These days, the majority of businesses and corporations have a presence on social media. Should your HOA be one of them? Before making a decision about your Association’s official social media activity, take just a moment to weigh the pros and cons.
The Advantages of Being on Social Media
We’ll start with some of the perks:
- It offers rapid communication. You don’t have to settle for the delays of printed newsletters! If you need to quickly get the word out to owners, about something like a pool closing or construction delay, social media will let you do it.
- It can save you money. If you use social media in place of a newsletter, you can avoid some of the costs associated with printing and design.
- It’s easy to correct mistakes. With a Facebook post, you can always make corrections or offer updates if needed.
- It allows you to listen. More than anything else, social media will let you enjoy real dialogue with homeowners, allowing them to weigh in, share concerns, or ask direct questions to the HOA Board. For facilitating community, this can be invaluable.
The Drawbacks of Being on Social Media
With those pros noted, there are also a few cons we need to mention:
- You’ll get some complaints. Honestly, some people just like to vent, and by starting a social media account, you’re giving them a venue to do so.
- It can be negative. Social media can be a great tool for fostering community, but you’ll need to be careful not to turn it into a lot of finger-pointing or rules enforcement. Social media works best when it’s positive.
- You have to be consistent. If you’re not willing to update on a routine basis, it’s probably best not to start a social media presence at all.
- There may be legal liability issues. Certain types of communication will still need to be handled directly, such as in letters to homeowners. Make sure you speak with your HOA attorney about this.
Overall, we think there’s real merit to a strategic social media presence, just so long as you’re mindful of the risks. Certainly, anything you do to promote communication within your HOA is laudable. To learn more about the best ways of communicating with homeowners, reach out to the team at Kuester Management Group today.
