If you think that your agents’ merely knowing the difference between a tweet, a pin and a post is enough, consider these stats:

These platforms just scratch the social media surface. Clearly, social media is a fertile field of opportunity for marketing your agency and keeping clients engaged. Using it wisely and properly, however, is crucial.

If your agents could use a little social media how-to education, encourage them to take advantage of webinars, courses, written materials and online tutorials. And whenever they are ready to enter the social media world, insist that your agents always follow these rules:

  1. Know and respect your audience.

  2. Think twice - no, make that 10 times, or maybe 20 - before posting once.

  3. Make sure that posts align with the company’s culture, image, and goals - both in content and style.

  4. Have a sense of humor - but never let it trump common sense.

  5. Respond promptly with personalized feedback whenever possible.

  6. Use good grammar and spelling.

  7. Start conversations and deliver value; don’t just advertise.

  8. Manage social media time wisely. Don’t engage on new sites if you don’t have time for careful monitoring and upkeep.

What recommendations would you add to this list? While you think about it, here’s a little “extra” for those who’d like to learn about some basic social media mistakes to avoid and cringe (or laugh) at some recent business social media blunders.