Social media has become a must for all savvy business owners to get their names and brands out to the masses. From Facebook to Twitter and even Pinterest, there is a place for every business type to connect directly with customers in an instant via social media. But the hardest one of these platforms to conquer is Instagram. Follow our foolproof tips for creating and maintaining the best Instagram profile for your small business.
Five Legal Tips to Help Your Small Business Master Instagram
Permission Is Necessary
Before you post pictures of people on your page, you need to have their permission. This is the easiest way to avoid a legal dispute later on down the road. This means all customers and employees must give their consent before you rake in those “likes.”
Limit Access
Treat access to the account the same way you would with confidential paperwork or emails. The fewer employees who have access to the account, the better. As a rule of thumb, if employees have not completed social media training, they should not be able to access your Instagram account.
Steer Clear of Unlicensed Music
It can be tempting to add a hit pop song to one of your videos on Instagram, but it is best to stay far away from unlicensed music on your account. Copyright infringement lawsuits are much more common these days, and it isn’t worth getting your small business caught up in litigation over a quick 60-second video on social media.
Adhere to FTC Rules for Contests
Contests on Instagram are a great way to engage with and give back to your customer base. But when holding a contest, small business owners need to follow the Federal Trade Commission guidelines closely in order to come out on top.
Always Read the Terms of Service
Although reading all that fine print when signing up for a social media account can be time-consuming, it is in your best interest to read through and understand all terms before signing up. Most apps will have updated terms of service from time to time, and it is important that you study those, as well, before continuing use.
