I am generally very calm, collected and level headed, but when I see enough of the same ol same ol I eventually get to the WTF threshold as I have recently. Everyone knows, or if you are very new to affiliate marketing you will soon know, one of the best ways to make money with affiliate programs is to promote those products, write reviews and encourage your readership to order as many wuzzles and widgets as possible, netting you the fabulous commission for that sale.

 Recently I have been scanning my usual run of sites that I choose to read regularly and I’ve about had enough. Seeing someone promote something with an almost unaltered copy of the promotional materials as supplied by the original author, seeing the same images, the same words and often times the same witty, semi-informative “review” of these products adds absolutely no value for me whatsoever.

I don’t care if its a product, service or even merchandise, I honestly feel that if someone is going to write a review and promote a product based upon that review, that individual should have used the product. I am not going to tell you that driving a semi is no different than driving a full size pickup because I have never driven a semi, I would see that as a fabrication and a dishonest review. It’s no different, in my opinion, when someone reviews a blogging course, affiliate marketing plan or website creation, optimization “deal” or even the “holy grail” of affiliate software.. If you haven’t used it, don’t try to pimp it to me. Instead, get yourself a copy or subscription or whatever and try it out, then enlighten your readership with an honest, unique and informed review. Just because you think you are the guru of the week doesn’t cut you off from a bit of accountability. If you want your readers to continue to value your opinion then don’t be a sell out because the second your readers come to the conclusion that you will say anything for 50 bucks, the words you say instantly become worth 5 cents.

Having the worlds biggest ego, excessive arrogance or a “holier than thou” attitude will only cost you in the long run, it is much better to be real, be honest and be yourself. If you want to be successful in whatever you are doing (especially affiliate marketing) then you need to strive to set yourself apart from the crowd of wanna be “guru’s” and earn the respect and trust of those who read what you have to say, it will pan out much better in the long run, I promise.

I will always tell it like it is, and I expect the same from those I do business with. Always remember this, If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.