Most content creators don’t consider the sweeping terms of service of the various sites on which they have accounts and post content (Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, etc…). We just happily share our thoughts and experiences with the world without considering the life of our content after we’ve moved on from this world.
Derek Miller was the first to introduce me to the idea of a Digital Executor. In fact, it’s possible he coined the term. While I didn’t act on his thoughts, he was the first person who made me consider that my content will likely outlive me. And, at PAB2010, Adele McAlear exposed us to the stories of real people left behind a digital legacy, challenging us to think about the intersection of death, social media and technology, and what things we should do to protect our digital assets.
Providing digital communication counsel means regularly preparing digital and social media policies for organizations of all shapes, sizes and industries. I generally prefer guidelines — it’s becoming increasingly difficult for policies to keep pace with advancements in digital communication channels and culture, and they regularly create conflict when it comes to online crisis communication. Guidelines allow people to make informed decisions and act productively for their organization.
