To help answer a question that several people are already asking, I decided to post the answer to explain further than 140 characters on Twitter will allow.
We now have a Tyndale Blog Network badge! You can copy the code to add the badge to your blog. Once you log in to the TBN, you will see the badge under the "home" tab. It will look like this:
When you click on the "Click here," you'll notice that nothing happens. I was wondering about this too when our web team made it for us. Basically when you hit "click here," the code is automatically copied to your clipboard but it will look like nothing changes. If you paste (control + v) into any kind of place where you can write text (Word, email, etc.) the code will paste there. So after you click on "click here," simply paste the code into your blog html. Hopefully that helps all you confused TBN members out there!
On another note,The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book by Chuck Norris himself is releasing next week! Follow @chuckfactbook on Twitter for the chance to win a copy of the book (we'll be giving away several copies) and to get behind-the-scenes looks at Chuck's media tour in November. Let's get Chuck Norris trending all over Twitter!
Some of you have been wondering what our PR team decided last week about the new FTC Blogger Guidelines. We saw an article today from Publishers Weeklywhich actually clarifies the guidelines quite a bit. The guidelines are just that--guidelines. They're not laws or regulations that can lead to civil penalties if violated.
So fear not, dear bloggers! The FTC is not going to come after you for not disclosing that you received a free product in exchange for a review. However, at the end of the PW article, Pam Coughlan, a blogger, says the blogging community wants "to know how to do things correctly and with transparency."
Here at Tyndale, we agree that transparency is important. That is why we are including the following statement on all ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and with all review copies of books we send out:
To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, please mention as part of every Web or Amazon review that Tyndale House Publishers has provided you with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC.
Many of you already thank Tyndale for sending you a complimentary copy of a book for review in your blog postings, so thank you for doing that! For those of you who don't already mention that you received a review copy of the book from Tyndale for review purposes, we simply ask that you please do mention that in your blog reviews from now on. It only seems right to be transparent in disclosing that information, and it shouldn't take up too much of your time to add a simple statement to your blog entry. If you want to see examples of how others have done this, visit some of the blogs listed below:
New FTC Rules for Bloggers - How will it affect you?
As many of you know, Tyndale has its own blogger review program like many publishing houses. Through the Tyndale Blog Network, bloggers can sign up and request specific books for review. We send a FREE copy of the book in exchange for a review posted on the member's blog and a consumer site (like Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, ChristianBook.com, etc.).
This week, the FTC announced new rules for bloggers that, if violated, could add up to $11k in fines. Effective December 1, bloggers receiving any kind of compensation (including free product) will have to disclose that information clearly on their blog when posting a review of the product.
Our Tyndale Publicity Team is going to be discussing this in our meeting next week. We'll have a way to remind our blogging friends of this new policy to avoid fines for both parties.
What do you think of this policy? How will it affect the way you blog or read blogs? Do you read reviews on blogs where you know the person received the product for free? We'd love to hear your thoughts.
September is almost here, which means we have LOTS of new, exciting books coming to stores near you!
Check out this awesome book trailer for The Secret of Indigo Moon, book 2 of the Dopple Ganger Chronicles by G.P. Taylor.
Do you want to heal the brokenness in your family and prevent yourself from passing down the hurt to the next generation? Read about Drs. Tom and Beverly Rodgers' experiences on their blog, based off their new book Becoming a Family that Heals.
Those are just a few of our many fall titles. Be sure to check back for new ones!
p.s. If you have a blog and you haven't joined the Tyndale Blog Network yet, sign up today to have access to FREE books for review.
When you click on the "Click here," you'll notice that nothing happens. I was wondering about this too when our web team made it for us. Basically when you hit "click here," the code is automatically copied to your clipboard but it will look like nothing changes. If you paste (control + v) into any kind of place where you can write text (Word, email, etc.) the code will paste there. So after you click on "click here," simply paste the code into your blog html. Hopefully that helps all you confused TBN members out there!
