“I went from zero to six figures in six months!”
“Make $10K months on repeat.”
“This strategy helped me hit seven figures—let me show you how!”
“Quit your 9-5 and replace your income with this proven method.”
“The easiest way to hit $100K without ads.”
“Earn passive income while you sleep!”
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by one of these statements from a #girlboss in the online business world 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
Listen, I am ALL for people making money and being proud of it, but what I am NOT for is people making income claims like this without giving the whole behind-the-scenes story.
Yes, it’s true that you CAN potentially make $10k months or scale your business from $600 to $60K in 6 months, but using those income claims to market your product or service without backing it up with a disclaimer is one of the best ways to land yourself in legal trouble.
The internet has truly made it easier than ever to launch a business, sell a course, or coach clients from anywhere in the world, but with great opportunity comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to marketing your offers legally.
I see people making mistakes like this literally everyday, whether it be on their website or on social media and I’m here to say that it really is a HUGE legal no no.
Luckily, the fix is really easy! There’s one simple clause that ensures you’re not making legally risky promises about financial success and it’s called an Earnings Disclaimer.
Keep reading for a deep dive into the most common mistakes business owners make on their sales pages (and how to avoid them) AND a deep dive into what an Earnings Disclaimer is, who it’s for, and when you need it.
The 5 Most Common Sales Page Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Making Income Claims Without a Disclaimer
First things first, the biggest mistake that I’ve already alluded to is making income claims without backing it up with an Earnings Disclaimer.
Saying things like “Sarah had her first $10K week after taking my course” might be a great way to showcase client success, but without a proper disclaimer, it can be misleading. Even if Sarah really did make $10K, her results don’t guarantee that everyone who takes your course will achieve the same outcome.
➡️ THE QUICK FIX: Simply include an Earnings Disclaimer that makes it clear results are not guaranteed. Your disclaimer should state that success depends on various factors like effort, experience, and market conditions.
Using Vague or Misleading Language
If you’ve ever seen a sales page with phrases like “earn unlimited income” or “skyrocket your business overnight,” you know how tempting it is to use persuasive language. However, these kinds of statements can be legally risky if they overpromise results.
➡️ THE QUICK FIX: Be transparent and set realistic expectations. Instead of saying, “earn unlimited income,” try something like, “many of our clients have seen growth, but results vary based on experience and effort.”
Not Clarifying That Past Success Doesn’t Equal Future Results
Just because something worked for you doesn’t mean it will work for everyone else. If you’ve scaled your business to seven figures, that’s amazing! But if you suggest that your audience will automatically do the same, that’s where things get tricky.
➡️ THE QUICK FIX: Use phrases like “Results are unique to each individual and not guaranteed” or “Success requires dedication, time, and effort.” This keeps your messaging honest while still allowing you to highlight your wins!
Leaving Out Refund and Payment Policies
If your sales page doesn’t clearly state your refund policy (or lack thereof – because yes, you're allowed to have a “no refund” policy!), you could run into disputes, chargebacks, and legal issues. Customers need to know what to expect before they buy.
➡️ THE QUICK FIX: Make sure your Terms of Purchase include clear refund and payment policies. If you don’t offer refunds, say so upfront. If you do, outline the conditions under which refunds are granted.
Failing to Address Consumer Protection Laws
Different countries and states have different rules about what you can and can’t say in your marketing. Some places heavily regulate income claims, while others have strict c>Earnings Disclaimer is one of the easiest ways to keep your business protected.
➡️ THE QUICK FIX: Research the legal requirements in your region (or consult a local lawyer) to ensure compliance. And, of course, adding an Earnings Disclaimer is one of the easiest ways to keep your business protected.
What is an Earnings Disclaimer (And Why Do You Need One)?
Now that you’ve heard me talk about an Earnings Disclaimer a few times, let’s talk about what exactly that is and why you truly need one!
Simply put, an Earnings Disclaimer is a legal statement that clarifies that any income claims made on your website, sales page, or marketing materials are not guarantees of future success. It sets expectations and protects you from legal disputes by making it clear that results vary.
For example, an earnings disclaimer might say:
“While we make every effort to ensure that we accurately represent our programs and their potential benefits, we cannot guarantee specific financial results. Any testimonials or success stories shared are not typical and should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of earnings.”
By including this type of disclaimer, you’re covering your bases and preventing potential legal headaches.
Where to Include an Earnings Disclaimer in Your Business
It’s important that you include your Earnings Disclaimer in a few different places throughout your business as a whole, with the most important places being:
-
Sales Page – make sure it’s visible wherever you make income-related claims throughout your sales page, especially in your testimonial or results section
-
Website Terms of Use – this ensures that anyone browsing your site is aware of your policies
- Course or Program Agreements – this is especially important if you’re a coach, educator, or course creator.
Bottom Line: Stop Making Income Claims Without an Earnings Disclaimer
Overall, marketing your business should be exciting, not stressful. But without the proper legal protections in place, your sales page could actually COST your money instead of make you money.
By avoiding the common mistakes covered above and using an Earnings Disclaimer, you can confidently sell your programs and services while staying legally secure. 🎉
And as always, you d>Earnings Disclaimer Template is a plug-and-play document designed for coaches, educators, and course creators who make income-based claims in their marketing.
With this template, you can protect your business, set clear expectations, and focus on what you do best – helping your clients get REAL results.
CLICK HERE to grab the Earnings Disclaimer Template and make sure your sales page stays legally compliant! 👏🏼
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