Diary of an Affiliate Marketer
Today my email box has been filled with emails on the hot topic of the FTC ruling that all affiliates have to abide by the full disclosure rules. No surprise there!
It’s also very interesting to see the different reactions to the news and I have a smile on my face as I read how resourceful people can be and how quick they can come up with ideas on how to use the rules to their advantage. I’ll give you an example.
I came across this one within hours of the news from the FTC breaking:
Having given it some thought one person wrote I wonder if having a so-called “balloon tip” appear when the visitor puts their mouse over a link would suffice?
The technology is easy to achieve this is easy and it would just be the work of adding it to each link that would be the tedious part.
And they would not appear if somebody turned off JavaScript, sooooooo?
We affiliate marketers are clever people aren’t we? Or are we?
If you remember when we discussed the FTC ruling yesterday I believe one of the key statements that came out in that ruling was:
“That’s left up to the endorser,” said Richard Cleland, assistant director of the FTC’s division of advertising practices. “It can be a banner, part of the review. The only requirement is that it be clear and conspicuous.”
Clear and conspicuous. I don’t think for one moment that balloons popping up in java script as the mouse pointer hovers over the affiliate link would count as clear and conspicuous. Do You?
More to the point isn’t the whole objective of making it clear to the visitor that you are receiving a payment for your recommendations. That they are biased recommendations.
Now having been involved in sales most of my life I see no problem with this whatsoever.
If you decided it was time to renew your car you may walk into a Ford Motor Company dealership and start browsing around the cars. The salesman approaches and discusses your needs and requirements with you and may suggest a particular model and offer you a free test drive.
He’s not going to offer you a Toyota or Honda. He receives commission for the sale but that didn’t put you off seeking his advice and whilst he doesn’t come right out with it you have had full disclosure because you know he can only sell you a Ford and you know he gets paid for doing it.
Surely this is all the FTC is trying to achieve. They want the visitor to know that they are not receiving impartial advice and that you the affiliate may very well receive some payment or commission for recommending their product.
If you are comfortable with what you recommend and have confidence in your merchant’s products why would you want to be afraid of these changes.
In my humble opinion it is another step in the right direction to making the internet a more professional environment for selling and those of us who try to be professional going about their daily business welcome these changes.
I believe in full disclosure and some or all of these links are affiliate links meaning I may receive commission or payment. Any product or service I do have an affiliate link for I fully endorse as a product or service I am using myself. I can think of no greater testimonial.
