RSSDisclosure
If you live in the US there are new rules about disclosing how your website makes it’s money if you are an affiliate marketer. This could also apply to other forms of making money from writing if you ever make any money when someone buys a product you mention…
Yep, big brother is at it again. It’s the usual bull stuff. If it’s intended to stop the scammers then what’s the point – they lie to you anyway. If it’s intended to make it clearer for the consumer then OK, that’s no bad thing, but what do people think the site is there for? They think people put up blogs and sites because they’re generous, selfless individuals who only have your best interests at heart?
Get real. 99% of sites are professional. They would like visitors to buy something or click an ad that will make them money indirectly. Lots of people, like me, are genuinely trying to help folks, but we expect some of the people will part with some money some of the time!
It’s called investing in your business and if you aren’t prepared to do that you better have a rethink. Eventually you’re going to have to put your hand in your pocket even if it’s just for hosting.
However, I digress.
The current rules on disclosure apply to the US – and I live in France at the moment so they don’t apply to me – ha, ha.
But because I’m such a decent and honest guy I’ll comply anyway – in my own fashion, of course! I’m supposed to tell you something like “this site may be compensated by some of the sites linked to in regard to products or services on various posts or pages within this blog” or some such incomprehensible nonsense. How does that help anyone with anything?
Here’s the way I see it.
If I recommend a product or service it’s because I believe it could improve your income. Period. I guarantee nothing because you have to put the work in. Just buying an ebook will get you nowhere if all you do is read it. You’ve got to act. Knowledge without action it’s like buying a car… and then not putting any gas in it!
If you don’t like the look of something I recommend, don’t buy it. You’re a grown up, you can do the research and make up your own mind. If you think something is too expensive then for you, for now, it probably is. Don’t buy it. Never over stretch yourself to buy any product or service, it isn’t worth the risk. Start low cost then re-invest as your income builds – that’s just good business sense.
Sometimes I’ll have free stuff for you. Sometimes I’ll recommend something and, if you invest in it, I’ll get a commission. What difference does that make to you? It won’t cost you any extra and you don’t pay me – the person you buy from will pay me. In this business it’s called affiliate marketing but it’s a variation on how all businesses work. If you buy a tin of beans at the store, some of that money goes to the folks who make the beans and some of it goes to the store you bought the beans from, yes?
So why all the fuss? If I make money indirectly from helping you make money, what’s wrong with that?
If you’ve got objections then you need to start looking for another blog because it’s the essence of what I do here and what I teach. In fact variations of it are the core of virtually all business, so if you were looking at making money online but you have a problem with this concept you’re in the wrong game.
I’d go so far as to say you probably shouldn’t be looking at working for yourself at all.
Still here – excellent – we better get on with some work then!
