Accountability - What happened to it?

It was 11:30 pm when the email arrived. It was from a person I
had heard of, and it was promoting this "new" program that would
be the next rage on the internet. Anxiously I sped over to the 
site to checked it out. For some reason once I read the pitch, I
just wasn't comfortable with all of the "whys and hows" of the 
program.

In the coming 2 weeks I watched as the program sped over the
internet, everyone was joining. Sadly about 1 week after that, I
watched as the many members of the program started to post
negative comments and how they were not making any money.

The worst part is, many invested money, time and promotion
efforts into a program that "seemed" too good to be true, but 
yet promised great results and potential profits.

Even more sad is the fact many couldn't afford it.

Why did they do this then, when it seemed to good to be true?
Because "someone referred" them to the program.

How many times do we see the above scenario happening
today?

Look, I'm no guru or well known marketer and maybe have no
place to even write this article, however I have made a VERY
comfortable living from the Internet for the past four years.

During that time I have only referred a program 2 or 3 times,
and fortunately they are still around today generating profits
for the owners and members.

My concern is what has happened to good old research and
investigating a program before just shooting out emails to all 
your friends and family?

Why is it so many fall prey to the emotions of "GET IN EARLY"
and have all those sign up in your downline or whatever?

Why is it many don't consider the "after math" if their referral
turns out to be a bomb instead of a treasure chest?

Now that's not to say they are completely to blame, it goes
further than that. It goes to the originators and founders of
the program as well.

WHERE is the accountability we once so valued?

What about the trust other's put in us and our referrals, words,
and examples we set?

Do many people no longer think about the long term effects
of their referrals? What about the next time they refer a
product or program, do you think the sheep will be as quick
to follow? How does this affect you as a long term business
person?

What happens the next time these owners or founders attempt
to start a new program?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not targeting any specific program
or product of late, hey, there are plenty of great programs,
products, newletters, and people that promote them. The
Internet has leveled the field of business and commerce and
afforded many the ability to make a great living online.

Instead I'm targeting the whole concept of accountability and 
our responsibilty as marketers, no make that "as people" to 
those that trust us!

I'm just asking you to think, investigate, ask questions and 
confirm before shooting out a quick referral from a hot tip.

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Written by Gary Knuckles
BudgetWare, Inc. Copyright 2003
http://www.budgetware.com
Creator of Internet Information Manager software
to help you manage all your information.
http://www.internetinformationmanager.com
Feel free to reprint in your newsletter provided
this resource box is included.
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