5 simple words, committed to memory, can help you become a S.M.A.R.T. social media user.

1. Your Guide
to S.M.A.R.T
Social Media
5 points to ponder before
tweeting, posting or pinning.
By David Sheets, regional director,
Society of Professional Journalists

2. To most people, social
media is mere fun and
games ― a means of
killing time and staying
in constant contact
whether they need that
contact or not.

3. But it’s serious stuff in
the workplace. Saying
the wrong thing online,
even one word, can
harm your reputation
and bruise your
employer’s image.

4. That’s why employers
are busy creating policy
to protect themselves
and their workers from
assorted threats and
intimidation.
But policy is useless in combatting ignorance.

5. People misuse social media mainly because
they misunderstand it.
They think social media
is just technology.
In fact, it’s a window
others reach through
to influence you, just
as you influence others.

6. That’s because social media “sees” you.
It does this by drawing a picture based on
your willingness to tell everyone where you are,
what you’re doing and what you’re thinking.
Thus, the more you interact with it, the more
it knows about you.

7. And the more everyone
else knows about you.

8. So, keep in mind, responsible social behavior
isn’t a matter of policy. It’s a matter of maturity.
The more mature you
are, the less likely you
will get yourself, and
your employer, into
trouble.

9. Think of it
this way,
because
it’s true:
The best guide to good social media policy
stares at you in the mirror every morning.

10. So, be S.M.A.R.T
about social media
by observing
these 5 guidelines:

11. S= Separation ― Keep your professional media
use separate from your personal media use.
For example, connect to friends and family with
your default Facebook page, but create a
business page for work-related posts.
Try to maintain distinct Twitter, Pinterest
profiles, too.

12. M= Meaning ― Make sure you say what you
mean, and mean what you say.
Don’t type and send right away. Type and stop,
and wait for a total of 2 minutes.
Re-read what you’ve written, think about how
it’s written and whether it says what you want.
Remember, you are your own best editor.

13. A= Attitude ― Measure your mood because
it will come through your writing. Don’t use
social media when you’re:
• Angry
• Sleepy
• Hungry
• Drunk
(Four behaviors when you’re most vulnerable.)

14. R= Responsiveness ― Answer promptly, or
don’t answer at all.
If you can answer within a minute or an hour,
great. Being prompt is a measure of respect
and politeness.
After 24 hours, others perceive the long delay
as an insult, no matter your excuse.

15. T= Timing ― Be aware of what’s going on
around you. Pay attention to office politics,
current events, anything that shapes a
public conversation.
Then, be ready to respond ― or not respond
― to what’s happening in the proper context.
Say the right thing at the right time.

16. Another “T” related to Timing …
T= Taste ― Context is king; taste is queen.
Minding the former
helps assure the
latter. And timing
is crucial to both.

17. Your Guide
to S.M.A.R.T
Social Media
5 points to ponder before
tweeting, posting or pinning.
By David Sheets, freelance editor and writer
dksheets@gmail.com / 314-971-0073