Does your company have Social media Policy or guidelines for usage? If not, this is a must read. Learn more about how Social Media Policy/guidelines can prevent crisis, save you time and money.

1. Why It Is
Important
For your organization to have
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY/GUIDELINES
Copyright Kwazi Communications 2013

2. Must-Know Stats
• 80% of companies are operating without social
media policies/guidelines
• 76% of companies use social media networks
• 44% of workers are unaware of social media
security settings
• 75% of Social Media crises are preventable

3. What are Social Media Policy/Guidelines?
A social media policy outlines the corporate guidelines
or principles of communicating in the online world
for employees.
A document which offers clear and direct guidelines on
conduct and behaviour.
It helps employees understand the risks, challenges,
liabilities, opportunities and benefits of social media
engagement.

4. How Policy/Guidelines Protect Your
Business
Employees can’t claim they didn’t know
the rules
Gives clarity on what is acceptable behaviour and what is not
Key to protecting brand reputation
Set Security standards for privacy and safety protect your IP
Prevent leakages of confidential or classified information
Creates a basis for disciplinary or legal proceedings

5. How Policy/Guidelines protect your
employees
Knowledge of comments/actions Minimises risk of leaks of
that could be harmful, offensive confidential info
and inappropriate
Knowing what the Know what
consequences the company will
of actions are hold them
personally responsible for
Avoid lawsuits
Online security and safety and
standards make it easier to stay disciplinary
safe actions

6. Social Media policy/guidelines work
when they are:
 Simple- Everyone should be able to understand them
 Provide Guidance- Explain how to behave, why you should or
shouldn't’ do certain things, what you should do, and when
 Responsive- Be able to adapt to everyday scenarios
 Realistic- They should be achievable
 Clear- No mumbo-jumbo, jargon
 Flexible- Should be able to change with new technology and situations
Respectful- They shouldn’t treat people like
idiots

7. Who should create Policy/Guidelines?
• Someone who:
Understands
Long term
Digital
Strategy

8. Frequently Asked Questions your
Policy/Guidelines should address
• Should I have separate accounts for my personal/
professional social media use?
• Is the company allowed to spy on me?
• What should I know about uploading pictures,
videos, texts?

9. Frequently Asked Questions your
Policy/Guidelines should address
• Do I need to introduce myself in chat rooms?
• If someone is attacking our brand/ products/
services on social media, what do I do?
• What should I do if a colleague is harassing me
online?

10. Create Social Media Policy/Guidelines
because:
• They can help boost the business and increase brand
value
• Create great opportunities for more business
• Avert crisis
• Easy point of reference to advice and lead employees’
online engagement
Sources: Microsoft, Trustworthy computing group
Socialmedia.biz

11. Kwazi Communications is a Johannesburg, South Africa based Media &
Communications Consulting company.
We help organizations create social media policies and guidelines, so that
they have the right foundation in place to allow their teams to engage,
connect and network successfully
Puseletso@kwazicommunications.co.za
CONTACT US FOR
MORE Nosipho@kwazicommunications.co.za
INFORMATION
Tel: +27(0) 11 234 2500
You can also find us on: www.kwazicommunications.co.za