How To Talk About Politics, Religion, & Social Issues On Social Media

I’m writing this blog from a video I did with a great friend of mine, you can watch it here if you’d like.

We did the video because 2020 has turned our world upside down and it’s now impossible to not talk about certain things…

A year ago, when I taught social media classes, I would tell people to straight-up ignore political and religious issues ON social media. Why? Because you instantly split your audience in half and if you’re in sales, that’s NOT GOOD!

But as of a week ago, my opinion changed…

When George Floyd was murdered on the street by law enforcement in broad daylight, I could no longer continue to teach to avoid “the issues.”

When injustice happens…the good people need to rise up, take a stand, and demand justice. What better way to accomplish this than to use the greatest platform each of us has…our social media!

When Chauncey and I talked through this video, we knew that the best thing to do was to give you tips to navigate these waters and do it in the best way possible…and that’s exactly what we’ve done!

I want to give you the 10 tips we provided in our video so you’ll have them in written form.

#1 - Get Your Emotions In Check First

It is human nature to while feeling the most heightened sense of emotion, we want to release it. The easiest and quickest way to do this is on social media. You can type out your words, hit post, and instantly feel a little more validated.

But here’s the problem with this…we end up saying things we didn’t mean, or that came across wrong, or even offended some when that wasn’t our desire. We were just venting…well, social media is a terrible place to vent.

Next time you want to post something while you’re angry, mad, frustrated, or upset…let your emotions subside a little before jumping on a very PERMANENT place called Facebook, Instagram, or any of the others.

#2 - Type Up Your Post & Wait

I can’t tell you how many times I have typed up a post, read it through, then waited and within 5-10 minutes chose not to post it.

When we type up posts right away, we are like bulls that only see red. We aren’t thinking about the consequences. We aren’t thinking about the friends it might hurt. We aren’t thinking about anything else other than whatever it takes to get it off our chest or worse, hurt who caused us to hurt.

Type it, read it, and wait…it is worth it.

#3 - Let Someone Else Read It

My wife is who brings me back to center. If I think I’m about to post something that may be misconstrued or potentially hurtful, I let her read it first.

Sometimes, she tells me not to post it and 99% of the time I listen to her and decide to not post it. Other times, she’ll give me advice on how to say certain words differently so that I don’t create enemies unnecessarily.

No matter what, my posts always end up being more effective when I allow her eyes to get on it. You need to figure out who that will be for you. We all need help when we are fuming!

#4 - Double-Check Your Clarity.

About a month ago, I made a post about the coronavirus and our city opening back up. I felt like my point was valid, but I didn’t think it through as clearly as I should have and I left room for people to get frustrated and upset with my opinion. (I did not show this to my wife first…)

I think my post lost some of its power because I lacked clarity in my message.

Your opinion matters. Make sure your actual opinion is heard because of the clarity of your message.

#5 - Ask Yourself…Is This Worth It?

We’ve all heard the phrase, “pick your battles.” Well, pick your battles!

Everything is not worth it. Every cause is not worth taking up your feed on social media. But certain things are.

So, just ask yourself…is what I’m about to post worth it?

Standing up for racial injustice…WORTH IT! Fighting against racism…WORTH IT!

Saying something positive or negative about the president…probably not worth it. That divide is too great for something you will never change someone’s opinion on.

Choose wisely. Because this choice will affect tip #6.

#6 - Be Ok With Losing Opportunities

Everything and I mean everything we post on social media comes with a price.

No matter what we talk about, we always run the risk of making someone mad. It is what it is…

Be ok with it.

I have been very outspoken this week. Because it’s worth it. I don’t care what people think. I don’t care if it loses me business. It’s worth it!

You may lose a business partner…

You may lose a really big business opportunity…

You may lose a referral partner…

Don’t lose these for dumb reasons. Don’t get on your high horse for things that don’t matter.

Be INTENTIONAL.

#7 - Stick To The Facts

The more we lead with an opinion, the more we are going to have people who are against us. If you believe that your chosen stance is factual, do your thing.

If you’re being honest with yourself and it’s more about your opinion, be extra careful how you word your next post. Make it more about informing others instead of placing blame or pointing fingers. This will help you open people’s minds instead of creating instant enemies.

#8 - Don’t Name Call

As I type this, I’m reminded of my most recent blunder…

In the coronavirus post I spoke of earlier, I said that people were selfish if…

It was a TERRIBLE thing for me to say. I was mad and frustrated and I name called.

I ended up recording a video apologizing and trying to explain my side and then post it as a comment. I was in the wrong…

Don’t name call. This instantly is seen as fighting words and you’ll have people coming back at you in your comments for the next two weeks.

Be better than me! Stay out of the fray…stick your truth without bringing name-calling into it.

#9 - Don’t Fight In The Comments

This works in two ways…

Sometimes I think that we post certain things in hopes someone will say something…

I think I’ve literally told my wife…”I dare someone to say something in the comments.!” I’m looking for a fight.

Don’t be like this if you hope to accomplish anything on social media.

Now, if you are honest in your approach and you post what you’re going to with pure motives, you will still have people against your opinion that will choose to say something…

In my opinion, kill them with kindness!

Don’t get in there and sling mud with them…that’s what they want! Now you’re on their level.

And think about it like this…

“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads…” Proverbs 25:21-22

When you don’t comment back to them the way they hope you will, you make them even madder! It’s amazing!

#10 - Stay Open-Minded & Seek To Understand

With the climate of our country as I type this…

Above all else, SEEK TO UNDERSTAND!

Be willing to listen before you speak.

If you post anything that is based on hate or prejudice…stop.

There is no place for that on social media or anywhere else!

Use social media to educate, encourage, entertain, and hopefully open people’s minds to a different viewpoint other than their own.

It is my prayer that these tips will help you converse differently on social media in hopes of real change taking place and not just trying to make your voice or my voice the loudest.

Our world is hurting. The black community is hurting. Use this time to open your mind. Consider your actions. Put yourself in the shoes of your friends and other people groups.

I read a quote yesterday that said, “We all came over here on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now.”

This is OUR country. Not your country. Let’s spread love. Let’s spread acceptance. Let’s celebrate our differences. There is beauty in our differences!

I love you all and thanks for reading.