Blogger Tip Tuesday is back and this week I’m sharing a few tips for your first sponsored post. What’s a sponsored post? A sponsored post is a post that is “sponsored” by either a company/brand or an organization / marketing network (for example: a post could be sponsored by Hilton Hotels or by BlogHer, etc.). There are certain FTC rules that you must abide by when writing a sponsored post and there are some easy ways to do this that I had no clue about — hopefully this will be helpful!
- Disclosures – long and short. When you are writing a sponsored post, you need to let your readers know that the post is sponsored. You can do that by writing disclosures — one that is permanent on your site and one on the sponsored post itself. You can read my long disclosure here and see an example of a recent short disclosure here. You’ll want to make sure to include both forms of disclosures once you start accepting sponsored posts. Even if you are only running advertisements, you should have the long disclosure on your site to ensure you are following the FTC guidelines.
- Using hashtags with social media posts. Another form of disclosure is when you are sharing your sponsored post on social media. You’ll need to indicate that with the hashtags #sponsored or #ad. This goes for all social media methods.
- No follow links. No follow links actually have nothing to do with the FTC and are used in order to be in line with Google search regulations. So what is a no follow link? A follow link is used on any content that is not sponsored and helps you increase your SEO (remember that?) because it is organic and unique. A no follow link prevents companies from being able to essentially buy an increase in their page rank through sponsored posts. You’ll want all your links in a sponsored post to be no follow. The easiest way to do this is to install the no follow plugin. Then every time you add a link, you’ll have the option of making it no follow. You can also manually add this line of code to every link that needs to be no follow: rel=”nofollow” – obviously the plugin is simpler and it’s what I use.
So, you might be curious why you as a blogger would care about the FTC. Or perhaps why the FTC would care about what you put on your blog. You would be correct in thinking that the FTC is not going to come after bloggers who don’t follow these rules — however the advertisers you are working with will be targeted if there are reported violations. Therefore if you’d like to keep working with them, it’s in your best interest to make sure you are following the tips mentioned above. Most marketing companies share this information with you and will ask you to edit a sponsored post if one of the above steps isn’t taken. You can read some q&a from the FTC on this exact issue here.
What are your tips for things to remember when writing sponsored posts?
You always have such great blogging tips!
Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…What’s the difference between your Greek Yogurts?
Thanks Meranda — mostly I just try and write about things that I wonder / used to wonder about and hope it’ll help someone 🙂
Great post and really useful tips, thanks! I don’t know that I would have even known to look for this information.
Chaitali recently posted…Tasty Tuesday Refrigerator Oatmeal
Thanks Chaitali — I was in the same boat — I didn’t know what I didn’t know!
Great tips – I had no idea about no follow links until a few months ago. Learning more and more as I go along! Non disclosure is key. I’ve come across a few blogs with a ton of affiliate links and no disclosure! I think it’s kind of misleading, and that it’s better to just be honest with your readers.
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal recently posted…My Favorite Chips Flavors Forever & Always: popchips snacks
Yeah – I’ve seen the same thing and always wish they’d just disclose! Honestly, though I bet a lot of folks just don’t think about it — there is SO much to learn about blogging!
I definitely need to read your blog more. I am horrible at blogging and can use all of the help I can get. I wish I could get a one on one lesson from you! LOL. Keep it coming, I truly appreciate it.
Francine recently posted…Nike Women’s Half – Race Day Part Deux: The Run
Aw, thanks Fran — I appreciate it! I just try to share what I’ve learned — there is SO much to blogging and I’m just scratching the surface myself!
This post has some great information. We made the decision to not take on sponsored posts, but we do accept product and disclose that on the blog. It is not easy to cover all the FTC regulations!
Pam recently posted…Giveaway: Zensah DeZign Compression Sleeves
it’s not but it’s worth it to sponsors and companies! just entered y’alls great giveaway 🙂
Thanks for the no follow tips. I am going to install the plugin now.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Running Day Rock N Roll Style