ftc, blogging ethically, social media rules & regulations for giveaways & branding
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FTC, Blogging Ethically, Social Media Rules & Regulations for Giveaways & BrandingTRANSCRIPT
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FTC Guidelines Blogging Ethically Social Media Rules & Regula:ons The rules you need to know in order to stay in compliance
+FTC Guidelines
n Did you know that you must disclose all posts that contain any type of compensation? n Did you know that this also includes Tweets, Facebook posts, and all other social media posts?
n Did you know that you cannot put your disclosure at the bottom of your post? n Disclosures must be clear and conspicuous/obvious that you were “paid” for the post and must be before any claim or link. This is whether it is in a blog post, Facebook post, Tweet, etc.
n Did you know that your disclosure cannot have a font that is smaller than the regular font you use?
+How to post your disclosure
n Your disclosure must be clear and conspicuous and the closer it is to the claim the better. You can use an image at the top of your post.
n Your disclosure must be included in any communication; Tweet, Facebook post, Pinterest pin, Google+ post, YouTube, ect.
n You cannot abbreviate your disclosure in Tweets and other social media, you must say AD, Sponsored, Client, etc. You cannot just use the Sponsored abbreviation “spon”. The FTC says that’s not good enough
n The disclosure must be before any link that will take your reader away from your page
n Although you must disclose that your post is sponsored do not post it at the very beginning. Google will Klat you for it.
n Download the .com Disclosures -‐ http://www.ftc.gov/os/2013/03/130312dotcomdisclosures.pdf
How to stay in compliance with the FTC, Google, and your readers!
+Affiliate Disclosure & Review Disclosure Examples
+Blogging Ethically
Blog with Integrity and be TRUTHFUL
n Be true to yourself and to your readers! n Your readers come to you for advise n Your readers rely on what you say. n Your readers TRUST you!
n From the mouth of Danielle Smith: n If it’s not “Hell Yeah”, it’s NO!
n Would you buy the product you’ve reviewed based on your written review?
n If you don’t blog with integrity than others tend to not trust all bloggers.
TELL THE TRUTH!
Check out http://www.blogwithintegrity.com/ for more on Blogging with Integrity. While you are there, take the pledge!
+Social Media Rules & Regula:ons
n Are you using the correct social media icons? -‐ http://shawnann.com/social-‐media/
n We all spend lots of time and/or money getting our blogs looking the way we want to. We may even have special social media icons made up so they match the theme/layout we are using. n Did you even know that there are speciKic rules and policies you must follow when posting social media buttons on your site?
n Are you following the social media rules for giveaways? n Some social media sites do not allow you to use their platform to host and even promote giveaways, let alone add your accounts to gain entries.
+Kris:e from Saving Dollars and Sense
+Jolyn from Bargains to Bounty
+Mallery from Horrible Housewife
+Candace from Serendipity Mommy
+These Social Media Icons are in Viola:on n Twitter
n You cannot use a speech bubble or words around the bird, rotate or change the birds direction, animate the bird, change the color, or use any other marks or logos to represent the Twitter Brand
n Facebook n You cannot modify the “f” logo in any way, such as changing the design or color. The actual
Facebook Logo is not allowed to be used on any site other than Facebook.
n Google+ n You can’t use the word Google+, you can’t use blue, green, or any other color not speciKied by
Google, do not use the Google icon to represent Google+, and many other rules.
n Pinterest n You cannot rotate, alter colors or proportions, obstruct, or add extraneous effects
n Instagram n You are not allowed to use Instagram or IG in any variation with your own name/product and if
you do use the Instagram logo you must include a statement on your site that clearly states that you are using their logo in accordance to their terms, etc.
+These Social Media Icons are Approved
n Twitter n https://twitter.com/logo
n Facebook n https://www.facebookbrand.com/
n Google+ n https://developers.google.com/+/branding-‐guidelines
n Pinterest n http://business.pinterest.com/brand-‐guidelines/
n Instagram n http://help.instagram.com/393313264071311
+Facebook Giveaway/Contest Rules
n Mandatory entries cannot be to like your page or the sponsors page. These can be extra entries.
n You cannot ask for comments on your page.
n Do not announce the winner on Facebook!
n Facebook isn’t responsible and cannot be held liable.
+TwiOer Giveaway/Contest Rules
n Variety -‐ don’t have the exact same tweet going around the entire contest. Try to switch it up if possible.
n Ask your users to include you in their tweets so you can see all the entries.
n Include relevant hashtags in the tweets!
n Make sure you are following applicable laws and regulations
n Make sure that your #AD or #Sponsored hashtag remains within the tweet of an entry.
+Google+ Giveaway/Contest Rules
n Google+ does NOT allow you to run contests, sweepstakes, or other such promotions directly on Google+
n You can run a giveaway and post a link to said giveaway on Google+ as long as you and Google are not solely responsible for the promotion and where you are meeting all federal, state, and local laws for promotions.
n You must release Google from any liability in that promotion.
n Do NOT ask for a +1 of your post or to be added to their circle
Sources: https://www.google.com/intl/en/+/policy/content.html & http://blog.rafKlecopter.com/2012/08/google-‐plus-‐sweepstakes/
+Pinterest Giveaway/Contest Rules
n Running a contest on Pinterest vs your own site.
n When running a contest on Pinterest: n Suggest that Pinterest sponsors or endorses you or the contest. n Require people to pin from a selection—let them pin their own stuff. n Make people pin or repin your contest rules. This is a biggie. n Run a sweepstakes where each pin, repin, board, like or follow represents an entry. n Encourage spammy behavior, such as asking participants to comment. n Ask pinners to vote with pins, repins, boards, or likes. n Overdo it: contests can get old fast. n Require a minimum number of pins. One is plenty.
n When running a contest on your blog: n Basically you are responsible for making sure it complies with all legal requirements and you
cannot hold Pinterest responsible for anything.
Sources: http://business.pinterest.com/brand-‐guidelines/ & http://kimgarst.com/pinterest-‐contest-‐guidelines-‐changing-‐contests-‐comply
+Instagram Giveaway/Contest Rules
n Follow the rules for Facebook!
+Giveaway Rules you should include
n How to enter
n Who can enter
n The number of entries required
n Start/Stop
n Product value and information
n Who provides the prize -‐ If blogger hosting giveaway is responsible for prize shipment or not
n Number of winners
n How winner is chosen
n Time winner gets to respond