Misleading Advertising in Affiliate Marketing
I get these kinds of emails everyday and the issue I have with them is its a flat out lie just to make you click and hope you will join:
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Subject: You Have (7) New Payment Alerts
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Hey,
According to our records you still have 7 pending commission payment due!
Are you not registered?
Make sure you update your payment details asap so you can get paid.
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Get paid immediately!
Thank you,
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And to make it worse the email is from billing notice support@xxxxxx
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What is misleading advertising?
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Under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, advertising is seen as misleading if it involves false, misleading or deceptive information that is likely to cause the average consumer to act in a way they might otherwise not.
Advertising may also be considered misleading if important information that the average consumer needs to make an informed decision is left out. Misleading advertising covers claims made directly to consumers by manufacturers, distributors and retailers, as well as in advertisements, catalogues, websites etc.
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Examples of misleading advertising
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A false claim about the characteristics of the goods or service, e.g. – a product is a different colour, size or weight to what is advertised.
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The price or way the price is calculated is misrepresented, e.g. – products are advertised at sale prices, but turn out not to be.
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The way the goods or service are supplied is misrepresented, e.g. – free delivery is advertised, but the delivery actually involves some sort of fee or charge.
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Any aspect about the advertiser is misrepresented, e.g. – the business is presented as being a member of a trade association, when they are actually not.
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The advertisement creates a false impression about a product or service, even if the information given is correct.
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Any important information is hidden or left out.
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Don't get fooled or sucked into things. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Affiliate marketing is just like any career, it takes time, patience, and a learning curve.
If you have some skills in sales and marketing then it may be easier for you then a total newbie like myself. I saw all the ads and hype about making thousands of dollars a day in just 10 minutes for posting ads. I took that literally that companies needed people like me for that..... it had nothing to do with companies it was basically "selling" the exact same system I just watched. To me that is not what I was looking for but the presentation and the ads never really said exactly what this system was, it said once you reach the members area, you will see how easy it is to learn how to post ads.
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I don't mind paying a fee for a membership site that has access to 100's of companies. Or like some sites take a cut of your earnings, I am ok with that too.
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BUT......
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Making something sound like an online job opportunity, getting excited about the possibilities only to discover that it's not is just wrong.
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I know why they advertise this way and that is because it does make you click on the link to see what the hell it is all about. Clicking on a link doesn't make them money until you purchase the product. They do hope that you are going to be so amazed and blown away like I was that you will buy it.
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Just a few thoughts:
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I have learned that if I love the idea or product that makes a huge difference in my bank account. Some bloggers say to go with the hot evergreen item not your passion I totally disagree.
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"Do what you love and the money will follow" that is my motto!
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look at the fine print at the bottom
The typical purchaser does not make any money using this system. Plan does not guarantee income or success, and examples shown in this presentation do not represent an indication of future success or earnings.