Develop an Iron-Clad Social Media Policy to Safeguard your Business

Develop an Iron-Clad Social Media Policy to Safeguard your Business 

As a business owner or company manager, it is important to factor into your employee handbook the accepted social media policy for your business. Current, prospective and former employees as well as your customers, clients and competitors are more than likely using social media in some aspect of both their personal and professional lives so instituting a social media policy for your company is imperative to not only monitor the work flow habits of your employees, but also as a way to keep track of your company’s internet profile.  Developing and implementing a social media policy can be tricky, but it is very important to introduce the purpose of social media in the workplace.

The world is now watching.  One of the first issues to address when implementing a social media campaign is to make sure employees know what they can and can’t do when representing your company on the internet.   Specific and to the point information will create the easy ‘give and take’ you’re looking for between your company and prospective customers.  Just because they are expressing an opinion doesn’t mean they can be reckless or just post things that make no sense, or are downright stupid.  Common sense and good judgment are key components to any posting.  If you wouldn’t say something to a client in a face-to-face meeting, then don’t write it for the world to see either. Never use defamatory language or slurs, even if you are comfortable with the client.

In your company social media policy, be sure to stipulate that postings and updates should also include the writer’s true name and department, not a pseudo name or alias, unless this has been agreed upon beforehand.   If you want people to get to know your company and buy your product, then they have to know who is ‘talking’ to them.  Intelligent, efficient and engaging information is the cornerstone of any successful social media campaign.

Propriety as well as confidential or copyrighted information should never be shared even if it is in the same ‘community’ in any social media campaign. It will open up your organization to lawsuits and at the very least, cost employees their job.  Just because the employee is off site and off the clock doesn’t mean what they write on their time won’t reflect back on them or the company.  If they are considered one of the faces of the company, they should understand the ramifications of your organization’s social media policy before sending off a rant to a website.

Employees learning to balance their professional and private information may find it can be a daunting task at first, but social media is here to stay, so navigating the process is imperative to stay current and in touch with your clients.  It is the most profitable and efficient way to do business, to connect with your clients, whether they are strictly on line or in brick and mortar businesses.   Make sure your employees know what is expected of them, and the result will be increased traffic flow, more open communication and satisfaction for all involved.   Institute a workable social media policy you are all able to work with and understand, with no surprises arising for anyone.

Contact: Phillip Crum
ADDRESS: 15323 Midway Road, Addison, TX 75001
TEL:. 972-788-4266
Email:. pcrum@sirspeedyaddison.com
Website: http://sirspeedyaddison.com/category/press-releases/

Tags: copy services, Digital Printing, Direct Mail, Direct Marketing, Every Door Direct Mail, Graphic Design, Internet Marketing, Local Search Marketing, mailing services, marketing consultant, Sir Speedy Addison, website development