Comments on: Marketing Ethics: Selling Doesn’t Have to Be Sleazy (5 Real-World Examples)

By: Alison

Alison — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 22:24:37 +0000

Thanks for the great info! I’ve talked to people who think marketing involves “tricking” people into buying things they don’t need, when in fact it’s just making them aware of something they already need.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 13:25:07 +0000

In reply to Soumya Tandon.

Stephanie,

As a former purchaser, I met plenty of sleazy salespeople during the years, but overall I enjoyed the marketing material by our supplies and other companies that I got in contact with.

I am now a social media evangelist, podcaster, and aspiring author (writing a book series on tea). I base my marketing activities on the trader principle and positive referrals by the word of mouth.

By: Soumya Tandon

Soumya Tandon — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 06:57:42 +0000

Thank you, Stefanie, for writing such an awesome article on marketing ethics.

I’m just starting off with digital marketing, and your blog post has helped me figure out what to do next.

By: Stefanie Flaxman

Stefanie Flaxman — Thu, 24 May 2018 02:32:33 +0000

In reply to LJ Sedgwick.

Love these two points, LJ!

Advertising is essentially a form of communication … so as you highlight, yes, it can be used for a positive message. 🙂

And since people do need and want things, they’re going to look for the products or services that best suit them. If you’re in business, you’re responsible for showing prospects what you have and why it’s special.

By: LJ Sedgwick

LJ Sedgwick — Fri, 18 May 2018 12:04:45 +0000

I teach advertising so I always get treated like the Mistress of the Dark Arts when people find out what I do. Apparently, I force people to buy things they don’t need. *eye roll* But look at all the amazing things advertising has been able to highlight, like the Always ‘Like A Girl’ campaign. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and realise you have to sell something, but as long as it’s something you believe in wholeheartedly you’re not selling it, you’re sharing it.

By: Loretta

Loretta — Thu, 17 May 2018 23:29:12 +0000

I love these real-life happening right now examples, they show that marketing is everywhere all around us whether we realize it or not, and it definitely doesn’t feel sleazy 🙂

By: Hassaan Khan

Hassaan Khan — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 22:11:21 +0000

Hi Stefanie,

It’s a great post. Short but meaty.
Since you asked for the example, I want to share my eBook cover design story. I tried to play with the design myself, probably, because I love being creative, but I’m in no position to be called a graphic designer – it’s not my area of expertise either. But, I needed the eBook cover.

The eBook’s name was, “How to Start Freelancing When You Have Zero Experience.”

So I came up with an idea to design an eBook cover with a large text portraying the name, with the digit zero as the eBook logo. It worked out very well. In fact, some blog readers applauded the audacity for being creative and coming up with something different.

By: Stefanie Flaxman

Stefanie Flaxman — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 20:56:34 +0000

In reply to Martin Lindeskog.

I actually encountered a marketing/sales situation yesterday that didn’t sit right with me, and I said to the friend I was with, “See! That’s what people think marketing is! They get the wrong idea.”

But it doesn’t have to be like that. 😉

By: Nathalie Cagadas

Nathalie Cagadas — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 17:23:59 +0000

Great article, Stephanie! Totally agree with you.

By: Martin Lindeskog

Martin Lindeskog — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 04:04:55 +0000

Stephanie,

As a former purchaser, I met plenty of sleazy salespeople during the years, but overall I enjoyed the marketing material by our supplies and other companies that I got in contact with.

I am now a social media evangelist, podcaster, and aspiring author (writing a book series on tea). I base my marketing activities on the trader principle and positive referrals by the word of mouth.