The Do’s & Don’ts of Handling Your Business Social Media Pages

Social media has become an integral tool for all types of businesses to leverage. Businesses can directly interact with their clients, showcase their services and products, see what competitors are offering, and share updates about the company itself. However, many of us have our own personal social media pages so company representatives must be extra cautious when handling business pages as they are representing an organization and not just themselves. At McCauley Marketing Services, our experienced social media managers list a few do’s and don’ts of handling your business’ Facebook pages, Twitter handles, and more:

• DO utilize all social media features. Each platform has its own set of versatile tools. For example, Google+ allows businesses to create events that will be tied to Google Maps and Facebook allows promoted posts to boost ads and specials to gain new followers. What you do on one social media outlet does not have to be exactly the same for another.
• DO interact with partners, clients, and suppliers on social media. Not only will this improve customer relationship management, but you can also stay up-to-date on the latest services or events from that company.
• DO share photos. Many of us are visual learners and images instill connection to your business. Whether it’s a small graphic announcing a sale or a group photo at a company outing, users enjoy seeing images and are more likely to view the post, according to data shown by Facebook ads.
• DO further build your brand. Your followers can see other companies you follow and through social media, you can showcase your company’s voice. Design a cover photo that speaks to your audience and use hashtags that involve topics and services your business promotes.
• DON’T get too personal. Never share personal opinions or posts as it is imperative to keep personal opinion and affiliation separate to avoid bias or potentially offending clients. Keep your posts business-related and avoid sensitive topics such as politics, law, or religious beliefs.
• DON’T steal content or misuse images. Always credit the source, whether it’s tagging the user in your post or directly sharing a link they had previously posted from their business page, the same rules apply to social media as it would for any other advertising platform. Besides, other businesses and users may actually appreciate your crediting and even share your original content with their clients too!
• DON’T criticize competitors. We all have competitors and they probably all have a presence on social media. While it is okay to browse their pages, social media is not the place to leave comments or announce why your company outdoes theirs. This could be a crisis communication PR nightmare as it could bring negative feedback and make you look bad.
• DON’T go off topic. While it is fun to mix things up sometimes or to express a new interest, be sure you stay true to your brand and what you’re aiming to market. For example, a medical practice can share patient information, the latest health topics, and nutrition tips. They should not be sharing information about other industries such as fashion or politics.

If you’re interested in engaging social media into your brand, contact us today and learn the latest in marketing trends and tools. Be sure to follow us back on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ and connect with us!