Keeping personal separate from business

[Mobile & Tablet Repairs]

Here is an interesting one to debate.

Social Media has clearly come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. We've seen MySpace flourish then near enough die, Bebo another one that bit the dust.
Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn clear winners

However therin is there question, how do you keep your personal views and rants separate from business especially on Facebook. I have over 1500 friends on FB with some 13 groups i run and manage with 2 pages i sell from.

Several rules i try to follow
a) NEVER post anything while drunk
b) Try to exclusive key people from viewing your posts
c) Consider having another personal Facebook/ Twitter account completely separate from the business one.

These are the rules i try to follow, but as business people what works for you?

 

[Paul Murray]

I no longer use my personal FB account but do have a group for a blog I run (it's about book design). When I post from here, I switch to it using the "Use FB as [page] option, which helps me get into the frame of mind. My stream is also filled with things related to books, design, and book design, so I'm unlikely to find anything that's likely to cause be to want to vent.

I have several Twitter accounts that I manage through Tweetdeck). Generally I try to only post something I'm not scared of coming back and biting me on the arse down the line (same goes for forums) but I'm not afraid of voicing my opinions, especially when it's directed at a brand. It's amazing how eager companies are to keep you from making a scene via social media when you're pointing out their poor service!

 

[wearewattle]

People do business with people, I lock down my Facebook profiles but I would accept a friend request from anybody in business, I have nothing to hide! I think that open and honest approach is why people like doing business with me, at least I hope so!

 

[BustersDogs]

I originally only had my real actual friends and family on facebook, so it didn't matter too much what I did. I've now added loads of other dog walkers and trainers who I got friendly with after chatting in groups - and it helps with my market research to have them on my friends list! I never add clients or business associates, I set up some groups for them to keep in touch with me via. I use my logo as my profile pic so it's advertising in all my groups including all the local ones, but I don't let random people add me, and I never add clients.

 

[NickGrogan]

as business people what works for you?

I use my real name on all forums, link to my actual website and include my business number/email where possible, so I'm pretty public about who I am.

My policy is simple, Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you’ll do