An Unwanted Afterlife
What happens to your social media after death? Who, if anyone, will control your digital assets? This question is top of mind for us as we recently had a client unexpectedly pass away. Given all the online privacy laws and social media terms of service agreements, this is a valid concern. It’s impact is felt not only by loved ones left behind but others in your professional network. For a business this becomes a concern, as it affects continuity, marketing messaging, and a potential PR nightmare. In this post we’ll share our thoughts on how to prepare for the inevitable: how to handle your social media after death.
Click for a free 30-minute consultation »
Organize Your Digital Assets
Hopefully you have a business continuity plan for key functions like accounting, customer service, etc. You may also have multiple users for important systems — bank accounts, QuickBooks, time & project management, social media management, etc. — with various credentials. If you have sole access to a system, think about how you will safely store user names and passwords. With cyber crimes running rampant, I strongly urge you to use strong passwords to protect your computers and online accounts. The point here is to create a process where authorized users can gain access to your social media after death or in the case of an emergency.
Here’s a suggested way to categorize and organize your assets and accounts:
- Hardware – laptops, desktops, and anything with a hard-drive including flash drives, iPods, cell phones, cameras.
- Software – programs like MS Office, Quicken or QuickBooks, tax prep programs and filed tax returns.
- Social Media – all digital assets like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, website, online back-up sites (e.g., Dropbox).
- Financial – account information related to day-to-day operations as well as long-term savings, retirement, investment accounts. Also include shopping sites like Amazon or Office Depot where you business credit card information may be stored.
- Email System – whether you use Google Apps or Outlook on the cloud, have these credentials available for when quick changes need to be made.
Name a Successor
Most Americans don’t like to talk about death. That’s probably why 61% don’t have a will or an estate plan in place. Sadly both Massimo and I are connected to an individual who died in 2012. Facebook still suggests that I play Words With Friends with him; LinkedIn wants me to endorse his skills. It is a sad reminder that our online presence lasts well into the afterlife. How weird is it to get messages via social media after death… creepy to say the least.
Notification via Social Media After Death
Forbes ran a story this summer about NPR’s Scott Simon who live-tweeted his mother’s death from her hospital bed. I guess the good news is that he actually talked to his family first. Beyond the issue of TMI or appropriate messaging, it raises the question of how you notify others on social media after a death. In the age of Facebook posts, tweets, and LinkedIn updates… a notification of a person’s passing is a sensitive message that needs careful consideration and crafting. Making sure bios are updated and other key facts close at hand will help make these notifications less awkward.
A Social Media Will
Some forward-thinking estate planning attorneys are integrating the idea of a digital estate into their documentation. Whether the estate plan is strictly personal or related to a business, I recommend having “the conversation” with those around you. Certainly handling your social media after death will be easier and less stressful. If 61% of Americans don’t have a regular will, I imagine the number of Americans who have a social media will is pretty small.
Who will you appoint to be your online executor?
How can we help?
Launching a website and need help with design? Or, are you tweaking your landing pages to improve sales conversion?
We are the spectrum group online, and we offer strategic and tactical consulting so you can monetize your online presence. Call us for a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss your website’s user experience and translate that into sales.
An Unwanted Afterlife
What happens to your social media after death? Who, if anyone, will control your digital assets? This question is top of mind for us as we recently had a client unexpectedly pass away. Given all the online privacy laws and social media terms of service agreements, this is a valid concern. It’s impact is felt not only by loved ones left behind but others in your professional network. For a business this becomes a concern, as it affects continuity, marketing messaging, and a potential PR nightmare. In this post we’ll share our thoughts on how to prepare for the inevitable: how to handle your social media after death.
Click for a free 30-minute consultation »
Organize Your Digital Assets
Hopefully you have a business continuity plan for key functions like accounting, customer service, etc. You may also have multiple users for important systems — bank accounts, QuickBooks, time & project management, social media management, etc. — with various credentials. If you have sole access to a system, think about how you will safely store user names and passwords. With cyber crimes running rampant, I strongly urge you to use strong passwords to protect your computers and online accounts. The point here is to create a process where authorized users can gain access to your social media after death or in the case of an emergency.
Here’s a suggested way to categorize and organize your assets and accounts:
- Hardware – laptops, desktops, and anything with a hard-drive including flash drives, iPods, cell phones, cameras.
- Software – programs like MS Office, Quicken or QuickBooks, tax prep programs and filed tax returns.
- Social Media – all digital assets like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, website, online back-up sites (e.g., Dropbox).
- Financial – account information related to day-to-day operations as well as long-term savings, retirement, investment accounts. Also include shopping sites like Amazon or Office Depot where you business credit card information may be stored.
- Email System – whether you use Google Apps or Outlook on the cloud, have these credentials available for when quick changes need to be made.
Name a Successor
Most Americans don’t like to talk about death. That’s probably why 61% don’t have a will or an estate plan in place. Sadly both Massimo and I are connected to an individual who died in 2012. Facebook still suggests that I play Words With Friends with him; LinkedIn wants me to endorse his skills. It is a sad reminder that our online presence lasts well into the afterlife. How weird is it to get messages via social media after death… creepy to say the least.
Notification via Social Media After Death
Forbes ran a story this summer about NPR’s Scott Simon who live-tweeted his mother’s death from her hospital bed. I guess the good news is that he actually talked to his family first. Beyond the issue of TMI or appropriate messaging, it raises the question of how you notify others on social media after a death. In the age of Facebook posts, tweets, and LinkedIn updates… a notification of a person’s passing is a sensitive message that needs careful consideration and crafting. Making sure bios are updated and other key facts close at hand will help make these notifications less awkward.
A Social Media Will
Some forward-thinking estate planning attorneys are integrating the idea of a digital estate into their documentation. Whether the estate plan is strictly personal or related to a business, I recommend having “the conversation” with those around you. Certainly handling your social media after death will be easier and less stressful. If 61% of Americans don’t have a regular will, I imagine the number of Americans who have a social media will is pretty small.
Who will you appoint to be your online executor?
How can we help?
Launching a website and need help with design? Or, are you tweaking your landing pages to improve sales conversion?
We are the spectrum group online, and we offer strategic and tactical consulting so you can monetize your online presence. Call us for a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss your website’s user experience and translate that into sales.
