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Original poster

Boss not getting it about social media

112 replies

Sockypuppet · 20/01/2020 08:02

So we are all getting specific instructions to post our business cards and flyers on Facebook and WhatsApp one a week.

I know all the reasons that's ridiculous, no need to repeat them to me here. What I need is a way to explain that to my boss.

We're all sort of quietly... not doing it. He's taken to sending reminders.

His own social media is business based. Like his name and the company, nothing personal. I didn't even know till recently he was married.

I try to placate by posting stuff on WhatsApp.

He's a nice guy and it's a good comp3, he's just not getting this. One of us needs a way to tell him that forcing us all to spam personal Facebook accounts won't really help marketing (I assume people will hide my posts) and will built resentment among staff (he tagged me in a post and then I had strangers liking old holiday pics).

OP posts:
LaurieMarlow · 20/01/2020 08:29

If it were me, I’d tell him that I’d happily post on LinkedIn but that my FB and WA accounts are personal, not work based.

He’s crossing the line in expecting it

JudgeRindersMinder · 20/01/2020 08:29

Ask him how much he’s going to pay you to advertise HIS business.
It would be a hard no from me

MulticolourMophead · 20/01/2020 08:30

No way would I be using SM for this. If he wants marketing, he can set up business accounts. And I wouldn't be setting up a second account, either.

BTW, I have my FB set up so that I have to approve any posts tagging me before they show on my timeline. My DB tries tagging me into pretty much everything so it was necessary.

coconuttelegraph · 20/01/2020 08:30

Would not having a Facebook account be a problem for you? If not I'd take the easy option and deactivate it until he realises he's wrong.

If a friend of mine randomly posted her business card on Facebook I'd probably hide her posts and wonder what on earth she was doing.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 20/01/2020 08:30

Or just block everyone work related and tell them you've deleted it.

MooseBreath · 20/01/2020 08:31

My work has tried to do this as well. I set my privacy settings so that only my friends could see my posts. When asked, I tell management that I use LinkedIn for work-related posts and will not be bringing work into my personal life, as I wouldn't bring my personal life into work.

BagpussAteMyHomework · 20/01/2020 08:32

Tell him you don’t feel comfortable with posting work stuff on your private social media, and that most of your colleagues feel the same way and that it’s inappropriate for him to insist. I don’t think there is any way round this other than to be upfront.

AnuvvaMuvva · 20/01/2020 08:37

Does the company have an FB page? If not, I think I'd set one up and then rough out a marketing calendar showing which posts and flyers you'll be posting when.

SnoozyLou · 20/01/2020 08:37

Facebook don't allow 2nd accounts. If they suspect you have one, they'll lock you out of both and you'll have to identify yourself by guessing who your friends are from some of their photos, which could be anything from what they had for dinner last Tuesday, to a picture of their Great Aunt Fanny. Sod that.

One of my friends posts a constant stream of spam. I'm not sure what she thinks it achieves but I unfollowed her. And this is a good friend.

I'd block him and say nothing.

CakeAndGin · 20/01/2020 08:38

I think you just need to tell him that your FB and WhatsApp accounts are for personal use only. You like keeping your private and professional lives separate.

I would research some basics in digital marketing which would suggest that having a FB page for the actual company and promoting projects you have worked on is better than posting business cards. I would also suggest moving into LinkedIn, in which again you would create content rather than posting business cards and you can then share the relevant projects you have worked on.

Yes, he’s your boss. However, you need to explain to him that this isn’t ‘marketing’ and what he’s doing is making his employees uncomfortable and making the company look like a MLM. Even a MLM doesn’t just post their business cards, it posts about the products.

BlackCatsRule88 · 20/01/2020 08:39

Can I ask what industry? Are your friends likely to ever be customers/clients? Could you ask him to show you examples of people that are doing this, forcing him to go look for it and then not being able to find any good examples, therefore proving it’s not a proper strategy?

I really don’t get the WhatsApp thing. I think if a friend or business contact of mine starting randomly sending me a photo of their business card I’d ignore and - if possible - mute!

