Who hasn’t hit Send and regretted it later?

• It’s one of our major social media Oops moments.
• But this list goes beyond the annoying auto-correct or auto-fill.
• See if you recognize any of the following signs that you hit Send too soon.

Top 10 Signs You Should Not Hit Send.

The following infographic shares the Top 10 signs, starting with #10.

#10 – Even your keyboard is blushing

It takes a lot to make a keyboard blush. After all, it’s seen it all. But the following may transform those keys into red-faced enablers.

• An angry response that doesn’t need symbols – @#&%
• Misspelling the customer’s name/company (auto correct loves to “fix” this for us)
• Using another person’s name when writing to your customer

#9 – The “I” wall blocks “You”

• Every post contains, I think you should do this.
• I like this product, this idea, this way
• Your audience’s response is probably, I DON’T CARE.

#8 – You sound like a minister

• Leave preaching to the clergy.
• A community is not the same thing as a congregation.
• Don’t be surprised when the collection basket is empty.

Am I preaching? I beg your forgiveness.

#7 – You do a face plant on keyboard

• Your business communication is so boring, you nodded off.
• What you write is weighing you down.
• Maybe you need a closer look.

#6 – The text is wet behind the ears

• The text is in its infant form.
• You don’t take the time to check facts or edit your content.
• You shove the infant text out on its own in its birthday suit.

#5 – Your fingers are on auto pilot

• Your fingers are flying over the keyboard at record-breaking speed.
• You automatically hit Send, while rolling back from the screen.
• Your thoughts are already out the door and your brain went with them.

Speed kills. Breathe before you hit Send.

#4 – The last half hour is blank

• You don’t remember what you wrote.
• What were the key points?
• Which client was that again?

#3 – The text is a sea of sameness

• You always use Times New Roman.
• It’s 14 point.
• AND IT’S ALL CAPS.

Variety adds spice to a bland collection of words. Refine your recipe before you hit Send.

#2 – Your audience is not laughing

• You think your content is so clever.
• If your audience doesn’t laugh, it’s on them.
• They don’t understand your humor. What do they know?

They know they don’t want an encore.

#1 – You copied and pasted it perfectly

• So what if someone else wrote it.
• They did a really nice job, and you like it.
• At least you remembered to put your name on it.

Don’t even think about plagiarizing.

Here’s your sign

One keystroke is all you need to inflict major damage on your business or brand. And the worst button of all may be the Send key.

Look for telltale signs that you need to freeze that digit before you hit send. What signs have you seen? Please share them in Comments.

BigStock Photo Credit

Canva Credit

Note: This post updates the original that posted on February 9, 2011.

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