The 13 Rules of Social Media Netiquette

Social media has become engrained in our society and is a common way to communicate, establish relationships, and create new ones. Just like your off-line relationships you probably do your best to be polite and follow certain guidelines to keep that relationship on solid ground. But what about social media etiquette? Since it is a fairly new phenomenon many people do not know the proper rules of engagement when interacting on their favorite sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others. Below we take a look at some guidelines to follow to help enhance your “netiquette.”

1. It is Better to Give than Receive

A lot of social media etiquette follows what’s already been established in society. The old adage that tells us to give more than we receive holds true in the social media world. You would never come into a new environment and start bossing people around and acting like you own the place because that would make everyone mad so don’t do that when you become a member of a new online community. You’ve got to earn your place and gain respect of others.

2. The Social Media Gangsta or E-Thug

These fools are notorious for talking smack where ever they go on the internet. Look, we understand it’s a lot easier to run your mouth sitting in your mom’s basement cause talking trash is dangerous in real life but no one thinks it’s cool and that kind of stuff annoys everyone. We’ve all seen it a thousand times – someone makes a normal comment on a video or someone’s post and then e-thug comes in a starts dropping f-bombs acting. The social media gangsta enjoys ruining everyone else’s online experience because they are so upset they have no friends in real life.

3. 24

No we’re not talking about the action show starring Keifer Sutherland. Before you consider posting something inflammatory, controversial or just because you’re upset we advise you think about it for 24 hours. The one thing about the internet is that it is written in pen not pencil. Whatever you post is out there in cyberspace forever. It’s easy to act out of frustration and in the moment post “I hate my boss” but be careful because you can’t take those words back.

4. Drop the Salesmanship

Social media sites are now the hot new marketing avenues with companies spending billions of dollars in research on how to earn your business. It’s okay to promote your product or service now and again but people who do nothing than constantly promote themselves or their business do more harm to themselves and the community than good. The best business people know that sales come from building relationships. If you act like a sleazy car salesman online you’ll get treated like one and given the cold shoulder.

5. Think Twice before “Friending” your Boss or Clients

You’ve probably got nothing to hide but think long and hard about friending business associates or your boss. Social media is mainly used to keep in touch with friends and family so you may not want your boss or clients to see everything. Many people have learned this lesson the hard way and have lost their job or missed out on a business opportunity because the wrong person saw it.

6. Quit Sending Request to People who Ignore you

You’ve probably had that person who has requested you to be friends over and over even after you have repeatedly ignored them – don’t be that person. They are probably ignoring you for a reason. It may not have anything to do with you personally but sending more requests will just continue to irritate them.

7. Use Proper Grammar

My 9^th grade English teacher told me a great piece of advice that I’ll pass on to you. He said “Even though you may be a very intelligent and articulate person if you don’t know how to put a few sentences together people will think you’re an idiot.”

Just because it’s Facebook or Twitter don’t ignore every rule on grammar you’ve ever learned. It’s understandable that you may have to use abbreviations on Twitter because of character limitations but try to do your best.
8. Breaking up is Hard to do…

Which is why some people take the cowardly way out and dump their significant other over the internet. Do the right thing and at least do it in person or over the phone (don’t leave a voicemail). Word spreads fast online and your ex will probably tell everyone or even repost your breakup for all the world to see and you’ll probably never get a date again.

9. Don’t Spam your Friends…they don’t like Mafia Wars or Farmville as much as you do

Farm requests, mafia hits, and all those other things annoy people. It’s not a good idea to keep “poking” your friends with requests to go pull a hit on someone or water your crops.

10. Be Cautious about Posting Photos

Personal photos on the internet can come back to haunt you. Many employers check people’s sites and you don’t want to have a picture of yourself sucking on a beer bong while wearing a Speedo.

11. Extra, Extra Read All about it

A great rule of thumb is to not post anything that you wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing on the front page of the newspaper or a billboard downtown. Remember, the internet is a completely public forum.

12. From Sick Day to Permanent Vacation

It’s a proven fact that the majority of people who call in sick for work just want a day off, but don’t call in sick then post pictures of yourself at the casino playing Texas Hold ‘Em with a drink in your hand. If you’ve called in sick stay off social media sites.

13. Proper Introductions

If you request a friend who may not remember you or because they are a friend of a friend kindly write them a message explaining the request and