Why personal info is good for business
SmartPulse — our weekly reader poll in Smartbrief on Social Media — tracks feedback from leading marketers about social media practices and issues. Paul Chaney, Internet marketing director for Bizzuka, author of “The Digital Handshake,” and member of the SmartBrief on Social Media Advisory Board, helps create the questions and analyzes the results. We run the poll question each Wednesday in our e-newsletter and feature Paul’s analysis on this blog.
Last week’s poll question: Should users of social networks maintain separate personas, one for business and another for their personal life?
- Yes, absolutely. Keep business and personal separate 43%
- It depends on the social network in question; some are more designed for business use than others 31%
- There is no right or wrong; it’s up to the individual to decide 19%
- No way. You are who you are. Best to integrate business and personal into one 7%
“I tend to fall within the minority here. I believe that your business and personal life should not, be separated out of necessity. Here’s why: Within social media, people relate better to people than brands. Add to that the fact that we tend to do business with people we know and like and I see great relevance in maintaining an integrated profile.
Of course, that all depends on the social network in question. Obviously, LinkedIn is more business-specific, so interjecting personal information makes less sense there. Facebook, on the other hand, provides a 360 degree view of you — or it can depending on your use of lists and privacy settings. Long story short, I opt for integration where possible.” –Paul Chaney
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Tags: Facebook, linkedin, personal information, social media
Categories: Polls
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Posted by Bret Simmons on November 11th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Excellent advice, Paul. I concur. I STRONGLY believe the business owner should step out in front of their business online and be personal. By doing so, they will immediately differentiate themselves from their competition that either don’t have a web presence or hide behind a logo. Do something most of your competition is NOT doing and be professionally personal on every social media site. Bret
Posted by Jay Baer on November 11th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
These results are disheartening.
The ability to truly keep separate biz/personal personas is fading away, and why would you bother? People hire people, not logos. And fundamentally, your real life is far more interesting than your business life. The fact that you’re in public relations? Boring. The fact that you’re in public relations, and grow award-winning roses? Interesting. And more importantly, memorable.
Show the real you, but just don’t be banal.
Posted by Justin Hillier on November 11th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
It’s pretty simple really. People buy and deal with people they like, in order for that to be a success you need to show your personality. Two different persona’s will only be more difficult and frustrating to maintain.
Posted by Andrew McFarland on November 11th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
An extreme example (one can hope) but one that certainly favors the majority opinion. http://www.bnet.com/2403-13058_23-358555.html?tag=content;btmTier
Posted by Roy Pickron on November 14th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Jesse…
To those 43% that attempt to keep business and personal separate… “First Impressions Count, Even Online” | http://bit.ly/31m0vs.
Separation does not really seem possible.
Individuals choosing to keep the two separate… should consider closing and deleting all their social networking accounts. If that is not an option… Unification of goals and direction in life will allow business and personal to become one.
Roy Pickron