But that doesn’t mean I don’t also see real problems with a deluge of too much general advise and not enough drilling down into niches and situational issues.

Information and opportunity is fracturing at an alarming rate, so should punditry.

-T

This applies to both the IMers and their critics. Just as I believe the marketing industry has a responsibility to work more diligently toward raising its standards, I believe that the critics must also strive for integrity in their own efforts. Just as all marketers aren’t complicit in deceiving and fleecing unwary customers, neither are all critics bitter, jealous individuals, following some vindictive agenda.

Until both sides get past their efforts to create and vilify a strawman rather than observe, acknowledge, and address the shortcomings in their own community, and commit to working for a greater and more inclusive agenda, we’ll end up with little more than a continuing shouting match. And despite the immediate gratification that both “sides” apparently enjoy, nothing truly positive can come of the myopic behavior I describe.

I think if one is willing to do some rudimentary research and attempt to look objectively at what most of the “guru bashers” are saying, it would become clear that the “jealousy” factor is simply not a valid factor in many cases. By abandoning summary dismissiveness and defensiveness in favor of objectivity and transparency, some real problems would be brought to light and could hopefully be diminished. Such an effort would benefit not only consumers, but the IM industry itself.

To date, there has been more energy expended in issuing those dismissive, defensive responses than in addressing and attempting to solve problems. Some particularly unethical marketers (whom, as it turns out, have many skeletons in their own closets) even issue thinly-veiled (but empty) threats to “expose” their critics – seeing it as a “game,” but failing to comprehend that it is one they cannot help but lose. When the majority of the IM industry clearly exhibits a genuine commitment to integrity and transparency, and is willing to reject the unethical behavior of the “bad apples,” the public perception – and level of success – of individual IMers will improve significantly. And I see that as a win-win situation.

Jeanette

Where my challenge comes from is from folks who call themselves guru’s and aren’t even good, never mind “guru status”. People who determine that they are guru’s as a marketing ploy or worse yet bash others in order to advance have no place in the community. The sad fact is that their actions are often rewarded.

Leslie, I have no problem acknowledging your guru status as you have put in the time, energy and work into truly becoming one. So “Guru On Girl” Let me know how I can support your efforts!

Let’s face it, in many ways internet marketing is about self promotion. But you don’t have to do that at the expense of others, no matter what their moniker is.

Jeaneete, while you may be right in your assumptions of why people do this, I am guessing that in many cases they don’t realize the power that their words have.

I would view their actions more like a salesman who only has one close. They go with that because it works. When it doesn’t work, they will hopefully adapt.

In my original post I was referring to the sales letters, the “scam sites” you referred to and many forums where anyone with a well-known online reputation are maligned – just because they ARE successful. I am most concerned that it’s become a habit and a pervasive attitude. But looking at many of the responses here, I’m finding even broader concerns.

thanks for your well-stated ideas –

Jeanette