Social media is a fantastic resource for crafting your brand and driving tangible results; with millions of people actively seeking out information and resources, you have a tremendous opportunity to get noticed and hired!
Branding yourself on social media is necessary to stand out and get noticed. Not only do today’s savvy customers expect it, but 77% of people are likelier to buy from a business they follow online.
Unlike traditional marketing, which offers one-way communication, social media is a two-way street that provides an inexpensive yet effective way to ENGAGE WITH POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND DRIVE LEADS AND SALES.
So, how do you make a good digital first impression? Follow our tips to take control of your online reputation and brand yourself on social media so people see you the way you want to be seen.
5 Tips to Elevate Your Social Media Branding
Whether you are just starting or have been in the game for a while, here are some tips to help you make the most of social media branding.
- Choose the Right Platform
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok are the most popular social media channels. While it’s possible to have a presence on each of them, it’s better to master one or two social media platforms at a time.
Before committing to a platform, ask yourself:
- Which platforms are your customers using?
- Which platforms are your competitors using? If you aren’t sure, do research and find out.
- Which platform best suits the type of content you want to post? For example, if you’re an image consultant, visually-orientated platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are best.
- Set Clear Goals and Objectives
A pivotal part of successfully branding yourself on social media is setting targeted goals and developing your strategy with a clear direction. Your goals should be simple and task-orientated.
For example, to create brand awareness you might consider increasing the following:
- Followers count – “How many people can you potentially reach?”
- Reach your social media posts – “How many people have to reach each day/week/month?”
- Mentions, shares, and RTs – “How many people are talking about your brand or sharing your social media posts?”
Try to be as specific as possible. It’s far better to aim for “a 20% increase in followers” than just “more followers.”
Though social media branding has many facets, the SMART goal methodology is a good starting point. It offers a means to monitor your progress and make changes when needed. Whatever goals you set should always be SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE, RELEVANT, and TIMELY.
- Define Your Brand Identity
Every brand, from Christian Dior to Revlon, has a distinct brand identity. You, too, must decide on which combination of visual and content choices represents your business’s personality.
Color identifies your brand and is something you should stick with when creating visual content on social media. Amazon is blue, Airbnb is pink, and MAC cosmetics is black, for example. Using the same brand colors, fonts, and logos on all your social media accounts is critical to ensure your business is easily recognizable.
Then, there’s brand voice – how your brand communicates to audiences. This is seen through your brand’s copy, imagery, typography, and graphics. Remember, regardless of what you choose, YOU WANT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING TO BE CONSISTENT AND RECOGNIZABLE.
- Post Relevant Content Regularly
The rule is simple: The more you post on social media, the more visibility you get. And the more visible you are, the more your potential customers become familiar with your brand. However, quality always beats frequency. Only post things that offer value to your followers.
So, how often should you post? Leading marketing software company HubSpot recommends:
- Facebook and LinkedIn: Between two to five posts per week, as these will get distributed by the networks’ feeds.
- Instagram: Post between three and seven times per week.
- Twitter and Pinterest: Any time. The timeline frequently updates on these platforms, so the more regularly you post, the better.
And remember, your aim should be to get more likes, comments, and shares to make feed algorithms work for you. You become a trusted community member by consistently showing up online, and people buy from brands they trust!
- Engage With Followers and Your Targeted Audience
Responding to comments, asking questions, and acknowledging your followers’ presence makes them feel valued and appreciated. These simple actions help build rapport and loyalty, leading to more followers, engagements, and sales.
A report by Sprout Social found when customers feel connected to brands, 57% will increase their spending, and 76% will continue to buy from them rather than a competitor.
Don’t limit engagement to your current followers – interact with your target audience to build your following. A great way to stay connected with your audience is to dedicate one hour daily to communicating with new audiences and your followers on your social media channels. Make sure to respond quickly and professionally to any messages and comments so your followers feel valued and heard.
Build Your Social Media Brand with The 4×4 Color System®
ByFERIAL’s 4×4 Color System can help you build your brand on social media. When you understand color theory, you’ll know how to choose the right colors for your brand and its various components like logos, website design and marketing materials.
Knowing the psychology and science behind color ensures your business conveys your intended message and appeals to your ideal customers!
Find out more about ByFERIAL Image & Color Institute’s training courses and certifications to maximize your social media presence and understand how color analysis can help your career and profits grow!!
