What do you do if your personal brand on social media platforms needs a boost?

Look at your personal brand with critical eyes. Don’t glorify your work, just because you’re the one who did it. Search for areas where visuals and messaging are inconsistent. After auditing, do research to find outside inspiration before refreshing your brand.

Automation can be handy, but nothing beats genuine, personalized interaction. I make it a point to respond to comments, messages, and mentions with a personal touch. This approach not only strengthens connections with your audience but also reinforces your brand as approachable and engaged.

Evaluate your current presence across platforms. Does your bio, profile picture, and content consistently convey your expertise and personality? Do you need to revamp how you represent yourself visually and textually?

Auditing your brand is a must-do step! Be objective in examining your social profiles. Is there consistency? Do the visuals and content align with the message you want to convey? If you're too close to it, ask people who know nothing about your brand what it conveys.

Audit your brand as a WHOLE before you focus on social media alone. Make sure you feel confident in the persona you’re putting forth: What is your subject matter expertise? What industries/communities are relevant for you? What tone of voice or sense of humor are appropriate for you? Once you know the personal brand you want to promote going forward, you can opt to take a measured or a more extreme approach to refreshing your brand on social media. If the former, simply start ramping up your posting and engagement with thoughtful, regular contributions. If the latter, you can actually wipe your social media history (manually or with tools that mass-delete content) while retaining your followers/connections to give your brand a fresh start.

When defining objectives for your personal brand, it's important to be clear about what you want to achieve and how you want to be perceived. For example, if you're a freelance graphic designer, your objective might be to establish yourself as a go-to expert in minimalist design, aiming to land contracts with high-profile clients. Be specific about your goals and the steps you'll take to reach them.

Are you aiming for thought leadership, networking, or attracting new leads? Clarity dictates your content strategy, and how you measure success (follower count vs. engagement with content).

Without defined goals, it's easy to drift, post random things, and feel like you're getting nowhere. Objectives keep you laser-focused on what you really want. What content will help you reach that audience growth goal vs. positioning yourself as a thought leader? Objectives drive the type of content you create and how you present it. Are you primarily interested in follower growth, or is website traffic from social media more important? Your objectives tell you what data to monitor to determine whether your strategy is working. Seeing progress relative to a clear goal is exciting. It helps you stay on track when enthusiasm ebbs and flows.

If using social media for professional purposes, your objectives likely fall into one or both of these groups: 1. Developing as a thought leader: You're focused on being perceived as authoritative and credible in your field. You stay in the know on relevant industry topics, contribute thought-provoking perspective, and may ultimately earn more exclusive speaking/presenting opportunities. 2. Promoting something: Outright or indirect, self-promotion is why most brands and businesses use social media. You provide expertise, then share a link to your website for more info. You share engaging videos or graphics, and thus build your audience and increase your brand awareness. Know what you want to accomplish to build your strategy.

Social media is about conversations! Respond to comments, share insights on posts in your niche, join relevant groups and actively participate. Building genuine connections is more valuable than just pushing out your own content.

Respond 👏 to 👏 your 👏 comments! It demonstrates that you value your audience’s input and are willing to engage in conversation, building trust and loyalty. If someone takes time out of their day to engage with your brand, they’re more likely to reengage if you respond.

People forget the word "social" in social media! Engagement isn't just about numbers; it's about connecting with your audience on a human level - being social. This builds brand loyalty and advocacy. A responsive, engaged brand says you're accessible, invested, and care about your audience. Engagement acts as a stamp of approval. When others see lively interaction on your posts, they're more inclined to check out and engage with your content. Engage more by: - Asking open-ended questions. - Responding is more important than reacting! Don't just "like" comments – take time to write a genuine reply. Keep the conversation flowing. - Go beyond your feed. Comment thoughtfully on other people's content (not in a spammy, self-promotional way).

Think of it as giving your online persona a makeover—just like getting a new haircut, but for your content! Experiment with funny memes, engaging videos, or maybe even a dramatic reading of your grocery list. Keep it fresh, keep it fun, and watch your audience flock to you like seagulls to a french fry!

