John Reese sent out an email to his affiliates late Friday evening with a firm warning to abide by the TOS of his affiliate program in regards to Traffic Secrets 2.0 promotions. The email specifically addressed "misleading advertising", and threatened termination for affiliates that continued to run such ads.
This is not the first time that John has insisted on maintaining the integrity of his product, and the promotional strategies used to promote his products - specifically Traffic Secrets. Cash-back Rebates are not allowed for the same reason, and there are also limitations on the use of "exclusive bonuses" by his affiliates...
Here is a copy of the email that went out to all affiliates:
I just want to start by saying that there's
a really good chance that this email will
not apply to you. It's only aimed at
a small number of people.(But I want all of our affiliates to read this.)
It's completely against the TOS for our
Affiliate Program to use *misleading*
advertising of any kind.Well, there are several of our affiliates
currently using misleading advertising --
especially with Google AdWords.Anyone that's using 'controversial' and/or
misleading headlines or ads will be
immediately terminated from the affiliate
program if they don't stop running
these ads right away.Stuff like, "John Reese Ripped Me Off"
or "Traffic Secrets Lies" etc. etc.Then of course the ad simply redirects
to someone's affiliate link or a review
page with their affiliate link.Are you running misleading, negative
ads like this? If you are, you have
only a matter of hours to kill all of
these ads or you will be terminated
from the affiliate program.We are working very hard to maintain
the INTEGRITY of our business
and we're not about to condone this
type of misleading marketing.For all of our other affiliates
(most likely like you) that are not
marketing with such tactics...THANK YOU.
Yours For Online Profits,
John Reese
John's own integrity goes unquestioned, but I am continually impressed with his attempt to make a positive mark in the Internet Marketing community.
Best,
P.S. With "launch day" of Traffic Secrets 2.0 behind us, and the discussions of that launch fizzling out, you may still be left with the decision of whether to order a copy of TS2 for yourself. This product is not a limited time offer, but one that will remain on the market - so you still have an opportunity to order a copy if you have not already. See the official site and the incredible offer by John Reese at http://www.trafficsecrets.com/2008
Also See: Traffic Secrets 2.0 Update
About Lynn Terry
I guess his "integrity" didn't go to far. On launch day several of his affiliates sent out emails with headlines like these "Don't buy Traffic Secrets", "Why I'm not recommending Traffic Secrets", "Why you shouldn't buy TS2." They were followed by strong pitches for buying Traffic Secrets through their link. Those headlines and many more I received were as deceptive as could be.
Wonder if he terminated them for using those or because they made him money he looked the other way?
John has a big job on his hands with this issue, no doubt, but he is taking obvious measures to protect the integrity of his product and his company name. I have no doubt we'll be hearing more on this issue over time.
@ Lynn,
Another great post, and one that is needed. Kudos to John for taking action to maintain the integrity of his business. If he doesn't, no one will.
@ Hansel,
I can understand your cynicism to a degree, but unless you know John Reese personally, it's inappropriate to assume he's a jerk and looking the other way when affiliates are doing the very thing that's against his TOS, just because they're "making him money."
First of all, John has a HUGE list of his own. I'm not sure he'd even need affiliates in order to make megabucks on this launch. It's only malcontents among the guru wannabes who are bad-mouthing him. Ask his peers (who are not US, that's for sure) about his reputation. I don't think a single one of them would say anything negative about him. He walks the talk.
As for John's taking action against those affiliates you mentioned, remember he's been traveling in Europe since before the launch. How would he know what his affiliates were going to do ahead of time? And I'm sure he has an affiliate manager who is responsible for overseeing the affiliate program. And until the dust settled, it would have been too chaotic to check the legion of affiliates in anything less than a week. That's where we are now. About one week after launch. And John has just issued his warning.
If you had ever been a part of such a massive launch, you'd have a very different view of the process and be a lot more realistic about what a marketer's affiliates do outside of his/her control. And you would not be so cynical about the marketer. Instead, you'd be on his/her side, applauding a welcome display of integrity, not accusing him/her of looking the other way.
Rick,
I have to say I completely agree with your observation. (Don't faint.)
