I Before We Except after NEVER

2 comments // Jan 8th, 2010 // Social Media Rants

I propose a new social media mandate:

If you mean “me” or “I,” don’t say “us” or “we” on Twitter, or Facebook, or on your blog - or anywhere for that matter. So-called “Corporate” accounts always do this, even when they don’t mean “everyone here” or “this business.”

“We think that’s great!” Really? Did you take a quick office poll on that? Or do YOU just think it’s great?

There are times when you really ARE referring to the organization as a whole, and obviously can use third-person speak. “Our special today,” etc.

But nine times out of 10, even if you’re referring to something that will be shared with the entire organization or posting something that you were told by the higher-ups to post (”We want to hear your feedback,”) it’s YOU, whoever you are, behind the keyboard. And “We” know that you are a person, not a corporate robot. And hey, “we” like people.

i-before-we

A favorite local example - “We” didn’t fall in love with TehKu because of “their” updates. “We” fell in love because Inggrie, the owner, is a good, genuine person, and she talks to people online in a way that reflects her personality, and even when she is promoting her own business, “we” like her. So “we” buy her tea.

Really, It’s ok to tell us the name of the person behind your “official” online presence. Even if it ISN’T the owner or CEO. (Please don’t pretend it is.)

You with me? Who do you think is doing it right, and who’s off in “their” own world?

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2 responses so far, want to say something?

  1. Dave Huffman says:

    Haha! Right on. Last week I had sent out an email to all of our marketing reps to post their individual names when posting content/messages/etc on our Facebook fan page to add a personal touch because they were using the WE. I LOVE your blogs. They always either validate something I’ve done or give me more ammo to press on with an idea.

    Jan 08, 2010, 5:06 pm
  2. Jon says:

    Unfortunately, stock business convention is that I’m not Me when I’m on the job; I’m a limb attached to an entity. Thus, I sacrifice my ego whenever I am on the clock. Everyone knows it’s mostly artifice, but not hewing to the convention can get you reamed unless you’re in charge. I, for example, am not allowed to take personal credit for things I do in my organization, even if I am the sole creator of whatever it is. My legacy here will be mute, and that’s something I’m OK with as long as I can keep paying my rent. The upshot of all this is that if nobody knows you, then nobody knows to track you down and harass you!

    Jan 08, 2010, 4:54 pm

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