Don’t drink and post: 10 ways to avoid online embarrassment over the holidays!
18 December 2013
Even on a good day, slip-ups happen on social. Whether it's a typo, a broken link or a rogue RT, these types of mistakes are minor and not a big deal.
However, over the holidays, even the best community managers can let their guard down, and that's when disaster strikes.
That's why these 10 tips will be helpful for being safe on social over the holidays. This guide will help you craft your tone, keep your cool, and avoid any major social media meltdowns.
1. Create social media separation
It’s natural to want to vent, but during stressful times, it’s easy to accidentally post your feelings to the wrong audience. Keep your personal devices personal, especially during the holidays. Disabling your company accounts on your phone and tablet will lessen your risk of posting personal messages on your company channels, and let you keep your work life professional.
2. Use a private browser on mobile
Set up your smartphone with a browser that requires you to log in every time you want to use your company’s social media accounts. This way, you’ll be less likely to accidentally post something intended for your friends’ eyes to your company account.
3. Don’t drink and post
Vow never to post anything to your company social media if you don’t have a clear head. Same goes if you’re upset, tired, jetlagged or just in a bad mood. Wait until you’ve calmed down before pressing TWEET.
4. Assign a designated poster
If your social or personal plans interfere with your schedule, turn over your social media duties to a trusted coworker. This way, you can relax during your family gathering, knowing that there will be a clear-headed person at the helm.
5. Get a breathalyzer for your phone (seriously – they exist!)
You’ve heard the phrase “buzzed driving is drunk driving.” Well, the same goes for social media posting. If you’re unsure whether your judgment may be clouded, the Backtrack app can help you decide whether you’re in good enough shape to post. Even if it shows you’re in the clear, remember that when in doubt, don’t send it out.
6. Reiterate your social media policy
During the holidays, consider sending out an email to your employees reminding them of the importance of using discretion during the holidays when it comes to posts on the company social pages or using company hashtags. Remind them of the importance of keeping the company name “clean.”
7. Keep your logo on the down low
If you’re hosting an event in public, resist the urge to emblazon everything with your corporate identity. The last thing you want to see is your logo splashed across the chest of someone dancing with a Christmas tree.
8. Keep a digital eye on your accounts
Monitor your company hashtags and accounts for compromising content (like posts, tags, images, comments and pictures) so you can delete unwanted items before they have a chance to spread.
9. Remember your company values
On the same note, remember your high-level branding goals. While it’s fine to be fun and playful, ask yourself whether your post is in line with the image you want to portray. Again, discretion is key. When in doubt, delay pressing the SEND button until you’re confident it’s something you want to communicate.
10. Keep it light
Christmas and New Year's Eve aren’t good times to send out hard news. Take the time to thank your customers and followers, and wish them well for the coming year.
Remember: they’re people, too, and probably thinking about loved ones rather than work. The holidays are a chance to strengthen personal connections with your user base, which will hopefully translate into good cheer in the coming year.
Additional reporting: Simply Measured
However, over the holidays, even the best community managers can let their guard down, and that's when disaster strikes.
That's why these 10 tips will be helpful for being safe on social over the holidays. This guide will help you craft your tone, keep your cool, and avoid any major social media meltdowns.
1. Create social media separation
It’s natural to want to vent, but during stressful times, it’s easy to accidentally post your feelings to the wrong audience. Keep your personal devices personal, especially during the holidays. Disabling your company accounts on your phone and tablet will lessen your risk of posting personal messages on your company channels, and let you keep your work life professional.
2. Use a private browser on mobile
Set up your smartphone with a browser that requires you to log in every time you want to use your company’s social media accounts. This way, you’ll be less likely to accidentally post something intended for your friends’ eyes to your company account.
3. Don’t drink and post
Vow never to post anything to your company social media if you don’t have a clear head. Same goes if you’re upset, tired, jetlagged or just in a bad mood. Wait until you’ve calmed down before pressing TWEET.
4. Assign a designated poster
If your social or personal plans interfere with your schedule, turn over your social media duties to a trusted coworker. This way, you can relax during your family gathering, knowing that there will be a clear-headed person at the helm.
5. Get a breathalyzer for your phone (seriously – they exist!)
You’ve heard the phrase “buzzed driving is drunk driving.” Well, the same goes for social media posting. If you’re unsure whether your judgment may be clouded, the Backtrack app can help you decide whether you’re in good enough shape to post. Even if it shows you’re in the clear, remember that when in doubt, don’t send it out.
6. Reiterate your social media policy
During the holidays, consider sending out an email to your employees reminding them of the importance of using discretion during the holidays when it comes to posts on the company social pages or using company hashtags. Remind them of the importance of keeping the company name “clean.”
7. Keep your logo on the down low
If you’re hosting an event in public, resist the urge to emblazon everything with your corporate identity. The last thing you want to see is your logo splashed across the chest of someone dancing with a Christmas tree.
8. Keep a digital eye on your accounts
Monitor your company hashtags and accounts for compromising content (like posts, tags, images, comments and pictures) so you can delete unwanted items before they have a chance to spread.
9. Remember your company values
On the same note, remember your high-level branding goals. While it’s fine to be fun and playful, ask yourself whether your post is in line with the image you want to portray. Again, discretion is key. When in doubt, delay pressing the SEND button until you’re confident it’s something you want to communicate.
10. Keep it light
Christmas and New Year's Eve aren’t good times to send out hard news. Take the time to thank your customers and followers, and wish them well for the coming year.
Remember: they’re people, too, and probably thinking about loved ones rather than work. The holidays are a chance to strengthen personal connections with your user base, which will hopefully translate into good cheer in the coming year.
Additional reporting: Simply Measured
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