When it comes to social media, I am a strong believer in setting some guidelines that would work as a policy. Not all company employees will be knowledgeable on properly dealing with social media and how to use it effectively.
Just think about it, if you’re KFC would you want your employee to be tweeting “eating some chicken wings #lol #sogettingfat #whatthefuckiseveninthischicken”?
Doubtful.
All the more reason to set in place a policy that clearly outlines the conditions and restrictions to using and interacting with social media in the work place.
Any company or organization can establish their own social media policy. Here are 10 useful considerations to keep in mind while creating your policy:
1.Introduce the purpose of social media
Keep in mind what the reader should take away after reading the policy, and stress the importance of the benefits they’ll obtain in reading it. Focus on what the employee can do, instead of what they cannot, as a policy that’s filled with negatives will not come off as user-friendly.
2. Be responsible for what you write
Contrary to common belief, having the ‘right’ to express yourself on the Internet does not excuse you from saying dumb bullshit, stupid bullshit, stupid things. Every representative of the organization needs to take responsibility with what they write, and exercise good judgement alongside common sense.
Obviously tweeting with the hash tag ‘#sogettingfat’ while promoting KFC fried chicken is not really promoting it. At all.
This is important, because no one wants to get dooced, of course via misuse of fried chicken sentiments.
3.Be authentic
Include as much information as possible about the company, so people can trust in knowing who you are. The more authentic your social media platforms, the more likely your audience will trust in what you’re saying and selling. This also goes along with showing the ‘human side’ of the company.
Because let’s face it, we’re all dancers, human.
4. Consider your audience
When you’re out on your spaceship in the blogosphere, or Twitterverse, or Tumblrland, or any other atmospherical version of a social media channel, it’s important to keep in mind who your current audience is. Your readers could be current clients, potential clients, as well as past/current/and future employees. Make sure neither of these groups feel alienated from the contents you publish on your social media.
5. Exercise good judgement
Obviously, you should refrain from comments that may come off as slurs, demeaning, inflammatory, bad, racist, not good, etc. It’s ok to share your opinion online, but you never ever ever not even if Paris Hilton was the most intelligent person on the planet want to have your company be branded as racist. Never.
So for the love of whatever deity you follow, exercise good judgment.
6. Understand the concept of community
It’s important to use your social media platforms in efforts of creating an online community, where your readers and followers feel comfortable sharing their opinions, reaching out, and connecting with others.
It’s a tricky thing to do since you don’t want to create an environment of competition, but you do ultimately want your followers to remain loyal to you over the competing brand.
7. Respect copyright and fair use
Duh.
8. Remember to protect confidential information
Again, another duh. Employees should never share confidential information about the company through their social media. There is a fine balance between maintaining a sense of transparency and just being plain dumb. So don’t share Colonel’s 11 special herbs and spice used in KFC chicken thinking that you’re maintaining transparency. You’ll get fried fired.
9. Bring value
You’re likely to get more out of your social media if you add value to your followers and readers. This implies constantly being in the conversations that take place online so you can catch a complaint or answer questions in regards to customer recommendations towards the products you sell. This works both ways; the more value you add to your customer base , the more in turn they value your brand and your products.
10. Productivity matters
Keep in mind that while communicating with your customers is essential to running your operations, it should not take over other operational aspects of your business. Maintaining the right balance between social media and other work is key in getting the most out of your social media endeavours.
And there you have a general list of considerations to be mindful of, when creating your own social media policy.
You’re welcome.
delsoltani 