Some Facebook Do’s and Don’ts

We consulted various Facebook regulars to come up with this list of solid tips for newbies.

Don’t hit on people. If you’re single, and the person you are messaging is single and someone you’ve actually met, then mild flirting is fine. For everything else, exercise judgment.

Watch your language—profanity, grammar and spelling. Making a good impression online is as important as doing so in person. A typo can be just as embarrassing as a using the wrong word in conversation. One too many four-letter bombs, and you’re the obnoxious loudmouth at the bar.

Know your audience. If representing your own business or cultivating a following online, diversify your types of posts. Don’t link to your blog or company website with every post. It looks desperate and reads like spam.

Don’t post it if you don’t want your mother seeing it. Or if your mother is socially liberal, then consider your sweet grandma.

Set privacy settings high. No one is going to be miffed that they can’t access your snapshots from Gulf Shores unless they are close enough for you to have gladly given them access anyway.

Don’t update too much. Friends will think you have no life (a bad thing, even if they are right), and bosses will wonder if you’re spending too much time online during work hours.

Don’t post your street address or phone number. Too much personal information coupled with status updates from vacation spots or a picture post about your humongous new flat screen TV could make your home a target for burglars.