This post was originally published on August 6, 2018. Since we are all involved in social media, it may be worthwhile revisiting it.
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Top Ten Things Not to Do on Social Media
This post was inspired by another post by award-winning author Jan Sikes. Jan wondered out loud whether 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.
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10 If you are on social media, do not publish a photo of yourself making a hand gesture.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. Why 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7 If you are on social media, do not publish pictures of your dinner, no matter where it is to be eaten.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 indicate 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 return 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6 If you are on social media, do not publish a GIF that blinks on and off with colorful stars and a giant pair of lips.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 that you are not home. If you do, at best, none of your readers will be cat burglars. 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 with 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 recommend 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’m going to send #6 to the Airport authority here in CT, John. At each of three crosswalks between the parking garage and departure entrance, they have three overhead stop signs. Each sign has a blinking red LED at each vertex. All of the lights blink at random! The lights are so distracting that someone is sure to run over a pedestrian at some point.
I’m assuming it’s OK to share this post on social media 😉
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Yes there is probably a trigger there. I would send it and you can always hit social medial with my stuff. 😁
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Come to think of it, I don’t see a lot of dinner pictures outside of things people cooked themselves. Hopefully the trend died.
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That would be a good thing. 😁
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After reading this list, I’m glad that blogging is my only social media. 😬
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I think you are wise to make that choice, GP. I waded into the social media swamp and not sure there is a return.
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I agree with GP. Blogging is it for me, too. But hey, let me show you a picture I took of my grits and eggs this morning…😆 Great list, John.
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Thanks Lois. I see your grits and raise you an omelet.
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If you consider blogging social media (which I don’t), that’s my only involvement, apart from using Twitter to keep up with the National Weather and Hurricane Services. I’ve never posted to any platform — apparently to my benefit!
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I would say to your benefit. I am on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I need to drop something.
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I have social media accounts but I just can’t keep up with them like I should. Although, I don’t see this as a bad thing. lol
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Yeah, keeping up is a chore.
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John,
you’ve topped yourself. #3, 4, 7, and 8
where do you find those names ?
I’m glad my name is Tom !!
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I look up lists of names starting with a letter. These are all legit. Thanks for the kind words.
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Your post John is even more relevant today… One that now can be added especially in the UK is, ‘ beware of what you post as you can now land in jail! .. xx
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Goodness. How did that happen? Sounds like a new crazy law.
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Yep.. Its now classed under the terrorism act if you speak out or tweet something in hast that is against the status quo.. Several women, mothers have been jailed under the new Labour leader elected in July… Look into Keir Starmer! our new Prime Minister.
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John, I used to be more involved with social media (authors are encouraged to have a “platform”, as you know), but I’m down to only blogging right now. There’s just so much anger and meanness around, and for the most part, bloggers are decent, supportive people. Besides, I just don’t have time to stare at a screen all day (and who really wants to see a picture of my dinners??)
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I agree on staring at the screen. I fight to get my screen time down each day.
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Yes, one has to has to consider possible reactions to what they post.
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I think that is a good summary, Tim. 😊
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I know people who announce when they are going on vacation, but I’m paranoid enough that I don’t.
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I don’t either. 😁
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Always sound advice. I am with you on the flashing GIFs… they are so annoying!
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Yes they are. Thanks, Dale.
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Wow…all so true!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Becky.
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A lot of much-needed wisdom wrapped in levity, John. Thank you! Have a great day. BTW, I tried to open Jan’s link, but I was blocked. Maybe others had the same experience. 🌞
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I’ll check the link. Thanks, Gwen. 😊
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once on facebook I had a relative mention we’d be gone 10 days. I got her to take it down but lots of people saw it. I answered like it was a joke. I got off facebook because I was repulsed at friends supporting Trump. I didn’t need to think less of them.
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I dislike Facebook for a bunch of reasons.
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Hee, hee…in my heavily millennial centric neighborhood, everyone walking a dog is looking at their social feed. Is it wrong for me to wish there was an open manhole cover nearby? 😇
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The visual is good for a good laugh. 🤣
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Funny but true!
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Thanks, Diana.
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It never ceases to amaze me what some folks post on their social media. So much oversharing.
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I like that word “oversharing”
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All wise counsel! I just don’t understand the urge to post photos of one’s lunch on social media.
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I don’t get that either.
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I frequently break rule #7 and rule #4, but I am very glad you did not have a rule for posting beer photos
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Note taken, John! 😅 I think I’m good❣️
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Hear, hear! The stuff people post makes me roll my eyes.
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I’ve never quite understood why people take pictures of their food. It’s one thing if they prepared it, but why do I need to see what they ordered at Taco Bell. 🤣
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I so agree. Thanks, Pete
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Solid advice, John. 🙌🏻 Number 8! 😱
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Thank you so much, Michele.
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You’re very welcome, John!
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😊
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The IG meme is hilarious.
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Glad you liked it.
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I tossed with have a food blog after Drinks but it occurred to me that I like eating much more than I like cataloguing what I’m eating.
As for wrestling, no good comes of calling it fake. It’s like railing on about something that might draw the ire of some crazy with an AK for a gravatar.
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If Tiny is making money at it then it is real. I agree no use rocking the boat.
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This is the truth.
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This post needs a refresh. In the intervening years, since 2018, No.2 has become a ‘respectable’ career choice for many youngsters. I don’t know how old Tiny is, but he won’t like no.2 for sure.
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I hear they make millions or is that Only Fans?
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