Getting discouraged

1. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   I'm so tired of seeing so many MLM articles here. It does not bode well for those of us who are here to write, not to make a gazillion dollars without having to work. How can our stuff be taken seriously when it's drowning in a sea of badly written or plagiarized muck?

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2. 59

   Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

   LOL
   
   I agree 100% - but that's the internet -
   
   I have a great time making fun of them and writing good stuff. Stick with it - you'll be fine.
   
   And flag 'em.

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3. 64

   Mishaposted 16 years ago

   What MLM articles? I don't see any...

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4. 76

   Lissieposted 16 years ago

   If you see them flag them to get rid of them!

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5. 72

   relacheposted 16 years ago

   Thumb's up stuff you like, thumb's down stuff you don't and flag the garbage appropriately. 
   
   The cream really does rise to the top on this site.

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6. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   I guess I'm spending too much time seeing the bad stuff. I'll try and concentrate only on the best from now on

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7. 78

   MarloByDesignposted 16 years ago

   Uninvited Writer, what do you mean by MLM?

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   1. 67

      darksideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe she means "affiliate programs".

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8. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   Yes, I mostly meant affiliate links and spam. I realize that MLM is different.
   
   It seems a couple of posters now are trying to turn HubPages into a catalogue site, with lots and lots of articles describing clothing and appliances

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   1. 64

      Mishaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Actually I don't think they materially differ...

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      1. 67

         darksideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         There are some similarities and there are plenty of differences.
         
         Amway... and I could put a looooong list here, are Multi Level Marketing companies. Whereas affiliate programs are pretty much referral, and you don't (usually) benefit from your referrals referrals.

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9. 70

   chantelg4posted 16 years ago

   I thought affiliate links were not allowed? MLM is multi-level-marketing

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   1. 67

      darksideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      They are.
      
      But if a hub is all about an affiliate program and copy and pastes the info that's splashed all over the internet, it'll get canned for being spam.
      
      If an original article is written and there's lots and lots of links to the one site (ie: your referral URL) then it could be flagged as being overly promotional.
      
      If a hub is published that contains plenty of original content and links to various sources and there just happens to be an affiliate referral link slipped in there, then from what I've seen, HubPages HQ aren't going to be too concerned with it.

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10. 70

    chantelg4posted 16 years ago

    ah, well I don't need to worry then, most of my hubs are written for fun with the exception of a few that link to my main site and they are very legit.
    
    Amway...are they still in business, gosh i hope not!! LOL!

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11. 66

    Bonnie Ramseyposted 16 years ago

    I have written several hubs on MLM/Network Marketing here. However, none are of any commercial value to me because none have links. They are strictly informational/motivational type hubs. I only have one commercial hub here and it was a request for a review of an MLM you are involved in. The only links to my business other than this one hub is in my profile page.
    
    I think these articles are very helpful to people if they are written correctly and for the right reasons. While there are many peopl not interested in the MLM/Network Marketing businesses, there are also many that are. And many of them are looking for help in how to understand these types of business structures and how to look for them in order to keep from being scammed by some of the "less than legal" outfits in the world today.
    
    There is a huge difference in MLM and Affiliate marketing, which was a subject of another request I answered. I believe the usefulness of these types of hubs are based on the quality of the information and the reason the person writes the hubs.
    
    It is very important to help keep our community free of the spammers but I also think it is important that you closely look at the article to see if it is something that may be useful to someone else and fairly judge it for its worth to the community, not due to a personal dislike for the subject.
    
    I hate spam and all the affiliate links as much as everyone. But you should keep an open mind and check the article to make sure of what it is before just assuming that it is spam.
    
    I have seen some of these affiliate hubs that have been mentioned about all the clothing lines and such. This would be my idea of spam as it is purely self-promotional for profits. But I have also seen a lot of other things being promoted as well such as books people have written and things of this nature. There is a right way and a wrong way of promoting. Some people just don't take time to learn how to do it right so that they avoid spamming others.
    
    Oh, Chantel, Amway is still in business! I love their products and always have. I'll save my review of their business structure for another hub LOL.
    
    Bonnie

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