Comments on: I Was Not Paid by the FTC for This Review – More on the New Guidelines http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/ Making Money Online Blogging by Milking the Internet! Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:40:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: What You Must Understand In Regards to the New FTC Guidelines « Skinny Rich http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-35323 What You Must Understand In Regards to the New FTC Guidelines « Skinny Rich Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:56:01 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-35323 [...] Keep on reading the rest about New FTC Guidelines [...] [...] Keep on reading the rest about New FTC Guidelines [...]

]]> By: Alex http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-35310 Alex Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:46:11 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-35310 Although some of the new requirements set by the FTC in regards to disclosing affiliation are a bit of a hassle, I think it is generally a step in the right direction. I think it'll make marketers strive for better overall quality as opposed to simply pushing products. And the thing is, if you do a little market research for the top niches and look around at some of the "authority" sites made by marketers, the ones going strong are the ones that are more about quality as opposed to push, push, push! Although some of the new requirements set by the FTC in regards to disclosing affiliation are a bit of a hassle, I think it is generally a step in the right direction. I think it’ll make marketers strive for better overall quality as opposed to simply pushing products. And the thing is, if you do a little market research for the top niches and look around at some of the “authority” sites made by marketers, the ones going strong are the ones that are more about quality as opposed to push, push, push!

]]> By: Moneys Internet » Blog Archive » What You Should Understand In Regards to the New FTC Guidelines http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-35306 Moneys Internet » Blog Archive » What You Should Understand In Regards to the New FTC Guidelines Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:56:25 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-35306 [...] Continue reading the rest about New FTC Guidelines [...] [...] Continue reading the rest about New FTC Guidelines [...]

]]> By: Modern Street http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-35143 Modern Street Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:51:52 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-35143 I agree with many of the comments. Fakey testimonials and such are going to go under the microscope of the FTC - with good reason. I think the golden rule, honesty is the best policy, got lost under the gold rush, so it's good to go back to the basics again. I agree with many of the comments. Fakey testimonials and such are going to go under the microscope of the FTC – with good reason. I think the golden rule, honesty is the best policy, got lost under the gold rush, so it’s good to go back to the basics again.

]]> By: Doktor Thomas http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34862 Doktor Thomas Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:36:28 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34862 The new FTC rules, like most federal policies, cut with a picnic knife not a Ginsu. (No, I am not and do not sell, recommend or profit from the sale of 14 piece cutlery sets.) That doesn't mean one can ignore the rules, but square shooting blogs and web pages (sites that actually offer something of value as opposed to dressed up MLM plans and no effort millions) are not the focus of this law. At its heart the rules are aimed misleading and exaggerated statements likely to confuse or mislead unwary consumers (the public, which we know is getting dumber all the time with help of their over-paid lawyers). If you use a squeeze page as your landing page expect to make the FTC watch list. If you have seen any of the "make a six-digit income in the next 5 minutes” sites with my "unknown method", you probably have also seen the "user" claims. I used to regularly follow the domain names of these magical money hounds. You guessed it; most of the sites were off, holding pages from registrars or dead links. Therein lies the key to the FTC is looking for: fraud, lying, misleading and puffing beyond "this Yugo is the greatest car since Honda!" If you are building loyalty to make living, fraud and misleading is not going to get you far--although a paid vacation on your state or the fed might come your way. If you want to have a loyal following that bleeds into cyber-friendship and support, you probably are not engaging in the disallowed activity(s). If you recommend your users buy a product, let know from where you are coming." Yeah, I use it and I like because of a, b, and c." or "We use this software and loved so much we are now an affiliate seller. Click here." As for Google ads and other paid for space banners, that was not the thrust of this FTC rule. However, I suppose one could misrepresent those ads in fashion to get the FTC on your case. But why do that if loyalty is what you seek? The rule to follow is simple: Honesty is the best policy. If someone buys a Yugo, I happened to like the little rat trap, on your recommendation just make sure to add the qualifier, "I tried it and I liked personally because..." or "Yes, I got paid $50 bucks to tell you about these cars, but I still like my Yugo because it is so cute." Common sense rules. If what you are publishing misleads, you don't want that on your blog anyway. If it is your opinion, take ownership of that. If you are an affiliate marketer, tell people why. (My rule has always been, if I can't recommend it won't be linked on my site(s).) And, honestly, I never really cared what Wally in Farley, IA thought of some manhood pills. Speaking of honest, I used call QuickBooks, “QuackBooks”. Then I did a five year stint with a corporate management accountant. I learned how QB really worked. Now I am an affiliate marketer. Buy Quickbooks from my site because it IS worth very penny. (That is okay under rules.) Actually, if you are in business, YOU NEED this software. As a blogger, you want to use only those words, phrases and graphics that build trust. The ones that run afoul of the FTC rule don't. Yeah, honesty--it is that simple. Remember Victor Kiam. “I liked the razor so much, I bought the company.” It doesn't get any better than that. The new FTC rules, like most federal policies, cut with a picnic knife not a Ginsu. (No, I am not and do not sell, recommend or profit from the sale of 14 piece cutlery sets.) That doesn’t mean one can ignore the rules, but square shooting blogs and web pages (sites that actually offer something of value as opposed to dressed up MLM plans and no effort millions) are not the focus of this law. At its heart the rules are aimed misleading and exaggerated statements likely to confuse or mislead unwary consumers (the public, which we know is getting dumber all the time with help of their over-paid lawyers). If you use a squeeze page as your landing page expect to make the FTC watch list. If you have seen any of the “make a six-digit income in the next 5 minutes” sites with my “unknown method”, you probably have also seen the “user” claims. I used to regularly follow the domain names of these magical money hounds. You guessed it; most of the sites were off, holding pages from registrars or dead links. Therein lies the key to the FTC is looking for: fraud, lying, misleading and puffing beyond “this Yugo is the greatest car since Honda!”

