There’s something really fun about launching your business on social media. Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, or whatever new platform Gen Z invents next week… it feels like the first real step.
A brave one.
Because once you hit “Publish,” everything shifts. Suddenly your business is out there for the whole world to see. To connect with you… or to judge you (and yes, they will). But that’s fine, because the judges? They were never your people to begin with.
Gone are the days when you unlocked your shop, flipped the OPEN sign, and waited. If someone didn’t like something, they whispered about it at the local coffee shop, and maybe you heard about it two weeks later at the hair salon.
Not anymore.
Now if someone doesn’t like their experience, they can blast their opinion online in under 12 seconds. Sometimes the feedback is all the glory you hoped for (a chef’s kiss, if you will). Other times? Not so much.
And when you’re juggling a puking kid, a flat tire, and a surprise plumbing bill all before 9 a.m., the temptation is real to hop online and spill your stress for the world to see.
But here’s the truth:
Your audience isn’t there for your chaos.
They’re there for your product/service. They want the haircut. The cupcake. The perfect gift for Great Aunt Pam.
They’re there because they need something from your business, and your social presence should reflect that purpose.
So, if you’re stepping into the social media arena as a business owner, welcome! It’s wild. It’s powerful. And it’s an incredible opportunity, if you handle it well.
Here are three rules to social media etiquette (my version; learned the fun way, from my own experiences to fixing other people’s oopsies) that will help you show up like the confident, authentic business owner I know you are:
Rule #1: Keep It Business
No “feel sorry for me” sagas. You’re a business owner. Own your role. People follow you for what you offer, not your pity party.
Rule #2: Stay Consistent
Yes, you’re tired. Yes, you feel behind on 65 other things (it was REALLY hard not to say 67 — IYKYK). But if you want consistent business, you need consistent content. Even imperfect progress beats silence. BTDT.
Rule #3: Be Authentic — But Don’t Oversell
Listen… if your only goal is to pad your pockets and you don’t care who you step on to get there, this isn’t the blog for you. Truly. There are plenty of “hustle bros” on the internet waiting to high-five you on your way to burnout.
But if you’re here because you care about the people you serve — good. Keep reading.
Because here’s the truth no one puts in their glam-up entrepreneurship montage: you won’t always get it right. Some days you’ll feel like a genius. Other days you’ll stare at the screen thinking, “What is my name? What is content? Who am I?”
Totally normal.
When you’re struggling, pause. Find your center again and remember what matters. Connection doesn’t happen through fakery (I don’t think fakery is a real word; forgive me).
People can sniff out fake faster than your kids can sniff out your secret snack stash. They know when you’re overselling. They know when your story doesn’t match your actions. They know when you’re just posting to post.
So, show up as you… the real you. The you who cares. The you who delivers value because it matters, not because someone told you a “perfect funnel” demands it.
Authenticity is the best sales strategy you’ll ever have. Let your value speak.
Final Thoughts (because it’s hard for me to be quiet)
Serve your audience with purpose.
Show up well and build a brand people want to root for.
Because social media isn’t just about being seen, It’s about being trusted.
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