This week, the Federal Trade Commission issued revised guidelines for internet marketers (i.e. bloggers, affiliate marketers, YOU…) who use testimonials, endorsements, reviews or any other form of comment or social proof apparently, in their marketing.

Here’s my opinion for now:

Wait until the dust settles before you panic.

I’ve received more than a few emails from you about this issue — and right now I just want to say “relax… don’t shut your websites down just yet. Sheeze!”

The main focus of the document centers around, as it’s titled, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Many years ago, I heard a very old man, a previous prisoner of war, share his heart-wrenching experience… there was nothing obviously unique or extraordinary about him, nothing apparently special or superhuman yet, as he spoke he explained that he had survived more than five long years… FIVE YEARS… in SOLITARY confinement as a prisoner of war.

I’m sure his ordeal is not unique. Many others may also have suffered a similar fate. War is a very sad human affair and many tragedies and horrifically sad stories are written on the pages of history in the wake of wars.

I remember him…

I absolutely, 100%, relate.

In fact… it’s one of the worst positions to be in — to need help, want help, even know who can help you, but not have the resources to be able to GET the help you need.

I understand this issue from both sides… I’m a coach and I’ve been (and still am) a student looking for just the right coaches to help me get to that next level, understanding or goal.

What about you?
Are you stuck and having difficulty finding your…

I was an entrepreneur for over two decades before I even heard the word “Copywriter.”

Today, when I tell people what I do for a living (from the comfort of my own home office in front of a computer) and mention the word

‘copywriter,’ almost to a person, they respond with some comment similar to “Oh, yeah (pause) you help people get stuff copyrighted… uh…

how do you get that little ‘c’ sign anyway? I didn’t know you needed someone to help you do it.”

Ugh. Sigh.

Where to begin… where to begin? I’m certain that the answer to that question is different for each person who is interested in using the internet to market an existing business or book, product, or service… or for those of you who are looking to break free of your job or make some extra money [...]