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5 Steps on How to Get Your Employees Involved in Your Social Media Plan

social-media-strategyBy Matt See
Online Career Tips Contributor

Many managers shutter at the thought of their employees posting on social media all day. What if they spend all of their time on social media and never accomplish any of their tasks? What if they are posting negative things about our company? These are all scary thoughts to any manager, but after today I hope to show you that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Here are five steps on how to get your employees involved in your social media plan:

  1. Your Employees Are Your Biggest Asset: Empower your employees to be your voice. Your employees can help build your fan base and strengthen your company’s loyalty and voice in the social media space.
  2. First Thing’s First, Set Expectations: How do you want your employees to interact with your company via social media? Ask your employees to help you build your social media presence online. Good employee involvement will help create a two-way conversation between your brand and your clients and prospects on social media. Your employees don’t need to all become social media addicts but just simple involvement in your brands presence on social media can help immensely.
  3. Guarantee Freedom: Let your employees know right up front that when commenting on your business social media sites you will not be hovering over their shoulders 24/7. A good manager won’t analyze every comment. Treat your employees with respect and trust that they will be able to convey your mission properly.
  4. Assign Responsibility: Empower your sales and marketing teams to attack Facebook and Twitter and other new and upcoming social media sites. Have these employees create events, promotions and communicate with your community. This is one way to actually give your brand a voice. Also make sure they always respond to social media inquiries in a timely manner.
  5. Draft a Policy: Put a social media policy in place. Employees do well when they know what is expected of them. Be clear on what your expectations are and encourage them to participate in social media professionally while at work. Connecting with prospects, clients and subject matter experts in your field rather than updating a personal blog or tweeting the day away.

Empower your employees to be your brand’s voice on social media and begin having real conversations with your clients on social media.

How does your staff participate in your company’s social media plan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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