Many of us use one form of social media. Whether you fancy Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Pinterest, Snapchat or Instagram, users of such forms of social media are constructing permanent profiles of themselves which can be viewed by virtually anyone. That is why it is important to use guidelines when building an image of yourself online. So what is etiquette? Simply put, it’s the generally approved or proper way to do things. Here are four tips for using etiquette in your social media habits:
1. Keep your audience in mind
Future employers and recruiters use social media as a type of background check because it serves as a reflection of how you want to be viewed. Think of everything you post as a listing on your unofficial resume. Remember that with the popular practice of tagging, everything can be traced back to you. An advisable practice is to regularly Google yourself to check what is being associated with your name and reputation.  Everything from the words you share to the way in which you articulate those words is up for judgment. Yes, this means, spelling, grammar and punctuation are taken into account, in addition to photos and links, for example.  Don’t forget that when it comes to the images and words of others, be considerate and ask before tagging, sharing or re-posting.
2. Beware of oversharing
There’s a phrase that comes to mind when thinking of how to behave online that goes, “have more than what you show and speak less than what you know.” Not only do employers construct an impression of you through what you post, but friends, family, fellow classmates, coworkers and roommates do this, as well. Even with privacy settings, realize that nothing is guaranteed to be seen by your intended viewer(s) only. For example, with the craze of “screen-shotting,” literally anything can be shared.  Another aspect of oversharing is posting too frequently. You don’t want to bombard your followers. Give people ample time to respond to messages, posts or comments. That being said, be courteous and respond to others in a timely manner, too. Remember, nobody likes to be ignored. Â
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3. Passive aggressiveness does not lead to progress
It is best to save personal issues and potentially offensive points of view for private messages or conversations, making the available privacy settings a great tool. “Passive Aggressive” is defined by Dictionary.com as “being, marked by, or displaying behavior characterized by expression of negative feelings, resentment and aggression in an unassertive way (as through procrastination, stubbornness, and unwillingness to communicate).” Nothing beats a good old-fashioned and heartfelt chat! It is easier to avoid misunderstandings when you communicate in person. Keep in mind not use social media to publicly attack a person or group.
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4. Be honest and positive!
Remember what was said about using social media as an official resume? Use this to your advantage! Social media is the ideal tool for networking and building connections with people of similar interests – via google plus, LinkedIn, and Facebook groups or pages.  Don’t think that you have to be professional 100 percent of the time if you intend on networking through social media. There is nothing wrong with being yourself! Just make sure the person you portray is the true you. Remember – keep social media fun!