Why is disclosure required? It\u2019s about transparency.<\/p>\n

If I\u2019m recommending a product to you, you need to know that I\u2019m being paid to recommend it. That information could influence how seriously you take my recommendation, right?<\/p>\n

These rules apply to affiliate marketing, too. The FTC not only mandates disclosure, it requires that affiliates must state that it\u2019s an affiliate link before the link, not after it.<\/p>\n

This means that influencers charging authors a fee to recommend their books must disclose that paid relationship.<\/strong> This applies to any:<\/p>\n

\n
• Collection (club, list, whatever) of recommended books<\/li>\n
• Newsletter mention<\/li>\n
• Online magazine article the author writes and pays for so they can include their book title in the writer bio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Neither of the influencers Jenny heard from include these disclosures in their sponsored content.<\/p>\n

  Both say they\u2019re selective about what they recommend \u2013 they wouldn\u2019t recommend just any book, for example \u2013 but is that enough?<\/p>\n

  [novashare_tweet tweet=”Influencers charging authors a fee to recommend their books must disclose that paid relationship.” hide_hashtags=”true”]<\/p>\n

  How important is transparency for you?<\/h2>\n

  I\u2019m a big fan of transparency. That means I wouldn\u2019t pay an influencer to recommend my book without disclosure.<\/p>\n

  It\u2019s about more than playing by the rules (and avoiding fines). I wouldn’t pay even if there were no FTC rules.<\/p>\n

  For me, it comes down to your connection with your reader.<\/strong><\/p>\n

  How would you feel if you paid Influencer A to be on their recommended books list, then received a message from a reader expressing disappointment when they learned you paid for, rather than earned, your way onto that list?<\/p>\n

  Or, would you feel OK about doing the humble brag on social media about what an honor it is to be selected for that influencer\u2019s \u201cbest books\u201d list?<\/p>\n