In A Now Deleted Post: How to Avoid Getting Terminated Because of a Social Media Post

In a now deleted post. Five simple words. If you’ve read the headlines or scanned social media within the past few months, you’ve seen those five words often. It’s an almost daily occurrence nowadays. And, even though the post has been deleted there seems to always be a screenshot of the posts. Why? Because there is no such thing as deleting. If you have said it online it will come back to haunt you (eventually).

What can you do to avoid being a subject of an “in a now deleted post news story” or more importantly avoid losing your job or a lucrative contract due to a social media post gone wrong?

Here are a few tips based on my years of experience in corporate marketing, brand and social media. Two of my passions are all things social and all things People Court. This article is a cautionary tale of how these two passions intersect.

Tip 1: Perform an audit of your social media accounts.

Examine what you have posted as well as what accounts you have liked and follow. Do you remember your first tweet?

Tip 2: Just like diamonds, posts are forever. Think before posting.

So think carefully before posting. Deleting a post does not delete it from the internet.

Kevin Hart lost an opportunity to host the Oscars in 2019 due to the controversy surrounding homophobic comments he made nearly a decade ago.

Oscar hosts reportedly make $15K - $25K to host. Can you afford to give up a $15K gig? I know I can’t. Additionally, what about the time and energy spent in the upcoming months doing damage control. I'd rather use a public relations team to amplify my good deeds instead of trying to manage the negative.

Tip 3: Be Kind.

Remember the 80s mantra from Blockbuster, “Please Be Kind and Rewind”. It applies to social media, please be kind to your neighbor.

A college professor lost his job when he tweeted Hurricane Harvey was payback for Texans voting Republic. There were over 60 deaths attributed to Hurricane Harvey. Some will say this is a political issue. But, it’s not. And, if you see this as a political issue, you are part of the problem. But, that's a post for another day.

We’ve stopped being human. Who wishes death and destruction on a group of people?

Tip 4: Be selective in your responses.

Everyone has an opinion. Does that mean you need to share it all the time? The answer is no.

Social media has allowed everyone to star in an epic made for tv mini-series called “My Timeline” and "The Highlights of My Fabulous Life". We have become travel advisors, financial advisors, relationship coaches, money coaches, and more! And, in the process have generated some awesome content.

However, I encourage people to think critically before posting.

My daughter and I teach a social media workshop for tweens and teens. Before posting you should ask yourself:

(If you'd like us to speak to your Girl Scout Troup, Children's Ministry or the young people in your family, click to book us.)

• Is my comment helpful?

• Does it add substantially to the conversation?

• Would I be okay if I was quoted in the media?

• Is it harmful or hateful?

• Are you knowledgable in this area?

• Have I checked my message for tone, grammar, clarity, etc.?

Tip 5: But, I have freedom of speech.

Here's a comment from an article about the Crossfit CEO who made insenstive comments surrounding George Floyd's death. "I guess basically if businesses don't reply in a politically correct manner they are ousted. I guess free speech only applies in certain cases." Honey, yes you are correct. You can say whatever you will. And, the first ammendment applies to how the government treats freedom of speech. I am free to spend my money as I desire and to ask those companies who rely on my dollars to not do business with certain entities. And, again, these turn into matters of race. But, it's about humanity. The ex-CEO of Crossfit also said George Floyd's murder was an attempt to cover up a money laundering ring. Most of the times these one off comments hit at systematic issues. Read more about systematic issues of racism of Crossfit here.