Is the "ethical" marketer ever exist?

by Qamar
28 replies
Many times I've seen terms like unethical marketers, fake gurus, millionaire wannabes, scammers etc. from fellow marketers who clearly do not want to have anything to do with these people.

My question is, what is your definition of an ethical marketer?
and do the ethical marketer we keep on mentioning ever existed in the IM arena
?

The reason, I asked this is because as far as I am trying my best to be an ethical marketer who really offer genuine help to my subscribers and customers, there's always some elements in this business that made me doubt my own ethics!

For example, in product creation (especially ebooks) I was trained to choose a niche that has desperate buyers. That is buyers who have pressing problems such as chronic anxiety,obesity, debts, health, sickness etc or people who are desperately wanting to find a soul mate or trying to get their ex back.

I was also trained that in order to make tons of money, my job now is to find the solutions/cure/help to the pains/problems/trouble that these poor people are currently suffering.

I was taught to go to Yahoo answers, youtube, related forums, local libraries, article directories etc to find contents that are later on supposed to be "solutions/cure/help" for these desperate people who are willing to throw money just to be well again.

Now, I have no problems if the "solutions/cure/help" that I will provide in my future products/ebooks are my real-life expertise or experience or at least a verified source that I know is certified to give advise. Because I know they will work or at least ease the problems for my customers.

The problem is, I can guess that most of the solutions/cure/help that are being sold on many places are not created by real expert.

Looking at the most common method (such as the above) to find contents for product creation, more often than not these products will not really help people who have bought them.

Why?

Because, first of all, most product creators especially on niches I've mentioned above are not real experts on that field. I think you guys understand what I actually meant?

I don't mean all product creators but I dare to say a large percentage of product creators are not qualified to give advise on most of the issues faced by people.

How can a person whom no nuts about the psychology of reuniting two humans together can give real advise to people who are experiencing real life marital problems?

Can contents taken a bit from here and a bit from there and then a bit more from an article directories solve the actual unique problems/issues faced by real human beings who are desperately seeking for help?

Can any tom,dick and harry give advise on how to cure acne within 14 days?

or is an Amazon affiliate whom have not bought the products he promote give honest reviews that may influence their web visitors buying decision?

Lastly, if what I have said is true, what can we, the "ethical marketers" do to really help our customers who are paying us for the info they are hoping to benefit from?

Or if we can't really help them, then are we being ethical enough to sell products to them just because we know that they are basically a goldmine for us to take advantage on?

Lastly, does the real ethical marketer really exist?

Please share your views.

Thanks,
Zul
#ethical #exist #marketer
  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    Nope. LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author Qamar
      Originally Posted by mosthost View Post

      Nope. LOL
      Then why the heck I keep seeing people claiming to be one? :confused:






      Zul
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      • Profile picture of the author Qamar
        Originally Posted by Cataclysm1987 View Post

        Because why would someone claim to be unethical?
        Don't claim to be anything then, just shut up will do, right?




        Zul
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        • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
          Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

          Don't claim to be anything then, just shut up will do, right?
          Will it?

          I dunno man. There are a lot of scammers out there. I don't think guru bashing while claiming to be a nice ethical guy will ever fully go out of style just because of how pessimistic people are about online marketing.
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        • Profile picture of the author tylerherman
          Probably not on these forums but there are plenty out there.

          Real businesses and real experts selling products online.

          I have a blog in which I don't sell anything and I do know a ton about the topic. I guess that would fall into the ethical category.

          I also have some sites about topics I know nothing about. But I've been trying to switch to authority sites on topics I do know enough about to give real advice.
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          • Profile picture of the author myob
            Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it.

            - Mark Twain
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        • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
          Hey,Zul. Great post!

          Originally Posted by Qamar View Post


          My question is, what is your definition of an ethical marketer?
          and do the ethical marketer we keep on mentioning ever existed in the IM arena
          ?
          IMHO, One who gives TRUE value to their tribe.Not hype filled,kitschy, hit you over the head with offer after offer , just because the commish is good types.

          There are many right here in this forum, one who immediately comes to mind is Paul Myers

          Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

          The problem is, I can guess that most of the solutions/cure/help that are being sold on many places are not created by real expert.
          Tim Ferriss said it best, an expert is someone who knows more about the subject than you do. Qualified does not necessarily= Certified and vice versa. If someone does extensive research and can aggregate that research into an information filled product that adds value to those that consume it, why not be tagged as an expert?

          Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

          Or if we can't really help them, then are we being ethical enough to sell products to them just because we know that they are basically a goldmine for us to take advantage on?

          Lastly, does the real ethical marketer really exist?

          Please share your views.

          Thanks,
          Zul
          A wise man once told me ,"Let your conscience be your guide"

          If you dont care, rock on!

          If you do care:
          If your products are not addressing the needs of the consumer then your ethics should tell you to revamp it into something that does make a difference.

          Regards,
          Rob
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      • Profile picture of the author mosthost
        Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

        Then why the heck I keep seeing people claiming to be one? :confused:

        Zul
        If you think about it: people who claim to be honest are more suspicious than anyone else.

