Facebook etiquette. Twitter etiquette. Today we are going to talk about some warnings of Facebook and Twitter usage when using either tool for business.
I recently came across a blog that pointed out some of the recent mistakes made by a popular candy company. Essentially the moderator for the company’s Facebook page, when asked direct questions regarding some environmental issues, responded with defense and backlash. As can be expected, the consumers fought back and the company was left looking bad.
Social media has further expanded the bounds of “the customer is always right” truism. With the hope of offering helpful tips on how a business should interact on Facebook and Twitter, please note a few of our rules to Facebook etiquette and Twitter etiquette for the business. Hopefully, these tips will help your small business or business of any size use Facebook and Twitter in a manner that will improve your company’s social standings within your target market.
Facebook Etiquette for Your Business
- It’s more about them than it is about you. Yes, you need to fill out your profile information and show the greatness of your business in a professional manner. However, when you are involved in social media, it’s because of your customer, not just you. You have ‘opted in’ to hear what they have to say and to interact with them. The more interaction you have with your fan base, the more successful you are. This means that when comments are posted, you read them and answer them when necessary and appropriate.
- Status updates should be professional. Links and status updates on a business page need to be relevant to the business.
- Photos should strengthen your message. The photos you put on Facebook need to be photos that strengthen your message and don’t detract from it. Connect with your audience, but keep your professionalism. Too familiar is unattractive.
- Admins - If you have any admins listed on your page, make sure that they are appropriate representations of your company and that their personal accounts represent the organization well.
Twitter for Your Business
- Status Updates – The status update is the primary function of Twitter. Twitter was originally crafted with the intention of group text messaging between friends. So, it’s common practice for individual users to simply tweet a quick comment to their groups of friends on Twitter about their location, what they are doing, who they are with, etc. However, for a business or a business personality, there should be appropriate bounds maintained. For instance, complaining about the long line at your local coffee shop probably won’t go far with followers that have chosen to follow your floral business.
- Address and Info - Make sure an address or information on your business is on your Twitter page along with the website information. This weekend I was going to visit a local coffee shop for the first time and had to opt out because I couldn’t find their address anywhere. Their website was down and although they had both Twitter and Facebook, I found no address on either. I’m just saying, make it easy for people to find your business.
- Direct Messages – There is no need to hard sell your business to those that follow you. Sending a nice follow up direct message to new followers is a fine practice. However, a canned message with a link to your website or to something you’re selling is a cheap trick and a turn off to the community.
- Replies - Be gracious in person and reply in the same way!
These are just a few introductory tips on Twitter and Facebook etiquette. What are some other etiquette tips you can think of?
