How To Make A Privacy Policy

1. Write a clear and simple privacy policy page on your site. 

This does not require a lawyer to write, it can and should be in plain English. Explain that if the user signs up for an email list, their information will never be sold or transfered to anyone else (and then DON'T sell or give the list away!). Promise them that they will not receive anything but the updates and info they request. To see a sample, you can read Beatnik Turtle's privacy policy here (it's toward the bottom). 

2. Create a Privacy Policy page on your website.

Paste the privacy policy you wrote on this page. Make sure the link to this policy appears somewhere on the homepage so it's easy to find. Usually privacy policies are found at the bottom of the homepage in small print.

3. Link to the privacy policy at the bottom of every mailing list email.

Add a small link at the end of every mailing list email that directs the reader to the privacy policy.

4. Remember to put your subscribers' email addresses in the BCC: field of every email.

If you send out mass emails and put the email addresses in the To: or CC: sections, every recipient can see everyone else's information. Someone could easily copy those addresses and sell them. If a fan forwards the message, their recipient can see all the addresses as well. Also, someone could try to write to you and accidentally hit Reply All, spamming everyone with their personal email. Add your band email address in the To: section and then paste all of the subscriber addresses into the BCC: field to avoid this.

5. Abide by the rules you have promised in your policy.

The most important thing to remember is that you have made a promise to your fans and you need to stick to it. Some states have really strict privacy laws and you may be legally required to follow these rules.

To see a sample privacy policy, check out Beatnik Turtle's here.