Lately, I have been hearing a lot of people tell me they don't want to connect to their employees on FaceBook, or the employees say they wil not connect with their managers. Let me set the record straight, You MUST connect to your employees on FaceBook. Why? Because the reputation of your Spa is at risk. What you don't see posted on FaceBook could reduce your revenue immediately.
Are you o.k. with your employee posting "Massaging a whale for 90 minutes." How about, "Training = nap time!" Yes, your staff may be saying something worse, that could ruin your company. Is the answer to ban FaceBook? No!!! We want your staff on FaceBook, building out a list of potential clients and communicating positive status updates with their friends.
Protect your business, connect to your co-workers and employees today!
About the Author: Jamie Ginsberg
Jamie Ginsberg is a social media strategist working in and with technology since 1994. In his current role at clevelandgroove.com, Jamie develops and implements social media strategies for businesses with a focus on viral video. He assists businesses by creating an effective social media strategy that enables companies to fully utilize their employees and business intelligence to protect their brand name and increase their presence in the social web. Jamie's expertise is a rare blend of business, legal and technology. Jamie has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from The University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from The Cleveland-Marshall School of Law. Link to Jamie at www.linkedin.com/in/jamieginsberg and follow him at twitter.com/sonicallstar.
Comments
Cara - Make it part of your policy!!! This is not an option, this is job security. Tie a bonus into your compensation plan for social engagement.
Michael - You were right 4 years ago. Today your rules need to be:
1) List your employer and promote your company business Page - Share the Page and Suggest To Friends. Share the occasional Post by the Page.
2) Post about work somewhere between once a week and once a month, but educate - don't sell.
3) Add every client as a friend on FaceBook - if you don't your competition is and they are educating your clients and winning them over.
This world is built on transparency. Be honest and remind people that you bring skills and talents to the table!!!
If I add them as "friends" they may not click to confirm. Even when I asked them to "like" the spa on FB, not all of them obliged. Sigh. But I'll see if they want to connect.
As a Massage Therapist employed by the same day spa for the past 5 years, I guess I'm lucky to have the spa owner's trust in my maturity and professionalism not to feel the need to monitor my Facebook.
It probably helps that I've made a couple of rules for myself - 1) I don't list my employer on my personal Facebook page. I don't even list that I'm a Massage Therapist. 2) Don't post anything about work. ever. EVER. I don't post if I had a bad day, I don't post if a celebrity came in, etc. I've had clients try to add me as friends on Facebook, and have gently explained to them that I keep my work life & my personal life separate, and they all seem to understand. Too bad not all therapists can be so professional.
Jamie - tying social media bonuses into the compensation is a great idea. You need to do a workshop on that.