Social Media Tips FOR YOUR BUSINESS
6 Most Important Things to Become a
#Social Media Superstar
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BE YOU!
What makes you, YOU? Establish your brand. BE GENUINE AND SHARE YOUR STORY. Your enthusiasm sells! Post about your hobbies and all of the great things you get to do because of your Mary Kay business.
THINK OF THREE AREAS OF YOUR LIFE YOU’D LIKE TO BUILD YOUR SOCIAL FEED AROUND. Let these shine by showcasing these areas through imagery and captions.
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KEEP IT CASUAL! Talk to your audience the way you would talk to your best girlfriend.
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Think about the next month. List 10 moments you may want to share with your network and how it’s unique to you (a product you’re loving, a makeup look for an event, vacation with family, a meeting with your unit) and focus your posts around these special moments.
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BE CREATIVE!
GOOD LIGHTING. Soft, natural lighting works best! Snap your photos near a window or outside.
REAL LIFE. When photographing product, work in items from your house to make the photo feel more “real�. Like sunglasses and flip flops with summer products, and towels and jars of cotton pads with skin care.
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GOOD ANGLES. Photograph product that is standing up from the front, and product that is lying flat from straight above. You can switch up your angles, but keep in mind that the slightest adjustments can make a big difference!
HASHTAGS are a great way for people to discover your posts on Instagram® and Twitter® and lead to more likes and comments. Keep hashtags relevant and don’t go too hashtag crazy! No hashtags on Facebook®.
CAPTIONS. Mix it up! You can tell your personal story in your captions when it feels right, or keep it short and sweet!
The primary Mary Kay hashtags are #MaryKay (for product posts) and #MyMKLife (for life posts).
#MaryKay
#MaryKay #MyMKLife
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Make sure you are on Facebook® and Instagram®, that you have your profile photo + bios set up and set a goal to post at least 2-3 times per week on each platform.
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BE RESOURCEFUL .
USE DIGITAL ASSETS, UNDER THE RESOURCES TAB ON MARY KAY INTOUCH®. We update them on a regular basis for seasonal changes, product launches, and big holidays.
GET FAMILIAR WITH INFORMATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL POSTS. Commercial Message: Any message/ post that clearly indicates that you want the audience to engage in business with you.
Informational Message: A message/ post that expresses your love of Mary Kay® products and shares your honest opinions about your Mary Kay business to your audience. See more on page 22
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YOU CAN ALSO SHARE POSTS FROM THE MARY KAY US CHANNELS: Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, Pinterest®, Youtube®, and the My Mary Kay Instagram®.
BE A RESOURCE FOR YOUR MARY KAY SISTERS! Support other consultants by following and engaging with their posts!
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Get familiar with the updated social media guidelines. Also, go on Instagram to look to for inspiration and start creating a mood board. You can save images from Mary Kay US, Mary Kay InTouch®, other IBCs and your friends. Instagram has a great feature called “saves” to make that easy!
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BE LIVELY!
TEST OUT NEW TRENDS. Some fun social media trends that we’re seeing are How-To’s (how to apply skin care products or sets, makeup looks), swatching, and showing texture of product.
TRY NEW CHANNELS AND POSTING FORMATS! Facebook® Lives, Facebook® Stories, Instagram® Stories and Highlights, and Twitter® Polls are fun ways to get people engaged with your profile. Try a new type of post that you’ve never tried before!
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Seminar is a great place to post a behind-thescenes Instagram® Story. Let your followers know how much fun you’re having at Seminar by getting a few friends together to say hi to your followers on video!
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BE PERSONAL .
BRING MARY KAY TO LIFE! Show how great your life is because of the opportunity. Family, hobbies, favorite products, etc.
ENGAGE WITH COMMENTS & QUESTIONS ON YOUR POSTS. This will help establish you as both a friend and an expert that your network can look to for support!
INCLUDE QUESTIONS THAT GENERATE CONVERSATION. What lipstick shade have you always wanted to wear but are afraid to try?FACEBOOK
PERSONAL PAGE
What’s your favorite part of your skin care routine?
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Think of three questions that you can pose to your followers on some of your next posts. Spend 10 minutes each day finding sister consultants who inspire you and follow people who motivate you!
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BE PROACTIVE.
WHAT IS WORKING? What kind of posts are seeing a lot of comments and likes, or sparking interest in the opportunity?
VARIETY IS KEY! Mix in videos, photos, and different types of posts (like Facebook® Lives and Instagram® Stories).
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Think back on your social posts you’re most proud of. What makes them special and how can you recreate that in a new way?
