How to Brand Yourself on Social Media: Tips & Tricks

Craft a magnetic online presence that leaves a lasting impression and propels your brand to new heights

How to Brand Yourself on Social Media: Tips & Tricks - Clay

Create an online presence that leaves a lasting impression and takes your brand to new heights. Social media is a powerful tool for boosting brand awareness and audience engagement. But with so many filters, hashtags, and trends, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

That’s where a professional branding agency can help, with expertise in best practices and social media strategies. If you want to handle it internally or learn how to market better, here are some tips to build a strong, engaging social media presence.

The key? Understand that your main goal is to get your name out there and make your brand recognizable. Start with a clear brand identity and reflect it consistently in your social media content.

# 1. Set Clear Branding Goals to Elevate Your Personal Brand

What is the purpose of your personal brand statement? We will answer this question towards the end of the module. In the preceding sections, we have discussed how a well-defined personal brand can help launch a new venture, differentiate oneself in a saturated market, and enable business growth through enhanced sales. Setting objectives is the first step in any branding strategy.

A brand is meant to represent the value of your business, and if done the right way, it should bring you multiple benefits. If your brand is designed to demonstrate a specific competence and suggest additional employment possibilities, don't forget to improve your LinkedIn account.

Source: startupmindset

group of people brainstorming

Wishing to reach a wider audience and to create content with an active following? Twitter (X) is the best social media outlet for writing eye-catching posts and receiving likes and comments.

If you are a powerful visual communicator, consider using Instagram as your website and use Pinterest to showcase designs, DIY tasks, and art.

Once you have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish, you can devise a strategy to improve your visibility across different acceptable platforms.

This is important for your business's success. Brand strategy is key, for every piece of content and interaction moves you closer to success. Take your brand to the next level now!

# 2. Keep Your Profile Links Fresh

The strength of your overall online presence relies on how much information you provide, so your social media accounts and website links need to be updated regularly.

Think of these links as your digital handshake. The first impression directs everyone to your most important developments, whether it be your latest work, portfolio, business page, or project.

Frequent updates of your profile links make sure your audience, prospective clients, and collaborators have accessible and pertinent information regarding you all the time. If you're starting a campaign, event, or new content, your links must reflect those updates to ensure maximum engagement and visibility.

Moreover, your credibility is bound to improve, as staying on top of link management will show you are reputable. In this digital age, staying proactive will enhance your brand recognition. Being invested in your brand guarantees the best results.

Stay visible, stay relevant, remain consistent and shine your best self online.

# 3. Appeal to the Target Audience

As creative or exciting as your brand image may be, it won't be helpful if it doesn't appeal to the masses. This way, you can consider your brand identity as your company's personality. How would your brand sound and act to appeal to your target audience if your brand was a person?

How would they sound and communicate with others? How would they express themself? These ideas should be communicated through your personal branding content's tone, the type of language used, and the style of its visual aspects, among other elements.

Source: LinkedIn

A giant red target and a lot of different people in 1/3 of its size surrounding it

Language goes hand-in-hand with creating a tone for content, as certain words and phrases will relate to audiences better than others. Suppose your brand is looking to appeal to other businesses in the industry, for example.

In that case, they can use industry terms and vocabulary more than if they were looking to appeal to everyday consumers. Some words and phrases can also be generation - industry groups, or age-specific.

If done well, these wording choices should bleed into the brand's style and vice versa, trying it all together. This will include everything from the color scheme, font, and iconography to the type of photos and videos used.

# 4. Use the Right Platforms

It can be overwhelming when first embarking on a social media marketing journey. Every social media analytics site has rules, norms, and strategies, from TikTok to Facebook and LinkedIn. Using most platforms, the best way to get traction would be to speak to as broad an audience as possible.

Although this can work well for some, it takes a village to run that many social media accounts. Focusing on only a few social media networks can be better if you only have a small team or are just starting.

