Social media guidelines are a set of rules and best practices that outline how an organization and its employees should conduct themselves on social networks. These guidelines help maintain a cohesive brand voice across all social channels while empowering team members to engage effectively with the target audience. Social media has become an integral part of daily life and workplace culture. With over 2.3 billion people worldwide active on at least one social media platform and 69% of U.S. adults using Facebook, the line between personal and professional use of social media has blurred. For companies, this reality underscores the need for a clear, comprehensive social media policy to guide employees and prevent legal or reputational risks.

What Is A Social Media Policy?

If a company takes the latter approach, Flynn said the social media policy should be more detailed in restricting content. The stakes can be high for enterprises when employees use their social media channels in unapproved ways, and savvy companies know the importance of developing extensive social media guidelines. Your lack of social media guidelines could discourage employees from becoming brand advocates and even applicants from joining your company.

What Is Social Media Policy? Definition And Scope

We’ve talked a lot about words, but you also need to define your brand’s visual look and feel for social media. If the pronunciation of your brand name or products is unclear from the spelling, consider creating a pronunciation key. This can be as simple as including the phonetic spelling next to the word itself.

What Are The Legal Considerations When Drafting A Social Media Policy For Employees?

Dell is a good example of how a social media policy is just one piece of the social media puzzle for employees. Below are 21 real-life social media policy examples from various industries. For each example, we’ll highlight what we like about the specific social media policy, as well as what we think could be improved. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Do I believe this post portrays myself in a positive light?

Make sure you keep up-to-date with changes and think about whether your company social media policy might need some revamping. Hootsuite Amplify is an employee advocacy tool that allows you to create a library of pre-approved brand content. Employees can customize the posts and share them with a couple of clicks. In the United States, company policies must also respect employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Stephanie is a creative director with extensive experience in marketing, content strategy and generative AI. She advises clients on all aspects of their digital and brand content – from high-impact campaigns and storytelling to AI-driven innovation.

Messages posted to this Facebook page do not necessarily represent the views of Des Moines Public Schools. Regardless of its size, every non-profit can benefit from having a structured approach to social media. Even small non-profits with limited resources rely on social media to build awareness, connect with donors, and promote their mission. Without clear guidelines, inconsistencies in messaging and branding can arise, leading to confusion among supporters and stakeholders. A social media policy for non-profits helps create a unified voice, ensuring that all communications align with the organisation’s goals and values. Use the tips and examples in this guide to inspire your social media style guide so it’s a living document, constantly growing and evolving.