Just a quick note to let you know that my friend, Jim Edwards, had the good fortune of interviewing an FTC director (in charge of advertising and claims), Richard Cleland.

If you’re an affiliate, a blogger, or an Internet marketer, and you’re worried or confused about the upcoming December 1st new laws coming into effect, then you NEED to watch this!

It’s totally pitch-free and information-packed. Watch it now…

Internet Marketers Become FTC Compliant

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Disclosure #1: You cannot use testimonials on your page without disclosing what the average person would make.   (which is easy because only 1% of people apply what they learn so the average person would make nothing or do nothing with the product – last week’s FTC post.

Disclosure #2: You have to disclose if you are making commissions from the visitors purchasing anything from your site.

In the past week, I’ve received emails from John Reese and Michel Fortin with their full disclosures inside the email.

DISCLOSURE:  I am an affiliate for Jeff’s new product.
If you purchase his course through my link my company will earn a commission.  I am endorsing Jeff because his concepts have really helped my own business.  So I highly recommend him.  – John Reese

I believe that John is setting the example here because he’s one of the biggest affiliates out there.  The FTC is looking to make an example (not just with a small fine and warning).  Usually, the FTC look for the big dogs and then they try to take everything and bring them down for life.  It’s sad but true.  I like the way he has added this disclosure to his emails.

Michel Fortin, one of the top copywriters on the internet today, has posted a full disclosure policy.  You can view it here:

Michel Fortin’s Full Disclosure Policy

Michel opens his book and leaves everything on the table.  From his different business ventures to how he makes money with each company.  While most marketers will tell you that affiliates are packing their bags and moving on – this is NOT TRUE!

This FTC ruling will not stop affiliates from making money because they simply link directly to the product’s page.  There is no middle man.  However, for those linking to a landing page – this is where you need to add some disclaimers if you are recommending a product.

But if you are using this formula from my Millionaire in Training Blueprint:

Landing Page – Free Offer – Email Followups

The landing page does not recommend a specific product or service.  You offer your visitors a free report or a free video.  That way – you build that list and you start building a relationship with that list.  You can go back to them again and again with different affiliate offers. Then in the email followups – that’s where you need to add the disclaimers like John Reese above.

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Today – they announced their full fledged war against testimonials and advertising.  My marketing friend called and we were discussing the testimonial side of it.

This is very interesting:  If you have testimonials – if someone gets results with your product – you are allowed to display those results as long as underneath it – you present what an average person will do.

How do you track what an average person would do? Actually I know..

Results may vary.  99% of the people that buy this product will do nothing with it and so they will make nothing.  Hopefully, you are part of the 1% do-er’s and will see results.

How do you like my new disclaimer?

Along with the testimonials – you now have to disclose that people are paying for advertisements or you’re earning a profit by promoting a product.  It’s the attack on businesses .. which I’m not exactly sure I understand what the FTC’s beef is on business in the first place..

Last year – we were seconds away from collapsing, and if you talk to my financial planning friends, then they would say that for months, USA was in a state of financial “what the hell is going on” disrupt which changed by the hour.

And now that real people are working their tails off to not only learn these strategies but implement these strategies in their businesses – the FTC wants to punish these people.  Did they forget that small business employ over 50% of the people and make up over 50% of the GDP?  Small businesses employ over 50% of the people and make up over half of the Gross Domestic Product.. so wouldn’t you think that the smart idea would be to give incentives to small businesses.. give tax breaks to small businesses.. give these small businesses reason to grow.. reason to hire more.. let them keep their money so they can advertise more.. hire more people.. get health care plans for their employees..

Well – I’ll tell you one thing (my favorite saying) – That makes it somewhat hard to plan for the long-term when the government changes everything year to year.

Let me let you in on a little secret – there is no planning for the long-term.  It’s setup your systems.. implement as much as you can.. and create revenue from many different sources, because you don’t know when one of your revenue streams will get eaten by the FTC.. or by Google.. or by new affiliate tax laws.. or by the Amazon disrespect..

Let me make that very clear from here on out – I’m in the business to make money – and 100% of the time – my mission is to help people find what they desperately need and want – then sometimes I get a commission or referral fee and sometimes I don’t..so let this serve as my official notification of profits.