Comments on: The FTC Update – In Plain English

By: The Revised FTC Guidelines: What They Mean to You

The Revised FTC Guidelines: What They Mean to You — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:56:40 +0000

[...] * Lynn Terry’s series of posts, starting with this one: [...]

By: FTC Compliant Endorsements & Testimonials

FTC Compliant Endorsements & Testimonials — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:33:20 +0000

[...] example the FTC gave in their original documents back in October was for a diet pill. The atypical result was along the lines of “Sally lost [...]

By: Lynn Terry

Lynn Terry — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:15:28 +0000

I am not sure on the details, Bruce, but it was said that the new FTC Guides affect all US advertising regardless of where the business is physically located. I imagine any type of traditional advertising has to follow the same guidelines, but it will be interesting to see how they enforce it with online marketing from companies outside the US.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:44:16 +0000

I’m unclear on how these regulations are going to affect affiliate marketers from countries other than the US. How can the FTC guidelines have any “teeth” with an offender in, say, India?

By: 5 Ways To Prepare For The FTC Crackdown

5 Ways To Prepare For The FTC Crackdown — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:54:24 +0000

[...] and foremost you should make sure that all of your blogs and websites are 100% compliant with the new FTC guides. Avoiding any trouble with the FTC in the first place is the best measure, of [...]

By: Arun Pal Singh

Arun Pal Singh — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:38:09 +0000

While this sure would cause transparency in blogger world but I do no think it would make much difference in overall way the business is conducted.

Sponsored covert endorsements continue to occupy major place in media and this would continue in blogger world.

Only the older ways would give rise to newer.

By: Lynn Terry

Lynn Terry — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:50:44 +0000

See my newest update, linked below as a pingback, and keep an eye out for my next post. The thing with atypical results is that they need to be current, accurate – and qualified. I’ll address that in detail in my next post.

By: New FTC Guides Go Into Effect Dec 1st…

New FTC Guides Go Into Effect Dec 1st… — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:45:42 +0000

[...] month I published The FTC Update – In Plain English, but even with that in-depth post I still get questions about the FTC guides on a daily basis. I [...]

By: Lexi Rodrigo

Lexi Rodrigo — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:33:06 +0000

Lynn, thanks for keeping us informed of the developments in this issue, and for intelligently interpreting the FTC documents for us. I have to admit, I haven’t read the documents myself. Every Internet marketer should make time for that.

In fear, I’ve pasted disclosures on my sites and emails. I do worry still about a sales page where the headline consists of specific results a particular expert got from following her own strategies (the product is an interview of the expert).

The new FTC guidelines will certainly affect how we write copy and promote products/services. There are so many gray areas. I think it will take time and some real-life cases for us to fully grasp how to comply.

Lexi

By: Lynn Terry

Lynn Terry — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:16:54 +0000

You should read the documents for yourself to get a full understanding of the updated guides that go into effect on Dec 1st. But regarding endorsements or testimonials, if they mention “results” and those results are “atypical” then those results need to be qualified.

But if they don’t mention results, and just talk about how much they enjoyed the experience, or their personal fulfillment (I am not familiar with your method so forgive me if I’m off base) then it’s no big deal. The FTC simply wants transparency regarding the way we frame our products and services.

I have another – hopefully more clear – post on the topic coming up soon so be sure to subscribe and keep an eye out for that.

By: Liana C

Liana C — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:03:50 +0000

What’s not clear for me is the issue of healing services. I don’t sell products. My clients come to me for alternative healing. Where does that fall in the guidelines? And I also take people on spiritual journeys to sacred sites around the world. What happens to the testimonial they write for me about that? Is it endorsing a “product”? I’m confused. Thanks for any clarification you can give me.

By: FTC Rules in Understandable English | David Jackson - Podcast Consultant, Coach, Instructor

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:24:57 +0000

[...] find the episode about the FTC HERE or if you mroe of a reader than a listener you can check out Lynn’s blog about the [...]

By: Managers, Facebook and The Magic Bullet - Internet Marketing This Week #25

Managers, Facebook and The Magic Bullet - Internet Marketing This Week #25 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:56:04 +0000

[...] Lynn's Blog Post On The FTC [...]

By: Shaye

Shaye — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:32:39 +0000

Storm in a tea cup if you ask me

By: James Holmes

James Holmes — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:26:51 +0000

Lynn – As always you are on it! Just as with the state sales tax issue earlier this year, you have a unique gift manifest in your ability to make complicated issues easy to understand provide guidance on the way forward. This issue will be interesting to watch as it relates to the that which was unintended – as often is the case when regulating business. I just hope no one goes overboard in their concern about the conduct of affiliate marketers.

My best advice as when playing in Google’s courtyard, play by the rules and stay off of the radar screen. It may require more work on your part, but it will b worth it!

I appreciate you!

James