What do you think? Me? I think the two (value & ethics) are separate questions to some degree.

Ethics is something that's at the core of my business during any point in time. I measure that by three gauges:

1. “How would I feel if this email/video/or discussion were broadcast in front of those I love.” (This includes my kids. Does it represent me favorably?)
2. “How would I feel to receive this message?” (Would I feel that it was beneficial or a waste of my time?)
3. “What would I say if my mother or best friend who is in marketing were to receive this message?” (Slightly different from #1 as it's more related to the quality of the recommendation rather than the “gut” feeling of the email.)

If my gut doesn't sit right when asking myself those three questions, then I have to look at why and adjust – fast. OR if I get a queasy feeling after the fact, I need to apologize to my readers if I've made a mistake, either knowingly or unknowingly when I made it.

For instance, I've recently decided not to participate in any more time-sensitive product launches, unless the following three criteria are met:

1. It's for someone who I know personally and respect.
2. I have reviewed the product and find that it's useful, valuable, and quality. (Of course.)
3. I have thoroughly reviewed the sales funnel.

I've promoted a few launches for GOOD products that I felt could really help my readers, but the sales funnels made me personally uncomfortable, so I'd rather lose money than lose my integrity. I can always make more money.

As for value vs. integrity, I think they can go together. A person with integrity would want to offer great value. However, a person can offer value but not have integrity.

Can you tell that I think with my fingers?

ok. Here's what I'm actively working on right now.

I am removing several promotions from my autoresponders that recommended the products or services of people who I have since then found to not be people who I'd have in my home or give money to, myself. Initially I based the promotions on value, but not on integrity. Or, to be more accurate, I didn't have enough information to base them upon integrity.

Now, my decisions are based upon a much stricter criteria than they were previously – only since I have a broader base to pull from now and a better feel for what people are like behind the scenes.

So, to directly answer the question, my instinct during financial stress is to be even MORE protective of my readers, because most of them have less money to invest right now, and I do not want to be responsible for leading them to spend it unwisely. In fact, I try to include a “Do not buy this if… ” disclaimer in my promos if I think a product is only right for a certain type of marketer. My readers have said “I bought this on your recommendation” and so I choose to filter a lot of junk to get them to the best stuff – and more importantly, try my best not to add to their feelings of overwhelm and confusion. Do I always succeed? Nah. I wish. But, I do make my best judgment call at the time.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please comment below.

Warmly,
Nicole

Thought for the day: @WarrenWhitlock is kinda cool. #

Your Computer Butt Can Help Charity! @monicasalazar @lexirodrigo @latarahamying @CynthiaLaLuna http://bit.ly/14JlCJ <- #ff, too! #

RT & @alanpetersen: #ff @lynnterry & @NicoleDean the dynamic duo. Frustrated about learning IM. Follow these 2 pros. They rock. #

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Kelly asked…. “How important do you think a Positive Attitude is to being successful in business? And how have you cultivated a positive outlook for yourself? ”

First things, first, your TV list resembles mine a lot. Wish we lived closer. We could hang out and have TV night.

As for your question, whoa, baby! I guess you're getting me back for sending you all those hard questions.

Let's see. A positive attitude is not only essential in business, but it's a life saver. As we both know, every single person who starts a business will hit major hurdles that feel like mountains. We ALL have major setbacks. Whether it's someone stealing your content, credit card charge backs and dealing with fraud, your hard drive crashing, refund requests, crabby customers, hosting fiascos, getting websites hacked, or having your website disappear from google during your busiest season.

My God, reading that list makes me want to crawl back into bed! I swear, it is, at times, easy to want to give up and just get a job. (I've threatened it many times over the last six years I've been working online, myself.)

For that reason, I think every work at home mom needs to work on being positive on a daily basis (me included). I'm not preaching from a pulpit. I'm sitting in the pews here.

The ways I've cultivated a positive attitude are to remind myself on a daily basis that I am not the only one who is suffering from these afflictions, to stay connected with my other wahm friends, and to count my blessings. It sounds hokey, but it's what is working for me. Sometimes I just need a good cry, though. (Don't we all?)

1. Reminding myself that it's not just me.
This one is huge for me. If I though that I was the ONLY person having these issues, it would make it much harder for me to keep my chin up. But, I know it's just all part of a growing business and that each issue must be dealt with.

2. Connecting with Other WAHMs.
This is where MomMasterminds was a lifesaver for me, Kelly. A complete and total lifesaver.

3. Counting my Blessings.
This is just a simple thing that I feel more people need to take time to do on a daily basis. If I didn't make an effort to sit and think about what is going GOOD in my life every day, it gets way too easy to count all the little issues that spring up that basically stink. So, this does give me the perspective that I need to realize that, although the bad things stand out more, they are nowhere near as plentiful as the good things in my day.

How about you, Kelly? I'll toss this question back atcha with a little add on. What do you do to stay positive? I know your faith is a huge part of your life, and you talked about that a bit in one other question. So, tell me how that helps you in your business.

Looking forward to chatting soon.

Nicole

(Keep an eye on Kelly’s blog for her reply.)