Five No's of Social Media And How to Troubleshoot

Five Rules of Social Media and How to Troubleshoot

Have you ever searched for yourself online?

In the current world of social media, it is important to understand online appearances, as it can affect the potential to get a job, make new friends, or even keep old friends. What is posted online can be seen by anyone and everyone; that is why it is vital to know these five rules of social media, inspired by the Stukent textbook, and how to fix issues if they occur.

1. Be Positive

When online, it is important to be respectful and friendly. It is advantageous to not react too quickly to issues and to avoid heated debates or negative comments about specific companies or individuals. While respectful debates in personal lives are often acceptable, online communication can easily be misunderstood. To avoid miscommunications and to appear approachable, be as friendly as possible when online.

2. Don't Post Everything

It is encouraged to post on social media, as it can be used as a tool to communicate and connect with others online. It can be used to keep family and friends up to date with personal achievements or life updates. However, it is recommended users do not post about everything. Some things should be left unposted, like small disagreements, things told in confidence and things that would damage employer relationships with an individual.

3. Proofread

Next, before posting, ensure to doublecheck the spelling, grammar and what is being said about specific topics. Confirm that the tone is clear and conveys the intended message when read by a broad audience to avoid any miscommunication.

4. No Inappropriate Content

Again, some things should be left unposted. If it affects how an employer considers performance, it is recommended user not post it. Future employers are known to look up potential employees online. Ensure that what is being posted would not make an employer rethink an employee's resume or performance.

5. Ask Permission

Finally, if a picture is posted of someone else, ensure permission has been granted. Also, if posting about a corporation, school or other organization, some organizations have rules about what can and cannot be posted. If considering posting a picture, story or video, think twice about if the organization would post the content.

How to fix

What to do if one of these rules is accidentally broken? It is common to make the mistake of posting something without checking spelling or accidentally publishing a picture with an inappropriate photobomb. This is what can be done if one of these rules is broken.

1. Make Account Private

It is easier to do damage control when fewer people have seen the damage.

2. Delete

It is as simple as that. Users can delete the post, story or video.

3. Repost

If it was a simple change, such as tone, spelling or removing one picture from a post, users can repost the media all edited and professional.

4. Apologize

What should be done if an argument is started or a negative comment is posted? Apologize if it is necessary and/or remove comments if possible.

5. Make a New Account

Sometimes the damage may seem like too severe. If so, a new social media account can be made. Often, individuals have two accounts, one for professional use and one for personal. But ensure the profile picture is something that should be associated with the user.

In this digital age, media users must be aware of what they post, as it may affect their employability. To keep a positive media presence when online, follow these five rules of social media and troubleshoot when needed.