10 things you should think about when using Social Media in a corporate environment

It used to be that if you googled your name and would not show up on the first page you were nobody. Today, you have to be all over the place in the Social Media. Many companies or company officials refrain from going public on the social networks out of fear that something could go terribly wrong. The truth is that the rules are the same you first heard uttered by mom. Here are soem to think about:

1.- If you are just starting out, pick a name that represents the company and create an identity. Complete your profile, customize your landing page according to the company’s branding and build a stream of posts that other users may find credible before publicizing your handle.

2.- Who do you represent? – This is probably the first thing you have to think about when entering any social network. Are you the official spokesperson for the company you work for? Are you a highly visible official?
It may matter more in some instances than others, but as with any other social interaction, if you are at work, you are to some degree representing the company. Take this into account at all times.

3.- Act professionally at all times – Just as there are some inappropriate conduct at the company party, there are remarks, photographs, videos that should not be on your corporate social media account. If there is a chance that your supervisor may call you about the post you are about to post, you will probably going to get that call.

4.- Public? Think share value – With every post, think about what Wall Street may think. If there is any chance that a post may move the needle, do not post it.

5.- Absolutely no confidential information – This may sound pretty obvious, but the line between what is ok to be published and what is not may be a little gray sometimes. If there is anything that your worst enemy should not be reading, do not post it.

6.- Be on-topic – None of your corporate followers are interested in what you did during the weekend. They do want to know about the latest developments though, or where you see the market going, and maybe even take a peek at that last leadership retreat portrait (see 3, 4 and 5 above!).

7.- Be accurate – Provide links to content that supports your posts but never, ever regurgitate something without checking the facts. Follow links before you repost them. Check the authenticity of the source and make sure that any comments you are posting are supported by the facts.

8.- Be timely, be original – Social media content is always more attractive when it is newsworthy. Say things that nobody else is saying, before anybody else says them. This will make you more attractive for your followers. Tweet often, some experts place the ideal amount of tweets -depending on the industry- at anything between one and eight a day.

9.- Be responsive – Encourage comments from other members of the organization, even competitors. Respond to comments. Respond to all inquiries, negative or positive but mute the conversation on inappropriate comments. Have a zero-tolerance policy on these.

10.- Be honest and always take the higher ground – Disclose your relationship with the company, acknowledge errors, explain what happened. Respect your competitors and your audience, may the best man win.