How can I distinguish a professional social media presence from my personal one?
Should I create a new account for Facebook, Twitter, etc.? I'm embarking on a new freelance writing/blogging career, and I'm just looking for some help getting started. I know how important social media is, and I want to make sure I do it right. Thank you, all!
Expert Answers
Sort by Date
Sort by Votes
Jul 27, 2015
Yes! No different than what Actors do or a lot of Writer's do. It allows you the separate your public persona from your private persona. I believe that is a healthy way to proceed for the type of professional pursue you are in, career wise.
Jul 23, 2015
Is your name your business brand or do you have a different company name? If your name is the brand than possibly difficult to separate personal from professional social networking unless you use a pseudoname for one.
People do business with people Linkedin is where (I definitely) and a lot of people go to find out about the person they may potentially want to do business with. It's a professional network therefore use it professionally but also making your personality shine through -it's just about finding the right balance.
With twitter you can have several different accounts and they're easy to manage if you use an app like QuickTweet. I can easily switch from one account to another including tweeting on the go from my mobile.
Similarly with facebook. Keep your personal profile separate with your business page. You can say what you like on your personal profile and only your friends, family etc can see this. You shouldn't be tempted to accept friend requests from casual business acquaintances whom you don't want to see your personal chatter which won't present a professional image.
With Google+ it's difficult to separate personal from the professional. My contacts find me by my name and not many are tempted to follow my company page on G+. I therefore only share information that I am happy for all to see, both on business and personal terms.
Jul 23, 2015
Justin, You have already received many streams of good advice. I believe the one that is important to note is that anything you post online, personal or professional can be discovered. Privacy is a myth. That being said, your marketing strategy should be one that you control what and where you post. Recently a business professional I know posted something unprofessionally bigoted on his personal page thinking some of his friends might find it funny and the rest who didn't, he thought would "agree to disagree". Unfortunately one of those friends who disagreed, shared his comment publicly and he had to close his social media presence because of the backlash.
On the other hand, many people lose the extra benefits your profile can provide, when you understand Facebook's "follow" dynamic. When you add someone as a friend, you automatically follow that person, and they automatically follow you. This means you may see each other's posts in your News Feeds. When you follow someone who you're not friends with, you'll see posts that they've shared publicly in your News Feed. This also means that people that find your private profile can follow you unless your privacy settings disallow. The advantage of having followers, is that they see your posts on their News Feeds and can share them with their friends. If you start running ads, this is very helpful. You can separate your posts by lists or groups.
When you start joining groups for the purpose of networking and marketing, groups only allow profiles not pages to join the group. So if your profile is personal, your ability to use the group to gain marketing juice is limited. Another marketing tool is when you have an email list of customers and prospects, you can upload that email list and create Custom Audiences and reach more people. You can create events from your Profile, but not your Page.
When you create your marketing strategy, it's helpful to take all these things into consideration. Set up your social media presence for your best marketing/branding.
Wishing you awesome and continuing success.
Jul 27, 2015
Hi Sumner, I thought I wrote you a comment last week, but maybe I didn't enter it. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your advice. And that's exactly what I'm doing - setting myself up in social media for my brand, And the stuff you added about Facebook - I had no idea - thank you so much!
Jul 17, 2015
Justin. Great question. I had a similar question when I first started out in 2007.
Facebook: I have a personal page and a professional page. Jeff Zweig (top answer on this thread) explains the reasoning perfectly.
Twitter: I started out with two - one for me, one for my business. That said, in the words of Popeye the Sailor, "I am who I and and that's all that I am". So, i'm @VinceFowler on twitter and I don't use my "business coaching" company twitter handle any more. I have a second Twitter handle for @TMDyyc (my version of TED Talks for Small Business). This is a separate Twitter account because TMD is bigger than me, it's a community.
Justin, you said you were going to be embarking on freelance writing and blogging? In your case it makes perfect sense to have two Facebook accounts (one personal, one professional), but then just one Twitter, and Instagram account.
Examples of people in your industry. Jon Acuff @JonAcuff. Jenna Dalton @DaltonJenna. Jeffrey Gitomer @Gitomer
Enjoy the journey.
