Don't Get Yourself Fired Because of Twitter

Ironically, a friend not on Twitter, but who makes fun of me because I am sent me this article from MSNBC, "Twitter Gets You Fired in 140 Characters or Less."
Although this story may not be breaking news, I still can't help but think about its relevancy. The article talks about a recent tweet by one would-be Cisco employee about his job offer. To illustrate, here’s the tweet the now Web-infamous "theconnor" shared with the world:

"Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.”

Although he only has 45 followers on Twitter, it doesn't mean a brand or company such as Cisco can't view the Tweet. Furthermore, nothing you put on the Internet is ever private. Duh.

I can sympathize, here (well only a little) but the bigger picture here, is that the Internet and tools such as Twitter and Facebook have revolutionized and changed our job market and hiring strategy. Buzz terms like 'personal branding' and to Google someone before they come in for an interview isn't uncommon. I've referenced before in a blog post to be aware of how you represent yourself online and also keep tabs on your online visibility. I believe in authenticity and think that you should be honest and open--so I stress here, be yourself, but I think that talking publicly about a job offer that you actually don't want (unless you really want to be fired) isn't a smart move.

Lesson learned here: The Internet can get you fired. Be careful about what you say and know that brands, companies and individuals can see and hear what you're talking about. Unless you're comfortable with it being public, I say, better left unsaid or offline.

What sort of online experiences have you found in your company or with an individual speaking out against something, that backfired?

Photo Credit: Duane Hoffmann / msnbc.com

This Is the Way I Tweet

Inspired by Jeremy Tanner's, "You Owe Me Nothing (My Twitter Policy)" and my mother lamenting that she doesn't get the 'rules' of Twitter I began to think about how I tweet and why.

First of all, when it comes to Twitter rules, I say there are no rules. Influential pundits talk about twitt etiquette, but there is no manual or handbook that you must abide by. I tell people, "Use it how you want..." Eventually, they're going to figure out how it works for them or doesn't. Which is why my (informal) Twitter disclaimer naturally came to mind.

My Twitter disclaimer:

• I care less about gaining a large following and more about sharing and receiving the digital or day-to-day information I find interesting. This includes connecting and creating a dialogue. I follow people who @reply, interact, share and don't say "me" or "I" in every tweet.
  
• I don't follow everyone back because I believe I reserve the right to choose if that person's tweets are compelling, intriguing or relevant. Nothing against you, I'm not even that picky but you have the choice to not follow me back as well. I'm following you because I like what you're saying, I've met you or it's work related.
• If however, you begin to follow me I try (90% of the time) to send a personalized Direct Message to you, thanking for the follow and whatever peaks my interest about their recent tweets. Sidenote: I hate auto DM's-I want to un-follow when I receive them.
• I believe @Lijit has immediate and personal, customer support and I think as a brand we use Twitter very well. With that being said, I often connect with my Lijit users on my personal Twitter profile, as it's easy and concise or I can RT @Lijit news or releases.
• I've made some meaningful relationships on Twitter because of this personal interaction I've focused on. It is turned into why I love Twitter: the connections. When I first moved to Boulder I began to connect with a lot of Boulder Tweeps online, made some friends (and currently still doing so) that I have met off the Tweet grid or am planning to. I also like to tweet live via my crackberry at an event or tweetup, by contributing to the conversation.

Think I'm interesting? Want to connect? Talk tech, start-ups or share a laugh? I would love to!

So there you have it. My own personal, Twitter usage disclaimer. It works for me and is unique to who I am. How do you use Twitter? Is it for personal use or your company? Do you @reply often? What benefits have you experienced from Twitter?

Photo Credit: carrotcreative

Crowded Ink's Twitter Mug

I'm a geek. I'm also a big fan of SWAG. So when the holiday season rolled around and I stumbled across CrowdedInk's Friends Twitter Mug on (gasp) Twitter, I immediately thought of my geeky counterpart, @fullyadam and knew the gift had to be his. Plus, I liked their tag line, "We put friends on your stuff like ev-ery-day."

Here's the scoop: you enter whichever Twitter name you're giving the mug to, next each image of their Twitter friends is generated onto the mug. Then you're able to check out how it looks with multiple viewing options and you can customize it to add text or move around where all the pictures are placed. If you're satisfied (you will be), you check out through Zazzle, and you purchase your personalized Twitterati mug for only $14.00. My mug arrived in about 5 business days and I have to say through their Twitter Handle @CrowdedInk and personalized e-mails I received their customer service is fantastic!

So think of Valentine's day around the corner for your geeky lover or upcoming birthdays, then think about CrowdedInk and their special, personalized gift. See photos below.

Sarah Palin + Social Networking

With Alaskan Republican Governor Sarah Palin, selected by John McCain as his running mate for this upcoming, pivotal election there's been a lot of hype surrounding the choice. Personal politics aside, the intriguing part to me is the way the web and media has taken to Sarah Palin's recent position.
Check out my fellow respected bloggers, Elaine Young, a Professor at Champlain College and Adam Fullerton an Internet Marketer phenom, both of which have been following the web 2.0 tail of Sarah.

Young's take on Palin is maybe she should run with the "Little Known Facts" from Twitter-even use it in her ads ie: the witty ones. I believe this could help leverage beneficial public relations, but then again, this is an uncontrolled form of media...

In Fullerton's most recent post he makes a notable point where he says, "I don't think anyone in the Republican party has ever even heard of Twitter," and that means the Republicans "won't lose any "loyal Bush-ies" from this press."

We'll have to see where this takes her, but with my public relations mind running this is still coverage and publicity for Palin. With continual updates, and the viral nature of social media, the action and evaluation steps in the near future will be interesting to keep tabs on for the success (or not) of John McCain and Sarah Palin's public appearance.