Show time spent with family, time spent with friends, photos of your favorite products, selfies in fun makeup looks, and you enjoying your favorite hobbies!
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NATURALLYâ„¢
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MARY KAY NATURALLY™
Key Talking Points VERSATILE FORMULAS You can use them on their own or add them to your current skin care routine. Avoid saying “mix it in” as that may cause confusion on mixing Mary Kay Naturally™ products with other Mary Kay® products, as there are exceptions.
THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIED Every Mary Kay Naturally™ product is certified through ECOCERT to meet COSMOS Natural standards.
INGREDIENTS FROM NATURE These products contain naturally derived* ingredients. We can also say they are of natural origin, certified as natural or natural-certified. Help us protect our COSMOS Natural Certification! Do not say that they are natural products as this is different than naturally derived.*
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COSMOS aims to reinforce customer confidence that everything from the sourcing and processing of the ingredients, to the manufacturing of the products and its packaging, is evaluated.
*At least 90% of ingredients are derived from natural sources processed in allowance with third-party standards – currently the COSMOS standard.For more information, go to marykay.com/naturally.
MARY KAY NATURALLY™
Photography EYE-CATCHING POSTS ARE READY FOR YOU TO SHARE! The Company has already created a library of gorgeous posts for you to share featuring the Mary Kay Naturally™ line. So post them! You’ll find these creative, fun and professional posts in Digital Assets on Mary Kay InTouch®
YOU CAN BE THE BEST PROP Your personal testimony can make a real difference when sharing new Mary Kay® products. That’s why posting selfies or videos of yourself with the products can be highly effective. If using props with Mary Kay Naturally™ products, consider using towels, cotton pads or greenery that is non-identifiable or is out of focus in the background Images and propping are just as important as the words. We want to avoid using any images (such as random flowers) that could potentially confuse customers about ingredients in the products.
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Legal Key
Education Series
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Legal Key Education Series
Unlocking Your Social Media Success This legal key will EDUCATE and equip you with the social media savvy that could lead you to the next level of social media success in your business. Understanding these principles before you post may EMPOWER you to be even more effective in your communications while staying compliant with the terms of your Mary Kay Agreement(s). With these helpful tips, you can engage with your current and prospective customers using social media while you PROTECT the Mary Kay brand, your business and the Mary Kay opportunity! So let’s get started.
ter ·mi·nol·o·gy
The following terms and definitions are essential in helping you unlock your social medial success throughout this legal key: Term
Definition
Commercial Message
Any message/post that clearly indicates that you want the audience to engage in business with you.
Hashtag
A word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#), used within a message to identify a keyword or topic of interest and facilitate a search for it. Whenever users add a hashtag to their posts, it’s able to be indexed by the social network and becomes searchable/discoverable by other users.
Independent Contractor Relationship
Your relationship with Mary Kay Inc. as an Independent Beauty Consultant, Independent Sales Director or Independent National Sales Director is that of an independent contractor, not an employee.
Informational Message
A message/post that expresses your love of Mary Kay® products and shares your honest opinions about your Mary Kay business to your audience.
Mary Kay Agreement (s)
Individually or collectively refers to your Independent Beauty Consultant, Independent Sales Director or Independent National Sales Director Agreement(s), as applicable.
Unauthorized Website
An internet retail or auction site that displays or offers Mary Kay® products for sale including, but not limited to, Amazon®, eBay®, Poshmark® and Facebook® Marketplace.
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Promoting Your Business
Here are six simple principles to help successfully and effectively promote your business on social media:
PROTECT THE BUSINESS MODEL.
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Thinking about selling Mary Kay® products on an online marketplace, website or social media swap meet? Don’t do it! Learn why this is prohibited and the consequences of engaging in this type of activity.
PROTECT THE BRAND. Is your social media business account named properly? Find out under this principle.
PROTECT CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND AUTHORIZED TRADEMARK USE.
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Want to know how to appropriately communicate on social media and when to use branded hashtags? Learn the guidelines of informational and commercial messages and on which platforms each type of message should be shared.
PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA BUSINESS PAGE AND PERSONAL PAGE/PROFILE.
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Are you aware that every social media platform has its own terms and conditions? Familiarize yourself with them as you review this principle to avoid having your profile or page removed.
PROTECT AND RESPECT OTHER’S TRADE NAMES, TRADEMARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
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Did you know you could be subject to enforcement action if you suggest an affiliation between Mary Kay or your Mary Kay business and another brand, celebrity or sponsored event? Find out why under this principle.
PROTECT AND UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY.
