SOCIAL MEDIA ETIQUETTE

 

When the social media broke out, it became an instant buzz where people shared what they did and their thoughts on a daily basis. As we got to understand the usage of social media we got to be aware of what people and organisations liked to see. We also got to realise the do’s and don’ts of social media. It is very important for future public relations practitioner as well as other future professionals to be aware about we call the “digital footprint” where organisations can trace down what we say and the kind of information you share on social media and most organisations prefer using then this method to study your personality.

The following guidelines will help you understand what to say and what not say on your social media profile/account.

Refrain from bad mouthing organizations.

It is very important not to bad mouth organisations because it might happen that you in the long run want to apply for a job within that particular organisation and your “digital footprint” will work against you because no organisation would want to hire someone that played a role in harming their reputation to the public.  http://goo.gl/y4K4fg

Mind your social media language.

The use of language on social media should be cautioned. It is not just language until you start using rude and foul language. At time we might want to quote a verse from a song that might include the infamous “F” word and not only does that reflect bad on you but it reflect the kind of person you are. Very often people using profanity on social media may come off as aggressive to other users and no one wants to be associated with a person that comes off as aggressive. http://goo.gl/4VDte1

Avoid making racial comments on social media

Race has always been a sensitive topic, whether outside of social media or in personal spaces.  As social media users, issues of race should be avoided especially if they are negative given the history of our country and that people are still to this day very touchy about issues of race. Whether as PR professional or anyone, we should avoid racial slurs at all times. A recent example of the disadvantage of racial slurs is one by a U.S public relations executive who posted a tweet about Africa and the tweet read “Going to Africa. Hope I don’t get AIDS. Just kidding, I’m white”. That tweet went viral and offended a whole lot of people both black and white and those in Africa and outside Africa. The woman got fired and this just goes to show that even if you think things you don’t necessarily have to tweet/share. At time sits better to not say anything at all and let it be a thought. http://goo.gl/ByQb8m

Inappropriate images

Social media has allowed us to post and share images of our daily lives and things we get up to on weekends but caution should be advised when coming o posting sexual images of ourselves everyone of viewership of such. This often leads us being followed by paedophiles that want to meet us and eventually leading to cases of rape and often murder. On the professional aspect of things, we should also be wary of posting our drunken pictures of ourselves and taking part in activities of drug usage, keeping in mind of our “digital footprint”. You at the end of the day do not want to be employed because you have portrayed yourself as the as an irresponsible party animal and run the risk of not coming to work due to your hangovers and organisations avoid such people because it is a risk to their company.  http://goo.gl/4VDte1

Inappropriate slang

When you are a Public Relations Practitioner you are required to write news releases for an organization and no organization will hire someone who is constantly posting in slang because its unprofessional. Organisations avoid such because they do not want to be represented poorly in their news release to journalist. http://goo.gl/4VDte1

 

I hope these guidelines gave you the heads up on what to say and what not to say on your social media accounts.