• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Frank J. Kenny's Chamber Pros Community

Chamber of Commerce Training and Resources.

  • Small Business Season™
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Free Resources
  • CPEd
    • Login
  • Contact

Do You Need a Chamber Social Media Policy or Is Common Sense Enough?

This question is incredibly easy to answer with another question: are you hiring/have your hired the right people?

If the answer is “yes,” no need to read further. You’re in capable hands. Common sense is enough for your chamber social media. If the answer is “no,” you have larger issues than social media.

Do I need a social media policy in place?
Do You Need a Chamber Social Media Policy or Is Common Sense Enough?

However, all kidding aside, a social media policy isn’t a bad idea. It also shouldn’t be complicated. You need it to do the following things:

  • communicate expectations
  • explain procedures (of what would happen in the case of escalation to avoid a PR issue and handling of inappropriate commentary)

That’s it. You don’t want to infringe upon free speech or draft copy for your employees’ posts. Assuming you’ve hired well and you have a good culture, bad posts are something you shouldn’t have to worry about.

 

Communicating Expectations for Chamber Social Media

Make sure your employees understand a few things about their posts.

  • What they say/post reflects on the chamber even if they use the “thoughts are my own” disclaimer on Twitter. Ask them to keep this in mind when they are posting publicly.
  • Use of chamber branding in a non-chamber document or post must be approved by the chamber first. For example, writing a non-chamber blog post and using the chamber logo as the image, must receive approval before posting. This is standard branding practice for any company.
  • As a chamber staffer, they should always be looking for ways to be helpful on social media. They are a representative of your chamber and your town.
  • Their affiliation with the chamber should be disclosed on social media accounts where they speak about the community. This is not to present them as the mouthpiece of the chamber but to provide transparency.

Next you’ll want to establish a protocol dealing with violations such as badmouthing a member business on social media. What happens in that situation? You should also include expectations on social media use during work hours. Don’t fence yourself in by adding a number here. Make sure employees understand their job duties are their main priority. Make sure they also realize that you know social media is a great skill to have and one that can elevate the chamber’s standing. Encourage them to get involved in chamber social media.

If time spent on these networks interferes with work being completed, it will have to be addressed, but if they keep the idea that they represent the chamber in their minds, they should understand endless check-ins at Starbucks during work hours give the appearance of lackluster job performance.

If you have someone who just can’t put social media down, find business appropriate uses of their time like researching how you might use SnapChat at your chamber or fidning people to follow on Instagram.

How are other chambers handling social media and employees? Join the conversation here.


 

Interested in this topic?

Here is a free chamber-specific resource for you…

Related Chamber Articles

Grab a time on Frank's calendar.

Search (1,500+ Articles)

Receive the Chamber Pros Community Online Newsletter. 7,000+ subscribers. It’s FREE.

Let us make your life easier…

Explore these new posts

  • Finding the Ideal Chamber Hire
  • 11 Things Chamber Pros Can Learn from Jimmy Buffet
  • 13 Things You Don’t Want to Do as a New Chamber Board Member
  • Are You Considering a Chamber Rebrand? 15 Things to Think About First
  • Navigating Chamber Turf Wars with Emotional Intelligence
  • Finally a Networking Event All Your Members Will Love!
  • AI Webinar Ideas for Your Chamber of Commerce
  • How to Help Your Loneliest Chamber Members
  • The Ultimate Chamber Guide to Finding and Hiring Good Employees

Archives

Our Authors

Frank Kenny is a successful entrepreneur, chamber member, chamber board member, chamber board of directors chair, and chamber President/CEO. He now coaches chamber professionals, consults with chambers, trains staff and members, and speaks professionally. He helps Chambers and Chamber Professionals reach their goals. See full bio.

Christina R. Green teaches chambers, associations and small businesses how to connect through content. Her articles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives’ Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and Socialfish. She is a regular guest blogger on this site and Event Managers Blog. Christina is just your average bookish writer on a quest to bring great storytelling to organizations everywhere.Visit her site or connect with her on Twitter @christinagsmith.
Faculty Member:

Institute for Organization Management

W.A.C.E. Academy

Chamber Pros Online Conference

WACE
ACCE

Testimonials

“This workshop was a major success and the attendees loved it.” -Mark Sturdevant, President/CEO La Habra Chamber Testimonials

Legal

Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 · WordPress · Log in