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Want to jump-start your creativity? The Company offers digital assets and suggested posts to help or inspire you to promote your business on social media. These resources can be found on Mary Kay InTouch® > Resources > Digital Assets. For further details, review this principle.
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PROTECT THE BUSINESS MODEL. Principle: The Mary Kay business model is that of a direct sales company, which means our products are sold at retail by Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants to their customers, person-to-person away from fixed retail locations, including flea markets or unauthorized websites. Remember, social media can be used to communicate with your current and prospective customers but should not become an online retail store. Social Media Selling Sites: Unauthorized websites are not just limited to Amazon®, eBay®, Poshmark® or other online marketplaces but also include social media selling sites such as Facebook® Marketplace. Displaying or offering Mary Kay® products for sale on these platforms is inconsistent with the direct sales business model. Social Media Garage Sales, Swap Meets and Apps: Some social media platforms allow the creation of groups to promote the sale of items, including online garage sales or swap meets (e.g., ABC Garage Sale or County Barterers). There are also apps designed for promoting the sale of items, such as 5miles® or OfferUp®. All of these are considered online retail sites and are, therefore, unauthorized websites. In addition, Mary Kay independent sales force members have expressly agreed not to advertise, promote their businesses, sell, exchange or offer to sell or exchange Mary Kay® products on such platforms or apps and are therefore prohibited from doing so. CAUTION: If the Company determines that an Independent Beauty Consultant (IBC) is 1) selling Mary Kay® products on unauthorized websites, apps or other unauthorized channels, 2) having someone else sell products on unauthorized websites on their behalf or 3) knowingly supplying products to be sold on such sites, the IBC’s Mary Kay Agreement(s) will be subject to immediate termination, and the IBC may be subject to further legal action.
Tip: For more information regarding
Mary Kay’s direct sales business model and how to successfully promote your business on social media, complete the Legal Principles and Social Media Education module located on Mary Kay InTouch®. Once you have completed it, you’ll earn your legal Bling Button on your badge to proudly display at Company events.
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PROTECT THE BRAND. Principle: A company’s greatest asset is its brand. Consumers conduct business with brands they trust. The name “Mary Kay” along with our many product names, other trademarks and copyrightprotected images and materials are owned by Mary Kay Inc. and are part of the Company’s intellectual property portfolio. Our brand is well-known and respected throughout the United States and in many foreign countries. To help protect the integrity of our brand, the Company grants IBCs limited permission to use our intellectual property on social media in connection with their Mary Kay businesses that will be explained throughout this legal key. NAMING YOUR MARY KAY SOCIAL MEDIA BUSINESS ACCOUNT: While you are an active IBC, you have permission to use “Mary Kay” or “MK” in the name of your social media business account as long as you use one of the following long- or short-form naming conventions. LONG-FORM NAMING CONVENTION: Enter your name followed by “Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant,” “Mary Kay Independent Sales Director” or “Mary Kay Independent National Sales Director.” » Example: Jane Smith, Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant SHORT-FORM NAMING CONVENTION: You may choose from several of the following acceptable abbreviated naming options, followed by “MK IBC,” “MK ISD,” “MK INSD” or “MK”: » Example: The first initial of your first name, then your last name = JSmithMKIBC or JSmithMK » Example: Your first name, then the first initial of your last name = JaneSMKIBC or JaneSMK » Example: Your full name = JaneSmithMKIBC or JaneSmithMK If you only use a personal social media account, you are not authorized to use the name “Mary Kay” or “MK” in the naming convention of your personal accounts. You may consider creating closed groups to communicate directly and specifically with your customers or your area and team members. When closed groups are formed from your personal social media accounts, you are not allowed to use any Company trade names or trademarks in the naming convention of your closed groups. Correctly Describing Your Relationship With Mary Kay: When describing your relationship with Mary Kay on social media, it is important to share accurate information regarding your independent contractor status. Examples of appropriate descriptions in your social media profile include: self-employed, independent business owner, Mary Kay independent business owner, Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, Mary Kay Independent Sales Director or Mary Kay Independent National Sales Director, as applicable. CAUTION: If you are using a short-form naming convention, it is crucial that you include your full title as an independent contractor, such as Independent Beauty Consultant or Independent Sales Director in your bio. CAUTION: Should your Agreement with the Company terminate for any reason, you will be required to immediately remove or delete your Mary Kay social media business page.
