The document provides tips and guidelines for establishing a social media policy. It recommends determining your goals and level of engagement with social media, as well as where your company stands relative to monitoring employees' use of social media. Sample guidelines are then given, such as deciding who will manage social media accounts, obtaining permission before posting on behalf of the company, only sharing approved company information, and avoiding controversial or disparaging posts. Employees are warned that all social media activity may be monitored and violations of the guidelines could result in suspension or dismissal.

1. Social Media Policy Tips + Guidelines
Preliminary Tips
Be strategic in your approach. Identify which social media channels are best suited for
your goals and time commitment. While an integrative
approach is often recommended, not all social media
channels will be effective in achieving your objectives.
Determine where you stand in Do you want to be an industry leader? Do you want to
respect to social media. minimize risk? Depending on your objectives and level of
engagement, social media can require a serious resource
commitment. Some of these decisions will guide your
policy choices.
Decide where you stand Employees should not publish content or imagery that
relative to monitoring is defamatory, proprietary, harassing, libelous or likely
to create a hostile work environment. Let staff know
employee use of social media.
that you’ll be monitoring activity solely to protect the
organization.
Establish regulations for Define and provide documentation regarding what
personal social media profiles. industry or corporate content is permitted on employees’
individual social media accounts.
Determine what level of Review the social media activities of your closest
engagement is standard in competitors to see what makes market sense. If you
your industry. are, or want to be, a thought-leader in your industry, a
commitment to social media may be necessary.
Define the goals of your social Ensure that everyone participating over social media
media efforts. channels understands these objectives and uses them
to guide activity. Determine what metrics you will use
to measure success. Valuable tools include Google
Analytics, Hootsuite, Wildfire Social Media Monitor, My
Top Tweet and Klout Score.
Cook + Schmid

2. Social Media Policy Tips + Guidelines
Sample Guidelines
1. Decide who is responsible for managing and participating in social media.
2. You must receive permission from the supervisor as appointed by your
department head PRIOR to engaging in any form of social networking with
the industry or on behalf of the company.
3. Authorized social media users are limited to sharing company news,
milestones and updates; engaging with clients and business associates; and
leading/contributing to meaningful industry-related discussions.
4. Assume at all times that you are representing your business.
5. Provide only meaningful, valuable information.
6. Exercise discretion, thoughtfulness and respect for everyone, including your
colleagues, business associates, customers and competitors.
7. Avoid discussing internal policies or confidential corporate information.
8. Avoid engaging in controversial issues unless you are an authorized
spokesperson for the organization.
9. Do not engage in dialogue that defends corporate decisions or work.
10. Do not engage in media criticism or disparage colleagues or competitors.
11. Be mindful that all posted content is subject to review in accordance with
employee policies.
12. Respect the privacy rights of other employees and your clients.
Any violation of these guidelines could result in a range of consequences
including, but not limited to, suspension or dismissal.
Cook + Schmid