Social networks are the new alternative conventional media. Its importance and its influence on your audience can never be overstated. The global reach of the Internet has often been exploited by social media platforms to further various causes and goals.
The unregulated nature of the Internet makes it difficult for everyone who uses the Internet to be respectful of one another.
While responsible Internet users advocate a kind of Internet etiquette, others believe that doing so will curtail the creativity and inspiration that ripen on the information superhighway. Unfortunately, it also means that unpleasant behavior and unacceptable conduct can also go unnoticed.
Emily Post’s book laying the foundation for public etiquette remains the gold standard today. It details proper behavior in public and private life. While the book was written with real-life social conventions in mind, nothing has even been written in terms of current “technique.”
To begin with, our brief speech about “technique”, anything on the Internet is not in the public domain. It is a common misunderstanding that all information on the Internet is for public consumption. Although the information is public, the use of it is not in the public domain. The message is simply: attribute.
To attribute any information taken from the Internet is to acknowledge the source. It’s just polite behavior. If you’re not completely sure, just acknowledge the source. Nothing can be more terrible than being categorically accused of having plagiarized good information.
Most social networking sites have a limited number of characters in their posts or status updates. Try to follow the limits or less if possible. It’s spookily annoying to read or, worse, less interesting to read an entire essay about your friend’s (bad) affair at her job with her boss.
Using less space also gives other users the opportunity to repost or retweet your information with their additional information, comments, or thoughts without being left at the bottom of the page. The less space you use, the more likely you are to use important words and information. This can be challenging at first, but practice makes perfect.
The universal use of the #hashtag on social media platforms to find similar information is an excellent development. Aggressively combine information as and when necessary. However, excessive use of #hashtags on even the most trivial information is quite annoying. Nothing can be worse than reading a post or status update with #hashtags all over it. Hashtags are meant to highlight specific information or categories that other Internet users might similarly categorize. Limit #hashtags to a maximum of three in a single post or specific status, making sure it’s relevant and meaningful to others as well.
Social networking is all about creating awareness and expanding your social network of friends and influences. Just like in real life, good external behavior encourages people to like you, your Page, or your business. Personally, you would never show other people pictures of your ingrown toenail, your private business, or rant about your personal sex life. In short, it is likely that not many people in your social network admire you and are interested in knowing what you are doing, where you are, what you are eating, who you are with, what you did last night or how wonderful or despicable your other half is. Keep private things private, please.
Vulgarity has no place in reality and online. Obscenity and profanity should be avoided for any reason. There are other ways to express your dissatisfaction and the most acceptable way should be to talk to the person involved in person.
Most people assume that social media is the place where they can be themselves and say whatever they want. What most people also don’t know is that social media is much worse than a real conversation, mainly because social media keeps track of what you put on it. It’s like writing it in stone. Unless your social media account is set to private, which defeats the purpose of social media, then anything you post on social media is definitely public.
Nothing can be more annoying and irritating than someone whose post tone is constant complaining, boasting, or just plain arrogant. Most of the netizens think that the tone of voice cannot be felt while online. Contrary to this perception, humble bragging can be felt by most online citizens to be outright bragging, as well as regular sulking. If you want to limit your real-life friends, this is the way to go, as this behavior surely reflects the type of personality you have online and offline.
Tagging people is an easy way to expand our social network; however, it should be used with caution considering the person being tagged. Most people appreciate being tagged if they’re in the picture or the issue concerns them, but it’s pretty intrusive and rude to tag someone unnecessarily. When labeling, keep in mind that you must have a purpose in doing so.
The golden rule in life still applies online. Treat other people online as you would want other people to treat you. Be an example for others to follow. Avoid engaging in any social media war and should you be dragged into it, just reply with a simple factual answer and end the issue. Have the last word. This puts you on a higher level than others who resort to bullying and antisocial behavior. Being courteous and being inspiring will go a long way.
Finally, a quick note on how to add friends and contacts. Don’t just add anyone (or everyone) in order to increase your numbers and social networks. Some netizens prefer to be added because they have actually met the person or have been associated in one way or another with that person. Adding complete strangers or friends of friends (unless you have been properly introduced) is considered rude. Unless prior arrangements have been made to add that
person, a request to add them as a friend should be done with care.
The development of the online landscape is changing drastically every day. What is applicable now may not be applicable tomorrow. However, one thing remains firm and stable; the purpose of social networks and platforms will remain unchanged. It will always bring people closer (or further away) depending on how we behave online. Our knowledge and application of “technicettes” will help us make our online experience that much better and more enjoyable.