The inspiration for this post was another post by award-winning author Jan Sikes. Jan was wondering out loud whether or not we were all sharing too much on our social media efforts. In a comment back and forth she suggested doing a “Top Ten Things Not to Do” post. You can see Jan’s post HERE. You should visit her blog just to take a look at the five books she has written.
The Top Ten Things Not to Do on Social Media.
10 If you are on social media, do not publish a photo of yourself making a hand gesture. If you do, at best the gesture has an innocent intent. At worst, your gesture no matter how honest is seen by others as a reason to find out where you live. (It is incredible that you have all those people on your front lawn, Espen. What do you think they are carrying torches and pitchforks?)
9 If you are on social media, do not post that you believe WWF wrestling is fake. If you do, at best Tiny the WWF champ is out of the country without access to the internet. At worst, your post pops up on Tiny’s feed. (Looking through the peephole in your door does not give you the whole view of what is about to happen, Ethan. In fact, I would back up a bit, so you are not hit by flying splinters. Better yet, run for your life.)
8 If you are on social media, do not engage in a back and forth discussion on politics with someone who has an AK 47 as a Gravatar. If you do, at best you’ll stop before going too far. At worst, your last comment which has no retort will be followed by a high-pitched tone. (That tone is the sound of an incoming rocket-propelled grenade, Eupeithes. I would take cover.)
7 If you are on social media, do not publish pictures of your dinner no matter where it is to be eaten. If you do, at best most will miss it. At worst, the two likes you receive will be indicative of how poorly ham hocks and sour kraut with a side of succotash come across in a photo. (The fact that most of your readers decided to skip their dinner will come back to haunt you, Eurystheus.)
6 If you are on social media, do not publish a GIF that blinks on and off with colorful stars and a giant pair of lips. If you do, at best at least one reader will think it is cute. At worst, you will trigger several psychological and physical events that will hold you forever libel. ( I guess you had no idea the strobe effect would cause such a reaction, Evann. The injury attorneys will find that laughable.)
5 If you are on social media, do not broadcast the fact that you are not home. If you do, at best none of your readers is a cat burglar. At worst, you’ll return home from your trip to an empty house. (Normally you are used to being alone at home, Everardo but no furniture is a bit stark.)
4 If you are on social media, do not rant about a minor inconvenience in your day. If you do, at best folks will just ignore you. At worst, you’ll get other stories that make your problem sound like a blessing. (Now don’t you feel like a dope, Evgeni. You just had to demonstrate how shallow you are didn’t you?)
3 If you are on social media, do not publish pictures of your new expensive purchases. If you do, at best your materialism will define you. At worst, those followers who have significantly less than you seem to have will drop you like a hot potato. ( I know you were happy you got that BMW, Evzen. All those folks in a ten-year-old Honda can’t help but be jealous.)
2 If you are on Social media, do not pretend to be recommending products that you like when in reality you are being paid. If you do, at best your recommendations will be ignored. At worst you will support something that doesn’t work. (Now you have an angry bunch of readers, Eric. What’s that they are saying about a class action suit?)
1 If you are on social media, don’t forget that your followers are individuals and deserve the best you have to offer. If you do forget, at best a few unfollows will wake you up. At worst, you will need to start over with a new approach. (Funny how those thousands of followers disappeared isn’t it, Edward?)
Fiction Favorites 
I always love your top tens.
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Thank you, Andrew. This is a nice compliment since I enjoy your stuff as well.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thank you, Chris. It is an honor to be at your place.
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My pleasure, John 😃
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😀
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Awesome, dear John!!! Number 5 is top! Indeed so many people have already been robbed due to Social Media! 🙂
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I think social media robs us all of time. Thanks, Maria.
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True, dear John! You are so wise! So do I. Humans got weird due to it.
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Yes. I agree.
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Great list, John! One think I can’t stand is when people post how sick they are. Happy Monday!
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I agree. Not sure I need the blow by blow and shot of the red nose. 😀
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Sounds like I’m glad to only be on WordPress! 🙂
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I think you should be glad, GP 😀
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Who would have thought social media would have so many pitfalls? I mean, aside from most people. 😛
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It seems that every advancement has its downside. I think the common element is people. Thanks, Charles.
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Good point. We need to do something about people. They always make a mess.
