You would think by now, that people are aware of both the positive and the negative side of having an active online presence. This is a great way to increase your name recognition. This is also a place where you can easily end up with a reputation that does not show the good side of you or your writing.
We have to remember that when you type anything and hit "SEND" that information just became public. Sure, we get that there are now some safeguards that allow you to UNDO what you sent, but within that time between the SEND and the UNDO, I can guarantee that people saw what you wrote and have already made it public on their social media.
We also have to remember that when we type something, the tone of your voice is not going to show up in those words. People will read and think exactly what you wrote and not necessarily what you "meant."
Lately, I have seen a lot of different authors getting out there on social media stating their opinions, making general statements and probably not thinking about what the casual reader is now thinking of them. Using the F-bomb, slamming people in the industry and so forth just makes the writer look like someone who is not professional.
Let me give you another way to think of this. My daughter and I started a joke several years ago. If we had something negative to say about someone or some situation, we could only say that comment in the safe confines of my truck - we called this "TRUCK TALK." Saying things out loud where someone might hear it could lead to misinterpretation and certainly a negative reaction.
Look, I have no problem with people having opinions. I also have no problem with people who want to have a "discussion" or partake in a "conversation." But, when you "abuse" that right, please know that you are likely going to see an impact on your professional writing career. Readers are not that forgiving.
No comments:
Post a Comment