Around 3.78 billion people (or 48% of the population) use social media, with the percentage of users rising exponentially as the age of users decreases. People spend an average of 2.5 hours on social networks and messaging, a statistic that businesses have taken to heart, with research by Smartly.io showing that most organizations spend between 31% and 50% of their ad budgets on social media.
As trends arise and strategies solidify, expectations of appropriate social media etiquette are also becoming more consolidated. Whether you are a startup, a longstanding business, or an individual holding a private event, ensure you demonstrate expected behavior when interacting with others online.
Social Media and Private Events
People hosting celebrations (especially meaningful ones such as weddings) may have specific requests with respect to sharing images and information. When it comes to social media rules at weddings, couples should draft their list of dos and don’t and communicate a small, reasonable list of requests prior to their big event.
The latter can include putting phones on airplane mode during the ceremony, giving the wedding photographer space to take photos of the couple and guests, and keeping some parts of a celebration private. Guests, meanwhile, should exercise common sense and not portray hosts or guests in a potentially embarrassing manner on social media. Weddings, parties, and other private events are meant to be enjoyed without holding back and intimate/private moments should be kept as such.
B2C Social Media Etiquette
Businesses should portray a professional image that is in line with their brand’s core values and in touch with their target markets’ needs and interests. They should invest in professional content writers, as well as sharp, clear, quality images that are well-lit and framed. Language can be friendly but it should always be professional and not cross a line of familiarity. Businesses should check all channels daily, answering queries and complaints quickly and providing a good solution for any issues raised by followers and clients. They should additionally post valuable content that genuinely informs or entertains followers. Companies that only post news about their products or services are likely to garner an ‘unfollow’ from all but their most assiduous followers.
B2B Pitfalls to Avoid
When it comes to B2B social media relationships, the focus should be on creating mutually beneficial synergies. If a business follows you, follow them back and send them a welcoming Tweet as though you were meeting them in person. Join in important conversations with others, especially those in which your industry-specific knowledge and experience may be of value.
Avail of useful tools like LinkedIn Groups for discussions with like-minded professionals. Ask and receive guidance, be generous when it comes to information that may enlighten others in your industry, and use these forums to build valuable connections that will last beyond the specific conversation.
Keep discussions on point, suggesting private messaging if you wish to discuss ancillary matters that have arisen during a conversation with a specific user. When discussing a topic, ask questions or ask for feedback so that others feel welcome and more inclined to join in on a discussion or debate. Don’t use this tool to sell products or services or someone may flag you and you may be removed from the group altogether.
Social media is becoming an increasingly important part of our professional and personal lives. People hosting events (online or in-person) can guard themselves against social media faux pas by asking guests to conform to clearly communicated rules. Businesses, meanwhile, can leverage the power of social media by communicating professionally, consistently, and assiduously with clients, and by creating valuable relationships with other businesses via platforms such as LinkedIn.
