74.jpg)
For small business owners who embrace the internet, social networking presents so many opportunities to connect, communicate, share and get their marketing message ‘out there’.
Many individuals, from college students to pensioners, are also enjoying the novelty of being part of a growing online community, connecting with like-minded people, sharing their thoughts and experiences, as well as following TV and film celebrities who have discovered the PR value of belonging to Twitter and Facebook.
I spend a lot of time online (probably far too much!) and am often taken aback by some of the rather frank and personal tweets and status updates. I’m talking about strong language, personal attacks and bigoted views. Of course I realise much of it is done for the ‘shock’ value but really, it isn’t clever and it certainly isn’t a good move for your future reputation.
You are not only communicating with people you know. Once you hit ‘update’ your message is available for the whole online world to see, forever after. Even that little @ message replying to a close friend is visible to all other followers (and your Facebook and LinkedIn contacts if you’ve set your updates to synchronise). Do you really want a potential employer/partner/business associate to read every detail of what you got up to on that weekend or see the party photos you just posted on YouTube?
As a raving fan of social media marketing, the last thing I want to do is put you off joining in. Indeed you must join in for the good of your business! What I’m saying is please think before you post, message, tweet or have a rant. Are you happy for the world to read your update, or would it be better kept as a private phone call, email or DM?
Sharing personal stuff is a bit of a minefield. Yes it’s important to let people get to know who is behind the business, but if you’re having a bad day, perhaps it would be wiser to stay away from the keyboard….
