Clarity over control in action: The Red Cross Social Media Handbook

The Red Cross Social Media Handbook (below) is an EXCELLENT slidedeck that the Red Cross uses to educate their stakeholders about their social media policy. It’s long but worth looking though carefully.

It goes through twelve steps:

1. get social media savvy
2. learn our philosophy
3. listen
4. engage with National
5. learn from existing chapter social media
6. evaluate organizational goals
7. create your own social media strategy
8. choose your tools [plus specific advice for blogs, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter
9. tell us what you’re up to
10. implement your plan
11. measure your successes and challenges
12. send your links and measurement data

This is a PERFECT example of clarity over control. It explains the Red Cross’s social media philosophy (which is of course aligned with its organizational philosophy and mission). It provides links to policies and guidelines, explains where to find the sites which represent the national homebases, explains how to engage with the national organization not only through its social media sites but how to directly sign up for updates on the social stuff happening around the org. It points to existing chapter activity from which newbies can learn by example. It helps you (as a chapter or volunteer group) start your own social stuff, with advice on tools followed by how to stay connected to the national by letting them know what you’re doing and how you’re progressing.

Truly, truly awesome. Are you doing anything like this at your association or nonprofit to train your staff and volunteers about your social media guidelines? Have any good examples to share? Let us know and we’ll post ‘em here on SocialFishing.

Tagged as: clarity over control, Red Cross, social media policies