Yesterday things got a bit political in the editor's note of the newsletter. I received numerous emails, which I thank you for. Those who agreed, and disagreed with my comments. I just want you to know that things will not get political often; I just thought it was appropriate for yesterday's topic...

Now, let's move onto 'today'. I was browsing through WebProWorld seeing what the hip-hap was, when I came across an interesting discussion. The Ethics in Social Media. If anything can arouse more debate than politics, it's ethics. I promise I'm not stirring the pot on purpose. Or am I?...bwah ha ha.

To me, the overlying sense of ethics is quite simple. We like to dilude it with grey area scenarios and what not but right is right. The kicker is the consequences of one's ethics. This line of thinking translates into the social media realm quite easily...

I'm going to blow your mind with this statement, 'conduct your social media advertising any way you want'. Trying to walk a line between spam, and 'not spam' isn't something anyone else can explain to you. As someone mentioned in the discussion I linked to, one man's spam is another's ham. If 30% of someone viewing an ad finds it useful, and 70% find it to be spam, then by all means take the 30%.

Try not to concern yourself with ethics, and more with results. It might sound wrong, but that's what it's about. However, remember that when you go forward there's always consequences for your ethical decisions. Be in social marketing or otherwise. Maybe it pays to be good.. ;)

| JohnnyV |