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PROTECT CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND AUTHORIZED TRADEMARK USE. Principle: When communicating on social media about your Mary Kay business, there are two types of messages: informational and commercial. Determining which type of message to share will depend on your intended audience of each platform and whether a Mary Kay-branded hashtag can be used. Informational messages can include offering your honest opinion and enthusiasm about your Mary Kay business, your love of Mary Kay® products or showcasing your “MK life.” Informational messages are often highly effective and can be posted anywhere, such as your personal or business social media account, a closed customer group or other networking groups you have joined. This enthusiasm can also include conversation starters for others to share their love of Mary Kay® products and a Mary Kay-branded hashtag.
AUDIENCE: Anyone! WHERE: Anywhere! MARY KAY-BRANDED HASHTAGS: Can only be used in informational posts. » Example:
Commercial messages are advertisements and extend an offer to solicit individuals to engage in business with you. Commercial messages may include prices of products, special offers or discounts, a solicitation to attend a skin care party or to start a Mary Kay business and join your team. AUDIENCE: Customers only (or shared privately with potential customers). WHERE: Social platforms that only reach your customers, such as your social media business page, closed customer groups, text messages or email. MARY KAY-BRANDED HASHTAGS: Must not be used in commercial messages. » Examples: “Start a Mary Kay business with me today!” “This weekend I am offering 20% off Satin Hands® Pampering Set!”
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Tips: • An informational message can include a tagline that states “Learn More” with a link to your Mary Kay® Personal Web Site because it is only an invitation for your audience to learn more about what is shared in your post, and it is not a solicitation to do business with you.
• You can “boost” commercial posts only to the followers of your social media business page. Go to Mary Kay InTouch® > Digital Zone for more information on boosting posts. • Posts should include content that is appropriate for all age groups.
• Special offers should include a start and end date. After the offer has expired, you should remove the post to avoid any confusion. You should also review the platform’s terms of service for any rules regarding special offers. • Only post truthful, accurate and Companysubstantiated results and benefits of Mary Kay® products. Consider using the Company-provided posts or share content through the “share feature” from your Mary Kay® Personal Web Site. For more information on this topic, review the Product Claims section in the Legal-Ease guidelines located on Mary Kay InTouch® > Resources > Legal > Additional Information and Forms.
CAUTION: • Think about the content and images you are considering posting because when communicating online, nothing is truly private, and each post or message becomes a documented record. Posted content that does not comply with the guidelines is often reported to the Company and constitutes a violation of the terms of the Mary Kay Agreement(s).
• Posts regarding how much you earn, even if accurate, or how much someone else could earn with a Mary Kay business must not be shared on social media. These are considered earnings claims and constitute a serious violation of the terms of the Mary Kay Agreement(s) and the Direct Selling Association Code of Ethics.
• The Mary Kay trade name or trademarks as hashtags must not be used in commercial messages because the hashtag makes the post searchable by the public, creating an unauthorized advertisement.
• Posting content that could be construed as offensive, controversial, distasteful or damaging to the reputation of the Company’s brand should not be posted.
• Solicitations to start a Mary Kay business with you are always considered commercial messages.
• Posting raffles to win a prize for social engagement by your followers is considered “engagement bait” and is prohibited by social media platforms as well as a violation of the terms of the Mary Kay Agreement(s).
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PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA BUSINESS PAGE AND PERSONAL PAGE/PROFILE. Principle: You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of any social media site you use before posting about your Mary Kay business. The terms and conditions (and related policies) for each social media platform (Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, Pinterest®, etc.) can differ greatly and can frequently change. CAUTION: Many social media platforms’ terms of service (including Facebook®) limit or prohibit commercial messages on personal pages. Therefore, it is important to review and understand the site’s terms and conditions to prevent the platform’s administrators from removing your page or profile.
PROTECT AND RESPECT OTHER’S TRADE NAMES, TRADEMARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Principle: Just as Mary Kay protects its intellectual property, so do other brands and celebrities. In order to respect the intellectual property rights of others, you should never suggest or hint at an affiliation between Mary Kay or your Mary Kay business and another brand, a celebrity or sponsored event. CAUTION: Companies pay millions of dollars to be the official sponsors of events, such as the Olympics® or the Academy Awards®. Consequently, sponsors may actively search for and take legal action against businesses or individuals who falsely suggest they are affiliated with or are a sponsor of the event. Even the use of a hashtag could subject you or Mary Kay to enforcement action. As an example, you should avoid posting messages like, “Go for the gold with these great new Mary Kay® products! #Olympics.”
Tip: If Mary Kay is an official
sponsor of a particular event or program, the Company will let you know how you can appropriately discuss these events with your customers on social media.
