Nowadays, social media are an important part of running a business. Most photographers use Facebook, Instagram, and other outlets to promote their business and build the audience – but few of them think about how their personal accounts can make them lose clients in an instant. In this video, Scott McKenna talks about this issue and suggests how to use your personal social media accounts so they don’t drive the potential clients away.

First of all, even if you use separate accounts for business and private purposes, some clients will watch your private social media accounts as well. Scott shares his recent experience: some clients approached him to do some video work for them because their current videographer wasn’t representing themselves well on their personal social media page. That person was talking bad about the client that was even following them on the personal page. So, the client decided to quit the collaboration.

To many of us, social media are an outlet to express opinion and feelings. But remember: don’t complain about your clients, even on your private social media pages. Social networks are a sort of a “public space.” Even if you control who sees what on your personal accounts, there are always people who can share if you post something inappropriate. And it can ruin your business in no time.

As put in the video, “everything you do on social media is your billboard to the world”. Okay, you don’t only have to post perfect photos and promote your business on your personal accounts. But don’t trash people either, especially if they’re your current or prospective clients.

When I view this topic from my perspective, all I can say is that I agree with Scott. I haven’t had many photography clients, as I mainly do it as a hobby. But I was an English teacher, and I had difficult students. Many difficult students. And although the stuff I post on my personal Facebook profile is only visible to friends, I never ever complained about my job there. You never know, and I definitely didn’t want to make a problem for myself or the school I worked at.

Of course, we all complain from time to time. But Scott reminds us that we definitely shouldn’t overdo it, or complain about other people online. First of all, not many people actually care about the things we complain about. And the other thing is – if you spend time with people who complain a lot, you will start complaining more, too.

So, as Scott puts it “let’s make positivity louder than negativity.” Try expressing more of the positive stuff on your social media pages. You will focus on the good stuff, and in the long run, you’ll feel better about yourself and your job. And when you really feel like complaining: I suggest you leave it to a diary or a personal conversation with someone you can confide in. Otherwise, it may cost you your clients and hinder your business.

[Be careful what you post on social media via FStoppers]