The FTC has determined that when folks who write online or post on social media refer to a product, service, or brand they are legally considered to be “endorsers.” That means I fall under the FTC rules for disclosure regarding whether or not any endorsement or mention I make has any strings attached. From time to time I will mention or review such things, and so here are my official disclosures for those circumstances.
There are four situations that might come up on this website, thus the following five disclosures. I have a general disclosure statement at the bottom of my blog posts, and in any post where I endorse or recommend a product, I’ll indicate which of the following disclosures is true for that product. So, in honor of lawyers and government bureaucracy everywhere, I present the official Material Disclosures for www.MarcAlanSchelske.com.
If you have any concern or question regarding my relationship to any product, service or brand, please contact me directly.
Disclosure #1) No Material Connection
This is the disclosure for situations where I am mentioning or reviewing a book or product simply because I believe the information would be helpful to you, and have no connection to the product otherwise. For example, when I do a book review of a book I discovered, purchased, and read on my own.
Disclosure of Material Connection – No Connection. I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, books, products, or services I have mentioned. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Disclosure #2) Affiliate Links
This is the disclosure for situations where I have an affiliate connection to the book or product mentioned. In this case, I get a commission or kickback if you purchase the item. The most common example of this is when I post an Amazon Affiliate link for books that I am reviewing. If you purchase the book through this link, I get a very, very small credit at Amazon.
Disclosure of Material Connection – Affiliate Links. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission which I promise to waste on frivolous technology purchases. Regardless of ill-gotten gains, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will serve you well. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Disclosure #3) Review or Sample Copy
This is the disclosure for situations where I have received a review or sample copy of the book or product for free. The most common example of this is when I read and review Advanced Reader Copies for books that are in their pre-launch phase. Any review I write will be honest, independent, and not edited or approved by the provider. I will not post a review of books or products that I do not like or do not find helpful. Make of that what you will.
Disclosure of Material Connection – Review Copy. I received one or more of the book, products or services mentioned in this post for free in the hope that I would review or mention it. What do you know! Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I use personally and believe will serve you well. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Disclosure #4) Relationship
This is the disclosure for situations where I have some kind of fiduciary or other decision-making relationship with the organization mentioned. The most common example of this is when I mention Bridge City, the church where I am an elder, or Apple, of whom I am a shareholder.
Disclosure of Material Connection – Relationship. I am an employee, officer, board member or shareholder of the organization mentioned in this post. The organization in no way sponsored this post, and does not necessarily endorse the views found here. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.