PS: I don't charge extra for spelling mistakes - they're my gift to you.
Jul 18, 2015
Ha! I'll take it, thanks Vince. You gave me some clear direction. And anybody who quotes Popeye has my undivided attention - sincerely!
Here's to the journey... Have a great weekend!
Jul 17, 2015
Don't ever fool yourself to think your personal social media accounts will never be seen by a potential or current client. While I have strong political & religious views, you'll never see any of them on social media. You can have a photo with a cocktail on your personal page but skip the keg stand at the Grateful Dead concert. I have both personal and business pages. But I get business from both.
Jul 18, 2015
The last thing I want to do is close any doors on myself, especially out of the gate. These are words that I will carry with me always - politics, religion, keg stands - no room for it. Thanks a lot, Valerie!
Jul 16, 2015
For Facebook, you can create a "fan page" (not a new account) and set it up completely aligned to your professional brand, link it to your website (which you should have for your portfolio), and use it as a full-out professional property. It's ok if your "brand" is yourself, as long as you treat your fan page and your personal presence as separate entities. The only real "link" between your professional fan page and your personal account is that you'll use your personal account to login & manage your professional fan page. As far as twitter, you could create a new account completely aligned to your new professional freelancing brand.
Hope this helps!
Jul 18, 2015
Help tremendously! You gave me actionable and simple direct steps I can take to instantly improve my social media presence. Thank you, Kathleen!
Jul 16, 2015
Hi Justin, the answer depends upon several criteria including which social networks you're already using and how you're currently using them. LinkedIn for instance is a professional social network only, so one account is sufficient. With Twitter, you would need a separate account for personal and professional life, but be wary that trying to post from two separate accounts brings it's own challenges - it's very easy to accidentally post from the wrong one to the wrong audience. Also look beyond the usual networks that you're using socially; take a look at LinkedIn (as mentioned), Tumblr is worth a look too. Additionally if you are working lots of imagery into your writing then you could expand further into other channels such as Pinterest and Instagram - simplistically, it's horses-for-courses. Finally, one thing to bear in mind is if you start to fully embrace your new (professional) life and immerse yourself in it 24/7 - as many do - then you will start to appreciate the relevance and importance of becoming "a brand" in your own right. Ironically as brand "YOU" becomes ever more prominent and you become ever more successful, your professional life and personal life may well blur into one single entity, and at such a point a single social account will likely be more than enough to handle!
Jul 18, 2015
Awesome! I guess, in the end, that's what I'm aiming for - a day when my brand and myself are one in the same. You give me something to think about, as far as prioritizing and what different social media channels can do for me. Thanks Jon!
Jul 16, 2015
Justin, my question is: what is your blog going to be about? That's the most important question you have to answer. Is the content which you are intending to share valuable for your personal contacts as well? Is it niche orientated very specific, topical? If you are blogging about your personal style for example, I would definately go for joining your personal and professional presence for better transparency. If you are highly skilled professional and you are sharing your knowledge, linking your personal account might add some authenticity to you as a brand. Like some of the voices are saying: don't think that you can hide and totally distinguish your accounts. If your reader wants to find out who you really are, he will and then it might be a bit of a surprise when for example personal trainer macho type has pink bed and tiny kitten on his lap on his perosnal wall. Authenticity is the key word here. Whatever you are intending to do, be you.
Jul 18, 2015
That's what I'm realizing, Gosia. I just gotta put my best foot forward and be okay with just being me. So what if I love cats? If I wanna write about it - be about it - and do it with conviction. Wise words. Thank you!
Jul 16, 2015
I agree with the advice to have separate profiles for your business activities, with one caveat; functionally, there is no "firewall" between what you post personally and professionally in social media. Just ask any one of the bazillions of people who have been fired from their jobs for things they tweeted or posted from personal accounts. I think it's good to have a clear divide between your personal and business activities--especially if you're going to do a lot of promotion--but ultimately you'll stand or fall based on your social media presence as a whole.
Jul 18, 2015
Right. That's why I want to be sure I set myself up right. Thank you, Sean.
