The Visual Alliance Media Blog

And This is Why You Should Watch What You Post

You need to watch what you post on Social Media sites.

No seriously, you really need to watch what you post. I know we all want to upload every second of our life so everyone can know how cool we are and how much fun we’re having, but you have to watch what you post. Among many other things, it could mean your job.

Don’t believe me? Just ask these people.

1. Dan leon – He worked for the Philadelphia Eagles until his favorite player got traded to a rival team. He got on Facebook and posted Dan is fucking devastated about Dawkins signing with Denver…Dam Eagles R retarded!! Guess what. He got fired.  
2. Nathalie Blanchard – She was receiving disability checks for her severe depression until she posted some pictures of her beach holiday. Her insurance company saw the pictures and stopped sending the checks, saying that if she’s well enough to go on vacation, she’s well enough to go back to work. I personally have to agree with that one. Come on lady!
3. Random 16-year-old – This girl ended her first day as a grocery store employee by tweeting how “dull” the job was. Her boss saw and fired her stating “I have seen your comments on Facebook and I don’t want my company being in the news.” Once this story hit the press, he later said it was because she wasn’t a long term fit for the store if she was already bored on the first day. What an idiot. 

There are countless more people who have seen their jobs, relationships and dignity go down the drain because of a stupid post. So don’t be another Dan Leone or Nathalie Blanchard.

Watch what you post people!

How to Handle a Social Media PR Crises in 3 Easy Steps

 

A drunken tweet. An inappropriate Facebook pic. A YouTube video of you and your ex “just chillen.”

We’ve all done it, or at least seen it happen to others. For an individual it can mean a year’s worth of joke’s at your expense or even worse, an awful nickname. But for a company it can compromise years of building brand equity and a “good” name in the eyes of the public.

Social Media is so easy to use and has become so accessible that the chance of a blunder is inevitable. It’s become a case of not how to avoid a social media mistake, but how to address and “fix” the mistake.

Here are three easy steps that have worked for me.

1. Admit. Come clean about your mistake. The public is very unforgiving of liars. Whether you uploaded something viewers found offensive, made a typing error or simply omitted a key detail address the issue.
2. Fix. If you uploaded something incorrectly, post the correct information. If something was considered offensive, take it down. Get the point?
3. Distract. The public eye is easily distracted. Post something (positive) that will take the attention away from your blunder. This is a great time to pull those employee appreciation videos out!

Next time your CEO decides to post those drunken holiday office party pictures on Facebook or your deal of the day tweet is missing a few numbers follow these 3 easy steps: admit it, fix it and distract.  

 

Facebook Announces Formation of Global Advisory Board on User Safety

In a press release yesterday, Facebook announced the formation of the Facebook Safety Advisory Board to consult with the company on issues related to online safety.  Five leading Internet safety organizations from North America and Europe will initially serve on the board: Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, WiredSafety, Childnet International and The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI).

Initially, the new board will focus on overhauling Facebook's safety related documentation in the Facebook Help Center.  Facebook is also working with MTV and the BBC on related public awareness campaigns.

While Facebook has always focused on user safety, this proactive step ensures that it stays in the forefront of relevant issues as their user base continues to grow exponentially.

When Social Media Goes Wrong

As with any new technology, Social Media has kinks that need to be worked out. An Alabama news station realized this firsthand, when their new Twitter synced billboard showed the message 3 Accused of Gang Rape right next a picture of three newscasters.  

In another less hilarious example of social media gone wrong, the CEO of a high end boutique hotel posted pictures on Facebook of him shirtless at burning man and complained about his love life via Twitter.  Many of his 3,000 employees were left confused and concerned. His response? Go work at the Marriot!

So what should we take from these blunders? Well, when exploring new facets of Social Media from a corporate perspective make sure you play devils advocate to your ideas. I know it is exciting to use such new channels of communication, but don’t let the adrenaline cloud your thinking.

Sit down with your team and make a detailed, well thought-out plan for each facet of your social media campaign. Don’t just run with it as many companies end up doing. Make sure you have a back-up plan and crises response in case something does go wrong - stay tuned for tips on what a good crises plan should include.

After all, you don’t want to end up with a billboard like that!