By Ann Chen

With the growth of so many social media networks, it’s easy for companies to be unsure about which channels to use and which to ignore as fads. LinkedIn is dwarfed by its larger counterparts, Twitter and Facebook; however, it merits an exploration by community banks because of its particular draw as a professional social network.

The evolution of contacting your members of Congress has changed with the times. From snail mail to faxing to emailing to tweeting, there are a multitude of channels that get the message across in different ways. In the case of tweeting, you can cut through the clutter. It’s instantaneous and ubiquitous: 80 percent of congressional members have a social media account, according to Pew Research.

By Ann Chen

Community banking’s largest gathering can be a lot to take in. Luckily, social media is a great way to help keep us all connected. Consider these five benefits:

1. Be everywhere at once. Social media is known for its instantaneous sharing abilities; this complements the multiple happenings at a big convention. Plug in and experience the 2013 ICBA National Convention and Techworld in a whole new way: Click here to find out about social media happenings at the convention.

It’s going to happen. If your community bank engages in social media, eventually someone will post a negative comment or criticism. Knowing how best to respond isn’t always clear. But if it happens, your community bank can fall back on some general guidelines to determine the best course of action.

The short and concise manner of a tweet—140 characters of less—can either be the bane of your Twitter existence or a creative breath of fresh air. For those who are new to Twitter, there are several nuances and shortcuts that frequent users like to employ to fit their tweets into the limited space.