Jul 16, 2015
Hi Justin! Since you are looking to distinguish (or establish) your "professional" social media presence, I would recommend creating a LinkedIn account. This is where professionals can network, show their expertise, discuss relevant topics and bounce ideas around with other like-minded professionals. It's not like Facebook or Twitter where you will see what someone had for lunch today, or pictures from a day at the beach. You can maintain both your professional and personal social media presences in their respective social media spaces.
All the best!
Rick ~
Jul 18, 2015
Thanks Rick! I do have a LinkedIn profile, and I keep hearing about how great of a resource it is, but it's just not doing much for me. I suppose I need to learn how to utilize it better. Your comment reiterates that need, so I appreciate it, and thanks for the well wishes.
Enjoy your weekend!
Jul 30, 2015
I agree. And make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete! Its frustrating when someone asks to connect and all it says is "Joe Smith" works at "ABC Company" --no links to his company page, no profile pic, no explanation of what he does at ABC. Also LinkedIn is a GREAT place for your charitable work to live. I have had people contact me through LinkedIn to express how impress they are with my work with non-profits. When you write a testimonial for someone on LinkedIn that person automatically gets a request to write you a testimonial. While a potential client may not contact you through LinkedIn, If they do a Google search on you, its a great online resume.
Jul 16, 2015
If you think there's a way to differentiate profiles and activity using the same name - your crazy!
If you intend to use your name or linkable moniker in the internet as part of you branding skip trying to be "private." Work the system and don't waste time trying to use services you don't own, can't control, and can get hacked as "your personal tool!" You can't - get over it, and get on with it.
Rant over...
Jul 18, 2015
Crazy is as crazy does. You're absolutely right, David. I gotta find a way to work the system and stop worrying about how to run around it.
Thanks for the rant...
Jul 16, 2015
Hi Justin,
I am reading through the different comments and I have a different opinion.
In 2015 companies, clients..etc are searching the web to see your profile(s), to see what content you are sharing. what are you commenting on...etc.
People have this illusion that your personal and professional profile is different. They are not. Once you put something online it is public domain. It is being cached somewhere. This can be images, text, video...etc.
The goal in 2015 is to have a profile on any social site that you wouldn't mind sharing with your potential employer, your kids...etc. Anything that you feel will hinder your reputation you shouldn't be posting.
Yes you can secure your profile which so many people will tell you to do. But I can still search to see that there is something there. Companies who find hinder profiles will question what are you hiding.
When it comes to social media here is my recommendation
80% of your content, posts...etc should be educational and soft business selling
20% of your content, posts...etc should be personal that you feel comfortable sharing with anyone.
Remember people want to get to know you, like and trust you to be able to work with you.
That is why I recommend this strategy.
I hope that helps.
Thanks,
Brandon
KNSSconsulting.com
Jul 16, 2015
Brandon, you're right. As much as you try to make your "personal" social media account private often if someone with lower security settings were to share your content it becomes public.
Whether right or not, there have been cases of someone in a job interview being asked to log into their social media account as part of the interview process. Sure you can refuse, but then what would your chances be of getting the job...
Justin, a blogging career by it's nature is a social endeavour and the more transparent you are the more success you are likely to see.
Depending on your blog topic/theme it will be hard to keep personal views out of it so you don't want to portray different images which may have people questioning the authenticity of your blog.
Jul 16, 2015
Great points. It seems like there's no way around it. If I want to do what I think I want to do, I'm going to have to be transparent and put myself on the line, and hopefully not ruffle too many feathers along the way. Thanks guys!!
Jul 24, 2015
i think you are describing the professional profile. if someone made their personal profile 80% about business they'd soon loose many friends (not that they'd unfriend you, you'd just get out of touch).
when i look up my friends i am not interested in their business and professional work, just as the other way around i am barely interested in personal details. (but that's what the 20% account for)
i am not on facebook, so i am not sure how this works, but i understand that the probability of my friends updates showing up in my feed depends on how much i like them. with only 20% interesting content i am going to rarely like them so that i'd risk them dropping out of my feed completely. if this is an important friend i would not want that, so i'd ask them to keep business out of their profile.
greetings, martin.
