Social Media Policy Must‑Haves Part 2: Drafting Your Policy
The first step in developing a social media policy is to map out your strategy for usage, content and access. That information will make it easier to create a formal policy. When drafting your social media policy, make sure it’s clearly stated and easily accessible for everyone in your organization. Important elements to include are:
Purpose – Clearly explain why the policy exists and why it’s necessary to help ensure that social media is being used to further your organization’s mission.
Goals – Describe what the goals of social media use are for your organization. Are you trying to increase awareness about your mission? Are you looking to fundraise for an annual special event? Be clear about your vision for social media.
Expectations – In this section, outline your expectations of social media use at your organization. This section of your policy might be the most detailed and include the results of many of the preliminary questions and other important matters, such as:
- Protecting your organization’s data and confidential information;
- Restrictions on the use of personal social media during work time;
- Exercising good judgment when using social media, and considering the audience that might see postings;
- Respecting copyrights and understanding when and how the content of others can be used;
- Guidance on who has authority to post on behalf of the organization; and
- Clarification on social media behaviors you will not tolerate.
Education – Provide guidance on how to be safe while using cyber resources, and what kinds of postings might expose the organization or the person posting to liability.
This content was developed by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center and adapted by and for GuideOne Insurance.
