Having a disclosure policy on your blog is not only a tool to adhere to FTC guidelines but allows you to maintain your reputation as an ethical blogger. Readers do not want to be “tricked” into clicking on affiliate links. Readers do not care if you get paid to post, paid for a link, paid if they buy from your affiliate link, or compensated with review products. They care that you are open and honest about those affiliations.
Potential companies and sponsors also want to know your interests. As a blogger who may represent their product, they want to make sure you have a reputation of integrity. If I have not made it clear enough then listen up; your reputation is of the utmost importance as a blogger. It will make or break deals. It will cause you to gain or lose readers. Therefore, disclose, disclose, disclose.
What is a disclosure policy?
Disclosure is simply making your interests in a post, product or company obvious. A disclosure policy is an open way of telling your readers that your blog does accept product or monetary compensation for the promotion of a company or product. It can be stated on your blog’s sidebar or on a separate permanent page.
Why disclose?
First, to follow the FTC guidelines you are required to disclose any compensation for promoting a product or writing a post. Second, it allows your readers to know that your interest in a product is associated with financial or personal gain. For instance, I often promote a curriculum to my readers but the company and I are not affiliated. So, I need not disclose that or perhaps I may to emphasize that I only promote from the heart. However, when I promote a product and supply affiliate links in the post I make sure my readers know I am affiliated. I also disclose on reviews or paid posts if I was compensated in some way.
Words of Warning:
*I used to write up paid posts every now and then. Some would ask that you not disclose that the post was paid. I find that unethical and potentially illegal. Do not associate yourself with a dishonest policy for a quick payment. You are held responsible for your posts.
*Your reputation is on the line. Align yourself with honest companies and review objectively. No free product or payment is worth your integrity.
*You are NOT obligated to write anything based on compensation.
Do not associate with companies that demand you pay for a product or return a product if your review is not positive.
*Remember your blog is a representation of you. No respectable company would expect you to compromise on that. Know your policy before engaging in business with a company. They cannot tell you how to write your post or what to include. You do not have to include links or promote on social media unless you agree to it. Many companies will ask you to do so and that is up to you. I am very generous when I review; however, you find your line and do not cross it. Your blog is your business and you need to run it like one.