Did you know that Instagram has updated its copyright policy?
Sharing images that aren’t your own could now land you in hot water thanks to the most recent update, part of the platform asserting itself as an authentic place for the creation of original content.
Instagram’s new copyright laws stipulate that content posted should not be copied or collected elsewhere from the Internet. So, what does this mean for small-business owners, particularly those who rely on reposted material to showcase what they sell or do?
Create content from scratch
This plays right into the platform’s push for original short-form video and photography.
You can create original content by sharing your range, giving insights into the behind-the-scenes of your everyday life or how your products are packaged.
It all comes down to testing what content relates well to your audience and then creating more content that resonates with them.
Be wary of reposting content
If someone has already posted content and you repost it on your own feed, even if you credit it, it’s still considered a breach of the platform’s new policies.
Instead consider building brand relationships by working with customers and influencers. That way you can co-create content that you both use on your feeds. You can also ask them create specific content for your page. By doing this, you aren’t reposting or duplicating content.
You can use copyright-free music
Whether you’ve purchased a song or downloaded it, if you aren’t the original creator of that music or the music isn’t copyright free, this also goes against the new policies. To navigate this use the copyright-free music provided by the platform for your Reels and music choices.
In short, Instagram wants you to post content that you’ve created yourself. So, have a look at what attracts followers and keeps them on your page interacting with posts. Then, create content that piques their interest, satisfies their curiosity and entertains them. Selling your product will happen as a by-product of this.
What now?
A social media strategy and content plan will help you create the content you need in advance and establish important brand relationships to help others create that content for you.
It’s important to understand Instagram’s new policies, but don’t be afraid of them, there’s ways to work with them and still create the content you need for your business.
