What ever happened to INTEGRITY in internet marketing?

Posted on 03. Feb, 2009 by Charles in Internet Marketing

I am NOT going to try to recommend anything or
sell you on a new product or program today.

What I have for you is something that I brought
home from Karate class and it touched me in such
a way that I thought that you my loyal readers would
appreciate it as much as I did.

Every month the Karate School picks a word for their
students to learn and put to good use.

This might sound like a crazy thing for me to write
about today, however, even though we know this word
and understand it, I thought the following quotes were
worth sharing.

The Word of the month is INTEGRITY

“Real Integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that
nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.”
Oprah Winfrey — In Good Housekeeping

“I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very
best each and every day.” Abraham Lincoln

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try
to become a man of value.” Albert Einstein

I know the above words do not have anything to do
with search engine optimization and developing
traffic.

Yet, at the same time, they are very important in
your efforts in marketing.

As a marketer, you have a real responsibility to
share products and promotions that can solve a need
for others.

If in turn you offer less than stellar products or offer them
at a price that does not meet the test of fairness, you
actually can hurt your good reputation.

We start out with a good name. It is something that
should be guarded with every ounce of might in your soul.

Once something happens that could be questioned as
unfair or immoral or unethical, it can be very hard to restore
your integrity in the eyes of the public, in this case your
buyers.

This is one of the reasons that I offer the guarantees on
my products and programs that I do. I really do not want
to entice any one to purchase something that they are
unhappy with or feel they can not use.

I encourage each and every one of you, regardless of
where you are in your internet career to live by those words
above and you will never have to worry about the income
coming in.

Thanks for letting me share this with you today, I hope
you found it to be as worthwhile as I did.

Talk Soon,
Charles Kirkland

Your Internet Marketing Questions Answered I just posted this killer podcast where I have...

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79 Responses to “What ever happened to INTEGRITY in internet marketing?”

Lionel

03. Feb, 2009

You are absolutely right about the word Integrity, and it’s truly refreshing to hear a top internet marketer like yourself using and talking about such a word in your blog.
Lisa Preston

03. Feb, 2009

Hey, Charles…

Thanks for the heads up on your blog post with that email you sent me. I think it’s vital that marketers take a serious look at all they do, and make sure they are keeping their reputations sparkly.

The internet is an anonymous world, and you have only your integrity by which everything you do is measured. In our business, you can have a stirling reputation for years, and one blunder can cost you forever.

Keep up the awesome work!

Cheers -
Lisa Preston
Nicolas

03. Feb, 2009

Good morning,

Bravo for Integrity !

The mails that I receive contains always the same words :
make money, massive profits, six or seven figures, best traffic ………..

Speak on quality of informations, regard for customers ….
Thanks for your mail.

Nicolas.
PS : I read English, but it is more difficult to write !
Rangarajan Chakravarthi

03. Feb, 2009

Hey Charles,

Great stuff man! Spread this message far and wide across the internet. You are damn well right.

We have no right to “offer less than stellar products or offer them at a price that does not meet the test of fairness”. Very well said.

Wish you a great reputation that will be envy of many.
Scott

03. Feb, 2009

Charles,

There are too many self appointed Guru’s on the web today that live by the mantra WIIFM (what’s in it for me). We all have seen the promises and false guarantees that have been widely circulated.

What sets you above and apart from the majority today is that you have never forgotten what it was like to “grovel” and really work for every penny that you brought in. That is very refreshing.

It seems that many of the guru experts don’t have time anymore for the small guy that bought their products in the first place.

In all my dealings with you, you have been straight up and honest. That in itself is something that is rare in the internet world.

I think the post about integrity should be sent “round the world” because too many folks have forgotten what it is like to do business on their word.
charles

03. Feb, 2009

Hi Lionel.

Its seems that marketers often overlook what got them to the top after they get there. Then they wonder why nobody wants anything to do with them.

