Social Media Conference

21 March 2012

www.charitycomms.org.uk

#CCsocmed

Social media policies : Creating a top-tip list

Rob Dyson, PR & social media Manager,

Whizz-Kidz

Key guiding factors for a policy

1. Brand legacy & consistency

2. If in doubt, don’t…

3. Think Tupperware (share)

4. Clock on – clock off

“As a BBC member of staff…[using social media]

there are particular considerations to bear in

mind. They can all be summarised as:

'Don't do anything stupid’.”

BBC News Social media guidance document, 2011

1. Brand legacy (be your brand)

• Social media isn’t separate

from who you are & what

you do – as an organisation

• Speak (and wear) you voice,

key messages, and aims

online

• Be consistent - because

stuff on the internet stays

there

2. If in doubt, don’t RT

• Avoid foot-in-mouth disease

• Tweets & statuses - and

sharing someone else’s links -

will be taken as a ‘statement’

or endorsement

• Everyone has slips

occasionally. Clear up. Say

sorry.

3. Be an open box

Be yourself in a modern day

Tupperware party

4. Clock on, clock off

Things to consider

• 24/7 smartphones – do you need to answer

that @ tweet at 11pm?

• Are you paid to work evenings and weekends?

• Sometimes: just listen. Monday morning is

where it starts.

Summary

• Stuff on the internet stays there

• Remember you’re a brand (as well as an individual)

• Loose tweets sink fleets

• Switch off, set expectations

“Don’t do anything stupid”

Further reading

• BT’s social media guide:

bit.ly/BTsocmedguide

• Chartered Institute of Public Relations:

cipr.co.uk/content/social-media-guidance

• BBC News soc med guidelines to staff:

bbc.in/BBCsocmedguide

Photo credits

Oxfam tattoo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfamdeutschland/4926613482/

Foot-in-mouth

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11535545@N00/6113356910/

Loose tweets

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socialmedia_nl/5361117010/

Tupperware box

http://www.bobpiper.co.uk/2009/07/defying_the_edgbaston_drinks_b/

Tupperware party

http://blogs.wsj.com/buzzwatch/2008/04/04/news-roundup-yes-relevance-matters-tupperware-parties-for-cars/

Alarm clock

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/4466636070/