social media Archives - Moments of Musing

Did You Know? 4 FTC Influencer Guidelines

Filed Under: social media // February 8, 2018

Note: This is not legal advice. The contents of this post are for informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is created by accessing this post.

I oftentimes see influencers’ posts and wonder whether they are posting ads or not. If I, a fellow influencer, am confused, I can only imagine that their readers and/or followers might not know either.

It might very well be the attorney in me but I do my own research regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) laws and guidelines regarding social media influencers and ads. The last thing I want to be is deceptive to readers and/or (technically) breaking the law.

As I did my research recently, four tips seemed like popular mistakes I’ve seen made among influencers. I figured I would share them to spread the knowledge:

1. Avoid ambiguous disclosures like #thanks, #collab, #sp, #spon, or #ambassador.
Use the words sponsored, advertisement or ad instead. The general public knows what those mean. Disclosures are required when promoting something (i.e. via Instagram post) for which you received a benefit (free merchandise or pay).

2. Disclose that your post is an advertisement before the “more” link.
People might not click on “more” but they still need to know that they are viewing an ad. Even if they do click on “more,” the disclosure will be more visible prior to that button.

3. Tagging a brand you are wearing is an endorsement of the brand and, just like any other endorsement, could require a disclosure if you have a relationship with that brand.
If you are tagging a brand in a photo of clothing you at one time received for free or compensation,
you should disclose that relationship via a disclosure to your followers/readers.

4. Each new endorsement (mention) of a product made without a disclosure could be deceptive because readers might not see the original blog post where you said you got the product free from the manufacturer.
This guideline provides the reasoning behind #3.

So, there you have it. Have you seen or made these mistakes on social media? Do any of the guidelines surprise you?

Sources:
1, 2, 4: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking
3: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking

Do Authentic Mom Blogs Still Exist?

Filed Under: mom blog, mom internet, motherhood, social media // January 31, 2018

If you’ve followed me for at least a little while, then you know I try to keep it real on here. That means posting about the not-so-good, the really good and everything in between. And while I’ve touched on iffy topics (i.e. my sobriety, the lowest point in my life, the baby blues, and mom guilt, etc.) you will still sense a hint of positivity in each post.
I include it not to sugar coat anything, though. I do so because being an optimist, albeit a cautious one, is a choice I make. The silver lining, the rainbow … I choose to believe those exist every time. It’s just a part of who I am.

A recent Washington Post article by Sarah Pulliam Bailey discussed how “the mom internet” has evolved into a less authentic one. She wrote, “During the tough moments, I wanted a mommy blogger’s reassurance: ‘I’ve been there. It’s awful. You will survive.’”

I believe that the version of the mom internet that she was yearning for still exists. Actually, I know it does because I follow bloggers who give that reassurance and I try to do the same. While I will agree that a lot of social media and blog land is now staged, I think it is important to (1) realize photos are staged because blogs are a business for many bloggers and (2) be conscious about who you are following so that you are still getting glimpses into real life, if that’s what you want/need. I also think it’s important to note that many mom blogs also cover a bunch of other topics (fashion, travel, home decor, etc.)… I think that’s because we can all agree while being a mother is a huge part of one’s identity, it’s not anyone’s sole identity.

I choose to follow those who share some of the nitty gritty not-so-pretty real mom life experiences that make me feel better and connected — a few of my favorite Instagram accounts are @fearless.in.motherhood, @samantha_show_ & @mother.ly — and I try to do the same for my readers and followers.

That being said, it is never my intention to make others feel lesser than or worse about themselves or their situations. With much talk on Instagram recently about the comparison game and how it’s led to depression and even suicide, I think it’s essential to keep in mind that all aspects of anyone’s life are not portrayed on the internet. (It might seem like we have it all together on the internet but does anyone really??)

I don’t bare it all on the internet or social media and I don’t expect other bloggers to, either. Isn’t that pretty normal, to remain a bit private? Isn’t it also normal to not want to complain all the time? I mean, sure, life and motherhood, especially, has its tough moments but those are so much fewer and far between (for me, at least) than the great, precious, love-filled moments.

Do you agree with the author of the article or do you think mom bloggers still authentically share experiences? Who are some of your favorite mom bloggers?