Social Media and Communications Keeping it Classy in the Modern Workplace Written by Dallas Duncan and Dr. Frank B. Flanders Foundation Skills, Unit 3.9, FS

Objectives Knowledge: Students will be able to: Write a professional Evaluate the pros and cons of social networking Explain the importance of inflection, and how the lack of inflection affects the meaning of a message Explain why it is important to review an online post prior to posting Define and discuss unit vocabulary Skills: Students will be able to: Analyze social media and communications to determine their appropriateness Communicate through e- mail, social networking sites, text and instant messaging, blogs and discussion boards in a business-appropriate manner

Unit Vocabulary Attachments Blog Cyber Bullying Emoticon Flaming Inflection Instant Messaging Search Engine Optimization Sexting Signature Snail Mail Social Networking Social Norms Spam Tagline Texting Threads

Lesson 1: Etiquette

Overview Why is etiquette important when writing or responding to an ? What is ing? How many of you use ? Why are s important? What is etiquette? Why is etiquette important? What makes an different from snail mail?

Elements to Consider… Format: Keep s brief Proper grammar Greeting To-the-point subject Who’s reading your ? Respond in a timely manner When can you use humor, sarcasm, and ? Don’t let signatures and taglines overpower your e- mail Hmmm… Who’s reading my ?

What’s the difference? What makes a tagline offensive? Write a sample signature and tagline: Signature ComponentsTagline Components Name:Company Motto: Title: Street Address:Inspirational Quote: City, State, Zip Code: Address:Other Tagline: Phone Number: Signatures and Taglines

Editing an Why is editing important? Editing Guidelines: Gets your message across Poor grammar can reflect poorly on the writer Type your into a document program first to make it easier to edit Complete the Etiquette Activity*. *See supplementary files for this activity

What Did You Learn? Be careful with humor and sarcasm Be brief, but include all pertinent information Don’t overdo signatures and taglines Use minimal slang and acronyms Don’t be too informal Don’t use all capital letters when typing

Lesson 2: Social Networking

You, Yourself, and Your Online Reputation How can social networking help or hurt a person’s reputation? How would you define social networking? What are some social networking sites? Which of these sites do you use? Why did you choose these sites? Why do you not use social networking?

The Good and the Bad What are some pros and cons of social networking? Additional examples can be found on the next slide… ProsCons

The Good and the Bad What are some pros and cons of social networking? ProsCons Keep up with friendsYour friends cites may contain offensive material Having a Web site shows employers you’re technologically savvy Parents and employers can see your every move Anyone can use them, for freeDistraction during class and homework time Easy to communicate with peers and adultsOther people can post pictures of you Breaking news is easily visiblePredators can find online profiles It’s funCyber bullying

Why Worry About Posts? If used incorrectly, social networking can get a user into trouble. Examples: Being fired for inappropriate posts or pictures Posting rude and offensive comments Getting caught having a house party because someone posted pictures online Losing insurance benefits because of postings and pictures Losing employment because your “friend” posted something racist on your profile

Personal Benefits of Social Networking Personal “brand” Unique username One profile is better than none Help to “sell” yourself to employers Chance to practice writing Technologically savvy Employers get to know you

Guidelines Some things to keep in mind… Once something is put online, it may be there indefinitely and be difficult to remove Potential employers can and probably will check your internet reputation Employers can fire people for things posted online What are other examples of guidelines?

If Your Grandma Won’t Like it… Then it shouldn’t be online! What are some things that should not be posted on a social networking profile? Nudity, drugs, alcohol Anything that could compromise your job or insurance Complete the Social Media Collage* activity. *See supplementary files for this activity

Would you hire someone who had these elements on their Facebook?

Professional Networking Have you heard of professional networking sites such as LinkedIn? What are some benefits of sites like this? Upload resumes and recommendations Network with professionals “Online resume” employers can see How are these sites different from the ones discussed previously?

What Did You Learn? What do you think about social networking? What one thing in this lesson made the biggest impact on you?

Lesson 3: Texting and Instant Messaging

Short and Sweet (Most of the Time) Why is it important to be careful what you say in a text or instant message? What are the differences between texting and instant messaging? How many of you text? How many of you use instant messaging? Why do you use these services?

