Pub chain Wetherspoon recently announced it was closing its social media accounts. Convinced staff were being side tracked by Facebook and its social media mates, the CEO also added a more general social commentary that too many people spend too much time living their lives online (rather than tucking into a large mixed grill at the Moon and Sixpence in Milton Keynes perhaps?).

Does he have a point? And, as a business is it worth taking the risk?

Yes, and no. Yes, I’m sure there are many who feel that too much time is spent online but no, in that I’m not sure that switching off one of the primary customer communications channels will do a business any favours.

Ostrich approach
In today’s world, it’s the equivalent of an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. You might not be able to hear anything or see anything, but it’s going on out there and you’ve just given up the opportunity to right any wrongs.

There are many positives of having an active social media approach, not least the chance to actively engage with clients and customers but also to help shape your business’s personality.

In the short term, exiting social media might relieve the business of a job of keeping its social media accounts up to date, but in the long term  your reputation might well suffer for your social silence.