Business Owner vs. Social Media Influencer: What You Need to Know!

So, you’ve decided to start taking your business online and are excited.

However, after joining all the major social media networks Instagram, Facebook, Threads, etc. you’ve quickly found yourself overwhelmed with how much content you feel you have to create in order to reach your audience. And before you beat yourself up, please know you’re not alone. Every business owner deciding to go online has felt this at one time or another.

I mean, let’s be real unless you start out with a nice-sized marketing team to keep up with social media content creation and product development, it can be overwhelming.

But the question as a business owner is: Do you need to be a social media influencer?

Here’s how being a business owner and a social media influencer are two totally different things and what you can do instead.

Though being a business owner and a social media influencer may sometimes overlap, they are, in fact, two very different roles.

In today’s blog post, we’ll cover the differences between being a business owner and a social media influencer and whether a business owner has to become a social media influencer to find success online.

So, let’s dive in, shall we?

So, what is a social media influencer?

A social media influencer is someone who creates content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Twitter (which may also include social search engines like Pinterest and YouTube). Their primary goal is to consistently create content that grows their audience, boosts engagement, and builds trust with their followers.

A business owner, on the other hand, is someone who owns and operates a business whether online or offline whose primary goal is to maintain the business structure and create and sell products or services.

So, whats the biggest difference between a social media influencer and being a business owner?

Well, there are actually a few significant differences. Here are 5 factors to consider:

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1. The Mindset

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One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed between social media influencers and business owners is the mindset. Everything about the approach to reaching the end goal for both is significantly different.

For instance, if you speak with most social media influencers and ask what their goal for posting on social media is, their response will usually be based around popularity and/or social media metrics. However, if you ask a business owner, their response will typically be focused on marketing strategies to increase overall company sales.

Additionally, social media influencers’ primary focus is to create great content, while a business owner is focused on the logistics of their business, which may include business operations, finances, hiring employees/contractors, etc.

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2. Brand Differentiation

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Another big difference between social media influencers and business owners is how they approach social media.

As a business owner, your goal may be to utilize social media to highlight your company’s mission, core values, and the overall impact you’re trying to make. On the other hand, a social media influencer may use social media to share intimate parts of their lives, personal stories, and more of their personality.

As a business owner, you may not be the center of attention on social media. Instead, your products, services, or volunteer work might be the highlight, while social media influencers are typically the focus and/or face of their brand.

This difference can affect the amount of posting, how each post is done, and the overall goal for posting and if as a business owner you decide to post at all.

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3. Content Creation: Consistency vs. Strategy

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One of the biggest differences between a social media influencer and a business owner is the way they create and consume content. Influencers’ main focus is content creation, and they are constantly coming up with new ideas, trends, and ways to keep their audience engaged.

For content creators, being consistent with posting is key and might I say, it’s king!

Their focus is typically on posting daily, going live, or sharing behind-the-scenes stories and insights on their lives. Their goal is to grow their personal brand and influence.

For business owners, however, content creation is typically tied to clear business goals. The focus isn’t on quantity—it’s on quality, ensuring that each piece of content serves a purpose—whether that’s promoting a product, educating your audience, or building brand awareness.

You don’t need to post multiple times a day. Instead, your content can be more strategic, allowing you to stay connected with your audience without overloading yourself with constant content production.

As a business owner, your content might look a little different—it could be customer reviews, showcasing new products, or sharing tips that help your customers. While influencers may post selfies, personal stories, and lifestyle content, business owners focus more on why their product or service matters and how it can solve problems for their audience.

The biggest myth for most business owners is that you have to post personal details about your life—what you eat, drink, and private moments about your life. But my friend, THIS IS NOT THE CASE!

Now can you post personal things about your life on your social media from time to time? Sure but consistently posting personal details about your life is not necessary as a business owner but is key to do as a social media influencer.

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4. Engagement vs. Conversion

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Another major difference is the ultimate goal of content creation.

For influencers, the goal is all about engagement, likes, comments, shares, and building a relationship with their followers. They want to create content that resonates on a personal level and builds trust with their audience. Engagement is what leads to brand partnerships, sponsored content, and, ultimately, revenue for the influencer.

On the flip side, business owners focus on converting that engagement into sales or leads.

While engagement is still important, it’s all about moving potential customers further down the sales funnel. Your content isn’t just about building trust; it’s about driving action, whether that’s a purchase, sign-up, or even a referral.

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5. Time and Energy

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We can’t deny it: time is precious. Running a business is already a full-time job, and adding social media management into the mix can feel like a never-ending hustle.

For influencers, creating content is their job. They don’t have the same operational responsibilities that a business owner does. While influencers are busy engaging with their audience and constantly creating new content, business owners are balancing a whole range of responsibilities like finances, product development, customer service, and more.

For business owners, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between managing business operations and creating an online presence. And here’s the thing—you don’t even need social media to be successful.

However, if you want to utilize social media with the right strategy, you can still grow your business, connect with your audience, and boost your sales without feeling pressured to post constantly. It’s about being strategic with your content.

You can create content that aligns with your goals, builds your brand, and resonates with your ideal customer without the need for endless social media activity. It’s ultimately about working smarter, not harder.

So, do you need to be a social media influencer to succeed as a business owner?

Here’s the short answer: No, you don’t.

While social media influencers can be incredibly successful in their own right, becoming an influencer isn’t a requirement for running a successful online business. In fact, while you can be both, trying to juggle both roles—being a business owner and an influencer—could easily lead to burnout.

Instead, focus on what works best for your business.

Stay true to your business’s mission. Use social media to support your goals, not define them. Build your brand, not just your followers.

Here’s an alternative: Consider focusing on search engines instead of endless social media posting.

Another thing I HIGHLY recommend for business owners is to consider turning their focus, efforts, and time on creating content on search engines like blogging, Pinterest, and/or YouTube for a few reasons:

• Your audience is more targeted and they are actively searching for you on search engines.
• Your overall content will have a larger reach.
• The lifespan of the content lasts for years.

While social media content is fleeting—often only lasting a few minutes to a few days—blogging and YouTube offer much longer lifespans. The content you create on these platforms can continue to attract views and engagement for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Being a business owner and a social media influencer might seem similar, but they are very different.

You don’t need to go viral or create endless content to build a thriving business online. You also don’t need social media to be successful online focusing on search engines like Google, Pinterest, and YouTube is a more powerful method for business owners to utilize.

However, if you choose to use social media as a business owner, I highly recommend focusing on the quality of your content, aligning it with your business goals, and building meaningful connections with your audience.

At the end of the day, it’s about balancing your business with social media in a way that serves you and your goals without the pressure to become a full-time influencer. You’ve got this!

Related blog post you’ll love:

Alright, until next time!

Your favorite foodie and blogger,

Keesh

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