In an age where social media dominates much of our lives, it can be easy to forget that what we post online is often public and permanent. Before you hit “post” or “send,” pause and consider whether the content you are about to share is something you’d be comfortable with your boss, your grandparents, or a future employer seeing.
There are certain types of information and photos that are best kept off of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Here are some examples:
1. Personal information: This includes your full name, home address, phone number, email address, birth date, etc. While this information may not seem sensitive at first glance, posting it online can make you more vulnerable to identity theft or other types of fraud. If you must share this type of information on social media (for example, when entering a contest that requires an email address), be sure to use only an alias or a secondary email account that isn’t connected to any important accounts like your banking or PayPal account.
2. Photos that could embarrass you: We all have photos from our past that we might not want everyone to see – maybe it’s an awkward school photo from grade.
Overly promotional content
Overly promotional content is a turn-off for many social media users. If you’re constantly shoving your products or services down people’s throats, they’re likely to tune you out. Instead, focus on providing interesting and valuable content that will help build relationships with your customers and prospects. When you do promote your business, make sure it’s in a way that comes across as helpful, not pushy.
Political or religious content
In a world where nearly two-thirds of adults use social media, it’s important to be aware of what types of content are appropriate to share online. While some people enjoy sharing their political and religious views on social media, others find this type of content to be offensive or unwelcome.
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If you choose to share political or religious content on social media, it’s important to be respectful of other people’s opinions. Avoid posting anything that could be considered inflammatory or offensive, and try to engage in constructive dialogue rather than simply preaching your own beliefs. Remember that not everyone shares your views, and that’s okay!
When in doubt, err on the side of caution when posting political or religious content on social media. Ultimately, you don’t want to alienate or offend anyone with your posts – so consider carefully what you share before hitting “send.”
Irrelevant viral posts
It’s no secret that social media can be a huge time suck. We’ve all been there: you’re aimlessly scrolling through your newsfeed, when suddenly you see something that makes you stop and stare. Maybe it’s a hilarious meme, or an adorable video of a kitten playing with a ball of yarn. Whatever it is, you can’t help but click on it and watch it, even though you know you probably shouldn’t.
Before long, you find yourself down the rabbit hole of viral content, and before you know it, an hour has gone by. While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in some mindless entertainment every now and then, constantly seeing irrelevant viral posts on your social media feeds can be incredibly frustrating. Not only are they a huge waste of time, but they can also be really irritating – especially if they’re not even remotely related to anything that’s going on in your life.
If you’re sick of seeing irrelevant viral content clogging up your social media feeds, there are a few things you can do to make it stop. First of all, try un following or muting any friends or family members who regularly share this type of content. If that doesn’t work, consider using a social media management tool like Hootsuite or Buffer to help curate your feeds so that only the most relevant information appears in them. Finally, remember that you always have the option to simply scroll past anything that doesn’t interest you – don’t feel like you have to stop and read/watch/listen to everything just because it’s there.
In short: Irrelevant viral posts are annoying AF – but thankfully, there are ways to avoid them altogether if they start getting too much for you.
Negative or derogatory content
When about social media, negative or derogatory content is a definite no-no. This type of content can include anything from making fun of someone or something, to outright attacking or insulting someone. Not only is this type of content hurtful and mean-spirited, it can also get you into a lot of trouble. If you post something negative or derogatory on social media, you could be subject to discipline from your school or workplace, or even legal action if what you said is considered libelous. So before you hit the “post” button, ask yourself if what you’re about to share is worth the potential consequences.
Posts with spelling or grammatical errors
If you’re posting on behalf of a business, it’s especially important to ensure that your posts are free of any errors. Customers and clients will likely judge the quality of your products or services based on the quality of your social media posts. Make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward by taking the time to proofread before publishing.
Of course, nobody’s perfect and everyone makes mistakes from time to time. If you do happen to publish a post with a spelling or grammatical error, don’t panic! Simply edit the post and correct the mistake(s). Then, move on and try not to let it happen again in the future.
Brand-inconsistent content
Most companies have a carefully cultivated image that they work hard to maintain. When employees post content on social media, it can reflect poorly on the company if it is brand-inconsistent. For example, an employee who regularly posts profanity-laced tirades on Twitter would not be considered a good reflection of most companies’ images. Similarly, an employee who constantly posts photos of themselves drinking heavily or engaging in illegal activities would also not be considered a good reflection of the company.
In order to avoid having brand-inconsistent content reflect poorly on your company, it is important to consider what you post before hitting the publish button. If you wouldn’t want your boss or co-workers to see it, chances are it probably isn’t appropriate for social media either. Stick to posting things that are positive and consistent with the image your company is trying to project and you’ll avoid any potential problems down the road.
The same message across social networks
First, it makes you look lazy. It shows that you can’t be bothered to take the time to tailor your message to each specific social network. Each platform has its own unique audience and culture and your message needs to reflect that.
Second, it comes across as spammy. If you’re just regurgitating the same thing over and over again, people are going to tune you out pretty quickly. This is especially true if you’re promoting something- nobody likes being bombarded with sales pitches all day long.
Finally, it’s just boring. Mix things up a bit! Use different images, videos, or even just different words on each platform to keep things interesting for your followers (and yourself).
Unaccredited content
Some things to watch out for when it comes to unaccredited content include:
-Misleading titles: Be wary of headlines that are designed to click bait or mislead. Check the source of the article before you share it, and make sure that it is a reputable source.
-Inaccurate information: Always check your facts before sharing something on social media. Inaccurate information can spread quickly online, and can damage your credibility. Only share information that you know to be true and accurate.
-Sensationalized stories: Be careful of stories that are sensationalized or designed to provoke an emotional reaction. These types of stories are often inaccurate or misleading.stick with factual news stories from reputable sources.