When I inquired about his reasoning, he replied:

“It’s just so sleazy. Choosing Lebanon Phone Number that line of work says a lot about a person.”

Since I was young and impressionable, that sentiment stayed with me. So I was naturally conflicted years later when I wanted to learn how to become a freelance writer and discovered copywriting and content marketing.

Marketing ethics 101

At that time, I had two challenges:

1. Promoting my writing business to prospects
2. Justifying competitive rates and delivering a return on investment to the clients who hired me

Learning about ethics in marketing solved both of those issues. At the risk of being viewed as “sleazy,” I dove into storyselling.

Marketing ethics bring integrity to your business by displaying a steadfast commitment to the best interest of your customers in your persuasive writing. You promote your products or services with honesty, in a fashion that helps the exact right people find your offers.

Ethical marketers don’t want to seen as shady

This topic is similar to when I wrote about the difference between clickbait and damn good headlines.

But if you have a great offer, weak marketing actually does everyone a disservice.

It reminds me of one of Sonia Simone’s rules of making a living online …

Nothing sells itself

I had to first feel confident that my writing services could help businesses achieve their goals, and then realize my marketing story wasn’t tricking anyone into hiring me. I also wasn’t scamming anyone by not delivering what I promised.

My services deserved to be marketed, and the same is true for your writing business if you want to make money as a freelance writer.

Any remarkable product or service you offer deserves stellar ethical marketing.

What does ethics in marketing look like?

Luckily (assuming you’re an upright citizen to begin with), you don’t have to overcomplicate this part of your business.

Marketing ethics for professional writers can be as simple as:

• Telling the truth
• Citing proper sources Lebanon Phone Number in your content
• Respecting different opinions
• Putting your prospects’ needs first
• Delivering excellent customer service
• Managing a civil online community
• Taking responsibility for your actions

See? You don’t have to abandon your pre-existing values to run a business. You can (and should) make them work for your online business ideas.

5 real-world examples of marketing ethics

As bestselling author Daniel Pink has said:

“We’ve moved from buyer beware to seller beware.”

Consumers have a lot of choices, and they can perform extensive research to make smart buying decisions. The consumer is in charge, and it’s your job to learn how to build trust in relationships.

Here are five real-world examples of marketing ethics and ethical advertising that help educate prospects about their options in the marketplace.

1. Go-to wine

Years ago (I’m taking it back again), I was in the checkout line at the grocery store and the woman behind me was buying a bottle of Yellow Tail wine.

Even though I knew nothing about wine, I liked Yellow Tail and frequently brought it as a gift to parties.

Feeling chatty, I said to her, “That’s a good brand of wine.”

“Oh? I’ve never had it before,” she replied.

“The bottle stands out. It’s my go-to,” I informed her.

A few months later, I started seeing commercials for Yellow Tail wine on television, dubbing the brand “the go-to.”

Coincidence? Was the woman a copywriter for the company’s advertising agency?

We’ll never know.

But I thought the campaign was a great example of marketing ethics. It communicates that the brand is fun, playful, and a good fit for any casual occasion.

2. Catwalk pants

I always get a lot of compliments on a long “skirt” I like to wear.

However, it’s actually a pair of pants.

When I asked the saleswoman inside the boutique where I got them if she could direct me to “the skirt in the store’s window,” she told me they’re called “catwalk pants,” which are similar to harem pants.