It’s Creative Blog Talk time again – where we take a brief break from crafting to go behind the scenes to share blogging tips and inspiration. It has been a couple of months since our previous Creative Blog Talk post as we spent the time focusing on our 5-Week Jump-Start Blog Challenge with a FAB group of bloggers taking their sites to the next level. The feedback was amazing and the challenge was fun! Sign up here to be on the waiting list for the next challenge.
Today’s topic: 7 Elements of a Rock Solid Social Media Policy
But first, why is a social media policy important?
Whether you are a solo blogger, a blogging partnership (like Pauline and me), or a blogging master who has a dedicated social media team – the social media policy is the foundational document to make sure your messages across your social platforms are in synch with your overall blog brand. The policy clarifies the voice and messaging you would like to convey as well as outlining how you will use social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to amplify your brand. Also, if you are clear on how you want to approach social media, you are better equipped to avoid a social media disaster like those summarized by Inc.
It’s spring cleaning time! When was the last time your reviewed your social media policy? Do you have a social media policy?
I started going through our original documents supporting our blog and the Club Chica Circle brand and found that our social media policy definitely needed a refresh. With changes in social media algorithms and our brand evolution, an annual refresh is in order. Also, we ramped up our support structure over the past year with a couple of virtual assistants (part-time) who need to understand our social platform goals and guidelines. Pauline and I can finish each other’s sentences but we cannot expect our VA’s to mind read (yet). Our social media policy gets the entire team grounded on the same page with clear expectations.
So no matter the size or reach of your blog, documenting your own social media policy in black and white using the 7 Elements of a Rock Solid Social Media Policy will help keep you focused in times of ambiguity or struggle.
Element #1 – Clarify your overall voice
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What tone do I want to use (inspirational, snarky, informative, funny)?
- What audience do I want to reach?
- Who do I not want to offend?
Element #2 – Set your social media goals
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why is social media important for my blog and brand?
- Which social media platforms are the most important to feature my content?
- Which social media platforms are the most important to build my community and tribe?
Element #3 – Prioritize your content mix
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How much of the social shares should represent featuring my blog content vs. sharing other’s?
- Which topics of interest (keywords) should be represented in the social shares?
- What areas are off-limits for social sharing (e.g. kids’ names, vacation locations)?
Element #4 – Establish limits on social debate
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How will I respond to trolls or critics?
- What topics are off-limits for social debate or perspectives (e.g. politics, religion)?
- How will I engage with trending topics?
Element #5 – Set timeliness expectations
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How frequently will you post on each social platform?
- When will you monitor for direct mentions and messages?
- When will you review the follower lists for reciprocal following, if appropriate?
Element #6 – Define logistics supporting social media activities
Ask yourself the following questions:
- When and where (which tools) will I use to post tweets, posts, pictures, videos?
- Will link shorteners be used for metrics tracking?
- What regular metrics and reports will be generated?
Element #7 – Establish quality expectations
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is proper spelling and grammar important?
- How will images be used (and do they need watermarks)?
- When do I credit others (always when using their content)?
Do you have any other elements to add to the list? Please share below!
If you are doing more spring cleaning, be sure refer to our 50+ Must Haves for Blogging Checklist
and 52 Ways to Take Your Blog to the Next Level
Do you still need more blog tip inspiration? Be sure to visit our past posts:
- Set Mind-Blowing Blog Goals
- 5 Tips for Great Content Building
- 5 Ways to Focus Your Consistency
- 5 Tips to Build Your Awesome Community
- 3 Ways to Create, Cultivate and Super Charge Your Blog Brand
- Why Your Email List is MORE Important Than Your Pageviews
- How to Build Your Awesome Email List
- 7 Killer Strategies for Using Hootsuite
- 5 Simple Steps to Create a Successful Pinnable Roundup
- How to Beat the Blogger Blues
- Where are You on the Blogging Timeline?
- Rediscovering Your Blog Passion
As we continue our Creative Blog Talk Series – we would love to hear from you! What topics would you like to see us talk about? You can comment below or fill out our Creative Blog Talk Series form. We will continue the series here, but also send exclusive content directly to #CreativeBlogTalk subscribers. Sign up here for free.
