Social Media Branding & PolicyYesterday, I participated in #socialmedia chat with @RichardatDell, @JasonBreed and @Marc_Meyer about social media branding. The debate that continues to interest me is the purpose of your social media account (be it twitter / facebook / friend feed / whatever). Is it personal or is it business? If it is strictly personal, then it needs to be removed enough from your business to not tie in… especially if you are going to post dumb stuff like keg stands. If it is strictly business, then you shouldn’t post any personal opinions or information. Period. Just use it to promote your business and interact with your customers. In my opinion that defeats the purpose of SOCIAL media. As companies jump into Twitter, sometimes they forget the social part of social media. Aren’t we here to develop more intimate friendships? Aren’t we here to share ideas and learn more about what is going on in the world? Aren’t we here to network and build value, both personally and professionally? Aren’t we pressing for more transparency with corporate personalities? Maybe I missed the memo… but if you agree with me, that social media should be a little personal and a little professional (the WHOLE me), then let’s draft a social media policy that makes sense. Here is my personal AND professional social media policy: 1) I will try to engage you and not just promote my own stuff. I will be more likely to respond to your links and requests if you engage me occasionally. 2) I will NOT tweet under the influence or post dumb pictures online…but you probably won’t catch me doing “really” dumb things in person anyway. Sorry to disappoint. 3) I will post links to valuable information… I don’t forward flip flop requests or other such ‘crap apps’… unless they are so funny it makes me snort coffee out of my nose. 4) I have personal boundaries and will protect my family and friends from being exploited online. 5) If you are a client of mine, I won’t tweet about you without your permission. Confidentiality is the cornerstone to trust in any relationship. 6) I will talk politics and religion occasionally, but won’t attack you for your opinions. 7) I know where the unfollow button is and I’m not afraid to use it. 8) If I have a chance to meet you in person… I’d LOVE too. @cmwooll to set up a time. 9) I vow to be a human being and demonstrate common sense when interacting with people – online or in person. 10) Oh yeah, as a human being, I will probably mess it up every once in a while. Please forgive me. I'll do my best to fix it. Did I miss anything?
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