If you are building loyalty to make living, fraud and misleading is not going to get you far–although a paid vacation on your state or the fed might come your way. If you want to have a loyal following that bleeds into cyber-friendship and support, you probably are not engaging in the disallowed activity(s). If you recommend your users buy a product, let know from where you are coming.” Yeah, I use it and I like because of a, b, and c.” or “We use this software and loved so much we are now an affiliate seller. Click here.”

As for Google ads and other paid for space banners, that was not the thrust of this FTC rule. However, I suppose one could misrepresent those ads in fashion to get the FTC on your case. But why do that if loyalty is what you seek? The rule to follow is simple: Honesty is the best policy. If someone buys a Yugo, I happened to like the little rat trap, on your recommendation just make sure to add the qualifier, “I tried it and I liked personally because…” or “Yes, I got paid $50 bucks to tell you about these cars, but I still like my Yugo because it is so cute.” Common sense rules. If what you are publishing misleads, you don’t want that on your blog anyway. If it is your opinion, take ownership of that. If you are an affiliate marketer, tell people why. (My rule has always been, if I can’t recommend it won’t be linked on my site(s).) And, honestly, I never really cared what Wally in Farley, IA thought of some manhood pills.

Speaking of honest, I used call QuickBooks, “QuackBooks”. Then I did a five year stint with a corporate management accountant. I learned how QB really worked. Now I am an affiliate marketer. Buy Quickbooks from my site because it IS worth very penny. (That is okay under rules.) Actually, if you are in business, YOU NEED this software.

As a blogger, you want to use only those words, phrases and graphics that build trust. The ones that run afoul of the FTC rule don’t. Yeah, honesty–it is that simple. Remember Victor Kiam. “I liked the razor so much, I bought the company.” It doesn’t get any better than that.

]]> By: Franck http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34702 Franck Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:49:26 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34702 I thought I'd see more changes on sales letters and blogs, but it seems that blogger and marketers will make the changes after the new year. Franck I thought I’d see more changes on sales letters and blogs, but it seems that blogger and marketers will make the changes after the new year.

Franck

]]> By: tony http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34581 tony Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:14:12 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34581 Hi, Seems funny that all these small time internet marketers are shaking in their boots over the FTC. Come on get real. The FTC has never been a federal agency to get worried about especially if you are small time. Now the big guys, maybe, just maybe at most.... Hi,

Seems funny that all these small time internet marketers are shaking in their boots over the FTC. Come on get real. The FTC has never been a federal agency to get worried about especially if you are small time. Now the big guys, maybe, just maybe at most….

]]> By: thomas http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34576 thomas Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:44:39 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34576 Step 1 - at least its a step in the right direction ... but we need 99 more steps to get rid of the "real" problem. Plus we need a "policeman-policeforce" ... good luck! Step 1 – at least its a step in the right direction … but we need 99 more steps to get rid of the “real” problem.

Plus we need a “policeman-policeforce” … good luck!

]]> By: Jeromy http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34564 Jeromy Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:50:27 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34564 Great post! I have spent the last couple of hours learning about this, so your email came just at the right time :) I read through a length discussion on Warrior form and certainly this is a Hot topic. I think its a good move, as hopefully it will help to 'clean' the web of some pretty shady folks. However, its a big playing field and I am sure a lot of these scams will still exist. I would image your sites ranking would be improved (I think it already does to a degree), as the SERPs and directories get smarter and they start to 'slap' sites missing these key disclosure statements, privacy policys, etc. I think for those of use trying to run a honest business, that take some time to exercise 'due diligence', we shouldn't run into too many problems. Thanks Jason! Jeromy Great post!

I have spent the last couple of hours learning about this, so your email came just at the right time :)

I read through a length discussion on Warrior form and certainly this is a Hot topic. I think its a good move, as hopefully it will help to ‘clean’ the web of some pretty shady folks. However, its a big playing field and I am sure a lot of these scams will still exist. I would image your sites ranking would be improved (I think it already does to a degree), as the SERPs and directories get smarter and they start to ‘slap’ sites missing these key disclosure statements, privacy policys, etc. I think for those of use trying to run a honest business, that take some time to exercise ‘due diligence’, we shouldn’t run into too many problems.

Thanks Jason!

