Behind the Screen: Social Media Interactions We Hate
Ahhhh, social media.
Remember the good ol’ days of Myspace and limitless Facebook post exposure? What was once a harmless collection of old pictures, friends, and the occasional random “poke” has evolved into full-blown, highly-functional business tools. While small business owners like me and the Sweet Sauce team are grateful for social media, we’re NOT so thankful for the many unwelcome interactions and occurrences that take place within the digital sphere. Though the potential business-for-social-media annoyances could go on for days, I’ve narrowed the list down to just a few. Read on to find out my top social media pet peeves.
1. YOU’RE, YOUR, AND YOU ARE: Learn the difference. Consistent grammatical errors aren’t a good look for anyone, blogger or not. If you’re uncertain about your grammar–google, google, google! The internet is a sometimes-wonderful place. It’s easy to learn. I still have to look things up every day. I penned a Writing Tips article last winter. There are tips in there everyone can use.
2. UNWARRANTED, UNALIGNED “BUSINESS” DM’S: If your business or organization has little to nothing to do with what happens in the Sweet Sauce world, refrain from suggesting a new partnership via DM’s. If you do align and you want to do business together, still don’t reach out via DM unless we know each other personally. Real collaborations take time–more time and attention than can occur from a DM conversation. EOE–Email over everything. I have my email listed not once, but TWICE in my Instagram bio. The most cringe worthy responses I receive when I respond to DMs and ask someone to email me is when a brand asks for my email.
3. FRIENDING ME ON FACEBOOK TO “WORK” TOGETHER: Let’s revisit the email thing. Ask any blogger or influencer how many folks they’ve met or connected with online–the numbers can be sky-high. If everyone I ever connected with online sent me a FB friend request, that list would’ve reached max capacity ages ago. Facebook is still a place where I connect with family, college friends, and people I meet at concerts. If you’d like to grab coffee or cocktail to all about a business idea, email me, please. Follow me on my Sweet Sauce Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Support me there first.
4. WATCHING MY INSTAGRAM STORIES WITHOUT ENGAGING WITH MY CONTENT: The Sweet Sauce machine is fueled by engagement on my content, which means your likes, comments, tags, and more. This is what helps the STUPID algorithms of social media take notice and increase the reach of my audience. This is important for two reasons: I want the right people to find my content, shop my products, and support my partners so their life is a little sweeter. Also, this is what brands look at when they’re deciding to work with me or not. If you follow me and watch my stories, but never actually comment on my pictures, it’s a little offensive, not to mention simultaneously creepy. It’s like watching your boyfriend and loving him without actually showing him you love him. If one of my posts catches your eye–engage!! Drop a comment, tag a friend, you get the jist. Show the love where it really counts.
5. ANY POST ASKING THE WORLD TO FEEL SORRY FOR YOU: This is NOT a figurative eye roll. This is not a dis. Ya’ll know I’m no stranger a bit of heart ache, struggle, and a good whine. I think we should all let it out and complain. I’ve even made the mistake of letting some emotional vomit spill on my social media. It’s not a habit I like to repeat or nurture. I don’t think you should do it either. Why? Because I never get what and need I want out of it. If you’re sad, feeling shorted, feeling worn down, it’s important to talk to someone. That includes your friends, family, therapist, and even your dog. You won’t get any real help or resolution by airing your issues out on social media. You will not find healing. You will never receive the quality feedback and love you really need and deserve. Take your personal issues and challenges seriously. Take care of them offline.
6. OVERLY SPONSORED CONTENT: I follow a lot of bloggers and influencers on social media. I am constantly looking for new inspiration, new outfit ideas, travel tips, and life hacks. I can’t create great content if I don’t consume it myself. While sponsorships are essential to my blog business model, I believe my followers stay tuned because I am authentic. I’m sad to say a few of my favorite bloggers have lately dropped further down my feed because I can’t scroll through their images any more without seeing a logo or a half-assed caption that fits a brand’s guidelines. If every one of your posts is sponsored, that’s contributing to the overly “staged” image folks often gripe about on social media. It’s not realistic. People can’t live their lives like that. You’re setting expectations that are not only uninspiring but also unattainable.
7. CRAPPY PHOTOS: There’s no reason your iPhone 6 can’t take a decent photo. I want to see what’s happening in your life, too! Try for a sharp, well-lit photo. Take a second to be thoughtful about your personal photos. Otherwise, why are you sharing on social media? I want to be inspired by your daily moments of happiness and awe. Treat your social channels with respect. Don’t over do the filters, either. It makes it even harder to see what you want us to see. Let’s keep the Nashville filter where it belongs–in the trash.
