YOUR Social Media Reputation Mistakes?

Social media has transformed the world as we know it. It keeps us connected to friends and family and brings humor into our lives when we need it most. But like anything, there can be a dark side to social media — and it is often misused by people, wittingly or unwittingly..

Ten Harvard students lost their admission to the respected school because of offensive memes they were posting on a group chat page. While most of us might not go that far, there are things we should beware of posting on social media. The wrong meme or tweet could cost us important relationships or tarnish our reputations.

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What are five common mistakes people make on social media that can hurt their relationships with others?

1. Airing Your Dirty Laundry For Others To See

If you're having problems with your partner, be respectful and discuss them directly with your partner! If you're venting on social media, it makes things awkward for your friends and gives people lots to gossip about.

2. Posting Anything Negative

People make judgments quickly on social media. I recently saw someone post the following, "Angry AF today." If you're single and people get the feeling you're negative or a Debbie Downer, they're going to think twice before setting you up with their friends.

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3. Vaguebooking — Posting Something Borderline Hostile That Is Pointed At One Person

For example, "I wish that if someone had something that they wanted me to know, they would tell me to my face instead of behind my back." This makes you look petty and passive-aggressive.

4. Posting Private Or Negative Things About Your Kids

In other words, "too much information" that would embarrass them. I see some parents using Facebook as a zone to talk ALL about their kids (good, bad or intimate), with details their kids probably wouldn't want shared.

Always ask your child if they mind you posting something or a particular photo. Even at their young ages, they will have strong opinions. Respect your kids' privacy and wishes, and you'll preserve their trust for years to come.

5. Tagging Your Friends In Old Photos

I hear people complain about this all of the time. They don't want old high school photos tagged and showing up in people's news feeds. It's embarrassing to some people and they'd rather leave those memories in the yearbook. If you feel the need to post an old photo, ask people's permission before you tag them.

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6. Arguing On Facebook

In today's super-charged political environment, people feel entitled to rant and tear others down in social media posts. It's easy to go back and forth with comments, while the hostility builds rapidly. You are NOT going to change someone's mind by arguing your point. The collateral damage is that you will look like "that" person who is ... Crazy.

7. Posting Photos You'd Be Embarrassed If Your Boss Or Family Saw

In today's world, you are one screen shot away from going viral (and even losing your job). Keep your social media posts "social" — and keep your photos appropriate. If you wouldn't want your mom or boss to see the photos, the world doesn't need to see them either.

Guest Authored By Bela Gandhi. Bela is a Top Dating/Relationship Coach and Social Media Personality. She's the founder and president of Smart Dating Academy. Follow Bela on Twitter.

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Your personal brand is affected by your social media posts, even if the people know you well.

Use it to connect with people, be positive and share inspiration.

Do not use it for dark, negative or downright crazy posts.

Follow these rules, and you should keep your relationships on the up and up, and your reputation crisp and clean!

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  Authored by:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)

Healthy Living From Social Media?

How social media is popularizing healthy living - Consumers are seeking advice and tips for making small, daily changes..

As we learned in the recent election cycle, consumer attitudes and actions are deeply influenced by social media. We rely on our social networks for guidance about purchase decisions, travel plans and, particularly, health and lifestyle choices. This isn’t new.

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Before online social networks existed, the Framingham Heart Study found that social ties have a profound impact on individual lifestyle decisions.

For example, an individual’s likelihood of becoming obese increased by 57 percent if he or she had a social connection with someone who became obese (all other factors remaining equal).

We are social animals, and our connections are amplified on social media. It is not surprising that health and lifestyle content is heavily shared on social networks, and that it has a powerful, real-world effect on consumers, making it the most important platform for wellness brands to reach—and impact—consumers.

Although “wellness” has been a media darling for many years, at CureJoy, we realized that most of our community members are relatively new to healthy living lifestyle choices. Creators and brands must take this into account when crafting content.

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Of course, consumers want healthier, happier lives for themselves and their families.

But rather than sudden transformations, they are seeking advice and tips for making small, daily changes that fit into the way they live now. Social media is the perfect vehicle for delivering content that is bite-sized, actionable and accessible.

Effective content must simplify wellness so that consumers can make the small lifestyle changes that lead to big benefits over time. Content must be optimized for consumption in the social and mobile feed.

Finally, the message must not preach or talk down to “newbies.” Tailoring content for this “next wave” of wellness consumers can be very powerful. Consumers are deeply driven to live healthier lives, and they are turning to social media to learn how.

For all of the good that social media can do, there is a dark side. “Fake news" about healthy living products—overstated or spurious claims—poses a real threat to consumers.

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At CureJoy, we have seen that social media has a powerful impact on the way consumers eat, shop, exercise and relax.

Because many consumers are new to wellness, they are particularly susceptible to overstated claims and inaccurate information.

It is essential that the health and wellness industry police itself to assure that the advice we provide to consumers is valid, and that any commercial sponsorship is clearly disclosed. CureJoy’s content is created by expert practitioners, based on their field-tested experience. We vet the content to assure that it is pragmatic, credible and trustworthy.

Publishers and brands must work together to provide valuable, validated healthy living advice that places consumer safety and well-being first.

Guest Authored By Dikshant Dave. Dikshant Dave is CEO of health and wellness community CureJoy, which reaches 80 million monthly users via social media, mobile applications, email and the web.

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“Publishers and brands must work together to provide valuable, validated healthy living advice that places consumer safety and well-being first.."

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  Authored by:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)