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Could Your 'Facebookonality' Be Hurting Your Business?

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By the Urban Dictionary’s definition, the term “Facebookonality” refers to your personality as others perceive it from your Facebook posts, likes, comments, emojis, and other online activity. Despite the platform-specific term, the concept of Facebookonality applies to all social media. With the lines blurred between personal and professional on all platforms, your individual self and your business are likely to be considered one in the same.

What’s the significance of this? It means what you post personally, and how it affects others, will influence what people believe you stand for in your business.

Your actions and interactions on your personal social media accounts can work for your business and your professional reputation. Or they can work against you.

According to Rachel Strella, nationally known social media consultant and founder of Strella Social Media, “People often believe their business accounts and personal accounts are separate, but in today’s world your business brand is only as strong as your personal brand.”

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Faux Pas That Can Damage Your Business Reputation

I would never tell you what you should or should not post on your social media platforms; that’s for you to decide. But I will advise you to be careful. A negatively perceived Facebookonality could drive customers—and revenue—away. It pays to exercise some caution and pause to think before you post, comment, share, etc. Even “liking” certain pages or following certain accounts can make a bad impression.

For the sake of your business, some specific issues and habits to consider avoiding or overdoing on social media include:

  • TMI about relationships
  • TMI about health issues (ick!)
  • Boozing and debauchery
  • Religion
  • Race issues
  • Gender issues
  • Social issues
  • Politics

With the quite heated U.S. presidential election happening in a few months, I think it’s appropriate and important to call out that particular point.

“It’s not uncommon for those who are strongly in favor of—or opposed to—a candidate to offend others with polarizing remarks. Potential and current customers may respect the work of a business owner, but find their political stance in opposition with their own,” explains Strella. “This is not necessarily troublesome when done respectfully, but I often witness those who take their political commentary too far—and to a point when it’s downright inappropriate. Abrasive or hot-headed remarks show a lack of self-management, which is potentially damaging to a business leader.”

Think Before You Post, Tweet, Share, or Like

As Strella mentioned, self-management is the key to keeping your Facebookonality from burning bridges and damaging your business. Here are some general rules-of-thumb:

  • Know your audience.
  • Be sensitive to other viewpoints.
  • Don’t jump to conclusions about others’ intentions.
  • Watch your language.
  • Be respectful.

And, above all, think about and anticipate the possible ramifications a rant or heated post or comment might have, not only in the short term but in the long term as well.

“While you may have more liberty to showcase your life on your personal social media, it’s important to be aware that somebody is always watching, and it could affect your online reputation,” reminds Strella.

I couldn’t agree more. While it may be fun to have a free-spirited or controversial Facebookonality, we need to realize that what we put out there personally on social media will, without a doubt, affect how we’re perceived professionally. As entrepreneurs, we need to exercise self-control or face the consequences.

Read all of Nellie Akalp’s articles on AllBusiness.com.

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