Jeromy

]]> By: Deb George http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34553 Deb George Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:12:04 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34553 Thanks for the post Jason. Personally, I don't believe that the new FTC rules will change much of anything. Unless, of course, you are in the particular league of folks that are really raking in the dough off of endorsements and such. If you really think about it, how is the government going to monitor the hundreds of thousands of internet marketers. It's impossible. They don't have the resources to do it. I am beginning to think that this is just a scare tactic to make people be more honest and I don't see anything wrong with that. Keep up the great work. You are one of my idols. Thanks for the post Jason.

Personally, I don’t believe that the new FTC rules will change much of anything. Unless, of course, you are in the particular league of folks that are really raking in the dough off of endorsements and such.

If you really think about it, how is the government going to monitor the hundreds of thousands of internet marketers. It’s impossible. They don’t have the resources to do it.

I am beginning to think that this is just a scare tactic to make people be more honest and I don’t see anything wrong with that.

Keep up the great work. You are one of my idols.

]]> By: Jason Berkes http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34549 Jason Berkes Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:52:43 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34549 Great post Jason. The information is great. It helps when someone like yourself takes the time to discuss important matters like this. Thanks Jason Berkes Great post Jason. The information is great. It helps when someone like yourself takes the time to discuss important matters like this.

Thanks

Jason Berkes

]]> By: Nicki Harper http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34542 Nicki Harper Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:14:42 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34542 If you hire a writer to write reviews for you, that writer is being compensated, so remember to include a disclaimer. BTW - you can tell you have a writer-for-the-web who keeps up with the profession if he or she already knows about this. If you hire a writer to write reviews for you, that writer is being compensated, so remember to include a disclaimer.

BTW – you can tell you have a writer-for-the-web who keeps up with the profession if he or she already knows about this.

]]> By: SoundsAndGear.com http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34530 SoundsAndGear.com Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:53:05 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34530 Good stuff, you should always be upfront from the jump, folks know I get stuff in to review, they still value my opinion. No point in trying to hide anything, I was never that type of site owner. Good stuff, you should always be upfront from the jump, folks know I get stuff in to review, they still value my opinion.

No point in trying to hide anything, I was never that type of site owner.

]]> By: locksmith http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34528 locksmith Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:48:37 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34528 its been obvious for some time that sites were giving fake biased reviews - could sites offer a disclaimer somewhere on the site that informed users of its true standing on reviews(most peeps would,nt bother to read it). its been obvious for some time that sites were giving fake biased reviews – could sites offer a disclaimer somewhere on the site that informed users of its true standing on reviews(most peeps would,nt bother to read it).

]]> By: Alan http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34527 Alan Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:42:08 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34527 Good post. I'm about to start up my first blog and I found this really helpful. Good post. I’m about to start up my first blog and I found this really helpful.

]]> By: Kalvster http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34508 Kalvster Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:39:42 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34508 This was a good move because this will down play a lot of useless posts on websites. This was a good move because this will down play a lot of useless posts on websites.

]]> By: Needmoney.com http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34503 Needmoney.com Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:02:32 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34503 Yeah everyone needs to get on board with this. You can see why they dide it; there's a lot of fake "review" sites out there. Yeah everyone needs to get on board with this. You can see why they dide it; there’s a lot of fake “review” sites out there.

]]> By: CERITAKU.. http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34368 CERITAKU.. Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:09:17 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34368 Nice article, you’ve explained the things showing the niceties of the FTC regulations. I personally feel that the new FTC regulations are good for the sake of transparency and it lets the user decide for himself after reading the opinions expressed on various websites. Nice article, you’ve explained the things showing the niceties of the FTC regulations. I personally feel that the new FTC regulations are good for the sake of transparency and it lets the user decide for himself after reading the opinions expressed on various websites.

]]> By: Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34255 Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:35:32 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34255 Nice post. I'm enjoying reading your examples and explaining the FTC rulings in your own words rather than reading actual the boring multi-page guidelines itself. Though it is probably important that I read it in full eventually if I plan to sell products and receive free products to review in future. But it seems clear that you just need to disclose everything and make sure you're honest with your readers. BTW when you click on your web2mayhem.com link it doesn't work - think you forgot to put in the url when clicked on ;) (you can edit this part of the comment out when you've fixed it!) Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com Nice post. I’m enjoying reading your examples and explaining the FTC rulings in your own words rather than reading actual the boring multi-page guidelines itself.

Though it is probably important that I read it in full eventually if I plan to sell products and receive free products to review in future. But it seems clear that you just need to disclose everything and make sure you’re honest with your readers.

BTW when you click on your web2mayhem.com link it doesn’t work – think you forgot to put in the url when clicked on ;) (you can edit this part of the comment out when you’ve fixed it!)

Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

]]> By: Heard of the New FTC Regulations? You Absolutely Must Read This! | Johncow.com http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/#comment-34177 Heard of the New FTC Regulations? You Absolutely Must Read This! | Johncow.com Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:50:41 +0000 http://www.johncow.com/?p=3592#comment-34177 [...] Next Post –> http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/ [...] [...] Next Post –> http://www.johncow.com/i-was-not-paid-by-the-ftc-for-this-review-more-on-the-new-guidelines/ [...]

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