Integrity in Internet Marketing

How important is integrity when it comes to the field of internet marketing? Is this something that one can take sort of semi-seriously?

I don't think so. Integrity is quite necessary in any field of endeavor, but it occurs to me that it might be especially important within the Internet Marketing industry.

The reason?

Easy - from my observations there is a pretty good amount of "slippery" activity in this particular field. Once can get pretty duped if not careful.

Here's a few tips on being able to spot what's really valid, and what is maybe not so honest:

1. Does the opportunity advertise that it's "free" but it doesn't quite make sense how it can be? Some sites advertise the "free" thing without it actually being true - for example, if you sign up for something that is advertised in this way find out first what the actual expenses are before you bite. My experience has been that when you sign up for something that is not actually being direct up-front that it's going to be tough to be successful with it in the long term. (That's based on my own experience and does seem to apply as a general rule.)

2. What do other network marketers think of it? You can find this out by looking at posts on internet marketing forums. (See my notes in the "...Watch What you Step In" post on this blog.) If people have been duped by the program, you'll find out there and will also get all of the details.

3. What are the credentials of the site? When you look at a business opportunity website you can usually find out the credentials of the site at the bottom of the main page. Take a look - if it says "BBB..." or something to that effect, it's probably fine.

4. Does the opportunity sound to good to be true? It probably is. If someone will lie to you up-front (or maybe just not "tell the whole truth") do you think they'll lie later on too? You bet.

OK, that's pretty much what I would do if I were looking for a new opportunity or wanted to check out one that was being advertised to me.

Here's a unique sort of a "flipside" look at this concept of integrity - If you work in an industry that appears to be very untrustworthy but you know that you are honest, helpful, etc., what do you think that might do for you?

This is an interesting look.

I believe that someone who upholds high moral and ethical standards will likely do well in any field in the long-term. But what about IM?

If one is maintaining his/her integrity in this business, I can tell you that that person will do very, very well. This is because of the number of pitfalls people have fallen into - when they find out that you are not a "pitfall" they will work with you and maybe never leave your side.

What can that do for your business?

Think about that. :)


About the Author:

Tonya Brisnehan is a work-at-home mom and successful internet marketer.