Social Faux Pas - be network nice.
By Mark Towers
Facebook, Bebo, StumbleUpon, MySpace, Del.icio.us, YouTube, Furl, Technorati, and Digg to name but a few. Social Networks are everywhere with communities of millions of people across the globe.
If you're not on at least one social network then presumably you're not cool and down with the kids. Personally I’m on quite a few because I need to understand the usability of this media, and it's also useful for keeping in touch with old friends.
As soon as social networks started springing up I recognised the business potential - mass markets; subdivided into interest groups; easily accessible; owners keen to bend over backwards for advertising revenue. The term Social Media Optimisation was (coined by someone else) is the new SEO. Companies are spending time and effort getting their brands in the places where the audiences spend the majority of their time on the web. And why not? Social Networks are not going to disappear overnight - look how long Friends Reunited has been going. Okay, some will fall by the wayside but the stronger competitors will simply reinvent themselves as time goes by.
I can't write this article without mentioning the perils of social networking. Being on social networks can leave you open to many risks, and some of the main ones are:-
Identity Theft - be careful about what you make available, or at least be aware of who can read it. This goes for blogs too. Check security details and ensure you're comfortable with the level of information you make available. Don't do a Jeremy Clarkson and post your bank account number for a joke!!!
Stalkers! - You remember that crazy girl/bloke from school? Well, she/he might be able to find you if you make yourself traceable!
Work - It is rumoured that some companies check on current and future employees to assess their netiquette. It doesn't even have to be your boss or anyone you work with who can take offence to you being racist/offensive/abusive or downright hurtful on line - it could be your old school friends who actually dob you in. Not only could your current employer give you the boot, it would be a black mark on your future employment potential, and might even lead to criminal proceedings too.
So, take care when you socialise on line - you never truly know who is watching!