Think Before You Click: Social Media Etiquette

Most people share just everything about their day in social media; from rants about the crappy service they had for lunch, complaints about their bad haircut, heavy traffic, work, etc. These posts can really get you some conversation, especially from our friends and first degree acquaintances, and curious people in your contacts with poor social life. However, some things are really not just worth posting and should never be posted for your business brand’s sake.

Large percentage of people in your list don’t just give a damn about your meal, work or hair, so stop posting things that makes you look an attention whore. Facebook and Twitter may have stupid users, but most users right now are smart enough to not care about your ridiculous status messages and tweets.

Respect is crucial online; especially if you want your social media accounts to help you market your business and get some real conversions from your targeted audience. Respect is earned, not asked, I know its cliché but it’s true wherever you go in the world. Here’s my short list of things you should never post in your Facebook and Twitter:

• How you hate your job

You can get fired automatically by saying this. Put yourself in the shoes of your employer, how would you feel if some of your staff did just that? Saying bad things about your job will do no good to your brand.

• How you love yourself

Don’t act like you’re the biggest fan of yourself. This kind of self-affirmation thing can be counter-productive to your goal of looking good. A research from University of Buffalo also said that, women who base their self-worth from their appearance and what other people think tend to upload more photos in their social media accounts, particularly in Facebook.

• How you hate your boyfriend, girlfriend or ex

BY the time you two get back together, or you and your ex will talk together again, you will only make yourself a total sucker. Yes it is okay to let some of your emotions and thoughts out, but you have to clear your head before posting any of them.

Yes you always have the option to delete your past posts, but sometimes all can be a little too late. Some people can easily make a screen shot of what you’ve said and only history can tell when that thing will be disappear.

• Your vacation details

If you want to get robbed or killed on the spot, then do it. You certainly will give thieves and serial killers easier time to track you down by just reading in your posts.

• That you’re the MAN

Never say bad things to other people online, ever. Well, you can always be true to yourself but keep the honesty to the minimum. You know you can’t please everybody, but you always need to have a good reputation in the eyes of your potential clients, employers, friends, etc.