Having said all that, I’m torn when it comes to self-regulation. Sure, it’s never right to totally slander a client – but I do think well-crafted criticism, especially if deserved, can still be the right thing to do. The whole point of Twitter and social media is openness and transparency, which applies to both compliments and critiques. And besides, if you stay quiet the message could very well get out anyway – and without your initial input/control.

I do think there’s an easy solution to all this: either do as you say and divulge client associations, or to be even safer, simply create multiple social media (i.e. Twitter) profiles. As an individual I can be much freer with my opinions, while if I’m representing or working with a client, I’m obviously a little more constrained. An elegant, if potentially time consuming, answer, dontcha think?

Thoughts?

With the #insouthafrica meme it was very interesting to note the subtle change that occurred when it was announced that it had started trending. Suddenly as people became aware that others (particularly the U.S) were perhaps interested and listening, the tweets became educational. E.g. we don’t have Lions in our backyards or the explanation of “now, now”. Was intriguing, to me, and it begs the question, how would your commentary change if you actually knew who was listening?

We don’t know what ORM tools are picking up our streams – should they be permission based. So yes, Brand X, Y or Z, I allow you to listen to me (or my ramblings, rather )