Social-media mishaps

Social-media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.) can educate people about your business and its products and they can help you reach clients.

But, be careful.There are three common mistakes businesses make when they use social media. Make sure your business has a social-media plan and the appropriate cyberliability coverage before you post, tweet or pin.

1. Constant focus on products, services. Social media allows you to focus on your clients. Don’t scare them off by only talking about your business. Follow the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of your content should focus on your customers (i.e., their needs or problems); 20 percent should be about your company.
2. Not sharing. Read your clients’ social-media posting and share their thoughts with your other clients. This will help you engage with your client base.
3. Being insensitive. Watch your timing with your social-media messages and make sure you aren’t being insensitive about topics (e.g., politics or current events).

Most importantly, emphasize to whoever participates in your business’s social media that they must use common sense. If you have doubts about a social-media message, don’t post it. And, before you launch a social-media campaign, give our agency a call. There are insurance coverages (e.g., general liability, umbrella, media liability, etc.), available that offer protection with social media. We’re here to help you.