Most people harbor the misconception that all you need to start affiliate marketing is to create a website. However, that’s not the case. Affiliate marketing is a growing discipline. While the field might still be in its infancy, it’s not as straightforward as it seems. If you’re interested in getting started as an affiliate marketer online, you’ll need to have a comprehensive understanding of the discipline.

Before you can earn through your affiliate marketing endeavors, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the legal guidelines. In most countries, you’re required to disclose your involvement with a brand if you’re advertising their products.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has several guidelines that affiliate marketers must follow. The FTC’s guidelines intend to establish transparency about endorsements and distinguish paid product placements from those done without any incentives.

Therefore, if you’re an affiliate marketer or getting started with your journey in affiliate marketing, you’ll quickly need to learn about writing affiliate disclosures.

What Are Affiliate Disclosures?

Affiliate disclosures, also known as affiliate disclaimers, are short legal notices that inform your audience about affiliate marketing. Most countries will legally require you to tell your audience that you’re participating in an affiliate marketing program and that you’re receiving commissions for the links you’ve shared.

Since these are legally mandated, failure to write an affiliate disclosure can have grave consequences for you. You might receive a fine or have your website shut down for violating rules.

Although the FTC has published extensive guidelines for affiliate marketers in the US, it’s not the only commission imposing such requirements. UK and Canada both have similar laws requiring disclosure when selling affiliate products and services.

Writing an Affiliate Disclosure

Now that you know about affiliate disclosures, it’s time to learn how to write one. After all, what good is knowledge if you can’t implement it?

In addition to being a legal requirement, writing affiliate disclosures is an excellent business because it drives loyalty. According to a study by Bain and Co, boosting customer retention by 5 percent can result in as much as 95 percent gains in profitability.

Here are some tips to help you write affiliate disclosures. They include:

Legibility

The first thing you’ve got to be mindful of is that your disclaimer is legible. People should be able to understand your disclosure easily. Therefore, avoid using challenging language. Likewise, keep it concise.

Be Informative

While you might be knowledgeable about affiliate marketing, that doesn’t mean the people reading your blog are too. Hence, avoid making any assumptions. Start your disclosure by explaining affiliate marketing and how you’re profiting from sharing links for people to click. Be upfront about the process and tell them you receive a commission every time you generate a lead or sale.

Brevity is Key

If you write a long-winded disclaimer, most people are going to ignore it. Aim to write short sentences and keep them under 25 words. You’ll want to use a few paragraphs. Most experts agree that using 2 to 5 paragraphs is more than enough to cover your bases.

Placement

Placement is one of the most crucial aspects of a disclaimer. If you wish to adhere to the FTC guidelines, you’ll want to ensure that your disclosure is conspicuous. Generally, there are two good places to put your affiliate disclaimer. You can either insert it at the beginning of your blog post or right above your affiliate link. Whatever you do, you’ll want to ensure that your disclaimer is visible to the viewers and impossible to miss.

Ensure You’re Following Guidelines with the Assistance of a Leading Affiliate Marketing Agency

Pat Will Help U’s a trusted affiliate marketing agency for small businesses and startups within various industries. We provide affiliate marketing management services to help propel business growth. If you’re interested in acquiring our affiliate marketing and advertising services, get in touch with us today. Alternatively, visit our website to learn more.