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One thing you don’t hear talked about very often in affiliate marketing is ethics. There is a sleazy underbelly in the affiliate marketing industry. For every good thing said about affiliate marketing, there are many more negative things said. Affiliate marketing is an enormous business. Most prominent businesses on the internet use some form of affiliate program today. So how can it have such a bad reputation?

Affiliate marketing is a highly competitive business and many affiliate marketers resort to cut throat methods of making sales. In addition, some of the companies are frauds. You’ve heard it before, I’m sure … “get rich overnight with little or no work on your part.” Using trickery and deceptive promises isn’t a good way to build your reputation or a sustainable online business. Every business owner knows you have to work hard and invest time to gain real results.

In addition, some affiliate marketers use such methods as cookie stuffing and, as in the example screenshot of Blackmaskmarketing (now taken down), outright theft of commissions that were rightfully earned by another marketer. Little wonder that affiliate marketing is a dirty word to some, with landing pages like that one available. This was being sold with resell rights and already Google had tons of scammers hawking it.

Just because you’re on the Internet and can often work anonymously, doesn’t mean you give up your moral compass. Build your relationships as if you were face to face. Sell products that give value to your customers. Lies, deceit and trickery are not the way to build a good reputation or a sustainable business. It might be good for a fast buck and I know that is all some affiliate marketers are looking for, but if you’re building something more, hard work and honesty will go farther to achieving your long term goals. Set a good example and mentor others to help them achieve their goals, and in return you will be successful yourself.

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