Slander Marketing

I heard a great expression the other day. Slander Marketing.

Slander marketing. So often we see a product getting canned, and at the same time the critic presents his superior alternative.

Often I have thought ‘wow I’m glad I saw that before I bought that product.’ However, how many of these reviews are true and valid, as opposed to a blatant attempt to discredit a product, and offer as an alternative, a product which will provide the critic with a financial return.

This is not to say that a comparison of products is not valid resulting in the true product review. However attempting to discredit a competitors product without substantiation is tending towards the unethical.

As with every other aspect of our internet interaction we have to employ a degree of judgment to all statements whether positive or negative.

If the source is not known or trusted we must ask ourselves what the intent of the author is. Is it slander marketing? Is it just to inform or warn, or is it for personal gain, possibly at someone else’s expense. Occasionally any form of advertising, be it slander marketing or positive marketing, is still marketing!

Conversely and sadly we sometimes must question the validity of so called testimonials or other positive comments. Again trust, and the trustworthiness of sources are the key, and a big part of both our happiness and success is sorting out the real from the delusive.