Social Media is increasingly becoming a norm rather than an exception in the business world these days. Low cost, wider reach and real-time communication are some of the most obvious business benefits of social media.
There’s no doubt that social media is an immensely powerful tool for businesses. However, with power comes responsibility and social media is no exception to that rule. There’s a strong need for businesses to define an effective social media policy based on their needs and ensure strict adherence.
What is a social media policy?
Governance is crucial for a business in order to make the most of the ongoing social media revolution. On one hand, businesses can harness the power of social media to boost revenues with regulated usage. However, on the other hand, unregulated social media usage can be disruptive for any workplace and thereby hurt a business’ prospects.
To put it in simple words, a social media policy defines the action plan, DO’s and DONT’s in order to manage potential risks and gain the maximum advantage out of social media.
There is no doubt that Twitter and Facebook are handy social media tools for any business. However, poor compliance to a social media policy can negate the business advantages of such tools.
How to create an effective social media policy for your business?
Are your employees spending way too much time on Facebook and Twitter? Is your business’ proprietary information floating on social networks without your approval? If that’s the case, there’s a strong need for enforcing a social media policy for your business.
While there is no “one size fits all” rule that defines an effective social media policy for businesses, I offer the following generic guidelines which can be beneficial for businesses to reap benefits of social media.
- Employee Restrictions should be communicated clearly – There’s nothing worse than employees getting pissed off due to lack of clarity in your business’ social media usage guidelines. Further, you should ensure that these restrictions are strictly enforced.
- Periodic Monitoring – A large number of businesses do a great job of coming up with an effective social media policy and implementing it equally well. However, they miss a crucial aspect of periodically monitoring the gains from social media. IMO, this defeats the purpose of having a social media policy for your business.
Why your business needs an effective social media policy?
So, why is it important to have an effective social media policy for your business? I’ve the following good reasons for it.
- Protects your business – Social Media is one powerful monster. If you don’t tame it, it tames you.
- Helps monitor business gains – A well-defined social media policy + strict adherence is a wonderful tool to know how well or how poorly your business is doing in its social media efforts.
- Addresses Key Stakeholder concerns – An effective social media policy addresses key stakeholders for any business – business owners, employees and customers. The policy helps clearly define the rules of the game for each stakeholder.
Does your organization have a social media policy in place? Or do you think its overkill from a business perspective? Please share your opinion by leaving a comment below this post.
Hi,
I totally agree with you on the importance of having a social media policy.
I was wondering if you have seen Coca-Cola’s social media policy. It is only 3 pages long and very simple. It reminds employees of their duties, responsibilities and is designed to augment their existing company policy and does not create a new code of conduct from scratch.
I think this is a great way to ensure you benefit from all that social media has to offer, while ensuring that employees are aware of their responsibilities and the potential impact of what they say and do can have.
I think it is very important to spell out what a companies social media policy is. Unfortunately so many business is have not done this leaving associates with out any guidance on something that can have a huge impact on a business. It’s either burying your head in the sand, or being unaware of the powerful impact of social media.
Nick Grimshawe
I just want to tell you that I am new to blogs and actually savored your web blog. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You definitely come with fabulous writings. Thanks a bunch for sharing your webpage.
I simply want to say I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and definitely loved this blog. Likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You really have excellent stories. Thanks a bunch for sharing your web page.
Whilst I really like this post, I think there was an spelling error close towards the finish of the 3rd paragraph.
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Kudos
Do you might have a spam issue on this internet site; I also am a blogger, and I was questioning your situation; weve got developed some nice methods and were looking to swap options with other folks, be certain to fire me an e-mail if interested.
This blog has some very useful information on it. Thank you for informing me!
An intriguing discussion on casino and betting agencies is definitely worth my comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people do not speak about these issues.Casino online betting it certainly is the most effective and secure way to place your bets as we speak. The deposit bonuses and special deals are really an captivating choice for online poker. People will likely never obtain these kinds of possibilities in any brick and mortar casino.
Mate. This site is amazing! How can I make it look like this .
This post on the topic of SEO presents clear thought in favor of new SEO visitors that how to do Search engine optimization, so keep it up. Pleasant work
Amazing article, thank you, I will visit again now.
Nearly all of the commentary on this blog page dont make sense.
It seems to me that this web site doesnt download on a Motorola Droid. Are other people getting the exact same issue? I like this website and dont want to have to miss it whenever Im gone from my computer.
Strange , this post shows up with a black hue to it, what shade is the primary color on your site?
You should really control the responses on this page
Great post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!
I like that site layout . How do you make it? Its rather nice!
This website is really good. How did you make it !
Ways To Grow Long Tresses Fast – Figure Out How To Be The Rapunzel You Require
100% natural solution to be able to thyroid problems & having a baby issues. If you’re worried about your current unborn babys health this can be the solution for you
Useful info. Lucky me I discovered your web site by accident, and I am stunned why this accident did not took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
This is my first time go to see at here and i am really pleassant to read everthing at single place.
Grow Wild Hair Long: 3 Tips To Prevent Hair Loss With Out Hassle