Living in a condominium definitely has its perks (amenities, convenience, a sense of community, etc.) - but with it comes challenges, such as keeping residents informed and connected with their building management. Lately, with the rise of social media, condominium boards and property managers in Ontario are turning to platforms like Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with their residents. Like all things, there are pros and cons to using social media in a condo, and we’ll explore a handful of each in the post below.
Not sure if using social media is right for your condo community?
Before you work on introducing social media in your condo, why not check out the community’s interest first? Consider putting together a poll to ask residents if they’d follow your social media accounts, and if so, which platform(s) they recommend. Each building’s demographics and engagement level is different, so get to know yours better so you can create a communication strategy that works best for your condo community!
Now, let’s explore the pros and cons together if you’re considering using social media to communicate with your condo’s community!
But first, the Pros:
One of the main advantages of using social media in a condo is the increased communication it fosters. Social media allows for easy and fast exchange of information between residents and management. For example, if there is a power outage or a maintenance issue, management can quickly post an update on social media to keep residents informed. This can also help to reduce the number of phone calls and emails that management receives, freeing up their time to focus on other tasks.
Social media also allows for real-time updates. When unexpected events occur, like a water leak or a fire, management can quickly post updates on social media to keep residents informed. This can help to prevent confusion and ensure that residents have the information they need to stay safe.
Another benefit of using social media in a condo is that it can help to build a sense of community within the building. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter allow residents to connect with each other, share ideas, and participate in discussions about building issues or community events. This can help to foster a greater sense of community and make residents feel more invested in their building.
Using social media is also cost-effective. Compared to traditional communication methods (such as mailing out newsletters and flyers, or paying for building management software to e-blast information) using social media is typically less expensive. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller condominiums or those with limited budgets.
Finally, social media can increase transparency and accountability within the condo. By providing residents with a public platform to voice their concerns and hold management accountable for their actions, social media can promote transparency and help to build trust between management and residents.
Can't Forget the Cons:
While there are many benefits to using social media in a condo, there are also some drawbacks to consider. One of the main concerns with social media is privacy. There is always a risk that personal information could be shared or that there could be a risk of hacking or data breaches. Condominium boards and property managers need to ensure that they are taking appropriate measures to protect residents' privacy and security.
Another potential downside to using social media is the risk of misinformation. Social media can be a breeding ground for rumors, fake news, and misinformation. This can be particularly problematic if it leads to confusion or misunderstandings among residents, as correcting misconceptions is quite a challenging task.
Managing social media accounts can also be time-consuming. Condominium boards and property managers need to ensure that they have a dedicated staff member or team to monitor and respond to comments and inquiries. This can be the admin, property manager, board members, or a Communications Committee. Arranging something like this can be challenging, particularly for smaller condominiums or those with limited time and resources.
Using social media can also lead to negative feedback. While it is important for residents to have a platform to voice their concerns, there is always a risk that negative comments could harm the reputation of the condo or management. Condominium boards and property managers need to ensure that they are prepared to handle negative feedback and respond appropriately.
Finally, there may be accessibility issues with using social media. Not all residents may have access to social media (particularly older residents who may not be as familiar with technology), which could lead to an information gap between those who have access and those who do not. Having a plan for how to inform those who do not have access to social media (or choose not to use it) is crucial to ensuring that building communications are being shared with all residents in a fair and equitable manner.
In conclusion, using social media in a condo can have many benefits, including increased communication, improved community engagement, and cost-effectiveness. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider, including privacy concerns, the risk of misinformation, and accessibility issues.
Despite the drawbacks, social media can be a valuable tool for condominium boards and property managers to stay connected with their residents. By taking appropriate measures to address privacy and security concerns, responding to negative feedback in a professional and timely manner, and ensuring that all residents have access to important information, social media can help to build a stronger and more engaged community within the condominium.
If you are a resident of a condominium, consider following your building's social media accounts to stay informed about important updates and events. And, if you are a condominium board member or property manager, consider whether using social media as a way to improve communication and engagement with your residents is beneficial to your condo community.
We hope this post has given you some insight as to how you can use social media to build community and keep your condo more connected!
-Stratastic Inc.
P.S. Speaking of social media, are you following us on LinkedIn? Connect now and stay on top of more posts such as these!
Tags: condominiums, property management, board member, director, property manager, social media, communication, community, residents, engagement, transparency, accountability, privacy, security, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, misinformation, negative feedback, real-time updates, community building, online presence, technology, information sharing.