Is Your Social Media Presence Hurting Your Business?

Don't you just love Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (my fave) and Instagram (my second fave) ? 

I love how today we can market our products and services to the world in a much bigger way, in the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of money.

When I had my cleaning business years ago, I was only able to reach people that were within 30 miles of my house. That's because my advertising dollars could only afford to take my message that far. I advertised in a few local papers in my area...and the turnover was great! I had a very successful business but just imagine what can happen in today's world, what being able to reach thousands of people in a very short amount of time can do? But, if we are not using the web in the right way, it can just as powerfully damage our business as help it.

 Here are two situations where your social media presence can- hurt, instead of grow, your business.

1. You don't have one. 
I am wowed when I meet a small business owner that doesn't have a presence on the internet. You would think it would be a no brainer- but it's not. Now, if you just want to run a nice little hobby or business on- the- side that only caters to people in your area, that's fine. But if you want to reach people all over the world, or even just all over your area code,  you are going to need an online presence. I've heard people say, "I don't use social media because I don't want people all up in my business" What?! You should want the exact opposite, you want people all up in your business. Otherwise, you're probably in the wrong business.

2. You are not relevant to your brand. 
If you own a marketing firm and most of your posts are about being in line at Wendy's and having to wait way too long to get your food...that's not a good look! If you own a make-up company and most of your posts show your son getting on the bus, running in the playground, sleeping in his bed and playing with the pots and pans on your kitchen floor...while all of that is cute and memorable, what value is it adding to your clients and potential clients? If you own a make-up company, post make-up tips, YouTube videos tutorials or links to blogs that you have written that add value to your clients. I'm not implying that you should only post marketing material, you also want to build relationships with people and I believe that social media is a great way to do it, but balance it out with more valuable content. 

You know the phrase WWJD (what would Jesus do)? I like to say WWOD (what would Oprah do) when thinking about my posts. For example, if you saw Oprah post this as her Facebook status, what would you think:

 "I'm sitting in this restaurant and the lady across from me has pants on that are way too small for her...SMH..."

---

You would probably think, "What in the world is Oprah talking about," right? Take yourself and your business seriously. God gave you this vision because it's your assignment here on Earth.

What do you need to start or stop doing in terms of your social media interaction?