Weighing the Options What are some pros and cons of using text and instant messaging? Additional examples can be found on the next slide… ProsCons

Weighing the Options What are some pros and cons of using text and instant messaging? ProsCons Immediate communicationsCan get you in trouble Tell people something when they can’t talkSometimes things don’t come out right Can ask a quick question instead of having an entire conversation Not everyone has the service; some cost money Mass information alertCould send a text to the wrong person

IDK my BFF Jill Is grammar important in text and instant messaging? Do you use abbreviations and emoticons?

Inflection What is inflection? How can inflection change the meaning of a face-to-face conversation and an electronic message? Is voice inflection important? Can people tell what you mean and how you mean it? Face-to-Face Inflection Body Language Changing your voice in tone or volume Electronic Inflection Writing in all capital letters Putting several punctuation marks at the end of a sentence

Sexting What is sexting? Can you get in trouble for this?

What Did You Learn? What is the most important guideline about texting and instant messaging? Remember…once you’ve sent it, there’s no going back. Are grammar and inflection important? Sexting can get you into trouble.

Lesson 4: Blogs and Discussion Boards

To Blog, or Not to Blog… How are discussion boards and blogs forms of social media and communication? What is a blog? What does it mean “to blog?” What is a discussion board? What are threads?

Basics of Blogging Why have a blog or discussion board? What kinds of blogs and discussion boards exist? Once you write on a discussion board or blog, can you remove your post? What should you not write about online, no matter where you post it?

Lesson 5: Ethics of Social Media and Communication

What’s Right and What’s Wrong? Are there rules and consequences associated with electronic communication? Do you know anyone who has gotten into trouble for using social networking sites at work? Should social networking be used on the boss’s time? If a company pays for you to have internet or a cell phone, should you use them for non-work related communication? Is it okay to post, blog, or write on a discussion board anything regarding work-related drama at your company? Complete the Social Media Guidelines* worksheet. *See supplementary files for this activity

Google Yourself! Your teachers, parents, and employers will! How would you feel if a prospective employer Googled you? What are some examples of incorrect information they could find, especially if you have a common name? Now you try. Google yourself and see what comes up. Find one example of information that is actually about you. What page of the search is it on? List the top five links that come up. What makes them correct or incorrect?

Optimize Yourself! What is Search Engine Optimization? SEO can determine what information comes up in a search, and in what order it appears How can you maximize your personal SEO? Linking your profile information to other Web sites Create profiles on as many social networking sites as you can Use your first and last name on your profiles, and your middle name or initial if you have a common name Put your name in the title of your Web sites or blogs

How Private is Online Privacy? How can privacy be controlled? Why should privacy be controlled? What are some privacy control guidelines? Can people still view your information and profiles, even with privacy settings?

What’s “Normal” Mean? What is a “social norm?” What are some examples of social norms? How can an online posting violate a social norm? What impact can this have on your reputation? What are some examples of someone acting outside social norms?

Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media List some do’s and don’ts. Which is the most important thing to remember from each category? Additional examples can be found on the next slide… Do’s of Social MediaDon’ts of Social Media

Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media List some do’s and don’ts. Which is the most important thing to remember from each category? Do’s of Social MediaDon’ts of Social Media DO check your friends’ linksDON’T list personal contact information DO assume that whatever you write will be seen by everyone DON’T post anything in anger: “Post in haste, repent in leisure” DO be careful about how you joke onlineDON’T put social media accounts on your resume unless they’re directly related DO post photos that won’t get you in troubleDON’T put inappropriate things in your “about me” or “info” sections in a profile DO adjust privacy settingsDON’T use questionable usernames DON’T write anything bad about your job DON’T post inappropriate photos of you or your friends

Lesson 6: Social Media—Bad for Business?

Actually, it could be good. How can businesses use social media to their benefit? Advertising on social networking sites: Facebook: Groups and fan pages Twitter: Create an account for the company YouTube: Upload commercials on a company “channel” Blogs: Write entries about promotions or products What benefits do social network advertising have for businesses?

That’s Not All, Folks! What are some additional benefits companies can reap from using social media? Able to research consumers who post product reviews on the Web Able to scope out competitors by looking at their social networking sites Increasing the number of links your site has means it will show up higher on a search engine page Using LinkedIn and other professional sites are cheap, easy ways to look for prospective employees

Assessment Exam: the following slides contain an exam covering this PowerPoint. Key: a key to the exam is included in the last slides.

