OLUFEMI OGUNTAMU Before man moves to mars, he will first move online. What we call the online community today will someday be ...
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OLUFEMI OGUNTAMU
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With social media, we interact, mingle and share thoughts just as we would at the office, pub or at a house party. Your ability to make the most of networking and successfully leverage on it is dependent on your social market value or better put, how you are perceived.
I bet you know the snob who never follows back, fails to leave a comment or reply DMs. Reminds you of someone from high school? How about the emotional cry baby who drops lengthy captions that only reveals how vulnerable they are, making them target for cyber bullies?
The debate arises every now and then about the contradiction between reality and how individuals or brands are perceived on social media.
There is the case of those who appear to be deceptive, painting a story that is inconsistent with the truth of who or what they are. In another case, we have those who try desperately to portray the truth and reveal much more than the public cares to know.
The interesting thing is, no matter who you are or what you do on social media, you are making an impression. However, the pertinent question is – what impression are you making?
Now more than ever, we try to tell a story online; to a wide range of audience which includes an unhealthy number of strangers, people who might include potential romantic partners, your future employer, your clients, business partners, new friends and stalkers who most likely will make a judgement about your personality, likes, dislikes and aspirations.
While today’s youth peddle the lie that they don’t care, the truth is that it’s only a matter of time before that girl realizes that the #ForTheDickChallenge video she posted up a while ago is the only reason she didn’t get a call back from that job interview.
How do you want to be perceived? What are the best practices? Take the time to review your social media image from the point of view of your audience. Think about it, am I putting my best foot forward or just being plain careless of the implications of what I share?
On the other hand, being real isn’t necessarily being nonchalant. Clapbacks are cool for the laughs but there should be a measure of restraint, especially for celebrities. While the best clapbacks win the day, it also drags the celeb down, revealing their insecurities which leaves a gaping hole for more of such insulting attacks.
The idea of making a conscious effort to manage public perception is not new.
In fact, it is primal instinct to project our premium selves. You don’t show up on a first date being yourself, and would usually suppress your insecurities and short comings, you would want to give off your ‘best self’ and try not to lose your guard no matter how much red wine you have. Don’t go on a posting, tweeting spree without considering whether or not you are building a perception that will be a cog in your wheel. You wouldn’t want the wheel to get stuck in the future for a something you posted today.
Just before you run off, I’d like to know if this makes sense to you or as Big Shack would say,‘Mansnothot?’
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