26 Tips for Managing a Social Media Community
Do you wonder how to go about exercising good social etiquette and managing your social networking communities, all at the same time?
Social media community management has expanded into a growing field and there’s a lot to think about.
In this post, I’ll cover 26 tips, an A-Z guide, on ways to manage your company‘s presence.
#1: Answer Questions
With more and more of your customers participating on social networking platforms, businesses need to be doing much more than posting their own updates. Companies must also be willing to answer questions.
A recent survey organized by InSites Consulting found that eight out of ten American companies answer client questions and complaints via social media. The survey shows that US companies are very successful in answering questions via social media: “83 percent of companies indicate they always deal with questions or complaints sent to them via social media. Still, only 54 percent of the companies in this survey also talk to and actively participate in online conversations with consumers.”
What about your business? Are you answering or avoiding questions? 
How to Grow and Manage an Engaged Online Community
Do you wear many hats at your place of business?
Do some of them have to do with reaching out to and interacting with your social media fans and blog readers?
If so, then you’re officially or unofficially performing the role of an online community manager.
If you’re doing it right, then it’s probably one of the most enjoyable jobs ever. You get to network with interesting people, make new friends, offer guidance, answer questions and so on.
But it’s not all sunshine and roses. At times you’re required to set and enforce the rules, issue warnings, deal with negative people and even ban members (when things get out of hand!).
In her book, Online Community Management for Dummies, Deb Ng shares her own extensive experience on how the different roles of a community manager work—especially as a customer advocate and brand loyalist.
Here’s what you need to know about the book.
13 Tools to Simplify Your Social Media Marketing
Are you looking for tools to simplify your social media activities?
Many businesses feel overwhelmed when implementing their social media marketing.
Sometimes the solution is to focus on the right social media tools for your business.
We asked social media experts for their most valuable tool for small businesses using social media. Here are 13 tools to help you execute your social media strategy effectively.
#1: Crowdbooster
Amy Porterfield @amyporterfield
Crowdbooster is my tool of choice to manage social media activities on Facebook and Twitter.
This tool does many things to help me save time and streamline activities.
For example, it auto-posts on both my Facebook page and Twitter, tracks my new fans and followers, and gives me stats on how many times my content has been shared and retweeted.
7 Tips for Dealing With Upset Facebook Fans
What do you do when you’ve just received a less-than-complimentary Facebook wall post from someone who likes your business (or used to, so it seems)?
The customer could have a simple complaint, or be so upset he’s gone on the offensive, making sure you and the rest of your community knows he’s angry.
Your next steps are key to retaining not only the business of the angry customer, but the business of other fans who like your page as well.
4 Tips for Effective Facebook Community Management
Do you manage a Facebook page?
Are you looking for an easier way to manage your tasks?
In this article I’ll share four tips that will increase your value to your community.
About Community Managers
The role of community manager has been around much longer than Facebook. In fact, I like to think of the community manager as a modern-day Andy Griffith. You help people out, give advice, get to know the neighbors and occasionally keep the peace and lay down the law. The analogy isn’t perfect, but you get the idea.
You may start out as the sole admin on your Facebook page, but as your business and Facebook presence grow, you may need help (after all, Facebook is open 24-7). You may want to hire a community manager to facilitate the discussions, postings and moderation.
3 Tips for Managing a Social Media Community
Are you trying to build a community for your company or brand? Are you looking to go beyond just big numbers of Facebook fans or Twitter followers?
This article reveals three important tips you need to know to help build and manage communities.
What Is Community Management?
Previously I wrote examined the different roles for those who work with social media in business. Among the many roles, the community manager is by far the most important because he or she is on the front lines of communication. Here’s how I define community manager:
