How much of your life should you share online?
Some social media gurus advocate putting your whole life online. They say it’s all about being the authentic you, and that by talking about yourself incessantly, people will find you riveting and bond with you. The problem with that approach, for business owners and entrepreneurs like you and me, is that it breaks one of the golden rules of marketing:
It’s not all about you. It’s all about THEM!
NEWSFLASH: Boring business owner takes a dump!
I recently unfollowed someone on Twitter, after seeing him check in to say he was driving home and had just stopped for a toilet break! I really don’t need to know that. I really don’t need my Twitter feed slowed down with that crap (literally!) He’s not being authentic. If he believes people need to know when he takes a dump, he’s being an egotist.
Guess how many people are attracted to dull businesspeople, who are that wrapped up in themselves?
Very few!
Be yourself. Share your world. Use your content to give us a chance to get to know you, but we really don’t need to know everything. I may think it’s really funny that you got so drunk last night that you puked over your friends cat, but Bob may not be looking for that in his next; accountant, lawyer, web designer or business partner.
The balance?
Successful content marketing requires that we develop useful, interesting content, which our prospective clients or customers will value and share. Our content should showcase our skills and professionalism and make prospective clients feel comfortable contacting us. Yes, it’s great to give the marketplace a feeling for us as people as well as businesspeople, but sharing our toilet habits? That’s a little too much information.
Photo: Jonas B
WOW! When I read the title of this post, I thought you had lost it. Your posts are so informative that I knew there must be a reason for such an odd title and there sure was!
Your point was well made and I totally agree with you. Egotistical people hold no interest for me and I don’t have the the the inclination or the time to want to be privy to every gory detail of people’s lives especially this part!
I do lose it occasionally, as you know Claudia, but the title seems to have worked!