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 Why does this guy always appear just for the sake of exploiting easy money by preying on the fear of others? ("Treasure Of The Sierra Madre" fans will remember this.)
Look, changes are coming, big changes in online marketing, especially as it relates to blogging testimonials, celebrity endorsers, disclosure of party relationships, and actual results achieved by using your products, or those of publishers for whom you may be an affiliate marketer.
Or if you're an independent marketer for a direct selling company, your business practices and representations will very likely need to be changed in just a few days. December 1st to be exact. From what I see out there right now, that will include MLM upliners, trainers, and the parent companies themselves. Why?
 Well, just in case you've been missing the messages, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made some pretty significant changes in their rules for online marketers (16 CFR, Part 255), and there are more violations ocurring online right now than I care to cite here in this Newsletter. Suffice to say, if you have web pages, blogs, videos or podcasts, that are not in compliance with the new FTC regs, NOW is the time to check all your web pages to insure that you are in compliance. I know the FTC -- as do many internet marketers -- and you do not want to push the envelope with them...it's a losing proposition (read costly).
So what are some marketers already doing (even ones that appear professional and legitimate...so sad)? They're trying to sell you "badges". Charge you a monthly fee for some new organization they just started to allow you to show the world that you are an ethical person with integrity and one who is following the new Guides.
In exchange for the monthly fee, they will "allow" you to use their "licensed" graphic on your website(s), and when a web visitor sees this "badge", they will believe you are in compliance and safe to do business with. I've already seen a couple...they will look something like this:
 (for Example purposes only)
"You don't need no badges"...that's my opinion. No banner can make you FTC compliant, and you'll probably draw even more regulatory attention to yourself.
This is akin to selling fake medicine to sick people...driven by greed rather than giving. The Rx seems to be running about 20 bucks a month.
Aren't we already paying for enough crap we never use, or for stuff that really has little value? When I write to you, I have done the homework and research. I come out for the sole purpose of helping you build your businesses -- online or offline -- to help make you more profitable because I believe fervently and passionately that by helping you, by offering you the best values, I am ultimately helping myself and my legacy as well.
And, forgive the shameless self-promotion, but few have the knowledge base and skill set I have acquired as an entrepreneur over the last 30 years, half of that time spent on the Internet.
Unless you have a reputation problem -- if you do, I have a company that rebrands you -- you don't need to pay someone a monthly fee to convince someone else you are ethical. Just be it! Walk the talk, know the rules of engagement, and let the word TRANSPARENCY be your guide. This single common sense word will keep you on the path for success and good relationships leading to happy, satisfied customers. You want that, the FTC wants that...we don't have to over complicate it as we need to use our energy and resources in a "glass half-full" scenario, not "half-empty".
When guys like Jeff Walker are taking down ALL their case studies and testimonials from their web pages prior to December 1st, you know this is serious. So, here is what I want you to do right now. Watch this Video that walks you through all the details. An attorney who has done 250 patents for Microsoft knows what they're talking about:
Many things that used to be acceptable business practices are no longer allowed. You need to comply or run the risk of facing substantial fines. We should all be on the same page on December 1st.
Enjoy the Video...learn from it...implement it.
Talk soon,
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