Should Your Company Set Social Networking Posting Policies: 5 Tips for Sharing and What Should Not

The type of info shared on social networking sites will be different, and unique, for each business. Some will feel confident sharing general customer info such as stats for products sold. Others will not. However might freely share customer questions and answers provided. What your biz shares with the public is important for a variety of serious reasons. And should be taken into consideration once you decide who performs the task.

Should your company set social networking posting policies?

Since social networking (which includes blogging) is still a fairly new marketing strategy for many, companies are stopping short of considering it an integral part of their marketing department. One which also requires its own individual set of policies. Not the least of which should be how much and what should be shared.

It's important for every business to have company, departmental and employee policies. And social networking, though different from the usual marketing strategies, should be included within your marketing department. Have it's own unique policies.

This should not only include what is shared and what's not, but how it's presented, the voice used to present it. How comments are responded to. As we all now know, over-sharing, emotional posting and ignoring customer complaints, can quickly lead to major PR problems, financial loss, customer complaints and defections. And that's just to start. In short, improperly sharing with clients and customers can quickly translate into great marketing fodder for the competition. Escalate to a nightmare for you and your biz.

Here are 5 Tips to help you determine what your company should share on social networking sites:

1. Biz Stats - Financial, Customer, Marketing, Complaints - Do customers really need this info? Likely not. Except for customer complaints and reviews you may decide to share.

2. Internal and/or privileged info - Discussions re products, policies, projects in development. Unless you're launching a product, most of this info is best kept within the company; not for public consumption.

3. Company problems, court cases, etc. - Depending on the situation, you should consider making a one-time formal post including salient details. Discuss this with legal counsel. If questions persist, consider setting up a website or blog to continue responding, or turn it over to legal. Customers and potential clients won't jump ship, as easily, when they have the facts.

4. Info about competition - Most companies prefer to steer clear of negative comments about the competition. This is a legal gray area; which may rear up and bite you if you regularly post it.

5. Personal Info - As some, have sadly, come to realize, anything posted on blogs and social networking sites is immediately published. Sent out into the blogosphere and Internet. For anyone to see and read. Be aware and cautious when sharing personal info.

Do Share: Info about new products, useful resources, pertinent case histories, how-to and related articles, for example. Helpful information, tips and techniques customers and followers can actually use.

Don't: Get snarky, emotionally post, take followers for granted, refuse to respond. Fail to answer customer complaints.

One final question. Ask yourself:

'Do I really want the public to know this particular information?' After all, it immediately becomes public once posted.

That said, think twice about what you or your social networking employee posts. You, and they, represent the company. What it stands for. How it cares for and responds to its customers. And each post, or comment, can make a world of difference in how your biz is perceived.

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Why A Business Should Have Access To Social Media At All Times

A business should always have social networking on hand wherever they go because social media will allow them to grow their business no matter where they are physically. Social networking is a fast and easy way to keep in touch with business associates and the customer base. A business can quickly release a sales message by targeting their employees or customers using the social media platform. This speed is exactly why a business needs to have social media at their finger tips at all times. A message can be thought and delivered to those who should hear it in almost the same breath. Social networking can be the tipping point for a business and can help a business stream line its methods of communication.

Social media also allows a business owner to rally the troops via the network. This, of course, is dependent on the managers who the business relies on to be on the social network for work purposes. However, if all managers are on board, they can have the message within seconds and mobilize themselves to carry out that specific order. This speed can be overwhelming for any business that is not on the social networks. These companies are not as well prepared to handle the swiftly changing landscape and are not ready to change directions at the change of a hat. The business that is on the social networks can make changes and leave their opposition in the dust.

Social media platforms that are built for business are also known for their ability to share files across the platform. This allows a business to make even finer adjustments to their marketing messages and their presentations. This is all on the fly and while they are on the stage or presenting to a company. This can help a business close a sale because they will be able to tailor the presentation to the audience and make the presentation feel very personalized for them.

Social networking also allows the business owner to have a pulse on the heartbeat of their business. They can monitor the chat and messages passing between their workers. This allows them to encourage those workers who need a little help and give further instructions to those workers who need more advice on what they are doing. It also gives a business owner a good sense of what is really happening inside their business even when they are thousands of miles away in a business meeting. This is information that may not be available with any other form of communication available.

There are numerous reasons why social networking should be available for a business owner 24 7. A business owner will be able to manage their workers and get a feel for the morale of the business by using the social networking platform. They will also be able to change directions if the business gets off track on a project, and they will be able to help their sales representatives make better presentations and pitches. Social media or social networking is a medium that every business needs to get involved with today.

Social Internet Marketing The Right Way   Why Social Media Is Like a Muscle   Youths And Social Networking   Why Privacy Is the Key Against Social Bullies and Identity Thieves