I hope you know that you made your self look really stupid now. Read the full thread and not just one post!
No Jdog. What others do, can ruin everyone's work. I, other affiliates, and affiliate managers know that... If some scammers promote a certain program, another people, even honest, that promotes the same thing will be put on the same bag. They will think that you are like the other guys before that were this and that.
I understand that, but their is no point in worrying about stuff that you cannot control. There is fraud, shoplifting and cheaters in every industry. I understand it's frustrating, but minimize your risk and move on.
Oh, this is nothing that make me loose nights of sleep I just want some people to read this and understand that what they do affect us all. Of course they don't care, but at least we gave our opinion... Or maybe some of them, will think twice? It would be worth it
Jdog, you are smarter than that. Because those other people cost me money. If someone is doing something dishonest or breaking the rules and competing against me they are taking money from me. I have a vested interest to see them properly dealt with as then I get the money. A live and let live mentality is juvenile and financially stupid. If I am going to play by the rules, I am not going to tolerate someone else breaking those same rules and doing it in my space.
I think I am being misunderstood (or I suck at writing which is probably more accurate). All I am trying to say is that if you spend more time on a witch hunt (like a lot of people on here, not necessarily the op), than you are on your stuff that is also financially stupid. If you find someone that is doing something that is wrong or is hurting your bottom line than you need to do something about it. I just think that a lot of people get way to caught up in what others are doing that doesn't affect you at all and will not help you make more money. Does that make sense?
It is long past the point that affiliate marketers had a validation or certification program that wasn't just one of these "send your money in and we'll give you a seal" programs. It's time online affiliate marketers had a program that would put the BBB Online Reliability Program to shame. I am talking about a memeber supported .org with elected members who review websites who have filed an application for certification based on a set of rules which can be set by the original (charter) members, but voted on periodically once the membership begins to build. I'm talking about this same organization to periodically review member sites for any violations, and if found, these violations go before a review board of member-elected officials. This organization could issue a website seal that is no "gimme" and gains and receives the respect and trust of other affiliate marketers and those who would be our potential customers. Would this be the perfect answer? No. No human organization is. But, it would be a start to really "cleaning up" the affililiate "drift wood", "wannabes", and "predators". I offered a framework for such an organization on this and other forums a while back and the idea was shot down, but I was not discouraged amd believe a time will come for a certification organization for affiliate marketers and their websites that governs and controls the profession in a spirit of entrepreneurialship and consumer trust. Any party interested in developing such an organization can contact me. I'm not going to waste time here complaining about those who make the affiliate marketing profession "look bad", for whatever reason, but I will appeal to those who are really serious about changing things. Anyone interested? Jim
Jim, your idea is pretty good, I wouldn't shoot it down. Until the end of the month I'm pretty busy, and I'll have to travel, but when I come back I'll look into it.
Just found an interesting article, that is related with this topic. Posting fake reviews may become a crime at some countries, especially in Europe. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1361968.ece But we haven't seen the last of posts like "I just found this..." made by the business owner or employee. Some countries will always accept shady practices.
Not everyone I always try to advise the best, and I don't really care much about money, believe it or not. The important thing for me his my reputation. Being successful on the internet is a way for it. I reinvest all the money I get, never spent much with myself. So I don't push anything to make a sale. Just want to give good advice, and helpfully make some money out of it. My teaching background supports me. I want to make money, teaching and helping.