The FTC rules are clear now; we must disclose that we are being compensated within our post so here is 5 Creative Disclosure Statements for a Sponsored Post.
Sometimes when I am writing a sponsored post on my blog, I feel like the normal “This is a sponsored post by ____” is a little boring and makes it feel so much like a commercial to me.
Lately we have been working to “spice things up a bit” while still staying within the guidelines of disclosing the information.
The FTC’s Endorsement Guides
Get detailed info here regarding the FTC’s Endorsement Guidelines.
The basic intent of the Guidelines are;
The Guides, at their core, reflect the basic truth-in-advertising principle that endorsements must be honest and not misleading. An endorsement must reflect the honest opinion of the endorser and can’t be used to make a claim that the product’s marketer couldn’t legally make.
How Should I Disclose That I was given Something for my Endorsement?
Is there special wording I have to use to make the disclosure?
No. The point is to give readers the essential information. A simple disclosure like “Company X gave me this product to try . . . .” will usually be effective.
Do I have to hire a lawyer to help me write a disclosure?
No. What matters is effective communication. A disclosure like “Company X gave me [name of product], and I think it’s great” gives your readers the information they need. Or, at the start of a short video, you might say, “The products I’m going to use in this video were given to me by their manufacturers.” That gives the necessary heads-up to your viewers.
Here are a few Blogger examples of Creative Disclosure Statements for a Sponsored Post:
This post is part of the (Agency name here) and (Promotion/Brand/#Hashtag) sponsored program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.
I was so excited when I was approached by _______ to write a post and receive a free product!
I am really happy to work with our sponsor, ____, today to share this information with you!
This sponsored post is really coming at a great time because I was just thinking about how I could share with you about how to _____.
Thanks to my sponsor, _____, for supplying the free product to help me write this post today!
I cannot wait to share this sponsored post with you! When ______ asked me to share about their new _____, I was so excited because I knew that you would love it!
Do you see how these things can make the post a little less commercial and a little more personal?
You do need to make sure that you keep the font regular, not italic or smaller than your normal writing.
I hope that these tips helped you.
Writing a sponsored post is an important way to monetize your blog.
Remember to only share information that you believe in.
You want your readers to trust your opinion and know that you are only sharing things that you truly believe in.
Thanks! I’m gonna give this a try 🙂 My disclaimers are boring!
I usually start with something like, “When X offered me an opportunity to review X, I jumped at the opportunity.”
Love this! I try to mix mine up sometimes, but I definitely get stuck in a rut sometimes. Great ideas! Visiting you from SITS this morning, and following you everywhere now!
I love these! I haven’t done a sponsored post yet, but I’d much rather use these creative ideas than a boring disclosure statement. I found you through Michelle (comment above mine) – glad I did!
Great ideas! I’m always concerned with sounding too commercial or like I’m trying to hide the fact that the post is sponsored. I would never want my readers to be dissuaded by a post of mines that was sponsored. These are excellent ways of being upfront and honest about receiving a product.
Same here–I’ve hesitated to apply for certain opps b/c I want to keep my blog less commercial sounding. It makes sense to express enthusiasm for the product to seem more “real,” thanks for the ideas 😀 Thank you for posting this to Sverve!
Your very welcome! 🙂
Wonderful ideas, thank you. I am going to use one right now on a giveaway.
These are some great alternatives. I’ve been a bit hesitant to accept any offers because I hate how canned they always found. I will definitely keep these in mind in the future.
What a great post! I’m a new blogger who just joined sverve and is just learning about sponsored posts. I had no idea what they were when I started, and I wasn’t sure what kind of disclaimer I would need to write. Thank you for your ideas – they are simple yet unique :O)
Great tips! I pinned this. 🙂
I have used my own too many times. I welcome these good ones. 🙂
Thank you!
Since I started receiving samples for review, I sometimes stuck with the formal way to disclose my post. These are more fun and personal like you said, thanks again!
Well done! Disclosure on a sponsored post can be so rote, but this gives it a new twist…thanks for sharing your ideas!
Thanks Becky! This is a great article and very helpful. I love your site, lots of good info for bloggers and moms.