April Newsletter

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Meet the people behind iFabbo

Name: Bree Lawson, iFabbo Founding Member - Australia
Blog: TheBlogStylist.com
Day Job: Digital and social media production and strategy
Something most people don’t know about me: I was very bad at English in primary school. So bad, in fact, I had "extra special weekend homework" which made me cry.
Yet somehow I ended up a magazine journalist and copy editor!
Top three favorite blogs: Mashable (it's my social media bible), ProBlogger (but of course!), and #3 changes on a daily basis!
Who is the one person you’d like to meet? Jennifer Aniston
Favorite book: The internet - it's an epic tale.  

SURVEY TIME!
Pleaes take 1 minute to fill out our 10 question iFabbo member advertising survey.  The more information we have, the more we can help!  It's anonymous and did we mention it's really short!  Click HERE to take the survey.  Thank you!

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iFabbo’s blogger of the month

Name:Laura A. Floyd
Blog: LaF oUt LoUd Beauty!
What is your blog about: My blog is all about beauty, lifestyle and fun in NYC; 
Day Job: I am a research technician. I work in a facility that specializes in DNA Sequencing and Gene Expression Microarrays in conjunction with cancer research; I am also a student who is seeking to pursue her masters in biochemistry. Ultimately, I dream of being a formulation chemist designing cosmetics.
What do you like about blogging:  I started LaF oUt LoUd Beauty! after being an avid blog reader for two years. I thought it was cool how bloggers were actively contributing to and influencing the topics that I was interested in, whether it was it. natural hair, nails, or makeup or skincare. It inspired me to get out there and join the conversation.
Biggest challenge when it comes to blogging:  I quickly learned that blogging is no joke! If you want readership and want to make a positive impact, you have to put in the work. My biggest challenge is finding time to blog, deal with the 9 to 5 plus school. But it’s a challenge I am willing to accept because it's my creative outlet
Something most people don’t know about you: I buy nail polish pretty much every other day lol; My obsession with it is ridiculous 
Best talent:  Hmmmm...I dont know if I have just have one big talent...I’m really just trying to be jack of all trades.
Who is the one person you’d like to meet?  It's so hard to choose just one!!! I want to meet anyone who fearlessly goes after their dreams...I know that's kind of corny but I want to surround myself with people who are (like me) rising to the top!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

New York iFabbo Event - May 23rd 2011

East Coasters get ready for iFabbo!  We are holding our first Fabbolous event in New York on May 23, 2011.  The iFabbo ladies will be in town for the event but to also to attend BlogWorld which starts the next day.  More iFabboNY details coming soon but until then mark your calendars…  Tonia and Sinead would love to meet you.
You can see past event photos and videos here on our facebook fan page.

Introducing iFabbo’s Awesome Posts

We know you’re proud of your posts, so why not share them with your fellow iFabbo'ers.  Each month we’ll find the 10 best blogger posts and pick one iFabbo blogger to host links to them.  We’ll then encourage all of you to visit the host’s blog to show your support. 
Want to participate either as a host or to have your most “awesome Post” featured on a fellow bloggers’ website?  Send us an email at awesomeposts@ifabbo.com .  If you’re sending us your post for consideration, make sure to include your name, your blog’s name, your email address, a link to your post and the title of the post.  If you’d like to be considered as a host, make sure to indicate that in your email.  We’ll share the posts via our newsletter each month.

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Meet our new iFabbo Brand Member

Organic Male OM4


Organic Male OM4 is the world’s first complete type-specific skin care system designed and formulated exclusively for the unique and gender-specific  issues associated with male skin.  Created in the USA, using greater than 70% organic content, OM4 produces strikingly noticeable results while balancing ease and effectiveness. Four color-coded collections – Sensitive, Oily, Normal, and Dry, each containing 4 Steps – 1: Wash, 2: Balance, 3: Bioactivate and 4: Defend deliver the world’s best “skin food” in less than 4 minutes a day. To augment the effectiveness of OM4’s core skin care system, OM4 formulated the Encore Collection to deliver intense anti-aging solutions for specific issues/conditions to help prevent premature aging.  For more information log on to www.OM4Men.com or if you would like to review this product, please email us at info@ifabbo.com and put Organic Male Samples in the subject line.  As always, please only request samples if you are truly going to review the products and provide feedback! 

