden technique to instantly increase your optin page conversion rates by 200%" --- suddenly becomes --- "Put your optin form above the fold and write a better headline. Make sure you split test."

    I agree to be transparent in what your product does and how it does it.

    I think the push towards transparency would better be described as a push towards honesty.

    I was speaking with one marketer at an event and he told me that his tactic was to have his sales presentation say as little as possible so people didn't know what they were purchasing. He said it worked really well...

    I think his methodology is just wrong though.
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    • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
      Originally Posted by john17 View Post

      Many of the IM info businesses and products will become worthless and lose a large portion of their target market if the product owner becomes transparent. For instance...

      "Tap into this brand new traffic method where you can easily get yourself in front of millions of targeted people without barely lifting a finger" ---- suddenly becomes --- "Have you tried Facebook Advertising yet?"

      Many expert Facebook advertisers will still be interested in the first statement above (until they purchase of course), however, they will leave the page immediately when hearing the transparent version.

      "Uncover this hidden technique to instantly increase your optin page conversion rates by 200%" --- suddenly becomes --- "Put your optin form above the fold and write a better headline. Make sure you split test."

      I agree to be transparent in what your product does and how it does it.

      I think the push towards transparency would better be described as a push towards honesty.

      I was speaking with one marketer at an event and he told me that his tactic was to have his sales presentation say as little as possible so people didn't know what they were purchasing. He said it worked really well...

      I think his methodology is just wrong though.
      Yes I agree that sales copy can only be so transparent but what I was referring to was being transparent in exactly what it is they do when they do it how long it takes and being audited by a third party to ensure that the information is accurate. As for his Internet marketing methods that is.
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    Transparency? OK, how many threads trying to promote the ever changing "world cup" by new account holders have been deleted so far?
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    • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
      Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

      Transparency? OK, how many threads trying to promote the ever changing "world cup" by new account holders have been deleted so far?
      Just let everyone know I have no associations with that company and I'm not promoting it in any way although it did get me thinking about things quite a bit
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  • Profile picture of the author Domenic Carlson
    It's easy for certain industries and not others. For example, even within the marketing industry, the process for making a t.v. spot is - hire writers, write the screenplay, hire a director/actors, film it, etc. The magic is in how they do it and who they hire and how. They don't tell you that. Likewise the same can be said of link-building and things which are inherently useful to keep closer to the chest. What you post can be public but where and how should be guarded as the competitive advantage it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author jazbo
    I am about to write a piece on this on my main site. I think there is something of a wake up going on in IM. "IM 2.0" anyone?
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    • Profile picture of the author Godaxe
      Originally Posted by jazbo View Post

      I am about to write a piece on this on my main site. I think there is something of a wake up going on in IM. "IM 2.0" anyone?
      Internet marketing 2.0 nice one lol I mite steel that from you Jazbo:p
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  • Profile picture of the author RyanLeonard
    Originally Posted by Godaxe View Post

    I do not know if anyone else has noticed that the Internet marketing community has been going through some great changes lately. There has been great demand for transparency in Internet marketing methods and some great companies such as the Internet marketing world cup has offered some great incentive for allowing tactics to be audited.

    I personally find it a great thing and maybe one of the biggest reasons why some of the top names are shifting their niche. How do you feel about this shift? How could the Internet marketing product be 100% transparent for you?

    Honestly- I think this is being taken too far. It annoys me when all the people I'm subscribed to our pridefully displaying how humble and honest they are. It's just an annoying sales tactic.

    I'm also sick of hearing people spew out lies like: "You can't get rich quick" or "you can't lose weight quick".

    That's total bull****. There's only ONE way to get rich- and that's QUICK. The worlds far too cruel to get rich slowly. That doesn't mean you're going to make a million dollars in your first six months- but once you hit the point of having a steady income- you should be getting rich quickly.

    When it comes to just starting out, I think it really depends on how much work you put in. You have to put an INCREDIBLE amount of work in the beginning before you even see so much as a hundred dollars.

    There are just SO many contradictions, false information, and information overload that I would just reccomend new people to IM learn the foundations, work there ass off and start learning things to compound their success- while implementing.

    That's really the only shortcut.


    As for the "transparency marketing"- I like to stick with the 60-40 rule. Sixty percent awesome content that helps people with problems. Forty percent that promotes products that will help them even more.

    Peace,
    -Ryan Leonard
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  • Profile picture of the author IndigoJack
    Actually you can be transparent and still be a huge seller.

    It's the way that you present the information.

    The vast majority of us know the contents of the Bible but that doesn't stop it being the biggest seller ever.

    Obviously IM techniques no matter how amazing can compete with that kind of selling.

    But with any printed resource book, you can sit in a book shop cherry picking the bits you want to know and 9 times out of 10 will still buy the book just incase you missed something.
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