Social media savvy: Taking charge of your own online image… 10 Simple Facebook Do’s and Don’ts
Because I am an advocate for social media , I often find myself explaining to people why I think Facebook is such a great connection tool. But sometimes, I notice people do things on this platform that make me understand why someone would not want to use it. I hope to bring some light to you through my latest post: 10 Simple Facebook DO’s and DONT’s.
1. DO become familiar with your privacy settings. They can make a huge difference about how you feel about using this social media platform. Your Facebook friends don’t know where they stand in your privacy rankings so feelings will not be hurt.
2. DON’T post a group Christmas card or picture of yourself on everyone’s wall and tag your friends in it- yes it is the digital age, so sending an email card is probably fine, but posting your card on someone else’s wall? Definitely not. Sorry. Ditto: New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Easter, 4th of July…in other words…never. Be careful what you post on others walls and tag them in!
3. DO set up tag review on your own Facebook profile. This way no one can tag you in a photo or post without you approving it first. This will circumvent number two above. It also saves you when the spam photos get posted- they won’t appear on your wall and fill up your friends news feeds if you have to review it- you can UNTAG yourself from it!
4. Photos: If you think a picture of a friend is not that attractive, DON’T post it, or if you see it, definitely don’t tag it. Consider telling the person who posted it they may want to take it down. DO untag yourself from any photos you don’t like. You have control here. Use it!
5. If you use your page for business be careful that you DON’T bombard your personal contacts with posts that may not be of interest to them. If you blog and have a specific niche, select an audience If you have a very large group of friends. I joined Facebook as a personal connection first, so I am cautious about selecting an audience when it comes to business posts. Many of my friends would not expect to be bombarded with my business postings. If you do have a blog that is of general interest, test it out and notice who’s reading it and liking it to determine whether or not you want to select an audience or if you are getting a great response, perhaps it is relevant to many friends. Be aware.
6. DO “like” things or comment if you are going to tell people that you basically stalk them. In recent weeks I have had a number of people tell me how much they loved all my holiday photos on Facebook and seeing my kids. Interesting that they never bothered to hit the like button or make a comment. It is an interactive platform so DON’T be a stalker…. or stupid enough to admit it.
7. DON’T assume I receive your Facebook invitation or event announcement anymore. Too many people are now on Facebook and it is no longer enough to send somebody a Facebook invitation to an event. They easily get lost down the timeline and mixed in with other events of less importance in your event box.
8. DON’T post something that may belong in a private message on someones wall…i.e.: therapist recommendations, support groups etc…especially if unsolicited- but honestly, why at all? Ask yourself WHY do I feel the need to post this publicly and how will it benefit this person I care about if everyone sees it? This is not the time to be playing PR maven. Use the private message function more often than not. When you post on someone’s wall, it can go into the newsfeed of all of your mutual friends. Think before you post.
9. DO think twice before you “check in” at private clubs for all to see. 1. You can be perceived as exclusive and elitist (manage your online image please) and 2. Do clubs and their members really want your personal PR ? Possible Exception: Dining clubs at resort towns who promote through concierges and want business aka:.: not 100% private.
10. You don’t need to post your foursquare check-ins on auto post. (to facebook or twitter) Unless you’re
a college kid, no one cares. And if you are a college kid, text your friends. This is a great way to tell people where you are so they can go rob your house…among other things. It’s really just the modern version of: Think before you speak.
At the end of the day, etiquette, wisdom and common sense apply to the online world too.
I offer social media coaching sessions for women who need guidance with Facebook privacy settings, social media, and management of personal online brand and image.
A secret worth sharing! Pressed Juicery in SF!
Pressed Juicery, LA’s favorite celebrity juicery opened its doors in San Francisco on New Year’s Eve! I want to share it with all of my own rock-star celebrity friends… That means you! I can’t tell you how happy I am. I could not wait to go over on January 1st. I have been ordering this juice via Fedex for the past year and when my husband and I go to LA, it’s often the first stop we make. There is something about their fine tuned hydraulic press process which makes this juice so energizing and delicious. The texture and flavor- amazing ! You can learn more about them here: http://www.pressedjuicery.com/about-who-we-are
Pressed Juicery is located now in the heart of Noe Valley in San Francisco on 24th and Sanchez – a fun and spirited neighborhood you should get over to if you haven’t. Definitely worth a trip to try these well-known elixirs. They also offer several cleanses which are beneficial -especially during the change of seasons.
Here’s to a healthy New Year!
Setting intentions; Looking back…and forward.
