Does my Business Need a Social Media Policy?
A common misconception is that only large companies or those with multiple people performing social media duties need a policy. While those companies certainly do, a social media policy is also important for small business, solopreneurs, and independent professionals. If your business is engaging on social media without a policy, you may be putting your business reputation at risk.
A social media policy […] is a corporate code of conduct that provides guidelines for [people] who post content on the Internet either as part of their job or as a private person. - WhatIs.com.
If you're still not convinced, glance through these questions and consider how they could affect your business.
Do you…
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Have employees/consultants who do social media for your business?
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Have employees/consultants that have personal social media accounts?
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Ever need to temporarily pass your social media activity to someone else?
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Plan on selling your business one day?
If the answer to any of these is yes, then you need a policy!
Do you…
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Know what to do if someone posts a negative comment about you or your business?
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Know what to do if someone posts an offensive or inappropriate comment about you or your business?
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Know what to do if you or someone else accidentally makes a personal post to a company account
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Have a clear outline of who in your business is responsible for different social media roles?
If the answer to any of these is no, then you need a policy!