Whether we like it or not, the blogosphere had certainly changed overnight as FTC declared it's new federal register notice which happens to set new laws (and an $11,000 fine for violation if I'm not mistaken) that not only regulates the online industry even more, but has now encompassed the blogging sector. It spread with a BANG right? Oh well, as a law-abiding blogger netizen, it was high time for me to post a special page that tells what I'm getting from each and everyone of you.
I felt it was particularly appropriate to create a disclaimer page as soon as I've heard the news. It was a short disclaimer notice as you can see, but I made sure to get my whole point across and to remind my readers (translation = you) that after all, I am benefiting from my blog (one way or the other)and that you should be double sure to be aware of it. Come to think of it, everyone benefits from their blog.
Why Create a Disclaimer Page in the First Place?
There are just to main reasons that I can think of. One would be concerning you as a blogger and the other would be concerning your reader.
FIRST REASON - To Protect Yourself
With FTC's regulation, anyone has the capacity to report you at any time and instance they want, therefore subjecting you under the policies of the FTC and the possible law suits that might arise (I'm being pessimistic but just think of it as the worst possible case scenario).
So how can a disclaimer page protect you? For the obvious reason, it's a disclaimer page to begin with. Meaning you can make public what's your liabilities and what's not your liabilities (easy enough?). The very same reason why all business have a disclaimer page is to protect themselves from possible reports coming from people who associate with their product or content.
It's just like saying, "Hey, here's my opinion but I'm in no way responsible for your action since that's you choice and you have your own brain to use." Got it? Good.
SECOND REASON - To Notify Your Readers
The same way as you want to protect yourself, you would want to protect your readers too. And in this case, knowledge (or awareness) is a form of protection. I would have been more comprehensive in declaring all my affiliations but I just summed it up in a paragraph telling that "everything you do in this blog would benefit me". It's as simple as that and I'm sure everyone would already understand what that means.
Also, another pro factor of making a disclaimer page is giving your readers a sense of honesty and accountability on your part. That even if you're profiting from something, they know what's happening and the less they'll be questioning your motives even. Awareness makes everyone feel more secure.
For all of those reasons, my disclaimer page is live and open to everyone who passes by this blog. Don't forget to read it! Thank you.
>> SEE MY DISCLAIMER PAGE NOW
