As someone who uses Facebook, I know how easy it is to forget everything you post on there stays there. Though your friends may not always remember every single one of your posts, Facebook does.
Each and every word you’ve written or pictures you posted, even those you regret posting and those you have deleted, leave a digital footprint. This may sound awesome to the geeky kind, but it’s simply a nightmare for those whose posts were not so perfect and will forever live to haunt them.
Problem is, it’s human to want to share information about yourself. You can’t stop people from sharing any more than you can stop them from making Facebook mistakes. You can, however, try and avoid those mistakes.
This post talks about common Facebook status mistakes and how you can avoid making them.
Spelling Errors
Facebook now comes with a built-in spell checker that you can enable by simply right-clicking in the status, comment and chat boxes. You can even choose your UK or US English. So even if you don’t have any spell checker extension in your browser, activating Facebook’s spell checker would do. Your smartphone should also come with a built-in spell check app, plus there are third-party spell-check apps. Be sure to activate the feature and use one.
It will save you the embarrassment of posting misspelled words and becoming popular for all the wrong reasons!
Less talk is really less chance for mistakes… or is it?
Image credit: vappingo
Avoid these types of mistakes by making sure your spell-check is on and if they are, that it isn’t auto-correcting your words into wrong ones.
Nobody knows if this is a case of an auto-correct mistake.
Image credit: ViralNova via Pinterest
Blatant Grammar Mistakes
Another reason why you should use a spell checker and be in the habit of always checking out for auto-correction errors is this gem.
Image credit: The Sun
Bad grammar makes you look uneducated or unintelligent. People won’t take you seriously and if you’re a brand, everything will reflect badly on your company.
What you can do is hire a conscientious social media manager who can make your posts for you. It’s best to provide a dedicated mobile for all your social media channels so your manager won’t incorrectly post a personal message using his personal phone via the company’s account. it’s been known to happen.
Bad Jokes
There’s a lot of bad jokes going on social media. For some, they aren’t bad until the post got all the attention from the censoring public.
To be sure, humor is an admirable quality in a person and enviable in a brand. Most businesses, in fact, have succeeded using humor in their social media posts. But you should know that there is a difference between a humorous post and a joke in bad taste.
Someone found his joke in bad taste.
Image credit: Chuck’s Fun Page 2
Not everyone can immediately recognize a bad joke for what it is. If you are unsure, ask yourself who will find your jokes funny. Remember that some jokes may be funny to some but not to others.
In the case above, the female population will most likely see the joke as offensive while men will probably find it funny. If the people who will see your joke are split like this, it’s best not to post it and you’re better off telling the joke to your male friends in a more private setting.
Remember that offensive jokes are never funny and only a handful will probably laugh at them. On a public platform like Facebook where everyone will see them, they are never a good idea to post.
False Information
Posts that lack in general knowledge are a sure-fire way to get noticed— and not in a good way, on any social platform.
Make it a habit to check your facts before posting them for everyone to see. Ask Google! It takes less than a minute to Google a question and find a credible answer. And if it‘s something Google won‘t know, ask a trusted friend.
Never ever post an information you aren’t sure of. If you do, you open yourself to mockery and you can blame no one but yourself.
Check your facts not just when you are posting but also when you are sharing. Think before you click and link!
White Lies
One in ten social media users lie to create a false persona that satisfies inherent psychological and self-fulfillment of needs.
People who think of nothing but appearing cool and crave social approval or those who are pressured to “belong” often are the ones posting white lies on social media.
Image credit: ULTRALINX
Not that it’s OK to lie, but if you’re going to do it, at least make sure that you’re not going to get caught lying. All it takes is a right click for your viewers to “search Google by image” your post and everyone will know what a liar you are.
Humble-Brags
When you’re bragging about something with false humility and you post it on social media, you are humble-bragging.
The motivation to brag stems from the same psychological reasons people lie on social media. But there’s also a neurobiological side to it, as one study proves. That part of our brain triggered by the sensation of pleasure, having food or money, are the same parts activated by bragging. It’s scientifically difficult not to brag, actually.
There is nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments or for anything in life that you triumphed upon. People might even find it endearing when you acknowledge how your post may come across as a brag or when you admit it has some elements of the same. What’s frustrating is that sense of phony humility, especially if what you’re bragging about is actually a lie.
Whatever happens, don’t be like this guy.
Image credit: ULTRALINX
Attention-Seeking Posts
It’s no wonder Facebook is pegged as a place for narcissists and neurotics, with the majority of its content being posts seeking attention to gain sympathy, admiration, compliment and social validation.
Whether it’s to present a grandiose image to the world or be Facebook-famous even for a few minutes or just among friends, attention-seeking posts have the tendency to reveal themselves for what they are, and come back and bite the one who posted them.
Image credit: ULTRALINX
Selfies “soliciting” compliments are also good examples.
Image credit: The THINGS.com
If you’re really concerned about popularity or how the world sees you, start working on your social media influence and become famous for real! Buy Facebook likes and build your following on the platform.
Massive likes will definitely make you look popular and people like following popular people. Buying Facebook likes will not only result to real and organic followers, but also likes, comments and shares!
Don’t Overshare!
Oversharing often leads to Facebook mistakes you’ve seen here. If you can stop yourself from sharing every single detail about your day, you’ll possibly cut in half the chances of you posting mistakes you’ll only regret later.
But, if you absolutely must share something, keep calm, think it through, and have fun!
Take a break and get away from your post and come back to give it a fresh eye after a few hours. If you still think you should share it, then go ahead and tell the world!
Facebook can be addicting and likes can be gratifying, but it’s always up to us to sift through our emotions and focus on what is right, fair, honest and good! Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for doing so.
