Companies need a social media policy: Experts

This post is syndicated from EDD Blog Online.


These are components of the social media policy guidelines outlined by Avvo, a Seattle, Washington-based website that helps consumers handle their legal matters by providing attorney rankings and related services.

The start-up, which has quickly grown to nearly 40 employees, instituted a formal policy for controlling content on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites earlier this year.

"All of a sudden we had a bunch of other voices - new employees - saying things about the company," said Josh King, Avvo's general counsel and primary author of the document. "We just wanted to put in place a roadmap of reminders when dealing with social media."

King and other top management drafted simple rules of conduct in cyberspace that apply to employees choosing to disclose their affiliation with the company as part of their online identity.

"Social media interaction is, in many ways, no different than in-person interaction," states the document, titled "Avvo Social Media Participation Guidelines". "And just like any other interaction, you'll want to project a professional image."

The guidelines - less than two pages in length - have since been incorporated into Avvo's general employee handbook. The document covers hands-on social media topics ranging from "profile pictures" and "attention to detail" to "inappropriate topics" and "bad mouthing." Those wanting to tweet or blog as official advocates of the company using a targeted marketing or sales message go through rigorous approval channels.

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Source: uk.reuters.com

Read the full story originally posted by EDD Blog Online.


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