So How Do Terms of Service and Disclaimers Protect YOU & Your Content?

A “Terms of Service (TOS), Terms of Use, or Terms and Conditions” policy is about protecting your business and content. It outlines how the content on your blog should be used and what people can (and can’t do) with your content.  

Let’s say you have a blog on your website or a Facebook Group, you need to keep in mind that while you don’t own the content of what your people write in the comments section or post, you still have the right to MANAGE it, so make sure your Terms of Service outline a few things.

✔️ You can do whatever you want with the comments

✔️ You can remove at your discretion (although nice to say you won’t delete them unless you have a good reason)

✔️ You may require a minimum amount of information so you avoid spammers, etc. 

In addition to Terms you want to make sure you have disclaimers - SUPER important to protect you from liability should someone misuse any information or products you put out there on your blog, newsletter, etc.  

Disclaimers are meant to protect you and your business from legal action (obvs something to avoid!)  Did you know that when someone visits your blog - you guys are entering into a legal contract? #lawyered

Yep, just by having a website you are in a contract with lots o’ people - even if you don’t realize it - you are bound by what you put on your site and are in a contract with each visitor. 

THIS is why Terms of Service and Disclaimers are so important. 

For example:  Susie is a health coach and puts up a video blog on how to do yoga at home. And in the video she expertly walks you through a workout, etc. Here comes Beth, she watches the video, tries the pigeon pose and ends up falling and breaking her arm. Crap. Beth sues Susie for negligence. 

Now, if Susie had the proper disclaimers on her website (that she has no responsibility for any injury, that you are doing this at your own risk, etc) then Beth likely won’t get very far (I say likely, because there are no guarantees). But no disclaimer? See you in court. :(

Sarah Kornblet Waldbuesser, Esq.
Attorney for Coaches & Online Business Owners

After several years at a law firm and a few career jumps, she ended up falling in love with online business and loves helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams in a smart and protected way. She is also an adventurer, traveler, and food and wine lover. When not at her computer, she loves hanging with her family, having wine with friends, flying around the globe and connecting with other online business owners.