When it comes to sharing information on social media, most people don’t really give much thought about the consequences.
First, there’s online crime and identity theft which are becoming more rampant because of oversharing personal information. In the business world, online sellers are vulnerable to this since people can easily see valuable inventories they may have.
Second, oversharing on social media can turn off customers. Some people may get annoyed when business owners, especially online sellers, vent out private family matters on social media. If you have a business and you feel the need to share things about yourself, your family or activities that may somehow be related to your business, do it with a few people; and if possible, with your close friends only. Don’t share this stuff with your customers. Revealing too much personal information can make even the most loyal customers “unfollow” you.
Should entrepreneurs fear social media? Definitely not. It’s just a matter of strategy and control. Oversharing can never be totally avoided and it’s actually causing more disadvantages nowadays. But if used and managed properly, social media platforms can work wonders to your business instead of turning off customers.
Here are some strategies that may be good for your business:
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Engage with your customers
Again, this doesn’t mean sharing your personal information to keep them engaged. This means discussing things related to your customers — their needs, wants and interests. People will trust you more if you listen to them. Talk about their opinions, requests and feedback on your products and services. Know your customers well. -
Share relevant information
Post something that your customers will like. Once your audience thinks your content is worth sharing, they may share it to their friends and to others. -
Use different media platforms
Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can choose as many venues as you can as long as you know how to use it responsibly and effectively. Increase your brand’s overall reach. The more you do this, the more likely customers will share your posts and reach a larger number of people. -
Maintain good relationship
Many people do online research before purchasing a product or service. Consumers trust brand recommendations from friends while some trust online reviews. Nurturing your online community is just as important as making high-quality products and services. Provide only the best content and you’ll get more positive feedback from people. This will eventually attract more new customers.
The key to maximizing social media is to be in control of it instead of the other way around. As a personal user or as a business owner, it will always be your option to divulge personal information or purely business content on these social media platforms. Just bear in mind the impact it may have on your business.
Written by: Gerard Diestro