PR Squared is routinely among the top 20 blogs on Ad Age’s Power 150. Built by founder and PR guru Todd Defren, PR Squared is a great example of ways to conduct your company on the internet. The policy includes four items that should be universal to all companies engaging in social media practices:

  1. Be transparentIts important to remember that social media rules are not meant to seem restrictive, but to help protect the company image.
  2. Never represent the company in a false or misleading way
  3. Be respectful
  4. Use common sense

The policy quotes “these rules might sound strict and contain a bit of legal-sounding jargon, but please keep in mind that our overall goal is simple: to participate online in a respectful manner.”

Clear and simple, even if you don’t read through all of the rules you can see the overall purpose of the guidelines and this will help the organization remain on the same page. Something that this policy is missing that would help supplement it’s seriousness is requiring an accountability signature. This affirms that the employees have read the rules and understand that if they choose to participate in the online social world that they  accept that they will be held accountable for their actions. This policy could also state the consequences of not abiding by the policy.

My thoughts on companies using social media coincide with blogger Jennifer Van Grove. She is quoted in her post on social media policies that  ”Companies can benefit by using social media by acting as BRAND REPRESENTATIVES, using the social web to help grown the company and engage with customers.” I think it is essential and unavoidable to have employees out their in the social world.

The short clip below is of Todd Defren discussing the importance of having a plan of action when using social media.

Advertisement