Disclosure
Although we use the auto-generated disclosure policy you will find below the divider line, I wanted to add my own personal disclosure. Most of the content on this blog is written by me; however, there are some posts clearly marked as guest posts. In those, any opinions or recommendations are of the author and not me.
Here are my promises to you, my readers and commentators:
I will never RECOMMEND anything that I do not personally believe to be the best solution, product or service.
I may link to many products and services after doing preliminary research that I do not personally have a relationship with; however, if you read what I write it is VERY obvious what I am recommending and what I am simply linking to for your further research.
Nothing in this blog is or will EVER be recommended because I have been paid to endorse it or because there is a potential to generate an income from recommending it.
If there is a product or service I have tested and use myself that I recommend that offers an affiliate program I may add affiliate links for that recommendation; however, that potential income (and it is usually VERY small) is NEVER the reason I recommend ANYTHING here!
I may add affiliate links to products sold by businesses that I know personally or have done business with that I sincerely believe offer quality products and exceptional service.
I have a business relationship with the businesses listed below and write about and link to them here often. I requested that they allow me to work with them because of their exceptional ethical standards and high quality of service.
They do not control what I do for them nor what I write about them. I use them as examples because they are continually improving what they do. They listen to and implement new strategies that we collectively design. Their support allows me to assist many other businesses and bloggers and write this blog.
- Murray Newlands and Affiliate Heat ~ I have been linking to and recommending Murray Newlands’ blog for affiliate marketing information for a long time. I currently provide Blog Outreach, blog content management and affiliate program management to Murray and Affiliate Heat on a monthly basis.
- Good Millwork ~ I work with the owner and employees on their online marketing strategy, recommended they use my WordPress Ninja to install their blogs, and work with them on optimizing some blog posts for emarketing. The owner is brilliant and keeps me hopping with his new ideas. He asks a question, I tell him what I know and send him my research, and then he pores over it to come up with the best solution. His molding search tool widget available to diy, home improvement and other related sites is an excellent example.
- Executive Gift Shoppe ~ In the past I provided ppc consulting and advised them on Internet and Social Media Marketing strategy for their ecommerce store. I am active in their affiliate program and control ExecGiftsBlog which offers gifts from their ecommerce site and some Social Networking accounts including @ExecGifts on Twitter. I previously worked with their former Affiliate Manager Adam Riemer. I no longer have a business relationship with them other than as an affiliate but still recommend them.
- CommentLuv ~ Andy Bailey requested that I become Editor-in-Chief of the CommentLuv blog and advise him on making the ComLuv site easier to use. He previously paid me a very small amount per month for this assistance. I have been using and recommending CommentLuv a long time – long before he asked – and continue to do so now.
- Social Implications ~ Hasan Saleem contacted me about advertising to promote his new site. I prefer not to accept paid advertising and since I can whole-heartedly recommend his site I suggested I provide consulting advice instead. Hasan has paid me a small consulting fee for two months.
WHY EXECUTIVE GIFT SHOPPE?:
- Personalized Service – owner family operated – small enough to give each order special attention which you can see from their Excellent Reviews
- Exceptional No-Hassle in-house Replacement Guarantee
- Huge Selection of over 10,000 personalized gifts priced from under $10 to $1650+ for solid 18k Gold jewelry so you can always find the perfect gift in any price range.
- Free, Accurate Quality Engraving – many of their testimonials mention how pleased they were with the engraving
- Fast Shipping – they often ship the same or next day even on engraved items! They send accurate updates on when items are shipped.
- Free standard shipping on all orders over $75
- If you really need a rush, last minute gift call Pete and if it is humanly possible they’ll get it to you on time.
- Site Search makes it easy to find items when you already have an idea what you want
- On a budget? Shop by Price by using site search first and then selecting your price range.
