Disclosures
In 2009, the FTC began requiring that bloggers disclose any special interests in or connections to products, services, etc when writing about and/or endorsing them.
“The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that “material connections” (sometimes payments or free products) between advertisers and endorsers – connections that consumers would not expect – must be disclosed. These examples address what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other “word-of-mouth” marketers.”
This means, for example, if a company sent me a product for free to review, or I consulted a company that I’m writing about, or someone I interview bought me dinner 10 years ago, or I’m friends with the owner of a business that I “like” on Facebook, or an author gave me their book to read and I end up endorsing it, or if I have a link on the site/blog that pays me a penny per click or an ad that generates a dollar a month, or if a person I interview gave me a company pen, or I got a free trip somewhere, and an on and on and on, it needs to be disclosed.
I’m cool with that.
Some say that these are ridiculous standards, but I think they really do help maintain integrity in the marketplace.
Since it would be overwhelming for me (and you) to read disclaimers right and left, I (along with many others in the Internet world) have opted for a “disclosures” page.
USER AGREEMENT AND DISCLOSURES
While the ultimate purpose of this blog is to have fun, meet new people and share ideas among peers, I may be paid directly or indirectly for some (or all) of the content I address (in posts, video etc).
I am hereby stating that you may assume that I have a material connection to any product, service, person, or otherwise that I make reference to on my website/blog. You may make the same assumption of anything I share on social media and pretty much anywhere else I can think of on or offline.
You have been informed. I make money. I get free stuff. I am blessed.
Why disclose all content even if some isn’t really making money?
Simply for the sake of safety. In today’s world, anything you say or do can have a material impact on your employment and how you “gain,” whether it is cash or in-kind. You can trust, however, that I will always promote people and products that I know well, love and support—people and things that I feel will help my readers.
I’m not sure how far the FTC goes with all the disclosures. I mean, how far does “word of mouth” go? If grandma tweets about the hairnet she got in the mail, but doesn’t disclose it was free, is she busted? I guess that doesn’t matter, because grandmas don’t tweet.
DISCLAIMER
RichieNorton.com (and all affiliated sites) are designed to inspire. I am not engaged in rendering financial, legal, accounting or other professional services. Everyone’s personal situation is fact-sensitive. These terms of use apply to your use of all of the Sites and services owned, hosted, or operated by Richie Norton and Global Consulting Circle.
EARNINGS DISCLAIMER
Every effort is taken to ensure there is an accurate representation of our Program(s) and it’s potential to help you grow your business. However, there is no guarantee that you will earn any money using the techniques you learn from our academy, workshops, seminars, books, products, consultations, services, etc, and we do not purport this as a “get rich scheme.” Nothing on our websites or at our seminars is a promise or guarantee of earnings. Your level of success in attaining similar results discussed is dependent upon a number of factors including your skill, knowledge, ability, dedication, business savvy, network, and financial situation. Any financial numbers referenced here or on any of our sites are simply illustrations of a concept and should not be considered exact, actual or as a promise of potential results or earnings – all numbers are illustrative only. Because these factors differ according to individuals, we cannot guarantee your success, income level, or ability to earn revenue. You alone are responsible for your actions and results in life and business. Any forward-looking statements outlined on our sites or in our programs are simply our expectations or forecasts for future potential, and thus are not guarantees or promises for actual performance. These statements are simply our opinion. As stipulated by FTC law, we make no guarantees that you will achieve any results from our ideas or models presented at the Seminar, and we offer no professional legal or financial advice.
INCOME CLAIMS
Any income claims made on this site are based on my personal experience. In all likelihood, you will not make a dime from anything you do online. Most people don’t. All of my products, posts, and services are about helping you succeed and become one of the few people who make a terrific income online. I cannot and do not guarantee that you will make money, and again, you probably won’t. However, I’ll do my best to help you.
REFUND POLICY FOR COACHING
Coaching is absolutely, 100% non-refundable.
WEBSITES DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this website (and affiliate websites) is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Richie Norton or Global Consulting Circle or affiliates, and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website or affiliate websites.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Richie Norton of Global Consulting Circle. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, we take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
CONTACT INFORMATION
We may use the information we collect from you when you register, make a purchase, sign up for our newsletter, respond to a survey or marketing communication, surf the website, or use certain other site features in the following ways, but not limited:
- to personalize user’s experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested.
- to improve our website in order to better serve you.
- to allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests.
- to administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site feature.
- to quickly process your transactions.
- to send periodic emails regarding your order or other products and services, etcetera.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
If you purchase anything from any company, trainer, or program we recommend on this or our other sites, we likely receive affiliate/referral compensation. But don’t worry, we only recommend resources we use or study ourselves and would happily recommend to our family members too. If you ever have any issues with anything we recommend, please let us know.
INDEMNIFICATION
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Attempting to copy, duplicate, reproduce, sell, trade, or resell our Resources is strictly prohibited.
You are solely responsible any consequences, losses, or damages that we may directly or indirectly incur or suffer due to any unauthorized activities conducted by you, as explained above, and may incur criminal or civil liability.
We have the right at our sole discretion to remove any content that, we feel in our judgment does not comply with this User Agreement, along with any content that we feel is otherwise offensive, harmful, objectionable, inaccurate, or violates any 3rd party copyrights or trademarks. We are not responsible for any delay or failure in removing such content. If you post content that we choose to remove, you hereby consent to such removal, and consent to waive any claim against us.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
As explained above, you expressly understand and agree that any claim against us shall be limited to the amount you paid, if any, for use of products and/or services. Www.RichieNorton.com will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary loss or damages which may be incurred by you as a result of using our Resources, or as a result of any changes, data loss or corruption, cancellation, loss of access, or downtime to the full extent that applicable limitation of liability laws apply.
GUARANTEE
UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSED, www.RichieNorton.com EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
PARENTAL PERMISSION
The Sites are not directed to children under the age of 13 and we will not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. We strongly recommend that parents participate in their children’s exploration of the Internet and any online services and use their browser’s parental controls to limit the areas of the internet to which their children have access. We may, at our discretion, require users under 18 to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian to view certain content, and we may limit access to certain content to users above a specified age. You agree to abide by any such restrictions, and not to help anyone avoid these restrictions.
These terms are subject to change at any time and at the sole discretion of the Site owner and operator. Please visit the site regularly for updates.
If you have any questions, contact me here.