| Anyone who can turn on a computer these days, | | | | everyone had to pay higher taxes and he couldn't |
| at any age can log in to such social medias as | | | | figure out why she had this power because she |
| Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blogs, etc to find | | | | was just a waitress. The woman looked at him |
| out what is going on in the world, with their | | | | stunned because he was talking about her! She |
| friends, family and keep up with fashions, celebs | | | | was that woman that worked in the water |
| and the latest gossip. Businesses are even finding | | | | district office and she hadn't waitressed in years |
| it a great place to get new customers, clients, | | | | and when she did it was only for a couple months. |
| employees and advertising because it is more | | | | She told him this, he didn't believe her. Long story |
| cost effective then through newspapers, TV, | | | | short, even though she had not waitressed in |
| highway signs, etc. | | | | over 10+ years, and was a successful business |
| Teens and young adults aren't the only ones | | | | owner and worked in a department of the |
| caught up in the fun, entertainment and pastime | | | | government, today, his first impression of her |
| of the social media. Baby boomers and Generation | | | | was as a waitress. She would always be just a |
| X (my generation) are also enjoying logging on or | | | | waitress to him and possibly everyone in that |
| signing in daily to check out the latest in people's | | | | town, because she had worked in the public's eye |
| lives. | | | | that one summer. |
| The other day I was talking with someone and | | | | This got me thinking about first impressions online |
| she related a story to me that really didn't have | | | | and in my life. With social media being made so |
| anything to do with social media, but it got me | | | | public as well as people searches done easily |
| thinking about first impression and being online. | | | | thanks to Google, Yahoo, Mozilla, etc, you have to |
| Here is the story and then I will explain how it | | | | wonder about your first impressions on others. |
| made me connect the two. | | | | Thanks to places like Facebook that hold |
| She is a successful business owner and has been | | | | information permanently it doesn't matter what |
| for more than 20 yrs. Her and her husband have | | | | you said 3 years ago or now because at any |
| run everything from his construction company, | | | | time a potential employer, business partner, client, |
| her licensed daycare to a group home, she was/is | | | | customer, or spouse could very well go on the |
| a freelance writer and while running a 4 star | | | | internet to see what comes up for your name |
| country inn, for the past 5+ yrs, she has also held | | | | and it might affect that relationship. |
| a government position and on a few tourism | | | | We are so worried about ID theft, predators, |
| boards. | | | | stockers, etc, but what about that future boss or |
| She had been the girl's dorm advisor in a private | | | | partner? Posting stuff could be misunderstood, |
| school before it was shut down and upon its | | | | deemed inappropriate, offensive or hurtful is |
| closing she found it had been the most trying, | | | | something that we should be aware of. Do you |
| stressful time and naturally, she was burnt out. | | | | really want that important client, future boss or |
| Deciding to take a couple months off of being her | | | | possible business partner finding something that |
| own boss and go waitress... you know a no brain, | | | | you had posted when you were young and foolish |
| just do what you are told job, so she could | | | | or when you were angry, and decide not to work |
| recover, before starting on her new venture. She | | | | with you because of it? It doesn't go away, even |
| hadn't waitressed for about 20 yrs but like riding a | | | | if you delete it from your profile, status, blog, |
| bike, it would come back to her. After a couple | | | | etc...there are spiders, cookies, caches, whatever |
| months of this, she quit and her and her husband | | | | you want to call it that saves EVERYTHING you |
| started running a group home. | | | | put out there for others to read and see. Those |
| Years later after she had been well established | | | | pictures, nasty words, not too nice comments will |
| with working for the government, running the 4 | | | | be there for someone someday to find. |
| star country inn and on a tourism board, she | | | | You will wear it for life. This doesn't just affect |
| decided to sit in a coffee shop in her home town | | | | you now; this is something that could haunt you |
| just to see what the locals were doing and catch | | | | for the rest of your life and may very well come |
| up on any local gossip. A man came to sit with | | | | back at you when you least expect it. Remember |
| her that she knew from her job working in the | | | | this the next time you want to say something |
| government department and they chatted. | | | | about your boss, friend, ex or neighbor...you never |
| He brought up during the conversation about this | | | | know who is reading this or when. I know I have |
| woman that was running the water district and | | | | gone back over all my postings on all my sites to |
| how everyone had to pay much higher water | | | | see what first impression I have left. |
| taxes because of her. This lady asked what he | | | | Until next time, I hope you find that the foot print |
| meant. He said that thanks to this woman | | | | you leave is one you wouldn't mind leaving again. |