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Your Co-Workers Probably Don’t Want You to Follow Them on Social Media

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2023

Your Co-Workers Probably Don't Want You to Follow Them on Social Media

Becoming actual friends with a co-worker often comes with some clear signals on each of your parts but becoming social media “friends” can be a fraught decision to accept, ignore, or reject an invitation to connect. Sometimes it’s not even based on how much you like the person, but on how much of a risk it can be to your job.

To get insight into how people handle it, All About Cookies surveyed 1,500 US adults about how their online presence relates to their work relationships(Opens in a new window). It found that a third of people (33%) prefer not to connect with their co-workers on social media. For 12% of those surveyed, it’s simply because they don’t use social media enough to feel the need to connect with anyone new on there, co-workers included.

But most avoided accepting or sending invitations because they want to keep their work and personal lives separate (62%). Some would rather their co-workers did not know about their lives (28%), and others just did not want to know more about their co-workers (18%).

And then there are the people who want to let loose on social media in a way that they don’t feel they could with co-workers looking on; 15% said they did not want to censor themselves on social media and 8% said they did not want co-workers to see what they posted about work.

Whether or not you have added work people to your social media circles, what you post has the potential to be seen by or get back to your co-workers and supervisors. Over a quarter of those surveyed (27%) saw a co-worker post something negative relating to work and 24% said that someone they know at work had been disciplined over a post. Ten percent witnessed a co-worker get fired because of something they’d put up on social media.

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bar chart about negative social media behaviors and work

(Credit: All About Cookies)

But despite the best efforts to keep business and personal separate, people do find themselves linked up with co-workers on Facebook (85%), Instagram (59%), Snapchat (57%), TikTok (47%), and Twitter (47%). If that’s you, the good news is that these connections make 50% of people like their co-workers more while for 44%, it didn’t change their opinions of them one way or another. Only 6% felt that social media gave them a newly negative opinion of a colleague.

bar chart for when it's appropriate to add co-workers on social media

(Credit: All About Cookies)

If you’re on the fence about adding someone you know through work to your social media circles, you’ll do best to ask them in-person first (24% said this was the most appropriate time), preferably after socializing outside of work (which 18% said was the right time).

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Related Topics:coworkers Dont Follow Marketing Media Social socialmedia

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2024

Max

Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

SOCIAL

Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.