Chris Curtin

It’s common knowledge that small companies now have the power to communicate with consumers via social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Since your profile is always the first thing new contacts check, it must be effective. In fact, your social media profile may be more valuable than you think. How you show your profile can either make or break your brand’s online growth. Profile content that intrigues gain attention. It is the first crucial step to engaging your audience. Whether you are just starting out or are a social media veteran, follow these steps to make the most of your brand’s online presence:

Use The Appropriate Name

When creating your social media profile, make sure to use the company name as your page’s name. Though this may sound obvious, many companies will build separate profile pages for different brands in the hopes of gaining views and followers for that particular product. Customers aren’t interested in following thousands of different accounts for only one company.  Recognizing this, always build one profile for your company and use only the company’s name as the page name (only if operating as a business). 

Check Other Accounts

Do your homework and look at other accounts on different social media platforms. What attracts your curiosity and what repels it? To whom do you want to make contact? Take notes on what people are doing.

Add Links To Your Profile

Don’t miss the opportunity to promote your other accounts, your website for example, on your social media profile. The best thing about social media sites is that they allow you to link your other accounts on their platform.  This makes it simpler for your followers to access your website. This would significantly increase the number of visitors on your website by allowing them to learn more about your business and leading them to sections where they can make purchases.

Customize Designs

As tempting as it may be, try to avoid using one of the preset themes offered by Twitter. Choose a design or color scheme that reflects your brand. To keep it simple, choose colors from your website or logo to customize your page. Twitter also allows you to upload a wallpaper image. If you take this route, use your logo or a defining image from your website. Remember, consistency is key.

Create An Enticing Bio

A bio is a vital aspect of any social media platform. Here are a few tips to create an effective one for your social media profile:

• Instead of asking people about themselves, show them what you’ve done.
• Make sure the keywords are relevant to your target market.
• Avoid overhyped words in your bio and instead write something that is both new and knowledgeable.
• Always respond to a reader’s question to entice them to visit your social media profile.

Keep Your Social Media Profile Up To Date

Many social media veterans recommend that you keep the facts intact across all channels. Consistent information and messaging across your profile can provide your business with a more professional appearance, especially if it matches the information found on your website. This would give your audience a sense of credibility and might even attract new clients. This is why it is important to keep your profile up to date.

If you’ve been trying to create a social media profile but don’t have any idea how to start everything right, then now is the time to get started! Use these tips to build outstanding profiles that can help you attract clients and generate sales. Not to mention, having a well-crafted social media profile can help your business grow into the profitable venture it wants to be!

Also Read: 5 Effective Steps to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

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Did you know that one of the easiest ways to find a new career is to network? In fact, according to one study, networking is responsible for 85% of job placements. That only leaves 15% of people searching for jobs on employment boards or recruitment agencies. Networking is essential for managing your career in general, not just through transitions. Despite this, the majority of people are unable to effectively network. Here are some of the most common social networking mistakes that you should be aware of:

It’s Not All About You

Yes, social media is a platform that provides free marketing. Is that a reason to make its sole use self-promotion? Not if you want your venture into the digital realm to be successful. Users log on to their accounts to build relationships, both social and professional. The best way to gain (and keep) followers are to do the same. Make posts interactive by asking questions, and be sure to reply to any comments. For instance, Bankers Advocate’s goal in the use of social media is to be 90% education/information and only 10% commercial. We believe this minimizes “opt-outs.” If you’re not building personal connections, your digital presence will be ineffective.

Avoid Wearing Too Many Hats

Beware of wearing too many hats while developing your online persona. This an important social networking mistake that you should avoid. In order to build credibility, maintain a single focus – even if you are an expert in multiple topics. If you are a realtor, stick to Realty. This is the best way to prevent your brand from becoming diluted. Note: Bankers Advocate offers many services, so I understand the struggle to succinctly convey multiple levels of expertise. Creating a solution for a multifaceted business requires a critical look at your services and the needs of your online audience. This takes time. Until a plan is developed, keep your audience engaged and begin to establish online relationships.

Stay Away From Negative Posts

There is nothing like a news feed full of negative posts to drive a follower mad. Never, I repeat never, express your complaints and frustrations through social media. It is a sure-fire way to lose an audience. Demonstrating a positive and open attitude is attractive to everyone.

Don’t Let Your Caution Overshadow Your Personality

One of the most common social networking mistakes that people fall for is being unable to handle their nervousness. While it is important to watch your words, don’t let your caution block your personality. Again, users log on to social media accounts to build relationships. You can remain professional without being institutional. Without showing who you are, you cannot cultivate a relationship. If there’s no relationship, you have no trust. Without trust, you will have no audience.

Avoid Asking For Open Opportunities

While it might seem paradoxical, the aim of requesting a meeting should not be to inquire about open positions. If you mention it as an excuse, you would almost certainly be directed to their website or asked to submit your resume. You will lose out on important insights, the opportunity to meet new people, and the chance to communicate your positive energies and experience if you do not engage in conversation.

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Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is one of the easiest ways to start creating your personal brand online. Getting a professionally optimized LinkedIn profile would help you if you’re an entrepreneur, a professional, or a business executive. It’s not a secret that if you use LinkedIn, you are looking to make connections. Not only do you want to find people, but you also want others to find you. Once you’ve been noticed, what will compel someone to connect with you? To maximize your chances of making the right connections, follow these simple steps:

1. Don’t Skip The Profile Picture

Your business logo should not be used as an avatar on LinkedIn because this program is designed to connect people together, not businesses. Showing your face with your name increases your odds of being contacted. It helps in identifying you, demonstrates the validity of your account, and adds credibility to your LinkedIn profile.

