This week we announced the launch of Meltwater Buzz Engage ; a new module in the Meltwater Buzz product suite that makes social conversations actionable and measurable (read more on our Corporate Blog).

How is this news relevant to you? I wanted to broaden and apply the news about our new product module – the concept of social media engagement – to your work.

Most of us engage with social media daily. Social media can sometimes be thought of as a distraction in the workplace, causing low productivity – as is discussed in this blog post: “Low productivity: Social networks or irresponsible employees .” However, the fact is that it’s highly likely that you “grew up” using the Internet, and you regularly read and share information via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, etc. And you probably do this all day long.

Since it’s natural for you to use social media, it’s probably natural for you to incorporate your work into your engagement (especially if you’re in sales, marketing, or PR). The role of the social media marketer (aka Community Manager, Social Media Manager, Communications Manager, the list goes on) is inherent in many roles, regardless of title or job function. Everyone in a company can engage in social media in appropriate and effective ways, from the CEO on down to sales, HR, recruiting, the list goes on.

This post, “Did You Know it’s Community Manager Appreciation Day?“, provides insight into key traits and responsibilities of a Community Manager. The article highlights how the Community Manager can wear many hats: the brand ambassador, the brand monitor, the brand communicator.  Yet these hats aren’t exclusive to this role: you are definitely a brand ambassador and brand communicator if you work in sales; you’re on the frontlines, introducing the company and its products to potential customers. If you work in HR, you’re likely to be filling all three roles; representing your brand to the public, your own employees and to potential hires.

Whether you’re in an executive role, in sales, marketing, finance or human resources, you can engage in social media effectively to represent your brand, share knowledge, and learn (all words for being engaged). Of course, before you “professionally engage” in social media, there are some key things to keep in mind.  You have to know your audiences and its best to participate in your relevant social communities across multiple channels.  It’s important to be transparent when you’re online representing your brand in any way: state who you are and your affiliation with your brand immediately in the beginning of your blog comments and in your social profile.

In summary, if you work for a company or organization and you engage online, your social media activity is inherently a community management role (regardless of title and function) and in order to be successful, the way you engage must be based on basic business principles. Consider yourself in an active leadership function: you represent your department or brand in one way or another. Use your strategic expertise, social expertise and project management expertise to engage in your relevant communities and the result can be rewarding.

For some more tips and resources, check out:

Tips for getting your brand started

http://blog.meltwater.com/social-media-101-dos-and-donts-for-getting-your-brand-started

Meltwater’s employee social media guidelines (basically, just use common sense!)

http://www.youtube.com/user/MeltwaterGroup#p/c/A34B13A62E4711BE/0/sSANl1B3dpw