Comments on: What You Need to Know About Advertising Your Services Online

By: Mardina

Mardina — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:21:17 +0000

Thanks Gabrielle for the update. It only makes sense for FTC to have this ruling as it may cut down on the number of false claims that are posted. Most internet users tend to trust reviews, comments, and testimonials as a basis for making purchases. What if it were our loved ones caught in the rift of deception?

How many times have people made purchases based on possibly a “true” claim but not necessarily fit for their situation? Ever been to a hotel that a reviewer listed as fabulous and you found it to be just the opposite? Dishonesty hurts all us of business owners…time to weed them out and let the honest suppliers come forth!

By: Rocque

Rocque — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:11:48 +0000

Thanks for sharing this information. I guess this weekend I add disclaimers to all my blogs. The only testimonies I have are from my experience and my families with one product I sell. Thanks for all the links I will be checking them out.

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:33:33 +0000

Yes, you’re right Wolf. I saw that too…after it was posted. And at that point, there’s no fixing it! Good catch.

By: Wolf Leonard

Wolf Leonard — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:08:39 +0000

Hi Gabrielle,

In your comment/reply to Jackie, I think you meant to say “testimonials are not necessarily an issue …”

Thanks for the informative heads up on this subject and the resource links.

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:31:06 +0000

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for your comments, and congrats on getting your website going!

Testimonials are necessarily an issue with the FTC guidelines, but they can be. If testimonials mention specific results your clients have gotten in their business because of your services, that’s where the rub is. Just because they got those results doesn’t mean it is the “average” results of your clients. It’s kind of crazy, but it’s part of why these new rules are rather controversial.

That being said, if you have testimonials from clients that only talk about how happy they are with your services or about your integrity and promptness, these are not affected by what the FTC is putting out and you don’t have to change anything.

Like most government rules, they apply a little differently in every single individual case. But it’s better to be aware of the basic differences as your business grows, since ignorance of the regulations are never an excuse for violating them. Sad, but true.

Wishing you much success with your new online presence!

By: Jackie Butler

Jackie Butler — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:09:29 +0000

Hi Gabrielle,

I am just finishing my website, and plan on reviewing it over the holidays and publishing it to the web next week.

I, too, will have testimonials from satisfied clients. They are not paid in any form (no fee reductions, no bartering, etc.), they were just happy to express their satisfaction with the bookkeeping services they receive and to have this expressed to my prosepective clients.

Having reviewed several of the resources you mention above, I fail to see how this could be a problem with the FTC. I do, however, plan to have clients that are giving testimonials to sign and date their testimonials for my files.

Thanks for an interesting article!