MasterMind Code of Ethics
Policies and Code of Ethics of MasterMind Subscribers
All subscribers are expected to adhere to the following Code of Ethics when advertising on MasterMind:
1. Giving your customers good and accurate information;
2. Providing a clear & concise refund policy;
3. Refraining from Targeting other Subscribers;
4. Communicating with customers in professional manner;
5. Adhering to MasterMind’s sales process in a way not to circumvent its compliance policies;
6. Collecting taxes when necessary;
7. Offering products which are legal, non-hate related, and ethical; and
8. Multi-Level Marketing
9. Proper Use of MasterMind’s Intellectual Property.
Violating MasterMind’s Code of Ethics, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, or DMCA Policy may result in actions
against your account including, but not limited to, suspension of listings and/or termination of your subscriber
account.
1. Accurate Information
Presenting accurate information depends largely on the impression we leave on our customers. When presenting
our products and services we need to leave customers with the right expectations. If you promise someone that
you will teach them how to become a good writer, your course should provide the best information about writing.
The key is to deliver what you are promising. Be honest. Don’t use phrases that will create the wrong net
impression. Clients will not be happy if you promise them a Porsche but deliver a Volkswagen Bug. Over
promising and under delivering makes unhappy customers, who will want a refund.
There are several ways you can create the wrong impression including; A) misleading earnings claims; B) making
undocumented claims; C) misrepresenting your product or service; and/or D) representing your product or
service is easier to use than it is.
A. Earnings Claims
Your Mastermind Course must not contain statements that a client will expect a certain income if they join your
training. Promises of individuals attaining a certain monthly income1 within a certain time frame of joining your
program, are prohibited unless you can prove that the typical participant can expect that result.
For example, a claim that a client could make $10,000 in two (2) months of joining your program is unacceptable
unless you have documented proof that typical students see similar results.
Since you do not know how a client will utilize your service, you will be unable to predict the outcome. The
result you should focus on is helping the client learn the skill you are teaching, not a promise of certain income.
This is a narrow-minded approach that solely focuses on one outcome, which is unpredictable. Avoid making
earning type claims.
B. Unsubstantiated Claims & Testimonials
Claims in Your Mastermind Course require a reasonable basis. For example, a claim of increased health benefits
from a supplement or nutrient; action; and/or health program must have scientific evidence to support it. A
reasonable basis exists when you have support from the claim that is from a reliable source. Wikipedia and
general search results from the internet do not constitute a reliable source. A reliable source would include
scientific studies, published accredited materials, and generally acceptable practices. Basically, a source which
could withstand criticism.
Furthermore, MasterMind is not responsible to verify the accuracy of the statements made in stories or
“testimonials” shared in your advertisements. All testimonials shared in your advertisements require
documentation. Substantiation of your content is a prerequisite of using such material in Your Mastermind
Course. Even with substantiation you should avoid using testimonials that create an impression of typicality
when they really represent the rare occasional client experience. In all cases where you use a testimonial it should
be accompanied with a proper disclosure that the results shown “are not typical, are not guarantees, and the
client’s results may vary.” The federal guidelines for using endorsements and testimonials in advertising is
found at: https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/press-releases/ftc-publishes-final-guidesgoverning-endorse ments-testimonials/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf
C. Misrepresentations
Your Mastermind Course must not contain material misrepresentations. Advertisements are deceptive if they
contain a “material” representation that would likely affect the consumer’s decision to purchase your services.
The standard for determining if a claim is deceptive is as follows: 1) did the representation affect the consumer’s
decision to purchase your training; and 2) was there sufficient evidence (documentation) to prove that the
representation was true.
Unfair methods of competition including misrepresentations or the concealment of any material fact with the
intent to deceive is prohibited. As discussed, you should go to great measures to ensure your representations are
not misleading and convey a clean message.
1 This is also true if you are claiming to help clients create a certain level of followers, enroll a certain number of customers, or
any promise of results must be documented with proof that typical students see similar results.