Charles
charles

03. Feb, 2009

Hi Lisa

Everybody if you are looking for some real info about online marketing Lisa & Tony are the real deal. Check out there forum http://ablakeforum.com/

Talk soon,
Charles
charles

03. Feb, 2009

Hi Nicolas,

It seems that most marketers look at people on there email list’s as nothing more then a walking ATM machine and do nothing but send pitch after pitch of useless junk hoping for a sale. If you get a email from me about anything you can always count on it being something that I would use myself.

When I first starting building my list I sent out a email for a big marketer “you would know the name if I told you” without reviewing the offer.

I didn’t know they were going to be run through 5 OTO’s and 5 downsells. I was so mad about this. I also got tons of people emailing me back with some nasty words.

This is one mistake that I’m never going to make again.

Thanks
Charles Kirkland
charles

03. Feb, 2009

Hi Scott,

Scott is one dude that everybody here needs to keep a eye on, he is going to make a huge splash in the IM work this year like Rich Schefren did a few years ago.

Thanks
Charles
Savannah

03. Feb, 2009

Hello,
Each and everyone of you above this post took the words right out of my mouth. For two years I have worked and scraped to be able to afford getting myself off the ground as a IM. I took the chance and jumped on many offers, empty offers and empty dreams for my family.

I haven’t gave up yet, however I can say I am not ignorant any longer and have caught onto their empty words! Shame on them for trying to take our dreams away especially when they were suppose to help us achive our dreams.

To Charles: Thank you for your Blog, I hope many people will see it. So sad that lost integrity and gained greed is why our Nation on this day is suffering in so many ways. Please forward to the North, South, East and West.
The Medical Billing Mastermind

03. Feb, 2009

Charles,

It’s funny that you are speaking about Integrity because as a mentor, teacher, author and web marketer my integrity is always in question until I prove myself to those that are in search of advice.

Just the other day I received an angry email from someone who visited my website and decided to download a free gift that I have been giving away (with on problem I might add) since the middle of 2008. They were seconds short of calling me a cheat, a liar and without saying it leaned to saying that I might even use their credit card information that they used to purchase something additional from within the manual. My Integrity was on the line.

After reading your post it dawned on me that Integrity takes on different forms and I remembered how I handled the situation. I responded to their email quickly, I asked them for a thorough explanation of what happened, asked for any correspondence they had received after using their credit card, gave them my home number so we could speak one-on-one, I addressed this issue with the party that gives out the free information, emailed my findings to the angry customer and finally called them back to discuss my findings.

To my surprise my Integrity shined so brightly that the same angry customer called up one of the other affiliate programs that I endorse on my website and told the President/Owner of the business that I referred them, how much they respect my word and that they were ready (with the same credit card mind you) to purchase their online course for $700 (which I get a cut of). WOW!!!

What really makes me happy is that the President/Owner of that particular affiliate program sent me a glowing thank you email for the sale and went on to say that our industry in it’s entirety is starving for more people with the Integrity I continuously emit.

It’s good to know that as long as you are truthful and try to help out even in situations where you don’t want too that you will be seen by those you help (and those who you might never have noticed) to be a person that they would go out of their way to help whether physically, mentally or financially.

Thanks for your post because it will make sure that I put my Integrity on a pedestal and treat with the respect it deserves.

Paul
Scott Bradley

03. Feb, 2009

Charles,

Thank you for the kind words above, however I just wanted to add a thing or two to what has been said about that one item integrity.

There is another word that goes hand in hand with integrity and that is honesty. From reading your emails for some time now, I have realized you are a true person.

Please let me explain. Your success has not gone to your head. SEO Codebreaker has been a real hit with the internet marketing community and you are the driving force behind it. You have always been up front and honest with your readers and that by itself is a rare commodity.

I have dabbled in internet marketing and affiliate programs for some time, all the while losing my hard earned money… even to the point of going into debt more than I would like to admit.

All the while, I was getting deeper and deeper, I kept getting and trying the next idea that I was offered from the Guru’s. Everyone knows who they are, we don’t need to mention any names.

