[Hi, gang!  I've been out of town on the Western slopes of Colorado for a few days.  Just now getting back to chat with you here on the blog.]

I just read an excerpt of Steven Stratton’s new book, Unmarketing: Stop Marketing, Start Engaging in which he talks about some of the many ways you can go wrong with social media.

Greed. Examples include only re-tweeting compliments about you and your business, taking up excessive space on  Facebook posts with 7-line signatures, “drive by” postings on LinkedIn, and impersonal invitations to multi-level marketing.

Gluttony. If you are focusing on your number of followers (on Twitter or elsewhere) at the expense of relationships, you’re just plain wrong.  Social media is most useful to individuals and businesses as means to build relationships.

Sloth. If you take too much time before responding to direct messages, don’t bother.  Effective use of social media requires you to be engaged.

Envy. Don’t envy others’ numbers and don’t expect others to follow you just because you follow them.  And, don’t expect them to join your online causes and charity interests just because they are your “friends.”

Wrath. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets mad at you.  Assuming your interest in social media is to support your business, remember that all social media has more lurkers than participants.  Should you react inappropriately, you may be doing serious damage to your online image.

Lust. Lust happens even online. And, when it does, be careful with what you post online . . . including your photos.  Again, if your interest in social media is about building your business, your family vacation photos at the beach are not supporting your professional image.  Think twice before posting photos and comments that can reflect poorly on your judgment and your professionalism.

Pride. It’s perfectly ok to tout your pride . . . even in your family members’ accomplishments.  Just make sure that you demonstrate pride in others outside of your family, too.  Don’t turn your blog or your tweets into social media shrines to you.

Have you seen any examples of these seven deadly sins of social media?  Have you been guilty of any?