12 Step Checklist for Social Media Etiquette

Ilya Pozin

I do feel social media is valuable in many ways. But maybe we should teach etiquette to guide business people on the best ways to use it as a communication tool. After all, like most technology, social media has been hoisted on our world with little or no instruction.

I encourage everyone to think before communicating through social media. Goeckler says everyone should ask themselves the following 12 questions before posting:

1.            Should I target a specific audience with this message?

2.            Will anyone really care about this content besides me?

3.            Will I offend anyone with this content? If so, who? Does it matter?

4.            Is this appropriate for a social portal, or would it best be communicated another way?

5.            How many times have I already posted something today? (More than three can be excessive.)

6.            Did I spell check?

7.            Will I be okay with absolutely anyone seeing this?

8.            Is this post too vague? Will everyone understand what I’m saying?

9.            Am I using this as an emotional dumping ground? If so, why? Is a different outlet better for      these purposes?

10.          Am I using too many abbreviations in this post and starting to sound like a teenager?

11.          Is this reactive communication or is it well thought-out?

12.          Is this really something I want to share, or is it just me venting?

Run through these 12 questions in your mind–before clicking “post.” Trust me–you’ll be happy you double-checked before sharing with the world.