Wednesday, January 20, 2010

What Mom taught me about Social Media

My dear sweet mother is 78 years old. She did not grow up in the world of Twitter, Facebook, Ning sites, My Space, LinkedIN or anything else social media. My mother does not use a computer, and she thinks I am speaking a foreign language when I mention social media. Even so, I have learned more about social media from Mom than any other source. This is what Mom taught me about social media.

  1. Be yourself. People will know if you are not sincere.
  2. Be polite at all times. 
  3. Do not "say" anything you would not want me (your mother) to hear.
  4. Listen to what people have to "say". 
  5. Be conversant. Do not hog the conversation.
  6. People will trust you if they know and like you. 
  7. To make "friends" you need be a friend.
  8. Friendships should be nurtured and not taken for granted.
  9. Support your "friends". Help them get their word out by "sharing" when appropriate.
  10. Share your knowledge. You never know who might be in need of your help.
  11. Know when you to be silent.
  12. You do not have to be "friends" with everyone.  
  13. Everyone is not your "friend". Do not become "friends" with just anyone.
  14. Some people you just have to "ignore".
  15. Unfortunately, some people you have to "block" from your life.
  16. Keep private things private.
  17. Once you "say" it. You may not be able to take it back.
  18. Nothing compares to face to face meetings. 
  19. Get together with friends when possible.
  20. And above all, HAVE FUN, life is too short not to enjoy it.




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5 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 20, 2010 at 2:05 PM

    AWESOME list Victoria. I'll add #21-You dont have to be a rocket scientist to get "social media" This list is as good a guideline you will find from any of the so called experts. I must admit I need to work on #11. I also think #17 should be once you say it you CANT take it back.

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  2. Victoria FinchJanuary 20, 2010 at 3:22 PM

    Thanks for commenting. I have to agree with you on #17 Once you say you CAN'T take it back.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2010 at 8:01 PM

    Great post! I would have to agree with your Mom and her guidelines. It all boils down to common courtesy which now a days really seams to be lacking especially in the younger kids.

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  4. Ricky PottsJanuary 20, 2010 at 8:19 PM

    Great post Victoria. I am glad that you took this from your mother's point of view. Granted, I do not agree with all of them, but what would the fun in that be? I also feel that there are a lot of people out there on these services that are ignoring a lot of what you just said.

    I envy that you can write short blog posts like this as mine always tend to be three or four pages long before I am finished talking! I would like to see more topics like this looking at how not only social media has changed since the elder generation but how communication in general has and will change over our generation. What will it be like when we are 78 years old?

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  5. Victoria FinchJanuary 20, 2010 at 10:35 PM

    Thanks Jenna and Ricky. Ricky that's an interesting question. What will it be like when we are 78 years old?

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