Share yourself with caution. The do’s and don’ts to your life in social media

How much personal information do you share with your contacts on social networking websites? Yes social media marketing is an excellent way to gain recognition, establish yourself as a professional and propel your business to success. But networking online also has the potential to provide information about your private life that you wouldn’t otherwise divulge in a person to person situation.

In order to be successful at social media marketing, you must establish meaningful connections. However, when is the information you are sharing with your contacts appropriate or inappropriate? How much information about yourself should you be sharing?

Below are the do’s and don’ts of sharing your private life while social networking:

Do be authentic

Let your contacts know there is a human behind the profile. Being genuine with your posts and not fibbing about who you are in terms of your beliefs, your career and your personal life will establish trust with your connections and open doors for long term relationships.

Don’t post pictures you will later regret

Your profile picture says a thousand words. Be sure your photo paints a positive picture for your connections. The last thing you want is to post a photo of you dancing on the table, beer in hand, at your cousin’s wedding! You don’t have to post a photo of you posing in a business suit, but be sure what you do choose to post is tasteful and non-offensive.

Do share interesting information

If you are going to share personal information about yourself, be sure it is information that will be interesting to your audience. Share pictures and stories of your last family vacation or an exciting event you attended. Steer away from marital problems (unless the topic is relevant to your business) and any other information you may regret sharing in the future.

Don’t share information such as phone number and address

Unfortunately, sharing too much private information such as your phone number and address could spell trouble if it ends up in the wrong hands.

Do use private messaging to share personal information

If you feel the need to share private information (such as your phone number or address) with one of your connections, do so through private messaging. Private messaging is there for the purpose of keeping things private. There is no need to share every piece of information with everyone on your contact list.