As a blogger/vlogger/podcaster, what are the best ways to ensure my content doesn't negatively affect my full-time job?

2017-06-04T16:08:49-04:00

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2017 5:30 PM

2017-06-04T17:30:52-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2017 7:27 PM

2017-06-04T19:27:49-04:00

Sadly the only way to ensure that is to not post anything. That kind of stuff can help or hurt your full time job.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Jun 4 at 2017 7:33 PM

2017-06-04T19:33:41-04:00

Assume every post, comment, etc. will be posted in a church bulletin and/or air on the six-o'clock news.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 4 at 2017 9:48 PM

2017-06-04T21:48:24-04:00

My view is.............if someone does not like what you post publicly and sees it on the internet they will do everything they can to turn it into a workplace issue and involve HR in an attempt to weaponize what you posted and hurt you. Sad but there are people out there like that.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2017 10:36 PM

2017-06-04T22:36:21-04:00

That's a tough one, depends on the subject matter and the eyeballs looking. I've created content under an alias for years, especially when discussing topics centered around the military.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Jun 5 at 2017 7:42 AM

2017-06-05T07:42:58-04:00

Best thing to do is keep your work life and private life as separate as possible. When I'm working on something outside of work, I won't even tell my coworkers. If they find it organically, it's fine but telling workmates about it can be the equivalent to begging for trouble. I also tend to post under an alias as well as avoid using stories that could potentially give away my identity to people I work with. In situations that an alias isn't an option, avoiding work related stories period is a major step in not giving an HR office grounds to use your content against you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 12:24 PM

2017-06-05T12:24:49-04:00

The categories you listed all share one critical feature: to be of value, they basically have to be public, and what's public always carries risk. I don't think there's much of anything you could say that would be completely inoffensive to everyone, but there are certainly minefields that you can and probably should attempt to avoid. Be respectful, don't post anything that would explicitly be bad PR for your business, and make a reasonable attempt to separate off anything having to do with your job from those other activities (e.g. don't mention it's your job, don't try to sell its services, etc.). If those seem obvious, it's because for the most part they are -- it's basically the canned advice that anyone should be able to understand.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 1:31 PM

2017-06-12T13:31:03-04:00

This is a great question, but there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It will depend on your employer's policies, your management, the type of content you produce, and other factors.

Start by reviewing your company's policies. That will give you a broad overview of how they may respond. Some companies have extensive policies on these topics, while others may only have unwritten policies. Do your research.

Next, consider the type of content you are producing. Is it in the same niche? Or is it completely unrelated?

If your content is in the same or similar niche as your full-time job, then consider your end goal? Are you doing this for personal gain, and potentially positioning yourself as a competitor to your employer? Or are you establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry? The former is a recipe of disaster (or dismissal), while the latter may make you more valuable to your employer.

If your content is unrelated, then it may not be an issue, so long as it doesn't cross any company policies.

Final thought on type of content - with all things be professional, or be prepared to accept whatever consequences may result. The military makes it clear that servicemembers are always a reflection of their branch of service, on duty or off. Many civilian companies take a similar view.

These are very broad observations, but they are based on my own personal and professional experience in the corporate world, military world, and as a blogger/podcaster/content producer.