Best Practices for Personal Work Formatting on Social Media

Published on 11 August 2023 9 min read

Create consistent profiles across platforms
How to optimize your profile biography
Make use of relevant keywords
Why visual content matters in social media
Engage with your followers regularly
Utilize hashtags effectively
Schedule posts at optimal times
How to track and analyze performance

With the boom of social media in recent years, it's no surprise that you'd want to share your personal work online. But how do you make sure your work is seen by the right people, and in the right light? The answer lies in using the right format for posting personal work on social media. In this blog, we'll explore some of the best practices to help you showcase your work effectively on social media.

Create consistent profiles across platforms

First things first—consistency is key when it comes to social media. This means ensuring that your profiles across various platforms have a unified look and feel. Here's why:

Brand Recognition: Consistent profiles help your followers instantly recognize your work, no matter which platform they find you on. This includes using the same profile picture, cover photo, and color scheme.
Trust Building: Consistency builds trust and portrays you as a professional. When your profiles look alike, your audience knows what to expect; it assures them they're in the right place.
Improved Searchability: Using the same name, preferably your real name or a professional pseudonym, across platforms makes you more searchable. This is a key part of the right format for posting personal work on social media.

Now, you might be thinking, "But my work varies across different mediums!" No worries—you can still maintain a consistent brand while showcasing your versatility. The trick lies in your presentation: keep your biography, contact information, and brand colors consistent, while varying the work you display.

So go ahead, give your social media profiles a makeover. Remember, consistency is more than just a buzzword—it's an important step towards establishing your online presence and showcasing your work in the right format.

How to optimize your profile biography

Once you've nailed down a consistent look across your profiles, it's time to focus on the second piece of the puzzle: optimizing your social media biography. Your bio is your digital handshake, your chance to introduce yourself and your work to prospective followers. Here's how you can make it count:

Keep it Clear and Concise: Social media isn't the place for a lengthy resume. Keep your bio short, sweet, and to the point. It should give an overview of who you are, what you do, and what kind of work you post.
Make it Memorable: A little personality goes a long way. Whether it's a clever pun, a quirky fact, or a unique turn of phrase, let your personality shine through your bio.
Show, Don’t Tell: If you're a photographer, mention it. If you're a writer, state it. But remember to show some proof in your posts. This is the right format for posting personal work on social media.
Include a Call to Action: Want followers to check out your latest blog post? Or sign up for your newsletter? Your bio is the perfect place to include a call-to-action (CTA). Just remember to keep it relevant!
Update Regularly: Don't let your bio collect digital dust. Update it regularly to reflect any changes in your work, achievements, or projects.

Optimizing your bio isn't just about stuffing it with buzzwords—it's about making a strong first impression and inviting people to engage with your work. So go ahead and give your bio the attention it deserves. It's a small change, but it could make a big difference in how people perceive your work on social media.

Make use of relevant keywords

Now that you've optimized your biography, let's dive into the next step: using relevant keywords. Keywords, in the world of social media, are words or phrases that describe your content. They make it easier for people to find your work. Think of them as the 'tags' on a blog post or the 'hashtags' on a tweet. But how do you find and use the right ones?

Know Your Niche: You're an expert in your field, and you know the lingo. Use that to your advantage! If you're a graphic designer, words like "design", "illustration", "typography", or "branding" could be your go-to keywords.
Think Like Your Audience: What words would someone use to find your work? If you're unsure, ask! You can start a poll, send out a survey, or simply ask your followers what they think.
Research, Research, Research: Look at what successful people in your field are doing. What keywords are they using? How are they incorporating them into their posts? Learn from their success and apply it to your own work.
Test and Tweak: Finding the right keywords isn't a one-time deal. It's an ongoing process. Test different keywords, track their performance, and tweak your strategy as needed.

Using relevant keywords is a simple yet effective way to increase your visibility and attract the right audience. Remember, it's not about stuffing your posts with as many keywords as possible. It's about choosing the right words that accurately represent your work and resonate with your audience. This is the right format for posting personal work on social media.

Let's move on to a topic that is often overlooked: the power of visual content. Did you know that posts with images receive 94% more views than those without? That's a whopping difference! So, why does visual content matter so much on social media?

Grabs Attention: The human brain can process images 60,000 times faster than text. This means that a well-chosen image or video can stop a scrolling finger in its tracks, bringing more eyes to your work.
Communicates More Efficiently: An image can often convey an idea more quickly and clearly than a paragraph of text. This is particularly useful in social media, where attention spans are notoriously short.
Stimulates Emotion: Visuals have the power to evoke emotions, be it happiness, sorrow, surprise, or excitement. When you make your audience feel something, they are more likely to engage with your work and remember it.
Boosts Engagement: Studies show that visual content—whether it's an infographic, an animation, or a simple photo—generates more likes, shares, and comments than text-only posts. More engagement means more visibility for your work.

So, next time you're posting your work, consider adding a visual element. It could be a behind-the-scenes photo, a quick video tutorial, or a visually appealing infographic. Remember, it’s not about creating a blockbuster movie; it’s about adding visual interest that complements your work. This is a key part of the right format for posting personal work on social media. You don't have to be a professional photographer or a graphic designer to make your posts pop. There are plenty of user-friendly tools and apps out there to help you create eye-catching visual content. So go ahead, get creative and let your work shine!

