Testimonials Done Right

Testimonials are an important and vital way to showcase your product or services as a blogger or internet marketer. The guidelines on how to implement testimonials and endorsements has changed as of December 1, 2009. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has enacted the new guidelines to protect consumers.

The new testimonial guidelines state that bloggers and internet marketers with affiliate compensation connections or “material compensation connections” (money, free products or software) must disclose that information if they are representing that product or service. This disclosure must be legible and visible.

The testimony or endorsement must represent the “honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experience of the endorser.” and the endorsement may not “convey any express or implied representation that would be deceptive if made by the advertiser.” (FTC guideline Consumer Endorsements 255.1(a)) The marketer and endorser may both be liable if there are misleading and deceptive statements. Affiliates need to make sure that the products they endorse are honest and legitimate products. Bloggers and internet marketers need to make sure that affiliates understand and comply with the new FTC guidelines.

Internet business lawyer Mike Young and case studies expert and copywriter Karl Barndt have a solution based on the new FTC Guidelines that you can easily and quickly apply to your business. This solution shows you how to retell your customers’ testimonials in a way that reduces your risk.

They’ve created a special report called “Kill Your Testimonials! How to Create Success Stories That Sell and Won’t Get You Sued.” When you invest in this report (pdf file), you’ll learn…

- How the FTC has changed the way you can use testimonials.
- What it could cost you if you violate the FTC’s rules.
- The biggest problem affecting testimonials beyond the FTC’s new guidelines.
- Practical solutions for telling your customers’ success stories that are even more effective than testimonials — and won’t get you into trouble.

Because the new FTC guidelines are now in effect, you’ll want to claim your copy immediately.