Yet, when I came across your course I found something different. I found someone that immediately I could relate to. Your way of communicating in plain language was the key that has made the difference.

I really recommend your programs to anyone that will listen and frankly in my humble opinion with the guarantees that you offer, they would be crazy not to take advantage of them.

Keep up the good work.
Deborah

04. Feb, 2009

Charles,

Oprah said it the way I heard years ago,

personal integrity: when you are good even when no one is looking.

thanks for the post, this world needs more integrity!

Deborah
Jeff Alderson's Clickbank Cash Dominator

06. Feb, 2009

[...] about Integrity. Do you think I would have the replays that I did if Jeff or I sold junk products? What ever happened to INTEGRITY in internet marketing? | Charles Kirkland Check out this WSO and look at all the people who are praising the product. FREE VIDEOS – How I [...]
Kelvin

10. Feb, 2009

What can I say but AMEN to all that you’ve mentioned …

One can be rich but without integrity, there is no WEALTH.

Cheers.
royal kritzberger

16. Feb, 2009

hey charles how about makeing money i do not here any buddy talk about it !!! and help peaple get started with there web site !!!! there are peaple that are no to good with computers like me so can you help out?????
shaun

16. Feb, 2009

ow jeez, you’re kidding right, haha
Like this stuff needs to be spelled out these days??

If so, we’re in worse shape than I thought, this is kindergarten integrity, you should have learned that stuff at a very young age and been practising it ever since.

Well it’s very holy getting this stuff from karate lessons and Oprah, kinda makes me wonder what parenting is like in the states.

Anyway, things are going to go pretty wacko, pretty soon, so good luck with everything, just try to be flexible.
Lee Wheeler

16. Feb, 2009

“Integrity”, that’s a joke on the Internet.
As a perfect example I have just had over
$2000.00 stolen from me by a so called “guru”
whose sites are crowded with testimonials from
“big name” people whom I formally believed to be
honest.

When I dug a little deeper into this
man’s reputation he’s an habitual thief,
scammer and liar. Takes one’s money, does nothing
and then doesn’t even bother to answer emails.

Let’s not pretend that the marketers are
interested in anything more than their own
pockets and with the recession deepening
its just going to get worse. With nothing
fresh to peddle, any “new” product introduced
to the public is either chopped up and dribbled out to the purchaser with subscription payments or one is lured to the site at a minimal price only to discover that the OTO page, presents the real, full package at four or five times its worth.

With interest rates at an all time low, the marketers are going to ensure that they hang onto the Porsches and million dollar mansions, regardless. If scamming you and I it part of the deal then, that is too bad but don’t EVER combine the word “integrity” with anyone pushing products
at you on a daily basis.

To whom did I lose my money – I believe in naming names, Gary Baker – his promise – to give me twelve months of money making websites.

(“You’ll be happy with your new,
profitable business and will make profits from it for years to come.”)

When he didn’t deliver, I asked for my money back but I have the feeling that it will be a cold day in Hell before I ever see a penny of it.

You have been warned!

Integrity. Ha!
Scott

16. Feb, 2009

I would really like to comment on Lee’s comment above. Why do you think that Charles has posted this on his website? It is because of the old saying “one bad apple can ruin the barrel”

That being said, it is not fair to lump together all marketers because someone took advantage of you.

I am truly sorry that you got taken advantage of, personally I recently got taken for a $3,000 program which I am very upset about, however, I do not blame any one but myself because I believed what was told to me. I should have done more research instead of going with my “gut” feeling.

I hope that you can get your money back, however please for your sake and everyone else, don’t give up or lump every marketer in the same batch.

Stay tuned, I know that Charles will have some really good information for everyone regarding marketing and why certain folks are able to get you to respond in a particular fashion.

Hoping you have a very successful day,

Scott
Wes

16. Feb, 2009

Well said !

As a motivational reminder, your message is a nicely crafted ‘breath of fresh air’ in the IM world.

