There are many benefits to using social media. Alongside other communications it helps Saros to communicate with its members and the general public; to inform them of current paid market research projects that they can apply to take part in; to inform them of any changes and improvements we are making to our systems and processes; and to interact with them and answer their questions. This document describes how and why Saros uses social media.

1. Objectives

Raise member and public awareness of upcoming market research projects, providing an outline of the subject and type of people who may be interested and fit the profiles needed.

Extend reach of existing email invitations sent to members by building relationships with relevant audiences.

Provide additional channels for our members and those interested in becoming members or taking part in market research projects to interact with Saros, provide feedback and seek help.

Leverage existing Saros web content such as news releases, blog posts and articles, encouraging traffic to www.sarosresearch.com or other Saros maintained social media channels.

Act as a communication channel to use if other channels become unavailable, and as a medium for crisis communications.

2. Content principles

Social media posts will be straightforward, using accessible language suitable for the audience of the channel and, in the case of projects, the target participants.

Language will be informal in tone but reflect the Saros’ commitment to providing accurate and sufficient information to enable audiences to decide if they wish to participate in any research that is posted about.

In keeping with the knowledge-sharing culture of social media, Saros will pursue opportunities to signpost relevant content elsewhere.

Where possible and appropriate, Saros will post media such as photos or videos.

 

3. Impartiality

Depending on the platform, Saros may connect with or follow other professionally relevant parties via social networks. This should not be viewed as an endorsement of any kind – political, commercial, or otherwise.

For purposes of engagement, openness and sharing relevant information, Saros may repost the communications of other parties. This should not be viewed as an endorsement of the other party.

When posting messages to microblogging sites such as Twitter, Saros may use hashtags (#) to improve search visibility. These hashtags should be viewed in context of the message and wider discussion and are not an endorsement of any persons, products or services mentioned therein.

4. Engaging and responding

Saros will try to respond to all comments posted on its various social media platforms within 24 hours. However, this cannot be guaranteed or be considered as a set timeframe. Social media accounts are monitored during weekday office hours. Saros cannot ensure comments will be viewed during evenings, weekends or during public holidays.

 

5. Operation of social media accounts

The views expressed by Saros staff members on personal social media accounts should not be interpreted as those of Saros Research Ltd.

Saros asks its staff to be mindful when using social media, particularly when commenting on contentious issues, and reminds all staff of its code of conduct.

6. Social media platforms and resources

The following is a list of the social media platforms in use by Saros:

https://twitter.com/Sarosresearch

https://twitter.com/UKPaidResearch

http://www.facebook.com/SarosResearch/

https://www.instagram.com/saros_research/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/saros-research-ltd

We use Buffer to more effectively manage our social media posting.

The lists in this section are not exhaustive and are subject to change.

June 2020 KJB