A code of conduct for employees and representatives of Media School
We encourage our employees and representatives to engage in social media and join the conversation online. This policy sets out rules and guidelines for good practice and also what’s out of bounds. They’re what some people might call “the do’s and don’ts of social media.”
In essence, the guidelines for functioning in an electronic world are the same as the values, ethics and confidentiality employees and representatives are expected to live every day.
Rules for posting online
- Be transparent and don’t contribute anonymously. Use your real name, identify you work for Media School and be clear about your role.
- Respect your audience. Don’t disparage employees, customers, partners, prospects, readers and viewers.
- When disagreeing with others’ opinions, keep it appropriate and polite.
- Don’t post, publish or release information or content that is proprietary or confidential.
- Don’t share personal information about customers.
- Don’t make forward-looking statements about what the business can do that may not be delivered.
- Don’t register social media channels representing the company without prior consent.
- Make sure what you say is factually correct.
- You are legally responsible for posts (and may be liable if found to be violation of the law.)
- Escalate questions to the Media School Director if you’re not sure.
Tips for posting online
- Posts are individual interactions, not corporate communications. Don’t just broadcast messages. Join the conversation.
- Conversations are a two way street. Become part of the conversation: respond, contribute ideas, comment, encourage comments, re-tweet, share useful links.
- Reply to comments in a timely manner, when a response is appropriate.
- Know your audience. The more you know the better you can connect. Understand what they care about, what their interests are, why they’re reading what your writing.
- When you post make it helpful, meaningful and interesting.
- Part of being interesting is allowing your expertise and personality to come through when you post.
- Speak in your own voice. Use the first person. Talk to your readers like you would talk to real people in professional situations. Avoid composed language.
- If you’re authentic, interesting, understand your audience and responsive you’ll attract readers (who’ll get to know you and the business better.)
- Think before you post. Pause and re-read it. Think about how it’ll be perceived. Imagine it plastered on a billboard. Realise it can be permanent.
- If you’re about to publish something that makes you uncomfortable, don’t shrug it off and hit send. Review these guidelines and figure out what’s bothering you and fix it. If you’re still unsure, discuss it with the Director.
- Check and make sure the detail is right e.g. spelling is correct and links work.
- Do us proud. Be sure content associated with you is consistent with your work and with our values and standards.
- If you make a mistake, admit it, be upfront about it, correct it quickly and transparently (by leaving a note about what has changed.)
Guidelines for employees’ and representatives’ own social media
With the rise of social media, the line between your personal identity and your professional identity is blurring, especially when you post something in the public domain. It’s important to remember you are representing the business in any commentary about it – whether on the business’s social media or using your own personal social media.
If you post in an unofficial capacity, make it clear you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the business. In your own social media show in your bio your role and affiliation with Media School and include a disclaimer that the views you’re expressing are your own and not those of the company.
If you’re not sure or have questions, please contact the Director.
Approach for moderating our social media platforms
We take a ‘Good, Bad, but not Ugly’ approach to moderating to comments and replies on our social media platforms.
The Good and Bad: Of course we welcome positive feedback and constructive contributions, but we’re also open to hearing comments which critique our work or ideas. We understand balanced online dialogue is a healthy thing and that we can learn and improve from feedback.
The Ugly: We don’t, however, tolerate comments that are ugly, offensive, out of context, or spam. These kinds of comments or replies detract from growing a vibrant, healthy online community. We may remove them and/or the person responsible may be blocked or banned. We won’t reply to off-topic comments or replies.
Need your own social media policy? You can adapt ours!
If you need to put together your own social media policy you’re very welcome to take points from, adapt, or even copy ours! If you do, we simply ask that you please give us a mention and a link to our website.
We welcome your comments and feedback regarding our social media policy.