As I have dived deep into the abyss that is privacy issues, I have learned a great deal. In my own personal experience, I have not exactly been fond of tech companies having access to my personal data. As a general rule, I feel that information about myself should be kept private and, if anything, I should be allowed to choose what is shared and what is not.
Now, if we look at digital privacy from a professional standpoint, my point still somewhat stands, but it is skewed. A lot of the information acquired from social media users is necessary to create an optimal experience for them while simultaneously gathering data that helps companies learn more about their audiences. And although most social platforms and digital companies are not very upfront with their privacy policies, they do have them. And many of them are quite extensive and provide a lot of detail about what data they access as well as how they utilize this data.
In this scenario, I pose as an online marketer writing a hypothetical email to a new prospect who is hiring me for her online consulting business. She uses her name as the face of her brand. She is concerned about her safety and privacy when giving out her name along with pictures and videos, but she wants her business to succeed. I am writing to reassure her, emphasize the importance of using social media as a marketing tool, and give tips on the best (and safest) ways to utilize social media.
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Dear XXXX,
I would like to start off by thanking you for your interest in hiring me and offering me the position of email marketing & social media for your online business. I am very eager to move forward with this process and help to enhance the face of your brand!
I understand that you have some concerns about privacy. This is completely understandable, as it is a common fear that our personal information is at stake due to social media. Rest assured, I would love to help ease your stress and make your online business experience as hassle-free as possible!
Since your name is the face of your brand and what you are known for by consumers, it is important that we keep this the same, if possible. I know you mentioned your hesitance towards sharing personal photos and videos. But as an online business on social media, using pictures and videos will be essential to run your business. The best way to ensure your personal privacy is to do an in-depth review of the privacy policies for the social platforms you are using.
Upon installing a social media app, users immediately grant the platform access to their information. Information collected by third-party apps is subject to each platform’s own terms and policies. Most privacy laws prohibit companies from collecting personal information from social users, with a few exceptions.
Together, we can do deeper research into the social platforms that you run your brand on. Using social media for business is more important now than ever before for any company, but it is especially vital for an online business like yours. Social media can be one of the most beneficial marketing channels when it is used effectively and safely.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards,
Katie Mone