- Categories and Shop by Designer make it easier to browse when you don’t know what you want yet
Start of Standard Disclosure Policy
This policy is valid from 28 October 2007
This blog is a collaborative blog written by a group of individuals. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org






{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
For new bloggers especially, the disclosure statement and privacy policy rules tend to be a little overwhelming. I need to revamp both for my blogs but have been putting it off. Thank you for the inspiration.
rockhuki101 would love you to read ..Should You Buy Solar Deck Lights?
Twitter: blogsnewsreview
November 23, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Twitter: @blogsnewsreview
Great! Now all we need is the converse for those “other” sites: “This site is a shill for unscrupulous companies that sell crap software wrapped in phony, overstated claims, uses links to ads with fake embedded keywords, and may even send malware in your direction.”
AstroGremlin would love you to read ..Superheros Among Us: The Key Man
Twitter: plantingdollars
September 23, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Twitter: @plantingdollars
By far the best disclosure statement I’ve seen online, this puts all mine to shame. Just reading this really shows how genuine and trustworthy you, and your site are, which is why I keep coming back.
Ryan would love you to read ..Best Way to Lose Belly Fat
Twitter: GrowMap
November 24, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your comment. I followed you on Twitter and see you don’t use it a lot. The tips in my Twitter Best Practices include ways to grow your twitter account even when you don’t have time to be there every day. You might find them useful.
growmap would love you to read ..Twitter for Business: How to Geo Target Twitter for Small Business Local Social Media #smallbusiness
I think this part is more honest and clear than most bloggers and companies:
“I have a business relationship with the businesses listed below and write about and link to them here often. I requested that they allow me to work with them because of their exceptional ethical standards and high quality of service.”
Good stuff!
Danny would love you to read ..Black & Decker NPP2018 18-Volt Cordless Electric Pole Chain Saw
I think bloggers should also set rules or put up a disclaimer or some sorts..i have been to blogs where petty quarrels are usually happening..some really cant respect other peoples opinion
Twitter: stutterwear
June 23, 2011 at 12:53 am
Twitter: @stutterwear
it’s great that you share what you do here without pretense and all honesty..i appreciate it
Twitter: Kaetemar
December 24, 2010 at 6:06 am
Twitter: @Kaetemar
Thank you for this disclosure. I have been researching disclosure statements and found yours to be warm, real, and honest.
I think this is the most well-written disclosure piece out there. I might need to re-write it for my site because it makes such valid points and lays everything on the table but honestly.
That really is the go-to for disclosure policies for bloggers, I might need to borrow and edit it for my site!
Twitter: jamesmspacey
November 5, 2010 at 9:31 am
Twitter: @jamesmspacey
Great post. First I’ve never even thought of putting a disclosure statement on one of my sites. I’m going to look into that. It just never occurred to me to make my affiliations with people I promote known, though having read your policy and your introduction to it I’m impressed. It made me feel more confident reading your content because you so honestly explained that you do have relationships with some organizations you promote and that you were willing to put it out in the open. If you’re that open about the fact you are promoting some people for your own gain than I feel that I can trust the recommendations you make.
Twitter: networkintel
August 19, 2010 at 3:30 am
Twitter: @networkintel
fair rules…no qualms from us!
Twitter: cmygoodies
May 15, 2010 at 9:04 am
Twitter: @cmygoodies
I must chime in with a wholehearted agreement you’ve really nailed it clearly and cleanly. For new bloggers especially, the disclosure statement and privacy policy rules tend to be a little overwhelming. I need to revamp both for my blogs but have been putting it off. Thank you for the inspiration.
Twitter: paulhassing
April 10, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Twitter: @paulhassing
Wow, Gail! You’ve nailed this so comprehensively, I can’t even SEE the floorboards anymore!
What a magnificent template for others to use. Next time someone asks me about disclosure, I’ll be disclosing this link. Best regards and well done. P.
Twitter: GrowMap
April 11, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Paul,
Now THAT is what I call feedback. Glad you liked it. I have never cared for that legal-speak stuff and wanted my disclosure to be far clearer on my style of ethical blogging.
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