We're closing on selling our bakery in about a month. Instagram has 12k followers, TikTok maybe 3k, Facebook 4k. Buyer asked about 'getting the accounts too.' I know you can just hand over the passwords, but that feels sloppy. What's the cleanest way to do this so nobody loses access or followers? Do we literally change the email to theirs and be done? Or is there a proper transfer tool? Also, our Instagram is linked to my personal Facebook, which is a mess. Any advice?
Social Media
Transferring social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok, FB) to the buyer cleanly
IG linked to your personal FB is the worst part. You might have to convert it to a business account and unlink first. i'd create a fresh Meta business portfolio for the bakery, add the buyer as admin, then remove yourself after closing. Don't just give passwords.
Just change the email and password and call it a day. Worked for my cousin's taco truck. Nobody cares about 'clean' as long as the posts keep coming.
That works until the buyer can't reset the password because the recovery phone is still yours. Then they're locked out, and you're getting 2FA codes at 11pm. Definitely change recovery info too.
For TikTok, you can chnge the email and phone directly in settings. It's actually pretty painless. But if the account was created with a personal email you don't want to hand over, create a new email for the business and swap to that first. Same with Facebook page—add buyer as admin, then downgrade yourself after closing. Don't delete your personal profile, obviously.
Also, get it in the purchase agreement. If you hand over accounts under the table and the buyer gets locked out, they'll come back at you. Write down exactly which accounts, the emails, and that you'll assist for 30 days post-close. Cover your butt.
Why not just start fresh? 12k followers sounds like a lot but half are probably bots or people who moved. A new bakery with the same name will gain traction faster than you think. Transferring is a headache.
12k local followers is not nothing for a bakery. That's real revenue. Don't listen to this guy.
I transferred a FB page once and forgot to update the linked Instagram. Buyer had the page for 3 months before realizing they couldn't post reels. Awkward phone call. So yeah, check every integration.
One more thing—if you've been running ads, cancel the payment method on the ad account before you hand it over. Otherwise you're paying for the buyer's promos. Ask me how I know.
lol at 'ask me how I know.' But yeah, that's a real trap. Also ceck if your IG is connected to a Shopify or a scheduling tool. Those tokens can linger.