The problem with email, Facebook, Twitter and the online world, is that it is easy to put stuff out that does not exactly give you the sparkling image you want for your business.
Just yesterday I was on Facebook and happened to notice a conversation that was going on between a few colleagues of mine.
The first statement was BLEEP the Political Situation. Using bad language and getting on a soapbox is usually a bad business move, unless you want to be perceived as some sort of radical personality like Howard Stern.
Then someone started commenting on the position of the stars in the sky and how it may have affected the said political situation. Well. . . everyone has their opinion.
Another person decided to get into a scientific explanation of why there was no scientific basis for the former person’s statement and even though she made a living employing her philosophy she was basically a kook. This gets into sort of a diatribe on religion which is another type of conversation to avoid on the Internet if you want to keep your friends. Not only that but it knocks down the product or service that person uses as a means of creating income.
Another friend posted a picture on Facebook of a baby with an accentuated male member. DELETE
TIP: Okay, you may be just out of college, and it’s normal to BLEEP your friends, but someone may want to hire you and check your Facebook page. If they see you getting DUI’s, crashing your car into a river, taking your top off or not being able to spell correctly, they may have second thoughts. Just a thought.
Here are a few simple rules. Only obey them if you care about your business image online.
- Do not humiliate or downgrade another human being or the business they are in. It makes you appear to be a jerk.
- Go easy on your political soap box. Even better, do not discuss politics at all unless you are running for office. Get over the fact that Sarah did not murder those people in Tucson. She may have murdered some bears, but they weren’t anywhere near Tucson.
- Religion can be dangerous. That is why there are world wars.
- Quit being depressed online. If you feel the need to vent, take a few breaths, meditate or go sock a punching bag.
- Learn to spell and avoid bad language. Attempt to be clever instead. It’s more creative and intelligent. It always drives me crazy when I go to a comedy show and every other word out of the comedian’s mouth is potty language. It’s a cheap and very uncreative way to get a laugh. Great comedians do not have to resort to doing that just to make a joke because they have brains.
- Be kind. If you want to criticize someone, do it off line , in private, with the person you want to correct. Then hope they will not take your head off.
- Quit making people think you are a plant. Give yourself a nice smiling face. Or. . . at least a face. Yes, I admit I was a cartoon for a couple days when everyone was putting up cartoon faces. But at least my cartoon had two eyes, a nose and a mouth.
I’m not saying you have to be a saint online, but realize that if you are in business, or may be in business in the future, it is a good idea to mind your manners and put yourself in the most attractive light possible.
What online etiquette tips would you like to share? Please leave a comment and tweet/share this post.
About Rebecca Olkowski
I'm a 30 + year voice over actor, blogger, WordPress Blog Consultant and a gal who loves to have fun. I'm on a mission to travel the world in style. Can you give me a lift?
