Personal Finances Niche - Do you need some sort of certification?

6 replies
Hi Warriors. Quick question here: do you need to have some sort of certification to sell an info product on personal finances and budgeting? Target market would be US/UK/AU/CA

Thanks a lot
#certification #finances #niche #personal #sort
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Harper
    No, but I strongly encourage you NOT to sell your own financial advice if you don't already have a strong background in finance.
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  • Profile picture of the author Doug Wakefield
    Nah, but I would DEFINITELY include a disclaimer at the beginning of the product to help cover your butt. Just make sure that you are not trying to come off as a professional, and instead offering advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Barboza
    Thanks for your replies guys
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  • Profile picture of the author Ducksauce
    Actually, not so fast, I do not know much about this, but I remember about a year ago some Forex chat rooms, that had a subscription and a "leader" calling trades got a stop now order from a USA Gov department, as the "lead trader" was giving financial advice to MORE than X number of people, I think it was 15 (but could have been 100) I forget.
    They got around it by setting up based abroad and not accepting USA customers, the American 'members' had their accounts terminated and they re subscribed using a fake foreign address.

    One of the lead traders did decide to go do a course by corrispondance, it was like 2 years, to be able to give financial advise legally in USA I believe. I have no idea on anymore information.
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  • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
    I know that you don't need any qualifications in the personal finance/budgeting niche but you should ensure that you include
    a good disclaimer.

    I've worked with someone who created info-products and coaching services in this niche and she did quite well, although she didn't have a financial background.

    However, financial planning, as in offering investing advice, etc. IS regulated.


    Originally Posted by Alex Barboza View Post

    Hi Warriors. Quick question here: do you need to have some sort of certification to sell an info product on personal finances and budgeting? Target market would be US/UK/AU/CA

    Thanks a lot
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Best bet is to talk to a lawyer (who you'll want to write your disclaimer anyway) and tell him the kinds of things you plan on advising people on to find out (a) what needs to be in your disclaimer and (b) whether you will be doing anything that might require licensing or anything.

      Also, you might want to look into some sort of liability insurance for your content. A disclaimer itself does not insure against a lawsuit.

      Originally Posted by MerlynSanchez View Post

      However, financial planning, as in offering investing advice, etc. IS regulated.
      Very much so. I do some design work for various people in that niche and, once I finish the layout to their satisfaction, they have to send it in to whatever company they represent for approval from their compliance department, which can sometimes take weeks.
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