So, you just hit "publish" on a fantastic speaker website!
You spent a small fortune on experts in web design, marketing, copywriting, and SEO to ensure your website is as stellar as it can be, fully optimized to invite event planners to excitedly click that "book a discovery call now" button.
It's beautiful, branded, and ready for bookings.
That's all, right?
Well, not really.
Likely no one told you that you are legally required to have certain things on your website (whether you're a speaker or otherwise) — and, it has nothing to do with your "book now" button.
And, don't assume that your web designer, SEO expert, or anyone else building your website will alert you (or even know) if it's missing sections that keep you compliant with the everchanging laws of online business.
In this issue, I'll share 5 critical parts of your speaker website (that you likely don't know about) to be legally compliant — hopefully, this helps protect you from potential fines you didn't realize you could even be at risk for.
I say that "you likely don't know" because I only happened to learn this by chance alone — not because any hired web expert told me (and I ask a lot of questions).
And if I wasn't aware, chances are you aren't either.
First, an important point to note before we dive in...
*I'm not an attorney or anything of the sort — I'm merely a humble speaker, just like you.
So, this clearly isn't legal advice, formal business advice, or even exhaustive.
This is simply me sharing my own experience and what I've learned for my own business along the way. Imagine us as friends, sitting at a cafe table, and I'm sharing this crazy thing I learned for my business by happenstance, hoping that it helps you too.
So, here is the purpose of this newsletter issue — I hope that it at least sparks some valuable conversation between you and an expert (such as an attorney), because sometimes you just don't even know the right questions to ask to know if you're doing everything you can to protect your business — but this will give you a place to start that dialogue.
Also, at the end of this issue, I included a few attorneys that I follow on social media who share guidance for online businesses, including for speakers. I find them to be helpful resources.
Now without further ado, let's get started.
1. Privacy Policy
No surprise, but privacy is a big deal, especially these days. And apparently every website needs a Privacy Policy, not just "big box" companies.
This would describe things like how (or if) you collect website visitor data, cookies, tracking, etc. This might sound like gibberish or not even something you actively collect yourself, but you do need language on your website that covers all this and more.
*And, it's important to note that even though your website builder (i.e., Squarespace, Wix, etc.) likely has a Privacy Policy, that's their policy — not yours. Same with the other aspects I'll list below, you need your own.
2. Website Disclaimer
This section basically describes anything you're disclaiming responsibility for, limiting your liability (within reason) when someone visits your website. For example, you might include that your website doesn't serve as medical, legal, or any other professional guidance and visitors act of their own free will.
While much of this may sound obvious, the language still needs to be there. As with the other sections listed in this newsletter issue, check out existing websites from your favorite stores to get a feel for what they include (as examples).
3. Terms of Use
This section essentially acts as a conduct "rulebook" for your website. So, in order for someone to visit your site and interact with it, they must agree to abide by your terms — for example, that they're at least 18 years old and they can't promote illegal activities via your site. Or, that you're letting them know you can take down the website at any time without notice. Again, while this may sound obvious, unfortunately the world we live in means we have to actually write this out.
This is different from a Terms of Service, by the way. If you're confused, I get it — talk to an attorney about the difference.
4. Accessibility Statement
Few people realize that you need a website accessibility statement. Again, I'm not an expert on this, but it's required to have language that talks about how your website accommodates people with disabilities.
This could be functions that assist the visually or hearing impaired, for example. While this isn't always straightforward, some accommodation does need to be possible — fortunately, some web browsers even have these features built-in that allow color/visual support, audible reading of text, etc. Regardless, it's something to look into.
The link I include in #5 below — the link to the attorney blog post — also includes a short blurb about this.
5. Cookies Notification & Opt-In/Out
Your Privacy Policy describes how you collect and use cookies, but visitors also need a way to opt-in, opt-out, or modify their cookie preferences while visiting your website. This would likely come in the form of a "Cookie Notification" pop-up.
Some web builders have these pop-up options available for you to enable, others don't. For example, my web builder, Carrd, doesn't — but, third party systems, like WebsitePolicies.com, can embed within your site to allow you to create a cookie consent pop-up.
Here's an interesting blog post about cookie pop-ups from the attorney who runs The Legal Paige:
Another Important Note...
You can't simply copy the policies and terms from another website's Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, Disclaimers, etc. — that's plagiarism (believe it or not!). Plus, their specific terms may not even apply to your specific business.
Likewise, it's not recommended to have ChatGPT or other AI systems create them for you — these policies should be attorney drafted.
As I mentioned earlier, I included some online business attorneys that offer templates you can consider at the bottom of this email.
Final Points...
Again, take all these with a grain of salt as I'm not an attorney or expert in the minutia of websites and online business.
But, I've learned a hefty amount over the years — and, I've personally been told (by attorneys) that these sections are needed for compliant websites.
It was by sheer luck that I learned this. I'm hoping to save you the trouble.
As a side note, I'm actually quite disheartened that I've never once learned about this in any speaker course, online entrepreneurship course, or from any web expert I've spoken with.
I truly don't believe they're hiding this information — they may not even know it themselves.
But, with the price point of some of these resources, I believe they should more comprehensively educate speakers and online entrepreneurs of how to actually protect their businesses — at the very least, there should be more emphasis on it.
Regardless, I learned this by chance, and that troubles me.
It's frustrating when no number of questions in the world would have taught you something like this. Even with all your best efforts to be proactive.
But, we must stay open to learning regardless — and open to learning from each other, sharing information and knowledge freely.
On that note, perhaps your website needs something different, or even additional components beyond what I've described here — if so, I'd love to learn what is required for you and your business.
Resources to Consider...
Here are a few attorneys whose practices focus on online business — they post on social media about this, and I believe they all have templates available for purchase.
The links below aren't affiliate links and I make no commission from sharing them. I just hope they're helpful resources for you to learn more.
I've worked and/or spoken with a couple of these attorneys for my own business, and I follow the rest on social media to at least try to stay on top of the everchanging online business landscape (which can feel impossible but I strive for it nonetheless because it's important).
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Dr. Kathryn Preston
Keynote Speaker
info@kathrynpreston.com
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