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Is Your Social Media Content Violating the Law?

Is Your Social Media Content Violating the Law? Image may be NSFW.
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Have you ever browsed Instagram and thought to yourself, “Gee, it’s pretty incredible how many 6- and 7-figure success stories there are on here!”

The truth is… most of them are lying. How do we know? Because there’s basic information out there about income earnings and, for better or worse, there just aren’t that many self-made multi-millionaires.

Is it annoying to see someone bragging about their $30k months? It might be. But here’s the kicker… it also might be illegal.

“What’s the harm in beefing up my earnings a little to help get the point across?”

The harm is that in can violate Federal Trade Commission rules.

 

FTC Rules on Income Promises

If you don’t know already, it’s a HUGE no-no to make any sort of income promises for services you offer. (Make an additional $500-$5,000 a month using my proven system!) The FTC has been cracking down on this big time, especially in the midst of so many people out of work from the pandemic.

But it’s also dangerous to make claims about your own income if they’re not true. Why? Because FTC rules about advertising and promotion hinge on transparency, and anything that helps you make more money needs to be absolutely truthful.

So where does the truth end and the FTC violation begin?

In general, I don’t like my clients sharing any monetary claims, but here are a few tips:

  • If you DO share your own income earnings, be REALLY clear and truthful. Made $30k this month? Good for you! Be clear that this was 4x your typical month, share your net profit rather than gross revenue, or be clear that it’s a gross amount and doesn’t account for expenses.
  • Have you genuinely helped your clients increase their sales by 5x on average? Stick a clear and bold statement in there that results are not guaranteed.
  • Did you have a client who had a super successful launch because of your program that was way better than anything you’ve achieved before? Awesome! Include a “results not typical” disclaimer.
  • Are you working to next-level your business but your just aren’t there yet with the numbers? The truth might hurt, but your audience might appreciate knowing that. Share honestly or don’t share at all.

These may seem like harmless little tidbits of information in your bio or caption, but they can lead to significant legal ramifications that simply aren’t worth it.

 

The Violation of Others Doesn’t Negate Your Own Rule Breaking

And I cannot stress this enough—just because many other people are violating these rules does not make you less liable for your own violations, nor is it safe to assume that if they’re not being regulated, neither will you.

While mega-influencer accounts like the Kardashians are always going to be under a microscope more than “average folks” and even micro-influencers, the rules apply all the same across the board.

 

How Do I Know How To Comply?

The good news is the information on what’s acceptable in the social media advertising world is getting easier to decipher as it’s become so much more commonplace.

The FTC has some great information for advertising and marketing on social media, and that’s straight from the horse’s mouth.

They also have put out some really clear content on influencer marketing that is very important if you’re putting out any sort of sponsored content.

Bottom line: don’t rely on the actions of others to gauge whether you’re following the rules. Right now, the vast majority of people are failing to meet FTC rules on advertising and marketing on social media. But if you’re following the golden rules of transparency and honesty, you’re much more likely to protect yourself and your business from liability.

 


 

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Keren de Zwert

After working for 10 years in the corporate arena, Keren had a desire to fill the legal gap for entrepreneurs and small businesses by replacing the outdated billable hour model with flat-fee pricing. With over a decade of experience in corporate transactions, Keren has worked with every type of business: from side hustlers to raising millions of dollars and taking companies public. Today, she helps entrepreneurs get #legallylegit through her law firm, Not Your Father’s Lawyer.

IG: https://instagram.com/notyourfatherslawyer
FB: https://facebook.com/notyourfatherslawyer
Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@kerendezwart

The post Is Your Social Media Content Violating the Law? appeared first on Melissa Forziat Events and Marketing.


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