NoteworthyIT

According to a new report by Experian, 91% of online adults now regularly use social media in some form or another. Understanding the benefits and ethics of social media has never been more important to businesses. While all part of the same family, each social media outlet has its own characteristics, ethics, and policies users need to follow to bring about success. Let’s take a deeper look into them:

Facebook: Facebook is the college-aged member of the family. Tech savvy and social, he’s everyone’s friend. And while not very strict, he had a few rules to follow.

• Keep all posts no more than a couple paragraphs in length. If you post an essay, readers will quickly become bored with the content.
• Properly tag others! By tagging other organizations, your information will appear on their wall and reach a broader audience. Remember to do so responsibly.
• Remember your graces – if another organization is hosting a fundraiser or introducing a new product, wish them luck or congratulate them on their successes. Not only is it polite, but you will effectively be reaching out to their user base by doing so.
• Remember to post content that is likely to be shared, keeping it relevant to your organization. Posting interesting articles is one of the top ways to get the word out. If another user finds your post interesting, they can click the “share” button and your organization will be highlighted as the original poster.

Twitter: Twitter is the young child of the family with a short attention span and a lot to say. Twitter can be exceptionally useful to organizations when used correctly.

• Keep updates as short as possible. Twitter has a 140 character limit, so you won’t be able to go too crazy with it.
• The hashtag [“#”] is your friend. Create keywords and tag organizations in your post by utilizing the hashtag. For example, #Longbeach, #Technology, or #baseball. By tagging areas of interest, you will allow other users to look up what you’ve shared.
• Remember the hashtag is a powerful two way street – don’t just use it in your own posts, but use it to keep an eye on your friends and competitors. Want to know what’s going on in Los Angeles? Hashtag. Want to find out what deals your local hardware store is spouting? Hashtag. Want to use a simple symbol as an advanced search engine? You know what to do.
• Mentions are a great way to recognize others.  If you’ve got a favorite pet store mention them(@petsmart) and they might mention you.  This shows you support others and spreads good will. When you mention an organization, they will be notified of your tweet and are likely to do the same for you.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the parent with a PHD. Highly educated, LinkedIn thrives on intelligent conversations and gives near-automatic dismissals to boasting and self-promotion. LinkedIn is the strictest member of the family, and has high standards if you want to get along.

• Don’t even bother with self-promotions – they’ll just get you labeled as a spammer. LinkedIn is about networking with other people and showing them why you’d make a strong partner/supplier.
• On other platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, the public is hearing from your company. On LinkedIn, they hear directly from you and selling yourself is frowned upon. Show people why they should want to get to know you.
• LinkedIn has regular discussions that occur in groups, where members can post their questions and seek answers. One of the best ways to make connections is by posting information on them. Only well thought out and respectable answers, however, will be received. If you aren’t familiar with the topic, don’t take a jab at it just to get your name out there.

YouTube: YouTube is the famed uncle that always has a story to tell. Whether it be the time he traveled to the Rocky Mountains or when an imposter posed as David Blain and stole his undergarments, his stories always make him the life of the party. If done correctly, a bond with YouTube can be more valuable than all of the others combined. Here are some ways to try and forge it:

• Distinguish yourself as an expert in your field and educate others on how to better themselves in it. It’s more important to target the people who might be interested in your product or service rather than trying to make a funny viral video that may never take off.
• If you’re making a video about your work, introduce yourself and your staff. What today’s marketing often lacks is the personal connection, but social media can help bridge that gap – especially with an up-close video of yourself.
• Give free information seminars aimed at assisting others in the industry. This can help you distinguish yourself and your company from the rest.

Utilizing social media is one of the best ways to get your business known, but it must be done appropriately. News – both good and bad – spreads quickly over the internet, and being labeled as spam can be detrimental. Over all rules, content is king.