Social Media Consulting Insight Into Social Media Slang
Wish there was a way to decipher all that new-fangled social media slang? As a social media management firm, we encounter more than our fair share of social media slang among consumers and their connections. Not surprisingly, we’ve been forced to become rather adept at engaging users in whatever favored form of communication presented but that isn’t always the case. More than a few small business owners are simply left in a state of near confusion when confronted with ambiguous acronyms and abbrevs (aka, abbreviations for you traditionalists that still spell words out completely!).
Today we are going to tackle the often confusing and always amusing world of social media slang. Hold on because this ride is going to get bumpy!
Abbrevs – As we’ve already mentioned, abbrevs are short for abbreviations; a somewhat ironic use of the word given the meaning. For those that are thinking this is probably a case of poor spelling, well, you might just be right but there are some valid cases for using the most clear yet concise method of text possible especially when limited to 140 characters via Twitter or other quick updates.
IDK – If this one has you scratching your head in confusion, well you aren’t alone. More than a few adults are left wondering what this response means after making a simply inquiry. Once again, real life mimics virtual life as both parties are left in a state of suspense. The translation? I Don’t Know. (Note…we do know, the translation is actually IDK = I Don’t Know).
YOLO – No, it’s not a new candy (for those of you who have an immediate flashback to “Rolo’s” candies) but it does include a response appropriate for those with a tendency to over-indulge or engage in otherwise dubious and distinctive behavior. YOLO = You Only Live Once. Good advice in moderation!
LOL – Rather than a sleepy demeanor, LOL has little to do with head rolling other than that activated by “laughing out loud”. A closely related – albeit somewhat less tasteful acronym is LMFAO which stands for “Laughing my f—ing a– off”. For obvious reasons, legitimate business concerns would want to think twice before engaging in this form of communication.
SMH – Ever encountered a person that simply leaves you speechless? The same thing happens online – more often than you might imagine. In situations like that, there isn’t always a clear response but instead, may result in a simple head shake. Ditto. SMH = Shaking my head.
GOML – Old Timers often complain they are out of the loop and unable to keep up but with the rapid pace of technological change, there are plenty of others that feel life is passing by a bit beyond their comfort zone. To which someone might respond “GOML” or “get on my level”.
OOMF – Searching for a way to sound trendy? Try out this stylish little acronym which stands for “one of my followers”.
2C4U – Have a hot promotion? It just might be 2C4U or “too cool for you” without first-hand knowledge of this commonly used social media term.
2l8 – No, it’s not an elevator destination but miss the appointment or fail to respond and a client may send a quick not telling you it’s “too late”.
CYF – It sounds like an instruction when used in a sentence but what does it mean? Plain and simple…”check your Facebook”.
BAF – Something every small business owner hopes their clients do…”bring a friend”.
BBB – Undoubtedly more than a few small business owners will immediately think of the “Better Business Bureau” when they see BBB but in fact, it stands for “boring beyond belief”. If you happen to see this in the midst of a webinar or chat then by all means, pick up the pace to actively engage the audience!
CPE – Undoubted, the BBB acronym can strike fear in the heart of any online presenter or social media marketing pro but here is one that everyone wants to see when giving a webinar or other presentation…the CPE or “coolest person ever” designation!
DM – Chances are that sooner or later someone will tell you to “DM me”. Sounds good but what does it mean? Now you no longer need to risk the social stigma of running to your teen for a quick tutorial; instead, just relax and send a “direct message” .
Dweet – What employees should never-ever do…send a “drunk tweet”.
MRT – You have probably seen this more times than you realize without ever giving it a second thought; it simply designates a “modified retweet” and provides a quick way to identify new or different information from the original.
Of course, this is only a partial list of some of the most commonly encountered social media slang. While it is important to understand the basics of what clients or contacts may be trying to communicate, it is equally important to use proper language at all times when responding. Not only does it provide a more professional level of service and avoid misunderstandings but social media communications should conform to the same standards as all other forms of communication within the company. And one final word of warning for those retired language teachers or others that suffer bad grammar…resist the temptation to correct clients that use social slang. Remember, many are multi-tasking or performing a multitude of different tasks at one time while simply searching for the right information. If in doubt, be sure to clarify rather than make any assumptions. The standard protocol for all forms of active listening apply; listen, reiterate/repeat and respond to achieve maximum results with all forms of communication.
 |
Comments
