Lessons learned from Lawyer beat down today (10)
So I get a nasty letter from lawyer on 19th giving me till 24th to get my website straight before they pull over. I make xxx,xxx.00 a year with this group - trying to pkay cool on call but inside was shaking like a hounddog trying to pass a peach pit.
1 hour later and sweat on my forehead I get a penalty flag thrown but not ejected from game (they not pull offer).
Lessons learned (some of you have already heard this but worth repeating to other Newbs)
1. Only advertise on website you state in sign up form. If you want to add website - add it through manager..don't just post your links and banners somewhere else and drive traffic.
2. Affiliate links must have "no follow" to not mess up their companies websites SEO rankings. This is becoming a big deal with online commerce becoming such a large portion of many companies sales.
3. Ask first what you can and can't use in terms of photos, logos, videos from the company. Dont just scrape an ad and run with it...Ask permission can keep you from getting banned.
4.Read fine print in agreement. I overlooked that company rules banned email marketing and got busted cold. Same goes for bidding on search terms (company name)
5. Be careful using or trying to make your own coupons without companies consent. Sounds like a no- duh but many other vendors were doing it and we all got busted. This company doesn't want a client ready to buy then look for words "abc gear coupon" - click on my site for shady coupon and I get sale.
6. Add disclosure on all links (FTC rules) - need to have text clearly shown these are affiliate links, etc
I hope this helps 1 affiliate not go through the BS and potential income loss of the lawyer phone call today.
Thnx
Wow an affiliate network sent a lawyer, instead of getting an AM to tell you to edit your campaign?
^^^ just wow
Maybe he's going direct on their affiliate program
^^ Still aren't account managers around?
That was my first question - why not have Aff Manager call me?
1. Their rules were copy and pasted from another network. Vague. I pushed edge of campaigns. So they were covering their ass as their system had large holes in it and they knew it.
2. They claiming I was in violation of FTC rules. Their AMs /staff did not know what to do with that so cover ass with lawyer.
3. They claimed I was improperly using protected intellectual property. Legal again
You seasoned guys know all of this..just want to make sure young guns see this and avoid ending a 6 figure campaign abruptly.
Very weird and nontraditional. I didn't even realize you were talking about an aff network at first
That sounds scary. Did you ask your AM why there was a need for a lawyer?
Originally Posted by bbrock32
Nearly every advertiser restricts email marketing...
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