How being legal can make your blog more money

Your blog is rocking, your audience is responsive, and you are motivated to make more money! Cause come on – who isn’t? There may be one piece of the puzzle that you’re missing, and I’m going to let you know this secret.

Being legal can make your blog and business more money.

True story, I’m going to run down the reasons why this is true. If in the end you don’t believe me – just email me and we can chat. I’m not just saying all this because I’m a lawyer. I’m telling you all this because I’ve seen it first hand as a blogger!

I just happen to know how to be legal and want to share this with you – hence this site!

So let’s see how being legal can make you more money through increasing buyer confidence, avoiding issues, and giving you the confidence needed to take risks to climb that success ladder.

#1 Increases buyer confidence

You have a product or service that your audience wants and probably needs…but there is something holding them back from purchasing. This is called lack of buyer confidence. Having your legal i’s dotted and t’s crossed can help to build up this buyer confidence to make writing a check or clicking the payment button much easier. In fact, having this done can encourage the buyer to engage excitedly in the business transaction AND turn around to talk about how awesome the experience with your company was. And all of this starts with the buyer confidence they receive from landing on your site or through interactions with your business.

Placement of Terms of Use and Privacy Policies in the footer give a little nod to the legalities but can subconsciously skyrocket the confidence in the buyer.

Let’s take it to another level – affiliates are more likely to sign up to participate in your affiliate program if they feel confident in your business. This isn’t just developed through the product/service you put out, but also through the way you present expectations through an Affiliate Program Terms.

What about if you’re trying to engage guest bloggers, collaborate on works or hire others for projects? Using contracts for each of these types also facilitates a confident (and legal) relationship. Individuals you are seeking to work with will feel more at ease and respect the professionalism at a higher level than businesses who fall back on verbal agreements or lackluster communications via social media, text or even email.

#2 Avoids issues

Not only does buyer confidence get increased, but the probability of issues greatly decreases.

People are people – therefore, potential issues can occur when working with affiliates or independent contractors. Contracts and other legal forms can help to outline expectations, manage ownership of intellectual property and identify how issues will be handled should they arise.

Also, having a Terms of Site that outlines to the buyer your policies such as refunds, exchanges, copyright ownership and other information helps to set out the relationship to avoid any customer service issues. This not only avoids issues but gives you documentation to point to if a customer service issues does arise. No longer do you sound like the “no” man, rather your Terms will do this for you as the buyer agreed to terms by using the site and at checkout. This helps the customer to understand they shoulder some of the responsibility as well.

Avoiding issues is a major way to keep money in your pocket. First, if issues do arise and you have to engage in legal activity, you can end up with lost money through damages and fines. But also, the more time that is spent on managing or fixing an issue, the less time you are spending on the money making activities of your business.

Quit holding your breath, put these supports in place, and keep money in your pocket!

#3 Gives YOU confidence to take risks

Not only do you instill confidence and lower the probability of issues, but you gain the confidence needed to take risks, to put yourself out there and to grow. Bloggers, online shops, and other internet-based businesses are just the same as regular brick-and-mortar businesses. You are required to be legal like all other businesses. You are not exempt. Get legal, use these tools, gain confidence, and put yourself out there more as you climb the ladder of success.

Tools to Being Legal

• Business Formation
• Paying Taxes (even on digital goods!)
• Contracts