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 check 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 join 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 almost 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 others 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 responsibility 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 of your marketing & internet information.
http://www.internetinformationmanager.com

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