D. Professional Advice
Unless you are otherwise licensed you should not offer any medical, tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice. Your
clients should consult with their accountant, attorney, physician, or financial advisor for advice on your topics. Specific
advice on any subject is considered professional advice. For example, generally stating that there are tax deductions
available to individuals who own businesses is general advice a lay person can discuss. On the other hand, conducting
a detailed conversation with a client about a pending legal issue, and then giving them instructions on how to resolve
the issue they face is professional advice. Telling a client that your product will cure, eliminate, or eradicate any type
of medical condition is strictly prohibited.
E. Ease of Use
You should avoid making it appear that the training or services you offer is easier than it actually is. Making the
ad seem risk free creates the illusion that the process of application or learning that no real work is necessary and
that there is no chance of failure. You should always convey to your clients that effort is required to learn any
process, and that most ventures involve risk.
2. Clear & Precise Refund Policy
MasterMind offers purchasers a standard thirty (30) day refund period. While most Subscribers offer a refund
policy equivalent to MasterMind’s, as is our requirement, you may offer a period longer than thirty (30) days as
long as it is clearly and easily found by your customer. A clear and precise disclosure is one that the customer
sees before they purchase. A small and hidden disclosure is not sufficient. This disclosure must be readily
visible (proximate and predominant) to the offer of your service. It is also necessary for clients to be able to
quickly review your return/refund policy even after they have purchased. It is essential that you follow whatever
policy. MasterMind will not be responsible for your customer refunds. We may remove your account if you
fail to abide by your refund policy.
3. Subscriber Targeting
You must not use target other Subscribers in an attempt to deter, deflect, or steal customers. These actions may
infringe on your co-Subscriber’s ability to acquire customers. Targeting includes activities which discriminate
against, harass, provoke, or disparage customers from using another Subscriber’s products and/or services.
Subscribers should not directly or indirectly create or make negative reviews of another Subscriber’s service
solely as an attempt to detract buyers from that Subscriber’s products and services. MasterMind will immediately
suspend or terminate your subscription if it is deemed you have Targeted another Subscriber.
4. Customer Communications
A good client is a happy client. Providing your customers with the service you promise is a good start, but it is
not enough by itself. You must also communicate with clients and be responsive. Being proactive with your
clients can tell you a lot about their experience. When you consistently ask your customers about their
experience, it can help you improve your product and service.
Once a customer has purchased you need to provide them with a means to communicate with you if there are
any problems with your product or service. No one will understand your product and service better than you.
Consequently, MasterMind is not in the best situation to always help your clients. That responsibility is yours.
You should at minimum always have an email address and telephone number in which the customer may
communicate with you listed on your offer. This way you will better be able to service the customer’s needs,
especially if they have questions about your service. MasterMind is there if there are technical problems with
the service related to the hosting website but is not a great resource for customers who have specific questions
about your training. It’s always a good rule of thumb to communicate with your clients. Make it easy for
customers to start a conversation.
5. Code of Ethics
Your reputation is everything. How we relate with one another is the essence of business. If you are not ethical
in your dealings with your clients, not only will that cause cancellations and refunds, but it will harm the most
valuable asset you have, your reputation. Ethics do not only apply to your buyers, but to other MasterMind
Subscribers. Adherence to these Code of Ethics is essential to ensure the satisfaction and reasonable expectation
of the customer. By subscribing to MasterMind you agree to follow these ethical guidelines and to avoid making
representations that could be harmful to your customers. Failure to abide by this code may result in MasterMind
suspending or terminating your subscription.
6. Taxes
Because you are selling goods and services you may be responsible to collect sales tax for the transaction. Sales
tax is owed to the state you are selling into, not the state where you are located. Each state has their own rules
regarding sales tax. Some states don’t collect sales tax at all. There are several external services that will help
you determine sales tax. If you are unsure use one of those services or contact the state tax agency in the state
you are selling into. This all sounds very complicated, but we are working on a solution for you. Shortly we will
have a solution for sales tax integrated into our software, which you may use. The service is optional, but the
requirement to collect sales tax in states that have it, is not.
