What you share on social media is a direct reflection of who you are. The same goes for your business. It sets the tone for the type of reputation you will have on the Internet. Roundpeg has a nice mix of fun and informational posts. Whether we post cat photos on Facebook or Twitter, or share relevant articles about marketing from different sources on LinkedIn, we make sure what we share makes sense with our audience, as well as the Roundpeg brand. Sure we are quirky and fun, but we are also a business. When your business enters the world of social media, you walk a fine line between posting content which makes sense and flooding your timeline/newsfeed with junk or inappropriate content. Here’s a guide for what’s appropriate for your business to share on social media.
Politics and your business don’t mix
What topic gets all sorts of opinionated comments and arguments going? Politics. Leave your opinions, feelings or stances on politics to your personal social media accounts. Your company does not need to have its reputation jeopardized by igniting a firestorm of controversy because you posted your personal political beliefs on their social media accounts. You know that saying, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Not everyone who is active online takes that phrase to heart. People are vicious on the Internet and a random person trolling through your company’s Facebook page doesn’t have as much to lose as your business does by commenting on politics.
It’s not always about the sale
While the goal of any social media marketing plan is to convert interactions to sales, you don’t want to come off as spam-y to your followers. If they are interested in the content you share or about your products and services, they’ll contact you. You should not stuff your company’s social media accounts with never ending self-promotions or sales pitches. Share what other experts in your field are talking about. You can’t ignore your competition and only focus on yourself. Broaden your social media horizons! I can’t tell you how many times I have heard Lorraine say this, but the sales will come after you start producing good, relevant content and build loyalty and trust with your customers. Once you have established yourself as an expert in your field on social media, you’ll see you don’t need to push products and services into every single Tweet or status update.
Don’t post it on the Internet if you wouldn’t say it in person
As a business professional it’s your job to rise above the fray and not let the haters stop you from doin’ your thang. That means if another business or an unhappy customer comes after you through your social media accounts you better treat them with the utmost respect. Handle Internet trolls the same way you would if an irate customer walked into your store. You wouldn’t start hurling off snarky remarks or attacking their business. Don’t do it on the Internet!
Don’t get me wrong, you can certainly have fun and express some personality on professional social media accounts, but you need to keep in mind that you are creating an online reputation for your business, not yourself. Leave the selfies and pictures of your kids on your personal Facebook page, as well as your personal opinions about politics and other companies. If you are ever unsure about something you want to post on social media, chances are you probably shouldn’t.
Think you have social figured out for our business? Download our guide to targeted marketing and start focusing your messages:
