I Took A 9-Day Break From Social Media—And I (And My Business) Survived!

At about this time during last summer, I believed it was ultra-important for my personal brand to stay current and engaged online even while I was taking a vacation break from work otherwise. I tweeted, posted to my business Facebook page, interacted on Google Plus, and even made a few new connections and published a post on LinkedIn while vacationing in Port Isabel, TX, just across the Queen Isabella Causeway, which stretches over the Laguna Madre Bay to South Padre Island.

During this year’s vacation, I didn’t. I did nada on social media for nine days (with the exception of liking a handful of photos on Instagram that my daughter posted and requested I show some love to during our Walt Disney World vacation).

That’s right. I ignored social media. I didn’t post any photos (until after I returned home); I didn’t share links to articles about small business, productivity, or marketing; I didn’t send invitations to connect (nor accept any) on LinkedIn; and I didn’t scan my news feeds to see what any individuals or businesses were up to.

And guess what?

• The sky didn’t fall.

• Earth continued to spin on its axis.

• The sun rose and set as usual.

• Lightning didn’t strike me.

But more important, I didn’t lose clients and I didn’t lose any killer opportunities as a result of me choosing to live life offline and give my online activities a rest.

I should disclose that my Klout score dropped three points from 60 to 57 during my hiatus. But who gives a darn about that?

Anyways, contrary to what you may have been told, taking a limited break from social media may not be as bad for your business and personal brand as you fear. If you’ve told your clients that you’ll be gone, if you’ve finished any work that you promised to complete before you departed on your getaway, and if you’ve provided status updates on any assignments that are mid-project, you’ve likely got all in a good holding pattern.

Particularly when you’re a solopreneur with no staff to hold down the fort, your audience will understand you’re human and need time away from it all. And if they’re that dependent on what you share that they can’t go for a week or so without any content or interaction with you, they need to seek some professional help aside from yours!

When you’re on vacation, why not live in the moment and be present in the fun with your loved ones and friends rather than worry about garnering likes, comments, and shares online? As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” That goes for you Jills out there, too.

When was the last time you unplugged from social media?