Leveraging Social Media for Personal Branding - Best Practices and Pitfalls

Welcome back to The Brand Advocate! I’m Vicky, your guide to building a personal brand that sets you apart and draws opportunities to your door. This week, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools for personal branding: social media.

Done right, social media can elevate your visibility, establish your authority, and attract your ideal audience. But, like any tool, it has its pitfalls. Let’s explore how to use social media strategically to build a brand that truly resonates.

Deep Dive

Social media is more than just a platform; it’s your stage. It’s where your audience gets a glimpse of who you are, what you stand for, and why they should care. However, its potential to amplify your brand hinges on how you use it.

Here’s what separates strategic social media from noise:

1. Consistency is Key Your audience needs to see and hear from you regularly to remember you. Consistency doesn’t mean showing up daily - it means showing up with intention. Pick a schedule you can maintain and stick to it.
2. Lead with Value Every post, comment, or story should serve your audience. Share insights, solutions, or inspiration they can apply. Think of social media as a conversation, not a billboard.
3. Showcase Your Personality People connect with people, not polished perfection. Let your voice shine through - whether it’s through humour, storytelling, or showing behind-the-scenes moments.
4. Engage, Don’t Just Broadcast Reply to comments, join discussions and support others in your industry. Building relationships is just as important as posting content.

Spotlight Success: Joe Wicks

Love him, or hate him, Joe Wicks is a standout example of leveraging social media to build a personal brand. Famously known as The Body Coach, Joe transformed his fitness career by harnessing the power of social media, turning his authentic and energetic approach into a global phenomenon.

Starting with short, relatable videos on Instagram and YouTube, Joe quickly captured attention. His engaging, no-frills content resonated with busy individuals looking for simple ways to improve their fitness and health. His energy, approach to content and style was all aligned with a strong recognisable brand. Unmistakeibly him.

Why Joe’s Social Media Strategy Works:

1. Relatability: Joe’s content is down-to-earth and easy to follow, making fitness and healthy living accessible to everyone.
2. Consistency: From his early Instagram videos to his pandemic PE classes, Joe shows up regularly, building trust and familiarity with his audience. His audience feels like they know the real him.
3. Purpose-Driven Content: His brand isn’t just about selling a program - it’s about inspiring people to live healthier, happier lives. His free PE classes demonstrated his genuine care for his audience, which in turn expanded his following.

Key Takeaway: Joe Wicks may not be everyone's cup of tea, but shows how social media can be used to authentically connect with an audience, deliver consistent value, and align your personal brand with a greater purpose. His journey proves that when you focus on serving others, your personal brand grows organically.

Your Next Move

1. Audit Your Social Media: Look at your platforms and ask: Does my content reflect my brand values? Am I showing up consistently? Is my messaging clear? Is this unmistakeably me?
2. Create a Value-First Plan: Map out three post ideas this week that provide real value to your audience and showcase your unique way of thinking, doing, being.
3. Engage with Intent: Dedicate time daily to comment, like, and share meaningful content from others in your industry. Build those connections. Make it a conversation - not a broadcast.

Final Reflections

Social media is a powerful amplifier for your personal brand - when you use it with intention. It’s not about being everywhere all the time; it’s about showing up consistently, leading with value, and building real connections.

Remember, your brand isn’t built in a single viral post - it’s built in the trust and relationships you cultivate over time.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to using social media for your personal brand?

Drop me a message or share your thoughts - I’d love to help!

Until next time,

Vicky x