Yesterday, we started talking about
Facebook etiquettes that I shared with my 15-year-old daughter to make her online
experience more enjoyable. What we say, how we say, when we say and whom we say
what we say are very crucial. We can impact a lot of lives simply by being a
little cautious before we bare our minds to the world. Here are a few more tips
that might help you…
11. Engage. Be generous with your “likes, comments and share” Just like
you, people are looking for approval. When you “like” you’re saying, “I
believe in you. I agree with your feelings. I endorse your thoughts, work and hobby.”
12. Talk to the wall! Write on your friends’
wall, simply to check on them or encourage them. My friend Jay is excellent
with that. Wish people Happy Birthday and engage with their interests. Post a
link on what they’re interested in.
13. Promote a Godly cause to help someone. FB
is a powerful platform. People take notice what you say from your “pulpit.” Use your platform to influence
and empower others. Yesterday, I put out a request to help a family who lost a
young boy in a tragic accident. Only an hour later, a good friend of mine
fulfilled that need. You can touch lives simply by sharing a good cause. On
that note, please don’t forget to like and endorse Build International
Ministries. Thank you!
14. Keep it positive. Criticism doesn’t work.
People do more of what we brag about and less of what we nag about. Do not criticize
authority, management or the government. One day you and your decedents will be
in the position of authority. Don’t sabotage your/their future. You’ll never
attain what you criticize others for. If you’re not directly responsible, leave
it alone. Prayer will do more than our criticism. Use the same effort and energy
to do what God has called you to do. Remember, you have limited resources – especially
time.
15. Post pictures. Start with your own
profile. You’re on social media! A picture is worth a thousand words!
Occasionally post pictures of good times with your friends, family and places
you’ve been to. Highlight your friends and their interest. Like their photos –
especially their kids. Parents love to show off their kids. When we engage with
their posts, we’re empowering the parents.
16. Share a wholesome song or a video that
you like. Quote, Bible verses and inspirations are great also but use them sparingly.
17. Set a time limit per day/week to be on
social media. Avoid the temptation to mindlessly browse endless hours. Share your
thoughts, read what others have to say and get offline and get on with your life. This
is a communications tool not a chat room.
18. Learn to ignore. This is difficult with
people with strong values. When we engage with comments we don’t agree with we’re
wasting our valuable, limited resources on trying to make everyone think like
us. They have other things to say where you can make a positive deposit. Don’t
get drawn into conflict. Walk away.
19. Do not accept games request. Please don’t
send them to others either. You’ll lose friends faster than you think. It’s
considered spam. It irritates people.
20. Friend people you know. Accept friend
requests from people you know or a trusted source. Don’t get hooked on the
numbers game. Most people who have thousands of friends online have very few real
life relationships where it counts the most. Get off online and build offline
relationships.
Friends,
I hope you’ll get at least one thing that might be helpful to you. I appreciate
all the “shares” yesterday. Yes, if we like, share, influence and educate others
we have a potential to impact a billion people who are on Facebook and other
social media. I “like” you!
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but
also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 ESV).
