Promoting Competing Products - Is That Cool?

Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under affiliate marketing |

I just read a post on Paul Kleinmeulman’s blog that got me to thinking. He wrote:

“Compare that to a 5 minute email I sent to somebody I found via Google promoting a competitors product. She immediately said yes and sent a message to her contacts.”

He’s talking about how much more efficient it was for him to recruit affiliates, as opposed to getting Dug and Stumbled.

But that got me wondering, what kind of a position would that put me in, to promote a competitor product?

Receiving an email of that sort would put me in a predicament for 2 reasons:

I generally have a relationship, or at least respect, for the person I am an affiliate for. This is a business of relationships, so it would be tough for me to switch to a competing product, unless there was some very compelling reason such as better value, or more features.
When I promote a product, it is generally as an endorsement. Therefore, it would be difficult for me to say, “I really recommend you purchase product A.” Then turn around and say, “Oh wait, Product B is so much better. Buy this one instead of Product A.”

How do you feel about this?

Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. (Remember, when you leave a comment, you get linking love from the Search Engines!)

Until Next Time…

Best Wishes For Your Internet Success,
Charles Burleigh
www.StayHomeDads.com

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Comments

6 Responses to “Promoting Competing Products - Is That Cool?”

Greg Swift on March 19th, 2008 11:54 am

Hi Charles,

The problem with sticking with one product, is what happens when or if you do find a better one?

Is being loyal to product #1 when you know of something better the ethical thing to do?

There are literally thousands of products on the internet and to think you’ve seen them all would be ridiculous. I think we recommend what we think to be the best, but if something better comes along wouldn’t letting your subscribers and clients know be of more value?

The internet is constantly changing and so are the products offered to help us market. I think you have to evolve along with the changes or be left behind. Using or owning several different competitors products puts you in a better position to offer the better value.

I own or have used every product I recommend, but that doesn’t mean I won’t recommend something new if it’s better and offers more value. So I think in the end it’s a balance of finding the best products and trying to do what’s right.

I think your subscribers are the most important aspect of your business, so you want to take care of them first.

Hope that helps, talk to you soon.

Greg
Heidi on March 19th, 2008 12:09 pm

I have to agree with Greg. If product B comes along and is much better than product A, I would have to go with product B. I would just let them know that I recently found something I think is better etc. Anyway, I would not feel guilty about switching loyalty like that. I would want what is best for my subscribers.

Heidi
Charles Burleigh on March 19th, 2008 12:14 pm

Greg,

That’s a good point. I agree that the list is our foremost concern in this business. Because it is a relationship business, we really serve our subscribers by promoting the best products and services.

However, if you had just done some promotion for Product A, which got you some Google love, would you then be able to immediately drop off an email promoting Product B? I just think your subs might think you to be finicky if you switch mid-stream.

Heidi, thanks for your comment.

It’s just a crazy dilemma to be in. I try to bring the best value to my subscribers. I’m not saying that if Product B was hands down a better value or better product that I wouldn’t promote it. It just seems to me that it would seem to be inconsistent to switch after promoting something already enough to get a Google ranking.

Keep the comments coming.

Charles
Reuben on March 19th, 2008 12:49 pm

Hi Charles,
Something to think about…if a leader keeps changing course, what does it do to the followers?

Thats the reason I feel that a networking business is not a sales business, but a teaching and mentoring business. Build the relationship and the money will com.
Thanks,
Reuben
Wendy J. Roan on March 20th, 2008 5:55 pm

Hi Charles. I hope you are having a great day. My approach to your question is to provide good information about a product or multiple products and leave it up to the potential buyer to decide which product best meets their needs. I completely understand your concerns. They are valid (and good) thoughts to be having. We are marketers, and, basically, the helpful sales guy at the local Radio Shack. We are surrounded by great products all day long from all different sources. Our job is to educate people about what to look for in products, point out the ones that are top notch and meet their needs, and let them decide.

My personal business plan does not tie me to any one or two products or product developers/owners. I feel obligated to give each product I promote 100% quality, care, and value. At the same time, I select only products that are the most useful and productive. So, loyalty to a product is easy!

Regarding Google’s love of product A, I guess I don’t understand why promoting two or more products of the same type would cause any reaction from Google. How will Google know the difference between product A and product B?

One thing you could do… that Google would LOVE is to create a “comparison” page where you are promoting both products for equally good but different reasons. These types of pages take a bit more work but they provide more content!
Blog Lady Dee on March 27th, 2008 6:52 pm

Hi,

I very much agree with Wendy’s idea about the comparison page. That was the first solution that popped in my head while reading your post.

I wish you luck on your quest to stay home with your kids. They grow up way too fast, and all the memories you could miss are treasures of a lifetime.

I’ll keep checking back to see if I can offer any ideas to further dilemas.

Blog Lady Dee
Blog Lady Elle