Gurus Gone Wild - Why Bunnies and Business Don’t Mix

Imagine this. Youve worked hard to become a respected leader in the internet marketing niche. Youve spent years building your business and a newsletter list of eager people awaiting your latest recommendations. Youve built a solid reputation on teaching others how to prosper in their online ventures by providing quality information, while maintaining a sense of down-to-earth friendliness. Youve done something that many aspire to do earn the trust of thousands.

And then you decide to send out an invitation to your list inviting them to spend a huge chunk of money to hang out with you at a swanky shindig at the Playboy mansion. A notorious internet marketing character known as the Rich Jerk has extended a special invitation to you and some of your buddies to attend the party for free if you can get three suckers, er . . . customers from your list to buy a $2,000 ticket.

Normally (you tell yourself), you wouldnt do this kind of thing, but for the sake of networking and marketing your business, youll make the sacrifice and attend the party on the Rich Jerks terms.

The Rich Jerk has given you some tips on how to promote this party to your list. Its a little on the crude side, but you go along, because this is a chance in a life time for you to have a little fun. Right now your mind is filled with visions of scantily clad women mixing and mingling with you and your buddies while you enjoy copious amounts of alcohol and food. Youre sure glad RJ came up with that confidentiality agreement for attendees so that anything you do or say at this party is strictly confidential.

You plan on getting your groove on in a big way.

You hastily compose your email message to your list and happily include the link to the Rich Jerks Playboy party sales page. Youve read his sales letter and while you yourself would never use this kind of language in your own promotions, you see no harm in promoting his crude style letter to your list, because after all, its all in good fun. Plus, theres a charity involved. A percentage of earnings from this party will go to the Urban Health Institute. A charity youve never heard of and dont bother checking out to see if its legitimate. You just assume its all on the up and up.

Okay, its late and youve just finished your email message. You smile to yourself knowing that when your trusted prospects wake up tomorrow and read this message, there will be much excitement. Youre confident that youll quickly get your three sales because you can always count on a certain percentage of your list to always buy anything you promote. Ooo boy, you feel a rush of excitement course through your body as you press the submit button. Its in the bag now.

Bunnies, here I come!

The next day, you lazily stroll to your laptop, with orange juice in hand, and eagerly check to see if youve made any sales to the party. Wow. Youve already made a dozen sales. You put your orange juice down and let out your glee.

Wahoo!

You open your email to read the responses and realize that youve . . . just stepped into a firestorm of controversy. Instead of your list loving this opportunity, you find the opposite.

Plenty of people are indignant that you would have anything to do with an event like this. They tell you bluntly that they are unsubscribing to your list because they dont like being exposed to such crude, insulting language. Many also feel its not professional to hold an internet marketing event at a place associated with the Playboy image.

And by the way, did you bother to think about all the teenagers that are on your list who look up to you as a role model?

Women in particular are upset with you because the language you used in your own email message to promote this party is insulting, plus they find the sales letter down right demeaning to women. Surely, you didnt forget that half of your list consists of women oh wait, you did.

Others are upset because the Rich Jerks sales letter clearly states no gays allowed. Are you supporting blatant discrimination against gay people?

There goes another chunk of your list.

Some have tried checking out the charity to see for themselves if its legitimate, and unfortunately, find its not even listed with the IRS as a bonafide charity.

You are surprised and alarmed at the reaction you are getting and decide to call some of your guru friends who are also promoting this party. They too are feeling the backlash.

Now youve got to decide what to do. As a respected internet marketing guru, youve got to either stand your ground and tell people why youre attending this party. Or, backtrack and do some serious damage control.

Either way, youve learned a valuable lesson: Think before you promote.

Reputations that take years to build can be destroyed overnight by the mere careless press of a button. Being perceived as someone who condones intolerance and obnoxious behavior can do long-term damage to internet marketers who dont carefully consider promoting things that smack of controversy.

The internet as a whole is made up of a vast amount of people from all colors and stripes. People who are willing to spend their money with teachers who hold themselves up to be respectable leaders. Gurus with any sense should know that when they decide to take a walk on the wild side, they might get burned.

Need emergency cash? 5 Quick Ways to Make Money Online:
http://hubpages.com/hub/5_Quick_Ways_to_Make_Money_Online

A Guide to Bachelorette Parties
A bachelorette party is a common way for a woman to have one last night of wild abandon before she walks down the isle. It is a recent addition to pre-wedding ceremonies, a send-off event for the bride-to-be. The following guidelines can save a bachelorette party from being the conventional get-together.Getting started early is of prime importance ...

So What Do You Think You Are Good At?
I know that I keep banging on about having your own product, but it really is that important. Think about what the gurus have in common, they all have their own product.Whats your day job or hobby? Think about this for a few minutes. You do not need to be an expert in what you do, you just need to know how to do something. I always refer to my ...

Affiliate Marketing Exposed
Every top affiliate will tend to keep their lips sealed when it comes to their successful marketing ways and tips. Everyone wants to be successful in their affiliate marketing business. Many of the leading, most successful high-flying affiliates usually pay for their advertising which leads to the big question of whether free affiliate marketing ...

Collectors Of Wildlife Figurines Will Often Be A Reflection Of The Animal They Collect
Wildlife Figurines are being sought after by a large cross section of society and one has to wonder what makes collecting wildlife figurines such a popular past time. It could be assumed that people feel a sense of emptiness when they think of how quickly the habitat of the Earths wildlife is diminishing, or they feel in awe of an animal or birds u...

How to Use Your LCD TV as a Video Monitor
Unlike a plasma television that offers the danger of burn-in, you can learn how to use you LCD TV as a video monitor. It makes for a clear and crisp picture to go with yoru computer or video games. The versatility of an LCD TV is perhaps what makes it most attractive to many buyers. A few tips on how to use your LCD TV as a video monitor will help ...

Content is Queen
The magical world of the net provides the glamour, glitz, and power for us just like the holy grail provided awe-astounding mystery for the knights of ancient times.Through the net, your dreams can be achieved and enlightenment can be reached. You spend time with your family and loved ones, write off your expenses having a home-based business, and ...

Get Czechoslovakian with Fun Stag Parties at Prague
Looking for a wild stag party in the heart of Europe? Try a stag do at Prague to experience a different party culture with a blend of medieval charm and cosmopolitan excitement. This city of 1.2 million has always been a favored for the uniquely ancient Prague Castle, drawing tourists from all over to revel at its unique architecture.For the party ...