The saying “loose lips sink ships” is an old one used in connection with guarding military secrets during wartime.
This saying is as useful now as it ever was. Here’s an example from today:
My business partner and I were having lunch at a local restaurant. Two tables away (with no occupants in the intervening table) a man and woman were having a very specific business conversation. It just so happens that both my business partner and I knew which organization and knew what was being talked about (including donors). We could hear every word.
This incident reminded me that it’s a good idea to every so often write a blog post cautioning people that what they say online — regardless of privacy controls — may be “heard” by others whom it would be better if they didn’t hear the conversation.
Bottom line? Be very careful what you write online. I always read over every comment, every tweet, every whatever I write online (although I can’t claim that this means I have never had a typo). Take the extra few seconds and think about what you’ve written before you hit enter. It’s your own reputation that you’ll be protecting.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION: As you know, I highly recommend Mike O’Neil’s book ROCKTHEWORLD for a step-by-step guide to effectively using LinkedIn.
But what if you aren’t even on LinkedIn yet? What if you aren’t even sure why you or your company/organization should be on social media?
Read my review now of the book SOCIAL MEDIA IS A COCKTAIL PARTY to learn more about why you should be utilizing social media.
(c) 2010 Miller Mosaic, LLC
Phyllis Zimbler Miller (@ZimblerMiller on Twitter) has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is an Internet business consultant. Her new FREE report is “Twitter, Facebook and Your Website: A Beginning Blueprint for Harnessing the Power of 3 for Your Business” – grab your report now from www.millermosaicpowerof3.com
