Success UnPlugged Magazine – FTC Compliant
You have been previously notified about the coming of my brand new magazine called…
“Success UnPlugged”
‘UnRestricted UnCensored
Internet Marketing Reviews’
Yes! I can already read your mind. You’re probably saying… Reviews are just another way of advertising a product for the sole purpose to buy and sell online. I cannot agree with you more.
Success UnPlugged’s new magazine is NOT about that whatsoever. Of course my team will expand on what the service or product is and is not, but not in the same context you’ve experienced.
No! The reviews will be written under the new FTC guidelines effective December 1st, 2009.
All marketing will be affected!
1) How will Success UnPlugged be different?
You know how it’s great to use a wonderfully aspirational (and absolutely truthful) testimonial or endorsement from someone that really nailed it using a product or service
– something like…
“I made $150,000 in one month using this product!”
or
“I lost 40 pounds in 8 weeks using this product.”
- Sure.
And all you had to do was post some disclaimer that says ‘results not typical.’
- Yeah…
Well, those days are gone.
If Success UnPlugged doesn’t follow the new rules, our marketing communications could be interpreted as…
“DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING”
Even if what we’re saying is
COMPLETELY TRUTHFUL!
§ 255.1 General considerations.
(d) Advertisers are subject to liability for false or unsubstantiated statements made through endorsements, or for failing to disclose material connections between themselves and their endorsers. Endorsers also may be liable for statements made in the course of their endorsements.
2) So what is the primary focus of Success UnPlugged’s reviews?
We will focus on the online advertising aspect of the products. The pieces of this that will affect the most people are the components that go into a successful offer of any kind:
• Product Claims
• Testimonials
• Endorsements
You’ve seen the pages: product claims of features and benefits flying around, a huge list of satisfied customers showing potential buyers the real results of real people who have purchased the products.
“If I can achieve this,
YOU can achieve this.
All you have to do is
sign up! NOW!
“Oh, and if that’s not enough, here are a whole set of people you know, trust, and want to be like that aren’t making claims about my product, but they’re saying how great the company, sponsor, or author is as business person, guru, expert, or divine person.”
All the statements are true of course, at least in the opinion of the person giving the endorsement. The trouble is they fail to tell you they get paid 40% for every person that purchases the product by clicking through the convenient link at the bottom of their testimonial. Which brings us to the affiliate marketing industry…
3) So what’s all the fuss about on Affiliate Marketing?
The new rules require affiliates to DISCLOSE the affiliation with the sponsoring marketer. I just can’t hide the fact I’m getting a commission anymore.
It shouldn’t be a big problem and we should be able to work seamlessly through the sponsors marketing tools.
Another wrinkle in this is that as an affiliate I’m responsible to check out the product to the extent of your expertise before making the recommendation and not just take the marketer at their word that the product rocks.
Note that the sponsor of the product is also on the hook if I lie or fail to disclose our relationship, so expect some updated affiliate agreements and expect some additional oversight by the sponsoring company regarding what you say and do as an affiliate.
This is what Success UnPlugged’s Magazine is about. It will provide you, my friends, customers, prospects and subscribers….
.… UnRestricted UnCensored Content!
Let the truth be known, I had no idea the FTC was making these changes while I was creating my magazine. And now that it is a fact these rules begin Dec 1, 2009 – it fits well!
And by the way, I grabbed most of the above content directly from the company that wrote it. It’s called…
- FTC Toolkit and it’s written by;
KEVIN E. HOUCHIN is a Creative Business Lawyer. He advises creative people on how to maximize creativity, build businesses, and protect intellectual property. Kevin has a BFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University, 20 years of conventional and online marketing experience, and a JD from The University of Iowa College of Law where his studies focused on small business and intellectual property law.
JOEL B. ROTHMAN is a partner at Arnstein & Lehr LLP and board certified in Intellectual Property Law by The Florida Bar. Joel represents individual and corporate clients in intellectual property infringement litigation involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, trade libel and related commercial matters. His litigation practice also includes significant focus on electronic discovery issues such as e-discovery management and motion practice relating to e-discovery.
JULIE YATES has practiced law for 12 years in the areas of litigation, commercial transactions and contract law. She has served as a managing partner of a law firm as well as corporate in-house counsel. She currently resides in Fort Collins, Colorado where she consults for companies, works with Houchin Law Offices, P.C. to helping start-up businesses grow, and runs a photography business.
HUGO H. OTTOLENGHI is a former journalist with more than 25 years of experience working for national and local news organizations.
Over that time, he has developed professional and personal contacts from Miami to Vero Beach. He also has been a member of regional and local business and professional organizations.
Since I must be straight forward with you, I am an affiliate to the FTC Toolkit. And yes I do make a commission if you buy this Product. The kit comes with all the new legal documents for your web sites.
4) Would I recommend this product?
Absolutely! You need it. It’s the main reason why I bought it. They have a 60 day free membership which allows you to put a small siteseal that says Proactively FTC Compliant. You can see the seal at the very top of my post.
Simply click the image and get your FTC Toolkit today.
To Your Success!
Lonnie Amirault
www.SuccessUnPlugged.com
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