Here are 5 important social media “deadly” sins that are sure to get you unfriended and unfollowed. Knowing these sins and how to avoid them is essential for successful social networking.

1. Monopolizing Someone’s Facebook Wall

Do you post photos of your child or pet on your friend’s walls all the time? Most likely other people don’t mind these kinds of posts, as long as there aren’t too many. And if you post something offensive, even if you think it is funny, on someone else’s wall, you might really irritate your friend. Why? Because everything that is posting on your friend’s wall is visible to others. When you monopolize another person’s wall, your friend’s own posts can get lost in the shuffle. Their wall is primarily for their news and thoughts. Posting sparingly and in good taste on your friend’s wall is etiquette that keep your friendship intact.

2. Serious Tweeting

Twitter is like a cocktail party where people get to know each other and keep things light. You have only 140 words to get your message across, so wordy deep thoughts don’t go over well. This isn’t the social network to tweet too seriously. You are likely to turn off your followers if you dwell on a topic or pontificate.

3. Being a hater

Another “serious” sin is being too negative when social networking. This means not blasting others with your opinions of others. Follow the motto “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” “Hating” can also take the form of talking about controversial subjects. It is fine to get in discussions with people about issues like politics and religion, but you have to remember to stay respectful and walk away if it gets too heated. Avoid insulting others just to make your argument.

4. TMI

Sharing your every thought and action might be tempting when social networking. But there is something called too much information. Your friends or followers don’t need to know the details of your medical procedure or a blow-by-blow of your break-up. Whining about your life is a no-no and bound to turn someone off. When you consider what to share, think about what you would or wouldn’t say face to face. If you wouldn’t share the information offline, don’t say it online.

5. Taking things too personally

If you get in contentious discussions and don’t take the advice to walk away if it gets too heated, don’t take it personally if someone else crosses the line. It is easy to insult others or offend someone if you aren’t face to face. Sometimes it is just a perceived insult. The other person wasn’t trying to offend but for some reason it hurt your feelings or angered you. Don’t take it too seriously and put them on blast. Otherwise they might just unfriend you are unfollow you.

These are just some of the sins you should avoid in social networking. The best advice is the age old “golden rule,” to treat others how you want people to treat you.

Contact us if you want more tips on how to keep your friends and followers.

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This article is published by Will Sherwood | The Sherwood Group |Website Design | Graphic Design | Marketing Communications: The Sherwood Group has over 30 years of experience working with all sorts of companies, small and large. Our clients range from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 firms, in nearly every business sector, from across the street to around the world (and yes, even Europe, China, and South America). Our goal is to create advertising,  graphic design, website design, and marketing communication that still looks fresh and relevant 10-15 years later. Our mission is to stir your imagination and leave your competition shaken and wondering,  Now what do we do?”  We are located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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