The countdown is on. The new FTC Guides go into effect on December 1st and you need to be totally prepared for the crackdown.
To help you out, here are 5 things you should give serious consideration as you continue forward with your online business...
First 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 course...
But just in case you find yourself getting a notice in the mail, or worse - find the men in black knocking at your front door, you should make sure you (and your family) are prepared.
Nothing like being caught off guard!
So here's your checklist. Print it out, tape it to your desk, and make sure you have all of these items covered by the time Dec 1st sneaks up on you:
1. Stash lots of cash under your mattress. You're going to need it when they freeze your credit card, checking, savings and PayPal accounts. No sense missing your weekly massage or your Starbucks fix over a little paperwork!
2. Stockpile the bare essentials - camping gear, a secret laptop, printer paper, a prepaid mobile device, amazon gift cards, etc. All the things necessary to continue tweeting at the very least... because we'll want updates!
3. Create a treasure map to the cash stashed under your mattress, and hide it in a safe place (like buried in your neighbor's yard). In the case that you get one phone call, you can point them to the map so they can find the cash and bond you out.
4. Create off-site backups of all your data. They'll likely confiscate your computers and any additional discs or hard drives, so use Mozy or something similar so that you can access your data from the secret laptop. They may take everything that isn't nailed down, but they can't take passwords that are in your head. 😉
5. Wake up early every day and dress your best - or at least get out of your bathrobe. When they show up to take you away, it's a "come as you are" type of party. You don't want to get carried off in your fuzzy slippers, now do you??
Imagine what the neighbors would say then...
"I knew they were doing something weird on the internet over there!"
Plus - you want to look good for your mug shot.
Things like matching socks, a fresh haircut and clean underwear should definitely become a higher priority when the new FTC Guides officially go into effect.
Don't be scared - be prepared! 😀
Best,
The FTC Update – In Plain English
New FTC Guides Go Into Effect Dec 1st…
FTC Compliant Endorsements & Testimonials
How FTC Guides Affect Social Media Marketing
About Lynn Terry
Love it! You are not only beautiful, smart, talented but have a great sense of humor also!
LOL - what a high compliment! 😀 Thank you, Barbara 😉
Way to be prepared Lynn. You must have been in the "Girl Scouts".
Thanks Lynn!
I ate my share of cookies...
But don't ask me to build a campfire 😛
Hysterical! I think I'll start stuffing my mattress today. 🙂
Agreed. Truly classic post Lynn. Just what I needed this morning, thank-you!
Just so you will know, Lynn, I got the link to your FTC Guide Lines articles on jl scotts i-Cop newsletter. Your articles are so complete and understandable, why would anyone else try to improve. You are probably getting more new visitors from these posts - hope so, you give really good information. And I DO love your 5 tips for being prepared.
Whoa, a least from the headline I taught you had joined the nut cases regarding the FTC changes regarding IM. Should have known better, will print it out and pin it to my corkboard. ROFLOL
Haha, nice article 🙂
So funny.Is this true, for me I must have my passport they will deport me. My house is always a mess, I must start cleaning it this week.
Ha ha! Soo funny.
Ahh good one Grace - smart idea to keep the house in good order for that "unexpected company" 😉
you crack me up lol!
So THATS why you bought the Jeep - so that you have an offroad vehicle that can go places normal police cars can't in the event of a high-speed chase!
Oh yeah, be sureto install TOR on that secret laptop so the Feds can't zero in on your location when you log on to the internet 😉
LOL - but would I post photos of my getaway vehicle on Facebook?? Maybe it's just an illusion... heh 🙂
OMGosh that made me laugh so hard that I almost spit my coffee out. I was all prepared for a serious, better get your stuff together post and as I started reading #1 .....I realized that this was the funniest darn thing I have read in a long time. Reminds me of the Y2K crisis preparedness days....
Oh yeah...."Passwords in your head"? Yeah right.....lol. I have like full on Excel spreadsheets of all my passwords there are so many to "remember"!
Yeah, but if you can remember your one Mozy password... you can access those spreadsheets 😉
🙂
Made me smile (smink) and think today at the same time ....
I'm assuming that, for the safety of all concerned, your post will self-destruct in 5...4...3...
Ahh yes. go-go-gadget wordpress plugin! 😆
I knew I should have gone for that Black Friday deal on the laptop. What to do, what to do?!?
I love starting the day off with a good laugh.... Thanks, Lynn.
You are always on top of things.
LOL LOL LOL That was too funny!
LOL funny stuff 🙂
Hilarious! And a good reminder that I need to prepare my site! Thanks Lynn.
I'm packing heat for sure. Bring out the big guns, baby. They're not gonna take me away!!! The Feds ain't gonna get me 🙂
LOOOOVE IT. I'd say to keep a tent and a bottle of wine in your trunk, too... just in case! 😀
LOL - good call 😉
LOL, Lynn- I have a new niche for you- a humor column regarding Internet Marketing!
Ahh, Dan's got that covered over at WAHumor.com 😀
Lynn! I was looking left, right and behind me. My heart was thumping until I scrolled down to the lady with hair rolls...Grrr
Thanks Lynn, you made me smile today. I was able to find this blog through the interview Bob posted on his blog. Glad I was able to stumble into this humorous blog of yours. 🙂
Does this mean that you've been converted to Ed Dale's way of thinking?
David
Now see, that's just as funny as my entire post! 😛 LOL
I spent too long with him this weekend 🙂
Ed's great. I am penciling in plans to fly into Melbourne for his Coming Home event in February. Actually was planning a trip to Oz around that time anyway, so must thank Ed for making the trip tax deductible! 😉
It was an outstanding event in Manchester, definitely worth going to the Aussie one.
Great that it's tax deductible, a bonus that the content is so good.
I hope you like monkeys 😉 And aren't easily offended (by Dan Raine)
Non affiliate link to the Melbourne seminar: http://www.tubbynerd.com/ComingHome2/
Yes, I was at the event in Orlando this time last year. I was like this: 😯 through Dan's presentation LOL. Got the link, thank you, and have already talked to Ed. Looks like a cool group of folks are planning to attend!
LOL, that was a good chunk of the audience!
BTW, I love IMTW, especially when there are different opinions about something. Too often in the IM space it seems like there is no conversation.
Thank you - it's a super fun podcast, and I think our mix of models and viewpoints makes it especially fun!
LMAO that was hilarious!
Oh no - I'll have to get rid of all those gray torn undies!
Ack! TMI 😀 LOL
Ha Ha! Ouch. Ha Ha! Ouch.
All this laughing is making these darn Fed handcuffs dig in.
Don't bother cleaning your house, It spoils all the fun they'd have searching it. I'm always prepared for that one!
Got a favorite FTC disclosure statement, even if it is your own?? Join the fun! http://wahumor.com/698/whats-your-favorite-ftc-disclosure-statement/
Dan