The Art of Professional Tagging:

A Guide to Navigating Social Tagging Etiquette

In the vast ocean of social media, where waves of content crash and recede, proper social tagging etiquette is your compass to navigate the seas of professionalism. At Sea Salt Digital, we understand the importance of tagging people appropriately on social media platforms. Join us on this voyage as we explore the art of professional tagging and why it’s crucial for maintaining a positive digital presence.

1. Know Your Audience

Before casting your tagging net, it’s essential to know your audience. Consider their preferences, privacy concerns, and professional boundaries. While some individuals may welcome being tagged in relevant content, others may prefer a more discreet online presence. Respecting these differences ensures that your tagging practices align with your audience’s comfort levels.

Tagging customers, donors, and fans on Meta is only acceptable with the express permission of the person in question.  However, tagging partners, supporters, and other industry-similar organizations on LinkedIn is not only permissible by encouraged with the message is informational or positive.  For example, say your company has partnered with another to host an event.  It would be advisable to call out the company by name on LinkedIn and Meta.  On the other hand, say you have an incentive at your company that you are trying to promote.  Tagging previous customers or random users is unacceptable.

2. Relevance is Key

Tagging should always be relevant to the content you’re sharing. Whether it’s a collaboration, a shared achievement, or a shoutout, ensure that the tagged individuals have a clear connection to the post. Professionalism thrives when tags enhance the content, providing additional context or recognizing the contribution of others.

3. Ask for Permission

When in doubt, it’s always courteous to ask for permission before tagging someone in a post. This is particularly important in a professional context. Requesting permission not only respects the individual’s autonomy but also helps maintain a positive relationship. It’s a small step that goes a long way in fostering goodwill.

4. Consider Professionalism Across Platforms

Different social media platforms have different etiquettes. What might be acceptable on a more casual platform could be considered intrusive on a professional network like LinkedIn. Tailor your tagging approach to match the tone and expectations of each platform. This ensures that your digital interactions remain polished and appropriate.

For example, say you’ve just recently taken a road trip with a group of colleagues and post photos of your time at the hotel bar on LinkedIn tagging said colleagues.  This would be a strict etiquette violation. However, if you and your colleagues are at a conference and you take a photo in front of the conference signage, it would be acceptable to tag those in the photo on a professional platform liked LinkedIn.

5. Use Proper Handles and Handles Only

When tagging individuals, use their proper social media handles. Avoid using personal email addresses or other private information. Additionally, refrain from tagging people in images or posts where they’re not directly involved. Tagging should be a deliberate action, linking individuals to content that is relevant to them.

6. Mind Your Frequency

While acknowledgment is appreciated, excessive tagging can border on spammy behavior. Be mindful of the frequency with which you tag individuals. If your tags are genuine and relevant, they will be more meaningful and better received by your audience.

Tagging others in a post you find valuable so that they will see the post is an incorrect way to use tags.  The proper social tagging etiquette for sharing a post is to direct message that post to the person of your choice.

7. Stay Positive and Professional

The golden rule of professional tagging is to keep it positive. Avoid tagging individuals in controversial or sensitive content without explicit consent. Your social media presence reflects not only on you but also on the individuals you tag. Maintain a positive and professional tone to uphold the integrity of your digital relationships.

Unless…

Often times individuals have expressed a genuine concern on Twitter about a company’s service and have gotten positive responses. While this tactic can be effective, it’s not recommended.  The easy gauge for whether or not to post something negative is if you wouldn’t want it said about you or your company, don’t post it.

Following and understanding professional social tagging etiquette is a skill that will set you apart. It’s a subtle art that, when mastered, contributes to a positive digital environment and fosters strong connections. At Sea Salt Digital, we believe that the way you navigate the seas of social media reflects the professionalism of your brand. By tagging people appropriately and professionally, you’re not just creating connections; you’re fostering a digital presence that sails smoothly toward success.