I just finished reading a post that my business partner, Shawn Collins had up on his blog, entitled Cynical Marketing, which really hit home.

In the post, Shawn talks about how there are some marketers out there that simply don’t get the fact that not everything they do has to revolve around making money. They forget that sometimes, it’s more important to just give back.

The timing of his post couldn’t be more relevant to me. You see, today I was approached by someone who read my post regarding me coming out of affiliate management retirement to help support breast cancer research and treatment – a cause that is very close to my heart.

This marketer had the chutzpah to ask me what my angle was and why on earth would I bust my ass to grow someone else’s company when there was absolutely nothing at stake for me.

Rather than chastising him for his ludicrous implications, I simply told him how I felt.

Giving is in my DNA and since affiliate marketing is what I do best, it seemed like a natural fit.

He followed up with a “you’re nuts.”

You know what, Mr. Cynical Marketer? Maybe I am.

But I keep very good company.

Aside from the folks that Shawn mentioned in his post that give back to the online marketing community without ever asking for a thing back (Haiko de Poel, Jr., Scott Jangro, Jim Kukral, Melanie Seery, Kellie Stevens), I can think of dozens of marketers (including Shawn, who neglected to name himself) who do the same.

Chris Brogan who takes the time to answer every single questions he’s asked on Twitter; Brian Clark who provides amazing free content on CopyBlogger.com everyday; Brian Littleton of ShareASale who takes the time to educate his merchants and affiliate marketers to both make the affiliate marketing industry better and push it forward; all of the folks that walked 60-miles with me to raise money for breast cancer research; Jeremy Schoemaker who provides dozens of case studies and tips to marketers to grow their businesses — the list goes on and on.

Now, it’s not to say that I’m averse to making money. I think I do a pretty good job at it. So do all of the people that I’ve mentioned above.

Maybe I’m just an idealist, but I believe that when one does well, there is an inherent responsibility to give back to the industries that have helped us get to where we are today and to help the less fortunate.

So, to all of the other idealists out there that give so much, with no strings attached – I salute you. Please keep doing what you’re doing. You ARE making a difference.

Luke 12:48 “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

Super-busy time for us at GeekCast.fm with all the new podcasts and vidcasts, we’re bringing on….

Below are the three that launched last week. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Geek Dads @ Home Podcast: Covering issues that geeky, work-at-home and stay-at-home Dads go through day-to-day. Hosted by Daniel M. Clark, Sam Harrelson, Scot Jangro and Joe Magennis.

Affiliate ABC’s: Discussing everything Affiliate Marketing. Hosted by Deb (Loxly) Carney and Vinny (NYFalcon) O’Hare.

E-Commerce Success Show: Free Online Advice for your e-Commerce Business. Hosted by Scott Fox.

Listen to Geek Dads @Home, Affiliate ABC’s, E-Commerce Success Show and other GeekCasters at http://geekcast.fm/.

Also, be sure to subscribe to the GeekCast RSS feed or subscribe in iTunes.

ShareASale.com just announced their 2008 Performance Awards and the winners are:

Exceptional Affiliate of 2008 – Scott Jangro
Exceptional Merchant of 2008 – CSN Stores
Exceptional Affiliate Manage of 2008 – Nicole Beidler of BirthdayInABox.com
PowerRank Champion 2008 – Checks Unlimited
Emerging Technology 2008 – GreenPlanetSearch
Pay It Forward 2008 – Missy Ward (Me!) and Melanie Seery

I am honoured and humbled to be in such great company and deeply touched by the recognition.