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You Said What on Social Media?

Twitter launched in 2006 to a mere few tweets, the first being by founder Jack Dorsey. It took a few years to catch on, but even then only early adopters. As the use of Twitter and social media increased in 2009, you could find the occasional gaffe made on twitter. Well, 2013 and countless missteps along the way by many on social media and yet we still have high profile individuals who just haven’t learned the lesson.

On October 24th, Ted Bishop, President of the PGA of America was impeached. Why you say? Because he couldn’t find the constraint needed when responding to a tweet by Ian Poulter. Responding to a tweet from Poulter regarding the 6 time Major Champ Nick Faldo, Bishop referred to Poulter as a “Lil Girl”

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Over the last 6 years, I have provided over 50 seminars to turfgrass associations, businesses and individuals on branding and marketing successfully with social media. One key take home point is simple, if you wouldn’t want your mother to read it, DON’T post it. Apparently, Ted Bishop should have attended one of these seminars. Hard lesson learned, that of course he now says he is remorseful

I challenge you step back and evaluate what you are doing on social media. Does your engagement represent you or you with some “twitter courage” Social media is still a conversation. The same words and demeanor you would take during a personal conversation should be no different on social media, regardless the platform.