This is a tough one for me to learn. I've had my social slip up's. I've posted or shared stuff I shouldn't have. It can be hugely tempting sometimes. I, like many others, have been lulled into the belief that social media offers us a safe space where even people who feel differently will try to understand us when we vent our raw opinions, frustration, or bias. It's not, and they won't. If anything, the ease of making these statements to a virtual audience, instead of someone's face, is dangerous - Which is why I've decided to do my best to keep my mouth shut when it comes to politics on social media.

Kathy Griffin might have ruined her career this week. A bad idea turned into a bad joke, which turned into a photo shoot that disgusted a lot of people on both sides of the political isle. Now, I haven't kept up with her career, but I do know she's loud, and pointed, and likes to cross the line when it comes to insulting people with her comedy. That can be funny... until it's not. Now, her sponsors are dropping her, and her comedy tour is canceled, and all anyone can associate with her is the disgusting images she thought were "just a joke." She apologized, but Kathy Griffin is learning a hard lesson that most of us learned in grade school - that sometimes "sorry" just isn't enough. She made a stupid life choice, and her career as a comedian might be over because of it.

But how does all this translate to the rest of us who are involved in some sort of professional branding or marketing that is tied to us as individuals? Here's the short of it: What you say personally and professionally, matters.

I don't know much, but I know a thing or two about professionalism. As a Law Enforcement Officer, there are a lot of times while on duty where I want to tell everyone just how I feel about everything - in very vivid terms.

But I don't. Why? Because I'm a professional. And because I like everything I've worked so hard to achieve. So I smile, and I do my job, and I keep my (sometimes toxic) opinions to myself.

"BUT HANG ON JUST A SECOND, STU, MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS PROTECTED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT!" I CAN SAY WHAT I WANT!"

Ding, ding, ding! You are absolutely right! You can say whatever you want and be free from governmental intrusion and seizure for saying those things. What isn't protected is your reputation. The first amendment can't force people who you've alienated and pissed off to support your small business, read your book, or see your film. And by shooting your mouth off you may have irreparably damaged your platform.

The worst place to do this is in a political discussion. Unless political commentary is your platform, shut up. Talk to a friend. Vent to a spouse. DON'T put it all over social media.

Can you have opinions? Of course. Can you express them in an appropriate way? Absolutely. Is there a time and a place to stand your ground or stand on principal? Yes. Should you fire back at every post that gets your blood up? No.

Right now our society is in a weird place. People are salivating at the next opportunity to be offended, or angry, or hostile toward someone with different views or a different approach to life. If you are a public figure in any capacity, or if you are building a brand tied to your name. SHUT UP. Venting on social media about things or people you hate politically may seem like a great idea, and you may get a bunch of likes and comments from your echo chamber. But it's not them you should worry about. It's the friend, colleague, family member, donor, reader, admirer, etc, who you just deeply offended, who didn't reply or comment, who showed the restraint you should have shown - that's the person you just lost to your cause.

I'll tell you a story. I was told to read a certain author by a friend who said they thought I'd like his stuff. This author has written a bunch of books and has a significant, adoring fan base. You could say this person is a very successful author.

While doing a little research and trying to determine which book of which series I would consider, I stumbled across this author's twitter page. It was right then in that moment, he lost me as a potential reader. His political and social opinions were pointed, to say the least. This guy was calling people who didn't agree with him a laundry list of offensive names, posting tasteless political images, and generally hating everyone who views the world differently than he does. I happened to be somebody who fell into one of the groups he was torching. Now, I'm not one to go cry about it. He's entitled to his opinion - but I'm also entitled to ignore his books...

Look, I get it. A lot of people have a need to be heard - authors especially. It's the reason we write, and there's a time and a place to challenge people with your work. But do yourself a favor and pour it into your work instead of insulting, infuriating, and offending the people you may one day want as a part of your fan base or support system.

Simply put: Pull on your big boy/girl pants, be a professional, and shut your virtual mouth when it comes to nonsense on social media. Your platform and your career (and everyone else) will thank you for it.

Kathy Griffin, Political Opinions, and Being a Professional.

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