Mercy Communications Café: 10 Tips for posting on Social Media from the Mercy Communications Café

One of the aspects of our new Mercy Communications Café is to be a digital hub or resource for those working in Mercy Communications.

As well as meeting together on Zoom to hear from guest speakers and to unpack common communication topics, we will also be offering tips, advice and best practice here from time to time.

We begin with 10 tips for those managing social media accounts in the Mercy World. You could think of it as a check list to have for when you are engaging online.

1.  Ponder before you post. Think before you share on Tik Tok or X. Think inspiration before sharing on Instagram.

2.  You are what you share – be careful how you represent yourself online as a Mercy organisation.

3.  Do not be someone who creates or spreads fake news – this includes fake virus warnings, fake hacking claims etc

4.  Share without expectations of ReShares or Likes. Don’t be tempted to spam or overshare. It takes time to build your community and less is always more.

5.  Give guidelines, training and support to those managing your accounts.

6.  Share digital smiles, engage calmly and respectfully.

7.  Examine all aspects of a photograph before hitting share. Be aware of safeguarding policies on sharing images of children on a parish social media account.

8.  Check Spelling and Grammar and DO NOT WRITE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE THAT TRANSLATES ONLINE AS SHOUTING!

9.  Don’t add people to groups or discussions on social without their permission.

10.  Use tagging and hashtags #wisely and #sparingly and don’t tweet all at once – schedule or space your posts over the day/week.

Ends

The Mercy Communications Cáfe will meet online shortly to look at the topics of Social Media as well as Artificial Intelligence. Dates will be confirmed shortly in April, June, September and November.

If you would like to be added to our email list for the Mercy Communications Café please let us know. If you would like to suggest a speaker or a topic you can also do so by email. Finally, if you would like to share some tips or best practice in our Communications Café please get in touch. Email: brendadrumm@mercyinternational.ie.