It used to be if you worked in an office the water cooler was the place to rant, rave, gossip and dish out the latest scoop on any topic out there.
While traditional work places still have the water cooler, and you will still find a few people hanging out there, Facebook and social media have risen up as the new way to get the word out, speak your mind and basically make a fool of yourself.
Thousands of people login everyday to air their dirty laundry and tell us everything we want (or don't want) to know about them.
Reports of employers using social media activity to monitor employees are starting to emerge.
Consequences of misbehavior could be anything from: * losing a job offer * not getting a promotion * general lack of moving forward * and in extreme cases, job loss.
What about free speech you ask? Aren't I allowed to say anything I want? Well yes, and no.
You wouldn't tell everyone at the water cooler about the strange blemish on your bum, or that you really do hate your boss or that you sat around all day on Facebook and purposely skipped a training.
My advice, don't do it on Facebook either.
Treat your social media accounts like you would the water cooler.
Use your brain and discretion in equal parts.
Let's assume you want to give all your "Friends" a well rounded view of yourself.
Follow these simple rules and you will be fine and your social media status will rise as well.
Mix it up- Don't always talk about sports or work exclusively.
Many people who promote their businesses on social media do it to the exclusion of their personal life and vice versa.
That is a mistake.
You aren't all work and no play.
Go ahead post pictures of your kids in their Halloween costumes, talk about your dog, show pictures of your office buddies, or celebrate figuring out a problem at work.
These things connect you with your audience.
They can more quickly come to know, like and trust you.
Then when you need to make a business proposition they are ready to listen.
Use Integrity- Pretend like your boss, your clients, and your grandma will be reading what you post.
If you wouldn't say it in front of them, don't say it on Twitter.
Watch the time- If you aren't supposed to be on Facebook at work, don't post during work hours, especially a hundred times.
A couple times from your Blackberry maybe but again, use discretion.
Promote Away- If you are using social media to promote your business, do it.
Give everyone a true vision of your work and your life and do it daily.
Don't expect to put "Buy my stuff" on your status once a month and expect results.
Don't abuse it and annoy people but you can network effectively and get great discussions started.
Just like at the real water cooler.
One last thing- Please don't tell me about the blemish on your bum...
enough said.