Jul 16, 2015
One word: BRANDING. Create a identity for your company that separates you from your personal social media. If you need design help, feel free to connect, Im always available to help. I myself have multiple platforms that carry my name, but my personal stuff looks nothing like my professional stuff. That way theres no confusion, especially when on your personal facebook, theres usually pics of your kids or family trip or whatever and your professional one is all Business and nothing more. Make sure youre posting relevant material that has to do with your company on your pro sites/platforms. You dont want any embarrassing posts coming back to bite you...
Jul 16, 2015
I guess that's what I'm trying to avoid - getting bit! I appreciate the input. It looks like I'll just have to be conscious of what I'm doing. And I will definitely need design help down the road, so thank you!
Jul 15, 2015
If I add any other thing, then its a waste of time...I think the first three has said it all. Good contributions.
Jul 15, 2015
I use a profession Facebook page and also have a personal one. On my personal one I post things about my life and on the business one I post only things going on in my line of work and other things pertaining to my work. I never post personal things on my business page, only work I'm doing or events or other peoples work I like on my business page. Hope this helps!
Jul 15, 2015
Excellent questions, Justin, and Jeff has given you great advice.
There is a distinct reason why you want to build a 'firewall' between your professional presence and your personal presence on social media.
Think of your professional profile as a business. In business you must build a 'firewall' between your personal brand and your business brand. You must build a 'firewall' between your personal finances and your business finances.
You do not want to mix personal and business in any capacity and you want to adhere to this discipline early in your endeavor because when you mix the two the market perception of you is you are not serious about business. You are undisciplined, you are floundering around trying to find yourself. People will be highly skeptical in working with you.
Let's say you decide along your path you want to apply for a position. Your professional presence speaks to your commitment to what you do as a professional. The interviewer will perceive you as a clear thinker.
In business a similar perception is applied.
Let's say as a professional you decide to enter a specific industry. You build your professional presence around the work you do in that industry. You are then perceived as a thought leader in that space.
Once you are clear on your direction, the facebook business page, a business Twitter account and a company page on LinkedIn are your three best social platform to use to establish your credibility. Don't forget Slideshare as a place to create a placeholder that can illustrate for you the business industry you either wish to enter or the industry you wish to dominate. Find your competitors and compare yourself to them, in a positive way, of course. "You get 'X' with my competitor but receive 'X + Y +Z' when you work with me.
The audience is then clear about you because you are clear about yourself.
Keep personal and professional separate and you will do well.
Hope this helps, Justin.
Jul 15, 2015
Wow, great insight from the both of you - thank you so much. I have much to learn, but with clear direction and advice like what I just received, I know I'm one step closer to my goals. Thanks again!!
Jul 15, 2015
Yes, you should definitely use separate social media accounts for your personal accounts and for your professional accounts. Two reasons for this:
1. Many of your social, personal friends may have no interest in your professional activities and vice versa, although there is certainly nothing wrong with the occasional cross-post between your personal and professional accounts.
2. Facebook limits you to a maximum of 5000 friends for a personal account, but an unlimited number of fans for a Facebook business page.
Jul 17, 2015
Jeff, totally agree with your take on separate Facebook accounts. You didn't mention your thoughts on Twitter... thoughts?
Jul 17, 2015
I think point 1 above applies for all social media accounts (except LinkedIn, which is business only). I don't think Twitter or other of the leading social media platforms currently have different follower limits for personal vs business accounts so point 2 doesn't apply.
Aug 13, 2015
Thanks folks -- this answers my question and serious issue about using FB for business -- two separate FB accounts needed. Makes Sense!
Yeah, I'm at the "finding balance" stage of my development, which means I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to use my name yet as part of my branding/marketing persona. Do I use the whole thing? Initials? And how do I work everything around my existing personal presence - these are questions I'm still working through.
I like how you broke it down for me. Google+ isn't even on my radar yet, but I know I need to get on that. Same could be said with Twitter - so much to do! But I appreciate your input very much, and these are great building blocks.
Thank you!