Social Media Etiquette: Stop. Think. Post.

Despite the popular belief all Millennials are social media geniuses, I don’t claim to be an expert. In fact, I don’t believe anyone can call themselves a master of any platform, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. These environments evolve almost daily, and so do the ways we use them.

Since I’ve started at LCT, I’ve been paying close attention to limo-centric groups on Facebook and have observed a few things. Full disclosure: I’m not sitting in to spy and report on every little thing I see, but to learn more about the industry through questions and answers.

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No matter your age, there are things you should remember when using social media to connect with the industry, your customers, and friends. No one is perfect, and I’m sure I’ve slipped up more than a few times myself. While some of these points may seem obvious, try to use them as a mental checklist to go through before you get ready to click the “post” button.

1. Properly handling operator and vendor issues: Something I see quite frequently on limo groups is operators calling out affiliates or vendors who are difficult to work with. Alerting other operators to these issues is not a bad thing. I believe it’s an important part of being united as an industry and preventing others from getting burned. However, this should be the last step you take. Make sure you first contact that person or business and try your best to work it out directly before you take it to a public forum.
2. Offensive content: This can be tricky to gauge. Some people have thicker skins than others, but you should always err on the side of caution. Remember, no matter what you do to keep your posts private, a potential customer doing thorough research may still find you. Also, try to keep cursing to a minimum, even on personal pages. No matter how strongly you feel about an issue, other words can better express your frustration, excitement, or sadness.
3. Avoid being excessive: Everyone is familiar with email fatigue, and the same concept applies to social media. When you post, are you using the page as an ad space or place to express your emotions. Are you asking a question that could benefit other operators? When you comment on someone’s inquiry, are you providing them with valuable information unsaid in previous comments?
4. Dealing with disagreements: One of the wonderful things about social media is it gets people talking about issues. What people tend to forget is the best, most productive discussions often occur when both sides respectfully disagree. We can lose ourselves when we are passionate about our arguments, and this can lead to some embarrassing comments left up on posts for the limo world to see. Instead, politely offer to call the person you are disagreeing with to discuss the matter further. Your reputation will thank you.
5. Spell check: If you want to be taken seriously (yes, even in the age of LOL, BRB, and IMO), make sure to double check the spelling and grammar of your posts by either Googling them or using a web browser with a plugin that checks for you. This also helps your fellow operators understand exactly what you are trying to say.

LEXI TUCKER is LCT assistant editor and coordinator of the LCT Fast 40, a group of operators under 40 who collaborate and learn from each other about all aspects of chauffeured transportation. She can be reached at lexi@lctmag.com.

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business management   etiquette   Lexi Tucker   Millennial Matters   Social Media   

 

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