For any UK business (from a new consultant to a large enterprise) and marketing teams, maintaining a professional and effective social media presence is crucial for building your brand reputation. Follow these 24 ‘Do’s’ and ‘Dont’s’ of social media marketing best practices in 2027.
Social Media Do’s
Be respectful - Treat others as you would want to be treated, even when you disagree or are dealing with negative feedback.
Engage with others - Respond to comments and messages, and participate in relevant industry conversations to position your organisation as a thought leader and an accessible brand.
Use privacy settings - Customise your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and information. Ensure these settings align with your GDPR and data protection policies regarding customer information and business confidentiality.
Think before you post - Consider the potential legal, reputational, or commercial impact of your words and images before sharing them.
Be mindful of your audience - Tailor your content to the specific platform and audience you are targeting.
Post regularly - Maintain a consistent presence on your chosen platforms to keep your audience engaged and remain visible in crowded social media feeds.
Fact-check - Ensure that the information (every statistic, claim, or news item) you share is accurate and reliable.
Use visuals - Incorporate images and videos to make your posts more engaging.
Share important announcements - Use social media to share significant updates and news related to your brand or organisation.
Be authentic - Let your personality and values show in your content and be genuine in your interactions.
Stay safe - Be aware of potential dangers like cyberbullying, phishing, and inappropriate content, especially when received through direct messages.
Know how to report and block - Familiarise yourself with the reporting and blocking features of each platform.
Social Media Don’ts
Oversharing - You can still be vulnerable and share your story without the drama and divulging too much information, especially if it isn’t relevant to your business or organisation.
Hard selling and over-promoting your goods or services - Follow the 80/20 rule whereby you share content that is 80% educational or entertaining, and 20% is promotional.
Sharing personal information - Avoid sharing sensitive details like your address, phone number, or financial information.
Engaging in negativity - Refrain from replying to negative posts or comments with hostility.
Cyberbullying or harassing others - Treat everyone with respect and avoid joining in harmful behaviour.
Sharing without consent - Always get permission before posting images or videos of other people, especially vulnerable adults and young people, and children.
Spreading misinformation - Verify information by checking if the source is reliable before sharing it to avoid spreading false or misleading content.
Ask for help - If you see something on social media that makes you uncomfortable, talk to your internal team for advice.
Comparing yourself to others - Focus on your own journey and avoid getting caught up in comparing yourself to others in business.
Posting anything you wouldn't want made public - Assume that anything you post online could be seen by anyone, including your boss, colleagues, or family.
Forgetting to log out - Always log out of your social media accounts when you are finished using them, especially on public computers.
Afraid to disconnect - It's important to take breaks from social media to avoid addiction and burnout.
For businesses and large organisations, successful social media marketing in 2025 depends on a commitment to strategic content quality and diligent professional conduct.
Key Takeaways
The main focus for UK businesses and marketing teams must be on building brand reputation through authentic engagement and reliable content.
Strategic Content - Consistently post engaging visuals and fact-checked information, tailoring the content to the specific platform and audience. To maintain credibility and avoid over-promotion, adhere to the 80/20 rule, where 80% of content is educational or entertaining, and only 20% is promotional.
Professional Conduct and Safety - Treat everyone with respect, whether dealing with a positive comment or negative feedback. Always think before you post to consider the potential legal, reputational, or commercial impact.
Compliance and Consent - Ensure strict adherence to GDPR and data protection policies by customising privacy settings and safeguarding all customer and business confidential information. It is mandatory to obtain permission before sharing any images or videos of other people, especially vulnerable adults, young people, and children.
Avoid Negativity and Oversharing - Refrain from engaging in hostile replies, cyberbullying, or divulging sensitive personal or irrelevant business details.
Focus Inward - Avoid comparing your business journey to others, and instead concentrate on your own brand's path.
Maintain Safe Digital Presence - Always assume that anything posted online could be made public and seen by colleagues or family. Crucially, always log out of accounts, especially on public computers, and remember to disconnect and take breaks to avoid addiction and burnout. If anything on social media makes you uncomfortable, ask your internal team for advice and help.
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