Comments on: Frank Kern Demonstrates Disclosure (hilarious!)

By: Dr Wordpress!

Dr Wordpress! — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:37:35 +0000

@Sean – I really like how Frank lays it out bluntly: “Buy my sh*t.”

The way some people act online, they ought to be offended at the grocery store: “What! Food grows for free, from the ground, from seeds! How dare you suggest I pay for food! Scumbag!”
.-= Dr WordPress!´s last blog ..WordPress Architecture – The Building Blocks of Web Publishing =-.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:33:45 +0000

If people get offended that I might make some money if they buy something from me or someone I recommend, then they probably aren’t the customers I want.

It’s a good screening mechanism, really.
.-= Sean´s last blog ..This Post Is Too Personal For A Title =-.

By: Dr Wordpress!

Dr Wordpress! — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:02:28 +0000

@Susan – That’s a very good question, and leads to the scenario where grocers would be required to affirm they actually ate all the products they offered for sale. Somewhere, a middle ground will be found.

@Blake – I have yet to watch the video. It’s high on my list of things to do.
.-= Dr WordPress!´s last blog ..7 Ways To Evaluate Blog Post Quality — Tuning your BS detector =-.

By: Blake @ Props Blog Rewiews

Blake @ Props Blog Rewiews — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:11:35 +0000

I think the whole blowup has been greatly exaggerated for the most part. Most reputable bloggers/content marketers already disclose affiliate links. The trial and free products might not always be mentioned, but typically are.

Regarding the “typical results,” as long as you aren’t claiming anything monetary, there shouldn’t be any problems. If you say “it will teach you YYYYYY” or “provide you with the ability to do XXXXX” you should be in the clear.

Did you read/watch the part from the Marketing for Smart People panel that discussed this very topic?
.-= Blake @ Props Blog Rewiews´s last blog ..BWE09: Problogger, Copyblogger, and Chris Brogan Hang Out In Their Underwear =-.

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:21:29 +0000

On the one hand, I get why they made the rule. On the other hand, I think it’s a big can of worms. First, most of the people I read endorse things because they have actually used them and believe them – if something sucks, they say so. So if they sell me on buying something, I think it’s perfectly fair for them to get a cut. Secondly, I wonder how this could/should be spread to other instances or industries. Why just bloggers and online affiliates?
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Don’t Build Your PPC On a Foundation of Poo =-.