Do you really need separate social media accounts?

The decision to create separate social media accounts is a pretty hot topic that, as a business owner, you’re going to have to deal with sooner rather than later. There are several reasons why you may consider separate social media accounts and many reasons NOT to split hairs and create more work for yourself.  Buckle up, buttercup.  I’ve got some strong opinions on this topic!

How should you really be using your social media profiles?

For family photos?  Strictly for business?  A mixture of everything?

Should you have personal accounts?  Pages?  Business IG accounts?

There are, legit, so many things to consider and there are LOTS of conflicting {translation: misinformed} opinions out there!  The vast majority of online marketers should have two {and no more than two} accounts per platform: one for personal the other for professional posts.  Period.  End of story.

I know you’re thinking about creating one account for your photo business, another for your personal art, and a new one for your side-hustle…. but stop!  All those accounts may actually sabotage your efforts and magnify your social media woes {instead of fixing them}!

You should, of course, share bits of pieces of your personal life into your professional account.  People want to know who you are as a person and it’s important that you help them start to know, like and trust you by showing them who you are.  But the vast majority of your posts should be about them and how you can help make their lives better!

The same rules apply to your personal account.  Share with your family and friends what you normally would, but don’t forget to sprinkle in a business post here and there so they know what you’re up to!  Not only do they want to see what you’re doing, but it’s also going to help keep your business on the forefront of their minds when it comes to referrals!

But beyond those two accounts?  Things get sketchy.  Let’s talk this through logically so that you can make an informed decision before you create another new social media account.  Here are six tips to help you know when you should separate your social media accounts…. and when to keep them together!

3 Reasons to separate social media accounts:  

1. You only have 2.5 seconds to impress them!

If your clients could only look at your account for two seconds, would it be obvious what you do and what your business is about? If someone has to puzzle-piece you and your brand together, they’re never going to click that “follow” button.  And, according to the latest research?  People spend less than 2.5 seconds sizing up your account before making a decision.

Your social media presence needs to be clear-cut and obvious to anyone who stops by your pages!  This means your bio and your images must be curated!  If you aren’t painting an amazing brandscape, people will simply pass you by.

2. Personal posts MUST be carefully curated!

Do your followers want to know who you are?  Absolutely!  Do they want to see the five soccer goals your kid scored?  Probably not.

Pick personal posts very carefully and make sure they relate back to your brand. My followers know that I get Starbucks with my dogs, I don’t pass up a chance to sing “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and that I love pink and glitter.  A lot.

I share these things liberally in my Stories, but share them strategically in my general newsfeed.

Moderation is key.  While people do want to know you… it’s usually in the context of “how can this person help me or make my life better?”  Not necessarily, “is she my new BFF?!”  Be mindful of this, and post with care.

3. Does your business attract segmented audiences?

Decide what your followers need and want to see. Years ago, I decided to separate Immerse Photography and Sparkle Society online.  While they were both my businesses….. the audiences were vastly different!  I didn’t necessarily want the moms I was photographing to see me talking about the marketing tactics I used to get more bookings or how I was using psychology to increase sales.  In fact, posts like that would actually alienate them and negatively impact my business!  So, I made the decision not to mix these two audiences; it simply didn’t make sense to do so.

3 Reasons NOT to separate your social media accounts:

1. You don’t have enough followers.

Let’s be real: most of us are struggling to get new followers anyways.  So why make it harder on yourself?!  If you only have 53 following your macro photography account and 141 following your family photography account… is it really worth separating?

Yes.  You do need to separate social media accounts {business and personal} but carefully consider how far you want to split hairs with genres.  Usually, it’s not worth the effort.

2. People don’t want what you have.

This is going to be hard to hear…. but people really don’t want to buy from you.

You have to convince them that you have value and worth and that they WANT to follow you because you’ll make their life better!

Case in point?  My Facebook group, Confident and Beautiful is a thriving community of women!  We laugh, we post hilariously offensive memes, and talk about how to look and feel beautiful…. even if you have a few more pounds and wrinkles than you’d like.  The group is awesome – even though I use it to sling shampoo with Monat.  Why?  Because 80% of the content IS NOT ABOUT SHAMPOO.

If people think that your account or your group is only about one thing – and they don’t want that thing {yet}… they will NEVER follow you.  Your account must have value to them, above and beyond the thing you’re trying to sell otherwise, it’s a waste of everyone’s time.

3. Lack of time.

Do you really have time to consistently create content {translation: post daily} on multiple accounts?!  Social media exhaustion is a very real thing and most people struggle to maintain one account, let alone multiple accounts!  If you are spread too thin, you won’t serve anyone well {including yourself!}.

You will suffer from social media burnout if you try to do too much.

When you consider where, when and how often you’ll post – consider your available time and resources.  Will you truly have time to maintain your personal account and the 3 business accounts you’ve now created?  Chances are, your answer is no!  Be very careful about the timing and value of all of your posts in order to make the biggest impact possible.

Separating your social media accounts may or may not be the right move!

So it’s important for you to have the information you need to make a smart choice!  And, lucky for you, I happen to obsess over things like this {so you don’t have to}!  Stick close by and I’ll help you make the right moves for your business!  To help you get started, download my social media guide that’s got 30 social media posts for your photography business.  Truth be told?  You can really modify this for any business!  Grab your printable guide today so you can shine online tomorrow!