Marketing Mistakes That Trigger FTC Investigations (and How to Avoid Them)
Discover why "everyone else is doing it" could cost you millions—and how to navigate the FTC’s aggressive stance on marketing compliance.In this highlight episode, Emma Rainville and Ryan Poteet of Gordon Reese break down dangerous misconceptions about marketing regulations, influencer disclosures, and subscription billing practices, highlighting hidden risks that marketers frequently overlook.Sign up to the Visionary Vault for every roadmap, tools, and resources that we drop in every episode. FOR FEE! https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault (07:20) Why common marketing practices might still land you in serious legal trouble. (13:45) The critical elements of clear disclosures that protect against FTC enforcement. (22:30) Real-world examples of compliant influencer promotions (and costly mistakes).(29:55) Why truthful claims can still be considered deceptive.(35:15) The "grandma test": a simple method to gauge your marketing’s legality.Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:Website: https://www.grsm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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32:13
Why Money Is Like Oxygen And You Never Noticed!
You can have the perfect strategy, but if you screw up the timing, or your ego gets in the way, you’ll blow the entire thing!In this highlights episode of Special Ops, Emma brings together some of the sharpest founder insights on liquidity, decision-making, and the dangerous mindset shifts that sabotage scale. From chasing an inflated valuation to deploying cash too early, this conversation unpacks what happens after the exit or when you miss the window entirely.You’ll hear real talk on M&A strategy, wealth psychology, and why $3–5M is the only money you really need. Plus, the behavioral patterns that creep in once you feel unstoppable and how to avoid becoming your own liability.Remember to go sign up to our Visionary Vault—where you can download all the tools and books, and hacks that will help you scale your business. All for free! https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault (0:00) The $65M temptation vs. cashing out too late(1:48) “Forever money”: how $3–5M can buy peace, not jets(3:22) Why fearlessness after exit makes you sharper—but also dangerous(5:09) The biggest mistake: deploying capital before you’re ready(6:44) Non-renewable money vs. renewable wealth: the latte test(8:15) Liquidity as leverage: the day a $10M opportunity needed $1M—fast(9:58) Founder ego, overconfidence, and the psychological blind spot(11:30) Functional chaos: the wealthy founder with a broken internal world(13:00) Market research through empathy: Nick’s method acting approach(14:45) Messaging transformation: how inside-out clarity drove real scaleGet in Touch with Emma Rainville: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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Can You Say That in an Ad? Limited-Time Lies, Testimonial Traps, and the Real FTC Rules | Marketing on Trial
Limited-time offers. Income claims. Celebrity testimonials. What if everything your funnel is built on is legally shaky—and you don’t even know it?In this special highlights edition of Marketing on Trial, hosts Emma Rainville and Ryan Poteet compile the most impactful moments from recent episodes—bringing together the sharpest insights on deceptive marketing practices, legal blind spots, and the FTC's evolving standards for 2025.Whether it’s the real meaning behind “limited-time only,” what makes a testimonial compliant, or how AI and automation are changing enforcement, this episode distills the no-BS legal strategies every marketer should know. It’s fast-paced, tactical, and packed with the kind of clarity that keeps your business safe as you scale.Sign up to the Visionary Vault for every roadmap, tools, and resources that we drop in every episode. FOR FEE! https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault (0:00) Can something literally true still be deceptive?(1:32) What the FTC considers “reasonable consumer understanding”(3:18) Why “limited-time only” offers might land you in legal trouble(5:40) Creative bonuses, rotating product designs, and compliant urgency(7:05) MyPillow, repeat sales, and the problem with false discounts(8:30) How FTC regulation and enforcement has evolved over the last decade(10:01) Income, health, and testimonial claims: what the FTC wants in 2025(12:14) What “typical results” really means and how to prove it(14:10) Deregulation myths, RFK hype, and why compliance still matters(15:30) How AI is reshaping enforcement and why no funnel is invisibleExplore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:Website: https://www.grsm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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20:28
What Losing $5M to a Comma Taught Me About Contracts, Liquidity, and Copy That Converts
What happens when hard-won marketing wisdom meets the cold realities of legal fine print? These next few weeks were bringing you highlights from the best episodes of Special Ops. Today, Emma brings together two of her favorite minds—Kasim Aslam and Nick Verge—for a rapid-fire download of strategy, survival, and straight-up founder honesty.From Kasim’s battle-tested M&A experience (and how a single comma almost cost someone $5 million), to Nick’s take on micro-commitments, psychology-driven copy, and preparing your audience before the pitch, this episode is a masterclass in what really matters when you're building something worth buying—or protecting.You’ll hear how liquidity creates leverage, why “Forrest Gump-ing” through legal negotiations can be your best move, and what entrepreneurs get wrong about both their exit and their ads. No fluff, no ego—just tactical insight from leaders who’ve been in the arena.Remember to go sign up to our Visionary Vault—where you can download all the tools and books, and hacks that will help you scale your business. All for free! https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault (0:00) The $5M comma: how contracts and semantics can make or break your deal(1:43) Why most M&A attorneys aren’t qualified—and what to ask before you hire one(3:15) The “Forrest Gump” strategy for negotiating with legal and private equity teams(4:56) Liquidity as leverage: why cash on hand beats assets after an exit(6:28) How to protect yourself post-exit from opportunists and bad investments(7:49) Renewable vs. non-renewable money—and how to never spend your principal(9:15) Buying a $10M business for $1M: the power of being ready(10:40) Copywriting strategy: the “Want ___?” formula and emotion-based hooks(12:05) Using data and customer research to write high-converting VSLs(13:28) Micro-commitments and building momentum in your sales messaging(14:42) Identity framing, open loops, and writing with psychological clarityGet in Touch with Emma Rainville: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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Special Ops Spinoff! Marketing on Trial – Season Teaser
From the creators of the Special Ops Podcast comes a brand-new spinoff series that marketers can’t afford to ignore.Marketing on Trial is where hard-hitting marketing strategies meet real legal accountability. Co-hosted by the wizard of ops herself, Emma Rainville and Ryan Poteet of Gordon Reese, this show pulls back the curtain on the marketing tactics that could get you sued—and how to fix them before they do.Watch the previous episodes and find out why they're making this a regular show, who it's for, and what’s at stake if you ignore the fine print.Because marketing isn't just creative... it’s regulated.🔍 Episodes drop weekly. Subscribe and tap the bell so you don’t miss what could save your brand.🔗 Sign up and explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:Website: https://www.grsm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
Welcome to Special Ops, the tactical business podcast designed to help you grow your company through action, not words.
Hosted by seasoned entrepreneur Emma Rainville.
In each episode, Emma share strategies she used in her businesses to overcome revenue growth challenges, increase profit margins, and build leadership teams that run day-to-day business operations without you, as the CEO/founder, getting involved.
Each episode is designed around a free downloadable playbook to help you execute, which you can download for free at https://specialopspodcast.com.
Hit play on the most recent episode, and subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and take your business to new heights.
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