January 14, 2007

Is Selling "The Dream" Ethical?

Kim Klaver of Network Marketing Central had a fairly interesting post on her Network Marketing blog today. It brought forth the question of whether or not selling "the dream" is "unethical" in a Network Marketing home business.

Ethical? Unethical? Good question. Aaron likey.

You see, those who've known me over the years know that I've always been very big on ethics. Heck, even when I was in college I took an extremely demanding course in Medical Ethics simply for the fun of it! And though my major was actually Sociology, the Medical Ethics course proved to be quite irresistible to me.

So, naturally, any question regarding the ethics of promoting a Network Marketing home business opportunity should easily catch my interest. And so, I share my comment. My opinion is at the end of this post. But much more importantly...

What's YOUR Opinion?

Do you think that selling "the dream" in a Network Marketing home business is ethical? Do you think that selling "the dream" in a Network Marketing home business is unethical? Please share your thoughts and opinions on the subject!

As for me, here are my little thoughts...

It's very important to share the truth and to give full disclosure when selling or marketing anything - whether it be a business opportunity, a service or a product.

I think we've all heard more than enough hype, lies and rhetoric to last us a lifetime. So, as far as I'm concerned, sneaky sales tactics and only partial disclosure of the facts have no place whatsoever in Network Marketing or home business opportunities.

The dream is nice, but if one cannot share it honestly, responsibly and ethically, then in essence, it becomes not a dream - It is merely an inflated sales pitch designed for which to deceive.

And that is NOT the characteristic of a business positioned to succeed in the long run. No, not all all.

Shine on,
Aaron

For more useful tidbits on proper home business marketing and such, check out these popular HBT posts:

7 comments:

  1. I agree Aaron! Selling the dream alone isn't ethical in my opinion. You have to include the truth and facts also when you're talking to a person about your business or products.

    If you're not giving them the full skinny and instead trying just to make it look all rosy and millionaire-ish, then that's very unethincal IMHO.

    Like you said Aaron, truth and full disclosure are VERY important. Otherwise you're setting up your business and your downline for nothing but failure!

    Hugs,
    Monica

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  2. I think just selling the dream is unethical too. In business you should be straight forward and honest all the time. If you're not then you're doing both yourself and your clients a disservcice.

    As always, honesty is he best policy. If you're just "selling" the "dream" then you're not being completely honest about things. That's my opinion.

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  3. I think just selling the dream is unethical too. In business you should be straight forward and honest all the time. If you're not then you're doing both yourself and your clients a disservcice.

    As always, honesty is the best policy. If you're just "selling" the "dream" then you're not being completely honest about things. That's my opinion.

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  4. Hi Aaron,

    In my opinion it is unethical to sell it without giving your prospects all the information they deserve. Things shouldn't be sugarcoated or crafty in my opinion.

    For example, when Joe Blow shares with everyone how he makes $30,000 a month and how "easy" it is, he should ALSO mention that it took him many, many years in order to reach that level of income. But too many don't do that and that leaves the new people with a false sense of excitement and hope.

    And when they don't reach stellar results immediately they feel bamboozled and throw in the towel. So yeah I think it's unethical. Also down right lame.

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  5. Hi all. Thanks for all your comments! From reading them I can definitely tell that HBT has some really honest and responsible readers/business owners.

    Way to go folks! I applaud your ethics and your willingness to run your business openly and honestly, and without all the hype and double-talk. That's the way it should be. May great success be with you always!

    Shine on,
    Aaron

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  6. I think it's unethical. If I'm starting a business I want to know all the details. We have the right to know them. If someone only provides pumped up hype, then they're not at all ethical IMHO. Just my two cents. ;)

    Samson

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  7. Definitely unethical.

    Rob O.

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Shine on,
Aaron