Social media manners: How courteous are you on social media?

Why do I ask that question and how does it matter any which way? Here is how this affects your personal branding and professional opportunities.

1. Key principle of anonymity: Group psychology experts tell us that people exhibit more risk-taking behavior when they are part of a large group. In simple terms, we also refer to it as mob-mentality. The difference here is that in social media, experts can also track you down from your internet protocol (or IP) address, because each of the electronic devices must have a unique IP address to be able to connect to the internet. However much you may have hidden your real identity behind a pseudonym or a fake ID, you remain traceable. Most professionals in metropolitan cities are aware of these realities and tend to avoid unnecessary conflict on social media, let alone using foul language to make a point.

That nicely connects with your understanding of two words: assertion and aggression. You can assert your point of view without showing any aggression. If you are also logical, so much the better.

Do you follow this simple rule in your communication on social media? If you do, you are on a good wicket. If not, there is no harm in starting soon, especially as your potential employers are also looking at your posts!

2. Basic courtesy: Every now and then we request someone to join their network. Irrespective of the social media platform, you must form a habit to thank the person who has admitted you to his or her group. I have often seen people joining a network and then completely forgetting to thank the person who has granted the access. This casual behavior is never appreciated.

Thanking the person does not take more than half a line. 'Thank you, Mr./Ms. XX, for accepting my invite!' Just eight words. It always generates much better goodwill.

3. Wishing people on their birthdays, etc: Most platforms such as LinkedIn provide a ready-made message so that you may wish other people when they are reaching a new milestone. If you cannot even spend five minutes on a social media network every day, it is not worth being there. Worse still if you cannot respond by saying a thank you! From my personal experience I can share that less than half of the people I wish everyday never respond. Sometimes, for years! I am left wondering if I can drive some sense of shame into them by continuing to wish them or should I simply throw them out of my network! They are unlikely to respond to a call or a need, especially when they are not courteous enough to respond to a greeting.

4. Responses to your post: Do you respond to a comment on your post by either liking the comment or by replying to it if it contradicts your point of view? Appreciating a comment that reinforces your point of view with a like or responding to a comment in a civil way only increases your credibility and/or your network.

Simple recommendation: Don't be greedy and reserve all the likes for yourself ??. Remember, you are not paying for it. So, how about spending a bit of energy to tell people in your network that you care?