FTC DISCLOSURE POLICY

Heidi Bauer LLC

Effective Date: May 23, 2026 | Last Updated: May 23, 2026

1. My Commitment to Transparency

I, Heidi Bauer, operating as Heidi Bauer LLC, believe in full honesty and transparency with my audience. This Disclosure Policy explains how and when I disclose material relationships, sponsorships, gifted products, and affiliate partnerships in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under 16 C.F.R. Part 255 ("Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising").

My audience's trust is the foundation of everything I do. I will always be clear about when I have been compensated or have received any benefit in exchange for content I create or share.


2. What Is a Material Connection?

A "material connection" is any relationship between me and a brand, company, or individual that could affect how my audience perceives my recommendations. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Monetary compensation — being paid to create, post, or promote content

  • Free or gifted products or services — receiving items, experiences, or services at no cost

  • Affiliate relationships — earning a commission when you purchase through my links

  • Brand partnerships or sponsorships — ongoing paid relationships with a brand

  • Equity or ownership — holding a financial stake in a brand I mention

  • Family or personal relationships — promoting a business owned by someone I know personally

  • Barter arrangements — receiving something of value in exchange for promotion, even without cash payment

The FTC requires that I disclose any such material connection whenever it could influence your perception of my content or recommendations — regardless of whether I personally believe it affects my opinion.


3. How I Disclose

I use clear, plain-language disclosures that are easy to notice and understand. I do not use vague or hidden language. My disclosures appear before the sponsored content, not buried at the end.

Language I use:

SituationDisclosure LabelPaid partnership / sponsorship#ad, #sponsored, #paidpartnershipGifted product (no payment)#gifted, #complimentary, #prAffiliate link (commission earned)#affiliate, "This post contains affiliate links"Ambassador / ongoing partnership#brandambassador, #partnerPersonal opinion, no compensationNo disclosure required

Where disclosures appear:

  • Website & blog posts — at the top of the post, before any sponsored content begins

  • Instagram — within the first line of the caption, visible without tapping "more," and via Instagram's paid partnership label where applicable

  • YouTube / video content — verbally within the first 30 seconds and in the video description

  • Stories / short-form content — as a text overlay visible throughout the sponsored segment

  • Podcasts — verbally stated at the beginning of any sponsored segment

I never rely solely on platform-native disclosure tools (such as Instagram's "Paid Partnership" tag) without also including a written disclosure in the caption or content itself.


4. Affiliate Links

My website and social media content may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I will always disclose when a link is an affiliate link.

I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe in. The fact that I may earn a commission does not influence my honest opinion of any product or service.


5. My Editorial Integrity

Regardless of any compensation or material connection, the following principles guide all of my content:

  • I only work with brands whose products and values align with my own

  • I will never make false or misleading claims about a product or service

  • My reviews and opinions are always my own, even when content is sponsored

  • A brand may sponsor my content but never controls what I say or how I say it

  • I will disclose sponsorships even if a brand does not require me to do so


6. Brand Partners and Collaborators

When I enter into a paid partnership or brand collaboration, I require that all agreements include terms consistent with FTC compliance. I will not enter into any agreement that asks me to conceal a material connection or make misleading claims to my audience.

If you are a brand interested in working with me, please be aware that all sponsored content will be clearly labeled as such. This is not negotiable.


7. Giveaways and Contests

If I host or participate in a giveaway or contest that is sponsored or funded by a brand, I will clearly disclose the sponsorship. All giveaways are conducted in compliance with applicable platform rules and relevant laws.


8. Third-Party Opinions

Occasionally, I may share or repost content from third parties (e.g., reposts, guest features). I am only responsible for disclosures on content that I personally create and publish. I am not responsible for the disclosure practices of third parties.


9. Compliance with Platform Rules

In addition to FTC guidelines, I comply with the endorsement and disclosure policies of each platform I use, including but not limited to:

Where platform requirements differ from FTC requirements, I follow whichever standard is more stringent.


10. Questions and Concerns

If you have any questions about this Disclosure Policy, believe that I have failed to properly disclose a material connection, or would like to inquire about a brand collaboration, please contact me:

Heidi Bauer LLC

  • Address: 66 W Flagler Street, Suite 900, PMB 12594, Miami, FL 33130, United States

  • Phone: +1(786) 686-8940

  • Email: info@heidibauerllc.com


This policy is intended to comply with the FTC's Endorsement Guides (16 C.F.R. Part 255) as updated in 2023. It is not intended as legal advice. I recommend consulting a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

© 2026 Heidi Bauer LLC. All rights reserved.



