Legal Considerations When Engaged in Social Media Marketing
Bogus Online Advertising
Just because social media is a newer world doesn't imply the old rules have evaporated. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regulations apply online as much as they do for television and radio ads. Make sure each promotion or advertising campaign you run is easily explained. An ACCC complaint can severely affect your ability to work.
Copyright and Trademark Matters
You likely already know that you cannot use trademarked or copyrighted material in running your enterprise. Sadly, some companies fail to realize that this includes social media as well. Just because you find the right image to use on your blog does not imply you are allowed to use it.
The truth is, some photographers and artists use reverse search engines just to see if others have used their work without authorization. If they find your blog using it, they could opt to sue you. Stick to public domain sites when finding things to supplement your own content.
Social Media Competitions
Social media contests can be a messy area. Facebook and other sites have rules governing the contests, but they do not often make a big deal when small businesses conduct one. You should be more concerned with state laws. If you hold a raffle where people buy tickets, for example, you may need to have it authorized by the state. You can even get in trouble with a state's attorney general if you aren't clear about sweepstakes rules. Be sure you know the laws in your locality.
