What are the common pitfalls of using social media for personal branding?

4 Copying or comparing

A fourth common pitfall of using social media for personal branding is copying or comparing. Social media is a competitive and crowded space, where you can easily see what others are doing, saying, or achieving. However, many people make the mistake of copying or comparing themselves to others, whether it is their content, style, strategy, or results. This can make you look unoriginal, dishonest, or insecure, and undermine your brand's uniqueness, authenticity, and value. To avoid this pitfall, you need to focus on your own strengths, goals, and vision, and create your own content, style, strategy, and results. You also need to use social media as a source of inspiration, learning, and collaboration, not as a measure of success, failure, or worth.

5 Neglecting ethics or etiquette

A fifth common pitfall of using social media for personal branding is neglecting ethics or etiquette. Social media is a public and permanent platform, where you can easily reach and influence a large and diverse audience. However, many people make the mistake of neglecting the ethics or etiquette of using social media, whether it is their language, behavior, or actions. This can make you look rude, irresponsible, or unethical, and damage your brand's reputation, trust, and relationships. To avoid this pitfall, you need to follow the rules and norms of using social media, whether they are written or unwritten, legal or moral, or specific or general. You also need to respect the rights and feelings of others, avoid controversial or offensive topics, and admit and correct your errors.

6 Forgetting the human element

A sixth common pitfall of using social media for personal branding is forgetting the human element. Social media is a digital and impersonal platform, where you can easily lose touch with the real people behind the screens. However, many people make the mistake of forgetting the human element of using social media, whether it is their own or others'. This can make you look robotic, cold, or distant, and lose your brand's personality, emotion, and connection. To avoid this pitfall, you need to remember that social media is a tool for human interaction, not a substitute for it. You also need to show your human side, express your feelings and opinions, and build genuine and meaningful relationships with your followers, customers, peers, and influencers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?