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We all know that we have to be careful with what we say or do in front of others. Once the deed is done, it cannot be taken back no matter how many clarifications and apologies are offered to make amends.

In a similar vein, what we post on social media stays forever and even if you do delete a post or comment, it would have circulated to others reading the post or comment at the speed of lightening and damage done.

This week’s video post looks at the what, where and how to say and do on social media and offers tips on what to post on the Big Four social media platforms to help you get your brand across in the best positive light as well as a few red flags to avoid, even if you personally think it is funny and security issues.

Hope you enjoy it and please do share your own tips in the comments box below.

Enjoy!

Update 27 June 2018

When I wrote this blog post and created this video in April 2014, Cambridge Analytica and the Facebook Data Breach had not occurred. CANSPAM Regulations existed even then and now we also have GDPR.

The basics of this blog post are still valid as good practice but I also have another post on online privacy on social networking sites (click here to read it) which is relevant.

I’ve added the transcript of the video tip for ease of use.

3 branding tips for careerists part 3 transcript added on 27^th June 2018

Hi, this is Vatsala Shukla from Karmic Ally Coaching, bringing you the 3^rd part of my 3 branding tips for Careerists.

Now in the previous 2 sessions, I had actually talked about how you want to appear to the world and also know the kind of email address you’re going to use, and today we’re now going to get into some REAL action where I’m going to be discussing with you, the where, the what, the how to say and do on social media.

This is actually quite important because you’re trying to build a personal brand.

SO my question for you is,

Are you online to brand build and network or are you out to vent your spleen?

Now you all have read various posts and articles on the internet about how people have posted comments about their jobs, their bosses, lost their jobs or photographs they shouldn’t have and then lived to have regretted it.

Each one of us is different and the very fact you are trying to build a brand, your own personal brand and you’re trying to network with people to help you achieve your objectives offline means that you must always think twice before you’re posting.

Your posts must represent your personal brand.

You have to give a consistent view about you and most importantly, you want to make people want to know you.

Depending upon which social media site you’re using, you also have to use your discretion, about what you’re posting.

What I’ve done on this slide, (it’s not an exhaustive one), is I’ve basically picked up the Big Four social media platforms, namely LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook as well as put down some reasons to use them.

So, if you’re trying to build your brand for professional networking or for finding a job, then LinkedIn is the place you want to be. And here, the kinds of posts you’re going to do are those that make you known as an expert, in your field.

You can also like, share and comment on other people’s status updates. Anf you can invite people to connect, accept connections, publish your own content, or share information that adds value to your Connections (network).

And I do suggest that you participate in your Group conversations.

I’d also like to point out to be very professional when posting on LinkedIn. A joke here or a joke there may work, it may not. Be very careful, think twice.

If you’re trying to communicate with friends and family, then Twitter, Google Plus or Facebook are better places for you to hang out on.

You can post photos, videos, updates and funny things but then again, if you’re going to be inviting your colleagues or boss or professional headhunters in case you’re looking for a job, then again, I would exercise some discretion.

Likewise, if you’re trying to communicate with a Brand, then Twitter, Google Plus or Facebook are the best places to do it.

If you’re trying to do some Celebrity Engagement, then Twitter is the best.

I have connected with 1 or 2 Indian celebrities there and we’ve had great chats and it’s been fun.

In case of Google Plus, depending upon whether you’re trying to build your brand on Google Plus, I must tell you that this is the place where people share information.

So one thing you can do is find pages, people you wish to connect or network with whether to get business or get a job, follow them and engage with them sharing interesting information.

Essentially, be yourself but don’t be obnoxious.

Now I’d like to point out some red flag areas.

Each social media platform has its own set of rules and manner of engagement and I suggest you observe and follow them.

This essentially also means, there should be no racist or gender comments on any of these social media platforms.

There should be no swearing or cussing and be very careful with your humour. What may seem funny when you’re using your body language may not look so funny when written down.

And always ask yourself, is my post appropriate?

The reason for this is that you’re on platforms where you don’t actually see whose seen your posts, so what I do before posting and suggest you do is:

Before posting, just ask yourself

If my parents or children saw what I have posted, would I feel uncomfortable?

Another one could be, before posting, ask yourself

SO what?

If your question is, would your post be of any use to anyone?

Then say so what, and if your answer is yes, then go ahead and post it.

I would like to complete this session with you with just a few tips about your security.

What I mean by security is regularly check your security settings on all your profiles on each of the social media platforms that you use.

You may want to use your discretion about your location and other things because, think about your personal security and your status updates because people who may not know you can also see your connections or open audiences and you may not wish to share certain information on a public platform.

So exercise a bit of discretion, regularly check up on all your profiles and see if anything needs to be updated, does anything have to be deleted, and you know the best part is that you can actually include all of your social media profiles in your email signature before sending it out so that different people can connect depending upon their various interests and where they like to hang out, they can connect with you there.

If you need more tips on how to get noticed in the workplace, then please do download my ebook and drop me a line to let me know how it goes for you.

Bye for now.