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Advice form our Advisors


Brian Igel -  Founder of Bellizio & Igel, PLLC

Wild, Wild West No More: FTC Disclosure Rules Regarding Blogger Compensation

In October 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued revised “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” (the “Guidelines”) that may impose disclosure requirements on bloggers (and Tweeters, Facebookers and other online publishers) who endorse certain products and services.
The Guidelines, which until 2009 had remained unaltered for nearly 30 years, call for bloggers to disclose their relationship with a company when they are being paid or otherwise compensated by that company to comment favorably on its products or services. The Guidelines also suggest that bloggers may be held liable for making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about such a product or service.
As a blogger, you may be asking, “Why must the FTC bathe in the tears of we poor bloggers”?  Relax.  The Guidelines really aren’t that onerous or unfair if you take a moment to think about the requirements and the public policy rationale behind them. 
First, the disclosure requirement applies only to bloggers endorsing companies for compensation (i.e., ad revenue, spokesperson fees, commissions, a “steady stream” of freebies, etc.).  If, for example, you’re a fashion stylist blogging about fashion simply because you L-I-V-E (*fingers snapping*) fashion, or because you want to gain exposure for your work, you may say all the wonderful things you want about how fierce your Jimmy Choos look or how informative you found Elle’s cover story on makeup for Eskimos to be.  Of course, there are other issues pertaining to libel, copyright, and other matters which are outside of the scope of this article but which you must nonetheless be aware of before posting anything.  At All.  Ever.
Second, for those bloggers receiving compensation, the Guidelines are easily complied with.  In fact, the disclosure statements suggested in the Guidelines themselves are fairly benign (i.e., “ABC Company gave me this product to try.”  That’s not so bad, right? Just make sure to clearly and conspicuously disclose your relationship, preferably within the actual blog post pertaining to the product or service.  Although there is no definitive FTC statement on this issue, a blanket statement on your blog home page really doesn’t cut it because it does not adequately notify your audience about which brands are compensating you to endorse which products and services. If you are using WordPress, you can automate the process by using the Add Post Footer plug-in.  You’ll need to enter a default disclaimer, which you can then override on a post-by-post basis using a custom field.
Third, the FTC has gone out of its way to indicate, publicly, that they are way more interested in educating bloggers than suing them.  They’ve got bigger fish to fry.  Furthermore, they’re on record as saying that there is no monetary penalty for a first-time violation, even if the violation is a fairly serious one (which it won’t be if you simply follow the Guidelines and/or use common sense). 
Finally, fourth, if you’re serious about your blogging career, the FTC’s meddling is actually a really positive thing.  By issuing these guidelines, the FTC is regulating transparency in blogs the same way it regulates transparency in newspapers, magazines and television.  Bloggers are no longer the red-headed stepchildren of journalism.  Rejoice!  After all, you’ve been burning the midnight oil, furiously typing away while the night pulls itself apart on the crimson seams of yet another sunrise for a while now...  You’re not doing this for your health, right? And the FTC’s imprimatur should be a great help to you the next time you pitch that stodgy CPG brand about working with you, or that fuddy-duddy media outlet about using you as a talking head.
It is important to note that even after making any necessary disclosure statements, you must also avoid making any false, misleading or unsubstantiated claims about a product or service you endorse. Again, The FTC is not out to get bloggers sharing their opinions but, at the same time, you shouldn’t make blanket factual claims about an endorsed product that you can't substantiate and support. 

Have any legal questions regarding blogging?  Email them to info@ifabbo.com and each month in our newsletter, Brian and Daniel will answer your most pressing questions.
Bellizio & Igel, PLLC is a boutique law firm based in New York City, which counsels small businesses and entrepreneurs, primarily in fashion, the arts, lifestyles and entertainment.  The information presented herein by the firm is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. You should not act upon any information contained within this newsletter without first seeking specific advice from us or from your existing counsel. The firm makes no warranties, representations or claims of any kind with respect to any of the information contained herein.



Ursula Herrick - Founder and CEO of Herrick Media

What’s the best way to work with PR people – and not against them?

As a blogger you may be thinking that PR people from agencies or fashion brands are more of a nuisance than a help to your blog.  For a moment, let’s see how you can work with PR reps to your advantage.  Granted, some in the public relations field can be annoying, but if you look at how you can use what they have to offer your blog can benefit with better content for your readers and less work for you.
First, consider want you are looking for in a relationship with a PR person.  Yes, a relationship where maybe that first contact won’t be a good fit but that over time they will better understand what you are looking for.  The best way to start that relationship is to give PR reps pitching tips or guidelines right on your site.  Here’s what to include in your tips:

• Let them know what you are most interested in hearing about, specifically the narrow scope that you focus on and what you aren’t interested in.  Include a couple of sentences that explains what your blog is all about and who reads your blog.
• Tell them a bit about yourself and how you like to work.  Do you have any pet peeves?  Note them in your pitching tips and you will see a rapid reduction in pitches that have you pulling out your hair.
• Do you prefer to have particular words in the subject line or a particular way that you would like to be contacted?  If you create these pitching tips, you will get better pitches and more content that you can actually use. 
• If you are bombarded with PR pitches that are off target, simply send them a link to your tips. PR reps can often provide you with items from their brands for you to review or give away to your readers.
• Interested in running brand promotions on your blog? PR reps can often provide you with items from their brands for you to review or give away to your readers.  If you are willing to work with them on a promotion you can help your readers while you are building the brand of your blog, and in turn, the PR person gets exposure for their client.  Outline in your pitching tips, the range of fashion items you are interested in and provide your demographics.

Second, you can communicate directly to the PR universe to help you get specific content for your blog through services that let you query PR people.  One very popular site, HARO (http://helpareporter.com) started to help out reporters, but many bloggers are tapping into this free service that sends your query to more than 80,000 PR and expert sources. That’s a great way to control your relationship with PR people instead of wading through unsolicited and off-topic pitches.

Have any PR questions regarding blogging?  Email them to info@ifabbo.com and each month in our newsletter, Ursula will answer your most pressing questions.

Herrick Media is a boutique PR agency focused on media relations and social media marketing.  For more information visit www.HerrickMedia.com