Ethical Marketing: The Balloon Boy

As I watched the news of the now-infamous “balloon boy” and his spotlight-crazy parents, I started to think about how easy it is to slip into that habit once you’ve had  a taste of the air up top.

This same insanity can take over a business-owner when they get a taste of success. You always want to get back to that point, and to an extent, that’s good. That’s what the free-market economy is based on, and it should be a part of your business strategy to strive for more…but at what cost?

Dishonest, invasive and scare-tactic methods have always been a vice of the marketing world, but with the anonymity that comes with internet sales and marketing, it’s all too easy to get caught up.

Sneaking in sales offers, the “you have to buy this product to access that report, and by the way you really need that report” window, hidden fees, etc. The list is endless.

But at some point, we have to sit back and ask “am I being honest with my customers?” because even though you’re selling online, you’re still selling to real people.

There are lots of ways to maintain a successful business and client relationships while staying ethical. And shouldn’t that be what we strive for?

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