The Deal With Online Marketing & The FTC Stuff
Sounds boring right?
But I’m sure you may have heard about some of these
FTC guidelines this month…
But it’s *really* important to know the gist of this
which I will attempt to give you here!
***
Disclaimer – this is not legal
advice. You should seek the advice
of a qualified professional! LOL!!
***
Over the past week or so there has been a lot of
noise over some new FTC guidelines…
Many marketers have been panicking over this and
there seems to be quite a bit of confusion.
Here’s a quick overview of my understanding:
Affiliates
For example when promoting with blogs affiliates
should have some sort of blurb stating they get paid
for any stuff sold or something along those lines.
Nothing to big of a deal right?
Product Owners
But it also effects marketers with their own
products!
Specifically when it comes to the use of testimonials
and endorsements from others on the products
sales page.
First a question:
What’s the most powerful and influential sort of
third party testimonial?
One where the client has given a specific
result after using the product or service!
For example “I lost 1 stone in 5 minutes
with wonder pill x”
That would be a much more powerful
testimonial (if it were believable)
rather than:
“I love the wonder pill x this is
a great company to deal with”
As this is just a wishy-washy statement.
This is where the FTC has spoilt things for anyone
using testimonials…
Particularly where a specific result or experience
is used.
They now expect the typical, average result consumers
can expect to be displayed…
…and for you to have documented proof of this!
Almost an impossible task, especially as hardly
anyone actually does anything.
This is particularly true when it comes to info products!
Now the more general wishy washy testimonials will
probably be okay, just think twice before using one
with a specific result!
Speak soon,
Dave.
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Tagged with: online marketing and ftc
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I appreciate these tips on using graphics.
I also appreciate the suggestions on the testimonials and such. Too bad that advice such as this, regarding the FTC, must come from someone in the UK.
Regardless…
Thanks, Dave!
Tom
HaHa – thanks for your comments Tom!
Also in case anyone is wondering about the graphics tips were sent in my email newsletter, but I’ll publish that part to the blog soon.
Thanks,
Dave.