Angela helped develop a new logo for my business… [She] was timely, professional, and responsive. I would, and do recommend her.
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Violating the Rules of Facebook Contests & Promotions?
How to Use Facebook Contests & Promotions
How easy is it to unknowingly “violate” Facebook’s Promotion and Contest terms? I mean…its a public free platform right…can’t we do as we please and post as we wish? Not exactly. Remember…this is a free platform in which we users are given the permission to use it as long as we abide by what the owners allow. One area that Facebook has been taking a closer look at is how people are promoting and using contests on it’s pages.
When it comes to holding a contest and promoting it on Facebook, the line is very clear on what you may or may not do and Facebook wants its users to abide by their rules in order to meet FTC guidelines. Simply…users may not use Facebook’s features to run and promote a contest.
These rules include running the contest AND requiring people to like a post, post a comment or post a picture in order to be entered into the contest. Instead a third party app must be used and there are even restrictions on how you may announce a winner on Facebook. Users must use a thrid party app on a canvas page or app page and be sure to include a disclaimer releasing Facebook by all participants, and that the contest is not endorsed by Facebook nor providing the contest information.
I see contest violations everyday. Many Page Admins may not even be aware of the restrictions Facebook has on how a contest and promotion can be run on it’s platform. To avoid the risk of your account and page being red flagged and shut down, it is a good idea to review Facebook’s terms pertaining to contests and promotions. We have included Facebook’s Promotions terms below so page admins may have a better understanding.
Promotions
If you use Facebook to communicate about or administer a promotion (such as a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including the official rules, offer terms and eligibility requirements (e.g., age and residency restrictions), and compliance with regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered in connection with the promotion (e.g., registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals). Please note that compliance with these guidelines does not constitute the lawfulness of a promotion. Promotions are subject to many regulations and if you are not certain that your promotion complies with applicable law, please consult with an expert.
- Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or a Page App.
- Promotions on Facebook must include the following:
A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.
You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.
You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.
You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.
You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles (timelines) or Pages.
Definitions:
a. By “administration” we mean the operation of any element of the promotion, such as collecting entries, conducting a drawing, judging entries, or notifying winners.
b. By “communication” we mean promoting, advertising or referencing a promotion in any way on Facebook, e.g., in ads, on a Page, or in a Wall post.
We reserve the right to reject or remove Pages for any reason. These terms are subject to change at any time.
Allographics & Design specializes in web, graphic and social media design and consulting. If you would like to learn how we can strengthen your online branding and marketing or to book a workshop to better understand the major social media tools available for your business, contact us for more information.
REBarCamp OKC Winners
Congratulations to our REBarCamp Winners!
Vanessa Johnson – Facebook Cover Page
Ryan Hukill – SEO Report
Ginny Hawkins – Lunch
Thank you to everyone that placed their cards in for the drawings. We will contact you for more information.
If you should have any questions, please feel free to conctact us by filling out our contact form and we will be happy to assist!
Social Education and Income Demographics – Infographic
How does the social community breakdown per educational and income demographics and what can you conclude from this information for marketing purposes?
I don’t think there is a big surprise that LinkedIn returns numbers showing higher percentage of users with a Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree nor a higher percentage in the top income level.
What is important to glean from this information is whether your target market, based on these limited demographics, are using the following social networks and if you can reach them.
Obviously Facebook has the largest number of users, but are your potential clients, customers and influencers there for your business?
They very well may be, regardless of the data provided….you may need to be creative on how you brand your business in order to gain even a small percentage of awareness for your monetary or time investment on Facebook.
Using Facebook for customer service and not just Brand awareness can have a great return on your time investment in the long run. This does involve “live” interaction, but just may be what your business needs to connect with your audience.
LinkedIn appeals more to business professionals and a good avenue to pursue to get your foot in the door and access to higher level decision makers. But since it is not used the same way for branding like Facebook and Twitter, you will approach your connecting in a different manner…and here that may involve more monetary investment.
Deciding to upgrade your LinkedIn account and use the premium features depends on how you would like to use LinkedIn. Connecting via the pro version on LinkedIn can open doors not readily available on other platforms.
Twitter is a great way to engage live with a large number of potential clients and influencers. Here you can inform, offer live customer support, provide brand awareness while also showing a more casual side of your business and brand.
This is a social platform in which the users are more accepting to a larger number of updates and interaction per day compared to Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.
One should not overlook the potential to reach your target market on Twitter just because the demographics are different than say….LinkedIn. Your influencers just may be paying attention and can share you with those decision makers not already on Twitter or using it daily.
The key to the infographic below is not only to consider your target market, but how can you use each of the social platforms to accomplish a variety of your business needs.
It is important to understand how each of the social tools can fit into your business’ overall plan. One for connecting, two for branding and maybe two for customer service may be one of your scenarios for social connecting.
The data, which is great information, can only provide you a glimpse into what you would like to consider….it is up to your business to understand how these numbers also fit into your overall plan.
Just remember, the data is great to help YOU and YOUR business determine how you would like to view and use the different social tools. Make sure to also compare the information to how you want to use the tools and maybe even learn what you were not aware of before when starting a new campaign.
Courtesy: Online MBA Resource
