Social Media Do’s and Don’ts for the Wedding Professional

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

Social Media is a great way to show your personality to potential clients and business contacts.  Like most things though, it is a double-edged sword.  If you aren't careful, you could be showing potential clients and business contacts a less-than-flattering side of you.

I was just catching up on Facebook when I noticed the status posting of a business contact who had befriended me.  Her status was referring to being frustrated about a persistent female medical problem (she went into detail) and I thought, "Are you serious??"  I have only met this person on two occasions and in one post, she forever changed the way I will think of her professionally.  

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident, I have seen so many people destroy their professional image by an immature rant or sharing way too much information.

If you wouldn't include everyone on the email list of a major corporation, why are you posting it on Facebook & Twitter?

If you are going to have business contacts, clients or past clients on your friends list, you need to always keep that in mind before you post something.  Best friends, family members and spouses are your sounding board, not your Facebook friends and Twitter followers.

Don't share gross medical conditions
People really, really don't want to hear what is oozing or congealing on you.  If you must share, call a friend.

Think twice before posting
If you wouldn't tell anyone on your list something face to face, why post it for everyone to see?

Ranting makes you look emotionally disturbed
Anytime someone expresses too much emotion about a topic, they appear a little unhinged. Think about the cat girl on the eHarmony video. Its great to be passionate, but too much passion is scary. 

As well, constantly posting veiled rants and inferences about a situation or people makes YOU look bad.  People will usually see you as exhibiting the very behaviour or character trait that you are speaking out against.

By trying to tear someone down on a public forum, you look petty, jealous, passive aggressive and extremely insecure, not exactly glowing traits.

Be positive
Negativism really turns people off.  If you constantly complain about your love life, your weight, clients, lack of clients, tedious tasks, the weather, etc. not only are you bringing more negativity to yourself, you are repelling other people.

Don't lie, over-embelish or exaggerate
I'm sorry if you haven't accomplished everything you would have liked to, but there is still lots of time. Work harder, work smarter.  People who know you or your business will know you are lying.  They are not going to be impressed, you will just look foolish.

Don't Swear
When I was a teenager, my mother used to say that when people swear, they are showing their lack of creativity and ignorance of the english language. Boy, that used to tick me off, but it is actually very true. When someone swears on Twitter or Facebook, I instantly think they are uneducated and unrefined. There are so many descriptive and creative words you can use, there is no need to swear.

Post your accomplishments, but don't brag
There is a difference between posting and bragging about an accomplishment.  People will be happy for you if you are humble, but they'll just roll their eyes if you are bragging.  If you post about receiving an award and then say, "I'm running out of space on my wall!" or if you are quoted in the media and then say, "Soon I won't be able to go out in public without being mauled!", people will not be impressed.  Let others say it for you.

Keep it PG and PC
Not everyone is going to appreciate your jokes, off-colour humour, broad stereotype comments or inappropriate photos. When it comes to business contacts, they aren't going to just turn a blind eye. If you are going to make your life an open-book, keep in mind your audience.

Give credit where credit is due
An idea, quote or source should always be linked or mentioned.  By calling attention to those who have helped you, you are showing what a class-act you are.

Always remember
Wedding Professionals are supposed to be the epitome of decorum. You can still be fun and creative, while being professional.