(STOP!) Before You Make Your Next POST!

Emotions are high, tempers are flaring and your next post may cost you more than you realize. It is great that we have the freedom of speech. However, we also have the right to remain silent. Sometimes we should choose the later. Trust me, “What you say, can and will be held against you by existing and potential customers.”

51848264 - social media network web online internet concept

Call it petty or whatever you will, but the fact of the matter is that people have un-followed, blocked and even un-friended people because of their political rants. Don’t think for a minute that they won’t stop doing business with you over it. Maybe you have plenty of money in the bank and don’t care about this. Then again, maybe you don’t. The following are three things to consider before you press SHARE!

  1. Intent to Inform: First make sure the information is accurate, and then state that as your intention. Even if the information is factual it might be written in an offensive tone. Consider this before you post.
  2. Intent to Offend: If your intention is to offend, you won’t need to state it. You knew it was offensive when you wrote or shared it and you should be prepared to deal with the consequences.
  3. Unsure of How it Sounds: Read it from the perspective of those who may disagree with you. If they would find it insulting, then it probably is. Another solution may be to ask someone else for his or her thoughts before posting. Of course their thoughts may be irrelevant if the person you’re asking doesn’t care about offending others. Use your discernment!

The important thing to remember here is that your words are not without consequence. If they are helpful, by all means, post them. Spread them to the world. If they are hurtful, I strongly urge you to keep them to yourself or find a very strategic way to disseminate them. Your business depends on it! As Maya Angelou stated, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

 

Eric L. Lipsey