How do you balance your personal and professional social media identities? Do you struggle with balance? Does this struggle hold you back from reaping the rewards of participating in social networks?

To help us understand how nonprofit marketing communications professionals can participate in social media in a way that feels comfortable and suitable, I invited Debra Askanase, Principal and engagement strategist at Community Organizer 2.0 to answer a few of my questions. With her specialty in developing social media and online engagement strategies for nonprofits, Debra offers unintimidating and practical insights into how to maintain an appropriate and effective social media presence.

Here is just a glimpse of some of the insights Debra shared:

  • We can’t literally draw ourselves in half so it’s all about using our settings and lists on social media wisely.
  • Being transparent and sharing can lead to more starting points for conversations and expanded opportunities to make professional connections.
  • Social media policies and guidelines can help achieve the right balance and guide our activity – as well as that of coworkers and volunteers.

Debra mentioned a number of helpful resources including:

After recording the video, Debra provided some additional advice; she recommends keeping a ‘fun’ social media channel reserved for your personal use. For example, if you love Pinterest or Instagram, leave these channels out of your professional mix; enjoy them, play with them, and have fun with them!

If you have questions or want to continue the conversation, connect with Debra on Twitter.

Marlene Oliveira

Marlene Oliveira

Communications advisor and copywriter at moflow
Marlene Oliveira is communications consultant and copywriter at moflow and founder of the Nonprofit MarCommunity blog. Having worked in the nonprofit sector since 1999, Marlene specializes in working with capacity building and grant-making organizations, advising on communications strategy, and writing stories and other content.
Marlene Oliveira

@mo_flow

Marlene Oliveira