As a business owner, have you ever said something online you wish you hadn't? Maybe someone has publicly disagreed with you online about your beliefs or a position you have taken? Words are powerful. When a person you are conversing with is NOT in your immediate vicinity (i.e. in an email, on facebook/twitter, in online forums, etc.), it is easy for them to misunderstand the words you choose and the tone with which they are intended.
If you own a business and are using social media to build your client base or communicate with other members of your industry, that's great! But you have to set an example for your business online. The point I'm making is that you don’t call people names online. Not ever.
A snide comment or retort, especially those made out of anger or misunderstanding, has huge potential to bite you later on down the road (or even immediately, depending on what is said). Your comments may even be construed as libel or slander. When someone calls a fellow colleague names online, I wonder what they say about their clients, their business partners, the people they meet on the street. Bullying is unacceptable, online and offline.
Check yourself before you wreck your self business image. The internet, particularly parts of it that are indexed by Google (like Facebook, Twitter and forums), is not the place to air nasty comments about your colleagues. There are too many people out there chomping at the bit to use your statements as a chance to bring you down. How fortunate are we that Google archives all of our online statements for future documentation?
It is possible to have a grown-up discussion online, it's even okay to respectfully disagree with someone online. The difference between a respectful disagreement and attacking someone rides a fine line when the tone behind your words is indiscernible. As a side note, if you find yourself asking if a comment might be harsh, it probably is. If you still aren't sure, they do make software now that will tell you without judgement!
Remember, choose your words wisely.
Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com
6 comments:
Great post! I had not heard of the Tone Check software -- that is very clever. Thanks for sharing it. My parents taught me to sleep on it. I have never regretted following their advice.
Very good advice thanks. You should always ask yourself three things, before saying anything, is it kind, is it true, is it necessary.
I love that you posted this Ann! My grandmother used to say this and I had forgotten it until you brought it up. It's healthy to disagree, but we can do so in a manner that is both respectful and kind.
I agree Donna Maria. It saddens me that in this day and age, business owners who would never dream of saying hurtful and downright mean things to someone face to face, would do the exact opposite while hiding behind their computers. It's shameful and unprofessional and leaves those who witness it wondering how those same individuals must talk about their other colleagues or even their customers in private.
The testimonials from the Tone Check software website say that it has helped some users learn to "check" themselves face to face as well. We could all use that type of "wingman/wingwoman" in real life!
I couldn't agree with you more! It is so easy to get wrapped up in a thread or a hot topic not realizing that you and what you say are a reflection of your business. I am appalled and speechless at some of the things I read on the internet that so-called business say. I never bring up politics or religion when I'm representing my business online, and I've learned never to socialize when angry.
I agree! It can be so tempting to engage others in a non-productive manner online. The internet makes people seem anonymous, but really...they are still just people. People with feelings. It becomes easy to forget that you can hurt someone just as easily online with your words as you can in person with your fists.
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