This is a follow-up post to last week’s “Seven Deadly Twitter Sins” post. After seeing the overwhelming response to this post, I decided to turn this into a weekly series. This week’s series post is all about what not to do on Facebook.
Contrary to many people’s beliefs, social media will amplify your reputation. Here are seven things that will make you look like a self-obsessed jerk on Facebook.
7. Every status update is a song lyric or quotation.
You are not Gandhi nor are you Billy Joel. There is absolutely no reason why every status update needs to be a quotation or music lyrics. In small doses, it might inspire some people. In large doses, it annoys everyone.
6. Posting TMI status updates
Status updates are great for updating friends, family members and coworkers about your work and personal lives. That being said, status updates are very public. So, please stop posting information about intimate personal details and physical ailments. No one really wants to know about your mysterious rash, body oder dilemma or how you spent the night cradling the toilet seat. So, please stop posting it.
5. Posting A profile photo where you are obviously drunk
I can go on and on about how devastating this could be in your career or in your job search. But, it also makes you look trashy and irresponsible. Is that profile photo of you taking shots really worth jeopardizing your whole career?
4. Ladies, stop posting profile photos of you in a bikini or in provocative attire.
Facebook is a social networking site, not an online dating site. There’s a good chance that your current or future boss and/or mom and grandma will come across that photo. That photo of you in your skimpy Catholic schoolgirl Halloween costume isn’t becoming and is downright unprofessional. So if you must post those photos, please keep them on Match.com or (insert) online dating site of choice.
3. Abusing the “Like” button
I’ll be the first one to admit that creating status updates that are “likeable” is great. The more “likes” that you have on a post, the more likely it will be dominant on your friends’ news feed. That’s a great marketing tool.
That being said, there are some things that should not be “liked.” For instance, here’s a list of things that I’ve seen “liked” on my Facebook news feed: Soldiers dying in wars, people getting sick, getting in car accidents, etc.
2. Stop “Poking” people!
Poking is one of the most annoying things you could do on Facebook. You wouldn’t go up to a friend at the mall, and randomly start “poking” them. So, why do you think it’s okay to do that on Facebook?
1. Constant bragging and/or shameless self-promotion
Facebook is a “social” networking site. Key point: it’s about being “social.” If all you do is brag about your latest accomplishment, you are going to alienate a lot of people.
