So, in our first two posts, we established that it’s helpful if you a) have established a presence online around your area of expertise and b) actually engage with your audience.
But, it doesn’t stop there. Ya gotta be nice. Or at the very least, professional/diplomatic/mature.
Yes, this is America and of course you can share your opinions online as they relate to the COVID lockdown, Trump or global warming (if such a thing existed … oops! Did I say that out loud?). You can even disagree with people (gasp!). But avoid ranting about hot-button topics like politics and religion. Posts that weren’t intended to be hostile can be easily misunderstood and guess what? Producers and editors are people, too, with their own opinions. Opinions that may well not align with your own. And while your worldview shouldn’t affect their decision-making, why risk it? The ability to either show restraint or engage in respectful dialogue exemplifies a composed personality that is well-suited for the unpredictable world of media. So, if you aspire to be a public figure or at the very least, appear on local media, ask yourself before you post …is it worth it?
