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.