8 Things You Should NEVER Reveal On Social Media About Your Side Hustle

What not to share about your side hustle on social media — Image Source: 123rf.com

Social media feels like the perfect place to promote a side hustle and celebrate wins. Plus, it’s a great space to build customer engagement. But oversharing can backfire in ways entrepreneurs don’t expect. Employers, competitors, and even scammers are watching what you post. Some details invite legal, financial, or reputational risks. These can jeopardize your entire business. Here are 8 things you should never reveal about your side hustle online.

1. Exact Earnings or Profits

You may be very excited about your earnings. Maybe you hit a profit goal that you’ve been working toward. But bragging about income can cause unwanted attention from the IRS. It can also give more information than you should to competitors. While it’s great to be transparent, too much detail on social media can create too much risk.

2. Client or Customer Data

You should always keep customer data private. Sharing too much customer information can break trust and violate privacy agreements. If you’re sharing information about orders, always blur out customer information. One small slip-up can cost you loyal customers or even your entire business.

3. Behind-the-Scenes Contracts or Pricing

Finding good suppliers is always difficult. You don’t want to share this information with competitors. Always keep your sources and pricing confidential. Otherwise, you could put your contracts at risk. Plus, you’ll give competitors an edge.

4. Complaints About Customers or Employers

It’s never a good idea to vent on social media. Clients and employers may see it as unprofessional. It’s not worth damaging your reputation. Even an anonymous post can be traced back to you. What you may see as harmless can cause irrevocable damage.

5. Tax or Legal Shortcuts

Any compliance discussions should happen offline and in private. You should never talk about tax loophole or “off-the-book” deals. This could get you in serious trouble if you are audited or sued. Even if you did nothing wrong, it could raise red flags.

6. Expansion Plans Too Early

Never share business secrets like new products, partnerships, or launches before they happen. You might be able to post a tease, but don’t share full details. Competitors might be able to beat you to market. Or customers can lose trust if you don’t fulfill your promises.

7. Personal Burnout or Financial Struggles

It’s important to be authentic, but don’t overshare. Your struggles can shake client confidence. It can also open you up to scams. It’s important to find the balance between honesty and professionalism. If you are truly struggling, a professional organization may have resources to help you. But social media posts will only open you up to criticism, not real solutions.

8. Passwords, Systems, or Security Gaps

Surprisingly, some side hustlers post about the tools and shortcuts they use. If you post about this, you’re inviting hackers to use this information. Security weaknesses should never be public knowledge. Otherwise, your business is likely to get hacked.

Why Smart Side Hustlers Share Strategically

Social media is a powerful marketing tool, but only when used wisely. Oversharing creates unnecessary risks with taxes, clients, and competitors. So, entrepreneurs should think twice before posting sensitive information. Strategic sharing can help you build a stronger, safer side hustle.

Have you ever shared too much about your side hustle online? What’s one lesson you learned about keeping business details private?