‘A Name You Can Trust‘ – now that’s an over-used slogan/tagline if there ever was one. As an internet marketer I can appreciate all forms of marketing. Product sales are what it’s all about. As an honest person with morals and a conscience I appreciate ‘Truth In Advertising‘.
There has been a lot of debate and discussion over ‘Truth In Advertising‘ when it comes to celebrity endorsements. For example, the law says if Catherine Zeta-Jones says she uses T-Mobile she better be using it. Give me a $20 million celebrity endorsement deal (according to AdRants.com) and I’ll sleep with the thing in my ear every night.
That doesn’t mean we have to use or even try everything we sell or endorse, it just say’s we can’t say we do if we don’t. BUT, I take it one step closer and refuse to promote or endorse any product that I haven’t tried and like. That’s why you don’t see me involved in too many joint venture deals or even affiliate programs. Most of them are junk and unless I have personally tried and like a product you will not see it on my sites. The only exception to this rule would be ads such as AdSense since I have little control over that and my automated niche sites. Those are pretty much hands-off self contained sites.
If I recommend you try a program or read a book you can bet I use the program and have read the book. Don’t even hesitate to ask for proof, I’m happy to oblige.
This post is to assure customers that I can be trusted and is not intended to ‘set a standard‘ although it wouldn’t be a bad way to go. How about you, do you like to test drive that latest gadget or program before you push it? No problem if you don’t, most marketers feel confident that the product has been advertised fairly. Others say it’s risk free due to a no questions asked refund policy. That’s all cool, I just want to take that extra step.
Tags: My Self
Yes Brian drive it before I buy it is defiantly the way I like to do business. I have bought too many things some from the recommendations of big name marketers that turn out to be not such a bargain. As a matter a fact I am trying out something right now with a 3 day trial.
I went ahead and shaved my head just to look more trusting. Did it work? I do understand that peoples presentations and expectations are different so I do give some leeway when it comes to a recommendation. Not a problem.
But when it comes to advertising that trusted people have endorsed your product when they haven’t, That’s got to hurt!
Brad West ~ onomoney
Brad West´s last blog ..Make a Turning Point in Your Life and Join the Alliance of Prosperity!
Hey Brad, that shaved head – not bald
is a good look for you. Very trusting.
I’m right there with you when it comes to buying up junk products promoted by big name marketers. I have a hard drive full of garbage that I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on. I’m very careful now and ignore the mega product launches.
Brian Hawkins´s last blog ..Chasing The Guru Ghost
I fully agree, I hardly buy anything from Internet Marketers anymore because I am sick of the crap…. How many people promoting Keyword Elite 2 actually purchased it?… Well I did in the end so that if I feel like promoting it in the future I have grounds to do so. It’s an ok program but worth about 1/4 of the fake hype it received.
Now one thing I have been doing on some niche sites is providing links to products but clearly stating that I don’t own it. I’m just bringing the info to the niche readers. I don’t endorse these… I just say here are some products in the niche and here is what they say they do and where you can buy them…. Anyone who does buy through my links and if I can get there mailing address… I thank them and remind them of their right to get their cash back if the product is crap…
Forest´s last blog ..Garlic Bread Recipes
Hello All,
I think one of my biggest problems is not being able to sell what I do not personally use. I’ve been on a search for years to find products to sell.
Like Forest said about the Keyword Elite; so much big hype & then I feel let down when I see or use the actual product that I don’t really feel like promoting.
I have pushed products that I am not even an affiliate for IF I think they are great. I only know they are great because I use them. I make no money but, I have given others a chance to find something useful.
I love those that push stuff they don’t use – I like to ask them questions & see the stupid replies (normally the same ad they sent out).
Ok, I am keeping this short.
PS. I shaved my legs! Not to look more trust worthy but, so Animal Control would stop driving by & trying to dart me.
Sheryl Loch´s last blog ..Get More From Your Article Title on Blogs
Nothing pisses me off more than people that endorse crap that they haven’t actually tried. I go as far as to make sure that we test every single one of our tanning lotions in house BEFORE they ever hit the shelves for sale.
It says, “You can trust us”.
Extreme John´s last blog ..12 Search Engine Optimization Tips
@Forest Exactly Forest, Internet Marketers are getting a very bad rep with all the hype and crap. Sounds like you have a handle on it, that’s great. We need some honest marketers.
@Sheryl I’ve seen you do it Sheryl. Not shaving your legs but promoting something without an affiliate link
I believe that John and I bet that reputation pays off now. Hard to understand how so many mega marketers can’t see that or just don’t care. I guess their lists are so big they can afford to screw everyone that breaks out the payment processor.
Brian Hawkins´s last blog ..Chasing The Guru Ghost
I agree, I do try to use any product that I write about on my blog. For example, the sittercity post that you commented on, I tried it and knew how great it was, so I am happy to share that information (and get the affiliate commission if someone purchases it !) I think your approach is a good one. I think it is so much easier to talk about a product you really know about!
Toddler Craft Onna´s last blog ..Rocketship Craft – A fun Preschool Craft!
Absolutely Onna, It’s obvious you hold the same principles as I do when reading your blog. You know the details about the products that only come with use and experience. Good point.
BTW, I am completely pro-profit, pro-business and pro-affiliate. There’s nothing wrong with earning a profit to endorse a product or service you believe in. That’s what it’s all about.
As a customer rather than an affiliate marketer, I appreciate seeing people promote things that they have actually tried and actually approve of. It’s often obvious when people are just faking it, and it really makes me question the quality of the product because how good can it be if the person selling it didn’t even bother buying it? Other times, I’ll see someone promoting a much less hyped product but they have an honest review because they actually tried it. I’m much more likely to buy that one even if it is less well known. -Mike
Miami Movers´s last blog ..Atlanta Movers