Regardless of the product or service that you are marketing, there are certain methods that you should avoid in order to protect yourself from unethical marketing practices. These methods include plagiarism, exploitation and using unrealistic or altered images.
Plagiarism
Getting your business caught up in plagiarism can cause significant problems. It can be embarrassing, costly, and damage your reputation. It can also have serious legal consequences.
If you’re involved in marketing, you must be aware of the dangers of plagiarism. While the laws for intellectual property are not as strict as they once were, there are still ways to protect your brand.
Creating content that’s unique and original is an important part of building your online reputation. When you plagiarize, your website and brand are damaged. People won’t trust you again. Moreover, your search engine rankings could be impacted. In fact, Google could drop your domain from its search results.
There are several types of plagiarism. There’s direct plagiarism, which is when you copy another writer’s words without giving credit to the author. Other types include paraphrased plagiarism, which involves rephrasing someone else’s words. And patchwork plagiarism, which involves writing under the name of a company or entity.
In the advertising world, plagiarism is a huge problem. It’s oftentimes a result of lazy writers or a lack of understanding about a topic.
In the past, McDonald’s has been known to plagiarize ads. And CNN was recently caught in a plagiarism scandal when a London-based news editor was fired. The company has been in the news again for allegedly plagiarizing an advisor’s video about the token model.
Many companies have begun to recognize the damaging effects of plagiarism. In order to avoid it, they have developed partnerships with website makers. But it’s important to keep in mind that the boundaries between referencing and copying are still vague.
Plagiarism is an ethical issue, so businesses must be careful. Whether you’re a student or an employee, it’s important to know the penalties of plagiarism.
Distorting the truth
Considering the amount of time and money consumers are willing to spend on their plethora of digital devices, brands are slapping a hefty price tag on their products and services. The most compelling question is, are consumers swayed to give their business the benefit of the doubt? A few well-placed surveys reveal the answer is a resounding no thanks. The best way to win over this bevy of consumers is to get your product or service into the consumers hands by showing a higher proportion of the money in the first place. In the grand scheme of things, you may not have the budget for the latest and greatest gadget to come out of the labs, but you can’t deny the fact that consumers are putting their money where their mouth is.
Using unrealistic or altered images
Using unrealistic or altered images in marketing is unethical. These are images that do not accurately reflect the characteristics of the product or brand they are promoting. It is not uncommon to see pictures of models edited to make them appear thinner, or taller. This type of editing is used by many companies to promote their products or services.
The use of unrealistic or altered images in marketing is unethical because it can affect consumer purchasing decisions. It also negatively affects the self-esteem of millions. It can also have an effect on young people. It can also negatively affect the finances of consumers.
The Federal Trade Commission and the Truth in Advertising Act of 2014 require that companies reduce the use of altered images. They also require that a disclaimer be displayed over the altered image. Some companies have taken a proactive approach and are promoting body-positive messaging.
The use of digital photo manipulation has become more widespread over the years. However, the ethics of this type of editing are still in debate. Some companies have resorted to limiting the use of Photoshop. Others are embracing natural photo editing techniques. The use of Photoshop can have a negative impact on a person’s body image. It is important to realize that even small changes can be interpreted in a different way.
In recent years, the public has become more resistant to photo manipulation. This is because it makes it possible to remove imperfections from a picture. It is also difficult to recognize photo manipulation when it is happening. Some consumers do not realize that photo editing programs such as Photoshop are being used. It is therefore important for advertisers to exercise better judgment.
Loss of consumers
Whether or not you’re in the marketing game, you can’t ignore the potential pitfalls of unethical marketing. Aside from destroying customer trust, it can also suck the life out of your top line. In fact, some brands have been known to alienate their most passionate and committed consumers. Those customers will go out of their way to avoid these companies.
While the old fashioned marketing approach is still in fashion, the modern day marketer is on the hunt for ways to increase engagement and retention. The best way to do this is to create genuine conversations about your products and services. This requires a bit of time, but it will pay off in the long run.
Ethical marketing doesn’t necessarily require legal or regulated messaging. A good example is the use of misleading images. This tactic is especially important when it comes to establishing trust, especially when the brand is attempting to lure new customers. The key is to ensure that the image satisfies a few specific requirements. Among these is that the image is of a person or group demonstrating a desired behavior. This is most often the case in social media campaigns whereby the audience is comprised of friends and family. The most effective marketing campaign aims to engage a group of individuals with common interests, while simultaneously avoiding sex or age biases.