The best thing about social media is that it allows us the opportunity to keep in touch with friends and family around the globe with the click of a mouse. But this can also be the downfall of social media if you’re not careful.
My mother used to say, “Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want splashed across the news.” Today, she’d probably also include not blasting anything on social media we might regret.
As a performing artist, you must consider how to effectively use social media. After all, it’s safe to say that social media has indeed become an extension of your personal brand. It’s part of who we are, how we live, and how we present that image to the industry.
READ: How to Build a Social Media Brand
Just think: One post about how you hate doing eight shows a week or complaining about how long you waited for an audition can halt your prospect quicker than you can double tap. Not only do casting offices and agent often require that no one post any details about auditions or projects, but imagine if your show’s director saw that tweet or an EP stumbled on your Facebook rant. On the other hand, a thoughtful, well-crafted post on why you loved the script of that movie you just saw where you tag the writer might get you on his or her radar.
Now I know some of you may be running to delete some unsavory posts right about now, but here’s the problem: once something hits the internet, it never really goes away. Think about all those celebrities who post something without thinking, get called out in the media, and then delete the post, only to have it resurface thanks to screenshots or cached links. I’m not saying your old tweets are going to end up on the six o’clock news tonight, but why take any chances?
Your online presence should enhance your brand, not become its downfall.
Which brings me to the subject of social media as social nuisance. Yes, these platforms allow us to share, connect, stay in touch, and show sides of our personal brands people might not be aware of. But there’s a fine line between being authentic and annoying. For the most part, people are not dumb—they’ll see through and remember inauthentic, contrived posts almost as much as negative ones.
Social media shouldn’t be a place where people feel they need to prove their worth, and its upkeep certainly shouldn’t come at a cost. It’s a great way to communicate, but having said that, be mindful that the blessing of instant connection can also be a curse when not used in a thoughtful way.
What you post stays in cyberspace for eternity; what do you want your digital legacy to be?
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
