Basics of Social Media Behaviour – Ethics and Etiquette
It is very important to keep in mind that when you connect with a social media network, you are joining an online community of persons. In any community, expected good behaviour is governed by:
Ethics
The concept of what is good, bad, right and wrong. In social media, the right ethic equals the right perspective and the right thinking on how to leverage social media appropriately and how to engage people in the right manner that is honest and respectful of others rights and privacy
Etiquette
A code of behaviour of societal norms. In social media, the right etiquette means acting the right way in terms of expected behaviour. There definitely is a right way and a wrong way to use social media. Anyone who has ever been spammed (and that basically means everyone) understands this concept. The basic premise is to treat others as we would want them to treat us.
Three Core Principles
There are three core principles that underpin social media ethics and etiquette. While these principles are most often applied to businesses seeking to develop responsible and ethical social media strategies, they are also relevant to developing your own personal social and professional brand and reputation in online communities.
- Authenticity— Honesty about who you are; people will respond positively if you are sincere. (and dishonesty will be found out eventually)
- Transparency— Being Transparent Works; it builds trust and people hire/buy from those they trust. Having hidden agendas will only count against you.
- Communication— Effective Conversation will assist in getting to know people as people and letting them get to know you.
