Admit it- at some point we have all made some kind of a social media comment that we wound up regretting. Want some examples? Here are some of my most regrettable social media blunders (I am blushing just thinking about these):

• Starting an awkward and heated debate on Facebook by posting a “don’t even go there” comment on a current issue (like my seemingly harmless comment about immigration-eeek!).
• Inadvertently infuriating a friend expecting her first baby by publicly congratulating her on her Facebook wall….before she had a chance to tell her boss who also follows her on Facebook- oooops.
• Misspelling a word in the title of a blog post (eeeewwwww- the worst!)
• Getting busted using someone else’s copyrighted photo without their permission…uh….can someone say lawsuit?? Don’t worry, we worked it out- but I had egg all over my face!
• Posting and tagging photos at a kid’s party and accidentally upsetting the other moms in our circle who did not get an invite (how was I supposed to know?)

Look, it is inevitable to make a faux pas- it happens.  Everything we say on social media is for public consumption.  So do yourself a favor, and think twice before posting.  Don’t say something that you would not want to be read by your parents (or your laptop might be shot , just ask Hannah’s dad), your boss, your coworkers, potential clients, employers, anyone! Put a filter on it!

To demonstrate some big time gaffes, let me share an article I came across that addresses social media mistakes in the workplace….warning: some of these  blunders are painful to read.

In the article Social Media Blunders That Will Hurt Your Career Shama Kabani, CEO of The Marketing Zen Group and author of “The Zen of Social Media Marketing“; and Diane Danielson, Principal Consultant with DKD New Media Strategies and co-author of “The Savvy Gal’s Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)” share some pretty painful examples of what not to do on social media.

• Tweeting too much info about a job interview or offer.  Ex/ A graduate student is offered a paid internship at Cisco and Tweets: “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.” A Cisco employee saw it and replied “Who is the hiring manager? I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.” oooops
• Posting photos while you are playing hooky (this will ensure that you will get caught)
• Trashing your boss and co-workers (it will get back to them ya know)
• Posting how boring your job is- during work hours.
• Badmouthing your clients- (a big no no!!!)

What are some painful social media blunders you can think of to share?  Maybe it is something you did, or something someone else did.  Do tell!

Categories: Blog, Netiquette, Social Media, Tough Love

Tags: Blunders, Careers, Social Media

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