PROTECT AND UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY. Principle: The Company offers many resources for you to get exciting content to share to your social media platforms and successfully promote your Mary Kay business. These resources will also encourage your own creativity and flair for content you can create and post in social media. Check out the following: MARY KAY INTOUCH® > RESOURCES > DIGITAL FOLLOW MARY KAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ZONE > SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR BUSINESS CHANNELS AND EASILY SHARE TO YOURS » Mary Kay InTouch® > Resources > Digital Assets » Mary Kay US Facebook® page » My Mary Kay Facebook® group » @MaryKayUS on Instagram® » marykay.com or your own » Mary Kay on Twitter® Mary Kay® Personal Web Site » @MaryKayUS on Pinterest® » Mary Kay US on YouTube® » @MyMaryKay on Instagram®
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REMEMBER to join the My Mary Kay Facebook® group and follow Mary Kay on Instagram®. PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA BUSINESS PAGE AND PERSONAL When sharing content from the Mary Kay U.S. social channels, remember to replace the link to PAGE/PROFILE.
marykay.com with the link to your Mary Kay® Personal Web Site. Principle: You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of any social media site you use before posting about your Mary Kay business. The terms and conditions (and related policies) for each social media platform (Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, Pinterest®, etc.) can differ greatly and can Videos:change. Using the same principles in this legal key, you can create and post an informational or frequently commercial message in a video and post on your social media platforms. Your videos must: » AvoidMany you applying products on others. CAUTION: social media platforms’ terms of service (including Facebook®) limit or prohibit » Feature individuals who have given you permission to post to their image online. commercial messages on personal pages. Therefore, it is important review and understand the site’s » Not contain any third-party intellectual property, including copyrighted you have terms and conditions to prevent the platform’s administrators from removing yourmusic page unless or profile. appropriate permissions. » Comply with the terms of your Mary Kay Agreement.
PROTECT AND RESPECT OTHER’S TRADE NAMES, TRADEMARKS AND
If videosINTELLECTUAL are posted on a video hosting website that is accessible by the public, such as YouTube®, the PROPERTY. followingPrinciple: rules apply: Just as Mary Kay protects its intellectual property, so do other brands and celebrities. Videos canthe only be informational messages. In order»to respect intellectual property rights of others, you should never suggest or hint at an » The naming convention (title) of your or hosting site username (channelor name) cannot affiliation between Mary Kay or your Mary Kay video business and another brand, a celebrity sponsored event. utilize any Mary Kay trade name or trademarks. » Videos can only link to your Mary Kay® Personal Web Site or your Mary Kay social media business page.Companies pay millions of dollars to be the official CAUTION: If Mary Kay is an official sponsors of events, such as the Olympics® or the Academy Awards®. Consequently, sponsors may actively search for and take legal action against businesses or individuals who falsely suggest they are affiliated with or are a sponsor of the event. • To ensure honestycould and full disclosure consumers, Even the use of a hashtag subject you orto Mary Kay to always identifyaction. yourself as a memberyou of the Mary Kay posting independent enforcement As an example, should avoid sales forcelike, when you comments on any messages “Go forare theposting gold with these great newMary MaryKay Kay® Company-operated page or website. products! #Olympics.”
Tips:
Tip:
sponsor of a particular event or program, the Company will let you know how you can appropriately discuss these events with your customers on social media.
CAUTION: Sending • If you want to use Company-copyrighted photos or images, unsolicited direct messages only use PROTECT images that are available through theYOUR “SHARE”CREATIVITY. feature of to fans or followers of AND UNLEASH official Company media sites or resources made available Kaytosocial Principle:social The Company offers many resources for you on to get exciting Mary content sharemedia to your the Digital Zone without modifying altering the images. your Mary Kay business. pages or sites is not will also social media platforms and or successfully promote These resources permitted. encourage your own creativity and flair for content you can create and post in social media. •Check Post videos orfollowing: photos of Mary Kay® products that you created out the yourself. Find tips on Mary Kay InTouch®>>DIGITAL Resources > FOLLOW MARY KAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA MARY KAY INTOUCH® > RESOURCES Digital > TipsMEDIA for Posting. ZONEZone > SOCIAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS CHANNELS AND EASILY SHARE TO YOURS » Mary Kay US Facebook® page » Mary Kay InTouch® > Resources > Digital Assets » My Mary Kay Facebook® group » @MaryKayUS on Instagram® Kay on Twitter® » marykay.com your own are the property of their respective owners »andMary Third-party trademarks andor register trademarks not Mary Kay Inc. » @MaryKayUS on Pinterest® Mary Kay® Personal Web Site Legal Support Team » Mary Kay US on YouTube® Contact us: legalsupport@mkcorp.com or (972) 687-5777 » @MyMaryKay on Instagram®
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Notes