When picking social media platforms to focus your personal branding efforts on, it's best to look at the target audience, the brand's personality, personal values, and how it communicates. Is your business fun and quirky? Do you prefer humorous video ads?

Is it educational and data-driven in a way that would be communicated best through text and infographics? Or does it rely on emotional connections and loyal customers in a way that would work best with long-form videos such as those on YouTube?

Source: freestocks.org on Pexels

A person holding a smartphone displaying the YouTube logo on the screen

Different social media platforms will work best for various industries because of how users navigate the site, the type of social media users they use most often, and the primary user base.

TikTok, for instance, is best for brands looking to reach out to younger customers and for brands that can communicate with short videos. Meanwhile, a company looking for more professional clients should look at LinkedIn.

#5. Create Campaigns on Social Media Accounts

The social media platforms you choose and how you market will also highly depend on your goals and personal branding strategy.

Are you looking to build robust and long-term loyalty, or do you want to reach as many people as possible? Some platforms are better at marketing to potential customers, while others are best at reaching new audiences.

Rather than mold yourself into a platform's norms, picking ones that will work for you and your aim is best.

Think of campaign ideas that will work for your brand identity and audience before marketing on a social media platform rather than thinking of campaigns based on that platform.

This could be anything from running simple ads to holding contests or giveaways and everything in between.

Source: LinkedIn

Choosing the right social media platform infographic

The main aim of most campaigns is to generate interaction and engagement between you and your consumers. For example, a Facebook page or Instagram contest naturally creates interest in engaging content because the audience will share the visual content for entries.

Companies can also use influencers to promote their products, tapping into these well-known figures' audiences to build trust. However, although the goals of many companies are the same (traffic), the way they achieve them can be very different. Think outside the box!

#6. Create Compelling Content

No matter how many ads and marketing campaigns you put out, they won't amount to much if they're not interesting. Content must catch attention and keep it, whether by being memorable, shocking, creating an emotional connection, or compelling in some other way.

A classic approach to compelling video content is to create a story. This helps develop the brand identity in-depth, communicate that persona effectively to customers, and create long-term interest. Audiences also tend to enjoy stories as they're such a familiar form.

Many companies use this tactic on social media profiles to advertise how they help others in the community. Others even use storytelling to invite engagement by asking audience input about where the narrative should go.

Source: Pepper Content

The science of storytelling infographic

#7. Keep It Consistent

Whether your audience, what content you provide, or what social media and campaigns you decide to do, consistency is the most crucial brand identity factor.

If visual branding on social media often changes from campaign to campaign, audiences need help recognizing it as belonging to the company. Building loyalty on social channel will also be more challenging, as consumers must learn what your brand is all about.

This is why it's so important to think long and hard about brand identity at the beginning before emerging into the public eye. Although there can be some trial and error, it's best to stick with your decisions once they've been set.

Staying within a brand identity and coming up with new and innovative ideas that fit within that consistent brand voice and tone can take some creativity, which is why many companies turn to a professional team. But this can also be an excellent exercise for the team to reaffirm the company's core values and goals and move forward with more purpose.

#8. Streamline the Process Using Apps

Posting effective campaigns on various social media channels takes a lot of time and scheduling, which is why so many have dedicated teams of people to do it. Luckily, numerous apps and software platforms can help to streamline the process.

Some social media automation tools can help organize campaigns and keep track of dates. In contrast, others can post them automatically and keep track of analytics and user data to see how successful they've been. This can be great for small businesses or those starting up who often juggle too many projects.

Source: Unsplash

A woman touching her wrist watches

Not only does this give back control, allowing social media posts to be scheduled on your time rather than that of the audience or platform, but it can also be necessary for research purposes. Every campaign should be closely watched to see the results and to look for ways to improve.

This doesn't just have to do with how many people a campaign reaches but who it reaches and in what ways. For example, user location, age, gender, the device used, and other important factors are often tracked and can shape more effective marketing campaigns in the future.

