In today’s interconnected world, social media serves as a powerful tool for communication, networking, and expression. However, its vast reach and instantaneous nature also come with responsibilities. Whether you are an individual user, a business, or an organization, understanding the do’s and don’ts of social media is crucial for maintaining professionalism, protecting privacy, and fostering positive interactions. This article explores essential guidelines to help you navigate social media effectively.
The Do’s of Social Media
1. Pause and Consider Before Posting. Social media allows information to spread rapidly. Therefore, it is essential to pause, review, and consider the potential impact of your posts before sharing them. This simple step can prevent misunderstandings, mitigate conflicts, and uphold your reputation.
2. Handle Sensitive Topics with Care. Topics like politics and religion often evoke strong emotions. Carefully consider whether to discuss these subjects on social media, and if you do, strive for respectful dialogue. Acknowledge diverse perspectives and avoid inflammatory language that could escalate tensions.
3. Protect Personal and Confidential Information. Respect privacy by refraining from sharing personal or confidential details about yourself, others, or your organization without explicit consent. This includes sensitive information about court cases, association matters, or any proprietary data.
4. Respect Copyrights and Intellectual Property. When sharing content from the internet, ensure you have the right permissions or that the content is properly attributed. Respect intellectual-property laws and give credit to creators for their work.
5. Create Engaging and Open-Ended Content. Encourage interaction by posting content that invites responses and discussions. Pose questions, share experiences, or seek opinions from your audience. Engaging content fosters community and enhances the value of your social media presence.
6. Share Learning and Experiences. Contribute positively to your community by sharing insights, lessons learned, or achievements. Your experiences can inspire others and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
7. Review and Correct Mistakes Promptly. If you make a mistake in your posts or communications, be transparent about it. Acknowledge the error, explain what went wrong, and outline the corrective actions taken. This demonstrates accountability and builds trust with your audience.
8. Handle Criticism Gracefully. Negative feedback is inevitable on social media. Instead of reacting defensively, respond calmly and constructively. Address concerns, clarify misunderstandings, and use criticism as an opportunity to improve.
9. Maintain Transparency and Accuracy. Ensure that all information you share on social media is truthful, accurate, and substantiated. Avoid misleading statements or exaggerations that could damage your credibility.
10. Adhere to Organizational Guidelines. If you represent an organization, adhere to its policies regarding social media use. Respect privacy, confidentiality, and legal guidelines governing external communications. Use the organization’s branding appropriately and ensure consistency in messaging.
11. Update and Maintain Social Media Profiles. Regularly update your social media profiles with current information, including contact details, business hours, and relevant updates. Keep your audience informed and engaged by showcasing your latest activities and initiatives.
12. Post High-Quality Visual Content. Visuals such as photos and videos can significantly enhance engagement on social media. Use high-quality visuals that are relevant to your message and platform. Preview your content before posting to ensure clarity and appeal.
13. Interact and Engage with Your Audience. Social media is about building relationships. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions. Engage in conversations, acknowledge your audience’s contributions, and show appreciation for their support.
14. Tailor Content to Each Platform. Different social media platforms have unique audiences and features. Tailor your content to fit each platform’s characteristics, such as post length, tone, and preferred media types. This approach maximizes engagement and effectiveness.
15. Maintain Proper Grammar and Spelling. Attention to detail reflects professionalism. Proofread your posts for grammar, spelling, and clarity before publishing. Clear communication enhances your credibility and ensures your message is understood.
The Don’ts of Social Media
1. Don’t Post Without Reviewing. Avoid impulsively posting without considering the potential consequences. Take the time to review your content for accuracy, appropriateness, and alignment with your objectives.
2. Don’t Overemphasize Sensitive Topics. While it is important to discuss important issues, avoid dominating your feed with controversial topics that may alienate or polarize your audience. Balance your content to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment.
3. Don’t Share Personal or Confidential Information. Respect privacy by refraining from sharing personal information, confidential data, or privileged details about your organization. Protecting sensitive information builds trust and avoids legal or ethical pitfalls.
4. Don’t Infringe Copyrights. Respect intellectual property rights by obtaining proper permissions and giving credit when sharing content from other sources. Avoid using copyrighted materials without authorization or attribution.
5. Don’t Ignore Engagement Opportunities. Engagement is key to social media success. Don’t ignore comments, messages, or mentions from your audience. Ignoring engagement opportunities can lead to missed connections and diminished trust.
6. Don’t Automate Without Consideration. While automation can streamline processes, avoid automating interactions that require personalization or genuine engagement. Maintain authenticity in your interactions to foster meaningful connections.