Unit Test ProsCons 1.What are two of the ethical concerns about social media? 2.Explain the difference between the noun and verb forms of the word “blog.” 3.Choose three of the social media sites talked about in the unit and explain how businesses can use them to advertise to their benefit. Be specific. 4.Explain why inflection is important in communication. 5.Suppose a personnel director comes to class as a guest speaker. They say, “If you apply at most companies you will be Googled.” What does that mean? Explain. Social Media and Communication Unit Test Name: ________________________Date: _____________________________ Multiple Choice 1. Which of the following should NOT be in a tagline? A. Inspirational quotes B. Racial references C. Company motto D. All of the above can be in a tagline 2. Which of the following are benefits of a personal social networking profile? A. Creating a personal “brand” B. Shows employers you’re technologically savvy C. Free product advertising D. A and B only 3. Search Engine Optimization… A. Determines what information appears in what order on a search engine B. Means to type easily searchable phrases C. Can be maximized by putting your name on the title of your blog D. A and C only 4. All of these are social networking sites except: A. Facebook B. LinkedIn C. Texts from Last Night D. YouTube

5. When writing a professional , you should consider: A. Checking your grammar and spelling errors in a document program B. Who will be reading your C. Timeliness of your response D. All of the above 6. It is okay to post ______________ online. A. Pictures of illegal activities, as long as they’re “inside jokes” B. Updates complaining about your boss or job C. A list of extracurricular activities and interests D. Song lyrics containing rude or racist quotes 7. Which of the following are examples of inflection? A. Body language B. Altering the volume of your voice C. Writing in all capital letters D. All of the above 8. Businesses can use the following sites to advertise for free online: A. Facebook B. GreenDog C. YouTube D. A and C only 9. The following are pros of instant and text messaging EXCEPT: A. Can ask a quick question instead of having an entire conversation B. Mass information alert C. Able to tell people something when they can’t talk D. Not everyone has these services 10. The term “threads” is defined as: A. People tied together by interest B. A series of newsgroup messages dealing with the same subject C. An that is sent over and over again to different people D. Telling a story

True and False 1. ______ Always post your contact information on your social networking profiles. 2. ______ Social networking is the use of a Web space to connect with people who share some sort of interest. 3. ______ Professional networking sites let you upload a resume. 4. ______ Once you send a text message, it is gone forever and cannot be retrieved. Once you delete an , it is also gone forever. A Web site can also be deleted and cannot be retrieved. 5. ______ On professional s, always list personal contact information so your recipients can find you. 6. ______ Bulletin boards are another way to refer to discussion boards. 7. ______ Electronic communication and social media have changed the atmosphere of the modern business environment. 8. ______ Sexting is a criminal offense punishable by law. 9. ______ It is easy to tell when something on an is a joke. 10. ______You cannot be fired for anything posted online, because it is protected under the First Amendment. Short Answer 1. Define the term “flaming” and give an example. 2. List three benefits social media can have for businesses other than advertising. 3. Create a personal signature in the space below using the guidelines and all parts discussed in class. 4. List three items that should not be posted on an online profile.

5. Describe three pros and three cons of using a personal social networking site. 6. What are two of the ethical concerns about social media? 7. Explain the difference between the noun and verb forms of the word “blog.” 8. Choose three of the social media sites talked about in the unit and explain how businesses can use them to advertise to their benefit. Be specific. 9. Explain why inflection is important in communication. 10. Suppose a personnel director comes to class as a guest speaker. They say, “If you apply at most companies you will be Googled.” What does that mean? Explain. ProsCons

Key Social Media and Communication Unit Test Name: ________________________Date: _____________________________ Multiple Choice 1.Which of the following should NOT be in a tagline? A. Inspirational quotes B. Racial references C. Company motto D. All of the above can be in a tagline 2. Which of the following are benefits of a personal social networking profile? A. Creating a personal “brand” B. Shows employers you’re technologically savvy C. Free product advertising D. A and B only 3. Search Engine Optimization… A. Determines what information appears in what order on a search engine B. Means to type easily searchable phrases C. Can be maximized by putting your name on the title of your blog D. A and C only

