Two recent Twitter events over the past week epitomized the power social media is having in the world today. As everything private becomes public people are now faced with showing more discretion than ever or face the consequences. The consequences of not respecting the power of social media can do anything from get you fired at your job to tarnishing your reputation.
In this blog I will show you some of the ways that social media can negatively impact your personal and business life. Hopefully these items will help prove that if you plan on using social media remember that anything you post is available for public consumption.
How To Use Twitter & Facebook The Wrong Way
Last week we witnessed one person in the sporting world get fired and another athlete make a fool of himself.
Ozzie Guillen’s Son Gets Fired From The Chicago White Sox
Ozzie Guillen, manager of the Chicago White Sox, asked his 24 year old son Oney to resign from his position on Friday. This request came days after his son, a member of the teams scouting team made disparaging remarks about management and the future of the team. Here is a small snippet of Oney Roberto’s Twitter profile.
Many of his comments illustrate the innocence many people still have with social media. People do not realize that their comments can impact others – whether famous or not. Oney Guillen is only 24 and likely hasn’t had many people listen to him at this point, but the careless comments made can impact the leaders of his organization. While they were made as personal commentary they show direct disrespect to his management team — not a good idea for any company that employs you.
Ochocinco Challenges A Mixed Martial Arts Fighter
Those that know the Cincinnati Bengal star wide receiver Ochocinco (aka Chad Johnson) know that he doesn’t shy away from publicity. In his day he has raced a horse, given himself fake face tattoo’s, and recently even changing his name to Ochocinco (Spanish for his jersey number). He likes publicity.
Last week Ochocinco decided to challenge WEC champion Miguel Torres to a fight.
The end result was Miguel Torres putting Ochocinco into a submission before they could even leave Twitter – leaving Ochocinco with egg on his face.
More Wrong Ways To Use Social
There have been many public fights that should have stayed personal that I won’t even publish links to. If you are curious though feel free to do a search. Here is a list of 8 high profile people using Twitter the wrong way.
Using Social Media The Right Way
Whether you are using social media for business or personal reasons the lesson here is that nothing on Facebook or Twitter is private. If you do not want everyone to read it don’t post it.
If you care about your job don’t mention in you status updates that you are bored at work, or called in sick to go out with friends.
Some other important advice:
- If you are employed:
- don’t mention you are looking for a job,
- don’t say things that your employer or coworkers would disapprove of,
- don’t announce anything financial
- If you are a business:
- post relevant information pointing to helpful content for your followers,
- do not be too ‘salesy’ in your updates
- stay relevant to products and services your company offers
Just as the internet was new in the 1990’s, social media is still very young in 2010. It will take the world of users some time to adjust to the new medium and understand that social media is available for public consumption – so treat it this way!
Good work DJ. You're right social media is in budding stage. Above all, it is a two edged sword and one should be very careful in using it as a tool for individual or business purposes. If proper care is not given in posting messages and updates it will boomerang your efforts and even endanger your online chances. The above two instances reiterates it clearly.
Good to find that social media is getting influenced in every sphere of life. Even now and in future the profile image in social media is going to count in your workplace or if you look for a new job.
Thanks DJ for letting us know the negative impacts social media can create if we are not careful.
I do think that Social Media has turned out to be a internet revolution. It is opening doors for people to have frank and honest conversations as to how they feel about anything and everything. But I was not aware that it could create such a negative impact. Thanks DJ, for making us aware of its negative impact.