subject: How To Protect Yourself From Internet Marketing Schemes [print this page] As job security falls more and more people are turning to internet marketing as a way to boost their income, or provide them with something to fall back on if they lose their jobs. Internet marketing can provide a good, steady income stream, but navigating the bewildering array of techniques and work at home scams out there can be a struggle.
There are many companies running internet marketing scams, preying on people that need to earn extra cash. Often, the advertising for these scams is easy to spot because it uses phrases such as passive income stream or six figure income. The lucky people who fall for the scams simply waste time trying to make them work, but some people have been scammed out of money, or persuaded to take massive financial risks, thanks to cunning scammers.
One of the highest profile scam types is the pyramid scheme. The founders of a pyramid scheme charge people to join the scheme, and then promise these people payment if they recruit others. While the scheme is growing, the people at the top of the pyramid can make a lot of money. When the pyramid stops growing because the pool of potential recruits has been exhausted, the money dries up, leaving those at the bottom of the pyramid out of pocket. Scammers are getting creative at disguising their pyramid schemes, but no matter how they are shaped or dressed up, they will eventually collapse.
At the other end of the scale, another bad work at home scheme is paid survey and micro job websites. Sites that promise $15+ per hour for people to read emails, answer surveys, or watch videos are often fakes. The scam sites make unrealistic promises, suggesting that it is possible to earn a full time wage purely from answering surveys. Usually, upon joining these sites, users find that they are screened out of most surveys, or that the task requirements are incredibly complex and demanding. In many cases, when the user is close to reaching the minimum payout, survey offers will dry up.
If you are diligent, you can find real internet marketing opportunities. Earnings from the real jobs may not look as glamourous, but the companies will pay out. You should never be asked for money to join an online marketing scheme; sometimes you may have to pass an application process, but internet marketing is just like a job and the companies should be paying you.
Dont be tempted by promises of high payouts for minimal work. Real affiliate marketing and work at home tasks require sustained, long term effort before you will see any returns.
During the early days of your online marketing career, you may have a few difficult attempts and false starts. Getting started can be difficult, but if you devote a little time to your project each day, the money should start coming in.
