The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) issued some blogging guidelines for marketers. The checklist is supposed to help marketers ensure they are always appropriate and ethical when communicating with bloggers.

WOMMA CEO Andy Sernovitz said the document applies specifically to marketers and does not cover “how to blog” or rules for internal blogs.

These guidelines seem pretty obvious, but then again, I bet Rubbermaid thought it was clear that their storage bins were not floatation devices or a child carriers until some “genius” misused the plastic bins. That’s why so many companies have to place ridiculous warnings on their products.

Here are WOMMA’s Ethical Blogger Contact Guidelines: 10 Principles for Ethical Contact by Marketers:

1. I will always be truthful and will never knowingly relay false information. I will never ask someone else to deceive bloggers for me.

2. I will fully disclose who I am and who I work for (my identity and affiliations) from the very first encounter when communicating with bloggers or commenting on blogs.

3. I will never take action contrary to the boundaries set by bloggers. I will respect all community guidelines regarding posting messages and comments.

4. I will never ask bloggers to lie for me.

5. I will use extreme care when communicating with minors or blogs intended to be read by minors.

6. I will not manipulate advertising or affiliate programs to impact blogger income.

7. I will not use automated systems for posting comments or distributing information.

8. I understand that compensating bloggers may give the appearance of a conflict of interest, and I will therefore fully disclose any and all compensation or incentives.

9. I understand that if I send bloggers products for review, they are not obligated to comment on them. Bloggers can return products at their own discretion.

10. If bloggers write about products I send them, I will proactively ask them to disclose the products’ source.

WOMMA is inviting comments and suggestions about the blogging guidelines on its Web site through Nov. 14.

Let me know what you think. lisap@revenuetoday.com