Social Media Roulette

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, FourSquare – these are just four of the social media platforms that have transcended how we communicate with one another today. I’m a huge advocate for social media and the impact it can have on our society. As I type this, we are faced with the unique storm #Sandy and because of social media outlets, we are able to get up-to-the-minute news updates, images and reports on the damages #Sandy is having in the Northeast. Social media, when done right, can drive engagement and positive interaction that will in turn increase one’s desire to return to your Facebook page, Twitter account, etc.

Yet, with the rise of social media has also come the need for greater education and understanding. To help, I am writing this blog entry in the hopes that it will make you think twice before playing social media roulette.

What is roulette one may ask? Roulette is a game of hit or miss. In a gambling sense, it is whether the ball lands on black or red. In the context of social media, it is whether you post something and regret it or you don’t. My hopes are that you learn to use critical thinking before posting that next “wall status” or tweet.

To simplify this conversation, I thought it would help to break it down into some categories that my blog readers fall into and provide some tips to ensure you use social media platforms correctly and wisely:

To the Chapters of Fraternities and Sororities:

·         You represent a brand (i.e. your National organization) - Remember that in everything you post or tweet or take a picture of on occasion.

·         Don’t mistake activity with achievement – Just because your chapter puts a lot of content on Facebook doesn’t mean it is good content. Keep to your mission, vision and core values but showcase your chapter’s personality in a unique but appropriate way.

·         Social Media does not replace person-to-person recruitment - Don’t think your Instagram and Pinterest accounts are going to do the recruiting for you. Social Media starts the conversation, it doesn’t complete it.

To the Fraternity and Sorority Individual Member:

·         Think Before You Post/Tweet - You can delete Facebook posts but you CANNOT delete a tweet. Once you hit “tweet,” you can never go back. Numerous individuals have regretted not thinking before tweeting. In addition, why create a passive-aggressive FB wall post about your roommate for not cleaning up her side of the apt. when you could easily just talk to her about it?

·         Accountability, Accountability, Accountability – Ask yourself, would your grandparents want to look at your Facebook pictures? Think for a moment, if your chapter meeting is at 7pm and you are not present but then people see you “check-in” at a local bar at 7:02pm that could be an issue. If you are underage and drinking and someone tags you in a photo, that could be an issue. Same goes for the Exec. Board member who despises breaking risk management policy but yet posts their explicit breaking of policy for the world to see.

·         Check Yo’Self before you Wreck Yo’Self – Some of you may not understand the reference but the point is, do a personal search on yourself. If I type your name in Google, what will come up? If I search your Twitter handle, what will I see? Did you know I can see your “Favorites” on Twitter? What kind of images are you tagged in on Facebook? Are you on YouTube and proud of it? Where have you been checking into these days on FourSquare?  

To the Upcoming Graduate: (Source: http://mashable.com/2012/09/01/social-profiles-job/)

·         92% - That is the most recent percentage of companies who use LinkedIn, Facebook and/or Twitter for recruiting. 73% have found a new hire through a social network.

·         Negativity Hurts – Reference to drugs, posts/tweets of sexual nature, profanity, grammar errors and pictures of alcohol, in that order, are what recruiters react most negatively to.

·         Expect the Unexpected – 86% of recruiters’ review candidates’ social network profiles – whether or not candidates share those links. If you make it to a face-to-face interview round, be ready to answer a question or two about your social media outlets.

To the Fellow Professional:

·         Separate Personal from Professional – If you are the manager of your work’s social media accounts, ensure you keep your posts strictly to work. People have lost their jobs for mistaken posts/tweets that didn’t have ill intentions but resulted in too much damage.

·         Be Careful with Account Management – Some professionals like to give students free rein on social media accounts but if a student posts/tweets something inappropriate, do you have a social media crisis plan? Ensure what is being posted on official University accounts are something you are prepared to defend to your boss.

·         Hold Students Accountable – Did you know about that inappropriate Instagram picture your multicultural organization posted? What about that unclassy Pinterest board regarding “fratty costumes” for Halloween? Hearing through the rumor mill about a disturbing hashtag? These are all examples of where you as the professional need to step in and address the matter accordingly. What you don’t confront, you condone.

As I stated above, when done right social media can elevate the presence of an organization, drive engagement and really create a movement for a campus, a chapter or a National organization. So, make sure you are using social media correctly and for my professional friends, you are using social media as a learning experience for the students. The social media world moves fast and we need to keep on top of it with our education and knowledge.