Practicing Etiquette on Social Media: Rules You Need to Follow

Just a couple of years ago, social media didn’t even exist, but now there are over billions of people from around the world using different platforms every day. The most popular ones include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which boasts millions of active users who use them to seek new connections, do business, or keep in touch with old friends. Although increasingly robust privacy settings keep your social media footprint under the radar, it’s almost impossible to shield yourself from view completely. That’s why whenever you’re using social media for your digital marketing company or business —or even just for personal use, it’s best to follow proper social etiquette to protect you from social backlashes. Whether it’s your professional or personal account, your social media presence should inspire pride and not regret. Here are the following rules to keep in mind whenever using social media.

Create Content Tailored To Your Audience

Creating or sharing engaging content geared towards your audience can turn your social media accounts into an exciting and open conversation platform for everyone, garnering positive reactions, and followers. Never spam your followers‘ feeds with irrelevant content, as this can hurt your reputation. So, think before you post.

Respect the Opinions of Other Netizens

Although it’s hard to accept, the reality is—not everyone has the same opinion as you do. However reasonable you perceive your arguments or statements, you won’t convince everyone, which extends everything on social media, from comments to posts. So, when you encounter someone opposing your beliefs, stay respectful, and never attack any person or organization as some may file legal claims against you, such as defamation. Whether you’re running a business or personal account, be culturally and socially sensitive to protect your brand and reputation.

Don’t Be Reactive

Although celebrity feuds online can be entertaining to watch, avoid getting sucked up into one yourself. That’s because when you hash things out on social media, expect your words and actions to be taken out of context by many, leaving you with a damaged reputation. There are several ways to start social media arguments, from personally responding to a political post on Facebook to publicly calling someone out on an Instagram story. Remember that no matter how the fight starts, the results will never be constructive or beneficial to both sides. Additionally, if you engage in social media spats, you can develop a bad reputation for being easily-angered. If you’re a company executive or a public figure, this can be used against you even if the dispute had nothing to do with your job.

Determine Each Platform’s Best Practices

Although most social media etiquette principles are universal, and you can use it virtually on any platform, some are still unique to a particular network. For instance, considering what to include in a direct message on Instagram for your favorite influencer is drastically different when you’re deciding what to message an executive on LinkedIn. Before you become an active user of a social media network, do your research and see its best practices to help you stay current. In today’s rapidly evolving social media networks, organizations and individuals can’t just delete statements or messages that generate adverse reactions anymore. One mistake can either make or break your personal or business’s brand and may even bring you to court when you’re not careful. Practice the social etiquette principles mentioned to help you stay on the right side of regulations and keep your brand alive.