In the past two weeks, the FTC has come down hard on bloggers and internet marketers. The new FTC ruling boils down to two main disclosures:
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.
[...] said, beginning December 1, 2009, the FTC requires bloggers to provide disclosures whenever there could be hidden interests or unspoken biases related to [...]
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