Social Media Policy

Adopting a Social Media Policy is the first and most important step your company will take in embracing social and professional networking. There are some great social media policies available online. I looked at the IBM corporate social media policy and found some great ideas. In drafting the Social Media Policy below, I attempted to keep the language comfortable and familiar. Most important, it is short and easy to embrace. I also avoided using simple negative language like “Don’t chat with your friends on FaceBook.” Take the time to craft language that your team will embrace and own.

Sample Policy - Steal it, Adopt it, Make it your own. At the very least, share it with someone else.
-You can copy and replace the @ with your company name

@ Social Media and Networking Policy

Employees of @ are encouraged to have and develop a broad social and professional network. This policy is to provide general guidelines and expectations, when in doubt please use common sense and prudent judgment.

1.    All @ employees should dedicate 15 minutes every day to maintaining and building their social and professional networks. Social media activities should compliment not compete with work commitments.

2.    Emerging online collaboration platforms enable you to reach friends, relatives, clients and partners. Your online presence reflects you and @. Please remember, your activities, posts and contributions may be associated with @; make sure your profiles and content are consistent with how you want to present yourself to friends, family, colleagues and clients.

3.    Information published on blogs, forums, social networks, web sites must comply with any confidentiality and disclosure policies at @. If there is any doubt in your mind as to whether a current engagement can be referenced publicly, please get written permission.

4.    Company logos, images and trademarks may be used with written permission. Employees are encouraged to post photos and videos online. Find a balance between private and public, be mindful that what you publish may be public forever.

5.    Respect all copyright and intellectual property laws, cite references and facts as appropriate. Link to your sources frequently so you are a valued resource.

6.    Employees are encouraged to promote themselves and @ honestly and frequently. From traditional media to web based social activities, you can contribute to the success of @ by participating in your network.

7.    You are encouraged to use social media and networking as an effective learning tool and as a teaching tool. Contributing to the pool of knowledge on the web establishes your credibility and is a valuable and appreciated resource at @.

Your participation in the social web and online world is encouraged and supported. This includes online and traditional publishing and discussion, blogs, wikis, user generated content, virtual worlds and social networks. The difference between personal and private, social and professional are blurring quickly on the social web. We believe in honesty, transparency and you. Grow with us!

******************************************************

Below is the text from a presentation done for Ignite Cleveland on What/Why/How your company needs a  Social Media Policy. I’ll post a link to the presentation as soon as it is Live.

Methodology
Adopt a Social Media Policy-Keep it Real
Create a Social Media Strategy-Put the right tools in your utility belt Batman
Implement the Social Media Strategy-Pick the right technology-Train employees

Strong Foundation
Your Social Media Policy is the Foundation upon which your campaign is built.

What? Why? How?
What is a Social Media Policy?
A basic Human Resources type policy.
Sets guidelines for appropriate behavior.
Encourages Participation in Social Media.
Communicates Best Practices.
The Collective Voice of Your Company.
Can be half a page or 10 pages.
Avoid naming specific websites or networks, technology changes quickly as do websites.
The language is important, this policy sets the tone and leads by example. Can the wording be positive and directive?
An Official Endorsement!

What? Why? How?
Why does YOUR company need one?
Because your employees are already on social networks.
You think FaceBook is a social network, not a professional network.
If they are not on FaceBook and LinkedIn you are losing business to your competition.
Opens a dialogue between Management and Employees.
Gets Buy In from employees and management.
Protects Employees and the Company!
Every Employee must be a part of your corporate conversation in Social Media!

What? Why? How?
How should you develop and implement your Social Media Policy?
Start with a template!
Circulate it with all of the staff and ask for feedback and suggestions.
Have a lunch or breakfast and openly discuss the policy. Incorporate Ideas.
Formalize and Publish!

Sample Policy Notes
* Ideally this should be a minimum of 15 minutes per day per network. How many networks can you afford to participate on?
* Accountability – Connecting all of your co-workers keeps everyone accountable to each other.
* Make sure company secrets stay company secrets, spilling the beans can cost you your client and your reputation, set your employees up for success by avoiding pitfalls.
* Encouraging your employees to be “professional” and establish a high quality of work.
* Listening and using your resources, contributing to the knowledge pool.
* Open up the flood gates, employees need to understand we are talking about more than just FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Plant Your Seeds! - Start with a Policy, Grow a Strategy!

The Sky is the Limit! - You are the only barrier. If you try, you will achieve more than you believe you can.

A Social Media Policy will enable and empower your employees while protecting your company. Before you “Let the Dawgs Out,” draft a Social Media Policy.

Get Help From A Guru!