You want to create a professional social media presence. What are some tips to follow?

Social media platforms are like holes on a board. If TikTok is a square, but you are a circle, do not try to force yourself into a space that does not feel right for your brand. Social media is about time, effort & energy. You have to pour yourself into platforms consistently if you want to make waves. For that reason, you do not want to spread yourself thin by being on 5 of them at once. Start with a platform you naturally gravitate towards. Build it up over time. Once you have a grasp on things, think about what platform makes sense to bring your content onto next without dropping the ball on the first platform you conquered. When you enjoy what you do, people can tell through the energy of your posts. Stay true to yourself.

When it comes to choosing a platform for social media presence , it really depends on your target audience and the type of content you want to share. Instagram is great for visual content like photos and videos, while Facebook is more versatile for different types of posts. Twitter is good for short updates and engaging with your audience in real-time. If you're looking to reach a younger demographic, TikTok could be a fun option too! It's all about finding the platform that aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience.

Just because there are multiple platforms available, doesn’t mean you have to be on them all! Choosing the right social media platform depends on your target audience, content type, and overall goals. Consider factors like demographics, engagement metrics, and platform features. Do your research on where your audience spends most of their time and tailor your strategy accordingly. It's also helpful to look at what your competitors are doing and the success on different platforms to help inform your decision.

Know the psychology of the people who are on the platform you chose to build a brand on. If you’re reading this then presumably that platform is LinkedIn. I was getting millions of content and post impressions even before having a strong six figure following here by speaking with not at my audience and leaning into the WHY people are choosing to be active here.

Lo más importante sin duda es que tengas claro qué persigues con tu presencia en redes sociales, para qué quieres estar en ellas. Un objetivo claro y concreto que te permita guiarte y avanzar.

A LinkedIn profile should not read as a resume/CV or an extension of one and should always be in the first person and understands but not “too” humble. West social proof on your sleeve. Let people know immediately who you are, what you do and WHY THEY SHOULD CARE.

Instead of concentrating only on theoretical topics make use of your personal experiences and successes. For example, sharing stories on LinkedIn about times you overcame obstacles or overcame hesitations might really connect with your audience. You may establish a relevant connection with people and demonstrate your knowledge by sharing real-life experiences and ideas. Recall that establishing a respectable online presence and keeping your audience interested depend heavily on relevancy and genuineness. You can check my profile too. i have posted some of my insight.

To establish a professional social media presence, optimizing your profiles is crucial. Begin by selecting a clear, high-quality profile picture and cover photo that aligns with your brand or profession. Craft a concise and compelling bio, incorporating relevant keywords for search optimization. Ensure your username is professional and easy to remember. Complete all sections of your profile with accurate information, including contact details and website links. Regularly update your profile with fresh content to keep it engaging and relevant. Lastly, maintain a consistent visual style and tone across all platforms to reinforce your brand identity.

Your profile is your shop window. Fill up with valuable information about yourself, your profession, what makes you passionate? Optimize for the search with keywords, hashtags, links. Make your profile exciting but also easy to understand. Engage people not only with your knowledge, personality but with your one of your most important digital footprint, with your profile.

I can never stress this enough, but it is so important that you have quality photography assets and high-quality images used on social media, particularly since both LinkedIn and Facebook are drastically compressing all uploaded images right now, compared to X, where I see less pressure from the platform’s compression algorithms.

Crafting a professional social media presence is about more than just sharing content—it's about storytelling. Use your platform to weave together a narrative that showcases not only your expertise and skills but also your unique personality and perspective. Whether it's through blog posts, videos, podcasts, or infographics, leverage diverse formats to captivate your audience and provide valuable insights. Don't be afraid to share content from other sources, but always add your own twist to make it truly your own. By becoming a storyteller in your niche, you can build a solid reputation and also forge meaningful connections that can propel your professional growth!

Lean into sharing what you know before you start selling. On social media, sharing knowledge isn’t just about showing off what you’re good at to elevate yourself. Elevating your authority is a byproduct of your sharing, but the goal here is to share content that educates and serves. While trying to be professional, you still want to be you. So teach what you know and love. This approach turns your posts into engaging lessons that resonate. Instead of just another voice in the digital crowd, you become a trusted mentor in your field.

When people first come across you, they care far more about what you know vs. what you sell. Trust and credibility is built on being authentic and selfless. People can easily sniff out the difference between those that are sharing insights and content to add value without strings attached and those that are doing it to check a box in self-serving, thinly-veiled self promotions and "product selfies." I heard someone say long ago that brands that don't engage and add value on LinkedIn are saying one of two things- they either don't care to engage with their customers and target audience or they're out of business. I think the same can hold true for individuals. Creating a social media profile and letting it rot is worse than not having one.

No one expects that a social media professional will necessarily have a ton of content for their own channels since they're so focused on being (almost) always on for a brand. Personal content is about showing your skills, prioritizing your time for the biggest impact and building a digital footprint to serve as your extended portfolio to highlight your perspectives, what you can do and what you have already accomplished.

