EDI Tech Corner: 3 Tips to Help Chief Diversity Officers Implement Their Social Media Vision

by Kindra Cotton | September 2, 2015 10:00 AM

Last week, Dr. Green shared her story of social media success as a Chief Diversity Officer (CDOs) at Ryerson University, and today, I’ll share 3 tips to help CDOs implement their social media vision:

Always Have a Plan: Most CDOs are in their position because they’re leaders in their field. It took planning to complete your education and accomplish your career goals. It takes planning and action to implement your vision for inclusion at your respective organization. Embarking on a Social Media Marketing Initiative is no different. There has to be a plan in place. Knowing the networks and how to use them are key to achieving your Social Media Marketing goals and promoting your messages of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the digital social space. (Learn more on The Social Media Planning Process)
Trust the Process and the Plan: Along the way, especially when you’re first getting started, you may be tempted to deviate from your Social Media Marketing Plan. While they’ll always be some tweaks and revisions to your plans, it’s very important to trust the process and know that your planned effort will work out a lot better than simply posting haphazard messages on social platforms without direction. When in doubt about making a major revision to your Social Media Marketing Plan, revisit your overall marketing goals and ensure that your new changes are aligned with your long-term goals and maximizes how your respective social outlet works.
Be Cautious Optimistic: There’s a lot of trepidation about engaging in social media from C-level executives. Unfortunately, in today’s world, having a social presence for those that operate in the social justice realm and how to change hearts and minds to bring about a more inclusive society. I would advise a Chief Diversity Officer on the cusp of their initiative to be cautiously optimistic about the potential of social media and the benefits of adding their voice to the digital EDI conversation already taking place. As long as you conduct yourself with the same professionalism and prudence that you would in the office or boardroom, you should be fine!

The social media landscape is constantly changing with new innovations bringing about the chance to better connect with your audience. Next week, I’ll discuss the 3 Things I Wish Every CDO Knew About Social Media before starting a social media initiative, which will hopefully help inform those still in the planning stages of fulfilling their social vision. Another great helpful resource is our chapter “Leveraging New Media as Social Capital for Diversity Officers: A How-To Guide for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Professionals Seeking to Use Social Media to Carve a Niche in the Social Networking Space”: http://bit.ly/1ufDn9N

My question:

What's stopping you from using the web to promote messages of equity, diversity, and inclusion?

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