Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and the list goes on and on. We are now in the era of staying socially connected and socially abreast of the world around us via social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest. We can literally reveal to the world any and everything that we want others to know or not know about us with the push of a button. What we look like, where we live, how many children we have, who we are married to, what we drive, where we shop, where we vacation - this is all on public display for the world to see at the push of a button.
So exactly just what should you be including in your profile and display pages anyway? For starters, it really depends on what exactly you are using social media sites for. Is it for business, family, or for pleasure? It may possibly be for all of the above. At any rate, you should always be very strategic in how you use social media no matter what you use it for!
Social Networking for Business
Assuming you are using social networking sites for business it is important to keep one thing in mind. Despite what you may think, most social networking websites do not have restrictions on who can view your personal profile and information. The bottom line is that where there is a will and or a need, there is definitely a way. Your information can be accessed no matter how private that you believe it to be because you ultimately have no right to the actual sites! Once you publish information on social media sites, it no longer belongs to "you." Always proceed with caution in what you say and do on social media sites.
What Not to Do on Your Business Profile Pages
Do not post pictures of yourself half naked or in compromising places or positions! Assuming that you are a business professional that is not in the adult entertainment industry you always want to be extremely tasteful in the pictures that you post. While it is great that your body looks good enough for a bikini and you love Vanilla Vodka, your customers, business partners and potential customers and business partners don't need or care to see your bikini body or Vodka bottle(typically)! A rule of thumb should be that if it doesn't relate to business and it is on your business page - DON'T POST IT! Do not get too personal! Leave the "drama" off of your business page. Often times, people will get into politics and it can become extremely personal, offensive, opinionated and controversial. Save the sports, reality TV and politics talk for your personal page. After all, it is business! Therefore, your potential customers and partners have their eyes on you and are "judging you." Leave your personal life on your personal page. There is a fine line to be drawn here. Yes, you want to have some personality and reveal who you are but a line must be drawn in the sand. Do not post updates and images on a regular basis regarding your family life and personal life. Unless you can make a connection to your business life in what it is that you are posting, leave that for your personal page!Always be on purpose when posting to the social networking sites that you use for business. Keep in mind that people are "watching your every move" whether you realize it or not. What you do online, as well as offline, has a direct impact on who joins you and who conducts business with you. When it comes to your social networking business strategy, always ask yourself three questions:
1) What will my customers think?
2) What will my partners think?
3) What will my prospects think?
Keep it professional, informational and inspirational and you will have nothing to worry about. Lead by example and post on purpose. People will respect you for it and want to be associated with you, which will ultimately grow your business and your bank account in the end!
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