The 36 Rules of Social Media

Here is a compilation of the 36 Rules of Social Media from key social media gurus and marketers from all industries. It was put together by Fast Company and it illustrates some of the best practices to going about your social media strategy and execution. Even though some of these are not meant to be written in stone and you can break a few, we hope you find them as interesting as we did.

The 36 Rules of Social Media

1. 1. If all you do is respond to complaints, that’s all people will send you.
   2. Stop and Ask: Would and actual person talk that way?
   3. Everyone says they don’t want to be marketed to. Really, they just don’t want to be talked down to.
   4. The consumer is out for himself. Not for you.

1. 1. As monetization attempts to go up, consumer experience goes down.
   2. Don’t try to be clever. BE clever.
   3. Social is 24/7, not a one time stunt. (And it really IS 24/7)
   4. Always WRITE BACK. (This one is a must – but there are exceptions: See Applebee’s social media blunder)
   5. Have an ROI. Have an ROI. Have an ROI.
   6. People would rather talk to “Comcast Melissa” than “Comcast.” (So true!!! Had the pleasure of dealing with Comcast Melissa myself!! and she’s fantastic!))
   7. Solve problems for people who talk about you, even if they don’t address you. (Listen to the conversation and engage)
   8. Not everything will work and that’s fine.
   9. Embrace negative content about your brand.
   10. EVERYONE’S an influencer.
   11. If fans distribute your content without your permission, OFFER TO HELP. (Love this one!)
   12. It’s okay to drive people to your site instead of FACEBOOK’s.
   13. Update your page, or delete it.
   14. Don’t make people do x, y and z. Stick with X.
   15. Last year: Pump out content. This year: Optimize content. (May I add, or die.)

1. Become BFFs with your Facebook Reps.
2. Social Media doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Make traditional media and social media work together. (Please, integrate strategies!)
3. Desktop is conquered territory. Mobile is the battlefield. (Don’t forget tablets!)
4. If you don’t see financial results. You wasted your money. (Unless you want results overnight, then you need to check with a shrink as you may be delusional. I have never seen financial results of a marketing strategy happen overnight, unless it’s some kind of scheme.)
5. People fight for their privacy.
6. The only way to scale word of mouth: Paid Advertising.
7. Have a crisis plan. (Please, do!!!)
8. Don’t use ads to prop up boring content. Use ads to accelerate successful content.
9. Forget individuals. You’re creating content that encourages groups to form.
10. People don’t want to shop where they socialize.
11. Contests and sweepstakes are fine, if you want to encourage short relationships.
12. People care what you had for breakfast- if you are a food brand.
13. Pinterest WORKS.
14. Your fans OWN your brand.
15. If you’re bored by social media, it’s because you’re trying to get more value than you create.
16. Think past vanity metrics like followers.
17. It’s an organism not a process.

Maybe it bears repeating: Pinterest WORKS 😉