How to avoid a social media SNAFU.

• Author: Schlossberg, Michael
• Position: TOOLBOX

Every time you turn on the news, it seems, there's another unbelievable tale of someone doing something really stupid on social media.

And all too often, that person is one of our own: an elected official who showed poor judgment and typed something he or she really shouldn't have.

Considering the growing list of public figures who have made uncharacteristic lapses in good judgment, it appears just about anyone can make a mistake.

So, how can you avoid committing an embarrassing social media faux pas, especially one that could be career-ending?

And, if you do make a blunder--as most of us will--how can you recover?

Here are some tips you may have heard before, but bear repeating. You really can't be too cauious in this world of instant communications.

1

Use the "front page rule."

No tweet or Facebook update is ever truly private, and this is particularly true for elected officials. A good rule of thumb is this: Never put anything on the Internet that you would be embarrassed to see on the front page of your local newspaper. Never.

2

Pause and think.

Before you click that send button, take five seconds and ask: Is there any way this tweet could get you into trouble? Could it be misinterpreted? Used out of context by political rivals? If you can answer yes to any of these, stop what you are doing.

3

Double check, twice.

Remember when Dan Pfeiffer, a former aide to President Obama, infamously tried to tweet the word "bigger," but mistakenly hit the letter right next to "b," the "n" instead? Even though his tweet slip was accidental and he immediately deleted it and apologized, the damage was done. Pfeiffer is one of many to commit this mistake, and there's a simple way to avoid it: Check what you've typed before you hit send; better yet, let someone else proof it.

4

Get training, for you and your staff.

Many a politician has fallen victim to social media ignorance. British Member of Parliament Simon Danczuk, for example, accidentally favorited a pornographic tweet. Sure, mistakes happen, but good training can lessen the odds of making such errors. To that end, be sure that you and your staff are fully versed in the use of all social media platforms, including their nuances and idiosyncrasies.

5

Don't go there.

Create a list for you and your staff on specific topics to avoid that might not be obvious to your staff. An elected official who has been cited for littering, for example, should avoid being Instagramed with trash or a trash can visible...