Being open and honest when writing content that is sponsored by a third party is beneficial.
Whether you’re creating YouTube videos or writing, this is true. Additionally, WordPress makes it simple to display post sponsorship.
It not only demonstrates marketing responsibility to your visitors, but it also demonstrates dedication to the businesses that sponsor your website.
Additionally, there are numerous ways for influencers to monetize their material, with sponsors being only one of them.
I’ll walk you through a very simple WordPress tutorial for adding sponsorships to posts.
Why are Disclaimers (Sponsorship) Important?
When people read your content, they trust your personal opinions and experiences. If you endorse a product or service, your followers might see it as dishonest if you’re not upfront about your intentions.
This is especially relevant when readers aren’t aware that you’re promoting something. Without a disclaimer, your reputation might suffer, and fans could lose interest in your brand.
Consider this: up to 88% of people trust online reviews as much as suggestions from friends and family.
This implies that if you’re not transparent, readers and fans might feel betrayed if they discover that what seemed like a genuine post was actually an advertisement.
That’s why many website owners make it clear when a blog post in WordPress is sponsored or contains affiliate links.
Using MWW Disclaimer Buttons to Disclaimer Buttons
I’ll introduce you to the MWW Disclaimer Buttons plugin, a handy tool for adding sponsored, affiliate links, and PR sample notifications and buttons to the beginning of your website’s posts.
This plugin ensures that visitors are informed that the content is supported by a third-party, and it’s also an effective way to incorporate affiliate links in WordPress.
First, install and activate the “MWW Disclaimer Buttons” plugin.
Disclaimer Buttons Settings
Before adding the sponsor buttons to your posts, you’ll need to create your disclaimer page. This page serves as a Terms of Service for visitors.
If you need assistance in setting up your own disclaimer page, Terms Feed offers excellent examples and guidance on structuring it correctly.
Navigate to Settings and click on “Disclaimer Buttons.”
In this section, you can select your disclaimer page in WordPress.
If you haven’t created one yet, it’s recommended to do so before promoting any content on your WordPress blog or site. This can help prevent potential legal issues in the future.
Adding Sponsorship to Posts
Now, let’s proceed with adding the sponsor, affiliate, and promoted content elements.
- In WordPress, either open an existing post or create a new one.
- Scroll down to the “Disclaimer Buttons” section on the right side.
- Check the box next to the relevant content type:
- Affiliate Links: If the post includes affiliate links in WordPress, you will earn a commission if someone makes a purchase through those links.
- PR Sample: Use this option if you received a free product or service for writing the content, such as when a company provides you with a product for review.
- Sponsored: Select this option if you were paid directly to write a post about a product or service, which is common for influencers who receive payment for reviews or other content.
You can select multiple options if they apply to the post.
These options are also available for pages you create in WordPress, which is beneficial if you’re creating landing pages to enhance your affiliate marketing strategies.
When visitors access the post or page, each selected button will be displayed above the content.
Conclusion
Displaying sponsorship in WordPress posts is an essential step for transparency and compliance with regulations like those from the FTC.
Using plugins like MWW Disclaimer Buttons makes it easy to clearly indicate when content is sponsored, contains affiliate links, or is based on PR samples. By following best practices for disclaimers, you can earn your users’ trust while avoiding potential legal difficulties.
Remember to create a dedicated disclaimer page, and always make sure your sponsorship indications are visible to readers at the beginning of your posts. By adopting these measures, you protect your credibility while maintaining ethical practices.
FAQs on Display Sponsorship
What happens if sponsorship isn’t disclosed in WordPress posts?
If you don’t disclose sponsorship, you risk losing the audience’s faith, harming your brand, and maybe facing legal repercussions. Sponsored content must be disclosed, as mandated by regulatory agencies such as the FTC. Failure to comply may result in fines or other penalties.
How frequently should my disclaimer page be updated?
Regularly reviewing and updating your disclaimer page is an excellent idea, particularly if your affiliate or sponsorship policies alter. Verify that it is up to date and accurately reflects any new laws or modifications to the rules on your website.
What happens if I fail to update my disclaimer page or sponsorship information?
If your disclaimer page or sponsorship information is outdated, you risk confusing or misleading your audience, which can harm your reputation. It could also result in non-compliance with FTC regulations, leading to potential legal consequences. Regularly review your disclaimer page to ensure it accurately reflects your current practices.
