UrbanDictionary -noun Combination of "snide" and "remark". Sarcastic comment(s). Also snarky (adj
I am sarcastic. I come by it honestly from a long line of New Yorkers that tell it how it is, and when they aren't being straight with you, they say the truth, sarcastically.
I moved to California 6 years ago. To say it's PC where I live is incorrect. It's small town. Sarcasm is lost on many, thought of as mean and unapproachable by some and only appreciated by a few. Add to that, owning a business in a service industry, and it is a sword that needs to be wielded very carefully if at all. When said in person, one can hear tone, see facial expressions, and has a much better chance of understanding your gist.
Online... ooh that's another matter. I thought about having my own personal Facebook page where I could be "me" and be pissy and acerbic if I feel like it, and have a way to vent. I thought about having my own twitter as well... *EPIC FAIL* No one cares. Really. If they do, they will use it against you. They will find you funny and awesome for 5 minutes and then a jerk for the rest of the day.
I am not a jerk, I just have jerky moments (yup, I am human). Jerky moments in print are forever. Have you ever gotten an email that you sent in the past thrown in your face? I have. Have you ever print screened someone's status on Facebook? It's been done... A post and a delete, is out there somewhere still - trust me.
My business was founded on buzz. Controlled buzz. I posted construction pictures, I got people excited about me buying their wine and showing it off, I invited them to the party that happens every night. My business is based on my wine bar being "comfortably elegant" and comfortable comes from my business being an extension of my customer's home.
Drumming up passion about negative situations or people in my life does not create comfort. It might create traffic, but if people don't like our wine, our food or feel comfortable, then it's not a marketing win.
That's the point - it's all marketing. Know that every part of your life is your business. From going to the grocery store and running into customers, to getting a pedicure and chatting in the chair, to talking in a coffee shop, you are always a representative of your business. If you have more than your closest 12 friends and followers online, then every account you have is marketing you, and therefore your business.
There is no place for SNARK online if you have a business. Belittling the competition, customers, rules will bite you in the butt. Personally, if you think about it, what profiles do you hide? I hide the jerky and pissy ones. Do you want to be hidden or heard?
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