How to Boost Your Social Media Reach Ethically: Best Practices for Running Contests and Sponsored Posts while Staying FTC-Compliant
Social media has become an integral part of our lives. Whether it's scrolling through Instagram, tweeting, snapping or pinning, we all engage with social platforms multiple times a day. This has made social media a significant part of any business strategy, which includes incorporating tactics aimed at growing and engaging the target audience. In this article, we will look at how businesses can incorporate contests and sponsored posts without violating Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines.
Contests and Giveaways
- The FTC mandates that any contest campaign must adhere to its disclosure rules
- Include clear, prominent and plain language which explains what participants will receive, how winners will be chosen and when results will be communicated
- Clearly state the specifications of the content being submitted including acceptable formats and file size.
- Provide a timeline for the campaign and expectations about the frequency of posting, including the final submission date.
Sponsored Posts
- The FTC requires that marketing campaigns should be clearly marked as "ad" or "sponsored."
- Content creators must indicate paid collaborations with a business.
- Use hashtags such as #ad or #sponsored, along with additional disclosures, such as "paid partnership with X Company."
Partnering with Socialdraft
Socialdraft can provide businesses with an added advantage, by providing them with the right tools to create, deploy, and track social media campaigns to reach the right audience. By maximizing their social media presence in a compliant and ethical way, businesses can unlock a powerful tool for growing their brand, cultivating customer loyalty and driving sales.