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So true. 😀
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Judging from Facebook, John, I would think bragging about the new BMW is required behavior. I’m pretty good with most of these. I did take some flack when I posted bacon and eggs with sliced tomatoes instead of hash browns. Apparently there’s a rule about that. And, for the records, I’ve always been impressed with the pure athleticism of those WWE wrestlers.
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I love sliced tomatoes at breakfast.
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Tomatoes and eggs are a favorite combination of mine. Some consider it blasphemy.
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Mine too. I scramble some and toss in chopped plum tomatoes. Yum. I like sliced with fried eggs.
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A couple of real hoots but lots of practical advice, John!
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Thank you, Noelle.
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Sound advice. (Said by someone who shares bugs and waffles online.)
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Ha haha.
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Such a great list, and so much truth. Some of those practices even sneak into blogs from time to time. Honestly? If you’re neither a restaurant reviewer nor a cook — enough with the food photos, already. I’m glad you managed to find lunch, but really…
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I know, right?
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I see so much of #4 and #5, and pretty tired of #7 also.
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Yup. Thanks, Teri
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Today’s list was brought to you by the letter “E” – and E-veryone should pay heed… E-nough of the nonsense. E-xcellent list, agreed to by E-lad (Dale backwards 😉 )
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😀
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A most entertaining list, good sir!
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Thank you, John
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Great list, John. A bit of laughter mixed with wisdom makes for a fantastic post. Have a wonderful day!
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Thank you, Gwen. it was fun.
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A fantastic Top Ten list, John! You hit the proverbial nail on the head. 🙂 Well, and a few other places. Thank you for mentioning my blog.
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Thank you, Jan. Great idea you had.
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Reblogged this on Writing and Music and commented:
Inspired by my post from last week about over-sharing on Social Media, John Howell has created a Top Ten Things NOT to do on Social Media List. Enjoy the chuckle.
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Thank you, Jan
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#8 is the ‘stopper’! ♥
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😀
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Outstanding list, John! Most of these points can’t be mentioned often enough either.
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So true. Thaks, Debbie.
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Love these 🙂
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Thank you, Lucinda.
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As always guidelines to live by.. thanks John.. hugsxx
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XX
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Good morning, John,
as to #7: I took pictures of my ham hock [and Mary’s Kasseler”] at the Hofbraeuhuas and I intend to publish them [very soon in my blog] just because they were so poorly done. An absolute disgrace. The cook should have been hanged, drawn, and quartered! 😉
Enjoy your day,
Pit
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Ha haha. I’ll look forward to the photos. 😀
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Also……um……ah……listen up, kids,…..don’t post videos of your crimes.
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And put that shirt back on.
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Great post John…so much truth and lots of laughter:)
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Makes me glad, Denise.
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Great advice – I wish all would follow. Particularly the dinner pics and busy GIFs!
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I agree. nothing like a blinking GIF to stop the heart.
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Hi John! Some of these are actually very good advice. 😀 xx
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Come to think of it, the pictures are as bad as the food – way too blurry! But I’ll show the anyway when I do that article.
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Where was this place?
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I just read your post and see it is in Helen.
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Yep.
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I’ll stay away from there.
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🙂
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🙂
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Another winner, John. I so enjoy your Top Tens. Please give my best to Tiny. 🙂
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He sends his best back to you.
😀
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😀
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🙂
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There are way too may revelations on social media that should be left un-posted!!!!!! Great list! I have unfollowed several “friends.”
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So true, Jo.
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Very good heads up this week. So good. So true!
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Thank you, Audrey
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🙂
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[…] via Top Ten Things Not to Do on Social Media — Fiction Favorites […]
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out the The Top Ten Things Not to Do on Social Media from this post on John Howell’s blog.
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Thank you, Don.
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You’re welcome.
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🙂
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Oh, I’m guilty of posting pics of my food on more than one occasion.
#5 is a good rule! Those GIFs do get to me too.
Good list John!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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So no pics of my ham hocks and succotash dinner . . got it!
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Some great tips within this Top 10 list, John. #5 is especially important. It also always amazes me that some people put their phone numbers and/or address in social media posts. That’s like finding gold dust to anybody looking to do some Phishing or fraud.
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So true on the fraud, hugh. Thanks. 🙂
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Ah, social media, John, don’t we just love and hate it. I only follower authors, writers and poets so I manage to stay sane [most of the time].
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Good for you. 😀
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