Social media platforms can often blur the lines between professional and personal, especially when a real life person is representing a business online, and must be careful not to allow their own personal beliefs or opinions to potentially harm their businesses' reputation.

Social Media Breakfast Lacombe held their 13th session Wednesday morning down at Cilantro and Chive, and featured a panel of local social media experts, answering questions on how to best use those different platforms.

Jason Burns is the manager of Cilantro, and he says he says even though he uses Twitter for his own personal use, he still aware that he represents his business.

“I have a social responsibility to represent the business extremely well, but then to engage with people in a very organic, natural way. Twitter is all about just conversation, it’s not really about commercials, or this is on special, or this is happening, it’s about being very true and honest and engaging with people and then slowly building that conversation and that engagement.”

Also featured on the panel was Economic Development Manager with the City of Lacombe Guy Lapointe, as well as web designer and Social Media Breakfasts own Brenda Sargeant.

Sargeant doesn't promote her business on her personal Twitter, but she knows there are some online avenues that you should avoid either way.

“I’m very much just myself online and I don’t have a lot of filters, but I don’t get involved in arguments on Twitter about politics or sensitive issues. A: you are going to cut out people who are potential clients, and B: there’s no win in that situation, you are never going to change someone’s mind in a Twitter argument.”

Burns and Lapointe both have separate accounts for personal and professional use, but they are still aware that they represent their brand on both, especially in a small town.

For more information on the next Social Media Breakfast in Lacombe, you can click here to check out their website or Facebook page.

(L-R). Manager of Cilantro and Chive Jason Burns, Social Media Breakfasts own Brenda Sargeant, and Economic Development Manager with the City of Lacombe Guy Lapointe.