Blog: Marketing and Social Media

The Motherlode of Social Media Policy Examples

Every organization is affected by social media, whether you are aware of it or not. Your employees, customers, vendors, and everyone with whom you do business is already on the Internet. And they’re likely mentioning your organization.

Consider these questions:

• Do you monitor the Internet for use of your name?
• Are they saying good things – or not?
• What do you do when your name is associated with negatives?
• Do you allow your employees to mention your organization in blogs, comments, or other online discussion?

Employee posts online

You may not have thought of it in these terms, but when your employee adds content online –  to any discussion, on any platform – they are potentially affecting your brand and reputation. If you allow employees to post your organization’s name, at the very least, they should also be required to clearly state their position & title, and that they are not speaking on behalf of the organization.

Many, many issues should be carefully considered when exploring the best social media policies for your unique organization, its culture and goals.

How to get started – The motherlode

One of the best places to start is researching other organizations’ social media policies. Many large corporations have spent tens of thousands of dollars on high-level executive and attorney time and expertise.

You can find a list of 177 sample social media policies from an array of organizations on Social Media Governance’s website . Here are just a few of the organizations’ social media policies they offer:

• American Red Cross
• Ball State University
• Cisco
• Fedex
• Ford Motor Company
• IBM
• Nordstrom
• RazorFish
• Thomas Nelson
• Many more!

What policy issues are you struggling with? What solutions can you offer?

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For more resources, see our Library topics Marketing and Social Networking.

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ABOUT Lisa M. Chapman:

Ms. Chapman’s new book has a name change! The Net-Powered Entrepreneur – A Step-by-Step Guide will be available very soon. With offices in Nashville Tennessee, but working virtually with international clients, Lisa M. Chapman serves her clients as a business and marketing coach, business planning consultant and social media consultant. As a Founder of iBrand Masters, a social media consulting firm, Lisa Chapman helps clients to establish and enhance their online brand, attract their target market, engage them in meaningful social media conversations, and convert online traffic into revenues. Email: Lisa @ LisaChapman.com