Ethics in Affiliate Marketing

[Roundabout]

I delude myself into thinking Acai berries really might have health benefit, and there might be some people who make some cash from Google. I don't feel I'm scamming anybody.

Have you ever thought that maybe somebody who responded to "Government grant money now!" offer actually paid for the CD full of grant connections, filled out a couple, and actually got some grant money?

For all I know, my marketing efforts really helped some people.

That's how I sleep at night.

 

[mrpanini]

What you might consider is creating an opt-in list and sending them real weight loss (skin care, business opportunity) tips - I sometimes do this to alleviate my guilty conscience).

It also means you can sell them other shit too...

 

[vladb2]

Some affilaite of mine added a terms of service on top of is flog. On TOP.

... I stopped helping him.

Flogs are actually illegal. Its false advertising as you never really used that product and your using fake names/testimonials.

 

[GrindHard]

Kids these days, so emo about making $

 

[msullens88]

 

[Lord B]

I usually find that people who talk about ethics are the ones who usually fail at the game and can't see others making all that money. And you have no idea how many noobs randomly IM me with such idiot questions.

I'd say - fuck the ethics and make the money.

It's not a question of enough, pal. It's a zero sum game, somebody wins, somebody loses. Money itself isn't lost or made, it's simply transferred from one perception to another.

Lou: The main thing about money, Bud, is that it makes you do things you don't want to do.

 

[kimboslice]

Don't kill anyone... unless it triples your conversion percentage.

 

[joshmv]

Mr Gordon, it is your turn. Mr Madison, choose the topic.
I choose Business Ethics.

Mr Gordon, explain business ethics, and how they are applied today.
The, uh, ethics of, uh, business...
..can be summarized in...
Yeah, um...
See...
Ethics are, uh...
You know, the... the thing about ethics...

 

[msullens88]

Mr Gordon, it is your turn. Mr Madison, choose the topic.
I choose Business Ethics.

Mr Gordon, explain business ethics, and how they are applied today.
The, uh, ethics of, uh, business...
..can be summarized in...
Yeah, um...
See...
Ethics are, uh...
You know, the... the thing about ethics...

Ahhhhhh! Bradley Whitford pulls out a gun and points it at Adam Sandler!

Gotta love that movie.

 

[amanda11]

When I push something on the Internet and who's buying it, I think of the asshole who cut me off on the road, or just that really retarded guy that lives down the street...

 

[msullens88]

When I push something on the Internet and who's buying it, I think of the asshole who cut me off on the road, or just that really retarded guy that lives down the street...

Simple yet effective... I like this idea.

 

[Cataclysmic]

Basically the reason I stopped affiliate marketing. Was making good money too, but I felt like an asshole. Even just with dating, ringtones, etc. Which aren't even some of the really bad ones. Whenever someone asked me where I worked I would tell them I am an internet marketer. It sounds pretty badass but then I would always think in the back of my head: "Oh I promote dating sites, acai berriez, and a bunch of other scams."

Care to explain what is unethical about dating websites?

 

[John__N]

money can be made without fooling people. the difference is it takes time. and anyways the money made fast fooling people does harm u in the long run in different ways. so that fast money is not worth the "time saved" making it. i know most people would not agree with me, but thats me and i can say that from personal experience. It does not always harm that quickly but have a honest review on urself over 30-40 years n u can understand that well.

 

[Mr. Websites]

and anyways the money made fast fooling people does harm u in the long run in different ways.

Explain the ways please. And don't say "karma" or any of that crap.

 

[bb_wolfe]

2 things will always be profitable in America... Poverty and stupidity. If you can't grasp that, go back to France with all the other girlymen.

 

[Azam.info]

This shit is business, if you want an ethical career become a nurse or teacher. You can't expect affiliates to play nice while the rest of the business world gets rich. I'm not saying you have to be unethical, but don't fool yourlself into thinking that affiliate marketing is any different than any other business with large sums of money involved.

You make a fair point, but it's unfair to say if you want an ethical career that you should leave affiliate marketing and become a nurse or a teacher. I have been running an affiliate business since 1997 and have always tried to run my business ethically and to the highest standards, even though I know that because of it I make far less money than using short-cut techniques to bring in the $$$$s. I am 'old school' in believing the internet should provide quality resource for surfers, and believe affiliates should produce quality sites that add value to the internet. Also I would never advertise gambling or many of the products out there that harm people's lives. (Maybe that's why some global brands who tell us they would never consider working with the majority of affiliates work with us.)

Nobody is perfect, but there are affiliates who care passionately about the reputation of this industry and are after more than just making a fast buck.

 

[itchy]

ethics are for pussies.

I have been running an affiliate business since 1997 and have always tried to run my business ethically and to the highest standards, even though I know that because of it I make far less money than using short-cut techniques to bring in the $$$$s. I am 'old school' in believing the internet should provide quality resource for surfers, and believe affiliates should produce quality sites that add value to the internet. Also I would never advertise gambling or many of the products out there that harm people's lives.

i rest my case.

 

[fifty]

you wont make money in american aff marketing whilst you still have ethics

just remember , the people who order this acai shit are stupid aswell. everyone knows theres no magic formula to lose weight

 

[Unarmed Gunman]

Everyone knows the best way to lose weight is to get off your ass and put down the twinkies. But people are lazy, so we sell them on Acai.

Everyone knows nothing in this world is free, but they want a handout anyway, so we sell them on grants.

Everyone knows starting your own business is difficult and fraught with failure, but they want easy money from home so we sell them on Bizopps.

Affiliates fill a demand, we don't create it. That's no more unethical than the fat, lazy uneducated fucker that wants everything in life without working for it. If anything, we provide a service - we educate the public one rebill at a time to stop looking for a magic bullet. Get off your ass and work for what you want. To all those consumers I say - You're Welcome.

 

[zimok]

Everyone knows the best way to lose weight is to get off your ass and put down the twinkies. But people are lazy, so we sell them on Acai.

Everyone knows nothing in this world is free, but they want a handout anyway, so we sell them on grants.

Everyone knows starting your own business is difficult and fraught with failure, but they want easy money from home so we sell them on Bizopps.

Affiliates fill a demand, we don't create it. That's no more unethical than the fat, lazy uneducated fucker that wants everything in life without working for it. If anything, we provide a service - we educate the public one rebill at a time to stop looking for a magic bullet. Get off your ass and work for what you want. To all those consumers I say - You're Welcome.

Now that's some rock solid logic. +repootation