Are you using the latest social media channels to their full advantage? When done well, social media can be a boon to your agency, but it can also detract from your success if mismanaged. If your agency has never taken your social media strategy seriously, the New Year is the perfect time to start! Here are some tips to help you post smarter:

Think before you post: Something that’s seems totally harmless to you can sometimes be taken the wrong way by your audience. Before you share something, it’s important to consider what’s going on in the world and whether or not your followers might become offended. For instance, the cooking site Epicurious thought they would try to reach out to the Boston Marathon bombing victims by promoting their recipes. This insensitive tweet probably seemed like a good idea at the time, which is why you should get a second opinion if you’re not sure. It was a simple mistake, but an error like this can damage your brand and make you seem out of touch.

Keep an eye out: Even though it may not seem like an issue of National Security, it’s important to keep an eye out for who has access to your passwords. Designate a few employees to manage your social media accounts and keep your accounts password-protected. It only takes a few rogue tweets to throw off your entire social media strategy; just ask the Red Cross.

Consider the timing: Do some research to figure out the best time to post for your industry and target audience. For the majority of industries, your best bet is Monday through Friday at some point between 10AM and 4PM, but it can vary depending on who you’re trying to reach.

Mind Your Grammar: We’re not trying to sound like your fifth-grade English teacher, but these things really matter. Take a second to proofread each post for spelling and grammar errors, because who can take a Facebook page full of mistakes seriously?

Mix it up: Your Facebook or Twitter followers probably don’t want to see two posts a day about the advantages of buying collision insurance. Try your best to vary the things you post about; posting things like recipes, funny videos, and pictures of things happening at your agency can do a lot to draw people into your agency’s brand. Above all, post things that you think would appeal to your followers.

Armed with these tips, you’re prepared to help your agency build a social media empire!