Buidling your own Linkedin newsletter on a specific topic could a great tool to boost your personal brand image. One of the key success factor is to ensure recurrency : for instance, once every week, same time same day, you share new information on your selected topic to your audience. People will get use to your rythm and will be more keen on following your opinion on the long run.

Analyze your past posts. What performed well? Double down on those content themes. Test new formats – could you turn written advice into short videos, share inspiring quotes, or host industry-related Q&As?

Some people devour long-form articles, others love visuals, and some get excited about video. Variety ensures something for everyone. Even the best content formula gets stale if that's ALL you do. A refreshed mix keeps your followers excited to see what's next. Content Refresh Ideas -Can something you know well be distilled into a "tip of the day" graphic or a quick video tutorial? -People love the relatable work-in-progress shots, your creative workspace, and even a "things that made me laugh this week" type post that humanizes your brand. - Repurpose that in-depth blog post or article you wrote. Use quote-worthy bits to create graphics or a short video.

Sporadic posting won't get noticed. Create a content calendar and stick to it, even if it starts small (2-3 quality posts per week). Batch-creating content during focused sessions helps.

Consistency rewards every time. Sharing a great post once versus sharing a good post regularly; what would you choose? Consistency demonstrates intent and commitment - and these two elements build trust and likeability. While building your personal brand, this is a great way to build trust & reputation. Stay consistent. Take a stand. Keep reiterating your promise as a brand (your USP, your relevance, your area of expertise) consistently.

Consistency is often the difference between a personal brand that fizzles and one that thrives. Consistent colour schemes, fonts, and an overall 'look' make your content instantly recognisable in a crowded feed. Tips to be consistent. -Figure out a frequency you CAN maintain (even if it's 2 quality posts a week) and stick to it. -Set aside a block of time to create several pieces of content at once. -Canva or similar tools let you create basic templates for things like quote graphics. This speeds up production and keeps the look consistent. Consistency doesn't mean boring! But it is a technique to make you memorable.

Networking is key for personal branding because it helps you expand your reach and connect with like-minded creators and brands. By engaging with others in your industry, you can learn from their experiences, collaborate on projects, and even discover new opportunities. Additionally, many social platforms recommend similar accounts, so networking can help increase your visibility and attract new followers who share your interests.

Social media platforms are social networks first and foremost. They simply use tech to bridge physical distances and bring you closer to anyone around the world. Take advantage of this! Using your social media accounts for posting only is one-sided. Take a more reciprocal approach, following and engaging with other thought leaders in your industry. By showing interest and making the discussion conversational, you’ll develop more meaningful relationships that can initiate introductions to a broader network.

For years I have managed campaigns and strategy for clients but neglected my own social platforms. By revitalising my strategy and platforms they have now become an effective marketing tool and showcase for what I can offer.

If you have a personal brand that is based on a specific industry, try to find other creators and you can collaborate. This will help increase reach on both of your accounts!

Struggling with a weak social media presence? Here's a quick fix: Captivate Your Audience: Share valuable, niche-specific content that resonates. Engage & Be Real: Respond, discuss, and showcase your personality. Visually Appealing: Polish your profile and use high-quality visuals. Post Regularly: Stick to a schedule to stay visible. Network & Collaborate: Connect with your field and explore collaborations. Hashtags Matter: Use relevant hashtags to get discovered. Showcase Your Work: Share achievements, portfolio pieces, and articles. Track & Adapt: Monitor performance and adjust your strategy. Remember, building a strong personal brand takes consistent effort. So dive in and start creating!

Don't neglect your personal social accounts. Especially as you pursue higher-level positions, employers are more likely to check your social media accounts. Keep your profiles professional, showcasing your expertise through industry-related content and thoughtful engagement. Take care to adjust privacy settings as needed and keep your information up to date. Your social media can be a valuable asset in your job search, so make sure it reflects positively on you as a candidate.