Using Social Media Effectively As An Accountant

Social media is an integral part of the modern digital business model. But for accounting and finance firms, finding an excuse to post online can be surprisingly tricky. Follow these tips to get the most out of your social media presence.

Complete All Profile Information

Too many businesses damage their social media presence by operating with an incomplete profile. From the cover photo to the profile description, every part of a professional social media page should be filled in as much as possible. If photo galleries are permitted, consider uploading an album of brand-related photos. That way, new clients will have something to browse when they visit the company page.

There’s nothing wrong with using the same profile description and photo on multiple platforms. Create a set of assets that work, and use them on every new social media page. Just remember to update small details as needed; a Facebook page shouldn’t mention the company’s Twitter handle. 

Develop a Social Media Policy

Every successful modern company has a social media policy or guidebook for employees to follow. This asset should include things like the tone of voice to be used, the types of permitted content, and the type of action to resolve a negative review left by a customer.

Social media policies should be reviewed and adjusted regularly. Internet culture moves quickly; consider a yearly or even quarterly policy review. Keep a log of policy changes to help establish a direction for the future.

Commit to a Posting Schedule

Online users appreciate regularity, especially when it comes to corporate accounts. The ideal posting schedule for a small business is once or twice a day and anywhere from three to six days a week. Time of day is also imperative; professional posts get more attention when posted after the workday begins and before the reader’s lunch break.

When creating a schedule, consider how much content you can generate and post. It’s better to post less often than to flood followers with useless content. Likewise, don’t be afraid to skip a post if there’s nothing to say.

The key to using social media effectively is to research and understand each platform. Twitter culture is very different from Facebook’s community focus. Spend a small amount of time thinking about social media each week, and the results will be noticeable.