--- title: "Social Media Roundup: How To Communicate Across Cultural Dividers" id: "19804" type: "post" slug: "social-media-roundup-how-to-communicate-across-cultural-dividers" published_at: "2013-10-01T23:30:18+00:00" modified_at: "2013-10-01T23:30:18+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/10/01/social-media-roundup-how-to-communicate-across-cultural-dividers/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/10/01/social-media-roundup-how-to-communicate-across-cultural-dividers.md" excerpt: "Cross global lines—and reach potential members—with a refresher course in cultural communications. Passport not required. Plus: mistakes to avoid (please) when planning a superstar conference." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Communications" - "International" - "International Law" - "Membership" - "Social Media" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Social Media Roundup: How To Communicate Across Cultural Dividers The world doesn’t speak one official language—and your members probably don’t, either. Here’s what you should know when communicating across the globe. The details, and more, in today’s Social Media Roundup: ### Cross-Cultural Communications > Does your [#association (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/association?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > have international members? MemberClicks discusses common problems and solutions [http://t.co/RhZtYOO2st (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/RhZtYOO2st) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Capterra NPTech (@CapterraNPTech) [September 30, 2013 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/CapterraNPTech/status/384758486812598272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Key in to international relations:** That liberal arts major has real relevance when working with members across global lines (phew, college degree not wasted). People interact and perceive actions differently, as shaped by their environment. It’s rude in the U.S., for example, to snap at a customer, but no one bats an eyelash when it occurs in France. Sarah Hill of MemberClicks says it’s better to understand the differences beforehand. “Do a little internet research and find out what some of the lapses are,” she writes in her article [“The International Challenge of a Small Staff Association.” (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.memberclicks.com/bid/318125/the-international-challenges-of-a-small-staff-association?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=2029123) Time travel won’t be necessary; digital communication can smooth over the issues time differences can produce. Remember, no matter the language, everyone is rallying under a common theme: working for the benefit, growth, and success of your association. *(ht [@CapterraMemMgmt (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/CapterraMemMgmt/statuses/384758486812598272) )* ### Planning Taboos > The 6 Most Common Conference Planning Mistakes You Should Avoid [http://t.co/DXdJ80IibT (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/DXdJ80IibT) > [#eventprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/eventprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Event Commercials (@evcmtv) [October 1, 2013 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/evcmtv/status/385073763320340480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Pull in your meeting planner:** Yawn. Same conference, same speaker. That’s a red flag for conference planners, [according to Event Commercials’ rundown of mistakes event professionals should avoid (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventcommercials.com/1/post/2013/09/the-6-most-common-conference-planning-mistakes-you-should-avoid-presentation.html?utm_content=buffer3e0f7&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer) . Among the suggestions: Check a speaker’s credentials. You want assurance that they’re (a) who they say they are and (b) backed by relevant and reputable experience. Your event attendees have invested both time and money with the intent to learn and network at your event. Give them reason to return by holding their interest and presenting fresh material—and with luck, you’ll pull off yet another successful event. *(ht [@evcmtv (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/evcmtv/statuses/385073763320340480) )* What links are you sharing today? A penny for your thoughts, in the comments below. [Emma Beck](https://associationsnow.com/author/emma-beck/) Emma Beck is a contributor to Associations Now. 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