As we approach the end of December and are getting close to our year transitioning into 2013, we all begin to feel a collective energy shift. Often times while still living in the present of the last week of December– my mind is already in the future– thinking about what I will accomplish– next week. If I am not mindful, I tend to think about the things I have not accomplished this year. My mind can find anything that I have “done wrong”or faltered on, and will then consider how I will do it differently just a mere week from now.
For years I thought about my resolutions during this week…along with much of the population. Occasionally, that old negative thought process still will come up for me; thinking about new rules I need to live by (which will most certainly be broken come February). Then I remember…and breathe…OH YES… for quite some time now I haven’t been part of the “resolution crowd.” I don’t need to” resolve” myself or “be fixed”. I remind myself how great it is to be connected with a group of people who believe in setting intentions for your life and in casting a vision to live into, while feeling grateful for what we have been shown along the way. I do believe that we have the power to create new stories for our lives… not only on January 1 but at any time of year if we so choose. I really try to surround myself with people in my life who share this vision- those who will be there to remind me that this is how we can get into motion, in the direction we desire… By setting intentions for our lives that inspire us to move forward.
As I look toward 2013, I will take some time in the next few days to reflect upon all that I DID create and all that I am proud of accomplishing in 2012. It is a much stronger foundation to stand upon as I begin to set intentions for a powerful year ahead. Standing upon a weakened foundation of negative self talk, and self disappointment is no place to be if I am wanting to start any project or chapter with confidence and ease. Here are five of my own tested strategies I use and hope they help to get you moving with ease from one year to the next:
1. Write in a journal about your accomplishments, gratitudes and creations in 2012. Putting pen to paper often does make you realize how much you have already done… And done well!
2. Take a peaceful yoga or meditation class that will encourage you to go inward and reflect. Often times my best ideas about what I am wanting to create pop-up during the quietest of yoga classes. Have a pen and paper nearby.
3. Use giant Post-it notes on your wall outlining your goals and dreams for 2013. Don’t be afraid to mess up your room for once! Getting your body and entire nervous system involved in your own creative process with large pieces of paper, large writing and even illustrations is quite valuable. So step away from the keyboard and screen and try it a new way.
4. Have a quiet dinner at a local organic restaurant with friends who truly nourish you. Discuss what you loved about 2012 and what you look forward to creating in 2013. Speaking your intentions makes them more powerful. For the best clarity and commitment, consider drinking delicious tea instead of alcohol.
5. Take an end of the year inventory. Who are you surrounding yourself with? They say that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So who are you hanging out with? Are their values in alignment with your vision right now? Who do you want to spend more time with? Less time with? Does your closest circle inspire and uplift you so that you can move in the direction you are wanting to go? Do you have energy vampires that you need to set some boundaries with? Now is the time to assess so that you can include any intentions in your plan about who you want by your side as you create your next chapter.
Slow DOWN and power UP!
Ten Simple Strategies to make the most of your holiday season so you can step into the New Year feeling fulfilled and fresh!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the Christmas season. I’m quite often the first person to put up my tree and the last one to take it down…and for me that’s even too soon. I love the colors, flavors, the lights, the music, the spirit. I remember sharing my favorite childhood memories with my grandmother — baking gingerbread and sugar cookies and decorating, and snuggling by the tree.
For many years I have noticed people around me rushing through the holidays, complaining, wanting to get them over with. However, I also DO know what it means to do too much and I have spent my fair share of holiday seasons being exhausted and worn out by Christmas as I begin a new year feeling wrung out and depleted. When I became a mom and had to take on a lot more responsibility during the season, I began to feel the weight of it. Over the past few years I have given a lot of thought to how to make the season more balanced and meaningful… I wanted to share some of my favorite strategies. If nothing else, I hope this will get you thinking about some of your own. Depending upon what your favorite traditions are, you will have ideas about what will be most meaningful for you.
Ten Simple Strategies to make the most of your holiday season so you can step into the New Year feeling fulfilled and fresh!
- Be sure to get one cozy dinner at a fun new restaurant with that special someone. (Significant other or Bestie!) Make your reservations now so that you can go into the city (or somewhere else special!) for a private celebration. Ask if they have a fireplace- ask to sit by it. I already have my reservations for Park Tavern in San Francisco during the week before Christmas.
- Create a Pandora station with calm soothing Christmas carols that you love. I have created Celtic Christmas and Christmas guitar. Both are meditative and relaxing for me to listen to throughout the day and help me shift into the holiday spirit.
- Treat yourself (and your partner) to an evening foot massage. I like the Foot Spa in Oakland – and you can grab a dinner next door at Sidebar as well. Soooo relaxing!
