When you think of social media networking sites such as Facebook®†, Twitter®††, YouTube®††, Instagram®†††† and the new platforms that seem to surface every day – you think of how valuable they might be in the building of your Amway™ Independent Business. Whether it is to improve your connections to the IBOs on your team, make existing relationships stronger, provide timely product information to customers or generate leads – your business can benefit.
Yes – social media is very powerful – and we want to help you be successful in its proper use.
This month’s Best Practices message is a reminder of components of the Rules of Conduct that govern your business use of social media.
First, be aware of privacy settings for your social media sites. You need to set privacy and security levels that will control who has access to the business communications you are sharing.
Never forget that there are different rules for communicating with current IBOs on your team and prospects. Also remember that you must have existing relationships to contact people online about the Amway™ Independent Business or Amway™ products. If someone online shows interest in the opportunity or the products then certainly talk with them about it but do so personally, not publicly. It is best to do it offline. And remember that you can only solicit interest for the opportunity or the products in a controlled group of just “your” prospects or customers and not in any way in an open environment.
Did you know that it matters what you name your web or social media pages?
The Rules of Conduct do not permit the use of Amway’s trademarks or trade names to be a part of your profile names or page names (see Rule 8.1). You should use your own name.
Remember also that you need permission from Amway to use any of Amway’s logos or product images on your social media sites.
If you are planning to place business related images/videos on any of your sites, then you must make sure that you have submitted the materials to Amway for authorization prior to posting. Remember, any materials used with your customers or prospects, at your meetings, on the web, or any of your social media connections are considered Business Support Materials under Rule 7 of the IBO Rules of Conduct and must be submitted to Amway for authorization prior to use. This applies to any business-related materials you produce or that are produced on your behalf by a third party.
There may be occasions in your social media experiences when you encounter an IBO from a different group or different training organization. Be aware that no IBO shall engage in cross-group buying or selling (Rule 4.2). Cross-group buying and selling occurs when an IBO sells products and services offered through or by Amway to another IBO he or she did not personally sponsor (unless it is under a servicing IBO (Rule 5.5.4) or from their upline Platinum.) If this occurs, check with your upline for assistance.
Regardless of the platform you’re using (i.e., websites, social media, blogs, etc.), your online actions and activities should be consistent with your positive, productive, and compliant offline business practices and strategy.
While we hope this message is helpful, we do know that social media is very complex, so we encourage you to review the Rules of Conduct and download a copy of the Social Media Guidelines from Amway.com for a quick and ongoing reference as well as review the Rules of Conduct. You can also check the IBOAI®††††† website as it has a summary of online rules and social media tips that are certain to be beneficial as well.
Amway is committed to using social media to increase brand awareness, favorability, and product loyalty among customers and Prospects.
And we are committed to using social media in a way that is relevant, responsible, and honest. Thank you for your commitment to doing the same.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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