Business Profile vs. Personal Life – For Social Marketing is there really a Difference?

John Vachalek - 5.31.2009 12:00 AM

With the advent of Social Marketing, more people are asking us where the line should be between their public business profile and their personal online communications. 

Over the past few months, several people have told me that they have a LinkedIn business profile that they use to post and befriend business colleagues and associates online.  They also may have a Facebook page. But, they reserve this for close friends and family.

The approach you take to using social networks really just depends on your goals.  If you use these social mediums to casually communicate with friends and family, then keeping work and family separate may be a reasonable approach.

However, if your goal is to use social networks to increase your professional network, broaden your overall personal reach in the world and create new business opportunities for your company, a different approach is far more effective.  

Everyone knows that personal relationships are at the root of all business transactions. So, if you are the owner of a company, a person who interacts with the company’s clients or anyone who has the opportunity to add value to the lives of the company’s clients, you have the ability to do great things by using social networks. 

Today’s trend is for CEOs and other top level people to open their personal profiles up to their business networks.  They are creating online profiles which enhance their relationships with their clients and colleagues.  In the old days you may have had to spend 5 hours on the golf course a few times a week, now you can simply post pictures, update your wall or tweet about your world and achieve the same relationship-building value. 

Some considerations to “going public” with your profile are:
•    Make sure your profiles are flattering and in line with your business persona
•    Let people see into your life, but be prudent when it comes to kids and family
•    Be active, genuine and personable in your profile. Let people get to know you
•    Connect to others as often as possible
•    Post flattering comments and statements about colleagues and clients
 

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