If you look into small business owners (online or not), you’re going to see how many of them try to form this parasocial relationship with their audience, whether it be their customers or social media followers.
Now, this can be a good tactic because it does show transparency and authenticity, and it shows that the person on the other side is just another human. But at the same time, being extremely open where you’re stating where you live, what your house looks like, who your friends and family are, and so on can be bad.
There are people out there with bad intentions, whether it’s stalkers, vandals, cybercriminals, thieves, you name it.
So the last thing you want to do is give out so much information to where you’re putting yourself, your loved ones, employees, and your business at risk because you gave out too much information. So, do you need to be open in order to run a successful business? Absolutely not!
In fact, one of the biggest marketing mistakes you might be making is giving out way too much info in the first place.
Just think about major businesses; there are so many that don’t have a face, maybe a mascot at most (not all of them do), yet they still manage to be successful. It goes to show that you don’t always need to be an open book in order to make your small business successful.
One of the smartest tips you can do for yourself when it comes to business transformation is to stay reserved. Sometimes, anonymity can indeed be the best way to go about it, so here’s exactly why!
Focus on the Business, Not the Personality
For so many entrepreneurs, anonymity enables them to shift the spotlight away from their personal identity and toward their business.
Not everyone needs to act like an influencer in order to get a good business going. By concealing their true identity, they can create a brand that is distinct and independent, allowing their products or services to shine on their own merit.
This separation fosters trust and loyalty based on the strengths of the business rather than the identity of its founder. When you show your face, you are your brand, and it’s not really possible to separate the two once that happens.
Anonymity as a Business Owner: There is More Privacy and Personal Safety
Isn’t the thought a bit scary that someone could just look into your family members, old accounts on websites you once signed up for, old Instagram post from years ago, or even post you made when you were a teenager?
Privacy is not something that I’m merely entitled to, it’s an absolute prerequisite.
Marlon Brando
The fact that someone, anyone who has enough time and motivation on their hands, can just make the choice to do this is terrifying. Because of this potential risk, it’s so important to protect your privacy.
Because it’s not just your privacy but your family, friends, and your teammates too. So, by taking steps such as learning how to remove digital footprint, and how to not give out too much info is going to be the best way to keep yourself and others’ privacy protected.
Potential for Having a Competitive Advantage
In a crowded marketplace, maintaining anonymity can provide a competitive edge. While it probably sounds like it would do the exact opposite, for the most part, it’s pretty much further from the case.
It allows business owners to operate without the biases and preconceptions associated with their identity, enabling them to compete solely on the quality and innovation of their products or services.
