Great social media comes down to good planning!

Social media and messaging apps play in a big role in many people lives, including businesses. Of course, there are a multitude of platforms to consider and many different tactics you can use to promote your products and services to your target audience. But in order, to get the best results, our advice is to plan. And that’s where having comprehensive policies and strategies in place can make all the difference.

You could be liable!

Did you know that as an employer your exposure to risk is high, particularly if your employees use your platform in the wrong way? Not only can you risk damage to your reputation, but you could also be liable for one of your employee’s posts on social media, in the course of their employment, if it’s proved to be discriminatory or defamatory.

In recent months, there have been a few high-profile criminal cases including several tribunals, which highlight the importance of businesses informing their employees of their expectations when it comes to behaviour and communicating online. And even if it’s not discriminatory or defamatory, posting offensive, bullying, malicious or inappropriate material can be equally as disastrous for your business. As would disclosure of private information and employees voicing their own radical opinions on matters of a sensitive nature.

Do you have a policy?

This is why I always encourage businesses to have a good social media policy, which is regularly reviewed and updated. Your social media policy is an important document, not only will it help to safeguard your brand reputation on social media, but it will also help to educate your employees on etiquette and professionalism.

Your policy should clearly spell out what is and is not appropriate for employees to post about on social networks, whether that’s their colleagues, personal opinions or the company in general. You need to be clear about the distinction between business and private use and ensure that what your employees say reflects your business’ values and culture.

However, it’s important that your employees do not feel gagged, or that their human rights have been curtailed. By educating them and offering them an opportunity to learn more about how they can interact with people on behalf of your business, will help them to raise their own profile and that of your organisation too.

And don’t forget a strategy helps too!

To ensure your social media is capable of building a strong and organic presence online, we suggest you have a strategy. As well as outlining your goals and measurable objectives and the target outcomes you want to achieve, it will help you to plan relevant and targeted posts in advance. These should fit with your other marketing and business activities, ensuring a consistent approach. Because as Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

For help and advice, get in touch today by phoning 07877760411