Business lock down describes what you put in place to protect yourself from online trolls, internet hackers or unwanted attention. So, why would you want to avoid it?
It’s always a great idea to protect your intellectual property, online resources and personal property. I don’t/won’t ever recommend that you stop taking appropriate security measures in those areas.
In this post, I’m recommending that you find a happy medium — one that protects but avoids business lock down. From the What Would WendyY Do files, here are three tips for how to avoid business lock down. Each tip is also designed to show you how to balance protection, privacy and security with accessibility, attraction and available.
How to Avoid Business Lock Down
Tip 1: Make commenting on your blog posts easy.
Blogging regularly helps to improve website traffic, showcase your expertise and attract email subscribers, content consumers and potential new clients. Some of the DIY sites may make it easy for you to create your own blog but there is a down side, too.
It’s worthwhile to invest your money and time by building a website on WordPress.org. Whether you build it yourself or pay a web designer or developer, WordPress offers you a robust yet manageable online presence. Also, I highly recommend the Sucuri Plug-in because of the ease of adjusting security and notification in the event of a potential breach in security.
Another thing… don’t force people to sign in to your platform or create an account just to comment on your blog. That’s just plain frustrating!
Tip 2: Share your phone number and email address.
If you’re reluctant to disclose your cell or home phone number, there’s something you can do. Get a free, easy to use number from Google Voice. It’s setup like a virtual number that you can easily forward to your cell or home number. Whether you’re an iPhone or an Android user, this free tool is great for business professionals, entrepreneurial leaders and business owners. You’re able to respond to wanted and unwanted callers. You can screen or block spammers. You can also send text messages from your number via your cell phone or computer. How kewl is that?!
Tip 3: Do NOT add autoresponders to your business email.
Autoresponders are an excellent tool for automating responses and improving productivity. They make perfect sense when you’re on vacation or unplugged from email for more than 24-48 hours. That’s a reasonable email response time. It’s unnecessary; however, to create autoresponders for every single one of your business email addresses. Big no-no!
You are also at risk for having your email blacklisted by the email marketing tool of the list to which you are subscribed. In that case, your email continues to bounce between the email server and your email inbox, resulting in a log jam, increasing the possibility of your email address being blacklisted.
Listen, hackers, spammers and trolls are always going to be busy — it’s a sign of the times in which we live. It is equally important and definitely the right thing for you to protect yourself. Be sure that you’re also making it easy for people to do business with you. That involves, getting to know you, interacting with you, discovering how you can support them and what it takes to hire you – with ease and effortlessness.
Can you think of other ways to avoid business lock down? Share in the comments below.
Wendy Y Bailey
WendyY Bailey is often called a Force of Nature and a trendsetter in the coaching industry and for good reason. With more than 20 years of experience, she brings fearless innovation and bold strategy to entrepreneurial leaders, coaches, speakers, trainers, and consultants across the globe serving clients across the U.S., Canada, the UK, Spain, and Italy. Affectionately known as “WendyY” by clients, business associates, and colleagues, she’s also lovingly called “Auntie” or “Mama Coach” for her signature blend of Southern charm, fierce wisdom, and deep coaching insight. That special mix helps her clients double, triple, even quintuple their bottomline profits. WendyY is an internationally recognized thought leader, award-winning coach, two-time bestselling author, and sought-after business mentor.
