FTC Announcement
I apologize for being MIA on Blogdorf for the last week. Work and life got me. It is no excuse but it happens. I am shooting for better blogger behavior this week. Of course, when I am gone big things happen.
The FTC has finalized on blogger regulations concerning free products and paid reviews. They have been working on this since June. Since July, I have been toying with how to incorporate this in a blog post.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm
I have been leaning toward a tag system along with a brief mention on where the product came from at the end of each post.
It might be excessive...but I rather be safe than sorry.
The products that I review are a mish mash of purchases, samples from companies, and sample jars begged from my local Sephora. I review each of these products in the same way.
The tag system will be as follows:
1. A Press Sample
2. Purchased Product
3. A sample jar scored from Sephora
4. A gift from Cavewoman
5. A sample vial from Luckyscent
6. Someone at the La Mer counter filled up my empty La Mer moisturizing cream sample jar with new product to test.
7. Product tested at counter
There is one problem arising from the FTC ruling. It looks like it is retroactive. My blog is fairly old so this will be a time consuming project. This also means that I will be updating old posts. I apologize if this clogs up any mail boxes or just gets on your nerves.
I realize that I am a dinosaur among the new blogs.
I am slow to change due to being ancient and having no tech skills.
Let me know what you would like to see on the blog. All suggestions are welcome.
I do realize that I am in desperate need of a subscription service, grammar skills and a search engine. Please let me know what type of service or engine you would prefer.
I am afraid that grammar skills are a lost cause.
Try to be kind and keep the techie suggestions at a grade school level.
Because it is a miracle that I even know how to properly use a copier machine.
Just a general disclaimer for now:
I am not affiliated with Bergdorf Goodman except as a customer and smitten fan.
I am also not affiliated with any beauty company or PR firm.
I do not accept advertising. This might change...but so far I have been able to resist the siren's call.
I have never been offered nor would I agree to paid posts.
I am currently not involved with any blog network.
I live and work in Ohio in local government. It is not exciting but I am so grateful to be employed.
This blog is a hobby and a place to escape from my job and the rigors of my life.
Have a lovely Monday!
Labels: Blogging, FTC Regulations, Samples from Companies, Tag System
posted by Annieytown @ 8:15 AM
17 Inspired Comments
17 Inspired Comments:
Kudos Annie for working so hard under these draconian rules and regulations!!
Rock on Blogdorf!!
: ) glenn
I also couldn't figure out HOW to post using my Blogger Account? It wouldn't let me get past Google account? www.glennluxe.blogspot.com
;(
Anon: The regulations are not too bad and will be easy to implement. Updating old posts will be time consuming. Press samples were not sent out in the old days but I still want to update the previous posts. I think readers should know that the 40 days and 40 nights series was funded out of own pockets.
As for blogger and google account posting...I have no clue.
Is it something I am doing?
Do I need to click on something in blogger?
Annie,
Love your blog just the way it is . . .
You have expanded my (product) horizons.
Good luck slogging & plodding through all the regulations.
KB
I love your blog and would not change a single solitary thing. I love you most out of all the bloggers because I truly feel you're being honest, regardless of where you got the product (purchase, gift, etc.) Keep up the good work and sorry that the law is retroactive. Ugh, what a task!
Bravo for posting this. I subscribe to about 20 "major" beauty blogs and you are the first to actually announce how you are going to deal with this situation (& in a very sensible manner, as far as I can tell). Maybe 25% of the rest have even acknowledged the existence of the rules, & I can't tell if its because they are unaware of them (seems unlikely) or avoiding the issue. Thank you for being so upfront about where/how you get the products you test, its much appreciated, there are a lot of blogs out there where I'm skeptical about how unbiased the writer claims to be, but that's never an issue here.
R: I have seen great posts from Beauty Addict, Makeup Girl, Nadine and Fashionista. I am going to guess that many bloggers are reviewing their options and are formatting plans. We will see more posts this week.
I am curious to know if the more professional blogs get to bypass all this.
Annie - don't let all this updating, changing, techie stuff get you down! You write a marvelous blog, and I'll keep coming back to read you whether you received samples or not, and whether you have a search engine or not. :)
Hiya, love your blog and your beauty preferences which mirrors many of mine, though we have different colorings and skin type. Keep up the writing!
Thank you Annie! I love reading your blog and all your funny comments... Good luck getting everything updated!
Annie,
I've been a faithful reader for about 3 yrs now and I love your blog. A subscription feed would be nice, I would love to get your posts in my mailbox every day. As for everything else, you are still a pioneer in the "no advertising" arena and I commend you for that!
Annie, good luck with all of this. I'm a little torn about the regulations. It seems that the FTC is being tougher on the beauty bloggers than it is on magazine and newspaper editors. Not sure why that is. But keep up the good work. xoxo
oh come on now, we know you're being sent chanel freebies all the darn time, worth millions
(to the hacks and drones at the FTC, this is a joke)
surely something must be done, this is an impingement (infringement? it's late) of free speech! unbelievable, ridiculous, there are wars going on, people don't have jobs
have you read 'the screwtape letters' by c s lewis? this the death of us all
go after the frauds who push 'meds' on us with their false claims
good luck! hang in there! i think this is somehow the big guys trying to get the gov't to go after the little people
ps, i'm 15 miles from nyc, worked there for years, incl some of the nicest areas, and i'd swear you're blogging from there :)
in fact, i think you are sitting on piles of chanel jade nail polish, blogging from the heart if midtown
(again, FTC - joke)
Def agree w/ Prime Beauty.
i love the clean look & no "commercials".
also, my perfume stash has expanded over the 2 years i've been reading your blog..
you go girl!! :))
Thanks everyone!
I love the clean look too.
I do want to have areas to click for more info.
I want a place/folder/area for the 40 day lenten series, the mascara and gel liner projects.
I also need a true legal disclaimer page.
I want a more organized link list.
And I think a blog mascot..like a kitty.
Temptalia has an enormous legal page--maybe she can give you some tips! Thanks again for complying with the FTC rule. I realize it's a pain, but it's really really helpful to me and I'm sure many other readers. I actually didn't realize that makeup companies had full time staff to send out samples to bloggers, so it's good to know who's receiving them when a review is written. Also, thanks for your original content. It's great to read a blog with authored posts rather than PR cuts and pastes.
I really like your blog the way it is. No advertisements, no distracting display. Just pure, honest opinion from one woman to another. I really appreciate the simplicity of it and you really do inspire me to start experimenting with perfume. Best wishes to you.
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