Today, in the 21^st century, it is essential for business professionals to understand the realms of the social media world. Through social media outlets, businesses are able to reach their audience 24/7, 365 days out of the year.  With this consistent and immediate presence, it is vital for businesses to understand digital communications in order to successfully run their companies.

The first order of business is to focus on the company’s website. The website is the cornerstone of digital communications as it provides all the information about the company. From history of the business to the products or services it provides, the website is where customers come to find all the information. Since the website is so important, it needs to be easy to operate because customers will not have the patience to figure out how to maneuver a website. Therefore, make sure the company’s website is clear and direct to ensure that no customers are lost because of confusion.

Once the website is brought up to par, the next step for a company to effectively maneuver the digital communications world is to focus on the email. Email is by far the most powerful tool a company could use because not only is it a direct way to communicate, but also the company can control the message. Be mindful and look up the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 for rules and regulations about emails to guarantee the company complies with the policies.

Once the company’s website and email have been tailored, the company can then focus on its social media presence. Social media is powerful because it is personal. It is a way for a company to appear more human-like and allows them to connect with its customer. The key thing to remember with social media is consistency. Because social media “never goes dark,” it is important that a company always has a presence. With that being said, be consistent but don’t be overwhelming, be conversational but don’t be offensive, and be quick with posts but don’t make mistakes. Some quick tips: Facebook updates should be between 2-4 sentences. Twitter requires the user to be quick, which means tweets can be staccato. Get the audience’s attention!

Mastering digital communications, especially social media, can change a business. Nowadays, it is crucial for business professional to know how to properly navigate the social media world. These tips and guidelines are a great foundation to start on, but it is crucial that a company stays update in order to stay ahead.