Exactly what is appropriate on the Internet.
Working with local business owners I have the opportunity to see the good, bad, and ugly sides of communication and interaction. One of the hardest social media and website content conversations I have to have is regarding appropriate conversation and proper venues to vent.
I have heard that rudeness rears its ugly head when anonymity meets stress. While businesses today are using social media and websites to create and foster positive
relationships, they interact in a way that leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many potential buyers. Often small business owners feel “safe” and “hidden” behind the screen and voice opinions that are more than inappropriate and damage their reputation.
Scenarios that should avoided on your website, someone elses’ website, and on social media:
- Trashing competitors claims or reputation
- Venting about customers
- Complaining about employees
- Gossiping about past employees
- Making false claims
- Acting condescending
- Voicing workplace aggression
- Sharing marital or personal differences
When you treat a person (on or offline) with negative or rude behavior, the result it never forgotten
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou
The thing to remember is that everyone knows that a human runs a company. Real people, employees, are involved in writing content for the web content. The way your content is written and received becomes your first, and possibly your last impression. People buy from other people that they know, like, and trust. Be sure to use honest, clear, and conservative language that helps your prospects understand what you do and sell, and where you are located. Stick to easey to read, plain language, not technical language or clever text to be sure that the message you are sending is understood clearly.
Good manners is good business.