Tweet Today - Pay Tomorrow - Social Media Hangover
| March 16th, 2009I’m writing this because for whatever reason when I woke up “Tweet Today - Pay Tomorrow” was the first thing that came to my mind. Maybe I’ve watched too many cheesy furniture commercials or it has deeper meaning? Twitter has made expressing your thoughts and opinions easier than ever before and to a wider audience at that.
Previously if you had something to say on the internet it would be done on a blog, in the comments of that blog or on web forum. Twitter has made expressing yourself incredibly easy. With this ease there comes potential problems.
Image by luc legay via Flickr
1) Using Your Real Name
If you work for yourself and use twitter as personal branding I can understand your approach. However going out on a limb I’d guess the majority of users on Twitter do not work solely for themselves but do a lot of “tweeting” during work hours. Twitter is huge it’s up there with Facebook; even the most luddite of a boss will of heard of Twitter by now and if not very soon. Being active on other social media sites poses less thread then Twitter does of one day paying for the tweets you make today. This could mean losing your job at the worst case scenario.
Employers use Facebook to get details on potential employees. Many employers are already looking at twitter and those that aren’t will be soon. Twitter is a public page and on an incredibly strong domain that is only increasing in strength. If you use your real name don’t be surprised if when you google your name your Twitter account will be on the top page if not top 5 results. Do you think an employer wants to hire someone who they have visible proof spends a sizable portion of their day at the “virtual water cooler?” Care to check when you make most of your tweets? click here.
Image by liber via Flickr
2) Sharing Things in Heat of the Moment
Have you ever been upset or angry about something and just went on a rant to someone? After the rant you feel kinda silly for a) getting so worked up and b) using such deplorable terms to describe the object of your aggravation? When you input your thoughts into that 140 character box and hit SEND it’s gone and it’s gone for good. This can be particularly damaging if you are using your real name. I know I’ve gone on a rant about some service providers before but quickly changed my mind before hitting “Send”.
Remember whatever you type into your profile is now part of peoples perception of YOU. You have total control over the information you release. Posting something like “I hate Burritos” is very different then “I hate X” X can be anything that people are generally uptight about from politics, sexuality to religion. Obviously “I hate” is a strong stance but there are many possible statements which create the same effect.
3) Sharing Too Much Personal Info
This is the internet for every great person you meet you can bet there is someone you don’t want to meet and don’t want knowing to much about you. People are using Britekite or their iPhones to stamp their GPS coordinates. I bet you; please never do that from where you live. Do you really want that information out there to absolutely ANYONE who cares to look it up? I mean what value do you get from it? If you’re at a huge conference and you pump in the coordinates of the party you are at; big deal. If you are putting coordinates to your home, work or any other place you frequent often and consider safe I’d think twice.
If you use your real name AND release information like this… Please think long and hard as to why you are doing this and the possible negative consequences. Frankly I can’t really think of any positive ones? Can someone enlighten me?
4) Giving a False Impression
Twitter is on the forefront of the “real-time web”. The concept makes such sense that it’s surprising it took the brilliant minds of our generation so long to create such a service which connects everyone instantly. The days of hiding behind a username on some forum are long gone. If you use an avatar of yourself from 1995 that is airbrushed; you’ll look like a fake and a liar when you do meet people in person. That is if they even recognize you. Also be prepared to backup who you claim to be. This is the real time web and you’re expected to be a real person. Many people give the impression of something they are not. It’s not worth it; just be yourself because if you aren’t you’ll be found out and ruin your reputation online and offline. Basically if you claim to be something you’re not don’t be surprised if you get called out.
Image via Wikipedia
5) Not Drinking Enough Water
Before you get crazy and hit a send button saying “whatever” think about what you’re doing. Even before that when you make an account think about the name you’re going to use… It may not be today or tomorrow but if you overindulge or spread false truths, one day you will regret it and experience that dreaded “social media hangover”. Stay at the party as long as you want but just don’t over do it or you’ll probably regret it.
Keep working for yourself,
Rob
You are so right. Employers these days are really careful about who they’re choosing for the jobs they have coming open. It’s hard enough to get those jobs, so why make yourself look worse by showing them too much personal information?
We should be just as careful as the employers. We (as individuals) should be careful with what we post, blog & email. Just because we’re tapping out out message in front of a screen, doesn’t mean a real live person isn’t watching.
You make some really good points. Especially taking caution with how much personal information you share on line. The more people know about you, the easier it will be for them to find you or impersonate you.
Some good points here and I think that with the explosion of the internet, employers, future employers will continue to use it to see information about you. In fact, i’ve hear of some people using it check out someone for dating suitability.
Great article for sure. I am just now starting to be aware of the importance of being aware of who searches for me and what they see, specifically employers. Good info