Because You Just Don’t Know Who’s Following
There’s a story told by Sylvie Fortin in one of her recordings, can’t remember which, about this lady. She (the lady not Sylvie) is one of the most difficult people to travel in a car with. You know, the type who releases her frustrations verbally on other drivers.
One day, while driving to a job interview for a job she’s really had her eye on, she got into a bit of a huff and mouthed off something rude and unkind to an elderly lady. She got to the office and waited her turn for the interview. After waiting a while, she was called in. Who was sitting in the interviewer’s chair but that same elderly lady. Oops.
This is the way I see it with social networks too. If you’re the type who does business behind a facade, it’ll catch up with you because it is becoming harder and harder to do so as the day goes by with so many networks around. Networks work both ways. If it can help your business or reputation, it can also ruin it.
This to me became very apparent on Twitter particularly this year and I don’t have to tell you why. I saw the real person behind the people I associate with. Some were so gracious and level headed I loved them more. Others were just vicious that now I think twice about working with them.
I come from a country where if you’re not careful, what you say or blog about can land you in jail and no matter how unpleasant a US jail is, it is cushy compared to others. So I am very thankful that I don’t have to do that anymore and respect everyone’s views.
But there is a point where opinions become attacks. It is OK to express an opinion but when you start calling those who have a different opinion names… how do you know that person is not me, or a potential customer, sponsor or JV partner? You don’t.
Something to think about.
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I felt the same way. There have been many days leading up to Tuesday that I simply never signed on twitter. Reading what many were saying made me wonder what their reason for using twitter was.
I think anyone who wants to do business online needs to be very careful what they say anywhere on the net. It’s a permanent record of what you say that could come back to haunt you later.
I felt the same way. There have been many days leading up to Tuesday that I simply never signed on twitter. Reading what many were saying made me wonder what their reason for using twitter was.
I think anyone who wants to do business online needs to be very careful what they say anywhere on the net. It’s a permanent record of what you say that could come back to haunt you later.
I primarily use my Twitter account to keep track of business friends, so I’m careful not to say anything *too* personal or political. Not because I’m ashamed of my political beliefs, but because most of my followers are following me for business reasons too and it just seems like there is a time and place for that sort of thing.
My Facebook account is more personal, mostly for family and high school friends, so I’ve sort of separated them…Facebook for fun, Twitter for business and I try not to overlap if I can.
That said, there is no law saying you can’t have two Twitter accounts…one for your business life and one for your personal life. If more people realized that sometimes you need a separation between personal and business they would find this social networking stuff easier to navigate without too many hurt feelings.
I primarily use my Twitter account to keep track of business friends, so I’m careful not to say anything *too* personal or political. Not because I’m ashamed of my political beliefs, but because most of my followers are following me for business reasons too and it just seems like there is a time and place for that sort of thing.
My Facebook account is more personal, mostly for family and high school friends, so I’ve sort of separated them…Facebook for fun, Twitter for business and I try not to overlap if I can.
That said, there is no law saying you can’t have two Twitter accounts…one for your business life and one for your personal life. If more people realized that sometimes you need a separation between personal and business they would find this social networking stuff easier to navigate without too many hurt feelings.
@Michelle – Yup. Once it is out there there’s no taking back.
@Jen – You’re right. There is time and place and special accounts for private stuff, close friends and family and others for business.
I think it is more about being respectful to each other than feelings. Most of us are big enough to take some knocks and bruises but when respect works both ways. I personally believe you don’t get to earn it until you start respecting others first.
@Michelle – Yup. Once it is out there there’s no taking back.
@Jen – You’re right. There is time and place and special accounts for private stuff, close friends and family and others for business.
I think it is more about being respectful to each other than feelings. Most of us are big enough to take some knocks and bruises but when respect works both ways. I personally believe you don’t get to earn it until you start respecting others first.
I agree with what Jennifer said.
As they say, “keep your words sweet and seasoned with salt, for someday you may have to eat them”.
I agree with what Jennifer said.
As they say, “keep your words sweet and seasoned with salt, for someday you may have to eat them”.
@Carrie: I’ve never heard that before – probably a lot I haven’t heard before, but that is so, so true.
@Carrie: I’ve never heard that before – probably a lot I haven’t heard before, but that is so, so true.