Engage with your followers regularly

Let's chat about one of the most important parts of the right format for posting personal work on social media: engaging with your followers. Remember, social media isn't a one-way street, and your followers aren't just passive viewers. They're real people who are interested in your work and want to connect with you. Here are some tips on how to engage with them effectively:

Respond to Comments: When someone takes the time to comment on your post, make sure to reply. It could be a simple thank you or a more detailed response. This shows that you value their input and are open to conversation.
Encourage Interaction: Don't just wait for comments to roll in—ask for them! End your posts with a question or a call-to-action. Ask your followers what they think about your work, or invite them to share their own experiences. This not only boosts engagement but also helps to build a sense of community.
Show Appreciation: If someone shares your post or mentions you in their post, thank them. A little appreciation goes a long way in making your followers feel valued.
Be Personal: Show your followers that there's a real person behind the screen. Share stories about your work process, your successes and failures, your inspirations. This can help to create a more personal connection and make your followers more invested in your work.

By regularly engaging with your followers, you're not just building a fan base—you're building relationships. And these relationships can lead to loyal followers, more shares, and even potential collaborations. So don't be shy—get out there and engage!

Utilize hashtags effectively

Next in line for the right format for posting personal work on social media is the smart usage of hashtags. Hashtags are like the spices of social media: use them right, and they can add flavor to your posts; but use them wrong, and they can leave a bad taste. Don't worry, though — with these tips, you'll be a hashtag pro in no time:

Stay Relevant: Use hashtags that are relevant to your content. If you're posting a watercolor painting, use hashtags like #watercolor or #painting. Irrelevant hashtags can confuse your followers and dilute your message.
Don't Overdo It: While it can be tempting to add a bunch of hashtags to reach more people, it's better to choose a few relevant ones. A post with too many hashtags can look cluttered and desperate. Plus, it can be hard for followers to find your content amid the hashtag jumble.
Research Popular Hashtags: Use popular hashtags, but only if they're relevant to your post. This can help you reach a larger audience. But remember — popularity isn't everything. Sometimes, less popular hashtags can help you reach a more targeted, engaged audience.
Create Your Own Hashtags: Creating your own hashtags can be a great branding strategy. For example, if you're a photographer named John Smith, you could use #JohnSmithPhotos. Be sure to use your custom hashtag consistently across your posts.

And there you have it! With these tips in mind, you'll be able to use hashtags not just as add-ons, but as strategic tools to enhance your social media presence. Remember, the right format for posting personal work on social media is all about using each feature to its fullest potential — and hashtags are no exception.

Schedule posts at optimal times

Perfect! You've got the hang of creating engaging content and utilizing hashtags effectively. Now, let's talk about timing. It's not just about what you post, but also when you post. The right format for posting personal work on social media involves strategic scheduling. Here's how you can do it:

Know Your Audience: Think about who your followers are and when they're most likely to be checking their social media feeds. Are they students who might be online after school hours? Or are they working professionals who might check their feeds in the morning or during lunch breaks?
Experiment and Analyze: Try posting at different times of the day and see when you get the most engagement. Keep track of these times and try to post consistently during these "peak hours".
Make Use of Scheduling Tools: There are many social media tools out there that can schedule your posts for you. This way, even if you're busy or in a different time zone, your posts can still go live at the optimal times.
Consider Time Zones: If you have a global audience, consider their time zones. You might need to schedule posts at odd hours to reach followers in different parts of the world.

Remember, good timing can make a big difference in the amount of engagement your posts receive. By scheduling your posts at optimal times, you're taking another step towards mastering the right format for posting personal work on social media.

How to track and analyze performance

Now that you have a good handle on how to format your posts and when to schedule them, let's move on to the next step: tracking and analyzing your performance. This is a key part of finding the right format for posting personal work on social media. Here's what you need to do:

Use Analytics Tools: Most social media platforms have built-in analytics that can provide valuable insights about your posts. These can show you which posts are getting the most likes, shares, comments, and so on. This can help you understand what type of content your audience enjoys the most.
Monitor Engagement: Don't just focus on the number of likes or shares. Pay attention to comments and direct messages to gauge what your audience thinks about your content. Are they asking questions? Giving feedback? These can provide valuable insights for future posts.
Track Growth Over Time: Keep an eye on your follower count. Is it increasing steadily? If not, you might need to adjust your content strategy. Remember, growth doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and consistent effort.
Evaluate Your Goals: Are you trying to increase your follower count? Get more likes on your posts? Whatever your goals are, regularly review them to ensure your content is aligned with them.

By tracking and analyzing your performance, you can continuously improve your content and find the right format for posting personal work on social media. Remember, it's about trial and error and learning as you go. So, ready to dive into the world of analytics?

If you're eager to learn more about optimizing your personal work on social media, be sure to check out our 'Daisie Original Animation Course' with none another than Alex Jenkins who will you take you through his complete animation process. Dive in and take your animation skills to the next level!