Make It Personal Or Not?

We had a great discussion this week about how becoming or being too personal on your Social Media accounts can affect how you present yourself online and what that means when you want to create life changing revenues by using these online avenues.

To Be Or Not To Be

I don’t want to continue using Shakespeare’s quote here but when you think about it, having an online presence can bring about many great things but also may have certain hindrances.

Take for example when I was in the Army as an Officer. I think that I would have needed to have a discussion with my superiors if, at that time, I had decided to produce and post daily videos using my Social Media accounts.

Granted, I wasn’t in a position that secrets could be compromised but I believe that the image conveyed would have needed to be to the level they expect from an Officer.

All that to say that when it comes to an online presence, we need to decide how much of our personality we are willing to show online. We need to be able to draw a line in the sand and say to ourselves “because of my work, I  need to keep it more professional and less personal” or something along those lines.

This isn’t about suppressing who we are; it’s about curating what parts of ourselves we bring into the spotlight.

The digital world doesn’t forget easily, and every tweet, blog post, video, or photo we share can, in some capacity, become part of our professional portfolio—intentionally or not. The challenge lies in determining how to be authentic without overexposing ourselves.

We live in an era where employers, clients, and collaborators often meet our online personas before they meet us. A quick LinkedIn scan or a name search on Google can form impressions even before a handshake even happens.

In some industries, like media, marketing, or tech, a vibrant and dynamic online presence can be an asset. In others, particularly those bound by confidentiality, formality, or ethics—like the Army, law, education, or medicine—too much personality online can be seen as unprofessional or even risky.

So, where do we draw the line?

Start by identifying your digital boundaries. What topics are off-limits? What tone are you comfortable using? Are you okay with sharing your political views, personal struggles, or family life? Everyone’s boundary will look different depending on their profession, their goals, and their tolerance for exposure.

For instance, a lifestyle influencer may find value in revealing personal stories, whereas a corporate consultant might prefer to keep things strictly industry-focused.

Next, consider your audience. Who are you speaking to, and why? A personal blog, like mine, might have a different audience than your LinkedIn network.

Are you trying to inspire, educate, entertain, or just network? Knowing your audience helps you craft a voice that resonates without crossing your own comfort lines.

For example, a photographer might share behind-the-scenes content or personal anecdotes to humanize their brand, while a financial advisor may choose to keep the tone formal and fact-driven to maintain trust.

There’s Also The Matter Of Consistency

Audiences trust voices they can rely on. If your online tone flip-flops wildly between professional restraint and personal oversharing, it can confuse your readers—or worse, dilute your message.

You need to think of your digital persona as a brand. Brands can evolve, yes, but they usually do so with intention. That doesn’t mean you have to be robotic or overly filtered. It means presenting a version of yourself that is both genuine and appropriate for your goals.

Another layer to this is emotional safety. Oversharing can leave you vulnerable—not just to criticism, but to burnout.

It’s tempting to chase validation through likes, comments, or virality, especially when you see others doing it successfully. But remember, you don’t owe anyone access to your private life.

You can be authentic without being exposed. And sometimes, protecting your peace means keeping certain experiences offline.

Let’s Also Not Ignore The Permanence Of The Internet

What you share today may feel fine in the moment, but could it come back to bite you in the derrière in five years? Would you be comfortable if a future employer, client, or colleague saw it out of context?

Digital literacy isn’t just about knowing how to use platforms—it’s about understanding the long-term implications of your content.

For those navigating both personal and professional spheres online, it may be helpful to separate them by platform or profile.

Many professionals maintain a public-facing LinkedIn for career updates and industry thought leadership, and a private Instagram for friends and family. While this doesn’t guarantee complete privacy, it does allow some segmentation of identity and audience.

We also have to acknowledge the power of personal storytelling. Sometimes, sharing parts of our personality or journey can strengthen our professional presence. Vulnerability, when used thoughtfully, builds trust.

Leaders who show empathy and authenticity often forge deeper connections with their teams and communities. Creatives who document their process or setbacks make their work more relatable and inspiring.

The Key Is Intentionality

Don’t share just to share. Ask yourself: “What purpose does this serve?” and “Am I okay with this being associated with my professional identity?” If the answer is yes, then go ahead. If it’s a maybe, it’s worth reconsidering. The most impactful content often comes from a place of alignment—where your personal values, professional goals, and audience needs meet.

Of course, none of this is static. Your boundaries may change over time, and that’s okay. Life changes, jobs change, perspectives evolve.

Maybe you’re more comfortable opening up about your mental health journey now than you were five years ago. Or maybe you’ve realized that some stories are better kept offline. Revisiting and recalibrating your online strategy is not a sign of inconsistency; it’s a sign of growth.

At the end of the day, your digital presence is your responsibility. It’s a powerful tool that can open doors—or close them.

But more than that, it’s a reflection of how you choose to engage with the world.

You don’t have to show everything to be real. You just have to show up with intention, with clarity, and with respect for both yourself and your audience and, more importantly, be authentic.

In short, the balance between personal and professional online presence isn’t about picking one or the other. It’s about integration without overexposure, honesty without oversharing, and professionalism without rigidity.

By drawing that line in the sand thoughtfully—and revisiting it as needed—we create space to be ourselves, while still protecting the aspects of our lives that deserve privacy.

Because the truth is, boundaries aren’t barriers. They’re the framework that lets our real selves shine safely.

Like what you’re reading or have questions? Don’t be shy, write it up in the comments section for me to reply and more importantly, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and Tik Tok account: @canadianwolfe for continuous insights and tips.

Together, let’s leverage the proven methods from Dean Holland’s Affiliate System to create a sustainable income stream.

To your success…to our success!