Do you know that if you’re currently using testimonials from clients who have gotten exceptional results with your products or services, you could have your marketing labeled “misleading” and face crippling fines from the FTC—even if everything you are saying is true!
As a (business coach, internet marketing expert, speaker, author, etc—customize this for you), I have depended on building a file of results-driven testimonials to build social proof for my products and services. I don’t know about you, but these new FTC regulations are not easy to understand. Quite frankly, I am not comfortable with many of my best testimonials right now because I just don’t know what the FTC considers “compliant”.
What I do know is by implementing a simple plan you can turn this FTC guideline update into an opportunity to grow your business.
To get started in the right direction:
1. Review all of your marketing materials
2. Make sure the testimonials you’re using are from current clients or customers who would ‘say the same thing today’
3. Inform your affiliates and review your relationships because it now matters what others are saying on your behalf!
If you want to know more information about this subject and learn specific, simple steps that you can start taking now to improve your marketing messages AND stay FTC compliant, than I have an opportunity to share with you.
My good friend, Michele DeKinder-Smith of Linkage Research and Jane Out of the Box, is hosting a 6 week webinar program that will walk you through exactly what you need to do to demonstrate your “generally expected performance results”—which is what the FTC is asking you to do.
This is so important to me that I will also be attending this program along with members of my marketing team. If you are interested in getting more information and possibly joining me in this program, please check out this site.
Make sure to let me know if you sign up so that we can support each other in learning the “new rules of marketing!”
Happy Marketing!
Sherry Simoes
Founder & Director of Member Marketing Support
