We’ve all shared our ideas on social media before. And chances are you’ve also had people disagreeing with you or questioning your opinions. It’s a natural part of being on social media. Most of us will defend our ideas vehemently. But is it always a good idea? This week on the chat, we invited digital marketing expert, Chad Phillips, to talk about how to own your ideas on social media. Here’s a summary of our chat.
Guest: Chad Phillips
Topic: Owning your ideas on social media
Format: Eight questions directed at the guest. Everyone’s welcome to share.
You’ll never know what people are capable of until you give them a chance. It’s a bad idea to be defensive on social media because there’s a good chance that the knowledge, experience, or advice someone’s sharing would help you improve your career or business. Always be open to feedback and suggestions—it’ll help you grow.
A1 – It is a bad idea to be on the defensive because you never know if someone has some knowledge or insights, strategies to make you better.
So if someone give you advice on social, take it. It may boost your business or career.#TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
Alyx made another great point: because we mostly consume text on social media, it’s hard to accurately assess a person’s tone. If your first reaction to anything is defensiveness, you’re likely asking for confrontation even when it isn’t called for.
A1 It can be far too easy to misinterpret someone's tone by simply reading text. Especially in a situation where character numbers may be limited (such as Twitter) and by being constantly defensive, you're setting yourself up for unnecessary confrontation
-Alyx#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/Iv49MJGnt9— Charlie & Alyx – Charlie Appel Agency (@ColfaxInsurance) August 25, 2022
People become defensive when they don’t get the attention they want. They feel as if others are getting the attention that’s rightfully theirs. So they tend to badmouth others and become overly defensive as a way to make themselves feel better.
A2 – They get defensive aka pessimist because they are getting the recognition they deserve… so they want to trash another person to make themselves feel good, and that's bad, on top of that morally wrong. #TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
That said, though, we’re all humans. And we’re not immune to defensiveness, as Doug pointed out. Sometimes people get on the defense right away because they’re still trying to understand the platform and its ways. Other times, it could just be because they’re stressed out a bit. If you recognize that you’re stressed and may post an angry defensive tweet to someone else’s comment, take a step back and calm down. Look at the comment when you’re more relaxed and you may see a different and even helpful perspective.
A2: Multiple reasons people get overly defensive here – part of it is not understanding the culture of the platform, part of it is we've all been just a LITTLE stressed out lately… lol. 😉 #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/0QVBi1ODqK
— Doug Cohen (@dougcohen10) August 25, 2022
You should stand by your ideas because they’re uniquely yours. They make you who you are. Don’t be afraid to speak your truth. Social media platforms are meant for people to share their ideas and opinions. If someone’s unhappy with your opinions, they can choose to ignore your content.
A3 – You stand by your ideas & opinions because they are yours, if someone doesn't like it, fine.
Your ideas are yours to share, if people like, good. If they don't, they can find someone else to produce/watch content from#TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
Opinions can be a double-edged sword, however, as Don explained. Do the right thing—stand by ideas that are morally and ethically right, and you’ll have unwavering support.
A3: It depends what you're standing for. Wise man once said "I don't care who is right, I care what is right." Focus on the what is right part and flow to it. #TwitterSmarter
— Don Dingee (@don_dingee) August 25, 2022
It sure can. Words are funny that way. They can take on meanings and connotations that we didn’t intend in the first place. The goal is to get your point across without being aggressive—focus on that.
A4 – I believe that you can, because you are trying to get your point across to the moderator/host without be aggressive.#TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
As Madalyn suggested, read your tweet or post a few times before you hit publish. It’s only too easy to say something you didn’t mean to.
A4: Yes, your content can be both assertive and defensive at the same time, so you want to think twice before hitting publish on something that may not come off how you intended. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/4I6uls8QAT
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) August 25, 2022
Absolutely. It may take some practice and consistent review of your content, but you can certainly be firm and assertive in your opinions without causing harm or distress.
A5 – Yes of course you can.
It is important to make a point and share your perspective without being aggressive.#TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
Janette told us how you can be assertive without aggression. Share your knowledge without being condescending towards others. Be firm in your beliefs but don’t think you have the right to be rude to people. Most importantly, never insult people’s intelligence—be courteous when you engage with others.
Hi there @MadalynSklar! A5. You can be "Kindly assertive" to me this means:
1. Knowledgeable without being condescending
2. Firm without being rude
3. Always be helpful and courteous without insulting someone's intelligence.
This is quite an art#Twittersmarter https://t.co/ZDDjdUK9Yz— Janette Speyer – 🌊🌊🌊 Artist, Digital Marketer (@JanetteSpeyer) August 25, 2022
When you’re in the right and someone’s attacking you for those ideas.
A6 – When someone says negative connotations or comments about you.#TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
Remember, though, that things can quickly escalate on social media. The last thing you want is a raging argument. If you’re in a conversation with someone and they’re passionately disagreeing with you, you have to defend your ideas. However, as Sean mentioned, don’t let things snowball. Agree to disagree—it’s a handy tool you can use to dial down tensions.
A6: The only appropriate time to defend your ideas on SM is within a conversation/chat. And even then, agree to disagree sooner rather than later. #twittersmarter pic.twitter.com/OdcfZTvacL
— Sean Perlmutter (@seanperlmutter) August 25, 2022
Be nice. Disagreements are a healthy part of a properly-functioning society. Usually, when someone disagrees with you, it’s because they have a different perspective on things. If you’re defending your idea, do so by expressing your perspective in a positive way.
A7 – I will handle it in a positive matter
And respond it in a different perspective. #TwitterSmarter— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
As Lori pointed out, a lot of good lessons can come out of constructive disagreements. However, before you jump in and react to the person disagreeing with you, step back and think about whether it’s worth engaging in the conversation. Often, engaging means you’d only be feeding a troll. If that’s the case, ignore it and save yourself the stress.
A7: Be mature about it. Step back. Look at the bigger perspective. Is it worth engaging? i’ve had constructive disagreements on Twitter not so much on Nextdoor 😬 #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/RQLnOP1AtB
— Lori Anding 👑 🇺🇦 || Introverted SoMe extrovert (@southbaysome) August 25, 2022
Test your idea. Not every idea is a good idea, but they’re millions of similar ideas floating around the world. Look at other brands for inspiration. Ask yourself why your idea is good—consider both the positive and negative aspects of your idea.
A8 – Find inspiration from different brands, sources, and people.
It may strike a match or fire to get you going.#TwitterSmarter
— Chad Phillips | CEO & Digital Marketing Expert 🐦 (@csnakedoc13) August 25, 2022
George recommended asking others for feedback. It’s an excellent strategy—when you ask people for suggestions, they’ll be more than happy to help you. The more open you are to feedback and new perspectives, the more strength and support your idea accumulates. That’s how you grow an idea from a tiny sprout to a massive oak with undeniable credibility.
A8. I put it out there as a tentative idea, requesting feedback. People love to help you figure things out. Paradoxically, you appear more confident when you are willing to admit your uncertainties. #TwitterSmarter
— George Silverman | The MindSkills Guy (@GeorgeSilverman) August 25, 2022
Well folks, that’s all from me this week. Thanks for reading through and for more great insights from our chat with Chad have a look at this Twitter thread. If you like this summary, you’ll love the real-time chat. Join us next Thursday at 1 pm ET for #TwitterSmarter. We also have an after-chat on Twitter Spaces at 5 pm ET. See you there!
About me, Narmadhaa:
I write all the things—marketing stuff to pay the bills; haiku and short stories so I feel wholesome. A social media enthusiast, I hang out with the #TwitterSmarter chat crew, and am always happy to take on writing gigs.
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