subject: Business Blogging Guidelines And Regulations [print this page] So, your company recognizes the value in using the Internet to shape the public's view of your services and products. Then, what are the guidelines of using social media to benefit your business?
Here are some tips and helpful hints for social interaction about your company on the internet. These are meant to help you make appropriate decisions about your work related blogging and the contents of your blogs, personal web pages, postings on wikis and other interactive sites, postings on video or picture sharing sites or in the comments you leave in various places.
Your business can then commit to supporting the correct forms of interaction knowledgeably and socially in the right atmospheres and venues within social media. Your proficiency will improve and hopefully your corporation will grow.
The key is to maintain a respectful, knowledgeable interaction with people on the internet. You also want to protect the privacy, confidentiality and interests of your corporation and your current and potential products, employees, customers and competitors.
First, if you are developing a web site or writing a blog that will mention your business name and your branded products, employees, partners, customers and competitors, identify that you are an employee of your company and that the views expressed on the blog or web site are yours alone and do not represent the views of the business. This is an important distinction to make on the internet so that people do not misread associations about ideas and perspectives.
Unless you are given permission by your manager, you are typically not authorized to speak on behalf of a corporation. So, be sure to check with those who have the final say.
If you are developing a site or writing a blog that will mention the business and/or their current and potential products, employees, partners, customers and competitors, you should make the manager aware that you are writing them as a courtesy. Your manager may choose to visit them from time to time to understand what is being put out on the internet and to understand your point of view.
You should also be aware of confidential information components of blogging policies. Bloggers are not permitted to share information that is confidential and proprietary about the brand.
This includes information about trademarks, upcoming product releases, sales, finances, number of products sold, number of employees, company strategy and any other information that has not been publicly released by the business. These are only examples, of course, and do not cover the range or what the company considers confidential and proprietary.
Typically, if there is any question about whether the information is appropriate to share, you should wait until after speaking with your manager and the Public Relations department before releasing information that could potentially harm the company and its associates. You may also want to be award of the points made in the non-disclosure agreement you signed when you joined the business.
The company's logo and trademarks may not be used without explicit permission in writing from the company. This is to prevent the appearance that you speak for or represent the company officially.
As far as respect and privacy rights components are concerned, you should always speak respectfully about the company and current and potential employees, customers, partners and competitors. Never engage in name calling or behavior that will negatively reflect on your business's reputation.
Any use of copyrighted materials, unfounded or derogatory statements or misrepresentations that are not viewed favorably by your company can result in disciplinary action up to and including employment termination. Your business should encourage you to write knowledgeably, accurately and using appropriate professionalism.
Despite disclaimers, your Web interaction can result in members of the public forming opinions about your brand and its associates. You should always honor the privacy rights of current employees by seeking their permission before writing about or displaying internal business happenings that might be considered to be a breach of their privacy and confidentiality.
You should also never sell any product or service that would compete with any of your corporation's products or services without permission in writing from the president. Some examples would include training, books, products and freelance writing.
The important thing to remember is to ask if you are ever in doubt. From there, explore the options social media presents you and your corporation.
by: Jack Landry
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