Social media has become a huge part of today’s society and is used in ways that can shape politics, business, innovation and much more. It provides an easy platform where organizations and individuals can share news, opinions and maintain contact easily.
The use of social media provides organizations with both challenges and opportunities. By keeping your company’s social media policy in line with your company’s ethical values and your communication policy, the risks associated with social media use can be reduced.
It is important to remember that whenever you connect with a social media network, you are joining a community. In any community, there is an appropriate time to discuss business. You need to be sure to treat the people in your community with respect and kindness. Furthermore, it is importance to respect the boundaries of others. You should always communicate in an honest and open manner. If you show others who you are and what you stand, people will respect you and you will establish rapport. Truth is an ethical value that people respect.
Without communication, you really have nothing. Valuable and mutual conversations get you noticed by other people. Even though your main goal is to sell your products or services, you should never just promote your business. It is totally ethical to use social media sites to spread your message, a message that you believe other people will be interested in and will fulfill some need of others. However, you need to be very careful about your approach. Your purpose is to drive more traffic to your business through your website and blog.
Connecting with people through social media channels is not a short-term thing; it is the beginning of a great relationship that will hopefully endure for a very long time.
By, Christina Wakefield
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. -Mark Twain
Ethics and Etiquette for Social Media 