10 Tips For Mindful Use Of Social Media

In our last article, “There’s No Real Communication Out There — All This Technology,” we discussed the perception of some people that the ready access and easy-to-use tools of social media are actually impeding real communication. These tools can be extremely valuable in getting your message out if you’re on the lookout to avoid some common pitfalls. Here are 10 tips for the mindful use of social media:

1. Don’t assume everyone you know wants to hear everything you put out there just because it’s coming from you. The fact is most everyone is inundated with communications from everyone they know. Be considerate. Be particular and choose wisely what you decide to share. When you get a reputation for posting sparingly, people will be more likely to read attentively when you do post.
2. Picture the person or people you’re talking to. Who’s the first person that comes to mind when you think of who you want to see this? How receptive is that person likely to be to this particular communication?
3. Decide the purpose of your message. Are you trying to inform, entertain, persuade, what? It matters. You’d say it differently depending on your purpose, wouldn’t you?
4. Think about others who will also see it. Would you say the same thing in the same way to each one of them? If not, why are you putting it up on social media in the first place?
5. Consider how it’s likely to be received. Don’t just think about it from your point of view. After you draft it, read it from the perspective of several of your potential readers.
6. Imagine how it will make you look to others. Your post conveys a representation of you. Make sure it’s the one you want people to have.
7. Don’t rely too heavily on automated messages. Remember that sinking feeling you get when you open that impersonal, pre-printed, unsigned holiday card?
8. Don’t assume it’s going to disappear. Keep in mind, this thing you’re posting might move to the back of the pack and out of sight, but it’s going to stay there — somewhere — indefinitely, to be discovered again at some future time when things are different.
9. Don’t compulsively “Like” messages posted by others. There’s an epidemic out there of people “Liking” the postings of others solely for the purpose of “drafting” those people’s contacts and connections. That’s pretty cynical and self-centered and, if you make it a habit, your audience won’t trust your sincerity when you register your genuine approval of something on its merits.
10. Pick up the phone or stop by. A post is more like writing a little article to no one in particular than having a real exchange of ideas with someone. Proactively initiating a real conversation with another person speaks volumes about your regard for that person. And just hearing or watching their reaction and response to what you’re saying in real time will help you clarify your own ideas.

The best posts are the ones that communicate the kind of message all your readers will want to hear, just as you’ve decided to say it. Everything else is probably better said one-on-one.