So I have a weird question. I'm thinking of the future of this site and the future of ISG, and I'd really like to start trying to develop a system where I'm using AS FEW stock photos as possible in our social media posts, and instead using photos from our actual community.
We would always credit people. But there WILL be times (especially with Instagram, which is our biggest following) when really the only feasible way to do so is with a business name overlaid on the actual image.
Example #1: let's say one of our volunteers has written a blog post about all the stuff you at least need to be a little bit good at to succeed as a creative indie seller, and they're using an analogy of "wearing many hats" to describe it - and the blog post has the "hat" analogy in the title somehow - so the image we make to share the blog post is literally a collage of hats made by ~3 of our vendors. Each with "Credit: (Business Name)" beside it.
The ~300 people who are shown the post on our socials would JUST see the business names, there would be no link - because we need to link to the blog post. Then the blog post would link to each member's profile. People would need to follow a couple links to get to the member creations/curations, but there is a clickable breadcrumb trail.
Example #2: Let's say we're just asking people a question, and using a photo from a member to illustrate the question (in a similar way to example #1 above). Then we could link to the person's member profile and/or @ tag them so that there is a link to their social media account too (assuming they have one). On Insta it would just be the @ tag, and the business name on the photo since there are no links on Insta. For someone with an Instagram, it would be clickable via @ link, then bio link to the person's shop. For someone without Instagram, people would have to do a shop search on our site.
Example #3: There could also be times when links aren't possible at all, and the only way to credit people is via their business name on the image. Flyers to spread the word about ISG, for instance, fundraising presentations, seller training content, etc.
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Now speaking from the standpoint of a volunteer trying to get AS MUCH DONE in AS LITTLE TIME as possible - basically the easiest way to do this is to have in our "terms and conditions" that any image uploaded to this site can be used by ISG volunteers. Then when we're creating content we can simply look through what people have posted and select stuff. When you add asking specific permission, waiting for replies, coming up with alternative images in case you don't hear back, then potentially repeating the whole process - it makes it so that sharing seller stuff is too time consuming and the end result is it doesn't happen too often!
I worded it like this:
Verified Seller Images
If you are a verified seller member, you agree that we may share your images to promote your business and our Verified Seller Directory, Verified Seller Showcase, and other guild services. By using this website, you agree that we may share your images on social media and on our blog at our other website, indiesellersguild.org, with credit, and a link to your user profile if possible.
I'd love some feedback!
Do you think most people would understand that phrasing "with credit, and a link to your user profile if possible" means we'll always put your business name somewhere, but we might not be able to do an actual link?
For me personally, if I saw one of my images used as long as there was a legible "auralynne" somewhere I would be ecstatic since it would up brand recognition even without a link. Do you think most others would feel the same way?
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It sounds good to me! With Instagram, for example, not only can you put the tag in the post description, but you can also tag them in the photo as well!
I think that's a good idea. It saves time for everyone involved. <--- says the person who doesn't have anything in her shop at the moment.
K
Just add: "In other words, "we'll always put your business name somewhere, but we might not be able to do an actual link". That should make it clear to even those with limited English comprehension.
I think it's a good idea, but I'm also thinking it might be good to get a vote on it from as much of the guild as possible. Maybe sending out an email about it? I might want to rephrase it a bit for clarity, but in essence I like it.
Mm... yeah, I think phrasing like "you agree that images uploaded to isgco.org may be used in official Indie Sellers Guild materials" might be better. Specifying the website URL, making the images into the subject instead of "we", and clarifying "official materials" so there's no immediate concern about sharing the images with third parties or anything like that. Then ofc specifying that we mean social media posts, blog posts, flyers, etc. That's my thoughts anyway.
I'd also want to have a note somewhere very visible to people in the process of uploading images to make it clear to everyone whether or not they've gone over the terms and conditions. Maybe an opt-out option overall or per upload if it's possible on the technical side.
I love the idea, & while yes it's important to put a good faith effort into giving all members due notice & opportunity to give feedback, you're using photos that we've all made public for the world to see in order to attract more interest in our stores, social media, etc, & we all joined in the first place for mutual support. What you're proposing is entirely in spirit with those intentions, and an opportunity for greater exposure & recognition in a positive light, so I can't think of any reason to object beyond suggestions for fine tuning as above.