Handling Unapproved Social Media Photos of Your Work
A Guide for Stone Restoration Contractors by Fred Hueston
In today’s digital world, social media is a double-edged sword for contractors. On the one hand, it’s great when customers rave about your work online—free advertising, right? But what happens when a client posts pictures of your work without your permission? Is that a problem? It can be. Let’s break it down.
Why This Might Be an Issue
At first glance, it might seem like a harmless (even beneficial) move when a client shares your work. But there are a few potential downsides:
- Misrepresentation of Your Work
- If the photo is taken at an awkward angle, under bad lighting, or before the job is fully complete, it might not showcase your craftsmanship the way you’d like.
- A customer may apply a filter or make edits that alter the true appearance of your work, unintentionally misrepresenting the final results.
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Believe it or not, the work you do—whether it’s a stunning stone restoration, a polished concrete finish, or a tile installation—is considered a form of intellectual property. If you have a contract stating that all project images belong to your company, customers may need permission to post them.
- Context Issues
- Sometimes customers will tag your company in a post with misleading or incorrect information, whether intentional or not. This can create confusion about your process, pricing, or what’s included in a job.
- Privacy Concerns
- If your team or company logo is visible in the picture, it could expose your business in ways you’re not comfortable with. In some cases, workers may not want their images online.
- Some high-end or commercial clients have confidentiality agreements that prevent images of their property from being shared publicly.
- Unwanted Criticism or Complaints
- Even if your work is top-notch, there’s always a risk that the customer (or one of their followers) could criticize something about it—whether it’s fair or not.
How to Handle It Professionally
If you find that a client has posted a picture of your work without your consent, here’s how to address it professionally:
- Assess the Situation First
- Is the photo good quality? Does it make your work look great? If so, you might not need to do anything at all. You could even ask for permission to share the post on your own page.
- Reach Out Politely
- If the post is misleading, incomplete, or problematic, send the customer a private message or give them a call. Something like:
“Hey [Customer’s Name], I saw the picture you posted of our work—thanks for the shoutout! I’d love to make sure it’s shown in the best light. Would you mind if we provided a better photo or adjusted the caption?”
- Include a Social Media Clause in Your Contracts
- Moving forward, consider adding a clause in your contract that outlines who has the right to post project photos. It could say something like:
“The Contractor retains the right to document and use photos of the project for marketing purposes. The Client agrees that any photos shared online must accurately reflect the completed work and may be used by the Contractor for promotional use.”
- Be Strategic About Your Own Social Media
- If you regularly post high-quality, professional images of your work, customers are more likely to share your posts instead of taking their own photos. This ensures your work is presented exactly how you want it.
While customer posts can be a great form of organic marketing, they can also present risks if not managed properly. The key is to approach the situation with a level head and a professional attitude. Most customers won’t have bad intentions, they’re just excited to share! But by being proactive and setting clear expectations, you can protect your brand while still benefiting from social media exposure.
Have you ever run into this issue? Let us know how you handled it!
