Dealer Social Media Policy

Dealer Internet Ups took the liberty to share David Johnson's Persuasive Concepts blog where he posted the following

Social Media Policy for Dealers

For the purposes of this policy, social media is defined as a term commonly given to websites, online tools and other interactive communication technologies which allow users to interact with each other in some way – by sharing information, opinions, knowledge and interests. A few common social platforms are, but aren't limited to, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Linkedin, YouTube, Hi5, FourSquare, Flickr, Digg, forums and wikis.

Besides the term social media, but used in the same context are the terms, web 2.0, social platforms, social marketing, social software, social computing and others. For convenience we will be using the term social media throughout this policy.

Guidelines for Interaction about the Dealership on the Internet

• If you are developing a website, writing a blog post, commenting on a blog, or interacting with social media in any way that mentions the dealership, which also includes our makes and/or models, employees, partners, customers, or competitors, identify that you are an employee of the dealership and that the views expressed on the blog, website, or other social platform are yours alone and do not represent the views of the dealership.
• Unless you are given explicit permission to do so, you cannot speak on the behalf of the dealership.
• With the ease of tracing authors back from their posts and the amount of information online, finding the actual identity of a poster from a few posts and a screen name is not impossible. This creates an avenue for outside parties to link your personal writings to those you've done in a professional capacity. Always write as if everyone knows you. Never write anything you wouldn't say out loud to all parties involved.
• If you are developing a website, blog or any other social platform that will mention the dealership, our makes and/or models, employees, partners, customers, or competitors, as a courtesy to the dealership, let your manager know that you are writing them and give them the specific URLS. Your management may choose to visit the URL from time to time in order to understand your point of view.
• Do NOT return fire. If a negative post or comments is found about yourself or the dealership, do not counter with another negative post. Instead, publicly offer to remedy the situation through positive action. Defer these types of commentary, if found, to your manager.
• Act with integrity at all times. What you say online is visible for the world to see. Integrity is the key to the ethical treatment of social media. Be honest, be open and keep in mind that whether or not you are clocked in, you are still representing the dealership.
• You may not share information that is confidential or proprietary in any way, shape or form. This includes sales forecasts, finances, bonus structures, pay plans, number of employees, units sold, upcoming promotions, or anything else that hasn't been publicly released by the company.
• The use of company logos, or the likeness thereof, must not be used without permission, in writing, from the dealership. This is to prevent the appearance that you are speaking for the dealership.
• Speak respectively, at all times, about the dealership, past and current employees, customers, partners, makes and/or models and competitors. Never engage in name calling or any other behavior that will reflect negatively on the dealerships reputation. Note that the use of copyrighted materials, unfounded or derogatory statements, or misrepresentation is not viewed favorably by the dealership and can result in disciplinary action up to and including employment termination.
• The dealership encourages you to write favorably, knowledgeably, accurately and with appropriate professionalism because, despite disclaimers, your web interaction can result with members of the public forming opinions of the dealership, makes and/or models, partners, employees, or customers.
• If you are asked to remove or edit any commentary, post, image or video you must do so as soon as possible.
  Legality
• Recognize that you are legally liable for anything you write or post online in any manner. Infractions of this social media agreement can result in disciplinary action, by the dealership, for commentary, content, videos, or images that are defamatory, harassing, pornographic, proprietary, libelous, or anything else that can lead to a hostile working environment. Keep in mind that you can be sued personally by company employees, competitors or any other individual who feels that your commentary, content, videos, or images are defamatory, harassing, pornographic, proprietary, and libelous or creates a hostile working environment.
  Media Contacts
• Media contacts about our dealership and our current makes and/or model, employees, partners, customers, and competitors should be referred for coordination and guidance to your manager or Human Resources department. This does not specifically include your opinions, writing, and interviews on topics aside from our company and our current and potential products, employees, partners, customers, and competitors.

By signing below you acknowledge that you have read and agree with the above social media policy.

Employee Signature: ________________________________ Date:_______________
Managers Signature: ________________________________ Date: _______________


Download from Persuasive Concepts here.