7. Legal & Ethical Products
Your Mastermind Course must not constitute, facilitate, or promote illegal products, services or activities. Your
Mastermind Course targeted to minors must not promote products, services, or content that are inappropriate,
illegal, or unsafe, or that exploit, mislead, or exert undue pressure on the age groups targeted.
Your Mastermind Course must not discriminate or encourage discrimination against people based on personal
attributes such as race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
family status, disability, medical or genetic condition.
Your Mastermind Course must not promote the sale or use of tobacco products and related paraphernalia.
Advertisements must not promote electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, or any other products that simulate smoking.
Your Mastermind Course must not promote the sale or use of illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs.
Your Mastermind Course must not promote the sale or use of unsafe supplements, as determined by MasterMind
in its sole discretion. Furthermore, you cannot claim that supplements prevent, treat, or cure diseases. You should
also provide an appropriate disclosure when using supplements as required by the Federal Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”): “Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA for safety and
effectiveness. Dietary Supplements are not meant to prevent, treat or cure diseases.” Remember in Your
Mastermind Course that “natural” does not always mean safe.
Your Mastermind Course must not promote the sale or use of adult products or services, except for Your
Mastermind Course promoting training and/or education of family planning and contraception. Your Mastermind
Course for contraceptives must focus on the contraceptive features of the product, and not on sexual pleasure or
sexual enhancement, and must be targeted to people 18 years or older.
Your Mastermind Course must not contain adult content. This includes nudity, depictions of people in explicit
or suggestive positions, or activities that are overly suggestive or sexually provocative.
Your Mastermind Course that assert or imply the ability to meet someone, connect with them or view content
created by them must not be positioned in a sexual way or with an intent to sexualize the person featured in Your
Mastermind Course.
Your Mastermind Course must not contain content that infringes upon or violates the rights of any third party,
including copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other personal or proprietary rights.
Your Mastermind Course must not contain shocking, sensational, inflammatory or excessively violent content.
Your Mastermind Course must not contain profanity or bad grammar and punctuation. Symbols,
numbers and letters must be used properly without the intention of circumventing our ad review process.
8. Multi-Level Marketing
Your Mastermind Course may be used to train on how to create or market a multi-level marketing
business. All users, however, agree that all content will comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s
Business Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing, see www.ftc.gov/tipsadvice/business-center/guidance/business-guidance-concerning-multi-level-marketing).
9. Use of MasterMind’s Intellectual Property
Advertisements that include any reference to MasterMind must be approved by MasterMind. Clients cannot
create an impression that your relationship with MasterMind is anything more than it is, which is an independent
forum for you to promote your training or services.
Furthermore, all other Your Mastermind Course and landing pages must not use our copyrights, trademarks, or
any confusingly similar marks, except as expressly permitted by MasterMind. Ensure any ad data collected,
received or derived from your MasterMind ad (“MasterMind advertising data”) is only shared with someone
acting on your behalf, such as your service provider. You are responsible for ensuring your service providers
protect any MasterMind advertising data or any other information obtained from us, limit their use of all of that
information, and keep it confidential and secure.
Don’t use MasterMind advertising data for any purpose (including retargeting, commingling data across multiple
advertisers’ campaigns, or allowing piggybacking or redirecting with tags), except on an aggregate and
anonymous basis (unless authorized by MasterMind) and only to assess the performance and effectiveness of
your MasterMind advertising campaigns.
Don’t use MasterMind advertising data, including the targeting criteria for your ad, to build, append to, edit,
influence, or augment user profiles, including profiles associated with any mobile device identifier or other
unique identifier that identifies any particular user, browser, computer or device.
Don’t transfer any MasterMind advertising data (including anonymous, aggregate, or derived data) to any ad
network, ad exchange, data broker or other advertising or monetization related service.