Lainey Te Whatu from Rocket Fuel Design recommends adjusting your settings when you load your post through Meta Business Suite – to target a select location – only the people in the area you have selected will see your post in their news feed. 

“I’ve found it can be effective to geotarget the audience in certain posts such as a competitions to be shown only to people in New Zealand. This can greatly limit the risk of attracting unwanted attention.”

With geo-targeting on our PN Personnel Easter promotion and close monitoring of the post and comments we avoided any further unwanted attention.

Competition tips:

If you are running a competition or asking your audience to engage with you, Lainey has some tips on how you can best set up your post:

• Clear communications – if you are running a competition, be clear about how to enter, and how the winner will be contacted. Let them know they will never be asked to click a link as part of their entry.
• Consider the #hashtags you use. You may not want to include hashtags along the lines of #competition #giveaway

Real or fake?

 Whilst some scammers are hard to define, Lainey says reviewing the profile of an individual or business may provide the clues to identify if it is real or fake.

“Often fake accounts are quickly and clumsily thrown together, a quick check and scroll of their profile will reveal they are not who they claim to be.” Lainey says.

What about those random links sent to you?

Lainey says scammers will also use an air of urgency to encourage you to take immediate action. 

“Take your time to investigate the legitimacy of a request, message, email or link. If you are suspicious, take the time to contact the sender/business on a different platform (text/email/call) to verify before clicking or responding.

Take action to report and Block fake accounts

If you spot any suspicious behaviour on any of your socials take action immediately:

Facebook

• To report a profile or a page click the dots …beside the cover photo or post and you can report it.
• To report a comment click on the three dots next to it to delete, report or hide.

LinkedIn

• It’s a similar process on LinkedIn click the three dots in the top right hand corner to report a post.
• To report a page find the company page or profile then from the home tab, click the “More” button. Click the report abuse flag and select your reason to submit.

Instagram

• Report from either the post of the profile. Click the three dots at the top of a profile or post, and this will give you the option to Report!
• Swipe left on a comment to report or delete.

Social media will continue to develop, as will the nature of scammers and imposters. Continued vigilance in monitoring and management are essential to protecting your socials and your business brand.

If you would like assistance to set up and manage your socials or to develop your social media strategy get in touch with Lainey at Rocket Fuel Design.