Proceed with caution: Everyday dangers of social media, part 2
The Social Media Announcement
A co-worker of mine r
eceived a message via Facebook from his mother in law: a simple “hello there.” Thinking she already knew her other daughter was pregnant, my colleague posted a big “Congratulations!” on her wall. Naturally, the pregnancy was news to her—and he was lambasted for spoiling the surprise. The cruel lesson he learned was that sometimes news travels faster in social media than in real life.
In business, similar scenarios are just as likely — and quite possibly more dangerous. If you have an itchy trigger finger and have the urge to get that press release, media advisory, or product announcement out there (via Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.) before the official “green light” has been given, think again. Social media carries remarkable speed, and once it’s out of your hands, there’s no delete button to make it all better.
So let’s hear from you: Is the intersection of personal and professional via social media more likely to create opportunity or disaster?
Comment below to tell us what you think and why — in 140 characters or less (Tweet-length). We’ll run the five best responses (along with your name, website and Twitter handle, if you so choose) in SmartBrief on Social Media, right here on our SmartBlog and via @sbosm.
Posted by CASUDI on January 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Disaster comes faster if personal is negative & excessive, however if appropriate & helpful can create opportunity. Balance is best.
Posted by mark witzling on January 26th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Short-term disaster likely while learning. Long-term ripe with opportunities. Change? Yes we can.
Posted by Cliff Overman on January 27th, 2009 at 7:50 am
My gut tells me that an uneducated person is more likely to give an emotional response that may bend toward disaster. But then there’s that “Tweet to far” example that proves anyone can get out past their headlights.
Don’t drink and tweet?
Posted by David Babcock on January 27th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Disasters make headlines. Headlines bring readers. Therefore, disasters bring opportunities. The answer is “neither.” It will create both.
Posted by Raela Ripaldi on January 29th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
My first thought is the image George Castanza yelling “Worlds Colliding! Worlds Colliding!”
Posted by Tonia Ries on January 29th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Opportunity. Balancing work-play is the new skill. Reward? Flexibility and empowerment. Integrity is the key to avoiding disasters.
Posted by Dayboox on February 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Talk is silver, silence is golden. Same counts for Social Media if you want to avoid disaster…
Posted by Kevin John on February 15th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
By the same token damage limitation can also play a significant part in rectifying this. That is one of the benefits of social media – you can at certain times put right a message that has inadvertently been sent out into the digital space. Acting fast so the message does not linger is key.
My recent post 17 Ways To Stay Focused and Energised!