FTC DISCLOSURE POLICY

Heidi Bauer LLC

Effective Date: May 23, 2026 | Last Updated: May 23, 2026

1. My Commitment to Transparency

I, Heidi Bauer, operating as Heidi Bauer LLC, believe in full honesty and transparency with my audience. This Disclosure Policy explains how and when I disclose material relationships, sponsorships, gifted products, and affiliate partnerships in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under 16 C.F.R. Part 255 ("Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising").

My audience's trust is the foundation of everything I do. I will always be clear about when I have been compensated or have received any benefit in exchange for content I create or share.


2. What Is a Material Connection?

A "material connection" is any relationship between me and a brand, company, or individual that could affect how my audience perceives my recommendations. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Monetary compensation — being paid to create, post, or promote content

  • Free or gifted products or services — receiving items, experiences, or services at no cost

  • Affiliate relationships — earning a commission when you purchase through my links

  • Brand partnerships or sponsorships — ongoing paid relationships with a brand

  • Equity or ownership — holding a financial stake in a brand I mention

  • Family or personal relationships — promoting a business owned by someone I know personally

  • Barter arrangements — receiving something of value in exchange for promotion, even without cash payment

The FTC requires that I disclose any such material connection whenever it could influence your perception of my content or recommendations — regardless of whether I personally believe it affects my opinion.


3. How I Disclose

I use clear, plain-language disclosures that are easy to notice and understand. I do not use vague or hidden language. My disclosures appear before the sponsored content, not buried at the end.

Language I use:

SituationDisclosure LabelPaid partnership / sponsorship#ad, #sponsored, #paidpartnershipGifted product (no payment)#gifted, #complimentary, #prAffiliate link (commission earned)#affiliate, "This post contains affiliate links"Ambassador / ongoing partnership#brandambassador, #partnerPersonal opinion, no compensationNo disclosure required

Where disclosures appear:

  • Website & blog posts — at the top of the post, before any sponsored content begins

  • Instagram — within the first line of the caption, visible without tapping "more," and via Instagram's paid partnership label where applicable

  • YouTube / video content — verbally within the first 30 seconds and in the video description

  • Stories / short-form content — as a text overlay visible throughout the sponsored segment

  • Podcasts — verbally stated at the beginning of any sponsored segment

I never rely solely on platform-native disclosure tools (such as Instagram's "Paid Partnership" tag) without also including a written disclosure in the caption or content itself.


4. Affiliate Links

My website and social media content may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I will always disclose when a link is an affiliate link.

I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe in. The fact that I may earn a commission does not influence my honest opinion of any product or service.


5. My Editorial Integrity

Regardless of any compensation or material connection, the following principles guide all of my content:

  • I only work with brands whose products and values align with my own

  • I will never make false or misleading claims about a product or service

  • My reviews and opinions are always my own, even when content is sponsored

  • A brand may sponsor my content but never controls what I say or how I say it

  • I will disclose sponsorships even if a brand does not require me to do so


6. Brand Partners and Collaborators

When I enter into a paid partnership or brand collaboration, I require that all agreements include terms consistent with FTC compliance. I will not enter into any agreement that asks me to conceal a material connection or make misleading claims to my audience.

If you are a brand interested in working with me, please be aware that all sponsored content will be clearly labeled as such. This is not negotiable.


7. Giveaways and Contests

If I host or participate in a giveaway or contest that is sponsored or funded by a brand, I will clearly disclose the sponsorship. All giveaways are conducted in compliance with applicable platform rules and relevant laws.


8. Third-Party Opinions

Occasionally, I may share or repost content from third parties (e.g., reposts, guest features). I am only responsible for disclosures on content that I personally create and publish. I am not responsible for the disclosure practices of third parties.


9. Compliance with Platform Rules

In addition to FTC guidelines, I comply with the endorsement and disclosure policies of each platform I use, including but not limited to:

Where platform requirements differ from FTC requirements, I follow whichever standard is more stringent.


10. Questions and Concerns

If you have any questions about this Disclosure Policy, believe that I have failed to properly disclose a material connection, or would like to inquire about a brand collaboration, please contact me:

Heidi Bauer LLC

  • Address: 66 W Flagler Street, Suite 900, PMB 12594, Miami, FL 33130, United States

  • Phone: +1(786) 686-8940

  • Email: info@heidibauerllc.com


This policy is intended to comply with the FTC's Endorsement Guides (16 C.F.R. Part 255) as updated in 2023. It is not intended as legal advice. I recommend consulting a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

© 2026 Heidi Bauer LLC. All rights reserved.