“Think before you tweet” isn’t just a cute catchphrase – it’s a great personal marketing strategy. Kate Middleton would never say how wasted she was on Twitter, so why should you? Here at Emerson College, students are their own number-one fan. Think of yourself as your own brand ambassador. Everything you post, tweet, and upload is not only seen by our peers, but the world at large.
We live in an age of overexposure. As college students, we want our every thought and move to be documented. You may see yourself having a great night in Allston in those photos, but take a closer look. The red solo cup in your hand tells future employers that you’re reckless and immature. The liquor bottles on the counter make your mom worry and that short skirt makes your dad cringe. To avoid frantic phone calls in the morning or disapproving employers, evaluate before you upload.
I know what you’re thinking. You don’t want to censor yourself. Besides, your hair looks great in that photo and that tweet was hysterical. Why should you care about the opinion of others? First of all, there is a difference between censoring yourself and being socially aware. I’m sure even Kate Middleton has had a hangover or two, but her publicity is spotless. She knows that everyone’s eyes and ears are on her every move. You might not be aware of it, but there are a lot more eyes on you than you think. The CEO of your dream job can Google your name, your high school librarian can scroll through your tweets and your little cousin can stalk your timeline. Make sure that you only give them great things to talk about.
Here’s a college secret that isn’t so secret. College students are inevitably going to drink in a dorm room. This isn’t shocking news. What is shocking is that if your RA sees those pictures on Facebook, they still have to report you. Are those pictures worth losing your housing in the residence halls? Even if your dorm room looks like a 10×10 jail cell, it is still better than paying for an apartment in Boston.
Whether you like it or not, all of your social media platforms expose you to the world. They show not only your relationship with and towards others, but your relationship with your own character. Be the role model you want others to look up too or simply make other’s envy your spotless public character. You control what others’ say about you. Give them something great to talk about.