Welcome back to another online presence blog – today we’re talking about sharing your life on social media, and how much is acceptable.
As an online presence specialist, here’s my two cents on the do’s and don’ts of sharing online.
Consider both on and offline safety
Before we get started on the nitty gritty of what you share online, let’s talk about safety.
Revealing photos and videos
Taking photos or videos at home? Taking pictures at a clients home? Make sure not to give away the address, specific location, and avoid showing doorways and lock types. Even where you or a client hangs their keys can be given away in a candid video or selfie.
Personal information and bank details
It seems odd to say aloud, but there are plenty of people who have come a cropper from sharing card details online and being scammed. Don’t be one of them. Ensure to keep bank details secret and be hyper-aware if you’re recording content in your home, office or shop.
Children and animals
The truth is we live in a world where children and pets, even vulnerable family members can be targeted by crime. Dog thefts in lockdown were through the roof, and made many of us more aware of our surroundings, the kind of lead we were using, or even where we were walking.
If you’re a parent (or perhaps even remember form when you were at school) it only takes one report of a stranger in a van hanging around a school to set alarm bells ringing.
Don’t make these people’s lives easier by giving away where your child goes to school, or where you walk your dog every day. Patterns, routines and locations should, in my opinion always remain 100% secret.
Personal life and experiences
How much you want to share about your personal life on social media is of course up to you. The highs, the lows – many influencers, celebrities, and business owners share the hardest times in their lives, in order to be relatable and connect with a following who are on the same page.
As you know, I tend to be more on the conservative side. Some social media types may tell you to bare all. I’m not necessarily going to be one of them.
Some people are social butterflies and like to bear all in their marketing. Others feel their private life is not relevant to running a business. There is no wrong answer here, as so much can be dictated by your brand, personality and values.
To quote personal brand specialist Jennifer Holloway:
“…your brand is personal to you and to keep it authentic you need to stay true to who you are. For some people that will mean dressing their personal brand in a maxi-skirt (with only carefully curated personal info shared), others a pencil skirt (sharing more but keeping some back) and others a mini-skirt (a fuller, but still considered, reveal).”
Some might say less is more when it comes to more personal information… There is nothing worse than feeling embarrassed by sharing too much of your personal life, health or relationship status online, only to find things don’t work out down the line.
Other people may feel confident and safe in the knowledge that “what will be, will be”. Life happens to all of us, and noone is a stranger to failure, loss or change.
If you feel a bit nervous about sharing too much, it’s fine to err on the side of caution.
Are different genders being fed conflicting stories?
Sometimes I feel like men and women are being fed different stories regarding how to behave online.
All I am going to say is this –
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to a trend whereby mostly female-led businesses are being encouraged – (some would say pressured) into thinking that if you are going to be truly “authentic” on social media, that you have to share deeply personal information and borderline traumatic experiences.
It’s not necessary at all, unless you really want to.
Now, if that kind of expression is totally relevant and gets you going in the mornings – fill ya boots gal. I’m happy for you… But if you’ve been convinced by a third party that its the only way you’re going to stand out/have a successful business – stop and look around.
You’ll never see a bloke playing by those rules.
Being authentic, while maintaining privacy
Some of you might be reading this thinking “alright Catherine., I’m ready to start sharing a bit more content online, but I don’t want to cross the line.”
Here are some tips to help you:
- Focus on your business when you post – each post can be about a problem you solve, or a success story for a client.
- When customers are scrolling online, they want to see something entertaining, informative or both. If you’re an expert, give away the golden eggs in some selfie style videos. If you are a natural born entertainer, make ’em laugh!
- Your posts shouldn’t just be about self-promotion. Be clear about what you sell 1 in every 7 posts. This seems to be a nice balance.
- Remind people how well reviewed you are. Share a glowing testimonial once a week.
- Social media stories should be reserved for more personal, chatty updates and interactions. Sharing stories are ideal if you want to host a Q&A or promote a new blog, post, video or service. It’s for the social butterflies among us – but give it a go if you’re shy. People will be delighted to see you.
About the Author
Catherine Jarvis Clothier is a digital marketer and online presence specialist living and working in Kent, UK. She has worked in unusual UK businesses for over 10 years across the South of England, particularly in automotive and therapy-based enterprises. Catherine specialises in social media, SEO and web design. She can be contacted here for online business consultations.