About the Episode
About the Episode:
I’m locked out of a business Meta account, now what!?
Almost every social media manager has been locked out of a Meta account and felt the frustration of trying to regain access. In this episode, Jenny chats with Adrienne Kemp-Rye, Stanford University's Social Media Manager, who shares her expert strategies for preventing and resolving Meta account lockouts. Learn practical tips on maintaining account health, navigating Meta’s appeal process, and implementing security measures to keep your social media presence secure and within your possession. Grab a pen and paper cause you’re going to want to take notes!
Key Takeaways
- Proactive Steps Are Crucial: Maintain business accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and keep account health top-of-mind to minimize risks.
- Document Everything: Having key information like account IDs and records of past access is vital for appealing lockouts.
- Collaborative Efforts Work: Institutions benefit from centralized resources like Slack channels and newsletters to educate and support communicators.
- Look for Opportunities: Use lockouts as a chance to reassess social strategy, refine goals, and focus on impactful platforms.
- Beware of Phishing Attempts: Vigilance against fake Meta representatives is essential to protect accounts.
Episode Summary
The Challenge of Social Media Lockouts
Adrienne recounted the rise of account lockouts at Stanford University and how these incidents disrupt not only the affected accounts but also the institution’s broader digital presence. Recognizing the strain these lockouts place on communicators, Adrienne’s team prioritized creating resources and assigning responsibilities to address the issue.
Innovative Solutions: An Intern for Lockouts
To handle the increasing volume of locked accounts, Stanford implemented a dedicated internship role focused on assisting with account recovery. This intern monitors cases, communicates with Meta representatives, and helps maintain a log of locked-out accounts. The strategy frees up Adrienne’s time for higher-level tasks while ensuring that every case is managed with care.
Best Practices to Prevent Lockouts
Adrienne emphasized proactive measures to protect accounts, including:
- Switching accounts to business profiles.
- Linking Instagram and Facebook business accounts.
- Enabling two-factor authentication.
- Avoiding the use of copyrighted music or duplicate content.
While these measures don’t guarantee immunity from lockouts, they help establish credibility with Meta’s systems and can reduce the likelihood of incidents.
Responding to Lockouts
When an account is locked, Adrienne recommended taking these steps:
- Appeal Immediately: Use the “Appeal” button that appears upon lockout and provide thorough documentation, including IDs, business licenses, and media mentions.
- Contact Meta Support: Business accounts can access Meta Support Pros to chat with a representative for additional help.
- Maintain Records: Keep screenshots and key account information handy for appeals.
When Recovery Isn’t Possible
In the rare case that an account is permanently lost, Adrienne suggested viewing the situation as an opportunity to reassess goals. Institutions can decide whether to rebuild the account or focus resources on other platforms where their audience is more engaged.
Lessons Learned and Advice for Managers
Adrienne underscored the importance of ongoing education and community support. Centralized communication channels like Slack or newsletters can help share best practices and updates across departments. Additionally, vigilance against phishing scams remains critical, as fake Meta representatives often target locked-out accounts.
About the Show: Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager covers the do's, don'ts, and dynamics of the complex and challenging social media ecosystem. We analyze the successes and failures of those in the higher education social space — what went right, what went wrong, and what are the lessons learned. We’ll share actionable steps so you can push past the pitfalls others have faced. No matter if you're on a team of 20 or a team of one, we've got you covered. Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager is hosted by Jenny Li Fowler and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows, too!
Some of our favorites include Higher Ed Pulse and Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.