#9. Unlock the Power of Influencers

Influencer marketing is no longer the reserve of big brands with bottomless pockets - it has transformed how companies of all sizes operate.

However, collaborating with influencers is not enough; successful influencer marketing involves meaningful relationships with creators. This takes some degree of planning, work, and doing things with intent.

The world of influencer marketing has changed beyond recognition. Where big-name celebrities and social media icons with millions of followers used to reign supreme, now micro-influencers are in charge.

They may have a relatively small following, but these niche creators deliver more excellent engagement rates and form deeper trust with their fans. This is critical for brands that seek to make strong connections with their customers. The personal touch makes their endorsements much more credible than traditional celebrities.

Source: stock.adobe

the importance of influencer

How do you identify the right influencer for your brand? Platforms like Meltwater orBrandwatch can help find them by pinpointing content creators who embody your brand ethos and cater to your desired demographic.

Once you have identified the ideal candidate, get in touch - comment on, like, or share their content, message them on their platform of choice, and articulate your objectives. Making genuine, sincere approaches with a well-drafted message increases the chances of collaboration.

The influencer marketing world continues to change, but one thing holds true: Meaningful relationships with creators have the potential to take your brand to new heights.

Whether you are developing your first campaign or refining your last one, the time is now to use the power of influencers to grow your business.

#10. Build a Powerful Personal Brand

Building a personal brand online can be an exciting process, but it is important to note that leaving a lasting impression requires authenticity to self.

Your online presence should portray your values, character, and niche gifts. Knowing how to maneuver on social media is essential, but understanding how to maintain good social standing is just as important.

Consider your social media profile a lively element of your personal brand - your virtual summary displays your qualifications and character. While reposting content is an effective method, it should not be the only route you take to increase brand recognition.

Establish yourself as an industry expert by sharing your original insights and experiences. Remember, you are not only joining the conversation; you are the one directing it.

Engage your audience by mixing up your content. Post your industry news analysis, share life events, and everything else. Whether those moments include travel, hobbies, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of you, showing vulnerability makes your brand more trustworthy.

Don't be afraid to share if you're working from a beachside cafe or juggling a full-time position and side hustle. People love genuine stories, so tell yours proudly.

Source: medium

group of people brainstorming

Worried about how your private data is being handled? You may consider having two separate online accounts, one strictly for personal use and the other reserved for networking purposes.

Private accounts can connect with family and friends, whereas public accounts can network, share knowledge, and highlight your skills. If any of your posts include your employer, ensure to check their social media guidelines to avoid workplace conflicts.

Above all, authentic self-representation across all social media platforms is the key to success these days. Be thoughtful, intentional, and careful about how you portray yourself online.

Social media shouldn't just be seen as a tool; it serves as a platform where professionals can showcase their skills, network, and create their personal brand.

Read more:

The Bottom Line

Social media is a fast-moving marketing environment that requires adaptability to remain relevant and competitive.

Creating a serious social media management strategy or, even better, having a professional team can help to make this process much more manageable.

An organized plan will also help keep everyone on track and ensure that goals are met, leading to tremendous success.

No matter how many platforms you use, what you decide to post, or who you have in charge of marketing, social media can be an excellent tool for your personal life and business to grow with your company.

Even starting small can do wonders for getting your name out there and generating leads as long as you effectively communicate using the concepts of your brand identity.

Good luck!

Clay's Team

About Clay

Clay is a UI/UX design & branding agency in San Francisco. We team up with startups and leading brands to create transformative digital experience. Clients: Facebook, Slack, Google, Amazon, Credit Karma, Zenefits, etc.

Learn more

Share this article

Clay's Team

About Clay

Clay is a UI/UX design & branding agency in San Francisco. We team up with startups and leading brands to create transformative digital experience. Clients: Facebook, Slack, Google, Amazon, Credit Karma, Zenefits, etc.

Learn more

Share this article

Link copied