2. Update Your LinkedIn Profile Regularly

This is that “What are you working on?” box right under your headline. Its location is highly visible, increasing its importance. This is an excellent place to use business keywords to increase the number of people who see your profile. If you use Twitter, you can choose to make your tweets appear here. Just use this option if you want to keep your Twitter purely professional.

3. Incorporate Relevant Details To Build 

Your profile has been discovered by a reader. They see your photo, read your status update, and then go straight to your summary for more details. Make a strong impression and take advantage of the available space. This is your opportunity to truly develop your personal brand. Consider it a resume’s Executive Summary, but feel free to have a few personal interests including golf, travel, or photography. Utilize this section to its fullest extent.

4. List Positions Effectively

It is important to remember that even if you list previously held positions, it means nothing without a detailed description. Listing positions are great for catching the eye, but be sure to add details to sell your specific skill sets. This is another great place to utilize the power of keywords. Be sure to also list every school you’ve attended and all previous (career-related) jobs in your LinkedIn profile. One of the effective ways to gain attention is through a company or school search. Be thorough – it all matters. Even neglecting to list your high school can lower your chances of making connections.

5. Give Recommendations

Did you notice that if you don’t have three recommendations on your profile, LinkedIn doesn’t deem your profile complete? As an alternative to requesting recommendations, write them for others. Not only will this strengthen your connections, but you will also most likely receive them in return.

Also Read:  A Short Crash Course: How To Sell Yourself (and Your Company) Effectively

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Just because “everyone is doing it” doesn’t mean that you should follow the same social media marketing strategy that every other marketer or entrepreneur is doing for their company.  From a corporate standpoint, it’s important to consider how building an online presence can help you in achieving your objectives. While companies that refuse to adapt to this changing society will find themselves at a disadvantage, jumping into the online universe without a plan won’t get you too far either. That said,  the steps below will assist you in establishing a strong social media profile.

1. Perform Market Analysis

It’s crucial to start by studying what other businesses are doing. Do a quick online search for brands in your industry, for example. What is the status of their profile? What kind of interactions do they have with their audience? How much do they update their status? What kinds of things do they talk about? What strategies have they used to build partnerships with other organizations? Consider what you do and don’t like. This procedure would eliminate obstacles and provide you with a clear direction. Doing a competitive analysis can also help you figure out what works and what doesn’t with companies similar to yours.

2. Define and Establish Objectives

Clear goals must be set so that you have a better vision to keep you on track. You’ll be able to monitor your progress with these predetermined goals. The path to successful social media integration is proper preparation. Here are Christopher Barger’s social media objectives when he first took advantage of the said medium:

• Become more responsive to both potential and existing customers
• Incorporate audience/consumer reviews into the company faster and more efficiently than in the past. 
• Incorporate audience/consumer reviews into the company faster and more efficiently than in the past.  
• Make the brand more “human” to the outside world by demonstrating the experience, charisma, and enthusiasm of the people behind the brand.
• Raise awareness of your current product lineup’s strengths, as well as provide insight and factual knowledge about your brand.

3. Consider Hiring a Social Media Manager

Do you have someone who manages the social media accounts and goals once they’ve been established? Based on the size and community of the organization, social media should be assigned to a single individual or department. If recruiting a contractor isn’t an option, make sure you know your employees’ level of experience and interest first. If necessary, have proper training. There are a variety of immersive, multimedia workshops that can be completed in as little as 45 minutes to teach staff the fundamentals of social media management.

4. Take Advantage of a Social Media Calendar

A social media calendar assists you with posting the appropriate material on the necessary social networks at regular intervals. It should include a content blend strategy. Starting with the 80-20 rule is a good place to go. 80% of the content should be used to inform, teach, or entertain the audience. Use the remaining 20% to advertise your business or market your merchandise. 

5. Be Strategic When Choosing The Right Platform

Avoid jumping to conclusions when it comes to determining where your target demographic spends their online time. For instance, neglecting Facebook and focusing on Instagram and TikTok when targeting Gen Zs is not the right approach. Don’t rely on your instincts but rather check recent studies or data that can help you identify which platform offers the highest response rate. One example is that nearly a quarter of Facebook users are 18-24 years old.

When marketing to baby boomers, social media may not seem to be a top priority. However, it should be. Facebook and Pinterest are the most popular social media platforms among baby boomers. Adults over 65 are the fastest-growing demographic on Facebook. Perhaps you believe TikTok marketing isn’t right for your business. Even well-known brands of audiences beyond Generation Z are playing with this platform.

Here are a few tips to remember when establishing your presence in social media:

• You’re building a structure brick by brick, not hanging a sign on a door. Creating the accounts and waiting for people to come won’t work. To gain followers, you have to stay active. Consistently post relevant pieces of information and news. Update your followers on a regular basis. Also, cross-promote with your website, publications, and any other social media accounts.
• Social media is not a one-way form of communication. In order to develop a personal persona, check in with your audience by asking for feedback and responding to questions and comments. This builds a relationship and keeps them checking back. Social media is only a tool to allow you to make connections in an easier way. Once the connection is made, it‘s up to you to build the relationship.
• The ability to speak directly to your customers and followers is a valuable benefit of social media ads for your business. Instead of pressing for a sale, you should develop relationships over time.

All in all, building social media presence is not that difficult, especially if you know the ins and outs of the process. Discover more helpful articles by checking out our blogs here on Bankers Advocate.

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