People involved in direct selling often grapple with the challenge of managing their personal and professional lives on social media platforms like Facebook.
Many of us have been personal users of Facebook long before we adapted it for business, leading to concerns about what is visible on our profiles to professional contacts.
Additionally, we all have those “specific loved ones” who may not present themselves in the best light online, and we certainly don’t want our business connections to witness that!
So, does this necessitate the separation of business and personal profiles on Facebook? Not necessarily! Here are various ways individuals navigate this situation:
Two Profiles
Some individuals opt to create two separate PROFILES on Facebook. However, this approach violates Facebook’s Terms of Service for a couple of reasons: first, you are not allowed to maintain more than one profile, regardless of the number of email addresses you possess. Second, profiles should not be used for business purposes. If Facebook discovers multiple profiles, they will terminate your account without warning.
Personal Profile, Business Page
The more common approach today is to maintain a Profile for personal use and a Page for business purposes. Many users have experienced success with this method, yet we believe it may not be the optimal choice.
When business is confined to a Page, you engage with individuals and foster relationships only if they visit your page. This limits your ability to understand and connect with their personal lives, inhibiting the genuine relationship-building that is vital in direct selling. Additionally, managing a robust business Page can divert your valuable time from booking, selling, and recruiting potential team members.
None of these methods particularly resonate with us. Why? Because meaningful relationships are built through authentic online interactions, which thrive on a personal touch.
“But didn’t you just say that personal profiles shouldn’t serve as business entities?” you might ask.
Yes, we did. However, it’s important to clarify that your profile isn’t merely a business entity; it’s a space where you connect with friends, family, and prospects. Sharing parts of our personal lives allows others to form connections with us, and in return, it enables us to glimpse into their unique experiences. This mutual insight fosters relationships.
It’s also worth noting that we emphasize the term PERSONAL rather than PRIVATE. Private information is that which you wouldn’t want anyone outside your trusted circle to see. For such matters, a phone call or coffee catch-up is more appropriate. In contrast, PERSONAL information consists of tidbits that reveal our humanity beyond being mere sellers. For instance, sharing photos of our children (without naming them, as that’s private), our passion for cooking, or reconnecting with high school friends and church members are ways to showcase our authentic selves on social media, making it easier for others to appreciate collaborating with us.
Some individuals might explore Facebook’s security settings to delineate their personal and professional lives. However, we do not advocate for this solution either. Why? Because mishandling those settings can lead to complications. Instead, we believe it’s best to share everything you’re comfortable with the world knowing about you, eliminating concerns over mismanaged settings and potentially enhancing your visibility in business.
The MLM Report stands firm in opposing attempts to silence discourse, suppress information, and exclude crucial data from the public domain. We advocate for independent media free from government or corporate influence as a vital means of keeping meaningful discussions alive today.
To that end, we welcome contributions on topics ranging from general interest in network marketing to significant insights within your network marketing company. Feel free to submit your article, and we promise to publish it as long as it aligns with our publishing guidelines, regardless of how controversial it may be.
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