Has he ever explained exactly why he feels this approach will work via a proper strategy, or has he just heard buzz words and is trying to implement them. It sounds a bit like he’s trying the employee advocacy method - but that’s more spontaneous “look at this amazing thing I’ve done at work”, not “here’s my business card”.

AllergicToAMop · 20/01/2020 08:42

If he wants to make company's presence on FB bigger, he can pay to promote posts from it's page. I wouldn't budge and just kept repeating that it's private profile.

When you say "post on WhatsApp" you mean send message with the fliers to everyone, don't you.
I don't understand why people consider WhatsApp a social media. It's a messaging service. Like the normal sms messaging on a phone🤷

Anniegetyourgun · 20/01/2020 08:47

Prawn yes, or slipping a business card into your actual Christmas cards! Or being required to hand round flyers on a night out with your mates. I can't help thinking that invitations to the pub would dry up rather quickly...

Funny thing is that most employers have very strict rules about people not posting work related things on their personal media accounts, and for very sound reasons.

Nanny0gg · 20/01/2020 08:48

Why isn't your account Friends Only? And do you really want your boss on your Friends list?

C8H10N4O2 · 20/01/2020 08:49

I think you just need to tell him that your FB and WhatsApp accounts are for personal use only. You like keeping your private and professional lives separate

Exactly. Its no more acceptable to expect this than to intrude into any other aspect of your private life. Subtlety is not going to work. What is the firm actually selling that he thinks you should be flogging its services to your friends?

LinkedIn etc are accepted platforms for workspam. I

MidsomerMum · 20/01/2020 08:50

I second the don’t open another FB account. I had to fight that at my workplace but I do use my own with freelance clients and my business so couldn’t risk a ban.

Posting your business card will have no positive effect on marketing. If he wants to utilise FB for marketing he needs to use the company page and FB ads. Is there a social media or marketing team at your work? If not, I think you should suggest finding an agency to handle this or ask about the possibility of in house.

My friends would think I’d gone mad if I suddenly posted my business card.

Other option is post it but have it set so that only he can see it.

GoingBackTo505 · 20/01/2020 08:52

Just don't do it. How will he know? If you're friends with him, block him.

BruceAndNosh · 20/01/2020 08:52

I think you need to explain to him quite directly that the only people who use their personal social media for work are MLM’s, and that it devalues the business by associating it with that kind of behaviour
Good professional response

SnoozyLou · 20/01/2020 08:53

My old firm tried to implement a policy where they had the right to go through your FB Messenger if they wanted to. I'd like to see them try to enforce that. Right to a private life, anyone? And these are lawyers. Some people are clueless. All it did was antagonise staff and make them less likely to prompt the company's page and posts.

SnoozyLou · 20/01/2020 08:54

*promote

Sparklingplasters · 20/01/2020 08:56

LinkedIn is for work not Facebook

Singlebutmarried · 20/01/2020 08:56

I’ve got a work FB account.

That links to the work FB page.

Totally separate.

Your boss needs to plan properly. What is the aim of posting a business card online?

Is there a campaign?

E.g.

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BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 20/01/2020 08:58

I have all my FB friends arranged in three widening circles.
"close and sweary" for really good friends
"most" includes in laws so I avoid anything too sweary or drunk. Most of my posting go here
"everyone" includes people I have to have on Facebook but would prefer to minimise their insight into my life. This is where bosses go.
You could do similar if you are non confrontational and create a "work" only group which includes boss, colleagues and people you don't care if you piss off with marketing!
"everyone

DarklyDreamingDexter · 20/01/2020 09:03

I think you just need to tell him that your FB and WhatsApp accounts are for personal use only. You like keeping your private and professional lives separate.

Yes, this.^^

What a strange thing for a boss to ask. Actually I have added work related things to my LinkedIn in the past as it is a business-oriented site, but that was entirely my choice. It’s really inappropriate for him to try to force you to do this. I would politely resist.

Letseatgrandma · 20/01/2020 09:03

What sort of job do you do?!