        The 'IM space' is worse than most other sectors, but really we can't ignore the huge numbers of multi-national companies that are also very unethical in their marketing. There's so much 'bait and switch' and hidden terms that the average person is right to be worried about what they buy.

        That means 'consumer research' will continue to be a huge sector.
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  • Profile picture of the author badboy703
    The ethical marketers make pennies compared to the "un-ethical" marketers, LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Yes there are.

    However - your own ethics are down to you alone.

    Even if there were zero ethical IMers that doesn't mean you should not be ethical.

    The fact that you're doubting your own marketing techniques means that you have some ethics and you should listen to your own voice.

    Everyone has a different meaning and scope when using such terms so don't get caught up in what everyone else means - just what you mean.

    There are a LOT of people who will sell anything they can because they're desperate for money, I doubt that this will change.

    Just make sure you are happy with your own actions.
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    • Profile picture of the author Qamar
      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      Yes there are.

      Everyone has a different meaning and scope when using such terms so don't get caught up in what everyone else means - just what you mean.
      So an ethical marketer is actually a subjective term?
      What do you think about teaching or recommending products that you have not tried yourself to clueless newbies who happens to be in your list?

      Frankly, I can see loads of money doing this to clueless newbies, but the ethics thingie always comes in between me and them....

      Zul
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      • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
        Banned
        Originally Posted by badboy703 View Post

        The ethical marketers make pennies compared to the "un-ethical" marketers, LOL
        Eh, I'd tend to disagree. The "un-ethical" marketers just make more noise about the money they make.

        Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

        Most marketers are ethical so we never hear much about them because "good" doesn't make the news much any more. My definition of an ethical marketer is someone who consistently says what he means and does what he says he's going to do.

        Imagine what kind of world it would be if everyone just said what they meant and did what they promised.
        And that hits the nail on the head. Who wants to hear about the marketer who genuinely cares about their readers/subscribers/customers? No one. It definitely wouldn't make for a good thread either it seems .

        Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

        So an ethical marketer is actually a subjective term?
        What do you think about teaching or recommending products that you have not tried yourself to clueless newbies who happens to be in your list?
        Like it or not, the term is sunjective. What may be an ethical marketer to you could be a complete "scammer" in my eyes. You see the disparity play out here all day every day.

        I think someone who tries to sell a product they know nothing about are idiots, and tend to fade fast anyways. Let's not forget that we are not dealing with a human race that is incapable of reasoning.

        Your customers BS filters are a lot better calibrated than you would think .


        Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

        Frankly, I can see loads of money doing this to clueless newbies, but the ethics thingie always comes in between me and them....

        Zul
        Yeah, that is what most people see. So quick question. You state that you think it is wrong for people to operate in a niche that they are not an expert in. Looking at your sig, how confident are you that you are the guy to go to when it comes to product creation?

        Note that this is in no way trying to call you or your products out. If you feel it is you are free to not answer. This is more out of curiosity than anything else.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    This is why JVs are so popular, when we find a great niche but don't have the expertise to provide genuine value, we seek out the people who do and JV with them (they are easy to find and there's lots of them, in almost any niche you can think of.. and most of them don't have a clue about marketing).
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Remember...

      A rich man doesn't need to tell you how rich he is.
      A good man doesn't need to tell you how good he is.
      A smart man doesn't need to tell you how smart he is.


      Judge people by their ACTIONS, not their words.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
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      • Profile picture of the author s1ngular1ty
        Its difficult though because it is so subjective. I like to think myself pretty ethical, yet I have no problems promoting gambling offers (I live in the UK where gambling is legal btw).

        But some people think it is unethical to promote any gambling, so to them I wouldn't be considered an ethical marketer.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Originally Posted by Qamar View Post

    My question is, what is your definition of an ethical marketer? and do the ethical marketer we keep on mentioning ever existed in the IM arena?
    Most marketers are ethical so we never hear much about them because "good" doesn't make the news much any more. My definition of an ethical marketer is someone who consistently says what he means and does what he says he's going to do.

    Imagine what kind of world it would be if everyone just said what they meant and did what they promised.
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    • Profile picture of the author Qamar
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Most marketers are ethical so we never hear much about them because "good" doesn't make the news much any more. My definition of an ethical marketer is someone who consistently says what he means and does what he says he's going to do.

      Imagine what kind of world it would be if everyone just said what they meant and did what they promised.
      I have sent you a PM. Plse check.



      Zul
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  • Profile picture of the author Robbie B
    I hear you. What is ethical? The only time I came across the term was when I started listening to Tiffany Dow and even now I think she's the most ethical person online.

    I had a site a while back in the health niche. However, I hand-picked 4 of the products listed in Clickbank and 2 of them were the same product, listed at different prices on different sites.

    Ever since finding that out, I like to buy as a customer to see what's happening in the back end.

    Even the dating niche. The biggest seller in there, seems ethical, but is it? I got the review guide but then I went and bought it to get on the "Buyers List". OMG. Talk about going overboard with an auto-responder.

