What claims can I make on my sales page? page

by dee100

Posted: 11 years ago 9 replies

COPY WRITING

I have written an ebook about how I healed myself from arthritis. As officially arthritis is not curable, I'm wondering what I can say on my sales page?
Instead of:
"learn how I healed my arthritis"
maybe I could put:
"learn how I became 100% pain free from arthritis"?
or
"learn how I reduced my arthritis"?
I am not making any claims for the reader, just stating what happened for me.
Maybe I shouldn't make any claims for myself?
Any other suggestions?
I own www.reduceyourarthritis.com - I will use this
I own www.reverseyourarthritis.com - won't use this
Also, people have written books of how they healed themselves from cancer. Perhaps cancer is curable, arthritis is not....

#claims #make #page #sales

ewenmack 11 years ago

Check out the number of times the word cure
has been used in these book titles...

Amazon.com: cured arthritis

Best,
Ewen
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8657970].message }}
RickDuris 10 years ago

If you're writing about arthritis and your personal experience, you can say whatever you want. In the US, you're protected under the 1st amendment.

It's why the Internet is littered with bullshit which just isn't true.

So let's say you're writing a book about how you cured yourself from scurvy by eating lemons. No one's gonna come after you (unless you're Kevin Trudeau. )

However... let's say now you've decided to SELL lemons. And on your labeling you've stated "Numerous medical studies have proven lemons cure scurvy." (Which, by the way, IS true.)

That's a no no.

You can't make medical claims on packaging unless the product has been approved by the FDA for those specific claims. Those that do, do so knowing they're running a risk.

When the FDA discovers, they'll send over a SWAT team to your place. Those fine folks will use a battering ram on your door, destroy your lemons, confiscate company assets and seize your bank accounts.

It'll make you think twice about selling lemons again, that's for sure.

- Rick Duris

PS: Here are some guidelines regarding advertising claims you should be aware of:

FTC: Federal Trade Commission
FDA: Advertising
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
CopyRanger.com
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8658188].message }}
- wordwizard 10 years ago
  
  Rick is right! You're walking into a potential mine field.
  
  However, there are probably ways you can work around the danger zone to some extent, depending on how courageous you are.
  
  First, definitely read the material Rick suggested very carefully.
  
  Then, focus on YOUR story and instead of "curing" arthritis you can talk about "how I got rid of my arthritis pain."
  
  I think this will be good enough for most arthritis sufferers. They definitely want to know how you did it.
  
  But you're not making any medical claims.
  
  Rick, what do you think? Would Dee be able to get away with it if it's worded in that way?
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  FREE Report: 5 Ways To Grow Your Affiliate Income
  Let Me Help You Sell: Sales Letters, Email Series, Pre-Sell Reports... PM me & we'll talk!
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8659589].message }}
RickDuris 10 years ago

Assuming Dee's selling an info-product, there's no problem from an FDA perspective. Again, it's your experience. Marketers use words like "cure," "remedy" and "miracle" all the time with info-products.

From an FTC perspective, it really depends upon the copy.

The only way to know is to run the copy past an FTC-knowledgeable attorney. And even then, there's no guarantee.

- Rick Duris
- Thanks
Signature
CopyRanger.com
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8659751].message }}
Alex Cohen 10 years ago

Originally Posted by dee100

I'm wondering what I can say on my sales page?

As experienced and/or knowledgeable as any copywriter here may be, in my opinion, you're barking up the wrong tree asking for legal advice on a copywriting forum.

My advice: Consult with an attorney who specializes in this area of the law.

Alex
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8659813].message }}
- dee100 10 years ago
  
  I am just selling an ebook, which shows people how to make and use the natural remedy I used. It's available in most pharmacies.
  I am not selling a product, just information..
  I probably can say it relieved my pain.
  Then later there will be the testimonials of cures, probably won't be able to publish them
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8663849].message }}
  
  Marvin Johnston 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by dee100
  
  Then later there will be the testimonials of cures, probably won't be able to publish them
  
  Just a thought, while you may not be able to publish testimonials, is there any reason another person or an affiliate can't give a review with a personal testimonial with a link to your sales page?
  
  I can totally understand where the FTC is coming from in trying to protect the general public.
  
  But it also brings to mind a slight modification of the quote from "The King and I"... if they are strong enough to protect me, might they not protect me out of all I own?.
  
  Marvin
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8664333].message }}
max5ty 10 years ago

You can make any claim you want as long as it's 100% true.

If it's only 99% true...expect problems.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8664585].message }}
- dee100 10 years ago
  
  It is true. don't know if I can prove it.
  I checked amazon search:
  "arthrits cure"
  There were at least 15 books bluntly and plainly, claiming cures for arthritis. Titles are : "arthritis cure" etc.
  Judging from that, I believe I can make any claims I want...it seems...??
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8669521].message }}