How Mark Cuban, Arianna Huffington, and Bill Gates Use Social Media to Build Their Brand

Many CEOs and entrepreneurs still have their hesitations on whether or not to have a personal account active on social media, even though the year is 2018! 

A report from CEO.com showed that a whopping 61% of CEO's have no presence at all on social media. It's estimated that of the 39% with a presence on at least one of the major social media networks many of them are rarely active.

They fail to make the connection between their personal brand and their business brand. 

The truth is, all business owners should have a presence on social media because that is where consumers are. Being the CEO, founder, or owner of a company doesn't mean you should hide behind a team of social media marketers. 

The world's top CEOs and entrepreneurs who have a presence on social media bring a personal brand to their company's image, something that many consumers appreciate. 

Here's how some of the world's top CEOs and entrepreneurs use social media to use their personal brand to help grow their business.

Marc Cuban, Instagram

As a CEO, you don't need to always have a serious business face on. Marc Cuban, investor and Shark Tank star, is very active on Instagram. While the public does get to see a lot of Cuban's personality on the show, his Instagram account gives followers insight into his personal life. 

He posts a variety of photos that show his family life, behind the scenes of Shark Tank, as well as his own business ventures. 

Cuban's Instagram account lets his fans connect with him on an emotional level, which is proven to drive brand loyalty.

Bill Gates, LinkedIn

If you look up Bill Gates on LinkedIn, it may surprise you that he doesn't define himself as the co-founder of Microsoft. Instead, his profile reads, "co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation." Listing his philanthropy before Microsoft is humbling. It tells you that he values making the world a better place. 

Gates shares articles and posts on LinkedIn at least once a week that reiterate his concern about global health. 

Arianna Huffington, Twitter

Founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington is an excellent example of how CEOs should brand themselves on social media. Her Twitter account profile explains that she is, "mother, sister, flat shoe advocate, sleep evangelist, HuffPost founder, and founder and CEO of Thrive Global." 

In that one sentence, she lays out her priorities in order. Huffington is an inspiration for women who are looking to dive into the startup world, so it's no wonder as she has over three million followers to date.

Gary Vaynerchuk, Snapchat

Not all CEOs or entrepreneurs can voice their personalities and brand in writing. Video and image messaging apps are there for those who are a bit on the chatty side. One such chatterbox is marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuk. 

He is very active with his Snapchat account, sharing his tips and tricks as he is on the go. He draws people in with his raw attitude and tell-it-like-it-is mentality that make up his personal brand.

Marie Forleo, YouTube

Life coach, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur Marie Forleo's YouTube channel has over 400,000 subscribers. Her authenticity and sound advice come through as she interviews her guests. 

Her episodes have content that keeps you engaged until her call to action at the end where she invites you to her website. This is an example of the ultimate personal and business brand meshed together successfully.

CEOs and entrepreneurs who share their passions, personal causes, and home life are the ones who find the most success on social media. Followers like to see a down-to-earth person who is just as vulnerable as they are. 

The thought leadership these CEOs and entrepreneurs show when it comes to the passion they have for their own business on social media makes them the best possible spokesperson for the company.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather work for or buy from a company with a social CEO than a CEO who hides behind the corporate logo.

Originally published on Inc.