MALICIOUS MARKETING: HOW TO AVOID IT

 

Have you ever given it a thought, that the money that the customers are investing in, the products that you're selling, all the claims that you make about your products, your modes of advertising, is it always true? is it always ethical? if no, then here's what you need to know.

In today's era, it's very easy to start a business: lie and do it, make false claims, send wrong signals and boom! your job is done,  because the common people are very easy to influence right? you thought so. Unethical practices in the fields of marketing are very common these days. Using women as sex symbols, exaggerating the claims, distorting and moulding the facts: all of these are unethical ways of marketing and often destroy a company's reputation, brand loyalty, decreases customer retention and much more. Although all of these practices are spread like plague today, it's very easy for the customers and the consumers to avoid encouraging them by being a little vigilant  and careful and then your business is just done, it will face a downfall like never before!

Talking bad about other products or brands is also a kind of unethical marketing. In most of the cases, people are not actually aware of the fact that they are into these malicious ways of marketing. Spamming or instilling fear in the hearts of the customers by calling out the limited time periods again and again or using emotional tactics to influence the customers or even forcing customers to buy a product is very common nowadays.  Many firms even overcharge their products to earn more profits. But little do they know is that these practices are going to lay off the customers and will attract a bad name to the company, but this article will teach you how to avoid these types of practices.

HOW TO AVOID THESE TYPES OF MARKETING?

1. CHEATING IS NEVER REWARDED: Since we are small, we all are taught that cheaters never win, but often the businesses forget this and get taken away by greed and profits. Businesses who try to hide their dark sides live in a constant state of fear and are never able to focus on their business or expand it to it's true potential. It's very important to remember that cheating is not the way to grow. constant hard work and goodwill is the only way to take a business towards greater heights.
2. KEEP YOURSELF IN YOUR CUSTOMER'S SHOES: When you're in doubt and are unable to decide what's right or wrong, keep yourself in your customer's shoes and think: whatever you're doing, is it stealing or not? just or not? ethical or not and then take any decision. Create a checklist and keep marking the things on which you think you are ethical and then see where you need to improve.
3. IF YOU CAN, DON'T: While doing a business, nothing comes easy. learn to accept it and don't dwell onto failures. The wrong paths will always come easy to you, your goal will be just one step away if you take that path but remember one thing; that path is short lived and soon you will find yourself in the middle of nowhere.
4. DONT STRESS TOO MUCH ON THE PROFIT: Often the profit motive distracts the business men and directs them to sideline their morals and values. Always remember that profit can be earned by choosing to walk on the right path as well, after all nothing attracts a customer more than the loyalty and ethical values of a business.
5. RESPECT YOUR PROFESSION: Respect your business because if you are just, your hard work will pay off one day and your business will never disappoint you. The key to be have a successful business is to never forget the morals, values and culture you have learnt as a child.

If you are right and ethical while handling a business, nothing can stop you from earning maximum profits and reaching greater heights, The culture and ethical values taught to us by our parents as a child will never disappoint us, in fact it will pay off as profits and greater market share in our business's life. It is very important to remember that those who cheat never go too far, after all you can't cheat on nature, you can't cheat on life. Be ethical and respect your business and customers and you'll see how far you go!