You know the old adage, “the truth will set you free” right?
Well, it’s not true for anyone who sells using testimonials or
endorsements. Which, of course, what most MLMers (and
Internet Marketers) do. Situation:
Julie has had fibromyalgia for 3 years. She tried a new
health supplement and, after about three months,
she realized most of the symptoms had disappeared. Question:
Can she stand in front of a group of prospective customers
(or recruits) and tell them her truth:
“Product X got rid of my fibromyalgia.”
Yes or no? Tell readers why or why not.
PS I’m making a little video for three situations where your “truth” needs
to be doctored if you are to stay on the safe side of the feds. Interested?
No way Kim… according to the feds, nobody can claim any type of healing or cures for any disease or ailment from any type of product, period.
Basically, only the drug companies themselves can get away with that and even then, it has to be substantiated fact based on clinical studies and blind testing, which can take years and a whole lot of money.
As to why or why not, it’s always possible that whatever it was that eliminated her ailment or disease, it’s not necessarily that specific product alone that cured it or eliminated the symptoms.
It could be combinations of things… the water she drinks… other drugs, or combinations of drugs… what she eats, what she breaths, etc., etc.
It’s impossible to prove without exhaustive and very expensive tests.
No she can’t say “Product X got rid of her fibromyalgia.” That’s a claim!
She can say that since using product X the pain in her leg muscles (or where ever she has found relief) is gone. And if asked if product X will help someone else with pain, she says “I don’t know because every body is different, so do you want to try it and see how it works with you?”
I love this response :o)
Excellent Robin.
No, absolutely not. Here’s Wiki’s answer to this question:
Is it legal to market a dietary supplement product as a treatment or cure for a specific disease or condition?
No, a product sold as a dietary supplement and promoted on its label or in labeling* as a treatment, prevention or cure for a specific disease or condition would be considered an unapproved–and thus illegal–drug. To maintain the product’s status as a dietary supplement, the label and labeling must be consistent with the provisions in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.
YES Personal in Person commentary is OK with a cravat that this may not do the same for you. Write NOTHING DOWN.
Naming a disease puts you at risk of making a medical claim. Only medical doctors are legally allowed to treat medical conditions, so you may be accused of practicing medicine without a license.
Instead of naming a disease, tell the symptoms of the disease. People identify better with symptoms. Then add your disclaimer:
“I don’t know if it will work for you or not, but what if it does? What if it works for you the way it did for me? Would you like to try it?”
Thanks Kim for teaching this information in your Orange Book.
I agree with Tom and Paul. getting in front of the people and talking about the symptoms of the ailment, how that made her feel, then talking about the product, what the label says is in it, and how she felt afterwards should be fine. Then followed by the “I don’t know if it……” sentence from Paul seems to me to be a nice way to see if there is interest.
No one can make a claim and say a product cured them, but they can say it might
work for you like it worked for me, why don’t you try and see what happens. This way
you are not promising anything.
I don’t make any claims that what we have will cure anything but I do talk about the symptoms and since using this product how positive my body feels. You have to be so careful not to make health cure claims so that the feds won’t give your company trouble.