7. Don’t Overuse Hashtags. Hashtags can enhance discoverability, but excessive or irrelevant hashtags can detract from your message’s clarity and professionalism. Use hashtags strategically to categorize and amplify your content.
8. Don’t Respond to Offensive Posts Emotionally. Encountering offensive or negative posts is inevitable. Don’t respond impulsively or emotionally. Instead, consider your response carefully or refrain from engaging to avoid escalating conflicts.
9. Don’t Violate Privacy or Legal Guidelines. Respect your organization’s privacy policies and legal obligations when communicating on social media. Avoid sharing misleading information, making false claims, or violating confidentiality agreements.
10. Don’t Neglect Profile Maintenance. Maintain updated and accurate social media profiles. Neglecting profile updates can create confusion, hinder engagement, and diminish your credibility.
11. Don’t Compromise Visual Quality. Visual content is powerful, but low-quality visuals can detract from your message. Avoid posting blurry, pixelated, or irrelevant images or videos that may undermine your professionalism.
12. Don‘t Write in All Caps. Writing in all caps can be perceived as shouting and may come across as aggressive or unprofessional. Use capitalization appropriately to emphasize key points without overwhelming your audience.
13. Don’t Overlook Credit for Content. Acknowledge and credit the creators of content you share, such as quotes, images, or ideas. Giving credit where it is due respects intellectual property and demonstrates ethical conduct.
14. Don’t Tag Without Permission. Respect others’ preferences regarding tagging in posts or photos. Obtain permission before tagging individuals, businesses, or organizations to ensure respect for their privacy and preferences.
15. Don’t Overshare. Exercise discretion in what you share on social media. Avoid oversharing personal information or irrelevant details that may detract from your professional image or compromise privacy.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of social media involves understanding and adhering to these essential do’s and don’ts. By practicing thoughtful communication, respecting privacy and intellectual property, and engaging authentically with your audience, you can leverage social media effectively to build relationships, enhance your reputation, and achieve your goals. Remember, each interaction on social media contributes to your digital footprint—make it count positively. By following these guidelines, you can navigate social media confidently and responsibly in today’s digital landscape.
Please see below on the correct way to format posts on the different social media sites.
Twitter:
- More conversational
- Using trending hashtags
- Stick to 140 characters.
- Consider including an image and link
- Change post or page title to be directly relevant
- Retweets of your industry thought leaders “as-is” ( make sure you “@” them so they see you mentioned them)
- Use your social media tool’s link shortening to conserve characters
LinkedIn:
- A polished tone of voice
- Professional language signifying a thought leader
- Don’t just brag about your professional accomplishments or people will tune out
- Always include an image and link
- No hashtags
- Share court-related news, announcements, or insights
Facebook:
- Be inspirational, that type of post works well here
- A good place to straight SELL your product or service
- Ask questions to your audience, be conversational
- Try video here, the algorithm loves it but be sure to upload your file directly
- Always include image and link
- No hashtags
- Clean all URL parameters from third-party posts, use an existing image from an article
Instagram:
- Striking imagery, if you do not have any, or plan to produce them, don’t bother with this channel
- Use emojis
- Video has the highest engagement rate
- Create polls—they are easier than contests and help boost engagement
- You can only add a link in your bio—so make that bio shine
- Aspect ratio—keep the post size and aspect ratio of the content you intend to share in mind, whether you’re using Instagram to share video media or traditional images and graphics
- Write caption copy elsewhere—copy and paste the messaging you intend to share in your Instagram post, rather than using the app itself; the Instagram app has many issues when it comes to spacing and formatting, which can make your post difficult to read once you publish it live
- Use bullet points and symbols—using a bullet point or various symbols, such as check marks or relevant emoji icons, can help convey a message without bogging down your followers; bullets and icons can also help break up lengthier posts, making them much easier to skim and read
- Avoid using emoji icons in empty spaces—don’t place emoji icons in breakpoints of your post copy; instead, use them within a sentence or as a bullet
- Communication style—consider the voice and tone you will use to build your brand on Instagram; consistency is key when communicating with your audience directly on social media; if your page appears too corporate, robotic, or disconnected from its followers, it’s less likely to perform optimally
- Hashtags—when using any social media platform, incorporate relevant hashtags that can generate buzz and garner more followers; if you are unsure about which hashtags are most appropriate for your business and brand, conduct research using the Instagram platform to explore more of your competitors
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lillian Triplett is the court administrator for the City of Clarkston, Georgia. She serves as co-chair of the NACM Social Media Subcommittee of the Communications Committee
