How to be a Savvy Social Networker

April 16, 2009

Being socially connected has become a relatively easy thing to achieve in the days of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and the like. But, there are right ways to go about keeping in contact with acquaintances, friends and relatives that will ensure the information you and others post about you online portrays you in the best light possible.

Be yourself!

Make sure that everything you post is true and accurate, as coaches, teachers, employers and schools will have the possibility to access things that you post online. If you fabricate your background, people will know. And these fabrications could tarnish your character and cause people to doubt your honesty and sincerity.

Be sure content is appropriate for anyone to read - even parents!

Talking about the latest hook-up or party, posting negative comments about people, using foul language or posting inappropriate pictures can also lead to a bad reputation. This could be considered a major character flaw when people come across this information. Just because you might not be Facebook friends with your mother, that doesn’t mean you might not be Facebook friends with her best friend’s daughter or son. Use common sense and think before you type.

Be mindful of your ‘friends’!

It is said that a lot can be learned from the company you keep, and this includes your online friend base. If your friends are not keeping their profiles clean and truthful, then you should examine why it is you are friends in the first place, and if that is the best influence to be around. Either way, make a conscious choice before you befriend someone online.

Google your name!

It is always an interesting experiment to see what is floating around in cyber-space and linked to your name. This will give you an awareness about what others can find about you with just a few clicks of the mouse. And if you don’t like what you see, it’s time to change your computer habits.

The internet can be a fun and powerful tool, and if used correctly, can lead to some opportunities you never would have dreamed of. But it can also derail your hopes and plans if information gets into the wrong hands. The main key is to be aware of everything that you or others might be distributing about you and use your opportunities wisely.