Dirty Laundry
One of the challenges of “doing social media” for business is finding the balance between revealing enough about you so that you build relationships with your customers as a real person, and being professional. The last 6 months, with social media becoming my main marketing strategy, have definitely been a learning experience.
Let’s be honest, the real me gets sick, has bad days, yells at my munchkin sometimes, has the odd disagreement with family members, has the car break down and stresses about money – none of which, I believe, should make it into my tweets and posts. The real me also loves expensive underwear AND Bonds cottontails, sometimes “needs” a wine or two at the end of stressful day and can’t seem to get a journal-keeping habit underway, despite waxing lyrical about the benefits of such.
Even with the business, things don’t always go to plan. There are slow days at markets, suppliers who don’t deliver and “learning experiences” that you kick yourself about later.
But really, do my followers, likers, customers really want to hear about this? Or do they want to believe that I am confident, successful and on top of everything? I’m sure my stockists want to know that Leaf will still be around in 12 months time. They’ll want me to create new products that will make their range interesting and attractive to their customers, and encourage them to come back, time and again.
It comes down to, “what does my brand represent?” If I were running Bad Mothers Club or Moms who need Wine for example, you’d expect me to be less than perfect. And there is a big difference in customer expectation between a mumpreneur making handmade baby clothes and another small business owner (male or female) running an SEO marketing consultancy.
It’s a fine balance… keeping your dirty laundry hidden, while still remaining human. If you’re “doing social media” for business, how do manage? I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds it a little challenging (read – struggling to get my head around!)
This post is inspired by our Weekly Story Starters, selected from the Girl Talk Story Starter pack as part of my Story Starter Challenge. The cards chosen were “My greatest indulgence” and “Lingerie or Undies”. Yes, I know, this Weekly Story Starter was selected a few weeks ago – it was an interesting one to tackle!
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Kerri says:
August 29, 2010 at 8:37 am
Thanks for writing this. I don’t find it to be exclusive to “social media” for me that is part of life…with or without the pc. How much do you say when asked “How are you?” Do you keep the lid on the laundry basket or do you lift the lid. Sometime the lid comes flying off because I have just tried to shove to much in it!
All I can say is that honesty has alway work better for me. I have usually got more support and better friendships when I am willing to be “real”. Maybe marketing as and industry could do well to remember that we have laundry baskets!
Cath says:
August 29, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Exactly. And I totally understand the overstuffed laundry basket idea. There have definitely been times when a simple “how are you?” lifts the lid. In times like these, you just have to hope that the “recipient” is compassionate. While risky, I too have found that this level of honesty can help build friendships and bridge the customer/supplier gap. Perhaps it is just the secret ingredient missing from corporate life.