5 Reasons to Protect Your Social Networking Reputation

Despite what we want to believe, the Internet is open to the public; the galactic public.  It's not just you in your corner of the room where no one can hear or see you.  Keeping that in mind, it is very important to watch what you say on the Internet, specifically on Facebook and Twitter, since they are the most popular social networking sites in existence, today.
Below are five steps you can take to protect your social networking reputation.

#5. Be Smart; Watch What You Say - If you wouldn't say it in front of someone you respect, don't post it on a social networking site.  If you wouldn't say it in front of a parent, grandparent, pastor, or someone you highly respect, or wouldn't want to disappoint, don't say it.

#4. Be Selective About Who You Let in Your Network.  The only people I accept into my network are people I know or who were referred to me by someone I respect and honor.  What if your pastor asked to follow you on Twitter, could you?  What about Facebook?  Are you proud of what you say and have you thought about how what you say online may affect future opportunities.  If not, start doing so, today.

#3.  Be Careful not to Offend -  You have the right to express yourself and you have freedom speech, but social networking is designed for your 'friends'.  Remember, people have access to all your personal comments; your comments about the size of your... who you prefer to sleep with, or not... how much marijuana you smoke... and so on and so forth.  Posting your explicit comments on my Facebook wall can be, and has been offensive.  Be careful not to offend.  The social networking site that has me miffed the most is Twitter.  Although I have total control control over who I follow and who I allow to follow me, I always seems to learn ore about people than I am willing to know.  Be careful not to offend.  Don't offend others, but more importantly, don't offend your brand.

#2. Only use Social Networking for Business - One way to protect your online reputation in the online world is to remove the personal from the experience.

#1. Don't Expose Too Much of Yourself - At the end of the day, your reputation is all you have,  Protect that as you would your most sacred and intimate relationships. Let no one defame you or discredit your brand.  Social media is meant to build a positive, reputable name for yourself.  This media is permanent and if misused, it can haunt you one day.  Becareful to not expose too much of yourself.  The message is never lost.