Social Media Etiquette’s - Top Ten rules

So everyone is on social media and they keep asking for your establishment’s social media page. Getting started with social media as a small business owner isn’t too difficult especially if you have a young staff member or relative who is tech savvy. However it is learning the etiquette behind it that can be a bit tricky. The constant evolution of social networks can make it difficult to stay on top of best practices especially if you are a small business owner and didn’t even know social media management is now a lucrative career path. So here are some of the top unwritten usage rules for business social media you should stick up next to your desk.

1. Complete All Aspects of Your Social Media Profiles
Social media accounts that are only partially completed are hard to take seriously because they automatically appear less professional. Choose a name or handle that easily identifies you and your business. First impressions are important and lasting.

2. Keep Your Brand Consistent Across Social Networks
Don’t lose your brand identity when you’re working across social media channels. Careful planning can help with this. First establish a clear vision of your brand before you set up your various accounts.

3. Match the Right Content to the Right Network
Each social media network has its own intended purpose and audience. Understanding this and matching your content and tone to the proper social media outlet is imperative for success.

4. Prioritize Your Networks
It may be tempting to try every new social media platform that sprouts up, but it’s dangerous to spread your marketing efforts too thin. To start, focus on the three top social platforms — LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

5. You Are What You Share
Use common sense when you share. What you put out there becomes a representation of you or your business in the social media landscape.

6. Be Transparent to Gain Trust
Should you run into an issue that causes a flurry of criticism on social media, the worst thing you can do is to try and hide from it. Rather than delete comments, try and respond the best you can, and don’t become defensive.

7. Avoid Poor Grammar and Spelling
Few things reduce your credibility as quickly as grammar mistakes and spelling errors can. To help avoid them, prep your social media updates in a document or spreadsheet and have a colleague proofread.

8. Don’t Overshare
Posting frequency isn’t too much or too little, but just right. Constant posting has a negative effect that can lead to quick unfollows and unsubscribes. The key is to be cognizant of your posting schedule.

9. Entertain and Inform More Than You Sell
Making money shouldn’t be the focus of the vast majority of your social media posts. 80 percent of the content you post or share should be entertaining or informative, while no more than 20 percent of your content should directly relate to the services you provide.

10. Don’t Automate Across Platforms
If you’re using the same content across your social channels, take the time to change the voice of the message to match the network. Take the extra time to write an original message for each social media network.

Extracted from an article by Travis Balinas, Product Marketing Manager at OutboundEngine