I’ll admit, I’m still a bit squeamish when it comes to my social media presence. I’m tip-toeing out there; but it will always be something I primarily use for business and here and there, keeping up with family and friends.
I can always tell what people are going through personally and emotionally by the types of things they post.
Some folks who are “feeling themselves” on some level will feel free to post guidance suggesting how YOU should be living, thinking, feeling…being. I privately call these folks, “Facebook Philosophers.”
Then there are those who post thoughts about “haters” or just straight out have a need to “vent” randomly. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see its because their environment has attracted certain things that led them to certain conclusions.
I even find myself tempted to post things that I hope certain people will see; people I may not want to confront head on, or those I know are not good at taking criticism (but great at criticizing!)
But in this day and age where online presence is taught to be paramount, and you become “friends” with folks you don’t know and probably never will for reasons of quantity vs. quality, there are some things you might want to think twice about before sharing.
Here’s a few of them.
Your contact information. I know. I know. This seems like a no-brainer. But trust me, I’ve seen it done. Not only by people who think they are doing you a favor by letting you know how to get in touch with “some one” or even themselves; but so-called entrepreneurs (so-called because any experienced entrepreneur already adheres to this rule). It looks desperate people! Even if a “friend” asks, its possible that they are not thinking you are going to respond in “reply” — where the info is available to everyone. Don’t be so quick or thoughtless and do so.
The correct way to have potential clients or serious friends reach you is by private inbox or message.
Know the difference between an ’emotional’ post and an ‘intellectual’ one
Hey, we live in some crazy times right now and the political and social climates are red-hot. You’ve read the posts and can recognize the difference between those written by experienced, intellectual and/or knowledgeable folks. I certainly don’t need to tell you what they look like. You know! But then there are those that are purely written on emotion. You can tell those, too. How? By the way they say what they say. BEYOND the poor grammar and incomplete thoughts.
But here’s the thing.
You may not give any number of you-know-what’s about who agrees with your thoughts or not — and listen, I hear you. But be aware that the first thing any potential employer, sponsor, loan officer, potential business associate, love-interest or anyone who hears your name does, is “google you.”
I do. You may do this too. So why wouldn’t a complete stranger?
Instead, you don’t have to stifle your thoughts. You don’t have to subdue your anger. Just be mindful of HOW you say it. Hold yourself accountable and don’t have it sound like you’re “venting” because someone just hurt your feelings by disagreeing with something you did or said. It’s just not wise to write an “in general emotional post.” Calm down first. Think of your response as an opportunity to teach — then use that opportunity to do so. Trust that the same folks that it was meant for, will see the message (don’t expect them to admit it though), along with anyone else who may not know what motivated or inspired it.
Did you know that saying nothing speaks volumes?
Read more at EURThisNthat (Warning: the last one may shock you!)