photo credit: SchuminWeb via flickr

 

Sooooooo…….

We have been on a heck of a ride with Instagram. Earlier this week, the social media site announced a change in its terms of use that wrecked havoc with the emotions of tech savvy biz owners across the world:

You agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your user name, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata) and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.

According to  New York Times, in response to the public outcry and a claim by Instagram spokespersons that the policy wasn’t written in a way that conveyed its true purpose….

 

INSTAGRAM HAS BEEN PUNKED.

CHANGED THEIR MINDS

…FOR NOW.

 

The company is reverting back to their original user policy…today.

What does this mean for you and your business?

When you play on social media sites you play according to their rules. Those rules can change at any given time. While social media marketing is a valuable business marketing tool you are responsible for sharing, posting and reposting wisely.

Now that you know what COULD happen in the world of social media, how quickly things can change….prepare for it now.

Photographers……don’t share those money shots directly on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or any 3rd party site.

Writers….don’t share your original content unless you have registered your copyright first. Even then, move wisely.

Entrepreneurs….your talent and work are valuable commodities.

Don’t risk your money-making potential in exchange for being….popular.