Blogging along with social networks have become extremely popular and prevalent. Many people don't realize as they blog and post personal or business related opinions and statements on Professional blogs, it is not only visible to their business but visible to the world. Anyone can access that information and use it against them if proper guidelines are not used. Blogging can also be very dangerous if not used properly, causing unnecisary attention and even termination from a company due to posts. According to Roger Williams University,the following guidelines can help avoid problems caused by professional blogging.
- Back up your information: When you air your personal opinions, statistics, or statements via a blog or a social networking site, you are legally responsible for your commentary. You must always site your sources correctly. Outside parties can pursue legal action against you for postings if proper copyright rules and policies are not followed.
- Proofread- Your blog reflects not only on you, but the company you work for as well. Nothing can make a professional look worse than bad grammar or punctuation when talking about a professional topic.
- Be accurate in your posts regarding your business and colleagues. All employees can be viewed as representative of his or her company. Crude or rude comments about other employees, or any other person can be seen as sexual harassment even if posted on a blog.
- Be respectful and as discreet as you can in any comments or content you post online. The tone of your blog will reflect on you as an individual. It will either repel others from reading or responding to your blog or, if done properly can attract people to it. According to the United states air force academy this is one of the five most important blog response guidlines.(globalnerdy.com/the-air-forces-rules-of-engagement-for-blogging/)
