If you are new to blogging, you may not be aware that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revised its Endorsement Guide.

At its most basic —

• If you have a connection with a product or service you are blogging about
• And the knowledge of that connection might make a difference to your reader
• Disclose the nature of that relationship

It is a good practice for every blog to have a disclosure policy.

Legal Speak

Few people enjoy the legal speak side of business.

Today’s Techie Tip offers a simple way to create a Disclosure Policy for your blog – whatever your situation.

DisclosurePolicy.org provides an easy-to-use tool for creating a customized Disclosure Policy.

• Go to DisclosurePolicy.org
• Click on the Generate Policy button
• Follow the simple six steps

Step 1: Type of Blog

• Pick the best description for your blog
• Enter your contact name
• Click on Continue

Step 2: Compensation

• Pick the best description of compensation (if any) you accept for your blog
• Click on Continue

Step 3: Advertising & Content

• If you do not receive compensation, select the first option
• If you receive compensation, click on one of the three remaining descriptions
• Click on Continue

Step 4: Compensation (again)

• This asks if your blog is influenced by compensation
• If you don’t receive compensation, select the first option
• If you receive compensation, select the second option – hopefully, you do not allow that to influence your views
• Click on Continue

Step 5: Conflicts of Interest

• If you do not have affiliations that create a conflict of interest, select the first option
• If you have affiliations, this could present a possible conflict of interest
• Select one of the options where you state —
  • You will identify possible conflict of interest
  • The conflict of interest may not always be identified
  • Specifically list affiliations in your policy that may case conflict of interest
• Click on Finish

Step 6: Your Policy

• Cut and paste the policy into your blog

Simple, right?

There is also an option for an I Disclose badge (like the one on this post) that you can place on your site with a link to the policy.

How do you handle disclosure? Any suggestions for policies?

======================

Helping you Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours – contact me for help with your business writing needs.

====================