As a business owner, it probably feels like your day is overflowing with activities. On the rare day you look at your calendar and find that you might have some free time, you get that emergency call first thing in the morning and have to block out the rest of your day. It’s stressful, challenging, and you don’t get as much free time as you would like, but the truth is: you enjoy it.
Of course, there are always those activities best left to others. For many business owners, social media management is one of those tasks. After all, your expertise lies in your chosen industry and in the management of resources. What you may not realize is that your personal social media accounts can also have a profound impact on business and if you neglect them you can miss out on some excellent opportunities.
What about Social Media Management?
There is certainly an advantage to hiring social media experts to manage your company’s presence online, but it is important not to neglect your own profiles. While a professional can keep your company pages running smoothly, many potential customers and business partners are going to look beyond these pages. When you remain active on personal pages, it allows these individuals to get a better idea of who you are and what you stand for. The old adage that friends buy from friends rings true here and once customers see that you are more than just your business they immediately feel more of a connection.
Where Should You Be?
Since social media management became accepted as a business marketing strategy, social media experts have debated which channels are the most important. For personal uses, there is a similar debate, but as a general rule you should consider becoming active on as many as you can manage. At the very least, set up Facebook and LinkedIn accounts and remember to keep them updated regularly. If you can fit in the time, the next three to add at your discretion are Google+, Instagram, and Twitter.
What Should You Post?
Many business owners are afraid of making their social media presence public for fear that it will actually drive away customers. In most cases, this fear is misplaced. The truth is, people do not want to buy from some rigid automaton. Instead, they look for someone who stirs up some controversy and isn’t afraid to voice his or her opinions. This does not mean that you should post hateful messages on your personal social media pages, but it does mean that you can act at your discretion. In other words, there is nothing wrong with sharing the latest cat meme.
Ultimately, when a business owner shows that he or she is accessible through social media, it expands the image of the brand and allows customers to feel a closer bond.
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