- Wes
Lee Wheeler

16. Feb, 2009

Chris, your response is fair but now we delve into the nasty trick where the marketers are punishing their friends and rewarding the dead beats.

I go to a site and am offered a product by a marketer that I trust and, make the purchase at FULL price. However, the person who isn’t really interested and who leaves the page is offered a $10 – $20 discount. Nice marketing; bad treatment of loyal customers!

As a final note, maybe you could spare the $3000 that you lost but as a 74 year old pensioner, I live on $2000 a month and that money I parted with represented a chunk of change to me. I didn’t expect to make a million dollars with his program but enough to help pay the heating bills would have been nice.

“Its said that you can’t cheat an honest man” but you sure as heck can on the Internet.
Lee Wheeler

16. Feb, 2009

The last final note on this from me. . . I did check out Gary and his sites carried testimonials from :

Yanik Silver

Len Thurmond,

Willie Crawford

You can’t get better than that!
John Maroon

17. Feb, 2009

Please send me more information on how i can make money with my website.
Thank You,
John Maroon
Scott

17. Feb, 2009

John,
Stay tuned… I am certain that you will be able to glean some really good material about how you can make some money with your website or blog. I can say with 100% confidence that the material that will be posted is done with the utmost integrity and sincere wishes for readers to succeed. I know that from my dealings with Charles and he is an up-front guy that will not mislead you.
Scott
charles

17. Feb, 2009

Hi John

You will be getting emails from me telling you how to make more money in a shorter amount of time. Just do what I tell you and that’s it.

Talk soon
Charles
charles

17. Feb, 2009

Hi Wes

Its seems that telling the truth is something most people have forgotten how to do.

Charles
Scott

26. Feb, 2009

Funny thing is about the internet and marketing… all things can be tracked one way or another. Both Charles and I have tried to show our integrity by sharing good tips and timely tricks to use when starting a business.

The tools we have recommended in the following blog posts really work and are simple to use, however it seems that folks want to whine and complain more than use them.

I don’t mean to sound brash, however there are some folks that you really can not please and frankly to be somewhat associated with some of the not to truthful or only in it for a buck type of marketers I know that Charles and I resent those type of thoughts and remarks.

Do not fool your self into thinking that marketers do everything for free. They have to eat as well and we have been sharing with our readers tips that they can use and benefit from.

Scott
Ante

10. Apr, 2009

Yaaaaawn
Ante

10. Apr, 2009

Elefanten till kamelen:
- Varför har du pattarna på ryggen?
- Jävligt dum fråga från den som har sin snopp mitt i fejset…
Ólöf

13. Apr, 2009

Heyyy
Babu Hillary

13. Apr, 2009

I know little in computing and find it difficult to proceed after a while. Only thing draged me ( I am a pensionar) towards this was passing of time while earning.
Brent Crosby

03. Jun, 2009

It’s about time someone spoke up!!
All I really have to say is

THANK YOU!!!!!
charles

03. Jun, 2009

Hi Brent

I’m glad you liked it.
Chris Harris

03. Jun, 2009

Well I must say that this is what I needed to hear. I have been being a “newbie” buying stuff that was marginal at best. I believe that I.M. should have standards. But the fact is it doesn’t. Most who are out there are attempting to make a living, while others are making a killing. I would have been happier than today if the thousands I spent on education had returned even half as much as I paid. The fact is that there are too many hucksters and snake oil I.M. people. It makes the whole group look bad. It looks like a giant conspiracy to relieve folks of their cash, while making support something to “outsource” with little or no response. This is not true with those who really believe in the process. Thanks for introducing a word that is rarely used and not often practiced.
herbert gray

03. Jun, 2009

hi
my name is herbert gray the entire globe needs integrity without that we become less human you
cant expect happiness when you bring misery to other people,s lives and as we know you reap exactly what we sow so in sowing seeds only sow
the seeds you want to grow because beyond colour
class race or creed religion is human beings we all
need love to grow
joe markovich

04. Jun, 2009

charles, i am impressed with your stuff. my office is in ridgeville,sc. if you get a chance come on by and we can talk further about your program. dr joe ps located in ridgeville town hall next to dhec. jpm 843-568-1312
charles

04. Jun, 2009

Hi Joe

I have a local mastermind group in Charleston, I let you know when we meet again.

