Many bloggers want to earn a little extra money on the side by utilising the power of their site, but a lot of wonder what the term 'disclosure' means and how to add it to a blog. It is not something all that difficult to pull off, it is only meant as a way of being honest and open to your readers by spelling out that you will be being 'compensated' for a few of your posts.
Sometimes, disclosure is a must
First let me say that several sort of disclosure is counted as mandatory in certain paid to post systems. This is because the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) of America has implemented standards on the use of endorsements and recommendations on web-sites, which I do not intend to go into here. Being a UK blogger, with my sites hosted on UK servers, I should not be affected...
But I am! If I want to take sponsored opportunities from US based sponsored posts systems, they are enforcing the American rules around the globe. So what are the options?
Well, ample depends on the system that you are using and the promoter that is paying you. Loads of advertisers do not want to shout out that the post about them is paid for and likewise numerous bloggers do not want to make it obvious either.
The options available to us include:
1) Add a website wide disclosure - create a page on your web site that clearly states that you may be compensated for making a few of your posts. Link to this page in your main navigation so that it is clear to find. This method is less intrusive, whilst you might fit in loads more text.
2) Write a disclaimer on each post - just put at the bottom of the post a thank you message to the advertiser, or a quick message saying that the post is sponsored.
3) A bit of both - create a disclosure page and a disclosure badge. Add the badge to the end of each post that you are paid for, so that readers could use it as a link to the disclosure page.
It is your choice, what you do is up to you, but the text that you use is going to depend how you go around the disclosure. If you are placing it on each post, then merely a easy message is likely. But if you create an entire page, then you have more space to be verbose and explain to your readers what you are doing.
In this case, you could write that you do accept paid advertising for sponsored posts, and that the theme of these posts will be affected by the advertiser, but that the opinions expressed will always be your own and not motivated by the promoter.
In due course, I like to use both a disclosure page and in post disclosures, where possible. This means that I am always unmistakable with my readers, and no one can accuse me of trying to place an advert without making it understandable.
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