- Be sure to drive those special routes that take you back to your childhood at Christmas time. My favorite is Marina Boulevard in San Francisco – All the bay windows framing festive trees. On the bay side spot the sailboats with lighted masts. You can’t help feeling inspired and lighthearted. If you did not grow up in the area where you live now, be sure to ask the locals for their favorite routes. We even like to do it when we visit other places. Last year in Southern California, our friends sent us to their favorite “Candy Cane Lane” in Calabasas when we were driving back to our hotel after dinner. Worth a detour!
- Don’t feel like sending Christmas cards? Think about an every other year plan. I often do every other year, and I enjoy the process much more. Last year I did a New Year’s card which was also more enjoyable for me -given everything I had going on. Maybe you need to drop the baking, or the shopping. Ease up on yourself. Consider gift certificates or gifts of your time.
- Take an evening restorative yoga class. Restorative yoga is a great way to refill your tank and build immunity when you are running on empty. I have recently enjoyed a hot stone restorative yoga class at Yoga Tree, Berkeley.
- Just say no! Really think about pacing yourself so you can be at your best. You don’t need to attend every winter fundraiser, giant Christmas party or open house. Think about what’s most meaningful to you before you default to an automatic yes. By the time January comes, you will be thankful. Two parties in one night can be pretty tough on me these days, I’ve really tried to eliminate that practice. What I also know, is that winter is a great time to reflect on what works in your life and what does not. Instead of overbooking yourself during this time – make the space to slow down, so you can power up and be ready for the magic that lie ahead. Think about how you want to start the next year. Going inward at this time is what our bodies were designed to do – we can’t always be running at full speed ahead. Begin to plant the seeds of your intentions for a new year. What are you yearning to create? What would bring you great joy? What do you have yet to discover?
- Serve. Where would it bring you great joy to serve? We all know this is what brings us the most fulfillment is when we can be available to serve others in some way. If we are exhausted from saying yes to every social opportunity that comes up during the holidays, we can serve but not experience the depth of meaning that it can bring. I often see people racing to work at a soup kitchen as if it is one more thing to cross off the list. If we don’t over schedule ourselves we have the time to enjoy the things that are the most meaningful to us. That includes being present and available to serve even the ones that are closest to us! Think of service as not only helping those who are less fortunate than us, but also being fully present to those that are closest to us in our everyday lives- our family, friends and loved ones. Being present so that we can have meaningful relationships can be considered a form of service in itself.
- Walk. Maybe not your normal route… Connect with nature. For me it is the redwood forest a mere 2 miles away from my home. Walking in nature is so grounding in such a powerful de-stressor! Breathe in the cool winter air and be grateful for the beauty that surrounds you. Wherever that place is for you, try to get there in the midst of a busy December. Your mind and body will thank you.
- Simply enjoy the moment… This moment, this holiday season 2012. You will never have it again. As we go through the motions each year of putting up the tree, stringing the lights, shopping, wrapping, baking etc… we often view it as a chore or burdensome routine. I try to remember that our memories are made with the people who bring the color and joy into our lives. For me, the decor and “prep” is the familiar backdrop that looks the same year to year- but the composition of the people in our lives changes. We become adults, our children grow up, and we lose people we love. Today I have adult children and wonderful conversation with nieces and nephews who suddenly seem like close friends as they’ve grown into young ladies and gentlemen. What I know is that I have loved every stage and every Christmas for different reasons. When I pull out ornaments that belonged to my grandmother I still remember decorating the tree with her like it was yesterday. That was over 40 years ago. Enjoy and take note of the composition of what you have right now. Because you can be sure of one thing – it will always be different. Have gratitude for what is in your very own here and now, In this moment…sip it in and and savor.
Something to Blog About…
Something to Blog About…
Fabulous Finds and Secrets Worth Sharing.
I’m starting this section of my blog because I think as women we need to share the secret weapons that we find that make life easier, brighter and more fun!
I can’t resist bragging about this gem I found today while shopping at Tory Burch in San Francisco. I happened to bump into my good friend Shirley in there, and she was pretty excited too. So are you ready? For…. super stylish “technology” gloves. In other words, you don’t have to take off your gloves in order to use your iPhone! I don’t know about you ladies, but this has been an ongoing problem for me when I’m trying to keep my digits warm in the winter. The fingerless gloves are certainly cute and rockstar worthy but definitely not as warm. So bingo! Problem solved! The material stitched inside these leather babies allows you to slide and swipe on that touchscreen of yours all you want while maintaining nice warm fingers! Thank you once again to Tory…fashion innovation at it’s finest!
Celebrity Corner…
Women Who Shine Like Stars
In Their World…
Lisa Mirza Grotts
This month’s Celebrity Spotlight features Lisa Mirza Grotts. Owner of The AML Group and a certified etiquette and protocol consultant who writes a manners blog at...
To learn more about my interview with Lisa Mirza Grotts, visit my Blog!
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