Computer Ethics » Ethics On The Internet
Internet Marketing Ethics
I think the Internet Marketing Game is very much one that treads on the fine line between intelligent marketing and blatant deception of your customers. I've always been quite put off by marketers who shamelessly promote affiliate links or their own products through less-than-honest reviews or opinions.
Today, I got another email that caused my blood pressure to rise slightly. And because I'm not here to slam any marketer, I'm not naming him. The purpose of this article is to hopefully, make you guys more aware of the kind of tricks and gimmicks that are prevalent in the Internet Marketing Circle.
The subject title of this email is "Don't buy XXX".
If you're fairly new to the Internet Marketing scene, you would think that it's a warning about a product that's been found to be not up to standards and open it immediately, already feeling grateful that this marketer is being so kind as to write an email to you with no selfish agenda of his own.
Unfortunately, this kind of heading has been abused for far too long, and more often than not, there is a twist to the plot, and the sole purpose of the subject line is to make you open the email.
Inside, you'll maybe see "XXX sucks. Instead, buy YYY." And of course, no email like this is complete without affiliate links inside. Some "clever marketers" go one step further and have the audacity to insert their own affiliate links for even the product that they say sucks, just "in case" the reader goes haywire and decides to purchase against his recommendation.
Today, I recieved another variation of "clever marketing."
Being really cynical, I opened it to see what kind of deception I'll see. Surprisingly, true to his words, he says XXX is actually a product still in production, and the fact that having to opt in just to view the sales page "turns him off." Well, not a very valid negative review, but it set me thinking, "at least it's an honest opinion.."
Until I read on.
This "clever marketer" has actually secured resell rights to the ebook and in the email, tells me that instead of buying from the original author today, I should wait until the product has been released, so that I could buy from the "clever marketer" insteadwhen it's available! And at a discounted price!
Woohoo!
So kind of him eh?
Such audacity.
Source: www.isnare.com