Charles
Alice

05. Jun, 2009

Very interesting! Integrity is as old as the human
race. A few 1000 years ago a quote was made….
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

So… when we all get our websites and lists of thousands we must remember when… we were scammed and not do it to anyone else coming into this crazy business after us.

Then we can say I did my honest best to help the rest.
It’s really the only way to be happy and proud of your accomplishments.

Thank you Charles!
rusliesophian

14. Jun, 2009

Integrity is still honesty. Even though thru’ the Internet, we still need to be honest in order to uphold our integrity.
Randy Taylor

14. Jun, 2009

You hit the nail on the head. who wants to do business with someone who is just in it for themselves? Integrity is key and when people see it in you, you most likely have ongoing relationships with yor customers. A good Christian attribute.
sharon Govender

18. Jun, 2009

INTEGRITY
GONE ARE THE DAYS WHERE INTREGRITY MATTERS. HONESTY WAS A VERY IMPORTANT WORD IN MY DICTIONARY AND HAS DIED TOGETHER WITH INTEGRITY. TODAY PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE COOL WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE INTEGRITY AND I THINK THAT SUCKS
sharon Govender

18. Jun, 2009

I THINK IF ARE A TRUE CHRISTIAN AND U PRACTICE WHAT U PREACH, THEN INTEGRITY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR U TO HAVE
sharon Govender

18. Jun, 2009

I GLAD U AGREE AND U LOVE IT

THANK U !!!!
Masaud Ahmed

22. Jun, 2009

I consider integrity many times important than life.
Cedric Hansen

24. Jun, 2009

Charles,
Integrity is a rare diamond among men, and when found in a man (or woman), it is worth many diamonds.
Something tells me you follow Christ or at least what He taught because you have to be honest with God then yourself in order to be so with your fellow man.
God bless you in your work,
Cedric.
marc

30. Jun, 2009

you’re right,who want to do busniss with a thief?

that is when he get caught!
marc b

30. Jun, 2009

you are right,who want to do busniss with a chief?

that is when he get caught!

tell them to go take a leak.

by the way does any one knows about chang wang so posted legal practicer or attorney who write about an inheritance,is this guy a scam or not? tell me on marc_11@netzero.com about your experience with him (good or bad) thanks in advance.
Heeni

01. Jul, 2009

Hi Charles,
I liked the timbre of your email. Personally, one cannot have integrity without honesty. That is, honesty about oneself, honesty in work efforts and honesty in evaluating oneself and ones own work efforts.

If i were to put a product out there that doesn’t do what i claim it should do, then the fault is mine. It means that i did not put enough time into exploring the worth of the product to back my claim.

There are such things as unforeseen variables, but those are usually made manifest if one takes the trouble to eliminate all the obstacles.

I don’t claim to have a spotless character, but there to, i am trying to eliminate all the obstacles to find the hidden unforeseen, or deeply buried, variables.

I don’t believe in god so that is not a pre-requisite to being honest, for me.

Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to share:)
j

08. Jul, 2009

Charles,

You are not in the right planet anymore.

The only thing that counts here is money.

Wake up.

Sorry,

J.
Mary McMickens

13. Jul, 2009

re INTEGRITY:

Honesty is still the best policy. Trickery, the giving of an item, or things, as FREE, and then offering that part of the program (procedures) that will actually enable one to do (we hope) as the seller has done, is offered for a price. This is not TRUE INTEGRITY. It is deception, bar none..

Additionally, the act of continuing to charge a card,after the full payment, is not TRUE INTEGRITY!
There are many ways to STEAL. Interneting is one.

Charles Kirkland

What ever happened to INTEGRITY in internet marketing?

79 Responses to “What ever happened to INTEGRITY in internet marketing?”

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