As a Mashable addict, I’ve had their Social Media Guide for Small Businesses on my radar of to-read’s since it was published last month. This is my first in a series of posts applying the Law of Attraction to this collection of social media tips from the best in the biz.
In Social Media 101: How to Avoid Alienating Your Customers, Mashable Editor-in-Chief Adam Ostrow shares the following story:
Whole Foods CEO John Mackey wrote an op-ed piece for The Wall Street Journal to shine a spotlight on the “generous healthcare plan” he offers his employees. He went one step further though, sharing in this piece his opinions on healthcare reform that tens of thousands of Whole Foods customers adamantly disagree with, publicly and virally so via Facebook where Boycott Whole Foods today has more than 33,000 members.
Looking to give Mashable readers something to learn from this, Adam Ostrow writes:
“It’s clear that when you’re the face of your company, offering public opinions on controversial issues is most likely not a good idea. Even if you’ve set up separate personal and business accounts for blogs, Twitter, and other social media channels — as you should — people will associate what you publish with your business and may make judgments based on it. “
In response, Fanminder comments on Ostrow’s post:
“I’m not sure I agree with your fundamental premise. Small business owners and their business are inseparable from each other. Social media is about people not companies right? It stands to reason that injecting your personality into social media is what makes it work well as opposed to staid corporate blather.
“But you’ll argue: stay away from controversy. And I’d say: wade in. Do it with respect for others’ opinions. But do it…. The world, especially social media, needs more truth, authenticity, and directness.“
Now from my own Law of Attraction perspective:
You are attracted to things for a reason, political views included. If that attraction rings true to the core of who you are, and your expression of those views has the potential to influence an outcome you strongly believe in, do it! Just be aware of the potential consequences to your business when you express personal views on controversial issues — consequences that may include current and potential customers or clients publicly disagreeing with you.
There are many things more important than furthering a professional agenda, including policies that shape and define the quality of our everyday lives. But look deeply into the heart of who you are before delving into political conversations in any arena, be it online or otherwise.
Far too many people publicly support political agendas simply because they’re popular and could attract a new customer base. Or they express a controversial political opinion simply for shock value to garner themselves some attention. (Not to suggest John Mackey was doing either.)
When it comes to social media and the Law of Attraction, speak your truth in all its forms and you will attract the kind of like-minded people you want and need to support you. Yes, there will be those who disagree, some louder than others. But as the old saying goes, any publicity is good publicity, provided you throw in a three-point social media-savvy twist — 1) acknowledge the opinions of your critics, 2) further expound on your own views and, 3) agree to disagree, respectfully.
With gratitude,
Meredith Simonds, Social Media Reviewer, Blogger and Consultant
