Brands and companies have been told for years that social media is where they need to be and where customers want to engage with them. Social media forms a spoke in the wheel of any good PR program. However, all the negative news and security concerns make it easy to think about logging off for good. 

Our take: it’s still crucial for brands to be on social media, but they must ensure safeguards and best practices are in place.

Here are four crucial considerations for brands and companies to make the most of social media. 

1. If You’re on TikTok Don’t Just Leave: If you are a brand using TikTok, you aren’t alone – even global brands like Nike have a strong presence. Chances are you’ve built a collection of followers who like hearing from you on the forum. TikTok hasn’t been banned yet and the company has assured Congress it isn’t sharing data with China. It’s best to follow the news, keep your eyes open and track developments. There might come a time when the app is banned in the U.S. or other risks come to light. If it’s been a success, keep going but stay alert.
2. Enlist Expertise: The best way to maximize the upsides of social media while minimizing risks is to enlist help (MGP has helped many clients across industries navigate social media and create social media content). A good social media representative or PR firm will be up to date on best practices like security and follow every development so companies can make the most of social media while protecting their data.
3. Listen to Customer Feedback: A huge upside of social media is that it lets companies tell their stories, talk directly to customers or even sell goods via conversation. Listen to those customers and pay attention to their social media habits. If they are reluctant to use something, it’s worth considering. Most customers – especially young people – have shown zero willingness to let go of TikTok. Some politicians might simply be trying to score easy points off the news. 
4. Prioritize Safety: If customers trust you or your PR firm to handle their data or allow you some access into their life via a follow or a like, honor that privilege. It’s not just social media companies on the hook for data privacy and security – it’s you and your PR firm. Do everything you can to keep customer data secure and your customers/followers apprised of what you do to ensure safety on social channels.

Social media isn’t even two decades old yet. There will undoubtedly be more transitions in the landscape and new platforms launched that also come with new risks. Be nimble and stay alert and you can use these platforms to tell your story and talk to customers while minimizing risks.

Looking for a PR agency that intimately understands social media and can help you tell your story on these platforms and elsewhere? MGP is a San Francisco-based PR agency specializing in emerging tech for startups and scale-ups. Contact us at hello@wearemgp.com.

Brands and companies have been told for years that social media is where they need to be and where customers want to engage with them. Social media forms a spoke in the wheel of any good PR program. However, all the negative news and security concerns make it easy to think about logging off for good. 

Our take: it’s still crucial for brands to be on social media, but they must ensure safeguards and best practices are in place.

Here are four crucial considerations for brands and companies to make the most of social media. 

1. If You’re on TikTok Don’t Just Leave: If you are a brand using TikTok, you aren’t alone – even global brands like Nike have a strong presence. Chances are you’ve built a collection of followers who like hearing from you on the forum. TikTok hasn’t been banned yet and the company has assured Congress it isn’t sharing data with China. It’s best to follow the news, keep your eyes open and track developments. There might come a time when the app is banned in the U.S. or other risks come to light. If it’s been a success, keep going but stay alert.
2. Enlist Expertise: The best way to maximize the upsides of social media while minimizing risks is to enlist help (MGP has helped many clients across industries navigate social media and create social media content). A good social media representative or PR firm will be up to date on best practices like security and follow every development so companies can make the most of social media while protecting their data.
3. Listen to Customer Feedback: A huge upside of social media is that it lets companies tell their stories, talk directly to customers or even sell goods via conversation. Listen to those customers and pay attention to their social media habits. If they are reluctant to use something, it’s worth considering. Most customers – especially young people – have shown zero willingness to let go of TikTok. Some politicians might simply be trying to score easy points off the news. 
4. Prioritize Safety: If customers trust you or your PR firm to handle their data or allow you some access into their life via a follow or a like, honor that privilege. It’s not just social media companies on the hook for data privacy and security – it’s you and your PR firm. Do everything you can to keep customer data secure and your customers/followers apprised of what you do to ensure safety on social channels.

Social media isn’t even two decades old yet. There will undoubtedly be more transitions in the landscape and new platforms launched that also come with new risks. Be nimble and stay alert and you can use these platforms to tell your story and talk to customers while minimizing risks.

Looking for a PR agency that intimately understands social media and can help you tell your story on these platforms and elsewhere? MGP is a San Francisco-based PR agency specializing in emerging tech for startups and scale-ups. Contact us at hello@wearemgp.com.