Can I use the same set of social media accounts on two sites?

[markpine360]

I have a client who's company name / main site name is not his name. All his social accounts connected to his site are in his name. The site is verified with Google Places, etc.

Now he asked for me to create a site for him in his own name with some similar info and a lot of new info.

The million dollar question is do I use the same social media accounts on the new site? Facebook, twitter, youtube, etc? Will that hurt the organic rankings of the main site?

I've seen this similar situation before. You may have someone who works at a large corporation who is mentioned on the main site has their own personal profile site just about them. Where they can go more in depth about things they are doing.

If the other set of social account where in the company name it would be a no brainer to create new social accounts in his name. The issue is the main companies social accounts are already in his name.

[gazzerman1]

How bad would it be for the company reputation if he moves all the social he has to his new site and starts a new ones for the current site in the company name?

The reason I ask is that businesses get sold/change hands etc... and when that day comes all his social property will be attached to it. That's not attractive to a buyer and can cause a lot of trouble.

[markpine360]

its a doctor, not going to change hands.

[Digital-Diameter]

Very interesting question. My instinct would be that if the client's new site is where he is now moving all of his resources and it is replacing the old site I would 301 the old site so Google will see the correlation. I am not aware of any 'rule' that the social media names on any site have to match the company / site name. Having said that, will people interacting know the individual as well as the brand? I might be wary of confusing your users if the brand name / messaging is not consistent.

Hope that helps.

[markpine360]

not moving resources keeping current site. just want to have another site 100% focused on individual

[Krankensigns.com]

I have done this myself and I see no problem with it at all.