I've had my share of IM frustrations since 2005, and I've seen lots of changes in that time. I remember when TS 1.0 came out, in fact, and I couldn't afford IT, either. LOL (So sue me, I'm a slow learner.)
There are particular marketers out there - who shall remain nameless at least from my lips - who need clue #2. Fortunately, I've unsubscribed from their lists.
The level of cynicism and burn-out occurring in the Internet marketing marketplace has created an environment where someone as solid as John Reese puts out a warning to affiliates for unethical or "over the top" marketing -
and it is received by many with skeptcism!
As if this is some kind of reverse spin marketing effort to actually excuse bad marketing.
If there was ever a giant clue that people are confused and tormented by the relentless hype and "get rich" stuff - this is it.
Clue #2 - Ethical relationship marketing and showing restraint by NOT promoting every launch, saying what is bad is bad, and being frank about the state of the market is not just the future - it is the now...
Its certainly not just about John Reese, or about product launches - the market as a whole is going through a major turning point. I know you and I discussed this to an extent, Rick.
I've been "calling it" for almost two years now. And a prime example is the latest thread here on ClickNewz which is a discussion among those struggling just to earn $1,000/month online: Struggling To Make $1,000/Month Online?
Also see: The Current State of Internet Marketing
I dont want to sidetrack this thread with those topics, but feel free to leave your comments there if you feel compelled.
Hansel,
Those subject lines aren't as bad as the PPC ads he highlighted. "John Reese Ripped Me Off" is much worse than "Don't Buy TS2" -- in fact, hey - if someone wants to say "Don't Buy" it, John really can't do anything about that.
The reason they used those headlines was because the list owner *knows* that everyone and his mother is gonna promote TS2 -- so, they attempted to do something to stand out.
Arguably, you could say the same for the PPC ads, too, I suppose. But I really think even John would be okay with "Why you shouldn't buy TS2" -- especially if the message goes on to outline some legitimate reasons (don't spend your rent money, you don't have something to sell, etc.)
This also makes me think about the fact that I have some products out there being advertised in the fashion that John mentions. And the person doesn't follow through...
I mean, what's the point in says "4 Minute Money Review" and then just sending them to the sales page???
Or "Harris Fellman Charges Too Much" - and then sends to something that has nothing to do with any of my products?
Eh - you get the idea.
Harris
I actually bought John Reeses TS1 and plopped down my $997 on launch day because of a Carl Galletti email -
Subject: Don't Buy John Reese's Traffic Secrets
Body: ... until you see my bonus.
And he had approximately $300 million dollars in "value" download bonuses. Well, actually he did mail me his lates DVDs from Vegas IMS Whatever year.
I got a lot out of Traffic Secrets - and got to "meet" several people in the audience later like Jeff Johnson.
I ramble...
That subject line worked on me then. Now, if I saw that line I'd just delete it.
Rick "Milhouse Fellman" Butts
We all have to get through our first rodeo or two. Sometimes it's an expensive experience. Eventually we learn which bull to avoid.
Love to all. Stay as sweet as you allmare.
Love this discussion. I too whipped out my credit card for Carl Galletti's letter for TS1 but I definitely knew Carl and had been a fan or I probably would not have. I certainly don't click on PPC ads that try that trick. That seems a waste of time and a reward for bad behavior.
I applaud John's efforts and I am certain he will crack down on the worst offenders, not to walk over free speech but to enforce his TOS. Fair enough. I think that's great to see.
What I can't figure out is exactly how long it's going to take for all marketers to get on board of the future/now and let go of the past (century). Even some of the biggest players are still using the old hype crap and they even seem to be doing it harder and faster (probably because of its diminishing return). Let it go, gentlemen! Embrace the future! Come on in...the water is fine. 🙂
Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman
An interesting update from John Reese yesterday (7/31)... There was some rumbling about about who referred which customer during the 7/15 launch, and John had his team do a full audit and make sure the proper affiliate got credit for the correct sales.
This means some customers (and the commission) got moved from one affiliate to the other.
John Reese decided to compensate BOTH affiliates in the cases a referral was moved. This means he paid out over 100% (2 commissions) on quite a few sales... just to keep things fair.
Another point towards his integrity, for sure 😉