When setting up a social media competition, it’s important to include terms and conditions to comply with the guidelines of the platform(s) and to ensure entrants are fully aware of how the competition will function.
There are many factors that need to be included in the t&c’s, so it makes sense to create a separate page to include all the content that you can link to from your social media post—it would be incredibly messy if you tried to cram all of that content onto your social media channels!
You need to make it clear exactly who the promoter is, including a registered company number and office. Include who the competition is open to and state that by entering, the entrant is bound by these terms and conditions.
State which social media platforms the competition will be running on, so entrants are aware if the competition is running on several channels and there won’t be any confusion if a winner is selected from a different platform. State the closing date, and make it clear that no responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
Make it abundantly clear how the entrant can go about entering the competition. If it’s a simple ‘like this post to enter’ competition, state this in the simplest form. If the entrant needs to do something more, such as commenting or engaging with the post in a specific way, make sure they know this!
Include the fact that the promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Let them know that any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
It’s incredibly important to make it clear what entrants can expect to claim if they win the competition. This will ensure there's no disappointment if the entrant thinks the prize may be something different to what you’re actually offering. State that this prize cannot be substituted with cash or any other alternatives - unless of course you’re happy to offer them something else.
Communicate how the winner will be chosen, and how they will be notified. If you intend to put a post out announcing the winner, include the point that any entrants agree to the use of their name in any publicity material. Be sure to state that you reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and select a replacement if the winner cannot be contacted within X amount of time.
Once these terms and conditions have been written, you’re good to go with your competition!
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