What GDPR Means for Marketers: A #BufferChat Recap

A1) Yes that’s all I’ve been hearing since awhile now? It’s still unclear and I feel organizations should conduct a proper session to educate everyone about what it is rather than send 20 page particles written in legal language! #bufferchat pic.twitter.com/Qx5fR6g46H

— Michelle Francis (ACIM) (@mich_fds) May 9, 2018

A1: I heard about it a few months ago and I thought it might be a good step toward regulating the internet just a tad more. As a marketer, it’s a little scary. But as a consumer, it’s something I know is needed. #bufferchat https://t.co/dOQADtaGlr

— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) May 9, 2018

A1: Yes, it has been the focus of our attention for a while now – how we can comply/help our clients comply.

Our first reaction was probably ‘OMG’ but we’re good now. #bufferchat pic.twitter.com/z04yoyxgU8

— Little Tzu Marketing (@wearelittletzu) May 9, 2018

A2: Since we are in the US, my company will not have to make any immediate changes to comply with GDPR. But if this is something that proves effective in EU, I see the US adopting a similar regulation and I would see us making whatever changes necessary to comply. #bufferchat

— Mallorie Jacoby (@mallorierjacoby) May 9, 2018

A2 We’ve been diving into GDPR a lot and making sure all our policies are up to date, we have consent for email marketing and a legitimate interest cover! #bufferchat

— SHMS Accountants (@shmsaccountants) May 9, 2018

A2: Simple question to start with. Do you get visitors from europe OR does your client website get visitors/customers from europe? Then you need to be compliant. Regardless of where you are. #BufferChat

Or just block europe traffic on website ?

— MaasHQ (@MaaS_HQ) May 9, 2018

A3) In theory, greater ownership for consumers over their data and how it is used. Users now have the ‘right to be forgotten’ and companies must be able to provide users their content/data upon request at cost to the business #bufferchat

— Kristina Beard (@GermanInAlabama) May 9, 2018

A3: More control of your personal data. I hope this enhances the way we interact with brands in the long run, where we give explicit consent to the products and brands we’re interested in. #bufferchat pic.twitter.com/rVfFqZB9ss

— Lana Park (@lanaparkart) May 9, 2018

A3) #GDPR will increase trust between brands and consumers – the key to this is transparency. Marketers will need to be more creative and think outside the box in the way they encourage customers to provide details, which should lead to relevant and engaging content. #bufferchat

— Ben Hollom FCIM (@benhollom) May 9, 2018

A4. Companies need to stop thinking about GDPR as a “compliance” issue and start thinking about the regs as best practices. #bufferchat

— Daria Steigman (@dariasteigman) May 9, 2018

A4. Of course! Because it’s new and it depends on how you previously handled the data. However, I don’t think any type of change whether it’s perceived as good or bad comes without challenge. The best way is to make a plan and then get it done! #bufferchat pic.twitter.com/zcOcY0VOu4

— D Johnson Lindsay (@djohnsonlindsay) May 9, 2018

A4) Due to lack of structure/non-legaleeze resources it can be difficult especially for small companies without legal departments to check if their procedures are within the guidelines #bufferchat

— Kristina Beard (@GermanInAlabama) May 9, 2018

A5:

– Understand what is expected – get reading!
– Audit current data management – see what needs changed to comply.
– Create new policies and processes that align with GDPR.
– Recognise that GDPR isn’t a one-person job and that it is a company-wide responsibility.#bufferchat

— Little Tzu Marketing (@wearelittletzu) May 9, 2018

A5: 1. Make sure you educate everyone in your company about #GDPR and why they should comply
2. Update your business’s privacy notice
3. Document your processing flow – so you know where to look at when the time comes#bufferchat

— Navya Manoj (@tapedspectacles) May 9, 2018

A5. First things first, you need to swot up! Know what has to change (and why) before you start making changes! #BufferChat pic.twitter.com/M5EngDozb5

— Lisa Boyles ??‍? I like big gifs & I cannot lie (@lisaboylesmedia) May 9, 2018

A6: I hope #GDPR sets a model that leads to more transparency and accountability across all social platforms. There’s also a growing awareness of data privacy — these are great steps to ensure that we have more control over our personal data. #bufferchat

— Lana Park (@lanaparkart) May 9, 2018

A6 I hope to see more data privacy laws and regulations similar to GDPR, putting the control into the users hands is only going to benefit businesses and drive the market to honesty and equality. #bufferchat

— Leilani Romer (@LeilaniRomer) May 9, 2018

A6) We should see more countries following the EU lead on this. Social media is good news as social platforms generally have privacy notices built in. You can identify people by interests/location/employers/job titles and other factors to deliver targeted posts. #bufferchat

— Ben Hollom FCIM (@benhollom) May 9, 2018