4. All of these are social networking sites except: A. Facebook B. LinkedIn C. Texts from Last Night D. YouTube 5. When writing a professional , you should consider: A. Checking your grammar and spelling errors in a document program B. Who will be reading your C. Timeliness of your response D. All of the above 6. It is okay to post ______________ online. A. Pictures of illegal activities, as long as they’re “inside jokes” B. Updates complaining about your boss or job C. A list of extracurricular activities and interests D. Song lyrics containing rude or racist quotes 7. Which of the following are examples of inflection? A. Body language B. Altering the volume of your voice C. Writing in all capital letters D. All of the above 8. Businesses can use the following sites to advertise for free online: A. Facebook B. GreenDog C. YouTube D. A and C only 9. The following are pros of instant and text messaging EXCEPT: A. Can ask a quick question instead of having an entire conversation B. Mass information alert C. Able to tell people something when they can’t talk D. Not everyone has these services 10. The term “threads” is defined as: A. People tied together by interest B. A series of newsgroup messages dealing with the same subject C. An that is sent over and over again to different people D. Telling a story

True and False 11. ___F___ Always post your contact information on your social networking profiles. 12. ___T___ Social networking is the use of a Web space to connect with people who share some sort of interest. 13. ___T___ Professional networking sites let you upload a resume. 14. ___F___ Once you send a text message, it is gone forever and cannot be retrieved. Once you delete an , it is also gone forever. A Web site can also be deleted and cannot be retrieved. 15. ___T____ On professional s, always list personal contact information so your recipients can find you. 16. ___T___ Bulletin boards are another way to refer to discussion boards. 17. ___T___ Electronic communication and social media have changed the atmosphere of the modern business environment. 18. ___T___ Sexting is a criminal offense punishable by law. 19. ___F___ It is easy to tell when something on an is a joke. 20. ___F___ You cannot be fired for anything posted online, because it is protected under the First Amendment. Short Answer Answers may vary. Here are some suggested answers. 1. Define the term “flaming” and give an example. Flaming is a term for venting emotion or sending inflammatory s. Example: “This project sucks! This teacher needs to get a life!” 2. List three benefits social media can have for businesses other than advertising. Able to research consumers who post things on Web sites Businesses can research competitors by looking at their Web sites The number of links your site has, the higher it will appear on a search engine Using professional sites is a way to find employees

3. Create a personal signature in the space below using the guidelines and all parts discussed in class. Name: Anne Bradley Title: Language Arts Teacher Street Address: 5066 Balderdash Court City, State, Zip: Evans, GA Address: Phone Number: List three items that should not be posted on an online profile. Photos of nudity, alcohol or drug use Racist, rude, or offensive comments, remarks, or “wall posts” Updates posted during work hours Photos taken on your “sick days” while you were actually on vacation Photos of you doing something hazardous to your health 5. Describe three pros and three cons of using a personal social networking site. 6. What are two of the ethical concerns about social media? Should social networking sites be used at work or on the boss’s time? If a company pays for you to have a cell phone or the internet, should you use them to send non-work related communications? Is it okay to post, blog, or discuss on a discussion board anything about work-related drama at your company? ProsCons Immediate communicationsCan get you in trouble Tell people something when they can’t talkSometimes things don’t come out right Can ask a quick question instead of having an entire conversation Not everyone has the service; some cost money Mass information alertCould send a text to the wrong person

7. Explain the difference between the noun and verb forms of the word “blog.” Noun: A blog is a Web site that displays postings by one or more individuals in chronological order. It can also show links to comments. Verb: Blogging means to write entries in or maintain a blog. 8. Choose three of the social media sites talked about in the unit and explain how businesses can use them to advertise to their benefit. Be specific. Facebook: Groups and fan pages Twitter: Create an account for your company YouTube: Upload commercials on a company “channel” Blogs: Write entries about new products and promotions 9. Explain why inflection is important in communication. Body language and voice alteration in tone and volume make it easy to tell a person’s meaning in face-to-face conversations Because social media communication doesn’t allow for the use of body language and voice, it is harder to determine a person’s meaning Emoticons can allow for some indication of humor and joking, but not everyone understands how to use them 10. Suppose a personnel director comes to class as a guest speaker. They say, “If you apply at most companies you will be Googled.” What does that mean? Explain. Companies will use Google searches to find profiles and information about prospective employees The idea of being Googled is what makes Search Engine Optimization important—you want to get the most accurate and reputable information about you online for employers to see If a company sees something unflattering about you on a Google search, they might not hire you.