Top 3 Tips for On-Air Talent and Facebook Fan Pages

I recently interviewed 3 Anchor/Reporters to get their advice about Facebook best practices for on-air talent. Here are 3 of their top tips:

TIP 1: Set up Custom Sharing for Personal Pics

KPRC Morning Anchor, Lauren Freeman has a single Facebook Profile which she uses for personal and professional contacts. Lauren currently accepts all friend requests but says she uses Facebook’s Custom Privacy Settings to post personal pictures so that only family members can see them. Here’s how:

Before you post a status update, link or anything else, click the lock icon to choose who can see it.

Then, choose “Customize”. This will bring up a box where you can select which of your Friends you want to allow to see that post.

TIP 2: Leave the Lights On

WJXT Anchor, Staci Spanos is careful about what she posts to her Facebook accounts. But says it’s important to remember that viewers are expecting to get some personal connection to you through Facebook. So you can’t completely sanitize the experience. Here’s what she suggests:

1) Don’t post information about when you’re going out of town. Instead, wait until you’re back and post photos then.
2) Limit Photos of your kids. Un-tag any that appear on your page without your permission. But, consider posting a few family pictures because people will identify with you more.
3) Share personal experiences that others can relate to.

TIP 3: Pose Provocative Questions, Give Neutral Opinions

WTSP Anchor/Reporter Tammie Fields takes Facebook security seriously. Her approach to social media is calculated and effective. She’s careful not to post too much or too little. And is successful in using Facebook to engage with viewers. Here’s how:

1) Choose Controversial Topics: Post things you know people will have strong opinions about whether the story makes them mad or sad.
2) Post Talkers: Look for lighthearted human-interest stories to link to as well as cute or funny stories that will get people talking.
3) Give Neutral Feedback: Make a point of chiming-in with your viewers. But be careful to give the same type of neutral feedback you would give on air. Never weigh in on politics. Instead, post political stories and ask the readers – “what do you think?”
4) Join the Conversation: Your Fans want to interact with you. So it’s important that you participate in the dialogue on your page.

Do you have good advice for on-air journalists using Facebook? Tell me, Comment Here!