Social Media Referee

I have been visiting several social media pages and accounts lately belonging to teams and other sports organizations. Expecting to see a professionally created page, I was surprised to find accounts worthy of my teenage MySpace account. As I am learning about proper social media etiquette, editing and content, I find it necessary to share a few rules that my professor (my own "social media referee) has taught me that hopefully some of these page administrators will come across...

1. Use your official logo for all profile pictures. This will help visitors know that this is the official account and will associate the team with the logo and accounts.

2. Update often and consistently. You don't necessarily have to update your Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, blog, YouTube, etc. several times a day every day, but make sure that you are consistent.

3. Make sure that whatever message you are posting sounds like it is coming from the same person. This will help create your brand identity and personality through social media.

4. Don't post something that someone could easily find on the Internet. Statistics get really old really quickly, so don't post boring numbers that anyone could look up if they actually wanted to read about it. Create content that generates conversation, not just facts that no one would want to share.

5. Respond! Respond! Respond! The goal of any social media administrator is to generate engagement amongst their social community. If they do engage by commenting on what you or someone else has shared, respond to them with a message that will further the conversation.

For a great example of a sports brand doing social correctly with few whistles blown at them by social refs, I recommend checking out Nike's social media accounts.