The Controversial Case for TMI: Why Sharing Personal Stories Can Actually Grow Your Business

You want to be authentic and show your personality so people can get to know you. This is especially important if you're in a service-based industry where relationships are key.

But you also don't want to share too much personal information as it could damage your professional reputation.

How personal should you get on social media as a small business owner?

There is no one answer to this question. It depends on who you are asking and what their personal comfort levels are. Some people are perfectly comfortable sharing everything about their lives online, while others prefer to keep things more private.

An important note is to be respectful of other people's boundaries. If someone doesn't want to share something, don't pressure them. Just because you're comfortable sharing certain things doesn't mean everyone else is.

Is it okay to mix personal and business in one account?

This is a question that comes up a lot, especially for people who are self-employed or have their own businesses. The short answer is that it really depends on what you're comfortable with and what your goals are for each account.

If you're using your personal account to build a following for your business, then it's probably okay to mix the two to some extent. Just be careful not to overdo it and make sure you're still providing value and interesting content for your personal followers as well.

PROS

The right balance of mixing personal and business creates more authenticity and makes you seem more personable. It can also help you build a stronger connection with your followers.

With billions of users on social media, you would want to find a way to stand out. Finding the right balance between your business and personal presence will definitely help you do that.

Clients and consumers might be interested in what you do outside of your business life. Showing some personality can actually make you more relatable and increase the chance of them doing business with you.

You can use your personal experiences to connect with others who might be going through something similar.

CONS

If you overdo it, you run the risk of turning off potential customers or making yourself seem unprofessional. It's also important to make sure you're still providing value and interesting content for your personal followers.

If you get too personal on social media, you might give your followers too much information about yourself. This could make them feel uncomfortable or even lead to some cyberstalking. It's important to remember that not everyone needs to know everything about you!

If you share too much personal information, it could put your business at risk. For example, if you post something that is in violation of your company's policy, it could reflect badly on your business.

Political, personal, and religious views can turn away potential clients. Are you somebody that is very vocal on specific topics? It might be better to separate business and personal.

Here are some things you should consider before deciding how personal to get on Instagram:

Your Industry: If you work in a more creative field, such as fashion, art, or design, it might be beneficial to show your personality more. This can help attract like-minded clients or customers who will appreciate your work even more.

If you're a personal trainer, for example, sharing your love of fitness on social media is a great way to connect with potential clients.

But if you're an accountant or lawyer, you probably don't want to share too much about yourself on social media. After all, people in these professions are often hired for their professionalism and expertise, not their personality.

Your personality: are you the type to overshare and tell everyone your life story the first time you meet them? Then it would be on brand to share your life and show your personality on your page. Don’t try to be someone you’re not by sharing personal content just for the sake of it

Your following: are most of the people who follow you friends, family, or strangers? If it’s mostly strangers, you might want to keep things a bit more reserved.

Your intention: why do you use social media? Is it to connect with friends and family, or is it to promote your business or personal brand? If it’s the latter, then you’ll want to be strategic about how personal you get.

You, as a small business owner, have an advantage over big brands.

You are real. You have a story. You have a personality. So use social media to show it off! It will make you more relatable, and people will be more likely to do business with you as a result.

Don’t be afraid to post a personal photo or story from time to time to differentiate yourself from the big brands your fans also follow. Just remember to keep it professional and relevant to your business and brand.

When in doubt, keep it safe. Don't post anything you wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with a potential employer or clients. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your mom to see ;)

So, the bottom line is that there isn't a right or wrong answer when it comes to how personal you should get on social media. Just use your best judgment and be respectful of others' privacy levels.

Where is the line drawn? It really depends on your personal brand, goals, and audience. You draw the line! Be yourself, but be mindful of how much you're sharing. Only post what you're comfortable with and that won't hurt your personal brand or goals.

If you're not comfortable mixing the two, or if you want to keep things separate for professional reasons, then it's perfectly fine to have separate accounts for personal and business use. It's really up to you!

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