How to build a strong personal social media brand

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp .... It is difficult to imagine life without social media today. Twenty years ago, when social media originated, no one could have imagined its meteoric rise to levels seen today - Nearly 33% of the world’s population uses some form of social media. Social media has generated billions of dollars in business brought instant fame to millions.

Are you one of those millions? Why not? What’s the difference between those who are milking social media and the rest that are observing from the side-walk. The difference is how we use the tool.

Most of us have a profile on LinkedIn, like a few pictures on Instagram or post a few photos on Facebook – and then wait for our friends to press the like button. Social media is much more than that. Take a look at four facets of life that define us- 

·     Your private box that comprises your values, beliefs, private space, experiences that shaped you, your views and opinions. – everything that is unique and defines you.

·     Your personal space that comprises those close to you and your experiences with them

·     Your Professional space that comprises your work, colleagues, industry

·     And your carefree space – your passions, hobbies, interests

All of us are shaped by a unique mix of these factors.

In each of these areas, there are four possibilities defined by Johari window:

·     What’s unknown to you and others

·     What’s unknown to you but known to others

·     What’s known to you and known to others too

·     What’s known to you and unknown to others       

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t share anything unknown to you with anyone. This is especially true when that is known to others. For example – lets assume you don’t know anything about the current hot topic - artificial intelligence – something others know to you know very well. You should NEVER feel compelled to go with the flow and say something – that is the surest way to destroy your reputation - both online and offline.  

There is no point in sharing what’s known to you if everyone else knows it too. What really matters is sharing what’s known exclusively to you BUT not others. This is YOUR zone of action. This is what makes you unique - what makes you different. Everyone in the world is unique and the rest of the world wants to know that.

In every facet of your life, find this unqiueness –

1.    What values and beliefs shaped you and made you different from others?

2.    What life experiences taught you a lot? It need not be earth shattering – even a routine visit to shop that helped you learn something is great.

3.    Perhaps you went through challenges – health, family, professional – how did you face those?

4.    How do you lead your life - travels, work outs – do you have any distinct patterns that others can emulate?

5.    Be creative. Do you like to cook/travel connoisseur/singer/dancer/painter? You don’t need to be a professional you just need to be DIFFERENT. Can you share something about it?

Being yourself is the only way how to stand out in today’s crowded market. So what’s YOUR story? -Magnetic Silvia, CEO Magnetic Look

NO TWO people are the same - not even twins. Most people don’t spend enough time figuring out what separates them from the rest. As surprising as this might sound, what’s unimportant to you about your experience might be what the world is waiting to hear.

Once you figured out your uniqueness (a.k.a. your personal brand positioning),

1.    Share: Use social media and share the content. Speak/write/talk about it.

a.    Content can be video, audio, article or ANY other format.

2.    Details Matter: Share detail of your experiences. Be as vivid and authentic as possible -The devil is in the details.

“Social networks aren’t about Web sites. They’re about experiences.” - Mike DiLorenzo, NHL social media marketing director

a.    BE careful not share what will be source of pain or embarrassment for you later.

“Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t want plastered on a billboard with your face on it.” Erin Bury, Sprouter community manager

b.    Share original content. Nothing frustrates audience as much as plagiarism.

3.    Be consistent – Share content in line with your core brand.

a.    Don’t share views that are contrary or confusing.

4.    The WHY: Don’t share to get followers. Getting followers is a by-product of sharing meaningful content – not the reason for it.

a.    If you don’t find any reason for sharing other than getting followers, STOP.

b.    The WHY for sharing is the factor that adds WOW to your content and gives you purpose.

“Social media is just a buzzword until you come up with a plan.”

c. There is no replacement to genuinely liking and helping people.

“Just be nice, take genuine interest in the people you meet, and keep in touch with people you like. This will create a group of people who are invested in helping you because they know you and appreciate you.” - Guy Kawasaki, alltop.com

5.    Encourage conversation: Share to encourage conversation. Respond to questions with your knowledge.

“If content is king, then conversation is queen.” - John Munsell, CEO of Bizzuka

6. Stickiness: Share often – the more often you share, the more people will follow you

Social media provides the unparalleled opportunity to convert your routine experiences to something special. Something that everyone of us is.

You are special too – tell us your story and the world are waiting to hear. Dont squander the worlds most priceless opportunity provided by social media - to be respected for being yourself.

“You can buy attention (advertising). You can beg for attention from the media (PR). You can bug people one at a time to get attention (sales). Or you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishing it online for free.” - David Meerman Scott, Best-Selling Author & Speaker

I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the comments box below.

Raja Jamalamadaka is a TEDx and corporate speaker, entrepreneur, mentor to startup founders, "Marshall Goldsmith award for coaching excellence" award winning top 100 coach to senior industry executives and a board director. He also serves on several CEO search panels. His primary area of research is neurosciences - functioning of the brain and its links to leadership attributes like productivity, confidence, positivity, decision making and organization culture. If you liked this article, you might like some of his earlier articles here:

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