One important thing to do before you press the ‘upload’ button …..
There’s no doubt about it, having a presence on social media is a wonderful way to create a buzz around your business which should lead to a boost in sales. But there are some very important things to consider in relation to images and music you use in your posts. You are, of course, not allowed to use the logo, trademark or tagline belonging to any brand.
Supergroup ABBA sang “Thank you for the Music” but do you know who you need to thank for yours? If you are posting on your social media accounts and using a backing track, you need to be careful which tracks you use. Did you know that 60% of Instagram stories are played with the sound on? You don’t want to be saying “SOS,” and have to take down the posts into which you have put so much work. Get it right from the start and instead, you will be saying “Money, Money, Money!” and you will be Dancing (Queen) all the way to the bank!
The use of copyrighted music in business accounts/videos on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube is not allowed unless it’s your own creation or you have paid for the right to use it. Instagram automatically scans for copyrighted audio and can detect when music is being used without a license.
However, Tik Tok and Instagram have a catalogue of music which can be used. Commercial music library tracks are available in the TikTok Sounds Library for all Business account users.
Facebook – In your posts, you can use music that you have the rights, permission or licence to use. It should be noted that Facebook is quite strict on this, and the account can be banned. Shorter clips of music are recommended. Facebook advises that creators can use its free Sounds Library, which includes a collection of copyright-free music clips and samples.
YouTube – If you want to legally use copyrighted music on YouTube, you’ll have to go out and get approval from the original creator in order to use it.
Things to bear in mind when selling online:
- You can tag products in Instagram posts which can be linked to your website for purchase. If you are selling via your website, make sure it is a secure one.
- It is possible to sell via Instagram and Facebook, but it is quite complicated to manage as your Facebook business page must be linked to Instagram – the two have to “talk to each other.”
- Remember that the Customer is King and always make sure that you or one of your business partners ALWAYS concentrates on customer service as this is what will keep people coming back to purchase from you time and time again!