Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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You Are What You Tweet: Social Media Etiquette Tips, Part Three

14 Nov 2011 By: Diane Gottsman

Are you minding your Twitter and Facebook etiquette? I’ve recently blogged about “You Are Who You Tweet” and “You Are What You Tweet”. Today is the last of of the three part series and I’ll be sharing some handy social media etiquette tips.

Most of us have to come to not only use and enjoy social media, but to rely on it for news and relevant information from businesses and organizations we’ve “liked” on Facebook or “followed” on Twitter.

Have you ever unfollowed, blocked, or unfriended a business or individual who isn’t making the best use of their social media presence? I know I have. Perhaps the post frequency is excessive, or the post content is offense. Or, we just don’t see the benefit in the relationship, since conversations may be one-sided or just downright boring.

Here are a few tips to ensure that your personal brand is a positive one.

Social Media Etiquette Tips:

1. Know and understand the power of your words. Think of your status updates and tweets as a representation of your personal brand, because they are. Every day, the content that you “put out there” on social networks is a reflection of your character.

2. Stay upbeat. Do you know someone who is a “Negative Nelda”, never having anything positive to say? How does being around that person make you feel? Is it an uplifting experience? Surely not. Much in the same way, it’s best to avoid venting and complaining on social networks.

3. Enjoy the benefits. Social media has the power to connect you to an audience that you may have otherwise never been able to reach. Use Twitter and Facebook to engage in conversations with others in your industry, people you admire and look up to, places you would like to visit, people you would like to meet.

4. Find balance. Social media can be as addictive as it is powerful. The workplace or dinner table are not the places to check your news feed for your friend’s status updates. We’ve all had an experience where we felt ignored when the person we are with is constantly checking their phone or mobile device/iPad, etc.

5. Pay attention to the world and person that is right in front of you. When possible connect in person, especially if you live in the same town or city. Remember to cultivate those real-life relationships with friends and family. That’s where memories are made!

Until next time, happy tweeting and Facebooking!

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.