Ser activo en las redes sociales es una buena manera para empezar a mostrar tus habilidades profesionales. Además, al escribir uno puede tomarse el tiempo para pensar sobre estrategias, objetivos y así tener en claro hasta dónde se quiere llegar.

My approach is actually to use platforms like LinkedIn to ‘big up’ others. Yes it’s nice for people to hear about what you have been up to, but I don’t feel that comfortable doing that. I get a greater sense of accomplishment from sharing what people I know/care about/have taught are doing. Call it reflected glory if you like, but it feels ‘better’ to me!

Engaging with your audience is crucial for nurturing a professional social media presence. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions to foster meaningful interactions. Pose questions, polls, or prompts to encourage dialogue and feedback. Show appreciation for your followers by acknowledging their contributions and sharing user-generated content when appropriate. Incorporate storytelling and personal anecdotes to humanize your brand and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Regularly monitor conversations and trends relevant to your industry to stay informed and participate in discussions. By actively engaging with your audience, you can build trust, loyalty, and a strong community around your brand or expertise.

Necesitas encontrar la red social adecuada para llegar a tu audiencia, cada quien tenemos un perfil que es adecuado para alguna red social, no se debe forzar estar en otras si no son afines a nuestra ideologia

It is recommended to make them engage organically. This can be achieved by offering back to the community via free knowledge, tips, gifts, and sometimes making free content to showcase results created from utilising your service. It’s a way of enticing the audience and tempting them to know more or benefit from the knowledge granted for free that can be applied realtime. Retaining the acquired clients is also important by offering them continuous updates, following up always and helping when required. Another important thing is putting the effort as to not fully automate responses or comments, people appreciate the humane part of the process.

In my perspective, actively connecting with your audience transcends mere effort when it involves offering genuine value. Rather than simply requesting engagement, it's essential to prioritize delivering valuable content or insights, fostering reciprocity in engagement. In today's market, nothing comes without a reciprocal exchange; everyone seeks something of value. Therefore, before seeking engagement from your audience, it's crucial to reflect on what you can contribute to the community.

Something that is overlooked far too often for individuals who want to create a meaningful social media presence is being authentic. It is no longer unprofessional to be a human in business - we all understand that being human is how business works. What is going to make you stand out but also make you a more approachable and trustworthy figure is your ability to be open and to show some of your personality online. Nobody else can be you -- take advantage of that.

Being authentic and respectful on social media is vital for building trust. Share genuine insights and experiences, avoiding artificial portrayals. Treat others with kindness, even in disagreements. Listen actively, acknowledge diverse perspectives, and respond thoughtfully. Refrain from offensive language or engaging in conflicts. By maintaining authenticity and respect, you foster genuine connections and create a positive online atmosphere conducive to professional growth.

While authenticity is key, simply being yourself might not be enough for a professional social media presence. The sweet spot lies in presenting your authentic self with a professional twist. Focus on the "why" behind your passions: Don't just post a picture of your coffee; share what the aroma or taste evokes for you, or how it kickstarts your day. Infuse your personal story strategically: Weave your unique perspective into your career narrative. How did your love for coffee, for instance, influence your work ethic or problem-solving skills? Remember, striking a balance between professionalism and personal touches is crucial. Share your story, but ensure it aligns with your professional goals and brand.

If you’re creating a professional personal brand on social media, it's crucial to embrace authenticity and respect in all endeavors. Authenticity breeds trust and connection, allowing us to share genuine insights and experiences that resonate with our audience. Respect, on the other hand, fosters collaboration and inclusivity, creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and appreciated. By prioritizing these principles, we not only elevate our own brand but also contribute to a culture of mutual respect and growth within our industry.

Everyone is looking for the 'humans' nowadays on socials. Be yourself, even having some spelling mistakes or not having the same cheery voice makes you more relatable, and people will follow you for that :)

Commit to your uniqueness. Nothing more professional than just being yourself. Too many people try to create an image or a brand. The problem is those aren't real and you can't live up to them. No matter what you do people are going to like you, not like you, and most won't even know who you are - that's the gift. There will always be more people that don't know you than know you. Never be afraid to stand out

No man is an island, as John Donne once said. Your work and your ideas don't exist in isolation. Credit your influences. Amplify other voices. Invite feedback. Acknowledge vulnerability and seek support. Express a willingness to learn and improve. Don't act like you know everything, you invented everything and you can do everything. Other people can see through that nonsense a mile off!

Having a niche or a focus is great but at some point you reach audience saturation, I always recommend an occasional post about a sister job function or industry to keep it fresh. It all depends if you want to be a source for information for industry professionals or grow your platform

Remember, the visual elements of your brand are a powerful tool to create an immediate, emotional connection with your audience. This is your chance to make a lasting impression, so don't forget to dive in and discover the visual language of your brand!

-make sure you have a professional headshot photo you can use cohesively across your social media channels (you can even use AI to create one if you don’t have one) -insert a link to your personal website or portfolio from your social media pages -share industry insights or resources consistently on your social media pages that relate to the job or career you are in or want to attract. -create video content that shows off your unique personality and share it across your channels. Talk about what sets you apart from everyone else!