It’s an ongoing battle: which social media sites are for “professional” use and which are for “personal” use? I read numerous articles and blogs that say that specific sites are only for professional use and others are only for personal use. Typically, the “preference” is that LinkedIn is professional, while Facebook and Twitter are personal—and never the twain shall meet.
There is no right or wrong way to use these sites. Let me say it again: there is no right or wrong way to use these sites! It is entirely each individual’s choice as to how they use social media sites.
My preference is that no site is just one or the other. I believe that we associate with people we share similar interests with. When we “get to know” someone, we’re more likely to want to support them in a professional manner—or develop a friendship with them—or both!
I firmly believe that LinkedIn posts should primarily focus on professional activities, but there’s no harm in occasionally having something fun tossed it! (However, I don’t like it when people have their Tweets automatically feed into LinkedIn, especially when they’re definitely more fun than professional.)
I have a combination of personal and professional posts on Twitter and Facebook. I’m very careful, though, not to get too personal and to always communicate in a professional manner.
The question I have for those who use sites like Facebook only for personal posts is simply “why?” I don’t care of someone is your best friend forever, family member, sports teammate or former classmate, are you assuming they could they never be in a position to refer you for a job, recommend you to a potential client and so on? In other words, if they know what you do professionally, they might be able to help you!
However, if you have unprofessional personal posts, then you may give a bad impression of yourself. One of my Facebook friends—someone I have known for many years—was not happy with her job and continually posted her unhappiness. She posted things like “I hate my job so much that I leave early every day.” She then asked if I’d be a reference. I’m a good friend, but she put me in a very uncomfortable position of having to lie if asked about her work ethic.
The moral of the story is: it’s OK to use sites just for personal use, but keep in mind that showing warts and all may come back to haunt you!
What do you think? What’s your preference for using the sites?
Another interesting blog….and it brings to mind “everything in moderation.”
As conventional wisdom suggests, I keep LinkedIn for professional use. It contains professional status, previous jobs, connections and groups I’ve joined.
As for Facebook, I lean toward the personal but am mindful of the site’s potential — positively and negatively. As for the What’s On Your Mind section, you may see my reaction to a news item, or to a spectacular rainbow…I may post a photo of the humongous Newfie we’ve adopted, or a painting I’ve completed (I take them down after a while), or I may “like” someone’s post; but I steer clear of personal ongoing reports about my health, family members or those mundane day-to-day activities.
No matter what I post, I’m always thinking, “What’s the potential…good or not so good?”
Mary – your philosophy is great. I think it’s always a good idea to keep in min “why” one is posting – and how someone could read it and/or respond. We may think we’re being cute or funny and to someone else, we come across as sarcastic or mean. It’s “social” networking so we definitely want to have fun, but as you said, in moderation!
Great info, Deb. I only use Linked In for professional use, twitter mostly, and have a personal page and a fan page on Facebook; however, I never really post anything too personal, since I always realize my personal life can impact my professional image. That said, I still have fun!
Dana – you’re a great example of posting fun things while always keeping your “image” professional. Good job!
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