A short guide to the clichés of social-media speak

Talking like an expert is de rigueur for today’s social-media conscious communicator or PR person. Here’s a short guide to the clichés and platitudes of this red-hot online movement. Just repeat these sayings and in no time you’ll be boring friends and enemies silly—without really trying:

Cliché No. 1: “You’re not in control of the message anymore.”

(variation): “You’re not in control of your company’s brand.”

(variation): “You’re not in control of the [online] conversation.”

(variation): “Even in the era of traditional media, you never were in control of your company’s message.”

You just didn’t know it until some social media expert pointed it out to you.

Cliché No. 2: “Nevertheless you MUST join in the [online] conversation.”

You have no choice. Why? Because:

Cliché No. 3: “You want your company’s point of view represented in the social space,” or,

Cliché No. 4: “You want to engage in an authentic online dialogue,” or,

Cliché No. 5: “Because the conversation will happen with or without you.”