Think first, then post/talk/vent.

One of the key elements of media training is this:
"If you don't want to be quoted, don't say it"

Easier said than, uh, said. Or Tweeted.

Did you hear about the employee fired for posting unflattering things about her boss on Facebook? At least for now, the National Labor Relations Board is taking her side. As for the courts, we'll see.

We've all said things, accidentally or on purpose that we wish we could take back. I recall a story about President Lincoln who wrote an absolutely scathing letter to someone, then tore it up and threw it away. He just wanted to get it off his chest. No harm no foul, and no RT's.

Remember this infamous gaffe by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and what he wanted to do to a certain part of now-President Obama's anatomy? He later apologized but by then it was all over cyberspace with millions upon millions of hits and views.

Then there's Republican GOP Candidate Ken Buck who was a veritable hit parade of boot in mouth comments. Buck lost the election by the way.

A reminder to both, and the rest of us of another media truism. "The mike is always on."

Snippets of these kinds of things, taken in or out of context can be turned, almost instantly, into campaign ads by the competition. Or cost you your job and/or reputation.

What you say can and will be used against you.

"Boo-boo's" now spread at almost light speed. Suppose you Tweet something and before you re-think what you posted it's already being shared. Your followers share it with their followers and then on to their follower's follower's followers. Millions of impressions in moments. Follow the leader is now follow the Tweeter.

In the case of the aforementioned lady who lost her job, the courts will ultimately decide. The laws of the land aren't remotely keeping up with the speed of the Internet.

So, one more time: "If you don't want to be quoted, don't say it."

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"