Remember how our parents told us to not talk about politics or religion at the dinner table? Now you can’t talk about that or your position on covid or the cancel culture… whether you like dogs or cats or llamas without upsetting someone, right? We have tips on how to avoid social media minefields while still being your authentic self.
If you have to change who you are and what you say and think for fear of alienating a potential customer, do you want to be on social media? Do you need to pretend to like and support XYZ or vice-versa in order to land a client or keep a client? If that’s the case, how do you separate or remember what you said or told or posted on one social media platform if you’re not being authentic?
Sure you could just eschew all social media, but let’s face it you need to be on social media to grow a business and to show a potential client who you are, what you do and what makes you different from the competition.
I typically caution entrepreneurs not to light a spark unless they are ready to jump through those flames. I have tips for avoiding conflict on social media that you can implement, or not, or you can just be who you are. I am honestly, who I am on social media as I am in real life. My authentic self is on display for all the world to see, but some individuals may want to separate their business from themselves and that is your call.
How To Avoid Social Media Minefields
- If there is a controversial or political or religious topic you want desperately to get involved in, ask yourself whether any of your business followers, colleagues or potential clients will be offended. If you’re of a mind, “this is who I am. Take it or leave it.” Then comment away. Some entrepreneurs prefer to keep their personal, religious and political feelings to themselves and that is all right. You need to do you and if you don’t want to get involved, then walk away.
- We’ve all been there: someone says something that makes my blood boil. I want to shout, “what in the world are you talking about?” I don’t always get involved, I shake my head and walk away. You may want to get involved — your call.
- There are times I sit down and my fingers fly across the keyboard with a response or a comment to something I’ve seen, heard or read. There are those times I will just post and deal with the fall out. Other times, I read what I’ve written, decide it’s not worth it and delete it. It’s all up to you and what you want to think about and the backlash you want to field. I have friends who will fan the flames just to light the fuse then walk away and watch the fall out. They are being authentic to themselves. Is that you?
Social media minefields are one of the reasons you should have a social media policy in place for your business that your team and any contractors you work with adhere to. You need to set the boundaries for them to follow — no matter which side of the fence you’re on. Do you have a social media policy? If not, reach out to Rex Richard of Peak Dynamics and he and his team can help you craft one.