- Don’t post when you’ve had too much to drink. (I’m sure this already exists, but I’ve always said there should be an app that makes you solve a complicated math problem if you’re on social media after midnight.)
- Don’t like every post on a person’s profile. (Creepy enough in itself, even more so if you like every post except those that include their spouse or significant other.)
- Don’t sign your name to posts. Especially when you start AND end with your name. (Saying mom or grandma counts, too. We love this grandma’s innocence, though.) You know your name and profile picture are right there, right?
- Don’t get too political or spiritual.
- Don’t chat someone up online on the regular, but don’t say hello when you see them IRL.
- Don’t post questions you could’ve Googled.
- Don’t overshare. You will be unfollowed, if not unfriended. Call a friend instead.
- Don’t share without checking the source or the date. Example: Someone shared a missing child post that stated, “missing since last Saturday.” A reputable news outlet showed it was 18+ months old, and the child was found, DOA.
- Don’t make spelling, grammar, and other English language-related offenses. Please take one minute to proofread.
- Don’t use offensive language. (Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.)
- Don’t post photos that just aren’t worthy. Extra points for posting on highly visual networks such as Instagram or Pinterest. Take a photog class. At least edit people!
- Don’t create repetitive feeds. Unless you specialize in Hawaiian wave pictures like Clark Little, don’t repeat the genre. Even Little shares soccer pics and animals now and then.
- Don’t change your profile picture every day.
What 300 Speaking Engagements Taught Me About Impact
May 20, 2026
I’ve been speaking professionally since 2010. That means I’ve stood in front of audiences for almost 17 years, talking about everything from communication and marketing
