Top Tips for Managing Social Media in the Workplace

by Stacey Mc Grath, Digital Marketing Executive with Intelligo Sofrware who provide Corporate HR Software and Payroll Software

Social Media has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. Indeed with proper usage, Social Media can be a handy tool for a business when used right. It can be utilised for marketing, business development, employee engagement and much more. It’s a valuable resource but it should be handled correctly, and with care, when used by employees and by the business itself. Here are some tops tips to manage Social Media effectively in your workplace.

1 Prepare a Social Media Policy
This is a good starting point. The purpose of drafting a Social Media policy is that it allows you to set parameters and document what you expect from to employees’ Social Media use in the workplace. It outlines the times, sites and content that can be accessed during working hours and with a company owned machine. This sets appropriate boundaries that everyone in the business is then aware of.
It also allows you to place an onus on those employees who use Social Media as part of their role with your business. Encouraging them to act responsibly and in the best interests of the company. From posting online to engaging with content within the expectations of the company and their role.
Keep in mind that policies are only effective if enforced. HR should remind employees of their obligations on Social Media in the workplace, keeping them up to date with any changes to this policy as it and the world of Social Media progresses.

2 Choose a Content Owner
It’s advisable for any business, big or small, to have one named employee as the designated person to review and approve content on Social Media. The responsibility will be to review all content on all Social Media channels before it is released. This is a particularly significant activity if your businesses uses an automated tool for posting content on Social Media. This will ensure the company is associated with the appropriate, consistent and quality content at all times across all channels.

3 Appoint a Community Manager
Social Media can be a platform for customers and employees to provide feedback. So, it’s critical that a business handle their Social Media community with the same care. Replying to comments and feedback is the jobs of a community manager who is responsible for advocating a brand on Social Media channels. It is never a good idea to ignore comments or engagements on Social Media, whether they be positive or negative. A community manager will handle this efficiently for your business.

In tandem to this, and included in your Social Media Policy, your business should be clear regarding staff posting content on Social Media. Highlighting the comments regarding your business online should not happen, whether with their private accounts or on work Social Media accounts. Your community manager should be on the lookout for all comments about your business and report back regularly.

In all, using Social Media in the workplace is an excellent way to connect with more people and to make long-lasting professional relationships in a personal and professional sense. This is only possible when it is managed well and with consideration for all involved.