The Security Professionals Social Media Guide Lesson 1 is a lesson in self-control. So, you had a bad day, you hate your job, and you can’t stand your employer. We’ve all been there, but before you decide to rant to your social network, ask yourself “Will I regret this later?”
It’s incredible what people are willing to share with their social network. Tweeting, posting, and sharing have replaced the embarrassing (or the drunk) phone call, voice message, text or email, so think twice before you hit tweet, post, share or send.
The Security Professionals Social Media Guide – Questions to Ask
- Are you about to say or do something that you may regret later?
- Are you violating any human resource policies?
- Are you going to be questioned regarding your political correctness?
- Are you sending a message that is threating?
- Are you about to humiliate yourself, family, friends or co-workers?
As a security professional your career centers on credibility, one wrong tweet, post, share or comment may ruin what you have worked so hard to achieve. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might want to reconsider what you are about to tweet, post or share.
The Security Professionals Social Media Guide – Tweets, Post, Shares, and Comments Last Forever
What you tweet, post and share the information never actually goes away. Yes, there is a delete button, but you are kidding yourself if you think no one has seen or copied your tweet, post, share or comment.
When I get upset about something or someone, I don’t do anything for the next 24 hours. I ask myself will I regret what I am about to say, am I providing too much information, and most importantly do I need to respond? My 24-Hour Rule usually leaves me enough time to gather my thoughts so that I can react appropriately.
The Security Professionals Social Media Guide – Know the Don’ts
- Don’t take to social media when angry!
- Don’t use social media when drinking!
- Don’t bad mouth family, friends, co-workers or bosses!
- Don’t ever send threating messages, even jokingly!
- Don’t marginalize political correctness!
- Don’t use social media to seek revenge!
If you doubt your ability to control your social media tweets, post, shares or comments consider hiring a professional social networking manager. LARGO Connect works with security professionals and security companies to establish their personal or business brand as an authoritative voice on social media.
Working closely with our clients we develop, implement, manage and promote branding and marketing strategies across multiple social media networks. Why should you consider LARGO Consulting Services to handle your social networking needs? Because we clearly understand the do’s and don’ts when it comes to providing social networking services for security professionals.
Remember, social networking is a great way to keep in touch, share information, and be entertained. It can also be a nightmare that ends careers, so think twice before you tweet, post, share or comment.
Copyright 2018
About The Author
Bernard D. Gollotti, CPP is an ASIS International Board-Certified Security Professional with the designation of Certified Protection Professional (CPP) with over thirty-five (35) years real-world experience across multiple market verticals and disciplines.