Each social media platform has its own rules and regulations but the social media guidelines listed below are a standard list that applies to all social media interactions.
Be transparent. Your honesty—or dishonesty—will be quickly noticed in the social media environment. If you are conversing about your projects and services, use your real name, clarify who you work for and be clear about your role. If you have a vested interest in something you are discussing, then be the first to point it out.
Be judicious. Make sure your efforts to be transparent don't violate your company’s privacy and communication policies. Ask permission to publish or report on conversations that are meant to be private or internal to your company. If you want to write about the competition, make sure you know what you are talking about and that you have the appropriate permission. Also be smart about protecting yourself, your privacy, and your company’s proprietary and confidential information. What you publish is widely accessible and will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully.
Write what you know. Make sure you write and post about your areas of expertise, especially as related to your business and your products/ services. If you are writing about a topic that your business is involved with but you are not an expert on the topic, you should make this clear to your readers. And write in the first person. If you publish to a website outside your company website, please use a disclaimer something like this: "The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent ABC's positions, strategies, or opinions". Also, please respect brand, trademark, copyright, fair use, trade secrets (including your processes and methodologies), confidentiality, and financial disclosure laws. If you have any questions or are unsure as to whether you have the permission to share certain material and information, you should speak to somebody within your company for clarification. Remember, in the end you are personally responsible for your content.
Perception is reality. In online social networks, the lines between public and private, personal and professional are blurred. Be sure that all content associated with you is consistent with your work and with your company’s values and professional standards.
It's a conversation. Talk to your readers like you would talk to real people in professional situations. In other words, avoid overly pedantic or "composed" language. Don't be afraid to bring in your own personality and say what's on your mind. Consider content that's open-ended and invites response. Encourage comments.
Are you adding value? There are millions of words out there. The best way to get yours read is to write things that people will value. Social communication from your business should help your customers, partners, and co-workers. It should be thought-provoking and build a sense of community. If it helps people improve knowledge or skills, build their businesses, do their jobs, solve problems, or understand your business better—then it’s adding value.
Your Responsibility: What you write is ultimately your responsibility. Participation in social networks should be treated seriously and with respect for the your company’s brand. Please also follow the terms and conditions for any of the social portal sites.
Create some excitement: Let's share with the world the exciting things you’re doing—and open up the channels to learn from others.
Be a Leader. There can be a fine line between healthy debate and inappropriate reaction. Do not disparage your competitors or your company, and understand that in the event you receive criticism or complaint, know that you do not need to respond to every single one. Try to frame what you write to invite differing points of view without inflaming others. Once the words are out there, you can't really get them back. And once an inflammatory discussion gets going, it's hard to stop.
Did you screw up? If you make a mistake, admit it. Be upfront and be quick with your correction. If you're posting to a blog, you may choose to modify an earlier post—just make it clear that you have done so.
If it gives you pause, pause. If you're about to publish something that makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, don't shrug it off and hit 'send.' Take a minute to review these guidelines and try to figure out what's bothering you, then fix it. If you're still unsure, you might want to discuss it with your colleagues. Ultimately, what you publish is yours—as is the responsibility. So be sure.
It takes an expert to understand this constantly evolving process and to implement the techniques that ensure a positive online presence. Your WSI Internet Consultant can offer social media services as part of your Internet Solution. This essential service will deliver more targeted traffic to your business, unlocking the full potential of your online presence.
Contact our St Albans office today on 01727 764124 for an initial assessment of your online presence.