    Needless to say I stopped promoting it.

    There's helping people and then there's helping yourself.

    Desperate for money isn't an accuse. Greed's the only word for it. I'm in hard times but I don't recommend garbage. I put things together, prioritize and then select the most efficient way to go forward.

    Approach with a clear head when your not desperate and you know exactly what you need to do and where to focus.

    Organize and prioritize is the way I keep to my own ethics.
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  • Profile picture of the author MilkerFocus
    But nothing is totally ethical.
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    I agree 100% with you O.P. I to owas shocked by these WSOs about creating info products you know nothing about...Still many think it's fine.

    If i went to see a cancer specialiast i'd be horified if their education was Yhoo answers....Another reason not to trust any info product on tyhe Net these days!
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    • Profile picture of the author Qamar
      Originally Posted by sloanjim View Post

      If i went to see a cancer specialiast i'd be horified if their education was Yhoo answers...
      LOL, that was hillarious!



      Zul
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    Like Shawshank redemtion..."ask everyone in here is they are guilty or innocent" and everyone says innocent..Knowing full well otherwise. I guess they have to even kid them-selves.

    Mum asks son "what do you do for a living?"

    "I sell crap B*S*, dreams in the form of info products to suckers..."

    "Oh i am so proud of you....."

    Then why the heck I keep seeing people claiming to be one?
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    Sadly in the past 12 months or so I have come across so many scammers it's unblievable....It does show without fear of the law how many people will act.

    Biz has to be done with the force of the law behind it or it's waste of time and money. Bit like having a"honesty box" in Nigeria.
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    Sadly yes. How long is a price of string?

    Some see all methods as fair game..if they can get away with it they'll do it...

    So an ethical marketer is actually a subjective term?
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  • Profile picture of the author hmartin90
    One thing that we don't think about often in the IM business is that we are "Marketers" in a broader sense. Do you think that advertising agency's try every product that they promote. NO. They rely on other experts and testimonials to create a product value image.
    So, for instance, if you are using amazon as an example, think about the reviews. If you focus on high quality items that have a lot of positive reviews and you use those reviews to draw a conclusion, I think that is a viable way to market. You have proof, through reviews, that the product has value in the experience of others and you utilize that to create a "Marketing" campaign.
    I guess my point is, when looking at the ethical side of marketing it is important to understand "lying" and referencing reliable sources.
    That said, it is always better to try the product before you promote it if possible. I have one affiliate product that is a tool that I use. I love it and it comes across when I promote it. There is no substitute for that type of marketing, but it does not make the other "unethical" in my opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author Qamar
      Originally Posted by hmartin90 View Post

      So, for instance, if you are using amazon as an example, think about the reviews. If you focus on high quality items that have a lot of positive reviews and you use those reviews to draw a conclusion, I think that is a viable way to market. You have proof, through reviews, that the product has value in the experience of others and you utilize that to create a "Marketing" campaign.
      I guess my point is, when looking at the ethical side of marketing it is important to understand "lying" and referencing reliable sources.
      There are some truths in your opinion. However, the difference is in the way you present your reviews.

      Remember these reviews are not yours to begin with and which you got from actual customers.

      If you write it in such a way that you did not implied to have been using it yourself, I think its alright because you are writing based on the reviews you got from actual customers.

      But the ethical thingie will come into play when someone wrote the product reviews they got from other people as though they have tried the product themselves. This is what actually happening to many marketers. I have been in this line for quite sometime and have made such mistakes too.

      You know what I mean? If this actually happens, what this means is that the product reviewer is actually lying to his website visitors.

      But then again, as the term ethical is rather subjective, I guess one can actually give any kind of reasons to justify their actions. Nobody will know their true intention but themselves.


      Zul
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  • Profile picture of the author David Crossland
    And what about all those marketers promoting Amazon products?

    Have they checked that Amazon really are offering the lowest price on every product that they promote?

    And when the next big launch comes around are we being ethical by all using the same prewritten emails provided by the vendor?

    There has been lots of debate recently when a WSO is launched with an OTO that isn't declared upfront. What do you think about that?

    However, let me ask, if it's your product that you're launching and you had a chance to make more money with an OTO would you do it?

    And if you didn't have a product for an OTO would you use an affiliate product instead? Without checking the product beforehand?

    And what about all those bonus products that are offered with a paid for product when really the bonuses require you to sign up to someone elses list! Is that ethical?

    And then there's the registration pages that you have to complete after purchasing. All promising you updates when probably that's not really true. Is it just another way to get you on a list?

    And why do marketers ask you to complete a post purchase registration form including your home address and/or telephone number?

    And what about those sneaky trial offers? You sign up for, perhaps, $5 only to find that there is then a monthly ongoing charge of something like $30. Of course, you can cancel at any time!!

    Scarcity??? We are all taught to use this tactic to get people to buy now. Is this ethical?

    And the list goes on. Have you any examples of stuff that is questionable (although you may do it)?
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Yet another thread that's practically designed to invite the "Everyone's a crook" idiots.

    /thread
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