List Headline Image

Updated by Becky Gaylord on Mar 17, 2013

Essential Social Media Guidelines

Listly by Becky Gaylord

This list started as 17 concepts that guided my social media work in 2012. I posted it as part of my blog. This is a dynamic list, so I'm posting it on Listly, too, so it can be expanded and updated.

4

Engagement takes work and an actual human presence

Engagement takes work and an actual human presence

15

Social media takes practice and time

Social media takes practice and time

2

Automatic posts, including Tweets, are fine sometimes...

Automatic posts, including Tweets, are fine sometimes...

If not scheduled more than a day or so ahead; if turned off quickly after unexpected events that might make them seem insensitive or out-of-touch; and if monitored regularly for responses, questions or conversations.

3

...Otherwise, auto-posting leads to one-way communication instead of social conversation

...Otherwise, auto-posting leads to one-way communication instead of social conversation

5

Social influence is real and very powerful

Social influence is real and very powerful

7

No one social media tool or channel is essential for a brand to use…

9

Visuals, headlines and design all count when posting content…

Visuals, headlines and design all count when posting content…

11

Social media is a vital part of any business; smart leaders of any age can get this

Social media is a vital part of any business; smart leaders of any age can get this

12

Measurement is key and can include qualitative and quantitative data…

Measurement is key and can include qualitative and quantitative data…

13

…but measurement in social media is still evolving; there’s not really one best way

…but measurement in social media is still evolving; there’s not really one best way

14

Brands should keep some control of, and say so over, their social media presence and “voice”

Brands should keep some control of, and say so over, their social media presence and “voice”

outsourcing this is risky and short-sighted

16

Tools can help make managing social media easier; but they can also overwhelm

Tools can help make managing social media easier; but they can also overwhelm

17

It’s hard to know every tool; follow trends, though, and tools with rabid fans

It’s hard to know every tool; follow trends, though, and tools with rabid fans

1

A social media policy needs to have more Dos than Don’ts to be effective

A social media policy needs to have more Dos than Don’ts to be effective

6

Social media is a direct line to customers, clients and valuable relationships

Social media is a direct line to customers, clients and valuable relationships

8

…but if choosing to use a particular social site don’t be AWOL

…but if choosing to use a particular social site don’t be AWOL

10

…but if you’re not offering insight or lessons that are pretty useful, no amount of pretty-ing up will fix that flaw

…but if you’re not offering insight or lessons that are pretty useful, no amount of pretty-ing up will fix that flaw