How to Deal With The Changing Image of "Internet Marketing"

I just read the article at The Verge titled "Scamworld: 'Get rich quick' schemes mutate into an online monster". The lengthy article and short video shed a pretty dark light on some familiar names-- but most importantly-- on the very concept of Internet marketing as we know it. I suggest everyone here read that article through to the end.

I'm not going to name names or make judgements, but it appears that the richest circle of the Internet marketing community may be getting a bit too greedy and doing some pretty dirty things. Personally, I've never been fond of the self-feeding culture of the "make money online" niche, with Lynn Terry being one of the few exceptions. I think with reports of the use of hard core boiler room callers to IM lists, negative mainstream press and growing FTC attention it's going to be a good idea for those of us attempting to earn an honest Internet dollar to consider distancing ourselves to some degree.

Here are some measures I would suggest:

- Stop using the term "Internet marketing", which I think may soon be entirely synonymous with "scam".

- Aim toward a focus of income from products with clear value. Affiliate marketing of physical products (Amazon, etc.) is the most obvious route here, but just make sure everything you take money for has value. Lynn Terry is the best example of this kind of marketer I know.

- Sever any connections with the well known Internet marketing niche inner circle. Be very careful with your own mailing lists.

- Avoid the temptation to market web products of dubious value from ClickBank and similar places. At the very least, always read the product and know for sure it has value before you push it.

Wade,

Thanks for this post; I hadn't yet read that article. Being new to internet marketing I worry about this too. I've quickly read through Flatley's article and I've previously skimmed through a lot of Jason Jones' work on the Salty Droid. Jason even mentions Lynn in a critical way in at least one post (which I disagree with or I wouldn't be in this forum). I believe the criticism of the IM community is far too broad. There is nothing inherently wrong about doing business on the internet and sales and marketing are essential parts of virtually any business. There are bad eggs in any community whether it be manufacturing, politics, journalism, religion, etc. even internet marketing. I believe Flatley was irresponsible in more or less labeling the whole IM community as a scam, "The term Internet Marketing describes both a particular business model used to sell fraudulent products and services online". That's ridiculous. Does Amazon.com not market on the internet? Are they a scam? This article highlights many concerns (and scary information) but I believe it is also irresponsible with its generalizations. Also, I don't think you should be concerned about using the term "internet marketing"; the internet is the fastest growing sales channel in the world and is a great place ethically market legitimate products to consumers. For example, you can't worry about IM having a bad reputation any more (or any less) than an ethical politician (preacher, banker, CEO, etc) should worry about the bad reputation of unethical individuals in their community.

Thanks Again,
Scott

Well, the Internet is obviously a big thing and the marketplace of the future (as well as the present), but just as there were hustlers taking the unwary in the California Gold Rush days there are those giving certain types of web businesses a bad name today. Sometimes a perfectly sensible expression is a bit too closely associated with the negative side. While it may not entirely be the case yet, I predict the term "Internet marketing" will fall victim to such association. It's been too overused in well funded infomercial campaigns and such. The term is pretty vague at this point, anyway. Almost everything is marketed on the Internet. I can leave it behind.

It's easy enough to describe what you do in more specific terms, such as "affiliate marketing", "associate marketing", "Amazon associate", "website designer", "blogger" or simply "marketer".

It's funny you brought this up, because it's been a strong topic of recent among nline business owners, SEO's, and affiliate marketers. I think the term really is becoming a little corrupt because of the main people pushing it through the wrong methods. I oftentimes call myself an internet marketer, but not in the sense that many affiliate marketers do.

I'm a small business owner of 10 years, I've built a branded business advice blog with a social community, startup business tools, and and many legitimate advice writers, but I do want to distance myself and brand from those who overpromote "internet marketing". Most of these people are get rich quick schemers and blackhat seo's. They don't own a business, they don't produce quality content, or have a trusted online brand. Many are unanonymous, which is a real trademark of shady internet marketing. Unfortunately for good hearted affiliate marketers, the term internet marketer have mostly come to be synonymous with them (Clickbank, Commission Junction, and such).

Others who once called themselves internet marketers are now opting for terms like inbound marketers or internet entrepreneurs. Totally having nothing to do with affiliate marketing, but doing online marketing or brand building through social media, forums, or business blogs to promote a real startup business rather than a commission based program or MLM run by a bigger entity.